Posts by Paul Newman5

vividdrifter26 said:Zoloft was recommended to me, and honestly—those first ten days? Some of the best days of my entire life. I had to check in with my doctor constantly back then; he kept grilling me about nausea, dizziness, blood pressure... stuff like that. But for me, everything felt perfect. I’ve been on it for a solid 10 years now (hitting the 16th anniversary this December). I tried quitting twice, but after about 7 or 8 months off, the withdrawal gets absolutely unbearable. It hasn't even crossed my mind to stop taking it—not without a doctor's orders, anyway.

How have you actually felt over all those 10 years? Does it still work? How do US psychiatrists view long-term use like that? Just curious since I'm new to this; I've only been on my first meds for three weeks. Before Lexapro, I tried Cipralex for a few days, but it was unbearable for me. When did you start feeling even a tiny bit better? My afternoons are fine, but mornings are rough. I get through my chores, but I feel like a total wreck, and the morning anxiety is intense. Then I take the Lexapro and it just numbs me out. Weirdly, when I was only taking one thing, there weren't issues. People say you get used to them, but right now, it feels like it's hitting me harder than it did a month ago when I first started taking it heavily.

frozengardener57 said:I could really use some encouragement right now.

I’ve used Lexapro before, so I know what those initial side effects feel like, but they always hit me hard—and this time, they are even more brutal. It honestly feels like I'm being punished because I have a habit of stopping the medication as soon as I start feeling better after a couple of months.

I am currently on my 8th dose of 7.5 mg, and I'm supposed to bump up to 10 mg tomorrow.
I am absolutely losing it. All that initial anxiety—which is why I'm taking this in the first place, since I don't have depression... yet—has just skyrocketed. If I didn't have Xanax, I think I would actually lose my mind.
And the insomnia! Lately, I’m only getting about one to four hours of sleep per night.
I wake up in a state of pure dread and panic, with tingling sensations and hot flashes all over my body, and my head is just throbbing.
I realize this is expected and that it’s way too early for the medicine to actually kick in, but this is truly terrifying.
What has your experience been like with this? Were you even able to function at work during this phase?

Lexapro was brutal for me. Restlessness, jitters, felt like my heart was going to explode. Switched to Prozac after three days once I cleared it with my psychiatrist. You shouldn't have stopped on your own just because you felt better. Once the Prozac kicks in, I'll stay on it as long as my doctor says.

Jason Vaughn482 said:That is wonderful news...🙂 but tell me, during this period of adjustment, did you experience any bouts of nausea or perhaps some other gastrointestinal issues?

No stomach issues at all. Just the anxiety. Hoping I'm finally over the worst of it. At least, I hope so. Still get those jitters for about half an hour right after I wake up. Gotta take my Lexapro in the morning.

Paul Newman5 said:My digestion goes south when I'm stressed too. Honestly, even before I realized I was dealing with anxiety and depression, nerves always sent me running to the bathroom. Been that way since I was a kid, so I don't sweat it. It’s not like I'm bloated or anything, just a mandatory 2-3 trips every morning. And if I have to leave the house? Usually ends up being a thing. Most people's guts react to stress—that's what my GI doctor told me during a gastroscopy. Turns out my gastritis was just a side effect of everything, though it took me forever to connect the dots. I bounced between doctors until I finally figured out I needed a psychologist and a Psychiatrist. I'm seeing a therapist now. The sessions and the exercises help.

Just wanted to share a win. For two days now, that restless feeling and chest tightness from Lexapro—which I've complained about here a few times—has finally stopped. Hopefully, my body is adjusting. I haven't even taken my afternoon dose, which used to be my ritual. I feel great this afternoon. Hope you guys are rooting for me too. Thanks for the support so far. Glad I didn't quit. Heading to my Psychiatrist for a check-up today.

fadedbear92 said:Whenever I dealt with stuff like that, my stomach would go absolutely haywire—I was basically sprinting to find the nearest restroom!

