Posts by redranger2

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Edward Long4 said:Anyone else dealing with something heavy here? Specifically those of you who managed to get off your meds only to have your therapists drag you right back onto them. Like I said before, I haven’t touched my Zoloft in, what, a month? And now the jitters are back. Insomnia, too. That weird, suffocating feeling... like I can't catch my breath. Hmm... though, honestly, I was only on Zoloft for about three months. Am I just overthinking this or am I actually losing it??? As far as the Zoloft goes, man, the constant yawning it gave me was just unbearable. I really don't want to end up back on any kind of pill because of that. Maybe I should just try to handle this on my own? Part of me is terrified that if I do, I'll just spiral right back into those panic attacks. 😢

I find myself feeling quite perplexed by this entire situation. My impression is that the physicians initially misread the situation entirely, misdiagnosing you with a nervous disorder and prescribing antidepressants when, in reality, the issue was a serious cardiac condition. Now you bring panic attacks into the equation, which leaves me wondering where exactly the doctors fit into this narrative. Regardless of how the pieces align, you should certainly pursue psychotherapy.

Edward Long4 said:Anyone else dealing with something heavy here? Specifically those of you who managed to get off your meds only to have your therapists drag you right back onto them. Like I said before, I haven’t touched my Zoloft in, what, a month? And now the jitters are back. Insomnia, too. That weird, suffocating feeling... like I can't catch my breath. Hmm... though, honestly, I was only on Zoloft for about three months. Am I just overthinking this or am I actually losing it??? As far as the Zoloft goes, man, the constant yawning it gave me was just unbearable. I really don't want to end up back on any kind of pill because of that. Maybe I should just try to handle this on my own? Part of me is terrified that if I do, I'll just spiral right back into those panic attacks. 😢

Don't let fear get the better of you. If those symptoms happen to resurface—heaven forbid—you always have the option to seek further help.
It might be worth considering a course of Prozac, particularly if you've previously found relief from those debilitating panic attacks.
Look, there are solutions and medications available for just about everything; the real catastrophe would be if antidepressants and antipsychotics didn't exist at all, because then we'd truly be in trouble.
People have always struggled with these kinds of shadows, even back when they had no idea what was actually happening to them. There was just this profound, quiet suffering in the dark. Nowadays, we have everything laid out for us—instant access to the internet, endless forums, modern medicine, and specialists who can actually put a name to the pain.

Yawning is the least of our concerns here; it’s merely a lingering side effect that follows once everything else has already gone wrong.
It’ll pass. If you’re truly that opposed to medication—though I fail to see the logic behind such a stance—perhaps you could try Prozac instead.
You really ought to look into psychotherapy, and for heaven's sake, start taking some B vitamins—they are absolutely essential for stabilizing your nerves and regulating your appetite.

Eric Mitchell55 said:Anyone have any experiences with Seroquel?
Does it cause weight gain? 😁

It hasn't caused any issues for me; I’ve been on it for about two and a half months now, and I’ve only gained a single pound.
Before this, I was taking Vera, and that definitely caused me to put on 25 pounds. Once I
finally stopped taking it, the weight just fell right off—I lost about 13 pounds in a month, and while I'm still up 13 pounds from my original baseline, it doesn't really bother me.

Brandon Lopez6 said:I’m with redranger2 on this one. Honestly, there have been plenty of times where my doctors—not just the psych ones, but everyone—didn't bother telling me the side effects of what they were prescribing. So now, I find myself grilling anyone and everyone I can, including people here on this forum, just to make sure I'm staying safe. It’s not about being a know-it-all; it’s just basic self-care at this point. If you know option B actually exists, but someone is shoving option A down your throat, you’ve got every right to ask why B wasn't even on the table to begin with.

That is precisely my approach as well. I used to worry about what a doctor might think of me if I spoke up, but now I realize I can ask whatever I need to; after all, they won't remember me five minutes after I walk out of the office anyway.

I also make it a point to research the implications of any drug I am prescribed, and I encountered a particularly absurd situation when I developed an allergic reaction to Hale. My physician prescribed an antihistamine to combat the allergy. When I sat down to read the fine print regarding potential side effects, I discovered that the medication itself could actually cause
an allergic reaction. It is a complete paradox; being prescribed an anti-allergy medication only to potentially suffer an allergy 🤣

shadowbear9 said:It's all over the place. I mean, why wasn't I offered those options right away? I've been on Ambien and Misar for three years now, and they haven't even suggested a different brand or a substitute. Meanwhile, they switch my dad from Xanax to Misar every few months or so. I was on Paxil for a while before I stopped, and now I'm on Elavil... I suppose I should ask my doctor about it, though I really don't want to come across like I'm trying to lecture her on her own job.

