Posts by Paul Newman5

redranger2 said:There is something else I want to tell you. A person who spends their time worrying that they will have a nervous breakdown at work almost never actually experiences one. No one has ever suffered a breakdown simply because they were thinking about it. This is pure anxiety and its various manifestations. Subconsciously, you searched for the area where you might be most vulnerable, and you found it: your career.

Imagine if your husband earned a fortune and you didn't have to work at all. I would bet anything that those intrusive thoughts would simply migrate to some other area of your life. You have actually managed to give your anxiety a specific shape, a schedule, and a location. It is truly remarkable how much the nerves and brain chemistry can coordinate.

Well, you said it. I honestly think you're right—it'll never happen. Thanks, really. You've encouraged me, even though I did deal with several panic attacks at the office last summer. I often daydream about my husband making enough for us to quit, but he tells me I'd probably just find something else to worry about, which is exactly what you're saying. Seriously, thank you, it means a lot. And yeah, the whole chemistry/nerves thing is totally real. For instance, when I'm home alone, these thoughts never cross my mind, but once I'm out in the world, they hit. You're great, redranger2, thanks.😉

redranger2 said:Your fear is centered on losing self-control, specifically at the moment
when you have an audience at work. Personally, I find it highly unlikely that such a thing would ever
actually happen, but it remains a compulsive thought, which falls squarely within the realm of anxiety.

Yeah, I know, you hit the nail on the head. I wasn't really thinking about an audience; I was more focused on getting hospitalized and losing my job. I agree it probably won't happen—I've been going to work since last November without a single incident—but that's just how anxiety works. I'm not a fan of being out in the city or any crowded places either... same fear. Getting to work is the hardest part. I usually deal with this tension from 8 until about 9, then it lets up and I can finish the day normally (well, on meds, but without the physical tightness). I spend so much time "talking" to myself, trying to convince myself everything is fine. I've dissected this with my therapist dozens of times, talked it over with my husband hundreds of times, and argued with myself a million times... which is why I decided to give Apple another shot.

Dennis Turner6 said:Don’t get mad at me for saying this, but reading through this thread, I’m getting the feeling that it’s the exact same mess whether people are taking their meds or not. That’s just my take on it.

I won't. At least, I won't lose it, because honestly, I feel the exact same way sometimes. Yesterday was a total disaster, today feels okay, yet I'm taking the same pills both days. We just keep swallowing them and hope they actually work. Sometimes I second-guess everything—total Hamlet vibes—but when I skipped three months, things went south fast. There are days when taking these feels like nothing more than giving in to the path of least resistance... just taking them so I don't have to deal with anything. And why get angry? You're entitled to your opinion. We took our doses, so now we're all being peaceful.🤣But by tomorrow morning, once the anxiety kicks back in, you'll be "ready" for a comment like that.😂

redranger2 said:It is certainly better to go with AD than HRT. Personally, I don't experience any menopause symptoms while on AD, so it effectively solves two problems with one stone.😁

The dread of losing one's livelihood is a constant companion for many, myself included. There are four of us in my household, and I am the sole provider, working on a freelance basis at that. Eventually, that income will dry up, and then
the real agony begins.
In your case, however, we are dealing with anxiety, and you have simply—whether consciously or subconsciously—latched onto a reason to justify its existence. If it weren't the fear of losing your job, you would inevitably find something else to pin it on.

I just hope the search for the right AD doesn't drag on forever.
With my situation, there's almost zero chance I'll actually lose my job, but I'm terrified my nerves will snap and I'll have some kind of outburst that gets me fired.
Maybe you're right, though. I'm anxious, and I've just latched onto this... if it wasn't this, it would be something else. Sorry, I can't remember which AD you're on, how long you've been taking it, or if you deal with anxiety too... damn, I always forget.

redranger2 said:Yes, that is certainly a possibility. The decline in estrogen levels directly impacts one's emotional stability, which explains why many women navigating perimenopause and menopause face frequent bouts of anxiety
and depression.
During perimenopause, hormonal fluctuations are notoriously erratic, characterized by unpredictable spikes and sudden drops.