My digestion goes south when I'm stressed too. Honestly, even before I realized I was dealing with anxiety and depression, nerves always sent me running to the bathroom. Been that way since I was a kid, so I don't sweat it. It’s not like I'm bloated or anything, just a mandatory 2-3 trips every morning. And if I have to leave the house? Usually ends up being a thing. Most people's guts react to stress—that's what my GI doctor told me during a gastroscopy. Turns out my gastritis was just a side effect of everything, though it took me forever to connect the dots. I bounced between doctors until I finally figured out I needed a psychologist and a Psychiatrist. I'm seeing a therapist now. The sessions and the exercises help.

fadedbear92 said:Zoloft can definitely be stimulating, and if you're feeling that level of agitation, you probably should be on an anxiolytic

So what would it be? For the first time today, I don't feel that restlessness, so I'm actually thrilled—Lexapro helps. Maybe things will settle down. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow anyway. I really don't want another antidepressant that just knocks me out. My Psychiatrist says this part passes, but apparently, I have to wait four weeks. She told me not to worry about the Lexapro since I've only been on it for a month. I just hope this settles; I'd rather not switch meds if I can help it. But if it comes to that...

Paul Newman5 said:What do you mean, "second time"? Have you taken it before, and how much? Sorry, maybe you already mentioned it, I just forget. Look, it helped me physically a bit, I'm doing okay and sleeping, but after I take it in the morning, I get this restlessness between 1 and 3 PM. Like I have nowhere to be, and there's this stinging sensation around my heart. Yesterday was awful; I could barely calm the agitation down. Called my Psychiatrist and she said it's normal since it hasn't fully kicked in yet, given I've only been on 50mg for a few days. I'm not expecting a miracle after 16 days, but that restlessness and chest stinging scares me, even if it was minor today and Lexapro helped. I'll stick with it until the end of the month, then go to my follow-up and see. What symptoms did you have? Anyone else feeling like this?

One more thing. I can feel the anxiety lifting. That constant fear that I’m losing my mind—my biggest phobia—is gone. No more panic attacks thinking something terrible is happening... just that daily restlessness and the chest stinging, though the intensity fluctuates. Today was manageable; yesterday was hell. If it weren't for that, I'd take this stuff forever.🤣

Jason Vaughn482 said:So, you haven't felt even a shred of improvement in these 16 days? Hmm, I find myself asking those very same questions. I know for a fact that I am prone to anxiety, constant worry, and a touch of hypochondria, but I wouldn't call myself depressed. And yet, I find myself unable to function without Xanax, which has become the one steady constant in my life over the last few years, alongside Sanval. I've recently restarted Zoloft; today is only the third day. Honestly, this is my second and final attempt at making it work.

What do you mean, "second time"? Have you taken it before, and how much? Sorry, maybe you already mentioned it, I just forget. Look, it helped me physically a bit, I'm doing okay and sleeping, but after I take it in the morning, I get this restlessness between 1 and 3 PM. Like I have nowhere to be, and there's this stinging sensation around my heart. Yesterday was awful; I could barely calm the agitation down. Called my Psychiatrist and she said it's normal since it hasn't fully kicked in yet, given I've only been on 50mg for a few days. I'm not expecting a miracle after 16 days, but that restlessness and chest stinging scares me, even if it was minor today and Lexapro helped. I'll stick with it until the end of the month, then go to my follow-up and see. What symptoms did you have? Anyone else feeling like this?

fadedbear92 said:It sounds like Zoloft just isn't clicking for you—it clearly wasn't meant to be your go-to since it should have given you that much momentum by now, especially considering it's supposed to be such a heavy hitter.
I was on a 5 mg dose myself. You really need to ask your doctor about switching medications; staying on this is just wasting your time.

