Posts by Paul Newman5

Drew Bennett21 said:It’s really not all doom and gloom 🙂, so let's not scare everyone off right away.
So, I actually started out on Zoloft and stuck with it for about a year—I can be pretty stubborn like that, I guess—but the whole time, I just felt like I was constantly sleeping. It’s part of that "newer generation" of meds, you know? I was basically dragging myself through life and just couldn't snap out of it, even though I did feel a little less blue or tense. Then, I eventually switched over to 3mg of Coax (that unfortunate "older" generation stuff). And honestly, I've been on Coax for years now! I don't get that heavy exhaustion I had on Zoloft, and there are almost zero side effects. There really is hope out there. I don't quite remember how those first couple of weeks felt, but everything is fine now, almost like I'm not even taking an antidepressant at all.

I really think we should try our best to follow what the doctor says if we've already made the decision to give medication a fair shot.
I mean, obviously, I get why we're all feeling anxious and depressed—otherwise, we wouldn't be posting all over 🙂 like this—but we have to remember that being terrified or skeptical of the meds we're taking is actually just another symptom of the issues we're dealing with. Meds aren't the only way, of course. It actually makes me think of this friend of mine whose psychiatrist wouldn't even tell him which specific meds he was starting during that first week, just so he wouldn't spend the whole time Googling side effects 😉. I'm not saying that's a genius move, but it's definitely something to chew on. If we're living in constant fear of what one specific pill might do to us, then something is bound to trigger that anxiety, and we really need to consider other options too.

Been on Coax for 15 days. Feeling pretty sluggish, kind of like I have the flu, and my appetite is down, though not as bad as the first few days. I messed up my dosage because I didn't know better, but I won't dwell on it since we covered my situation on the previous pages. Just wanted to jump in here because I agree with some points regarding how side effects hit me personally. I also need a psychiatrist who would just give me the meds without telling me the names, because as soon as I read the side effects, I start experiencing them all and end up spiraling into research, making myself more confused than before. But again, I think that's just my anxiety talking (plus a bad experience with Lexapro and Lexus). Medication is so individual anyway; we can offer support here, but advice isn't always "correct" because what works for one person won't necessarily work for me.

Matthew White4 said:Good grief, don't you have anything closer to home?

I do, but the wait times for an appointment are brutal... unless you know someone, you'll be sitting there until you're old and gray. There aren't any private clinics besides the one I've already used. We'll see, thinking about hitting up Lowe's today if I can make it out.

Matthew White4 said:Paul Newman5, don't sweat it, it’s never too late to turn things around. You'll be an expert on all this before you know it. Honestly, blacx hit the nail on the head with everything they said.
If everyone actually understood what we needed, how to get it, how much it costs, and when to act... well, we probably wouldn't even need doctors in the first place.
Seriously, you can ask a shrink about pretty much anything under the sun. Just do yourself a favor and write your questions down beforehand—it’s funny how once you actually sit down in their office, your brain just goes totally blank...
Don't beat yourself up, though. You didn't do anything wrong. The important thing is that you're heading to see a psychiatrist, and once you coordinate with them, you can finally kick off some real therapy. Sending love.

Thanks, but I haven't even seen a therapist yet. The first one I had, besides taking my $67, wasn't much of a talker. She mostly just hated that I couldn't stand Luxottica, which was our main point of friction. Not sure when I'll be in New York City. Work is slammed next week, so I don't want to deal with scheduling right now. Plus, New York City is a good two-hour drive away; it's not like I can just pop in. And honestly, I feel miserable and drugged out. Woke up this morning with stomach pain and nausea, and my head feels heavy—not dizzy, just that dull ache you get with the flu. Feels like I'm starting from zero after those two drinks last night. I just want to stay in bed.