I assume that's the case too, but it sucks regardless. I've read plenty of explanations from gynecologists online saying tons of women take AD instead of hormone therapy. I tried Premarin once, but I was vomiting for like 20 days straight. Between my thyroid antibodies and that prolactin tumor I had back in the day, plus the history of cancer in my family, my endocrinologist suggested AD was a better bet than HRT. It's a lose-lose situation. My subconscious just wouldn't accept this as perimenopause; it felt like a mental breakdown, and then I started panicking about having a nervous collapse at work and losing my job. That's how my anxiety kicked in, and it's always at its worst when I have to head into the office.

Elizabeth Alvarez5 said:I've got a psychiatry appointment coming up this week... everything feels a bit heavy lately because I'm home alone all day. My daughter is away at college, my sister-in-law only stops by whenever she can, and my mom was here for ten days but lives on the other side of town, so she headed back home. I noticed you're taking quite a bit to stay calm, and honestly, I admire you for being able to drive; I'm too terrified to get behind the wheel. Xarelto used to make me sleepy when I first started, but now, eleven months in, I'm just feeling this restlessness. It started again just yesterday—this constant dread and racing thoughts. I'm actually scared I'm going to lose my mind if I don't get this sorted out... it's such a struggle. To be blunt, my psychiatrist isn't helping much; her go-to answer is "well, there's always the hospital," which honestly just scares the hell out of me. Let me know what your dosage looks like. I took some Xarelto and an Ativan this morning. It's raining outside, I'm sitting here alone, and my head is just spinning with thoughts. It's a tough fight, and I don't even know what else to say.

Restlessness, nerves, fear—I get it too, felt it since last October. Started on Lexapro, then in December my doctor switched me to Miser. Miser made me sleepy at first, too, but I guess the body adjusts. Ever think that the fear itself is causing the restlessness? You don't have to go to the hospital if you don't want to. My doctor brought up the hospital once, too, so I decided to switch doctors. Don't think for a second that I'm not afraid to drive or that I won't crack and quit my job. Every time I head into work, I want to call and quit; I'd rather just hide in a hole somewhere, but luckily I haven't folded yet. I take 0.5mg of Miser three times a day, plus a little Lexapro occasionally—with Xarelto, it doesn't hit me as hard as before, and I take 4.5mg of Lexapro to sleep. If Xarelto isn't working, there are other ADs; why jump straight to the hospital after one failed attempt? Dark thoughts are familiar territory, but I've noticed they sometimes depend on my own headspace, not just the meds. Yesterday was a total disaster for me... nervous as a dog. Today I'm a different person, even though it's the same medication. Try to stay busy if you can. Clean the house or something. I'll stick to my dose this week and then consult my psychiatrist based on how I feel. Also, check pages 23 or 24 of this forum; there are a few threads about Xarelto-extreme where people discuss it. Do you work? And yeah, this is hell—this time last year, I was a machine, never touched a sedative, could handle three jobs at once, and then... boom. A few panic attacks in the spring and summer, then anxiety, fatigue, and fear hitting in the fall... my OB-GYN said it's all perimenopause, but I can't take hormone therapy. So, is it that, or not? Who knows.

Elizabeth Alvarez5 said:In the beginning, I was barely crashing until 3 or 4 in the morning. Last night, I managed to hit the hay around 2... maybe things are slightly better, but I’ve got this restlessness during the day. It's like I'm not even in my own skin—I don't know how to put it. Honestly, I barely made it through today; I had to take some Ativan just to settle down. I don't know... I'm basically stuck in my backyard right now. Two months ago, I felt like I could take on the world. This whole state of mind scares me. I'm on day 10 of Xarelto... how's it treating you? And why are you even on it if you say you aren't depressed? Hang in there... hopefully, things turn around soon.

I know that restless feeling... felt the same way on Lexapro and Luxe. I'm doing relatively okay. It’s more anxiolytic for me, so my legs and muscles feel heavy in the mornings. Honestly, I probably need to taper off the anxiolytics—I've been on high doses for 6 months, so maybe that's why. Get a little nauseous too, but I carry Pepto-Bismol since I have gastritis. It was prescribed for depression, but since I'm anxious and jittery, it helps settle the nerves quite a bit. If you're feeling this bad, though, you should probably check in with your doctor. I took three around 8 last night, but slept normally. Good sleep. I'll stick to 3x1 this week and see. It's not terrible so far, but the goal is to cut down the fear. We'll see if it actually does anything.

