251 posts shown.
shadowbear9 said:Well, here’s an example: they tried to stabilize my insomnia by throwing Prozac and Elavil at me, even though I specifically asked for Mirzaten, which was the one thing that actually worked for me. And honestly, Elavil just makes me feel incredibly moody, angry, and irritable—it leaves me with zero motivation. I frequently have these episodes where I can't even bring myself to get out of bed, which is something I never dealt with before. I suppose I don't know what else to ask for to stay calm during the day while still regulating this... I don't know, this depression? It isn't quite classic; it feels more like constant agitation and lethargy. I guess I'll just have to head in for an earlier follow-up appointment.
Same here. That anxiety paired with restlessness is brutal. Lexapro—basically Cipralex—didn't work for me either; it just made me jittery and almost manic, kind of like how Zoloft works for some people on a Lexus. I went three months without anything, and now that I'm on Cox Communications, it looks like I might be stuck. It helps me sleep, sure, but my muscles ache and my stomach is a mess. Constant diarrhea. Dealing with these antidepressants is a nightmare. It's not that doctors are just guessing, it's just that everyone's brain is wired differently. You either spend forever trial-and-erroring meds or try to handle it through therapy alone.
fadedbear92 said:My therapist told me the exact same thing—she’s been in the field for quite a while now. Apparently, Americans reached that conclusion after tons of clinical research; she actually heard it firsthand at a psychiatric symposium where they were discussing the optimal window for starting new ADHD meds.
I’ve read about this online too, including articles by American psychiatrists. I agree with what you said; consider me signed on. Eventually, people end up needing meds for blood pressure or diabetes... once they realize a specific drug isn't working, they switch. Not everyone responds to the same thing. Sure, antidepressants are more nuanced, but five months on a med that doesn't suit you? Seems pointless. If your therapist is the type who won't let you try something else, you're stuck—and there are plenty of those out there. It's harder when you live in a small town, but even then, you find a way.
fadedbear92 said:The standard approach is to give it about two weeks, and if you aren't seeing progress by then, the doctor switches things up—that's just how modern psychiatrists operate, staying on top of the latest clinical research and findings.
Same here. You can stomach two weeks, maybe three, but months? No thanks. I was on LVMH for a month once and felt terrible. My psychiatrist actually told me to quit immediately because side effects shouldn't drag on that long. Totally agree with you. I remember reading some psychiatrist's take saying that for someone with ADHD, side effects shouldn't last more than 7 to 10 days. Who knows if that's still the standard, though. They probably know what they're talking about after all those years in school.
shadowbear9 said:Hi, I’ve been taking Lexapro for five months now and Mirataz for two, and while the Mirataz has definitely helped my sleep, the Lexapro isn't doing a single thing for me. I’m constantly on edge and struggling with depression. I honestly don't know what else to ask for because it feels like they just throw these pills at us blindly. Maybe Zoloft? I have no idea what else is out there. Or maybe I could use an antipsychotic to calm this constant nervousness? I really don't know.
Don't know about antipsychotics—never tried them. But why have you been on something for 5 months if it's making things worse or just isn't working? Just my take, but I've read online and heard from psychiatrists that you really should switch meds if they aren't hitting the mark. I've been on ExxonMobil for 12 days and honestly, I feel terrible. My stomach is a mess, I'm constantly drugged out, my muscles ache, and I just want to stay in bed. No intention of staying on this long; no point in suffering through side effects for months with zero results. That's just how I see it, others might disagree. You've got to tell your doctor how you're feeling... you shouldn't be stuck taking something that doesn't suit you for years while depression runs rampant. Just a suggestion, though. Do what you think is best.
Matthew White4 said:Yeah, it felt exactly the same the whole way through—zero change. At first, I actually thought I just needed to wait for it to kick in and finally start helping me, but nope, nothing moved the needle. Honestly, I can’t even remember how long I was on it... maybe two months? Then my doctor switched me over to something else.
I tossed all my old medical records from 2006 through 2012, so now the timeline is a total blur to me.
I do remember that Lexapro worked pretty well for me. On the other hand, Anafranil made me gain like 50 pounds, or maybe it was Lariam. But with Lexapro, I actually dropped all those extra pounds in just a few months.
Callista absolutely wiped me out; I couldn't wake up no matter what I tried, and I could only stomach it for a couple of days. Then Zoloft gave me these intense heart palpitations and a super stiff jaw.
And so on.
