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Our local hospitals in Health · Nov 8, 2010

I was actually just thinking about starting a thread like this because of the terrifying things I’ve dealt with over the last few days. If I were even a little bit bolder—or maybe just a bit crazier—one of those doctors might have ended up losing their license.
Situation No. 1: My dad started turning blue on Saturday afternoon; he couldn't breathe and was choking. Since he can't drive and I don't have my license, I called 911 to come get him, only for them to tell me they aren't some kind of taxi service. Does it not matter that citizens pay taxes to fund these emergency vehicles? Anyway, after a long argument, they finally agreed to come. We waited 25 minutes—which shouldn't take them even if they were walking!—and when they finally reached my dad, all they did was ask a couple of questions and give him a sedative injection. That was it. I was right there, so I saw everything. Once they left, I checked the paperwork: pulse 60, blood pressure 130/70, sugar... something, I can't quite make it out.
It seems we're just supposed to applaud doctors who have invented a "new" way of performing exams without any actual equipment or instruments, relying solely on a glance at the patient. 🤷
Two days later, I found out my neighbor, who was otherwise perfectly healthy, passed away. From talking to her daughter, I learned she had gone to the ER a few days prior complaining of stomach pains and black stools. They just gave her an antibiotic, and the woman bled out because of a ruptured ulcer.
I should mention that I never ran into these kinds of problems or people who couldn't be called doctors in a sane mind back in the major hospitals in Chicago. What is happening in these smaller towns is absolutely horrific. 🙂

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Nov 8, 2010

Let’s try to keep this thread from turning into a massive argument 🙄
Miligram, you have to realize that not everyone shares your perspective on Sakoman and his approach to treatment. On another note, anyone claiming they don't use their medication recreationally while simultaneously suggesting it's perfectly fine to pop some diazepam on the weekend is either lying or simply doesn't know what they're talking about.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Nov 7, 2010

ambermason16 said:Just imagine... there are still medications out there that I can't even wrap my head around. 😕

I’ve tossed every single one of those "mental health" pills into the trash. I’m sticking strictly to the blue ones—specifically the generic version. I only take them when I’m feeling completely unhinged or when I haven't slept for five straight nights. But even then, I feel like I have to shovel them down my throat just to stand a fighting chance at feeling any kind of effect. 🙄

I don't want to tell you anything you haven't already figured out, but I really hope you realize that this cycle is just spinning your wheels. Insomnia is such a brutal beast because anxiety and all those other struggles we deal with just get magnified when you're exhausted. Then again, when you're anxious, how can you even close your eyes?
Antidepressants tend to have a long-term sedative effect 🙂 I used to struggle with sleep too, but my unknown didn't really help much since I'd just wake up the second it wore off. With antidepressants, you don't have to worry about that quite as much because they stay in your system longer.
It seemed like she had trouble sleeping on Wellbutrin at first, but after a while, she was able to drift off 😬
Everything can be fixed, but isn't it possible to find a slightly healthier way to handle this than what you're doing now?

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Nov 6, 2010

Douglas Long10 said:Ugh. At first, I looked at Zoloft like it was my absolute lifeline because it actually kept me from spiraling, but now? Honestly, I’d rather just toss the whole damn bottle in the trash. Still, I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how things play out. At least I got all the crying out of my system. 😁

Oh, that reminds me—I was also being driven to tears during those days. I remember breaking down over a random commercial once or twice, but it wasn't just sadness; it was this intense, suffocating weeping that actually felt physically painful. Very strange, indeed. But as you can see, those moments slip away so easily, don't they? 😬

Maybe mention to your psychiatrist that you'd like to try tapering down to 15mg? My doctor used to have me split my pills in half, and honestly, it was killing me. Just don't rush it; it's clear that getting off Paxil requires a much more gradual approach to avoid those nasty side effects.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Nov 5, 2010

Douglas Long10 said:Tapering off Paxil, attempt #2. The first time, less than a month ago, I told my psychiatrist about the side effects—dizziness, this incredibly bizarre sensation, hard to even describe, like my brain was stuck in a jar of water—and she just told me to take the full dose again (since I had been tapering by cutting pills in half). When I finally sat down with her, she claimed it might not even be the Paxil, but low blood pressure (which is total bull...). So, I went back to taking half a pill a day, and naturally, I’ve been dealing with these dizzy spells and that "brain in a jar" feeling for a week now. I could probably handle that part, but my mood is a disaster. Today I spent a solid two hours crying; if someone even looks at me wrong, I start sobbing. By the afternoon, I was actually praying for something to hit me and just end it all. Then I felt okay for a bit (after I overdid it on some Lexapro), then an hour later I was bawling again. Now I’m mostly fine. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist next week, but I think I've lost all trust in her. So, my question for those of you who have tapered off Paxil: how long does this terror last? My biggest issue is keeping it together at work. God forbid I fall asleep on the job.