Elizabeth Alvarez5 said:Are you doing okay now? And why stay on it for years? I've only been on it for eight days... Can you drive while taking Coaxial? Does it mess with your skin in the sun during the summer? Sorry for hitting you with all these questions, but it's my first time ever taking an AT&T and I'm just feeling so overwhelmed with everything... I just really need this to work because this depression is making it impossible to live my life like I used to... I hope you'll get back to me... best wishes.

Since you're taking it three times a day, how does it affect your sleep? Anyone else want to chime in? I'm starting three doses tonight, so I'm wondering about sleep. It’s not usually an issue for me, so I'm curious if Xarelto disrupts it. Are you feeling any improvement?

Dennis Turner6 said:Ugh, I used to love sleeping so much, but ever since my anxiety kicked in... I can barely even remember what a good night's rest feels like anymore.

Everyone's different. I'm high-strung as hell, but I sleep fine. Too fine. Morning comes way too fast. I hit the sack around 10 PM and get up at 7 AM, mostly because I force myself to. I take about 4.5mg of Lexapro for sleep—mix of 1mg and 1.5mg tabs—and it feels like I never even hit the pillow. I’m pretty calm at night. Mornings just suck. At least for me. I stay busy all day; don't really look like the depressed type, more just jittery and anxious. But sleep? I can do that.

Elizabeth Alvarez5 said:Are you doing okay now? And why stay on it for years? I've only been on it for eight days... Can you drive while taking Coaxial? Does it mess with your skin in the sun during the summer? Sorry for hitting you with all these questions, but it's my first time ever taking an AT&T and I'm just feeling so overwhelmed with everything... I just really need this to work because this depression is making it impossible to live my life like I used to... I hope you'll get back to me... best wishes.

I've been on Coaxial for about 16 days now. Driving is fine; I drove to work this morning without any issues, even though I'm also on Prozac. Maybe I wouldn't dare drive to another city right now, but the daily commute to the store or work is totally normal. And why wouldn't you sunbathe? Summer is still a ways off. By then, you'll either switch from AT&T or the Coaxial will have kicked in. The instructions don't even mention avoiding the sun, or at least I haven't noticed anything...🤷Some people just have to stay on these things for years. If it works for me, or if something else does, I won't be asking how long I have to take it. Mornings are a bit rough for me—waking up around 7:00, feeling off until maybe 9:00—but if I have to drive, I drive. If you're actually getting that dizzy, you really should, sorry, call your doctor back. I get slight headaches in the morning too, but an Advil fixes it. No muscle weakness today, even though I'm still taking two; I just have to cut back on the Prozac. I'm giving it more time.

frozenorca63 said:I deal with anxiety and panic attacks. Honestly, I started taking AT&T specifically for those attacks because I read somewhere that Lexapro works wonders. My neurologist actually prescribed it about six months ago, but back then, my anxiety was through the roof, and since I have a massive phobia of swallowing pills, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. To be fair, the herbal stuff really did help, but I feel like I’m still just missing that final piece of the puzzle to completely kill off this anxiety—especially those panic attacks. They don't happen all the time, maybe once a week late at night, but they absolutely drain me for days afterward 😢. So, I decided to finally give AT&T a shot and see how things go over the next couple of months. Since I feel like I'm already mostly on the mend, I'm hoping the treatment won't have to last nearly as long as if I were starting from rock bottom.
Maybe I'm just being impatient, but I really can't afford to be sick or stuck in this headspace right now. I'm getting my kid enrolled in school and hunting for a job, so I just need to power through everything. I've got people counting on me—my little one depends on me, and with the rest of the family dealing with mortgage payments, finding work is pretty much my top priority.

Anyone else feeling like this? Impatient and drowning in responsibilities. I don't have a toddler, but I've got two kids in school—one in college, one in high school—plus others, though I won't get into all that here. Mortgages, a big house, working two jobs... it's not weird that I'm anxious and on edge. It's a cycle: I'm frustrated that I can't shake the fear, I'm overwhelmed by work, and then I just spin my wheels. Which AT&T are you on? And when does the anxiety usually hit? Maybe you mentioned it before, I forget.

fadedbear92 said:Paul Newman5, I was on Fevarin for a few years—it’s an anti-anxiety antidepressant, so it really helps you chill out—and I wonder if it would have the same effect on you? For me, it worked wonders until my next depressive episode hit and we had to switch up my AD

Giving Coaxial one more week. Then I'm finding a new psychiatrist... there has to be something out there that works. Maybe Coaxial will pull through after all.