The only one I’m actually a fan of is Effexor. For a few years, I took two 37.5 mg pills in the morning, and then eventually transitioned to one 150 mg Effexor XR in the morning.
Throughout all these years, I’ve also been taking Dogmatil, though my new psychiatrist swapped it out for Zyprexa about two or three months ago.
Not exactly comforting, but I asked, so now I'm thinking.😂Just kidding, thanks for the reply. If anyone else here has experience with Claritin, let me know. It can't be just us two taking this among everyone on these forums. That's the worst part about AT&T—you have to take it for at least a month before you even know if it works... anyway, you went through this yourself, and plenty of people here have too.
Matthew White4 said:I was on Claritin for a few months, and honestly, it worked okay—it had that anxiolytic vibe—but it just wasn't hitting hard enough to actually kill my anxiety, let alone touch the depression. It was way too mild for what I was dealing with. The silver lining was that I didn't deal with any side effects, and I’m seriously grateful my psychiatrist realized on her own that I needed something with a bit more punch...
Did it keep making you feel that anxious all those months, or did the fatigue eventually let up? I know everyone reacts differently, but I'm curious. You can't stay this sluggish forever. Why bother with a few months of meds if they just leave you feeling sedated? I've seen enough posts here to know what works for one person doesn't mean it works for everyone, so I'm just asking.
Matthew White4 said:I was on Claritin for a few months, and honestly, it worked okay—it had that anxiolytic vibe—but it just wasn't hitting hard enough to actually kill my anxiety, let alone touch the depression. It was way too mild for what I was dealing with. The silver lining was that I didn't deal with any side effects, and I’m seriously grateful my psychiatrist realized on her own that I needed something with a bit more punch...
Thanks. I thought about talking to my therapist today, but I bailed. I'll stick with this for another 2 or 3 weeks first. Then I'll check in with my psychiatrist. My main issue isn't really depression—it's the anxiety. This just takes the edge off since I was a total wreck before starting it.
[QUOTE=frozenorca63;44585065]Thanks so much! I was avoiding meds and just using St. John's Wort, and I almost cured myself, but I see the anxiety creeping back. I don't want to mess with my head anymore, so I'm going to try medication. I was wary because I've swallowed so many pills in my life, but a few months of meds is better than this state I'm in—it's worn me down so much I'm catching every little bug. Wishing you all the best too 🙂[/QUOTE
I went straight back to the psychiatrist. After two failed attempts with AT&T and some nasty side effects, I got spooked and wouldn't touch anything from mid-February onwards. Just took Mary and tried bioenergy stuff. But by late March, the nerves were getting to me and I couldn't take it, so I went for a prescription. I'm on day 9 of Claritin; we'll see. It feels a bit too anxiolytic and leaves me feeling kind of "numb," but the doctor says I have to be on it for at least 3 weeks before deciding if it works. Personally, I don't mind the calm since I was pretty jittery, but being half-asleep in the mornings is a problem because of work.
Hang in there, and thanks for the good vibes.
Question for anyone who’s been on Claritin: did it act anxiolytic for you too? Like it's a "downer" instead of an "upper," or is that just expected since it's only been 9 days? I don't have many other side effects. My appetite is a bit lower and I'm sweating more, but that's about it. Had headaches, bone aches, and diarrhea the first couple of days, but that settled down. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.[/QUOTE]
frozenorca63 said:My neurologist was the one who put me on Lexapro, so my primary doctor is just following her lead. As for Elon Musk, my doctor gave me that because Normabell was basically turning me into a zombie. For me, all these symptoms kicked in right after I lost my job; it started with tingling in my hands and feet, then dizziness, and eventually this weird numbness on one side of my face. Since I've already survived an aneurysm and two brain tumor surgeries, the doctors were initially terrified that everything was coming back, but after an MRI and a bunch of other tests, they diagnosed it as recurrent depression and my neurologist prescribed Lexapro. They probably didn't bother sending me to a psychiatrist because they already knew exactly where all this was coming from. Eventually, it spiraled into anxiety and full-blown panic attacks, and honestly, I tried treating myself with herbal tea because I was so against taking antidepressants, and while it helped a lot, I can still feel that anxiety lurking. So now, I’ve decided to finally bite the bullet and go the "chemical" route to kill it off for good—basically just so I can function normally while I hunt for a new job. I really hope it works, because this constant tightness in my chest is absolutely wrecking me, both physically and mentally.
