Posts by Michael Lewis5

Michael Hill2 said:A quarter of 15 mg? Last time I tried an eighth, I think I slept for about 15 hours straight.😁
If you’re only taking it to deal with insomnia, dropping the dose actually works better for those histamine receptors—meaning you'll probably sleep way better.

My cousin swears the lowest effective dose for sleeping is just an eighth.

Get some good sleep, kid. Trust me, you'll want to.😍

thanks, Michael Hill2 🙂 Guess I'll give the chicken a shot...

restlesstiger49 said:Alright, I see we're talking about Calixta. Does it cause any drowsiness the following day? I'm currently on a 15mg dose.

I'll let you know tomorrow... if I actually manage to wake up at some point😲 A lot of people mention heavy sedation and feeling wiped out the next day, but that should wear off after a while

I'm planning on taking 7.5 mg tonight—my doctor gave me 15mg but said I could start with half first

Hopefully this tiny dose helps me sleep and maybe fixes my appetite too

Michael Hill2 said:Just take it when you hit the pillow, close your eyes, and you'll be out.🙂
My advice? Honestly, even a quarter might be too much for you.🙂

A quarter of what?

hey guys,
is it better to take Calixt right before bed or a bit earlier?
taking 1. 7.5 mg tonight

read a bunch of different stories online, just wondering what you all think
thanks 🙂
maybe one day I'll actually know how to help someone... for now I'm just asking questions 😲

Anyone here dealt with this kind of combo before?

Been on Zoloft 50 mg for over three weeks now and... nothing. Zero movement. Hard to tell if the side effects are just part of the mess or actually the illness itself, but the worst part—besides the total lack of motivation and mood swings—is that I’ve lost all appetite and my sleep schedule is completely trashed.😢 My therapist suggested adding Odonazin (Remeron, Calixta) 15 mg at night to help with the hunger and sleep (she mentioned I could even split the pill). Anyone have experience with this setup? Honestly, I'm paranoid about being totally wiped out... even basic Neofen used to knock me sideways back when I was on that other crap.😲
Any insights would be huge.🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:It feels like you managed to ask a question and provide the answer all in one single sentence, didn't you?
Depression is such a brutal, absolute nightmare of a thing; unfortunately, it doesn't just vanish easily—if it ever leaves at all.
It always seems to be lurking somewhere deep inside your system, just waiting for us to screw something up, and let's face it, we are quite good at doing exactly that.

Yes, you simply have to give it more time—give yourself more time, and give the Zoloft time to actually start working. Once that happens, you won't need the Xanax nearly as much, or maybe not at all.

I suspect you might be dealing with some stress that you think you're handling fine in your own way, making you believe it isn't actually part of the problem.
But it is. It absolutely is.
Or perhaps you went through some sort of shock in the past, something you shoved deep into your subconscious and are desperately trying to forget.
Since you didn't mention that, I'm just shooting in the dark here, but it's never impossible, is it?

The medication is essentially trying to pull your head above water just enough so that your body can start fighting its own battles, if it's even capable of that.
In a hypothetically "normal" situation, that's usually how it goes, but when a crisis takes over, the anxiety—acting like a shield against everything—fails to navigate the circumstances and instead "flees" into depression.
And once that happens, things have become very serious indeed.

So, there isn't much for you to "do," since you already mentioned you don't know what to do...
Right now, you are in a waiting game, and there isn't much anyone else can do for you either. As soon as the medication starts taking hold, you will notice it quite quickly.
And once you do, your doctor will know exactly how to proceed.

Look, you aren't just dealing with a common cold here; you are facing a dangerous, malicious disorder. You might be able to lessen it or "freeze" it somewhere in your mind, but you also have to change your lifestyle, your work habits, your relationships with others (and I would certainly have plenty to say about those...) and, most importantly, your relationship with yourself.
I have this nagging feeling that your self-confidence is plummeting, though I truly believe it is completely unjustified.

Thanks, Kevin Nguyen3🙂

I agree with everything you said. It actually helps. I think I realize how I ended up here, and I get that I've been clinging to old coping mechanisms that worked for a while but just don't cut it anymore. 😢
Everything you pointed out needs to change. No point in blaming myself or making excuses, just gotta move forward... Like you said, depression is a nasty thing and it's gone way too far this time... I'm not expecting my meds to do anything more than push me enough to function so I can actually start changing, but even this current state is demanding that I make those changes...

I know I'm probably going off-topic here, but I just felt like I needed to say this and thank you.

Michael Hill2 said:Look, drag Baby, if I were you, I’d give it maybe two more weeks tops. Don't spend all your energy wondering if you should have just waited around for the antidepressant to kick in. If you don't see any real movement toward feeling better in two weeks, just go see your doctor and have them switch up the prescription.

It took me a solid month and a half before my antidepressants actually kicked in. Around week three, I was hitting a real low point—just feeling miserable because it felt like nothing was changing. Then I stumbled upon a post from this girl who was on the exact same medication as me. She basically told me to hang in there and just be patient for a little longer. Honestly, I’m really glad I listened to her.

