Posts by Paul Newman5

So, I’ve got a question. I’ve been on 37.5mg of Velafax once a day for 28 days now. For the first two weeks, side effects were basically nonexistent—maybe some slight nausea, sweating, or dry mouth, but nothing I couldn't handle. Then, during week three, things actually started looking up. I stopped napping all day, found myself humming along to the radio, and realized I hadn't reached for my Xanax in a while. It felt good. But then, after just a few days, everything crashed back to zero. The morning sweats are back, I'm taking more Xanax during the day, and that old fatigue and sadness have returned.
To be fair, this dip happened right when my PMS and period hit. It's hard to tell if one caused the other or if they just collided.
What do you guys think? Does this mean the meds aren't working, or is this kind of roller coaster normal during the first few weeks? 🤷
I know I need to talk to my psychiatrist, but any advice from here would be appreciated right about now.

Jack Johnson47 said:Man, I went through this absolutely brutal stretch where I lost seven people close to me in just a few months—including my dad, who was my rock. That's when the sleep issues started. Then came a super stressful divorce, and to top it all off, I was actually a victim of an armed robbery. Now, I'm basically scared of everything... being around strangers is so uncomfortable, and even simple errands like going to Chase, the post office, or the library feel impossible. It just leads to me putting everything off... I constantly end up asking my mom to handle stuff for me because I'm so insecure and I just spiral into despair so easily. Honestly, I've had so many panic attacks that I've kind of learned how to manage them myself now...
Work isn't too bad since everything is familiar—the environment, the people—and I get along great with my coworkers, though it's a pretty small team. The only real issue is my concentration and memory... I'll start one thing, jump to another, and then totally lose track of what I was supposed to be doing in the first place...

For me, work is the worst part. Nobody there does anything to hurt me, and I'm lucky enough to split my time between working from home and the office, so I'm mostly home anyway. But when I have to go in, it's pure mental chaos. I'm terrified someone will find out I'm on antidepressants, or that my anxiety will spike so hard—like I'm literally crawling out of my skin—that I'll end up in the hospital and lose my job. In this town, at my age, you don't just find another job. I hate leaving the house; afternoons are okay, but mornings are a nightmare. My family has taken over almost all my outside responsibilities, though I still struggle with anxiety at home too. My concentration and memory haven't failed me much at work, but I'm not half the homemaker I used to be. I'm not cooking, cleaning, or ironing much, even when I know I should.

Jack Johnson47 said:I’m currently taking Normabel (2 mg)—half in the morning, half in the afternoon, and then one or two before bed. Last night, I took two plus some Prazina right before hitting the sack, and honestly? I drifted off pretty easily and only woke up once during the night. But man... this morning felt like I’d been run over by a freight train. I didn't even hear my first alarm—or maybe I just smashed it in my sleep without realizing—but getting out of bed on the second alarm was a total struggle.
So far today, I haven't really hit any major side effects, and work has been mostly fine... though I was acting a bit clumsy and ended up causing about fifty bucks worth of damage 😁 but luckily my boss is an absolute saint and smoothed everything over, so I don't have to worry about fixing the mess myself.
I'm still undecided about tonight... I think I might scale back to just 1 Normabel and the Prazina because I seriously cannot deal with waking up feeling like a zombie again..

As for all that stuff about autogenic training, meditation, and autosuggestion... I don't know... I just don't think I'm built that way. I'm skeptical, sure, but the bigger issue is that it feels like it requires so much time and practice, and I'm just not cut out for that kind of discipline. My focus is so shot lately that I can barely get through a long post on this forum, let alone sit there focusing on my breathing while my mind wanders everywhere else. Maybe once the meds kick in and things level out, I'll be able to actually concentrate 🤷

How does your anxiety show up? For me, I hate leaving the house. When I head to work, I'm always terrified something will happen—that I'll collapse, lose control, or get fired. I don't even like going downtown unless I absolutely have to. Are you able to get through your tasks at work? So far I am, but I'm constantly living in fear that one day I won't be able to.