Even if you do end up lecturing her, so what? Who cares. You are standing up
for your own health and your own well-being, and that is a fundamental right that no one can strip away from you.
Go ahead and ask her, because you have every right to be fully informed about your own treatment.😉

shadowbear9 said:@shadowbear9

I haven't tried antipsychotics yet; I really need to sit down and discuss that with my doctor first. To be honest, I'm just not entirely sure how insomnia is even treated. I guess I was under this misguided impression that I was one of those rare cases—like one in a million—who actually deals with this, so... 🤷

You aren't. I’ve been a chronic insomniac for years, used to find myself wide awake until 5 or 6 in the morning.
My psychiatrist refuses to prescribe standard sleeping pills because they don't view them as a
long-term fix, arguing that they just lead to dependency and end up wrecking your nervous system even further.
Antipsychotics actually work wonders for sleep, and as a side benefit, they help pull you out of depression and quiet down
anxiety.

Check out this first post where a specialist mentions Seroquel (Q-pin):
http://www.mayoclinic.org/...insomnia-treatment/

P.S. Just ask your psychiatrist about antipsychotics and see what their take is on the matter.

Frank Campbell said:Wait, if Helex comes in 0.5mg doses, then what are we looking at?
That would only be 2.5mg total.

From what I understand, the maximum dose usually caps out around 5-6mg.🙄

Regardless, it is still a significant amount, because when you combine it with an AP, it could very well be
one of the primary reasons you feel like a total zombie.
You were likely prescribed Akineton specifically to combat the side effects caused by the AP.
You really ought to explain these sensations to your psychiatrist; perhaps
they will consider adjusting your treatment plan. Don't afford them the luxury of silence regarding your symptoms.

Are you still struggling with intense anxiety? If that has subsided, try tapering down on the
Helex, as it should ideally be taken on an as-needed basis rather than as a constant fixture in your routine.🙂

Brandon Lopez6 said:risset + seroxat + Akineton + Helex 🙄
3 + 1 + 2 + 5 = 11
(that's the order I listed them above)

Honestly, I just want something that helps without nuking my emotions. I'd much rather feel sad when things actually suck than be some mindless zombie who can't even cry or process anything, while everything just eats away at me from the inside.

When I finally stopped my meds, the flood of emotions was honestly terrifying. It hit me how much I'd forgotten what being happy even feels like.😲

Though, once I tell my doctor how bad it's been, I'll probably get prescribed something even heavier because the way I describe it sounds pretty grim. But the thing is, I just need a tiny bit of help to get back to baseline. I can handle the rest on my own.🙂
I don't need a motorized scooter to carry me through life; I just need a little crutch to help me walk steady on my own.😁

Could you please explain what those numbers mean? Are you saying that’s the total number of pills you're taking?
Are you actually taking 5 Helex tablets a day?

Edward Long4 said:Honestly, I have no clue what else is similar... I took it back then and never touched it again... and like I said, I can sleep now... but the dreams? I don't even know. Is it like people dreaming absolute nonsense, and just nonsense upon nonsense, levels of stupidity that shouldn't even be possible???? 😂 Most of all, Zoloft gave me anxiety and nightmares... the anxiety and panic attacks went away, but the dreams stayed :P so I'm actually curious—what kind of dreams are you guys having? Do you wake up feeling like you're in a coma??

Ever since I started taking Q-pin, I’ve been having such ridiculous dreams that it feels disconnected from
my own brain. In one particular dream, I was actually being interviewed by the President of China, who
ended up kicking me out of the room simply because I didn't speak Chinese.
The rest of them are far too nonsensical for me to even bother recounting. 😍

Brandon Lopez6 said:I’m trying to figure out which antidepressant actually works best for anxiety. Like, the heavy-duty kind. I feel like I saw someone mention a specific one on the last few pages of this thread, but now I can’t find the post for the life of me 😠

Anyway, my appointment is on January 28th. Honestly, I'm pretty nervous about starting a new regimen. Last time I tried meds, I just felt like a total zombie, and yet the anxiety and depression didn't even budge 🙄

Honey, it’s difficult to pinpoint which antidepressant works best for anxiety; the only one that truly succeeds is the one that actually works for you.
It might actually help you. Take a friend of mine, for instance; a single dose of Ladiomila puts him right to sleep, yet for me, it does nothing but leave me wide awake and restless. There are simply no universal rules when it comes to this stuff.

