Posts by Charles James3

slywolf11 said:I went to see my psychiatrist and we talked things through; I explained that I'm feeling that surge of adrenaline again, like I have to constantly move and I'm hyperactive, plus that constant nervous knot in my stomach. He prescribed Xanax 0.5, both morning and night, and I've been taking it and feeling pretty good. I realized, though—and I feel like such an idiot—that when I looked at his report from about a month and a half ago, it listed Xanax 0.5, but I hadn't actually checked the prescription issued by my primary care physician (the paperwork in our healthcare system can be such a mess). It turns out the script actually said Xanax 0.25, just two boxes. So, I've essentially been taking Xanax 0.25 in the morning and at night instead of the 0.5 dose. I think I'll start taking the 0.5 starting tomorrow and see how it goes.
Xanax doesn't affect my sex life; I double-checked that as early as Wednesday 🙂 and everything was 👍, whereas while I was on Alvent, it was 👎.
Regarding pregnancy and Xanax, I plan to keep taking it right up until the moment I find out I'm pregnant. A year ago, I was pregnant and didn't take anything, and I lost twins, which absolutely destroyed me mentally. That's why I'm seeing a psychiatrist now. I suppose if it's meant to be fine, it will be fine, and if not 🤷....

Ah, sorry, I thought you were on antidepressants while you were pregnant. Just realized what your situation actually is ☕

Honestly, I don't know much about antidepressants, which is why I'm even on this forum trying to learn more, but that whole Xanax regimen sounds totally stupid to me. It just feels like getting hooked on an addiction you really don't need. I don't know...

I've been on Zoloft for four years and I'm now on day eight of Alvent because my doctor switched me over. I told him I wanted to get off antidepressants, so I guess this is just some kind of initial tapering phase 🤷. One reason people try to get off them is pregnancy, so if anyone knows anything more about that, please let me know, I'd really appreciate it 🙂

And yeah, what you said about if things are meant to happen, they will... unfortunately, that's just how it goes...

Roger Rodriguez, everyone knows exactly what kind of hell you’re going through right now. I’m with velvetsailor26 on this one—just try not to obsess over cutting your dose or constantly worrying about which day is gonna hit you the hardest. I know, sounds easy said than done, but honestly, you don't really have much of a choice. Just grit your teeth and push through—there's always a way out. 🙂
I’m actually dealing with some similar crap myself at the moment, but hey, things have to get better eventually. Gotta stay optimistic despite everything, right? 🙂

Nathan Kim10 said:Exactly. Just give the new AD some time to get up to speed. 👍

Man, I really hope things turn around soon because these side effects are brutal—I honestly don't know what to do... I've just been trying to sleep as much as possible to tune everything out, but even then, I'm taking the same dose and it’s clearly not hitting the same anymore. I really don't want to start upping my dosage, though...😢

hey everyone....

... it’s day five on Alvent and honestly, I feel like crap. I’ve been asking around and everyone keeps telling me these are just standard side effects from switching from one AD to another—that I'll start feeling human again in maybe two weeks...😢

Robert Collins2 said:Man, these new ADs, those SNRIs, they are freaking legendary. Forget about anorgasmia, seriously, what a game changer!!! 😍 👍

Nathan Kim10, where you at? Come on, I need to hear your expert take on this, hahaha! 😁

Are you for real?!?! 😲

slywolf11 said:Dear slywolf11, I was on Alventa for about a month and I truly felt wonderful while taking it; I was doing 75 mg in the mornings. I haven't taken it for a week now, and I have to say, I'm feeling a bit down again—not quite classic depression, but more of a persistent restlessness. I have a follow-up appointment this Wednesday, so I'll mention this to my doctor and see what the plan is 🙂.... My issues originally stemmed from a miscarriage, and since we are starting the process all over again, I am concerned about whether there is any therapy available that won't interfere if I happen to conceive.
I'm telling you, Alventa worked wonders for me, but now I feel a little "broken" again.
As for the sexual side of things, I was taking xanax alongside the Alventa for two weeks, and I can tell you that I had some issues; I just couldn't reach orgasm... but once I stopped taking it, by that very same evening, things were 👍

Tbh, after being in a deep depression, I don't feel much different on this Alvent since I was on Prozac for so long anyway. But what you mentioned is exactly what's eating at me—what happens with pregnancy while on AD 🤷

I talked to my doctor about it, and the main thing is that I want to have a baby ASAP, and I'm terrified of any side effects. My doctor obviously told me it's not good and that taking AD during the first trimester while the baby is developing is risky. But if it's absolutely impossible to function without them, maybe there are some ADs available outside the US that might be safer? I mean, if I have to go abroad to find something, I will, but I'm still scared as hell..

As for the sex stuff—I've basically gotten used to not reaching orgasm by now. Mostly because my boyfriend doesn't fully get it and thinks he's the one failing, which is just... yeah.🤷

Roger Rodriguez said:So what if people judge you?
Is it really worth risking your life just because someone doesn't understand why you're taking medication? 🙄
It wasn't a massive hit for me, but after just a few sips, the anxiety kicked in, my heart started racing, and I felt sick. Instead of having a great time, I ended up in the ER.
Taylor Miller10 keep mixing pills and alcohol then; if you're lucky, maybe you'll manage to quit messing around with this stuff before it's too late. And when I remember how you were posting here just two weeks ago asking when your antidepressants would kick in and how you'd feel...🙄
I honestly don't get how people can be so reckless and irresponsible. Would you really risk your life for one night of partying rather than waiting a few months—or even years—to get clean and work through the pain you're already dealing with?
In a few weeks or months, there will be a whole new wave of posts on this exact topic, with people searching for answers about how, why, and what happened.