Jason Vaughn482, I'm trying to reply to your DM, but it won't let me. Your inbox is probably full or something else is just broken.

frozenorca63 said:I honestly don't get the logic there at all. I’ve picked stuff up without any issues before. I mean, herbal remedies are basically nature's antidepressants, right? It makes zero sense that they wouldn't mix with calming pills but "chemical" antidepressants are totally fine. Maybe try a different CVS or Walgreens somewhere else.

Makes no sense to me either. Even at the drugstore, they told me I could take Misar with Aktivin h (even though I didn't). As far as I know, you can't take St. John's Wort with antidepressants, but apparently, these others are okay... whatever. You probably just caught them on a bad day or something. Total nonsense.

Brandon Lopez6 said:The pharmacy wouldn't even let me get my St. John's Wort, so now I'm pretty sure I'm about to lose my mind 🙂
I was really counting on that stuff to help me turn a corner, but nope...

Why wouldn't they sell it to you? Seems weird. It’s in their interest to move product. A few months ago, they handed me Aktivin h and some St. John's Wort without a second thought, though I never actually took them. Not sure why. Just strange they'd refuse.

Timothy Wood38 said:It’s such a shame you don't have a therapist nearby, because it really feels like that's what you need most right now. Look, I'm no doctor—I work in the pharmaceutical industry, so it would be totally out of line for me to start tossing around diagnoses or suggesting specific meds—but I can share what worked for me. When they first added an antipsychotic to my regimen, a low dose of sulpiride helped immensely with the nerves. In smaller doses, it has this antidepressant effect that just... settles you down. Some people even say it works better than standard anxiolytics. Usually, they prescribe somewhere between 150 and 300 mg daily, and personally, I didn't hit any side effects at all. Plus, it’s actually quite gentle on the stomach. It is technically an antipsychotic, sure, but once you get up to 800 mg or higher, that's when the side effects really start to kick in.

Honestly, I thought a lower dose of AP might suit me better, too. We'll see how things go with the Nexium in a few days, then maybe find a new psychiatrist who actually listens. Interesting that you're in pharma as well. I'm not a pharmacist, but I work in pharmacy-related fields. This is a forum, though, so I won't go on. Thanks for the input.

Timothy Wood38 said:I don't know what kind of dynamic you have with your physician, but look, a huge part of modern psychotherapy is trust—and, of course, countertransference. My doctor actually told me she lets me participate in the medication decisions because the mere fact that I'm showing interest shows I actually want to get better. There were times in the past where I insisted on drugs she didn't think were effective, but honestly, the power of autosuggestion is incredibly strong. Everything is so individual. I'd much rather deal with a placebo than a nocebo effect, right? Of course, at the end of the day, the final call on what gets prescribed rests with the doctor. But please, don't be afraid to suggest things or talk through the pharmacotherapy. We're all human, after all—doctors and patients alike—and we all make mistakes. As for Nexium, there are studies proving it works; that's why it's on the market. Don't get too hung up on the exact mechanics of how antidepressants function. Most psychiatric disorders are based on theories, and frankly, we don't fully understand the precise mechanism of action for any psychotropic drug. And those comments on the forum? Try not to let them weigh on you too heavily. It's all so deeply personal.

We didn't have a "relationship." She just took my $67 and insisted Luvox was made up and I was just hallucinating. Instead, she gave me suicidal thoughts I'd never had before or since. Finally, she handed me those two drugs I wanted and basically told me there are 500 other psychiatrists in the country and I shouldn't be hounding her. So from December to late March, I was off everything except Misar, and then my GP prescribed Nexium based on her note. If it doesn't work, I guess I'll find a new shrink. I saw a psychologist once a week for five months $67 and nothing. I can't change anything right now due to money, so we both just wasted time—me wasting a lot of cash. In the end, she "nicely" told me we need distance so I don't become dependent on her. Yeah, right. There aren't any psychiatrists near me who actually do therapy, and New York City is too far and too expensive.