Jack Johnson47 said:So, it’s day four of me messing around with this combo—Ozempic, Nurtec, and Prasilax... man, what a ride. That very first night when I knocked back the Nurtec and the Prasilax? I was absolutely wiped out. Like, straight to dreamland, super heavy sleeper, totally out of it... though, waking up for my shift the next morning was a bit of a struggle, let me tell you.
But honestly, that was just the first time! Since then, I haven't had any trouble drifting off, even if I am still tossing and turning a couple of times throughout the night. As far as side effects go, the one thing I’m positive about is how insanely dry my mouth gets—it's constant. And, uh, twice now my heart has been doing this crazy racing thing... I can't tell if that's actually a reaction to the meds or if I'm just totally stressing myself out over nothing 🤷

Antidepressants can cause palpitations. If you're dealing with anxiety, those meds might actually make things feel worse before they start working.
My heart races every single morning. A cardiologist put me on 25mg Ormidol—the lowest dose—after saying my heart was fine and it was likely just anxiety. That was last year when I was bouncing between specialists, not knowing what was actually wrong with me. Now I just take the Ormidol and it's fine. Even my psychiatrist didn't mind me taking it alongside the antidepressant. Any other side effects? How are you holding up? Managing okay at work?

Jack Johnson47 said:Eh, I figured, no worries. This damn heat is killing me... 😁
The reason I brought up therapy is because it's a total mystery to me—I have zero clue how it actually works or what happens in those sessions—but I honestly feel like it would be pure torture for me since I just hate talking about myself...
I took my pills yesterday—Normabél and Prozac. And man, I can tell you one thing: I slept like a log. 🙏
Waking up was a little harder than usual, though, but I caught the first alarm. 😁
It took me a bit longer to really snap out of it, too... So this morning before work, I took half a Normabél and some Prozac. Work went fine, I guess, except I felt a tiny bit slower and more tired than normal. Then after lunch, I had another half of the Normabél...
Now that I've finally started, I feel a bit better knowing I didn't die or anything. 🤣

The morning went well, at least. I feel you; I always take meds with fear, especially new ones. Reading those side effect sheets gives me cold sweats.
Psychotherapy wasn't an issue for me. I talked about my problems and was completely open with my psychologist. She even tried hypnosis, but I couldn't make her lessons stick in real life. Back then, I was juggling three jobs along with family and housework; by the time I left her office, the weight of everything would just be waiting for me again. After five months, she actually suggested we stop. Why it didn't work, I don't know. It just didn't. My current psychiatrist hasn't mentioned therapy, but if you can, give it a shot. It's worth trying since people on these forums swear by it. Hopefully, the Xanax settles in for you.

Jack Johnson47 said:Thanks so much, Paul Newman5, for putting all this work into your post—you really nailed it.
I’m working through the whole weekend anyway, so honestly, it doesn't even matter which day I decide to kick things off. I’ve got a follow-up appointment next week, so I'll probably just play it by ear once I see how things are going...
Oh, and one more thing... psychotherapy... Is that usually part of the deal when you're dealing with these kinds of diagnoses alongside medication? My doctor only mentioned the check-up for now, and I totally (obviously 😁) blanked on asking him a million other questions...

I actually gave you the answer about therapy when I was talking to Marty, so go read that—got my wires crossed on who I was replying to.😍I ended up asking her instead of you, but I'm wondering how many alarms it takes after those empty gaps and normal levels? It's sweltering today, driving me crazy, and between PMS or menopause, I can't tell which one is wrecking me right now.

driftingtiger5 said:Dear, could you tell me how you realized they weren't working for you? Was it because the physical symptoms were too much, or perhaps because there just wasn't any mental progress at all... I've only been on mine for three days, so I really can't say... I had to head to the bank today and, well, my heart was racing and my palms were shaking, but I survived it, and I do feel a little better, which I suspect is thanks to the Helix...

How to tell if they don't work? Simple. If after two months there's no change, anxiety is still there, Helix isn't helping, and you're just exhausted and sleeping all afternoon—that's it. I didn't have side effects for two months, but they didn't work either. Three days is way too early to call it. Right now, Helix is doing its job for you. Give it at least two or three months before deciding. Unless the side effects are so brutal you can't take it, then call your doctor sooner.
Psychotherapy? I did CBT privately for five months, an hour or two every week. Didn't help me. But some people here swear by it. If you can afford it, give it a shot with a private therapist. Everyone is different. I've read articles from psychiatrists saying not everyone is cut out for therapy or that it doesn't work for everyone. I saw a psychologist because it was my only option, and nothing happened. Still, worth a try.
How was the alarm this morning? And did you take the Normabel and Prazine?

Jack Johnson47 said:I actually posted this over on the depression thread, but maybe I should've just come here instead 🤷
Anyway, here goes nothing

Hey everyone,
I’m honestly feeling a bit lost on where to vent or ask stuff, so I figured I'd just try my luck here...