I'm totally with you on this!
I was just wondering what would happen if I drank, because after four years on antidepressants, you just want to feel normal for one night. But honestly, my health matters way more than that.
Thanks for the input—there's no shame in asking, just in not knowing...

Nathan Kim10 said:Don't try it. For me, it was a nightmare. My anxiety spiked and I ended up dealing with panic attacks.😲

Look, I’d try it if I actually knew it wouldn't wreck me like this... but the fear is real. I've heard plenty of people take them and be fine—just feel a bit more "hit"—but that's not me. I'm constantly at parties or hanging out with friends where everyone's drinking, and I'm always the one making up lame excuses to stay sober. Because if I actually pulled out my meds and told them, "Yeah, this is why," they'd look at me like some kind of junkie or whatever. People just don't get that it's not what I want—I'm fighting tooth and nail just to get back to my old self...

It's heavy stuff, man. You never think you'll reach a point where you have to rely on pills just to function normally. Life really throws curveballs when you least expect them...

Nathan Kim10 said:That was a hell of a hit. 😂🤣

🤣

Yeah, true—but look, she was clearly having a blast and felt great. Honestly? I'd probably go for it too if I knew damn well nothing bad was gonna happen to me 🤷

Taylor Miller10 said:Hey there.

I'll weigh in too...
Hmm... I actually asked my doctor about mixing alcohol with my meds, and they told me it's a one-way ticket to a coma.
I have to admit, I went out and had a few drinks last night.
Nothing terrible happened physically... I was actually in a great mood 🙂.....but today, I've been absolutely crushed by anxiety and this senseless sadness.
There you have it. That's exactly how the combo of antidepressants and alcohol hits me.

Best to everyone!

And yeah... I thought I was just dealing with the end of a relationship, but damn it, this hurts even more!🤷

So you survived 🙂
Are you taking anything else along with the meds? Because I'm out here running on antidepressants and caffeine 🙄

Nathan Kim10 said:You should give me a shot. You might actually change your mind. 😂🤣

👏🙂

Look, when it comes to AD, I’m dead serious about you... but as for those sexual therapy sessions? Hm....;-))))

Nathan Kim10 said:You could try working with me. 😉 I do sexual therapy. 😂🤣

Hahahahahahahahhha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now THIS is what I call actual therapy 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Nathan Kim10 said:I don't really know what's tripping him up. The only thing I can think of is if you just suddenly stop taking it on your own. That's when things can get worse—what they call a rebound effect, I guess.
Deprozel is just Paroxetine. Some people might know it better as Seroxat—I guess that's the more common name depending on where you are. It's an SSRI—selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Honestly, I'm not even sure why my friend brought it up—he was just saying it’s notoriously hard to wean yourself off them, so I figured I'd ask for some advice and... well, here we are. Thanks. 🙂
The alcohol thing is clear—I don't drink—but I was mostly just curious about what would actually happen if I did get drunk. Obviously, it wouldn't be good. 😉

Anyway, I'm on Alvent now, so we'll see how long this lasts. Maybe it'll be easier to kick the habit while switching over, who knows...
And that whole sexual side effect? Man, that's brutal. Seriously kills your vibe, especially when you're actually in a relationship. 😢

I’m still trying to wrap my head around why you can't touch alcohol while on this therapy—I mean, obviously, mixing booze with meds isn't exactly "healthy" in general, but what's the actual damage if I just have a couple of beers? Not talking about getting wasted or anything, just staying within reasonable limits. What's the real risk there?

Thanks!

Nathan Kim10 said:Alvente—venlafaxine—is an AD from the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor group. Basically, it boosts those two chemicals responsible for mood (serotonin and norepinephrine) in your brain, which helps lower anxiety and PA. It's made by Niagara Falls. It's the same stuff as Velafax from Pfizer, which most people here probably know better. 😉
As for the sex stuff, unfortunately, almost all ADs kill your libido. Some more than others, I guess. 😢
Otherwise, I would've gone into more detail about psychology a long time ago. 😂🤣

Thanks a ton!
Yeah, I noticed everyone knows Velafax, but when I search for Alventa, there's barely anything out there. What I really want to know is—I heard Deprozel, which I was on before, is a pretty nasty AD, so can someone explain why?
My doctor mentioned I might even be able to manage without meds if I use Alventa, so I'm gonna try to work on that—but I know it's tough because my body is already hooked on them. I've tried... anyway, is Alventa any better than Deprozel? Since Deprozel was basically my starting point, I'm wondering if Alventa is easier to taper off of, even though they're all ADs. Maybe one is just a smoother exit than Deprozel..

I seriously need some answers, so please chime in! 🙂

Hey everyone!

Look, I’ve got the exact same struggle as most of you, so I won't beat around the bush. 🙂

Back in the day—about four years ago—my doctor diagnosed me with panic disorder. Since then, I've been on 20mg of Deprozel every single day, plus taking Xanax or Misaar whenever things get bad. I actually managed to stay off the Xanax for a year and a half, but then everything just went south again. I started taking it daily, which obviously led to an addiction.
I saw my doctor recently and told him straight up—we agreed—that I desperately want to get off all these pills. It’s only natural, right? 🙂
He switched me over to Alvente 37.5 mg, but I’m still on the Misaar—taking 0.50mg three times a day, whereas a little over a year ago I was cranking out 6mg a day.

If anyone knows anything about Alvente, please let me know. I’ve only been on it for two days after finishing the Deprozel, so any info would be huge!

Also, I've been dealing with zero libido and issues reaching orgasm. Is that just the Deprozel doing its thing? And will Alvente be any better, or am I stuck with the same deal?

Seriously, if you can help, please do. Thanks!
🤷