Timothy Wood38 said:My doctor won't even touch Coax because, in her experience, it’s just been a dud. Plus, it feels a bit counterintuitive to me—why would you want to actually lower serotonin levels? Anyway, if you’re really struggling with side effects from everything else, I might suggest looking into Lexapro. It’s a relatively newer antidepressant and isn't prescribed quite as widely as the old staples, but generally speaking, it seems to have the cleanest side effect profile on the market. Of course, that’s not a rule—everyone reacts differently, obviously. But, honestly, it’s worth a shot to see how you respond. That’s usually just how the whole psychiatric med game works, isn't it? You trial and error your way through.

Just wanted to get this out there. Personally, I'm wound up like a spring. Since last fall, I haven't been able to control this nervousness, and my biggest fear is just snapping. One day I'll have a breakdown at work or in public and end up hospitalized, losing my job and everything else. Maybe no antidepressant works for me because depression isn't even the main issue. I work three jobs, take care of a family of five, manage a big house, and stay busy all day, but doctors won't listen to any of that. The anxiety is running me, not the other way around. I looked up those new options, but if the side effects include nervousness or irritability, I'm out—that's already happened twice with Lexapro and Luvox. For me, "increased anxiety" is an understatement. So, now that I've explained what's going on, what would you recommend? I feel like I'm redlining without meds, and sometimes it feels like these drugs just step on the gas instead of calming me down. Nexium helps the nerves, but then I deal with morning muscle weakness and headaches. Let me know what you think about my situation, since you seem to know your pharmacology. Sorry for the long post.

Timothy Wood38 said:My doctor won't even touch Coax because, in her experience, it’s just been a dud. Plus, it feels a bit counterintuitive to me—why would you want to actually lower serotonin levels? Anyway, if you’re really struggling with side effects from everything else, I might suggest looking into Lexapro. It’s a relatively newer antidepressant and isn't prescribed quite as widely as the old staples, but generally speaking, it seems to have the cleanest side effect profile on the market. Of course, that’s not a rule—everyone reacts differently, obviously. But, honestly, it’s worth a shot to see how you respond. That’s usually just how the whole psychiatric med game works, isn't it? You trial and error your way through.

Honestly, I'm confused. Good for you that your doctor actually listens, though I know it varies. Personally, I wouldn't even know how to ask for a specific alternative. What would my doctor say? I'm a layman; how am I supposed to know what will work for me? When I see a doctor, I trust them to know their stuff. As a Plan B to Nexium, I was prescribed Wellbutrin. A few months ago, I asked around on this forum and everyone was trashing it, but then I have a friend who's been on it for three months and loves it—zero side effects. I was too scared to try it because of everything I read here. If it lowers serotonin, why are we even taking it? Look, I don't know who you are, and while I trust your knowledge, I'm just a novice. I can't demand specific meds from my doctor, and I can't switch psychiatrists every month. I just take what I'm given.

Elizabeth Alvarez5 said:So, I’m currently on Coax, taking one pill three times a day. For the first two weeks, my psychiatrist had me starting on half doses and slowly ramping up to the full amount. I just hit day seven of being on the full dose (3x1 daily), and honestly? It’s rough. I’m dealing with these brutal dizzy spells and constant anxiety. I have to force myself to eat, but everything just tastes like nothing. They told me the side effects would taper off after about a week, but right now, I feel like a total zombie. The dark circles under my eyes are deep enough to reach my chin. I can't even get anything done, and I genuinely admire people who manage to hold down jobs while on antidepressants—especially when the side effects are this bad. I’m basically a wreck at home. I’ve been taking some Xanax to take the edge off, which I cleared with my psychiatrist, whom I see $83 once a week. Since I read that this is supposed to be one of the milder options, that’s why I went with it. I couldn't handle Effexor or Lexapro, so I'm pretty skeptical about whether this will actually touch my moderate-to-severe depression. Has anyone here tried Coax? If it actually worked for you, please let me know. I know everyone reacts differently, but I just need a little bit of hope. I’m fighting an uphill battle every single day, and if this doesn't work, I’ll be back to square one, switching meds and restarting the whole miserable cycle. I know I need to be patient, but man, you guys know how hard this really is. Thanks in advance if anyone can help me out

How long exactly have you been on Coax and what were your starting doses? I didn't catch if you've been on the full dose for 7 days total, or if that's just when you reached the full amount? And how much were you taking before that? I don't feel great on it either, but I'll give it a few more days. I'm dealing with headaches and muscle weakness. Yesterday was brutal, but today feels better—honestly, I can't tell if it's the med or just my own mood shifting regarding the side effects.