I'm taking Lexapro—they say it's like Zoloft. Been at it for about 16 days. I was on 25 mg until Friday because adjusting was a nightmare. At certain times of day, it hits me with this restlessness and a weird burning sensation near my heart. Since starting, I haven't gone a single day without taking up to 10 mg of Lexapro. Since Friday, I moved up to 50 mg. It was okay until today, when the agitation hit again so hard I had to take three Lexapro pills plus 5 mg of Normabell. I feel like I'm heading straight for a manic episode. My head is clear, but my body feels like it's being electrocuted. I called my Psychiatrist, and she claims this is "normal" and that the dosage doesn't matter, just that I need to calm down. When I first saw her a month ago, I was just anxious and lethargically depressed. I've never been manic in my life. I used to work two jobs if needed, lived life at a hundred miles an hour, but I never needed stuff like Normabell. If this keeps up, I actually will become manic. She says I have to wait a full month before we can see anything. Has anyone else dealt with this? Is this really normal? I've never been a restless person, but now she's acting like my restlessness is a disorder itself, just to keep me medicated until I actually lose it. All I wanted was to stop feeling tired and paranoid. Help. Is my Psychiatrist right?🤷

Paul Newman5 said:Does Liam kick in right away, or do you have to wait a few weeks like with an antidepressant?

Liam just knocks me out. I feel completely drained, like I’ve got the flu. Told my doctor, but she doesn't buy it. Anyone else dealing with this side effect from Liam? I was active enough yesterday, went for an afternoon walk and didn't feel any of that Luxette jitters, but today? Today I feel like a crushed bug the second I take it. She told me to stop taking it, but she didn't sound convinced. My first diagnosis was depression and they put me on Lexapro, which I couldn't handle. Then came Luxette; gave me some anxiety at first, but that stopped after two days. So why am I on Liam? This exhaustion isn't something I'm making up. Instead of actually getting better—which is why I asked about Liam in the first place because of the fatigue and anxiety—it's just pinning me back to bed. I could stay in bed all day on Normabell too. Someone tell me what you're going through.🤷

fadedbear92 said:Liam is meant for mood stabilization—to prevent those major swings—and apparently, it can help with sleep too.

Does Liam kick in right away, or do you have to wait a few weeks like with an antidepressant?

fadedbear92 said:The way Fevarin is formulated, its chemical makeup is specifically designed to act as an anxiolytic—basically, it targets anxiety symptoms directly.

Haven't tried Fevarin yet. It's just the backup plan if the Luxette doesn't settle my restlessness by Monday. My doctor put me on Liam too, even though I don't have bipolar disorder. Claims it helps with the transition to Luxette. Honestly, yesterday was okay on the Luxette. Even walked to the clinic for the Liam and took a stroll through the park. No anxiety at all, didn't even need the Xanax. Only issue is Liam seems to make me sleepy. Does that wear off eventually? For now, sticking with Luxette. If this anxiety spike dies down by Monday, I'll just bump the dose to 50mg. Hopefully these episodes finally stop. We'll see about the Liam.🤷

fadedbear92 said:Never for me! It actually helped manage my anxiety, and honestly, those symptoms you're describing sound like they might be part of the anxiety itself.

Better to just stick with Luxury then. With my luck, Fevarin will probably just leave me feeling restless🤣My psychiatrist says there are 30 different types of antidepressants out there, so I guess one of them will eventually work for me😂

fadedbear92 said:Fevarin worked wonders for me over the years—it's truly excellent for anxiety and panic attacks.
I'd recommend starting slow: just 1/4 of a dose for 3 or 4 days, then gradually bumping it up. Just a heads-up—you might feel pretty drowsy at first, but that passed for me after about two weeks.

Coaxil
http://medicine-info-blog.com/tianeptine.html

Good luck!😉

Did Fevarin ever make you restless? Like that kind of agitation where you just can't settle down?

Jason Vaughn482 said:I went through the exact same thing while I was on a 20mg dose; the restlessness and anxiety were so overwhelming that even my own doctor couldn't provide much relief. It made sleep impossible, which only compounded the misery, so I eventually stopped. Now, I find myself caught in this exhausting loop of thinking about restarting, though God knows I don't have the mental fortitude left for it. Today has been absolutely wretched... and even without the Zoloft, the agitation and nervousness are just unbearable...🙂

Anyone have experience with Fevarin or Coaxil? My doctor suggested switching from Luxury if this agitation doesn't die down by the end of the week.