I wouldn't wait longer than a month and a half if I were you.

Regarding your job situation—honestly, if I were in your shoes, I’d probably force myself to just show up. Keeping your mind occupied is key. It stops that endless loop of overthinking whether you're feeling anxious, depressed, or whatever else is weighing on you today. Plus, you mentioned having good people at work who actually have your back. Having that kind of support makes a huge difference; it’s enough motivation to help the clock move a little faster.

Look, if you think staying home on sick leave is what you need right now, go for it. But honestly? I think isolating yourself is a bad move. You need to get out there and actually engage with the world a little—anything to give your head a distraction from everything you're feeling.

Good luck, 🙂

dear Lady, thanks for the reply—really helps 🙂 I'm thinking the same thing regarding therapy and getting back to work. I think I'll head in next week and just "push" myself back into life. I need that nudge. Even with all the fear and feeling so fragile, my gut tells me that's the way to go—fear is part of the path, right? 😉 And patience, obviously...
I'll definitely talk it over with my therapist. She's known me for years, so hopefully she can help me prep.

Anyway, I can't figure out how to post a hug icon, but just imagine it's here 🙂

Chris Robinson25 said:Is he seeing patients at Dr. Kuzman's office? 😬

HAHAHAAHAHHAHA!

that ain't Kuzman😁 sucks we can't swap stories😢

Chris Robinson25 said:You’re probably seeing my doctor; she usually prefers Tuesdays. 😬

If it's at the ER, then yeah, probably... 😁

Hey guys, I need some help.
I honestly have no idea what to do... 😢
I'm on 50 mg of Zoloft plus Xanax 2x0.25; it'll be three weeks tomorrow. Diagnosis is anxiety and depression, but the depression is hitting hard—like, full-blown major depressive episodes. Basically, after three weeks, I don't see any progress. Maybe the anxiety calmed down a tiny bit, but it's still there, and emotionally I'm just sinking deeper into apathy and total lack of motivation. It makes this whole fight feel impossible... had a phase last week where I felt absolutely nothing, just pure emotional emptiness, and I really don't like that 😢 Some physical stuff settled down, but I'm still struggling with sleep, no appetite, and constant fatigue. I went in for a checkup at the two-week mark and my doctor (and I) both agreed there’s zero movement—so we decided to stick with the meds and give the antidepressant more time to kick in. This rough patch has been going on for two months, though I've been dragging this depression and anxiety around for months before that... everything just peaked back in July. Yesterday my sister and a friend came over, and for the first time in two months, I actually felt okay. I feel most relaxed with them, and I even managed to fall asleep peacefully and catch some decent hours 🙂 but then the next morning, it's all over again. Anxiety, heaviness, apathy, exhaustion...
I'm seeing my old therapist this week once she gets back from vacation, and I'm waiting for my psychotherapy session at the Mayo Clinic on 9/16 to see how things go. My psychiatrist who handles the diagnosis and meds has me scheduled for 9/16 too.
I'm supposed to head back to work next week, but right now, I don't see myself being able to do it 😢 It scares me that there's almost no change when it comes to my willpower, which is exactly what I need most right now. I'm just scraping together enough strength to keep fighting. Of course I want to function normally again ASAP, or at least be able to get to work... the job itself isn't stressful, but dealing with a crowd of people is. Luckily, I have colleagues there who care about me and know what I'm going through.
This is my first time on antidepressants, and it's tough to judge if I should give this one more shot or switch things up...
I know I have to make all these calls myself—both regarding therapy and returning to work—but does anyone have suggestions based on their own experience?
Ask away if you need more info...
Thanks 🙂

Michael Hill2 said:Misar SR is designed for a gradual release. Your doctor probably prescribed it because you mentioned that constant anxiety, so the SR should theoretically keep you covered all day long.

Standard Xanax, on the other hand, hits you instantly—like, within 20 minutes. But the effects wear off much faster; I think I read they only last about 4 to 5 hours. That’s probably why you feel better with Xanax; it starts working fast compared to Misar SR.

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I'd stick to the regular Xanax as needed. Maybe one in the morning, one before bed, and maybe one in between if the anxiety gets really unbearable.

I don't have personal experience with the SR versions, but I've read plenty about them, and honestly, those slow-release benzos freak me out. Because they maintain a steady concentration in your system all day, you're essentially under their influence constantly, which makes the potential for addiction way higher than with regular Xanax.

Maybe someone who has actually used the SR stuff can correct me, but that's just what I've read on American forums. 😉

thanks 🙂 I prefer the as-needed Xanax too... at least I can actually relax here and there during the day. Walks help a lot, but this fatigue over the last few days has just paralyzed me. And yeah, the SR stuff scares me, but I didn't know what it was when she gave it to me. My last big anxiety/depression episode was 11 years ago, back when I just took Paxil as needed and did psychotherapy. I stopped taking Paxil completely after a month... I carried it around with me all the time, sure, but I wasn't actually popping them... anyway, seeing a therapist tomorrow to work on this anxiety, and hopefully this AD helps move the needle a bit...