A few months ago, I was right here on this forum, crying and venting about tapering off Paxil. 🤣 I made the same move from a full pill to a half, and after a week of feeling like a zombie, I realized I hadn't felt this bad even during my worst panic attacks.
I thought I just had the flu, so I kept taking the half dose without calling my doctor. Then the chills, diarrhea, and vomiting started hitting me. Basically, I went back to the full dose, and I felt better by the second day. 🙂
My psychiatrist actually suggested I just stay on the full dose indefinitely, since so many people take them for life without issue. At first, I started imagining all sorts of ways to confront him, but I calmed down and just told him he'd better find a way to help me get off this Paxil if he wants to keep his job. 😂
All summer, I was on 15mg, though I was basically DIY-ing my doses by measuring with a ruler and cutting them up. I only recently realized I could just buy the 30mg version. ☕

Two months ago, I started on a half dose and I feel great—no side effects at all.
I'm planning to cut that half in half early next year... it’s slow going, but it’s working, and I'm not complaining.
From what I've seen, that "terror" lasts as long as it takes for your body to adjust to the lower dose, or until you simply finish the course. I won't say whether you started too early, but it certainly sounds like you dropped your dosage much too fast.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Nov 4, 2010

Kenneth Scott41 says:
I haven't been around here in a while, so I'm not sure if someone else has already posted something similar. Basically, Dr. Sakoman told me to take Elice (Pfizer) instead of Lexapro. When I asked why, he just said they're the exact same thing, but you're paying extra for the Lexapro brand name because it's expensive. Anyway... I've been on this Elice for two months now, and I honestly can't tell if I feel better or not🤷. All I know is that I don't feel worse. But I have to ask—what specific symptoms actually show that an antidepressant is working? A silly question, I know...🙄

I had already mentioned to Sakoman beforehand that I’d tried Zoloft and Effexor (which was the absolute worst experience of my life). Since he's such a top-tier neuropsychiatrist, he immediately suggested Zoloft, telling me it's the gold standard, followed closely by Lexapro or Elice. Naturally, I trust his expertise, but I suppose everyone reacts differently; what works for one person might not work for another.

So, for anyone interested, quoting Dr. Sakoman: "The number one antidepressant in the world has proven to be Zoloft, followed by Lexapro."
That means: 1. Zoloft 2. Lexapro so there you go—decide for yourselves before you head to your primary care physician.

Did this "top-tier" neuropsychiatrist actually explain *why* Zoloft is supposedly the best? You can't really make that claim without providing any evidence, especially on a thread where so many people have already shared how much they struggled with Zoloft.
If it truly is the best, then why is it the best, and which specific conditions is it best for? Surely a specialist would know that every antidepressant has its strengths and weaknesses depending on the specific disorder being treated.

Strange feeling in my back in Health · Nov 1, 2010

ruggedscout91 said:Lately, I’ve been dealing with this sharp, stabbing pain just below my left shoulder blade—right along the spine toward the ribs. It gets so tight I can barely take a deep breath in certain positions. A couple of days ago, a panic attack hit me out of nowhere. I had to force myself to sit down, pile some firm pillows behind my back, and just try to breathe. I curled up and did some light stretching, but all night long, I felt this tiny, hard little lump of wool pressing against my lower spine. Yesterday, I tried heating pads, took an Advil, and wore a support belt.
I’m feeling better today and yesterday, though there's still a lingering sensation.
Right now, I’m lightly massaging the muscle, trying to peel it away from the ribs. It actually helps. Honestly, what a miserable feeling. I came pretty close to heading to the ER.

Roger Rodriguez, try applying heat to your back more often and maybe do some light core work, but keep your arms and neck aligned. I know you're struggling.
Bob.

Look, during my last flare-up, I didn't have the patience to just wait it out, so I headed straight to the ER. 😁 My symptoms were identical to yours; I was convinced my heart was failing. They gave me Kevin, and told me I absolutely need to strengthen my back muscles. They mentioned the pain could be related to the pleura, or it might even be psychosomatic. It feels awful, but it isn't life-threatening—though, as we get older, things can certainly go south quickly, can't they?😬

As for the original poster: I really think your doctor would be able to give you a much clearer explanation of what's happening. While heat will definitely help with any numbness, I'm not sure how you'll manage that itching or why it's happening in the first place.🤷

Strange feeling in my back in Health · Oct 31, 2010

It isn't actually the itching that gets to me as much as the sharp pains and stinging sensations deep under my skin. My entire neck and shoulder blade area go numb, especially if I stay in one position for too long. Since our symptoms aren't quite the same, I'm not sure if you're experiencing the exact same thing, but my whole spine is misaligned—nothing feels right. 😬 Last year, I tried physical therapy with electrical stimulation and laser treatments, which helped me regain some sensation, but once I stopped, everything just went right back to how it was. 🤷

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Oct 21, 2010

wanderinggull7 said:Could someone please explain what Fluval is actually like and if it works for anxiety? I know it falls under the antidepressant category, but I’m looking for some real-world experiences rather than just the clinical stuff.