So, long story short:
Things have finally hit a breaking point. After some people close to me kept nudging me, I had to face the fact that sometimes—just sometimes—willpower isn't enough to fix everything.
The diagnosis is F41.2, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.
That's what Dr. Kramarić from Mayo Clinic wrote down.
He also prescribed: Prozac 20 mg in the morning, Lexapro 2mg (split 0.5+0.5+1-2), and Prazosin 25 mg before bed.
I picked up all the meds today and just set them on the table... now I'm just sitting here staring at them, and it feels like they're staring right back at me
I've never taken anything like this before, so yeah, I'm pretty terrified... but I know I have to do this because I can't keep going like this anymore.

A few questions:
If I take one Lexapro and one Prazosin tonight, how many alarms am I gonna have to set to actually make it to work on time tomorrow?
I read through all the fine print in the boxes (honestly, why did I do that to myself?), but what's the actual reality when it comes to side effects?
Since this therapy is a long-term thing, how hard does it actually hit your liver?
And seriously... how do you deal with people who just won't stop telling you that you don't need this or that "it's all in your head"?

Thanks...

I'll try to encourage you a bit. I spent forever agonizing over whether to start antidepressants or not, wasting so much time and feeling miserable. If you aren't working weekends, why not wait until tomorrow to start the Normabel and Prazina? If Saturday is free, you'll see how you feel in the morning. As for the Normabel, one regular alarm should be plenty, but since I haven't tried Prazina, I can't say for sure.
Regarding side effects, none of us on this forum can give you a straight answer because everyone reacts differently; one med works for one person and fails for another. This is my fourth antidepressant, and it's the first one where the side effects were minor and cleared up in about 5 or 6 days. I'm currently on Effexor, while others write about how awful it was for them. You just have to experience it yourself, and I truly hope this one clicks for you right away.
My liver seems fine for now, but who knows about the future? Honestly, nobody knows what might happen to them or when, and people get sick even if they never touch antidepressants. That's just my take.
I talk about my situation with my family, who understand and support me as best they can. Here, I find understanding and swap experiences by messaging people privately. I don't mention my diagnosis at work or to anyone else, which helps me avoid those "know-it-alls" who think we can just snap out of it or that it's all made up. I tried handling it on my own without meds—tried bioenergy and everything else—but things only got worse. My diagnosis is the same as yours.
There's my input. Hope it helps a little. Good luck.

Lisa Myers said:That’s exactly what I’m asking about. I know specialists can write them, but I have no intention of paying full out-of-pocket, which is why I'm checking....

Honestly, I haven't seen my doctor since last spring. Best bet is to just ask your primary care physician if nobody here actually knows what they're talking about.

driftingtiger5 said:My dear friends, I have finally started my journey with antidepressants—specifically Pfizer's Escitalopram. I’m fully aware of the potential side effects, and having been on it for three days now, I’ve already been dealing with some lightheadedness and a bit of nausea. To manage the transition, I’ve been taking Helix alongside it, though I only plan to continue that for a few more days until my body adjusts to the antidepressant itself... Has anyone here used or perhaps currently uses Escitalopram? Most importantly, does it lead to weight gain? I’m already carrying about 20 pounds more than I’d like... and while I realize my mental health is far more critical than the number on the scale, I can't help but worry... thank you all so much in advance!

Took Escitalopram in split doses—short term Cipralex first, then two months of Citram this summer. Neither worked for me, and neither caused weight gain. Don't know how it affects others.
By the way, quick question for someone else. I've been on Effexor for 3 weeks now, 37.5mg in the morning. It's working great. Just had some sweating and nausea the first few days, but after two weeks, I feel physically better. Not napping during the day, feeling less irritable and a bit more cheerful. More energetic. But when I have to leave the house, that fear of something happening still hits me, and I get anxiety going to work, even though it's better at home and I need less Helix than before. For those on Effexor long-term, did it actually lower your anxiety? I'm mostly anxious rather than depressed, so I want to know if it helps with that specifically.

Brandon Lopez6 said:I went to a private specialist once, and yeah, they handed over a prescription just like any doctor at the VA would. Honestly, pretty sure you can't even pick up anxiety meds or sedatives without a script anyway.

Private doctors write scripts too, you just pay full price. Some people do it because they don't want their insurance records showing they see a psychiatrist. Probably at places like Lowe's. Even when I saw a specialist, my insurance still covered the antidepressants, unless everything changed after that September 1st healthcare reform.

fadedbear92 said:The pharmaceutical industry is a powerhouse, and they use all sorts of tricks to push their products. For all we know, your doctor might be prescribing Lexus just to fund a luxury vacation somewhere tropical.

If only she’d taken me along.🤣I get it, but the reality is there are doctors who flat-out ignore side effects. I was on Citram for two months—nothing. Now, at my checkup, they’re switching me to Velafax. Every time I bring up side effects, they act like they don't exist. It’s rare to find an antidepressant that doesn't mess with someone. But apparently, our side effects aren't worth mentioning, while their kickbacks fund tropical getaways. Great system we have here.