George Allen71 said:I've actually been on Luxury for a few months now. Is this your very first time taking an antidepressant?

The reason I ask is that it’s pretty standard with almost any antidepressant; you usually go through a three-week adjustment period while your body gets used to the medication before it actually starts working properly. That transition phase is most often accompanied by side effects... with Luxury, people typically report headaches, nausea, or restlessness....
I've personally gone through switching from one medication to another several times, and I've dealt with everything from debilitating headaches and nausea/vomiting to restlessness and even suicidal ideation.
The bottom line with antidepressants is that you really have to try to push through at least those first three weeks, despite all the nonsense your body puts you through... take something for the pain if the headache is unbearable, or maybe take some Xanax or another anxiolytic if the restlessness is too much... but you have to hang in there for those three weeks to see if it actually starts working. Only then can you truly judge if the medication is making progress.
Whatever you do, never start or stop psychiatric medication on your own, no matter how bad it feels. If it gets so overwhelming that you feel like you can't handle it, please reach out to your doctor for guidance.
Luxury is a solid option; it's essentially the same thing as Pfizer, just under a different brand name. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how it affects you personally, because we're all wired differently and every medication hits everyone uniquely.
So, wishing you the best of luck. 🙂

No headaches or nausea here, just this insane restlessness. It's driving me crazy. Sometimes even 6 mg of Xanax isn't enough to settle me down. My head is in the clouds, but my body won't sit still. Housework, work duties... I feel like a total wreck, excuse the language. My doctor said if I'm not calmer by the end of the week, we'll switch me to Fevarin. I'm already losing it, honestly thought about checking into a hospital just to get away from everything.

urbanpilot said:My doctor cut off my Diazepam even though I wasn't following the "four times a day" rule. I was mostly just using it to sleep, maybe one during the day every week or two when things got bad.
Now she won't even give me a referral to see a specialist. I'm just sipping some herbal tincture from a local wellness shop alongside my AD, but thank God I have a few Normabals and some Diazepam left at home to get me through the rough patches. If things get really bad, I'll just head to the ER and have them give me a Normabal injection. 🤣

I started Apple on Saturday, just 25mg in the morning so far, but the restlessness is hitting hard. I told my doctor, but she just told me to take a Normabel. I was already dealing with some anxiety and depression before this, but honestly, it feels worse now. Is this normal when you first start? That feeling where your chest tightens, you can't focus on anything, and everyone just gets on your nerves. It's true I've been diagnosed with perimenopause and I'm supposed to start Novofem hormone therapy soon. My thyroid isn't doing great either. Anyone else dealt with this? I wasn't expecting a miracle in five days, but this constant restlessness is too much. Help.🙂

George Allen71 said:With any antidepressant, you usually start with a lower dose for those first few days before moving up to your regular dose. Then, if it’s not doing enough after a month, they bump you up. As for Lexapro... well, I don't know... it's just how it is for me. The main thing is that I didn't deal with major side effects during that first three-week stretch, just some slight headaches, and that was it. I also tried Alice's dose of Cipralex... but even 20mg wasn't enough for me, which is pretty much the ceiling.
I don't know... every antidepressant affects people differently... but you really can't judge how effective it is until you've been on it for at least a month. For those first thirty days, you basically just brace yourself for the side effects and the brain fog, just waiting for it all to pass. That's been my experience so far. And Lexapro... honestly, I'm not sure how much it's actually helping... I take it regularly... but I wouldn't say I feel "high" or like my depression has vanished or that things are significantly easier. But then again, I'm not really expecting miracles from antidepressants anymore. Clearly, none of them work as an antidepressant for me... either my depression is just incredibly heavy or I'm somehow immune to everything... I have no clue... I just keep taking them. I'm working on myself and accepting things as they come... whatever happens, happens...