Fluval is an SSRI AD-im (similar to Prozac) and is commonly prescribed for anxiety. While I don't have any personal experience with it myself, all antidepressants in this class are used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and more—so it should be effective.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Aug 14, 2010

neonotter20 said:So, I’ve been officially diagnosed with panic disorder, which comes with some secondary phobic stuff—basically a mix of agoraphobia and social anxiety. My doctor decided to start me on a combination of Zoloft + Xanax.

The plan for the Zoloft is to start with tiny doses and gradually scale up over about eight months. Meanwhile, I'll be using the Xanax just to bridge the gap until the Zoloft actually kicks in. Now, full disclosure: I’ve used Xanax on a short-term basis before, and honestly, it worked wonders as an anti-anxiety tool.

I haven't actually started the Zoloft yet, so I've been doing a little bit of late-night digging online. Since it’s technically classified as an antidepressant, even though it’s being used here for panic attacks and social phobia, I’m wondering about its actual effectiveness. I have this nagging feeling it won't have that same immediate "calming" effect that Xanax provides. I’d love to hear what you all have experienced. My psychiatrist keeps telling me it's practically foolproof—that it’s safe, has virtually no side effects, and is even used for children. But then I go online and read horror stories from people complaining about side effects or worrying about dependency. It’s a bit confusing, to say the least.

🤷

Don't let the fact that you were prescribed an antidepressant for panic disorder throw you off; it's actually standard practice. You can't rely on xanax long-term to treat panic attacks because of the addiction risk, so it's really just there to bridge the gap during those first few months while the antidepressant settles in.
People complain about all sorts of medications, not just Zoloft—it's normal since everyone reacts differently. What I know for sure is that it isn't addictive, provided you follow your doctor's instructions strictly rather than adjusting the dose yourself.

Genuine laughter or forced smiles: which one do you see more often? in Psychology & Therapy · Jul 13, 2010

Eric Richardson49 said:Me? Not so much. But when I do laugh, it’s the real deal.
My friend swears I’m constantly cracking up, though.
Even her mom chimed in once, saying: Eric Richardson49 knows she looks better when she's laughing, so she just keeps at it.
Always catches me off guard because I honestly feel like I rarely smile or laugh.
But hey, maybe people see us differently.
Or maybe they just see the good side.
Personally, I always feel like such a grouch. 😁
Maybe it's just about being around people who actually make you want to laugh. When that happens, it's genuine. You need the right person by your side for everything in life to feel natural and unforced.

My experience is actually the exact opposite. When I'm home or hanging out with my inner circle, I can find something to laugh about in a heartbeat.
But once I step out into the world among strangers, I turn into a total grump. I wouldn't even realize it if people didn't constantly ask why I look so annoyed and start calling me "Apaurinak." 🤣
They act like I'm overly sensitive—I guess I just have that kind of face! 🤷 Because if you asked my actual friends, they'd tell you I'm nothing but sunshine and smiles.

Dealing with bad cramps? in Women's Health · Jun 12, 2010

Knavon really wreaks havoc on my stomach 🙂
To be honest, even Advil isn't much gentler, but Knavon leaves me with heartburn all day long. I was popping it because I literally couldn't breathe from the pain after a muscle got stuck between my ribs 🙂
Oh well, I've still got a few weeks of leeway before the big party starts 🙂

Dealing with bad cramps? in Women's Health · Jun 9, 2010

I tried taking Nalgesin earlier, but it didn't seem to do much for me. 🤷 Does anyone know which tablets are similar to Ketonal in terms of strength?

Question for the cardiologists ;) in Health · Jun 8, 2010

driftingmarlin52 said:Hey... quick question, need a short answer if possible..
Here's the deal: whenever I'm heading to bed or just lying down, I can feel my heart pounding. At one point, it was actually waking me up because the chest pain was so intense. It’s better now, but I still feel it, especially when I lie on my stomach. It feels like I just finished a heavy workout at the gym—like my pulse spiked and my heart is racing, even though the actual rhythm feels normal...
Should I be worried, or is this just stress? I'm 22.

So, are you feeling intense palpitations, or is there actual pain involved?
Have you gone to see a doctor yet?