Harold Harris20 said:Quick question: Why does a psychiatrist keep insisting someone is getting "top-tier" treatment when you're telling them the patient is basically struggling 28 out of 30 days every single month? We're talking constant agitation and psychosis from sunrise to sunset. They’ve been on this regimen for six months with zero progress. It doesn't matter how expensive or "gold standard" the meds are if they aren't actually working, right? Yet, the doctor acts totally offended whenever you suggest switching things up. Why the ego trip?

Because they aren't the ones swallowing the pills; we are. Some doctors are just stuck in their own egos, convinced they’re infallible. I've been there. Last year, I was on LVMH for nearly two months and dealt with a hundred side effects, including suicidal thoughts I'd never had before. My doctor wouldn't budge, insisting it was the perfect fit for me. I stopped immediately once I saw what it was doing to my head and found a new doctor. Even my current one didn't believe me about gaining weight from Lennon, but I stood my ground until she finally pulled it. There are good doctors and there are bad ones. If you're suffering for six months straight just because a doctor decided so, the only answer is to find a new doctor. That's my take.

urbanskipper4 said:Hey unknown!
I seriously need to get off this Seroquel. I’m counting down the days until my next check-up, just praying my doctor finally agrees to taper me off. Fingers crossed.

Here’s the damage so far:-weight gain-I’ve been snacking constantly all day, and honestly, the anxiety gets so bad I find myself raiding the fridge at 4 AM.
-tardive dyskinesia-my muscles won't stop twitching; my arms and legs just jerk uncontrollably sometimes.
-congested nose-it never goes away.
-pins and needles-this weird sensation where it feels like someone is poking my skin with needles, usually just for a second at a time.
-insanely low blood pressure
-dry mouth and shortness of breath
-swollen joints and fingers

Look, I could probably deal with most of this crap, but the weight gain is where I draw the line. I put on 13 pounds in just a month, and I wasn't even overweight before this. My appetite is out of control—honestly, it’s even worse than when I was on Zyprexa. I don't get how my doctor could look me in the face and claim this stuff doesn't cause weight gain or sugar cravings when that is literally what's happening to me. I feel like she totally lied to me.

Do you happen to know if unknown causes weight gain? Because that was the first thing she tried to put me on.
Later,

Even though you asked unknown, I'll answer for unknown. I was on it for 6 or 7 weeks early this summer and gained 13 pounds. My appetite was ravenous; I ate everything in sight. It definitely made me gain weight, and other people have said the same. My doctor insisted it wasn't the medication, but I demanded she take me off it. She eventually agreed, saying if I felt forced to take something that makes me gain weight, it wouldn't be effective anyway. I wasn't guessing—I saw the scale. Once I stopped taking it, I lost 6 pounds in a week. Now I'm on Citram and haven't gained an ounce.

Jason Vaughn482 said:It's such a shame, because I was just thinking about how well the Citram seemed to suit you; seeing it fail like this makes me quite skeptical about medication in general. While they might hold their own against depression, when it comes to managing pure fear and panic... well, I'm not so sure. How does that morning anxiety manifest for you?
My doctor prescribed Coaxil three times a day, but you know me—I'll probably cap it at two doses max before deciding how to proceed. I think I'll skip the evening dose tonight, mostly because I'm terrified I won't be able to catch any sleep at all.

It’s not like nothing is happening, I just expected more progress after six weeks. Morning anxiety? I get up around 7:30, take my meds, and by 9 or 9:30, I feel like I'm going to snap. Like a total nervous breakdown. Then it settles down and I'm just exhausted. It triggers those fears—that I'll collapse, lose it, and end up in the ER. That's it. It isn't every day; yesterday and the day before were actually fine, but today has been rough. Tomorrow I have to head to the local hospital (25 miles to get my thyroid checked), and whenever I have an early appointment, the whole day before it turns into a mess. We've talked about this before in private messages. It's not the tests or being sick that scares me—it's the leaving the house part. We'll see about the Citra at my follow-up with the doctor in ten days.

