Posts by Kate James21

I’m heading into my doctor’s appointment today with all my paperwork in hand, so I expect to get a much clearer picture of the situation once we sit down... I am really hoping there is a way out of this without heavy medication, as I have always had a strong aversion to relying on pills to get through the day.

fadedbear92 said:Usually, doctors don't bother telling you that stuff—especially not at a VA hospital—and even some psychiatrists might miss it if they're new to the field, so don't be surprised if you're left in the dark.🙂

It’s just vital that I have somewhere to turn and ask... 😉

She mentioned I should taper onto it gradually, though she also noted she’d give me the exact timing for when to actually start the medication. What matters to me is just having some clarity on things now...

That’s great, thanks a million. She didn't really go into detail, but I imagine my primary care physician would probably walk me through it... I think I'll take some time to look into this further. Thanks again!

How does it actually affect someone when they start hitting the gym for those really intense, grueling workouts?

fadedbear92 said:Well, that's an AD—it actually wakes you up and gives you a boost—so it definitely won't knock you out. Whatever you do, don't take it at night!😲😲😲

I was actually thinking about timing it a few hours before I hit the gym to get a bit of a lift... maybe if I can just shake off all this negative energy and sweat it out, I might finally be able to get some sleep...

fadedbear92 said:Yeah, Effexor can be a hell of a lifter—it definitely did that for me, though it absolutely wrecked my sleep patterns. But then again, it works perfectly for others, and as we always say, everyone reacts differently.

In theory, combining it with an anti-anxiety med should help level me out, at least that's my take on it...

The bottom line is that I need to get some sleep. 😵

I’ve been on an anxiolytic for quite some time now, so I’m well aware of how dependency works... When I was down at the beach with my ex-girlfriend, I managed to go an entire month without taking a single dose. I felt relaxed, rested, and honestly, life was pretty good. But then the issues started creeping back in. Anyway, I’m currently taking 0.25g twice a day, which I don't consider to be much at all; I’ve read accounts of people taking several milligrams daily. I typically just take mine during work hours or right before bed to help me drift off...

If I weren't living alone, maybe I wouldn't even need the ADHD medication, but you can't have everything in this life, I guess...

I’m just hoping this actually helps me get my head straight and find some stability again...

That’s great news. From what I can gather, this is a heavy-duty medication, quite potent... It seems my situation isn't exactly trivial if they felt the need to prescribe an anxiolytic alongside it to boot.

The most important thing is that it doesn't carry a high risk of dependency. Right now, I just need something to lift me up, to finally get my head back on straight so I can actually move forward with my life. How long does it usually take before the effects really kick in?

Alvent 75 mg. Can anyone give me some insight into this medication? I'm trying to gauge its potency—whether it's actually effective or if it's relatively weak... and if it truly delivers results when you need it most.

But more importantly, does it carry a risk of dependency?

Anyone there?

Alvent 75 mg. Can anyone shed some light on this medication for me? I'm curious about its actual potency—whether it’s considered strong or relatively mild—and if people find it genuinely effective...

But most importantly, does it carry a risk of dependency?

It’s honestly pretty negligible if your primary goal is to pack on some weight.

I’ve started looking into some things, though I'm still waiting on a few more results, so I figured I’d share what I have so far...

I had a Doppler ultrasound done, and they said my blood vessels look fine, essentially giving me a clean bill of health there.

As for the blood work, most of it falls within the standard ranges, though my cholesterol is quite high. I'm fully aware of that—fast food, a hectic job, zero free time, the usual suspects. Honestly, I doubt it's playing a major role in the symptoms I'm experiencing, but perhaps I'm mistaken...

My red blood cell count came back elevated at 5.96, when the upper limit is usually 5.72. Does anyone here have a better grasp on what that actually implies?

My glucose is also slightly up; it's sitting at 6.5, while the threshold is 6.0.

On top of that, I just received my cervical spine X-ray report, which states: "imaging reveals osteophytosis in the proximal half."

From what I gather, that's some kind of misalignment or bone growth? I'm certainly no expert, so I can't say for sure...

I'm also unsure how much this might be contributing to how I'm feeling right now.Can anyone make sense of these findings?

Personally, my condition fluctuates; some days are better than others, but overall, things aren't nearly as good as they should be...

Last night, I started noticing this sensation at the base of my skull—it feels like liquid swirling around combined with this strange crackling... I tried turning my head and stretching to work out the tension, but all I heard was this awful crunching sound, almost as if fluid were surging through some kind of internal channels. It’s been happening more frequently lately, though I only really focused on it last night because it's reached a level of intensity I've never experienced before...