Brandon Lopez6 said:Your body just had a massive reaction to that double dose.🙂
As for the doctor situation, I totally feel you. Mine didn't even give me a direct number to call, so I was stuck dealing with side effects and wondering "is this actually gonna get better?" all by myself for days. Eventually, I just gave up on the meds entirely—well, I checked with my primary care doc instead, since at least they actually understand how this stuff works.🙂
Hang in there.🙂

I messed up the steps here. My psychiatrist prescribed Axon back in December, but we clashed, so I turned to alternative options. Three months later, I went to my GP to get the prescription filled, and he told me to start with just one pill. In the meantime, I called a psychiatrist in New York, and since I'd already started taking the Axon, she told me to take three a day and check in with her. But I didn't ask her how or when; I just acted without thinking, assuming Axon wasn't like other antidepressants. I didn't follow up with my GP either, thinking, "whatever, I'll just take three and let the lady in New York know." That's where the mistake happened. Thanks for the advice, everyone, but with all due respect, blacx (sorry if I spelled that wrong) could have explained it a bit more kindly. I respect his knowledge, but the tone was harsh and it stung. And I'm mad at myself for not asking the New York doctor more questions. I'll try taking two today and see how it goes.

Timothy Wood38 said:Well, those first two weeks of side effects are pretty standard while your body adjusts and the plasma concentration finally stabilizes. Usually, during those first fourteen days, people take an anti-anxiety med or something like Sulpiride as needed just to take the edge off the side effects. If things stay unbearable after that period, the doctor typically switches the prescription entirely. Didn't your doctor mention that? By sticking to just one pill of Cox Communications for thirteen days, you were essentially just stressing your system without achieving anything, because one single dose isn't enough to reach a steady plasma concentration. The reason your doctor prescribed 2x1 is likely because they understand how sensitive your system is, and they'd probably move you up to 3x1 eventually since that's a standard dose. Honestly, you made a mistake by trying to take only one a day thinking it would make the adjustment easier; with Cox Communications, that's actually counterproductive when it comes to managing side effects.

Thanks. I get it now. I just didn't expect something that was numbing me yesterday to make me jittery today. That "famous" 14-day window ends tomorrow, so hopefully it gets better. Besides, I can't exactly call my psychiatrist every five minutes to ask questions. Thanks for the input, though—honestly, I regret asking at all.

Timothy Wood38 said:Look, sorry, but you can't really handle it that way. There's a reason Cox Communications—sorry, the medication—is prescribed at 1x3 times a day; it's because the half-life is relatively short. To get a steady, effective concentration in your plasma, the standard recommendation is taking it three times daily. If you keep sticking to just one or two pills a day, you'll probably never actually feel any improvement, or it'll take forever. On the other hand, you absolutely cannot compare this to other SSRIs like Zoloft, Lexapro, or Prozac. They work in a completely different, almost contradictory way. This drug is unique and stands in its own lane. Its efficacy is proven, but only when taken as recommended—usually 3x1 daily or more. What you're doing is just counterproductive. Talk to a psychiatrist and good luck.

Sorry, but my doctor actually told me 2x1. And I was just talking about how contradictory it is. It shouldn't act like Lexapro, but that's exactly what happened this afternoon... it jolted me so much I had to take more anti-anxiety meds. Surprising, since all the literature says it shouldn't do that. I'm just surprised. And again, if my doctor said two a day, why would I take three? You're just repeating what's already confusing me. Something is happening that shouldn't be happening with Cox Communications. It kept me calm for 13 days, then once I bumped it to two, it made me restless just like Lexapro used to. That's what I'm writing about, not the dosage. I tried sticking to exactly what my psychiatrist prescribed starting today, but the restlessness was too much. That's why I'm asking the forum.

Matthew White4 said:That’s wild... they had me on a 3x1 regimen from day one, and I followed it to the letter like a good little patient.

Honestly, I never really dealt with those mild antidepressant vibes; my doctor used to just drop heavy doses on me right out of the gate.

The only time I actually tried an antidepressant was when I took Zoloft for the first time ever. My body absolutely lost its mind—I went from sobbing uncontrollably to full-on hysteria, plus the dizziness, the stomach issues, the whole nine yards...

Everything else was pretty chill, nothing negative happened, except for Calixta... that stuff absolutely wiped me out.

Paul Newman5, you definitely need to hash this out with your psychiatrist...