I'm not talking about whether they work. I'm not in some massive depression; I'm still functioning fine at work and at home. It's just that I lack motivation, I'm moody, and a bit anxious. When I was on half of a 10 mg dose of Cipralex, it sent me straight toward mania—my legs were shaking, I couldn't sit still, and I had this burning sensation around my heart, almost like inflammation, plus a fever... I wasn't thinking about headaches or nausea, but those anxiety attacks? That's what scares me, the fear of becoming manic. Otherwise, I sleep well and manage to get through the day on 3 mg of Lexapro and 0.5 mg of extended-release Xanax.

George Allen71 said:I hear you. Every medication hits everyone differently. I went through a phase where I was on an antidepressant for a really long time, but I still felt totally depressed... we tried switching things up, but nothing worked because I was hit with such a heavy rebound depression... now I'm on an antidepressant... nothing too crazy... Lexapro... basically the same thing as Zoloft... just trying to pull my life together a bit... honestly, I still feel like these antidepressants aren't doing much for me... at least not in the way everyone else describes them working.

What’s the early experience like with Lexapro? My doctor said start at 25mg then bump to 50mg. I started on Cipralex and it made me so wired I had to quit. Now I'm a bit nervous about Lexapro. Doc says it's milder and shouldn't be an issue. But she isn't me, so I'm asking.

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Steven Miller15 said:Hi everyone! 🙂 I’ve been dealing with anxiety and occasional depressive episodes since I was 24. Unfortunately, I tried to "manage" it all on my own by playing chemist with pills. It started with 2.5 mg of Ativan—who knows how many of those I took daily, though they were clearly just a temporary fix. When there was a shortage of Ativan here in the States back in April, I switched over to Xanax and eventually to more Xanax, where I ended up hitting a staggering 8mg a day 😢 . During that transition from Ativan to Xanax, I spent a few days completely disoriented; I felt terrible, couldn't sleep for 72 hours, and couldn't even eat. It was like one of those junkies you see in the movies—it was honestly eerie 😢 . On top of that, I developed this intense panic about being outdoors, constantly fearing I’d just collapse right in the middle of the street (thankfully, I never did). Once I realized how far I had spiraled, I finally went to see a psychiatrist—one of the most sought-after specialists in the country (he doesn't take private patients, he only works out of the major university hospital). Fortunately, my GP is a close friend of his, so I didn't have to wait through the usual three-month backlog; I was seen that very same day thanks to a little bit of 😉 . I was terrified, honestly—I felt like he was going to tear me apart. I was scared of whatever diagnosis he would hand down. As it turns out, he is a wonderful human being and an exceptional doctor; I was genuinely impressed. He is decisive, efficient, and doesn't waste time coddling you—he just tells you the truth. He told me straight up that I had made a massive mistake by self-medicating, and that my dosage had become dangerously high. I was diagnosed with panic disorder (with no psychotic symptoms) and prescribed 2 mg of Klonopin (split as 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/4) and 10mg of Zoloft from Eli Lilly (split as 1/2). I had my two-month follow-up yesterday and I feel fantastic; I can finally walk down the street again without the fear of fainting 🙂 . I thank God every single day for leading me to this doctor. My treatment remains the same, though I am tapering the Zoloft down to 1/2 every other day after these two months. I truly hope we all find our way to recovery and get back to being ourselves and feeling happy 🙂 . And, of course, please don't play around with medication on your own. Go straight to a professional; the consequences can be devastating. Best wishes to you all! 🙂

Good for you, but that Eli Lilly med—Lexapro, basically—nearly drove me insane by the second day. Restlessness, heart palpitations, pure nerves... just thinking about yesterday makes me sick. I could barely settle down on 6 mg of Lexapro. My doctor suggested I take a two or three-day break before trying Zoloft, but once you've been burned, you're wary. Who knows if Zoloft will be any better? It’s great when the prescription actually hits the mark, but I was messaging someone who said Lexapro worked wonders for them while it almost sent me over the edge.