Jason Vaughn482 said:As for my own experience, my physician has kept me on Lexapro for two years now; I feel absolutely lethargic from the 15 mg dose, though the 7.5 mg felt significantly more manageable. However, things took a turn today when I found myself rushing to the ER. I never imagined I'd be prone to panic attacks, but a sudden toothache sent me spiraling. Then, after a bit of bleeding gums a couple of days later, I was gripped by such intense anxiety that I had myself packed and ready to head back to the emergency room within two minutes flat. I ended up requesting a referral to the psychiatric emergency unit, where I was seen by a specialist—and frankly, I've never been particularly fond of those types.
It wasn't anything groundbreaking, really, except that she was actually quite accommodating and prescribed the Coaxil I was looking for. When it comes to sleep aids, they don't seem to offer much beyond Ambien or Seroquel... oh goodness, it just slipped my mind that I should have asked about Xanax; I haven't ventured down that path yet. I'm feeling quite scattered right now... I wonder if a local pharmacy would even dispense Xanax in place of something like Ambien?

Good luck with the Coaxil. Hope it works out. What dose did they put you on—was it 12.5 three times a day right off the bat? I've got a follow-up in about ten days. Citram isn't really doing it for me either. Two good days, two bad ones. It’s like it isn't touching the anxiety at all, and I've been on it for six weeks now. Honestly, sometimes I feel like the meds only work depending on how we feel that day. I don't even know what to think anymore. Yesterday was great, but today the anxiety started first thing this morning... I'll see what my doctor says.

Chris Kim7 said:Thanks for the reply!

Man, that's a lot of weight to pack on that fast. I'm guessing it's either because you were eating everything in sight or it just slowed down your metabolism...

Did you have trouble sleeping before starting it? That's mainly what I'm trying to figure out, if it actually helps with sleep.

I'm still weighing my options with Calixt, because honestly, it feels pretty heavy during the day, kind of sedating, and leaves me feeling wiped out...

I can sleep on 6 mg of Lexapro for now. Luckily, no insomnia issues, didn't gain any weight from it either. It helped me sleep fine, and I wasn't groggy in the morning, except for the first week. Again, I was taking the absolute lowest dose, so I wouldn't know about higher amounts.
Weight? Probably food intake combined with a slower metabolism. I have gastritis, so I usually have to be careful, but while on Ladiomila, nothing bothered me. I felt like I could eat twice as much as I do now. Everything sat well, and I just wanted to eat constantly. The scale was ruthless.🤣Minds you, it might not happen to everyone. But for calming down, it worked great for me.

Chris Kim7 said:I see zvonx is on Trazodon. Anyone else here actually using it who can give me the rundown? I'm mainly trying to figure out if it even touches insomnia...

What about Ladiomila? If you don't mind, could someone write up a bit (maybe a lot 😁) about how it works, the side effects, whatever... thanks!

I was on Ladiomila for about 6 weeks, just 25mg at night. Hardly any side effects, except maybe feeling a bit groggy during that first week. It really calmed my nerves, especially that morning anxiety I deal with. It worked well, but I gained 7 lbs in those 6 weeks, so I called my doctor and we stopped it. Didn't do much for my fears, though—and I didn't take it long, which is a shame because the weight gain sucked. My appetite was insane. Once I quit, I dropped 4 lbs within a week. It was decent otherwise, and I was on a low dose. Not sure what happens if you take more or if the side effects ramp up. Currently on Citram, 5 mg in the morning.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:I suspect the Citram might actually be the issue here. You really ought to mention this to your doctor, and they can prescribe or suggest something specifically for the stomach.
Side effects aren't always immediate; they can certainly crop up later on, can't they?
That's the unpredictable nature of these medications—you never quite know what to expect.
I take Nexium 20 mg every once in a while and haven't dealt with any pain.
There is absolutely no reason to stop your treatment; we have plenty of options for these kinds of things nowadays.
Some people use Ranitidine, though I don't know all that much about it myself—I haven't had much personal experience there.
The real issue often stems from H. pylori bacteria, which can cause quite a bit of trouble, but usually, a course of antibiotics and acid reducers for about seven days clears everything right up.

I'm on Nexium and Reglan—Lilly put me on them immediately. I dealt with the bacteria last year and went through the triple therapy then too. I'll wait until Tuesday, then check back in with Lilly. Without a gastroscopy or a breath test, they won't confirm the bacteria or hand out antibiotics without actual results. Thanks anyway. Just when I thought my anxiety might settle down, a new enemy shows up.

I've been on my prescribed dose of Citram for over three weeks now, and honestly, I think it’s finally starting to kick in. But for the last week, I’ve been dealing with constant stomach pain. I’m a gastroenterologist by trade, and Lilly put me on some meds for it immediately, but they don't seem to be doing much. Is it possible for stomach issues to show up after 2.5 weeks on Citram when everything else settled down at the start? If it were the Citram, wouldn't it have hit me right away instead of waiting until week three?🤷Am I overthinking this, or could Citram actually be the culprit? I really don't want to stop taking it since it's actually working and the other side effects vanished. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.