I got the 2x1 deal right away too, but knowing myself, I stuck to just one at first. As for the anxiety, if that’s what you’re feeling, it usually hits during those first few days. Both Cipralex and Lexapro had me seeing red by day three, but this? Being sedated for two weeks and then suddenly ramping things up by increasing the dose doesn't seem right. Besides, the Cox Communications pill is so tiny I don't see how you could even split it in half. I've searched everywhere online about how this stuff works—longitudinal, transverse, whatever—and nowhere does it mention causing nervousness. This is typically used to calm people down, like folks dealing with addiction issues, and it actually did the opposite for me. I'll try it tomorrow and see. I don't have a psychiatrist at the moment anyway.😂Not going back to my old doctor because we had a falling out in December. I ditched her last prescription and switched over to Cox Communications. I have the option to see someone at Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, but during the phone call, the psychiatrist told me to take it for at least three weeks before checking in to see if it’s working or if I need an in-person visit. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow, but this was unexpected. Most antidepressants mention restlessness as a side effect, but apparently not with Cox Communications. I'm a weird one. Is it possible—asking everyone here since you've all been through it and some people stay on these for years—that because I'm anxious or high-strung rather than depressed, all these meds just make me too wired? Maybe I need the Associated Press, but my old shrink wouldn't listen and just insisted on doing things her way. Just... stuck. 😕Either I start living like Joe Biden, get drunk, and just stop caring about anything.🤣

fadedbear92 said:You switched to 2 pills way too fast. Usually, you'd increase by a quarter tablet every 3 or 4 days; I'm guessing your body just reacted poorly because you doubled the dose so abruptly.

Not sure about that. My psychiatrist pushed the 2x1 routine immediately, but I stuck to just one pill for nearly two weeks. Everyone says Cox Communications is weak, and some people even take three. One isn't doing much for me. I have an appointment at the clinic tomorrow, then I’ll probably follow up with my doctor again. I might try two more tomorrow; if it stays the same, maybe it's too much, maybe one is enough, or maybe you're right and this stuff just doesn't work for me. Any thoughts? If anyone actually knows something useful, let me know.

Something weird happened today. I’ve been taking one Coaxil at 1 AM for about 13 days now, and up until this point, I was always saying how much it sedates me and helps with anxiety. Not this morning. Even though my legs felt heavy, I decided to bump it up to 2, just like my psychiatrist suggested. I took it before lunch, and by 2 PM, I was hit with this sudden restlessness—like I was being jolted awake. I couldn't settle down, so I had to take 0.5 mg of Ativan and 3 mg of Lexapro. But this wasn't that "good" kind of energy; it was pure nerves and heightened anxiety. Everyone talks about this stuff being mild and calming, but for me, moving to 2 feels more like taking Xanax, just slightly less intense. Then the diarrhea hit... just great. Is it possible one pill is fine but a higher dose does this? Or am I just so high-strung that any antidepressant sends me spiraling? If anyone has an explanation or has dealt with this, let me know. It’s strange. I was actually bragging yesterday about having a good afternoon—went shopping, did some ironing—but today this hit me and left me useless. The Ativan and Lexapro eventually leveled me out, but that surge of nervousness is definitely not what an anxiolytic Coaxil is supposed to do.

fadedbear92 said:I deal with hereditary depression and anxiety, so I'm on meds for life. Plus, my insomnia is brutal.
So, here's my cocktail: an antidepressant like Prozac, a stabilizer like Xanax, and an antipsychotic like Seroquel for sleep—which I sometimes even take during the day if the anxiety hits too hard.
And honestly? Right now, I have absolutely zero motivation.

It’s past noon, so I’m doing okay. Felt a bit more upbeat and lively the last couple of days, but mornings are rough... just pure irritability and nerves. No family history of this stuff that I know of; my grandparents all passed from cancer, though my grandma had some similar issues during menopause. My doctor thinks mine might be linked to that, but who knows. Not sure what Effexor is, never heard of it, but I know the rest. Luckily, a little Lexapro helps me sleep. I'm rarely listless, mostly just pissed off. Anxiety and the jitters are what really get to me.

Matthew White4 said:I’m actually functional in the mornings; I live for my coffee ritual, those 45-60 minutes are basically sacred to me.
But then this anxiety bullshit starts creeping in during the afternoon... just hits me out of nowhere.
That's been the pattern for the last few years—it's nothing compared to how things used to be, when it was a constant, 24/7/365 nightmare
Maybe it's because I started taking my AD in the morning, who knows...