Newbie here again 😁

I just can't figure out how to handle this Misar SR. My doctor said 1-2 times a day as needed. Just to be clear, I don't get full-blown panic attacks, but there's this constant anxiety hanging over me that’s actually gotten worse since I started the Zoloft. It’s my 6th day on therapy—my first full day of Zoloft. Yesterday I took half a Misar around noon and it took forever to kick in... I felt okay by evening, but then I woke up at 3 AM with massive anxiety. I was too scared to take anything else so I just suffered through the rest of the night😢 This morning I took it—again, took a while to work and now the anxiety is creeping back in. Honestly, even if I'm not physically exhausted like those first few days, mentally I'm wiped 😢 it's just this anxiety, this pit in my stomach that tightens everything up... it sucks. Anyone got advice? I feel like that one-off dose of Xanax (0.25) worked way better
I've been doing some breathing exercises, though I skipped my walk yesterday—which usually helps a bit—and just sat out on the patio instead...

redranger2 said:Go ahead and switch to Misar SR; there is absolutely no reason to worry about it.😉

thanks🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Look, after only three days, you aren't going to see any real changes yet.
The Xanax is fine; it should help relax you a bit while the antidepressant works its way through your system properly.

In short, it is actually quite common for anxiety to spike temporarily when you first start any antidepressant—it happens more often than you'd think.

And yes, the smartest thing you can do is stay active... go for walks, get some fresh air... maybe that will help ease things.

Thanks Kevin Nguyen3🙂
Quick question—my doctor wants me on Misar SR, which I finally managed to pick up today. Can't even get a hold of her until Tuesday. Since starting the Zoloft a few days ago, I've taken a couple Xanax I had left over from my local clinic. I know Xanax and Misar are in the same class... is it bad if I switch over to Misar SR today? Or should I call the ER and ask them... total nervous wreck here😕

Michael Hill2 said:Just power through the first month. When the anxiety gets unbearable, take some Xanax—just don't overdo it—and look up some progressive muscle relaxation or breathing exercises online. 🙂

It's always like this at the start. Your brain is just trying to adjust to a new chemical balance. It gets better. For all of us, the beginning was a total disaster. Check out my old post from a few pages back where I went into detail about my own initial side effects. 😉

Hang in there. 🙂

thanks Michael, really means a lot having the support 🙂 gonna google those relaxation things... thinking about actually braving a walk tonight. before I started dealing with this, I could even hit the pool—now this exhaustion just totally paralyzes me. 😢

Hey everyone!
It's day 3 on Zoloft (half of a 50 mg pill) — my first time ever dealing with depression. I also popped a tiny dose of Xanax (0.25) this morning because I woke up feeling super anxious. Now I'm just exhausted... like, I could sleep forever, but then the anxiety starts creeping back in again this afternoon 😢
Is this kind of side effect normal?
I've been diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depression
My psychiatrist wants to see me for a follow-up on September 3rd.
I'm basically a total wreck right now 😢
Anyone got any advice?

restlesstiger49 said:Since Xanax and Misar both belong to the same class of drugs—benzodiazepines—you shouldn't run into any issues if you decide to help out with some Xanax. The main difference is that Misar SR is an extended-release formula, meaning it releases slowly into your system, so one pill will likely be plenty for you.
Regarding that nausea, it might be due to the interaction between Zoloft and caffeine (though don't quote me on that). I personally noticed my appetite took a bit of a hit when I started Zoloft, too. Look, it’s totally possible there are some side effects, but you can probably push through them. If you're looking for psychotherapy recommendations, try checking out this thread.
Good luck!

thanks restlesstiger49🙂 feeling a little better today, skipping the coffee, and grabbing some Misar tomorrow

hey, quick question—just got diagnosed with F41.2 mixed anxiety and depressive disorder by my doctor at the Emergency Room. Current meds: Zoloft (started half a 50 mg pill yesterday) and Misar SR (0.5 mg, once or twice a day). Haven't picked up the Misar SR yet, but I have some Xanax 0.25 on hand. Not sure if it's okay to take the Xanax until I get the Misar SR, since I think she prescribed the SR specifically for this heavy generalized anxiety, whereas the Xanax was left over from my previous psychiatrist to take as needed. My appointment with the doc at the Center isn't for another two weeks, so I can't really ask her right now. Anyway, I took the first half of the Zoloft yesterday and didn't even need the Xanax all day—but man, I was wiped. Slept through half the day plus had a nagging headache, then grabbed coffee in the afternoon and now I'm dealing with nausea :P Nausea is a huge issue because one of my worst symptoms is losing my appetite, and I barely eat as it is. Anyone got advice?
Also, I was referred to psychotherapy at the Emergency Room—Dr. M. Braš—anyone here dealt with them or specifically that doctor? I used to go to Gestalt privately and liked it, but haven't been in about a year because I just couldn't swing the cost anymore. And honestly, without therapy, just grinding to make rent and burning myself out all last year—it led me right here, stuck in this nasty episode 😢 and yeah, just pointing out that this is my first time ever doing any of this, so I'm freaking out and full of doubts...