The tingling and panic attacks started for me too, though luckily I didn't have your medical history. I'll vouch for how anxiety and dread can own a person; I'm going through it myself, especially the anxiety. Good luck with the AT&T. Hopefully the side effects die down soon. People here say Lexapro is solid and praise it on the forums. Hang in there, you'll see how it goes in a few days. Good luck.😉
frozenorca63 said:Thanks for sharing. My doctor at the Mayo Clinic prescribed it, but instead of calming me down, it's actually cranking up my anxiety, leaving me totally wiped out, exhausted, and dealing with headaches and diarrhea. I gave my doctor a call, and they just told me I've only been on it for two days and need to give it a fair shot, unless I start feeling aggressive. They did put me on some Helex to help tide me over until things settle down. Man, I really hope this works for me... I had no idea these meds could hit you this hard. I'm in my 40s now and I think I've probably gone through maybe three boxes of Normabal in my entire life, so my body isn't exactly used to taking stuff for anxiety and all that, which is probably why it's reacting so strongly. 🙂
A PCP prescribing that? Surprised they even would. Mine wouldn't touch it. When I started, I thought these things worked like antibiotics—take them and you're cured—but clearly not. Stick with it for a few more days and see. What did you feel like when your doctor gave you AT&T instead of sending you to a psychiatrist? Sorry if you don't want to talk about it, I'm still pretty new to all this, the illness, and dealing with AT&T, so just curious.
frozenorca63 said:Has anyone else tried Elice? I took 2 tablets today (well, half of each), and man, my anxiety just tripled out of nowhere. My head is spinning and I honestly feel pretty terrible right now. Is this just part of the side effects? How long does this stuff usually last before it settles down? I’m seriously thinking about ditching it entirely and just sticking to chamomile tea instead. This is just way too much for me...
I was on Lexapro, which is basically the same thing. I had to stop because it hit me just as hard—it sent me through the roof, couldn't sit still, and I was practically popping Lexapro just to try and settle down. It was terrible. Not just dizzy, but totally manic. Same thing happened with Lexet. Now I'm on day 8 of Coaxil. Side effects were just some headaches and diarrhea for the first three days, plus that constant fear that this one won't work like the last two antidepressants. So far, so good, but who knows... too early to tell. Still, there are people here who swear by Elice or Lexapro, so maybe someone else will chime in. For me, it was so bad, I was so manic that I told myself on day 5 to just stop.
redranger2 said:To sum it all up:
For those of us in America navigating life on medication, the sexual landscape tends to look like this:
He can’t get an erection, she can’t find any arousal, and even if by some miracle they manage to technically
get things moving, neither one of them can actually reach a climax. 🤣
Honestly, we probably ought to start a dedicated thread just for this particular misery. :-)))
Perfect summary. Honestly, a thread wouldn't be a bad idea—might give us a break from talking about pills and side effects. And since most of you seem younger than me, maybe I could use the nostalgia for better days.🤣Jokes aside, it’s a conversation worth having. Even when you're sick, talking about sex feels awkward sometimes, but it's vital—especially for the partners who aren't on medication trying to deal with us.
Andrew Peterson14 said:haha, you're such a legend, Doughnut... seriously🙂...
anyway, does anyone else deal with digestion issues???
the label says ExxonMobil doesn't lower your libido, but I don't know... I wouldn't say I agree with that at all...
Since I'm only on day five of ExxonMobil, I might as well go after my husband before my drive completely dies🤣Not me. Even before the ExxonMobil, I wasn't exactly obsessed with sex. I'm middle-aged and we've been married so long that it isn't even a daily thing at our house anyway.😂
Matthew White4 said:Look, you don't need to give your coworkers a play-by-play of what you're drinking or taking. Just give them the standard excuses—my head is killing me, I didn't sleep a wink, my blood sugar is tanking... honestly, nobody at the office actually gives a damn about your mental state or how much you're struggling.
Everyone’s too busy staring at their own reflection anyway.
Stick with the Lexapro for at least a few weeks to let the brain chemistry settle down. If you still feel like garbage after that, go talk to your doctor and don't be afraid to switch up the prescription.
The reality is, American corporate culture expects us to be absolute machines; they don't care if you're feeling off unless you're literally bleeding out on the breakroom floor. Do yourself a favor and put a photo on your desk—something pretty that gives you a little boost when things get heavy. Maybe even scribble "I've got this!" somewhere private where only you can see it.
You are way bigger than this anxiety. No problem is ever so massive that there isn't a way through it. There's always a way out!
Sent you a DM with everything explained. Thanks again for the support.