Is there any chance this could be related to blood flow reaching the brain?

crimsongull20 said:Don't mention it. I really wish I could be more helpful, but I honestly don't know anything about potential diagnoses for that specific cluster of symptoms.

Just speaking as a layperson here, if I were in your shoes, I would be pushing for an urgent brain MRI if one hasn't been performed yet...

I asked my doctor about getting a CT scan, but she told me that once she reviews all the imaging results I've already received, she'll decide if there's actually any clinical reason to proceed with a CT or an MRI... I went in specifically hoping she would refer me for one, but clearly, based on her assessment, she doesn't think it's necessary right now. 🤷

crimsongull20 said:I am sorry you are feeling so poorly.

I think it would be beneficial if you listed your entire set of symptoms—both the old ones and the new ones—what triggers them (if you can tell), what offers relief, what makes things worse, and so on...

Doing so might increase the chances that a medical professional browsing this forum can offer some sound advice...

Hang in there. 🙂

I know, of course...

loss of balance
dizziness
pressure in the lower back of my head
moments where I lose all sense of time and space (for instance, today I intended to walk to the refrigerator, but suddenly came to my senses only to realize I had wandered out onto the patio)
disorientation
memory loss; when the symptoms hit hard, I can't recall certain parts of the day...
restlessness when I get exhausted while trying to sleep (sometimes I can't drift off for hours)...
fear of passing out (I occasionally get this sensation that I'm about to faint, my heart starts racing so violently that it creates pressure in my chest and I lose my breath)
distorted perception of space...
lately, I have been dealing with quite a bit of back pain, mostly from desk work, though my neck doesn't hurt...
sensitivity to many different types of light (streetlights, neon signs—it causes a sudden surge in disorientation and a disruption of my balance)
irregular heartbeat

What helps is sleep; I feel somewhat better in the morning, the disorientation is less intense and my balance is slightly improved, but after an hour or two of activity, it all begins to return...

As for what makes it worse... I'm not sure. Everything feels overwhelming. Even basic human interaction... the symptoms tend to spike right after I eat lunch (usually, after eating, I start feeling sleepy, and the symptoms are much more pronounced when I am fatigued)

I was given B-complex vitamins, and they also prescribed andol 100 (honestly, I have no idea why I was told to take andol once a day); could someone explain the reasoning behind the andol?

I didn't mention severe headaches because I don't actually have those; rather, I have this strange sensation in the back of my head, a sort of pressure, and if I press on it with my hand, there is a slight moment of relief before it returns, persisting throughout the day...

Thank you for the support... 🙂

Well, here comes Jonathan Morris40 after some time away... dealing with the same issues... only now the symptoms have intensified.

For a while there, I thought I was turning a corner; I cut out all excess alcohol and felt like I was making progress, but I've ultimately realized that alcohol wasn't the culprit at all. My condition has actually deteriorated to the point where things are becoming critical, including moments where I feel like I might lose consciousness... So, I went to see my primary care physician today, walked him through everything I've been experiencing, and he sent me off for the following tests:

1. EKG
2. Medical biochemistry, checking for tachycardia
3. Radiology, X-ray of the cervical spine
4. Cardiovascular diagnostics - Holter monitor
5. Vertigo evaluation - ENT (Otolaryngology)
6. Vertigo - Ophthalmology
7. Ultrasound, carotid Doppler, color Doppler of the neck vessels
8. Complete blood count, including thyroid hormones, lipid panel, and so on...

What should I realistically expect from this, and does the specific combination of these orders suggest the doctor is hunting for something particular? I'm aware of various possibilities, ranging from multiple sclerosis and scoliosis to malignant diseases and other complications...

Furthermore, I can't help but wonder why my GP didn't just refer me to a neurologist in the first place. After reviewing a previous report that came back clear, he simply decided there was no point in pursuing further investigation. Is it truly possible for a doctor to declare a case completely resolved based solely on a single EEG...

In that moment, I told him I felt better, because, truthfully, I *had* been feeling better. But the symptoms haven't entirely vanished...

I’m heading to the doctor this Monday to go over my test results... I can't make it any sooner due to some pressing commitments, so we'll just have to wait and see what their take is on everything. I appreciate you getting back to me with those answers. 👍

velvetmoose9 said:That’s good to hear.
But how are you actually feeling personally... have you noticed any shifts, or are the symptoms still exactly the same?

When exhaustion sets in, the symptoms tend to hit me quite hard; I usually feel fine in the morning and throughout most of the day, but once that fatigue finally takes over, falling asleep becomes a real struggle...