That last nasty depressive episode totally wrecked me back in January; it was pure hell for days on end, and absolutely nothing seemed to touch it.

Imagine that. Honestly, I envy your afternoon anxiety.🤣If I could get everything done in the morning and just deal with it in the afternoon while I'm stuck at home, it would be easier to handle.😂Does it still hit you like that even on the antidepressants? Or is it just occasional? For me—like what Jason Vaughn482 goes through—it's the morning. Butterflies in my stomach. Even then, coffee doesn't sit right; even a little bit makes me more jittery than I already am. Then I take my Coaxil at 6 AM and just toss and turn until 7:30 before getting up. Of course, when I actually have to work, it’s a struggle because I need to be there by 8. Lucky for me, I don't have to go in every day.

Elizabeth Alvarez5 said:Thanks for getting back to me. Sorry for the delay in responding, I'm pretty new to this forum and it took me forever to actually find the thread... I'm definitely feeling the side effects too. I'm constantly sleepy, dizzy, just feeling heavy and foggy, plus I've lost my appetite and am dealing with constipation. My psychiatrist told me all that should clear up after about a week. What I really want to know is if this stuff actually helps with motivation. Right now, I’m just staring at the wall, and even when I *want* to get something done, it takes me like three hours just to physically move. Apparently, it's "just" depression, though maybe there's some anxiety mixed in there too—who knows. All I know is I'm in a really bad way right now.

My headaches and stomach issues cleared up in a few days, but the muscle fatigue—that heavy feeling in my legs—is still there on day 13. I'll stick with it for another week then decide. As for the motivation part, I can't really say because I haven't had those specific episodes. I'm more on the nervous, anxious side (like being terrified of going to work and getting fired), so I don't have the "lying in bed" problem. Life forces me to move. I am slower, though. I push things off or skip them—like how I usually do a deep clean of the house in the spring, but now I just do the bare minimum to stay functional. Some days it's hard to get up, but you just do what you have to do. Who are you living with? Is there anyone there to help? It's way too early to tell if the meds will work.

fadedbear92 said:That’s pretty standard for those of us dealing with depression and anxiety, unfortunately. Mornings are almost always the hardest part of the battle.

But seriously. Are you on any antidepressants? I can't keep track of everything, I forget, and I actually want to know how you feel in the morning and how long it lingers. Just curious.

fadedbear92 said:That’s pretty standard for those of us dealing with depression and anxiety, unfortunately. Mornings are almost always the hardest part of the battle.

Exactly. When you actually need to be productive at work, you just feel like a wet noodle.🤣Though I’ll be a little petty—it makes tomorrow easier knowing I won't be the only one struggling in the morning.😂Thinking of you.

Dennis Turner6 said:I’m not on any antidepressants—just an occasional anti-anxiety med if things get really bad. I don't take anything during the day, just at night if I'm feeling super restless.
Even my psychiatrist didn't bring up antidepressants when we first started my treatment plan.
Half of what you wrote here is totally new to me 🤣
Let me go Google this. Thanks for the info! 😁

No worries. Honestly, I wish none of this was familiar to me either. A year ago, I wasn't on anything and wondered why people even needed meds to deal with life. Then reality hit me too, unfortunately, so now I know the drill. Plus, everyone reacts to medication differently. It's all individual. For me, mornings are the worst; afternoons and evenings are easier to manage. That first hour after waking up is always the hardest.

Dennis Turner6 said:I’m curious—does anyone else find that benzos actually make you feel even more on edge?
So, I woke up at 3:00 AM last night and took a cherry for sleep along with 5 mg of Ativan. It calmed me down enough to drift off, but I only lasted about an hour and a half or two before my heart started racing again.
It feels like I’d need massive doses just to get any relief, and I really don't want to go down that road.
How do you guys deal with anxiety when you wake up in the middle of the night?