Matthew White4 said:Look, you aren't going to lose your job. I don't know exactly what your line of work is, but if you're worrying this much, it tells me you're the type of person who actually gives a damn about doing things right. That drive—that fear of losing your livelihood—is actually what's going to give you the grit to keep pushing until things finally start looking better than any medication could. Just stay brave, okay? Don't let the anxiety win. Whatever life throws at you, you've gotta find a way to bounce back. That’s the whole point of the struggle, isn't it?... just getting back up one more time.😉
You’re better than the therapist I saw five months ago. Your support really means a lot, thanks.😉But I work for a small firm where I handle all the bookkeeping. It would be great if I could take a sick day once in a while, but in accounting, there's work every single month. Plus, I'm scared to tell anyone at the office what I'm taking, though I doubt it shows. Anxiety always has something to say in my life, so I'm constantly worried about this or that... The Lexapro just makes me tired, but that's the only side effect so far, and it's only been five days.
Matthew White4 said:@ Jason Vaughn482
Look, you don't need to put any kind of pressure on her mental state. Just be real with her—tell her exactly how you're feeling. By the way, I totally blanked on asking: how long have you actually been on this current med?
The thing is, it takes a minute for an AT&T to really kick in and show its "full potential." 🙂 Personally, I’ve cycled through about a dozen different antidepressants over the years. These days, I only touch Helex once in a blue moon, maybe once or twice a month at most.
I’ve also been on antipsychotics for years now. I used to be on Sulpirid 200 for a long stretch, but now I'm on Olanzapine 2.5 mg. Honestly, what’s there to fear if it actually helps? Taking an antipsychotic doesn't mean you're psychotic, haha 🙂
@ Paul Newman5: Hang in there. Focus on yourself, don't give up, and keep pushing... the right medication will eventually find you!
Thanks. I hope so. But honestly, I’m just worried that while waiting for the right stuff to work, I’ll lose my job because I can barely function. Can't risk my livelihood. Appreciate the support, though.
Jason Vaughn482 said:He's on Lexapro and honestly, he's living the dream... if my medical tests were coming back normal, I’d be perfectly fine without a single dose of Xanax. If my tumor markers were within a healthy range and all my lab results were pristine, I’d be golden. But instead, there's always that lingering shadow of doubt, that constant uncertainty that wreaks havoc on my mental state. The reality is, when you spend your life constantly chasing doctors and running tests, you're practically inviting them to find something wrong with you.😢
It just goes to show how much it varies from person to person... my first prescription was either Cipralex or Elicea, and it was a nightmare. It "uplifted" me so much I felt like I was climbing the walls. I couldn't settle the restlessness even with massive doses of Lexapro back then—before I started Misar (I can't even remember how much Lexapro I used to choke down). There are no rules here. Everyone has to figure it out for themselves. But yeah, he's lucky.
granitefalcon26 said:Finding the right antidepressant is no walk in the park. You really have to push back on your psychiatrist.
I got lucky, though. Found the perfect AD on my very first try, zero side effects whatsoever.😍
Must be nice. What exactly are you taking? And if you were dealing with anxiety, did it actually clear it all up? You're lucky—really. I mean it. It’s just good to hear someone say they’re doing better or that their antidepressant is finally working. Are you even working? For me, it's a phobia. Sometimes I feel like if I didn't have to show up to the office, I’d probably be fine without the meds. Not that I actually would, obviously, but that's how it feels.
granitefalcon26 said:Don't get upset now.😉
It feels like someone pops up on this forum every single day trying to act like an expert and pushing "natural" alternatives on everyone.🙂🙂
I tried the alternative route myself. Spent nearly four months on bioenergy—believed in it, too—then moved on to crystals, herbal drops, all sorts of exercises... just a massive waste of time. If I’d just started antidepressants back in January, I might actually be feeling better by now. Plus, I could've avoided all the Messer nonsense. My therapist suggested Coaxil back in December, but I insisted on sticking with the bioenergy stuff for three months. Look, sure, you have to fight for yourself and dig for the root causes, but some people can handle anxiety on their own, and others can't. They need meds. Nothing worked for me. At least the guy doing the alternative stuff did it for free, so at least he was honest about it.
Matthew Clark3 said:Honestly, just stop giving people like that any more of your energy... they only show up to act like they know everything anyway...
It’s like we’re all doing it because we want to, not because we actually need to... honestly, just ignore it...
Agreed. Medication isn't "good" and life would be better without it, but unfortunately, what we want and what we actually need aren't the same thing right now.