What kind of medication were you taking before that left you feeling like such a zombie?
Don't let the prospect of future treatments weigh on you; they are designed specifically to provide relief and help you move forward.
You simply have to find the one that actually fits your life, rather than settling for something that only serves to make things worse.🙂

Matthew White4 The user states:
I take 2.5 mg once every evening. Rest assured, I am not making any adjustments to my regimen without consulting my psychiatrist first. That said, I don't actually take them until around 6:00 PM. For quite some time, I was on Sulpiride 200, which provided a noticeable sense of improvement during my daylight hours, yet sleep remains a massive, ongoing struggle for me. Regardless, I plan to check in with my doctor next week because, frankly, this current course isn't doing anything at all.

What on earth happened to you? You’ve been gone for such an incredibly long time. If it's easier, we can just move this to a private message.

It’s such a negligible starting dose that it’s hardly surprising you aren't feeling any drowsiness just yet.
You should certainly reach out to her and tell her straight up that it isn't working, so she can finally make a decision.
How much of an impact will this actually have on you? You need to remain persistent, because once you finally tackle the issue head-on, everything changes.
Once you finally sort out your sleep, those miserable Sanval prescriptions will become a thing of the past.

What happened to me is something I wouldn't dare discuss in public, nor would I ever consider sharing in a private message; the sheer weight of it is simply too terrifying to put into words.
You might find yourself reliving it all over again, which could just as easily end up unsettling me once more, or perhaps even you.
It really isn't necessary. The only thing that truly matters is that everything is fine now. 🙂

shadowbear9 said:It isn't crap to me,🤷 though I suppose everyone reacts differently, so I agree there. For me, since starting Cerson, it feels like I'm on needles. What I was trying to emphasize is that even higher doses don't keep me asleep anymore, whereas before, just two pills would do the trick. I suspect I'll have to ask my cardiologist for a replacement for Sanvale, but maybe just something short-term to break this tolerance. I honestly don't even know what other hypnotic is similar to it?
I do agree that meditation is incredibly effective, but frankly, for most people, it’s just too difficult! Every time I try to meditate, I just fall asleep...🙂it just exhausts me mentally, so I don't really bother with it much...

Have you ever considered using antipsychotics to manage severe insomnia?

Matthew White4 said:redranger2, babe, where have you been hiding?! It feels like forever! Welcome back to the party... How’ve you been holding up?

Honestly, taking this Olanzapine feels like I’m just chewing on a scrap of paper... there's zero noticeable effect, nothing at all. Like, absolutely zilch. What do you guys think—should I just hang tight and wait it out, or should I head straight to my psychiatrist first thing Monday morning...?

Big kitty!🙂

Honey, I'm here and I'm doing fine, though I have certainly endured a hellish stretch with
my nerves. Fortunately, I managed to pull through once again.😁

How much Olanzapine are you taking?
I suggest you wait a little while, as there is a distinct possibility your psychiatrist will simply increase your dosage. Don't go
making any adjustments on your own.
It would be ideal if the Olanzapine or perhaps another antipsychotic could assist with your insomnia,
because those standard sleeping pills are notoriously hard on the nervous system. My psychiatrist would never
permit me to take Sanvale or anything similar, and there is certainly a reason for that.

Matthew White4 said:So my shrink decided to swap out my Sulpirid 200 for some Olanzapine the other day. To me, it feels like eating styrofoam... she claims it’ll help with the sleepiness, which is her excuse for switching things up because I can't catch a wink of sleep lately.
Then there's this clueless doctor who only prescribed me one single box of Ambien and Xanax, and seriously, man, for someone like me, that's basically just breakfast or dinner.
I really need to go file a formal complaint. Looking at the calendar, it's only been five days so far. I'm going to head in and lodge my grievance on January 21st.
It's enough to drive you absolutely insane...

So, how is that Olanzapine actually affecting your sleep?
That’s essentially just Vaira or Zyprexa.

Kenneth Scott41 said:How is everyone doing? I actually ended up seeing my psychiatrist yesterday, mostly because things have taken a real turn for the worse. I felt like I absolutely had to go, which is unusual for me since I typically skip my check-ups unless it's been about six months or so. 😁
The moment I stepped into her office, she managed to pinpoint three specific things that have spiraled lately: I'm tense, anxious, and just generally on edge.