Dealing with bad cramps? in Women's Health · May 17, 2010

Paul Nguyen31 said:Ketonal is honestly the only thing that actually works for me. I spent years struggling, and I didn't even discover it until I actually passed out from the pain once. I ended up in the ER and they had to give me a cocktail injection just to stabilize me. Out of the million different pieces of advice I’ve been thrown at—and believe me, I’ve tried them all (the most helpful one was actually from the ER doctor, who told me to take a prenatal vitamin for two months to get more folic acid)—only THE Ketonal does the trick. Whoever invented this stuff deserves a medal.👍
I used to take the Ketonal Forte, but lately, I've noticed the pain isn't nearly as intense, so I just take half a dose and that's plenty😍.

Honestly, I have to hand it to Ketoral, but it just doesn't work for me anymore. 🙂
I've been taking it since my period first started (so, eight years now 🤔), and it usually helped, but the last six months have been a total nightmare. I have to take two pills at once just to cope; after two hours, the pain eases up a bit, but then the nausea kicks in.
The cramps actually got worse once I stopped using hormonal patches, and now I get these dizzy spells that feel almost like I'm about to pass out.
I can feel it coming on in a few days, and I honestly don't know which pill to reach for. My doctor suggested birth control pills might solve the issue, but I don't plan on going back on them, so I'm worried I'm just stuck with the misery.😠
For you ladies dealing with intense pain, maybe give the pills a shot if you haven't already? I took Logest for two years and only felt pain on the first day, whereas when I switched to the patches, I didn't feel anything at all.👍

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Apr 26, 2010

Justin Rogers5 said:Superman, thanks for that. That traffic comment actually made me fall off my chair laughing.😂
Anyway, my doctor just switched me over to Zoloft. My psychiatrist is all over this because my sex life is basically non-existent right now—dead flat. She thinks this might help. Supposedly, it's great for sexual dysfunction. My boyfriend is thrilled about the prospect, but honestly, I'm just terrified of starting yet another new medication.

I completely understand how daunting it feels to start a new treatment when you're already feeling so on edge that even the smallest thing scares you. But please, give it a shot. You aren't going to die, and you won't lose your mind; at worst, if the side effects are too intense, you can always stop.
People often brush off sexual dysfunction as if it isn't a serious issue, assuming that as long as the meds fix everything else, the bedroom stuff doesn't matter.
But think about it: that kind of thing can cause massive friction in a relationship (I mean, let's be real, anyone would go crazy if their partner showed zero interest for months or years), and it takes a heavy toll on your mental health, too.
I know there are plenty of horny guys 😁 lurking here, but it's just the truth. I haven't dealt with those specific issues myself, but if I ever noticed a lack of interest or anything worse, I'd be asking for a medication change immediately.

Nathan Kim10 said:Watch out—public menace is officially behind the wheel. Better stay inside today.
😂🤣

🤣 🤣

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Apr 26, 2010

velvetsailor26 said:I’ve been known to take as little as 0.5 mg myself, so I can still handle driving just fine

I definitely wouldn't want to be sharing the road with you! 😉

Jessica Rivera said:I've been on Paxil for about six months now, and ever since the second month kicked in, I’ve been dealing with this crazy night sweating. I read somewhere that it's just one of those common side effects from antidepressants, but honestly, I'm starting to freak out a little. I'm thinking about heading to the doctor to get some blood work done because, you know, who knows if it's actually something else going on under the hood? I'm pretty worried about it. 😢

Anyone else here taking ADs and dealing with the whole night sweats thing? 😢

I'm on Prozac too, and the night sweats are real—honestly, I sweat like crazy during the day as well.😬
But at night, it gets so much more intense; I literally feel soaked when I wake up.
Since this is a known side effect of Prozac, there's probably no reason to worry, but why not check in with your doctor if it would give you some peace of mind?

Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST] in Health · Apr 19, 2010

fadedmarlin402 said:That’s spot on. Tarry stools can be a sign of stomach bleeding—like an ulcer, for instance. The tricky part is that we humans don't always see colors the same way, and in medicine, you can't leave anything to chance. I really hope everything turns out okay.

Well, it turns out there was a polyp after all. It isn't anything serious, but they'll need regular check-ups to stay on top of it.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Apr 18, 2010

Michael Reed45 said:I don't really need an alarm. I always remember. I used to wake up at 6 AM and take them every evening too... but the one day I broke my routine, I forgot everything. 😁 Now I won't even take them until 1 PM because I slept in. 😳

I never really stick to a strict schedule myself; I just take it whenever I wake up. Some days it's 7:00 AM, other days it's 3:00 PM... isn't it funny how much that can vary?😁

Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST] in Health · Apr 17, 2010

fadedmarlin402 said:Black stools combined with an elevated ESR often point toward GI bleeding. When was her last colonoscopy? That really should have been checked out.

Her last colonoscopy was about two years ago.
The doctor mentioned today that he’s just going to proceed with a gastroscopy instead; his take is that the black stools aren't coming from the colon, but rather the stomach. 🤷