I deal with anxiety and nerves too. Right now, I take 4.5 mg of Ativan and 0.25 mg of Mayer in the evening, and I mostly sleep fine—maybe even better than before this whole mess started. For me, Mayer doesn't fully settle me like people on these forums claim; Ativan is the real winner. If I really need to crash, I have to mix the Mayer and Ativan. My doctor knows, and my psychiatrist said it was okay, though they usually push the Mayer. With Mayer, it feels incomplete, like it calms me but leaves a lingering edge of anxiety. Once I take the Ativan, though, I'm totally steady. As for the heart palpitations, Ormidol helps—I take half of a 25mg dose in the morning. A cardiologist prescribed that last year when I was running through doctors thinking I had a physical ailment, until I realized it was all mental. That's just how it goes for me. I'm on Coaxial right now, too, but we'll see if it actually does anything. Are you taking any antidepressants?

Elizabeth Alvarez5 said:Hey, anyone around? I was wondering if anyone here has tried Coaxial for depression and what your experience has been like. I’ve been on it for four days now, and I’m really hoping it kicks in soon because this depression is making it impossible to function—I'm basically just crying and sleeping all day. :-(

I'm on Coaxial. Day 12 for me. Not sure what to tell you. It totally sedates me; my legs feel like cooked carrots, if that makes sense. Muscle sensation is weird. Honestly, it’s a bit better than when I first started, but the anxiety and nerves hit harder than the depression itself. It just seems to knock me straight into bed. There should be others on the forum who've used it, so maybe someone else will chime in. How are you feeling so far? Any side effects? What's your daily dose? And is it anxiety too, or just the depression?

shadowbear9 said:All of that holds water, but I honestly don't see any reason why I would oppose her or go looking for conflict, doubt, or questioning. It won't cause any harm... and yet, I still feel that having a sense of trust and a solid relationship with my doctor is vital.

I never meant you should doubt anyone or pick fights. If it works for you, go for it. But looking at your posts, it doesn't seem like it's helping much if you're still feeling on edge after five months of AD. I wasn't trying to be critical—just sharing my take. Personally, I'm all for trying everything; I've been through therapists, advice from the Mayo Clinic, bioenergy, and meds. It just felt weird to me that an organization would offer that kind of therapy alongside a course. Sorry if I stepped on any toes... didn't mean to. I just want everyone here, including myself, to actually get better or at least find decent treatment.😉

shadowbear9 said:Why wouldn't they be able to? There is a legitimate medical basis for it, so they just enroll in a training course.🤷I suppose I would love to take that course myself if my finances ever allowed for it. It seems you just need a medical degree or something in a related field—some places even let you in if you have a background in the humanities... though, I guess anything is possible if one has enough money ($$). But whatever.

I don't agree either, though if it helps you, go for it. But the idea that someone working in an unlicensed field can just take a course and bypass five years of psychology school plus years of training to become a therapist or psychiatrist—someone who actually spent a decade specializing—doesn't make sense. I get it, some unlicensed practitioners love to overstep and act like they know everything. Years ago, my kid hurt their ankle and this guy from a local wellness center tried to apply a cast himself without a doctor or an X-ray. I wasn't having it... he was convinced he was on par with a surgeon. Honestly, don't be mad, but I'm with the others: that kind of therapy from an unlicensed person is baseless. I have a liberal arts degree myself, and even then, I wouldn't dream of practicing psychotherapy... not that my degree worked wonders for me either.

shadowbear9 said:That is exactly it. It feels like PMS every single day. My head hurts constantly and everything just irritates me. This morning, I actually woke up feeling okay for once, but then I remembered everything I had to do and I've been a nervous wreck with zero concentration ever since. I am currently attending CBT sessions with my primary care physician, but I guess I still place more faith in the chemistry side of things...

No physical pain for me, just constant anxiety and lethargy—especially when it's time to head to work. Been on edge since this morning. Probably from being overworked. Between freelancing, my corporate job, and taking care of a family of five, it's too much. Tried therapy for five months, but it didn't do much; even the therapist said we just needed some space from each other. Tried bioenergy for three months too, but nothing. The guy was decent enough to do it for free, but it didn't work. I'd prefer meds, but I'm on my third attempt at finding something that sticks. Might start looking for a new prescription in a few days. Honestly, I'd rather be on a deserted island where nobody asks anything of me, but that's not happening. Are you taking any anxiolytics or something? For me, Mayer works best, specifically when I mix it with Lexapro to stay calm. It’s not a long-term solution, and I know that after five months, but I don't have many other options.