What I’m really wondering about here... is whether anyone else in this group is taking two different ADs at the same time?
See, I’m currently on Effexor, and my doctor mentioned I’m at the maximum dosage. Then she asked me... which AD she should add to the mix, which caught me a bit off guard since I'm already on one of the stronger ones out there. 🙄 She suggested Zoloft, noting that it has shown great results, and from what I've read online, it seems to be a highly regarded option too.
She also added Zeldox 40 mg 2 x. o Zeldox to the plan. I'm actually quite familiar with Zeldox because I've used it before; though, back then, I was on those heavy 80mg doses that could probably knock out an elephant. One doctor once told me that Zeldox is excellent once it actually kicks in—usually after a few weeks—and that it's somewhat similar to Zyprexa, except for the fact that you might actually lose weight on Zeldox, whereas Zyprexa can make you gain 50 pounds.

So, I guess I'm just curious if anyone else is balancing two ADs simultaneously? Doesn't that seem... a bit much? ☕

It isn't. It is entirely possible to combine even three antidepressants at once. At one point, I was taking both Lexapro and Effexor, though I found the Effexor made me feel jittery, as I don't respond well to medications that target norepinephrine receptors.
Rest assured, what you are taking is not too much.🙂

brighttrucker10 said:So, I just got diagnosed with mild anxiety and depression, along with a tendency toward physical symptoms. My doctor put me on Prozac, and I’m five days in. My biggest issue by far is insomnia. Honestly, I feel a bit better already—though I doubt it's the medication since it's still so early—but the sleep issues are still hitting me hard. I tried taking Lunesta at 10 mg, but it doesn't really do much for me. Xanax helps more, but I know I can't rely on that long-term because of the addiction risk. I haven't had any other side effects, so I'm wondering: is it possible the insomnia is being caused by the Prozac, or does the antidepressant just need more time to settle in? Last night, for instance, my heart started racing out of nowhere in the middle of the night, and I couldn't get back to sleep for ages. Has anyone else dealt with this? During the day, I'm doing okay, but this damn insomnia is the main struggle. 🙂I'm honestly terrified I'll never get back to a normal sleep schedule. 😲

I dealt with chronic insomnia (and God knows how much of a nightmare that was 😁) so I certainly know the feeling
of lying awake until 5 or 6 in the morning. Sleeping pills like Ambien, Cersoni, or Lunesta aren't
the best route for people dealing with depression, as they tend to numb the brain and can actually exacerbate depressive symptoms in certain individuals.

Antipsychotics often provide a superior solution. I currently use Q-pin, which helps me drift off easily without causing weight gain, whereas when I was on Vaira, I gained 25 pounds, ended up with a pregnant-looking belly, and a face so swollen it looked like I'd been stung by a swarm of angry bees.😁

George Allen71 said:I have a question... I’m currently switching from Luxeta over to Prozac... today is day five... I’m still taking Lamal and Ativan as well... today I had this incredibly intense headache... obviously just side effects... maybe it's even the weather... so I ended up taking some Excedrin... I know codeine shouldn't be mixed with anxiolytics, and probably not with SSRIs either, but not only did my head stop hurting... I feel high... like a completely different person... almost like I'm on speed...
is it actually possible that some combination of the ingredients in Excedrin reacted with my current therapy and boosted me like this? I have no intention of taking Excedrin again... I only took it because I didn't have any other pain reliever on hand... but I'm really curious about what happened to make me feel this sudden rush???

It is entirely possible, given that Excedrin contains caffeine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant, and that is likely what provided the surge. Back when I wasn't dealing with the mental chaos I am facing now, I used to take a bit of Excedrin just to wake myself up and get moving so that I could
function more effectively. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, though, as it can easily lead to a dependency on painkillers.

Try Advil; it won't give you that same rush, and it is fine to take alongside antidepressants or AP.

One should generally avoid any analgesics containing acetylsalicylic acid, such as aspirin, Tylenol, and things of that nature.

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Nicole Barrett76 said:Has anyone else come across this particular joke regarding body weight?

"Mommy, my classmates at school are teasing me because I'm overweight!"

"Oh, don't listen to them, sweetheart! Now, let's eat. I've crushed up some Oreos in your bathtub for you. There's a shovel waiting right behind the door."

🤣🤣

urbanskipper4 said:Once that hunger hits, there is zero self-control. And when the sugar cravings kick in? It's game over. I have to eat it.
Ugh, I am never going to lose the weight.

I find myself in the exact same position. If I don't satisfy a craving for something sweet, I actually start to feel physically shaky. It is an endless cycle of gummy candies, chocolate, ice cream, pastries... there is truly no end to it.

fadedbear92 said:Oh, stop whining—you used to be thin as a rail!🤣

Well, honey, I was thin, sure, but at least I actually had a shape back then.
Those extra fifteen pounds have decided to settle right around my waist, leaving me looking less like a person and more like a pregnant roadrunner—you know, that cartoon bird. 😁