Posts by redranger2

Gregory Jackson3 said:Today marks my second day on this regimen, and I must say, the side effects from 😢
have been nothing short of unpleasant.
I am experiencing constant tremors, and whenever I attempt to walk, I feel an unsettling pull toward the left.
My hands, legs, and knees all seem to buckle under me.
I feel a profound loss of physical strength—it’s as if I could struggle to lift something basic, let alone manage a run.

The one small mercy is that it has managed to slightly lift my mood, which is the only silver lining here.
I find myself questioning whether continuing this for even a few more days is truly worthwhile; will my body eventually adapt to this state, or am I destined to remain like this?

On a practical note, there is an additional out-of-pocket cost for Luvox, whereas
is fully covered by my insurance.$13

Exactly how much are you taking? I certainly hope you aren't jumping straight into a full dose.
Try taking just a quarter tablet for the first three days. Then move to half a tablet for the next three, perhaps alternating between a half and a quarter,
and only then proceed to the full dose. That is the only way to minimize these side effects.

fadedbear92 said:my therapist told me you can't actually get "addicted" to antipsychotics—I can't quite remember her specific reasoning, so I'll have to ask her again.http://www.pic4ever.com/images/interview.gif

My therapist gave me the exact same line.

I’ve never actually posted anything here before, though I find myself lurking occasionally because my own father passed away from lung cancer many years ago.

hollowridge88, please accept my most sincere condolences; your mother is in a better place now, free from all her suffering. 😢

jadehawk8 said:Anyone else been through this? Today was my first day on the new meds. Is it okay if I have some chamomile tea tonight? Also, what kind of Advil can I take for a headache? Totally blanked on asking my psychiatrist.

Chamomile tea is perfectly fine.
When you're on antidepressants, you really ought to avoid anything containing acetylsalicylic acid, such as aspirin or Tylenol.
I personally stick to Advil for my headaches.

jadehawk8 said:Day 9 on 10 mg of Lexapro... so far, so good. It feels pretty manageable. I take it first thing in the morning along with 0.25 mg of Xanax, which helps keep the panic at bay and stops my brain from spiraling too much. haha.. I’m even actually heading out for coffee and some shopping, which is a huge win for me. Last night around 9:30 PM, though, I felt this wave of heat and started sweating a bit. Then I got this dizzy, lightheaded feeling that really spooked me. I took my Xanax about half an hour later and felt fine after that. Could that have been a panic attack, or just a side effect? Since I take the pill in the morning, I figured it would have worn off by then. Has anyone else dealt with this? Is it normal? In those moments, I feel like I just have to lie down, otherwise the fear takes over and makes everything worse. 🙂
Oh, and I'm bumping up to 20 mg tomorrow 😁

If the Xanax did the trick, you were likely dealing with a minor panic attack. Regardless, you're
still in the early stages of starting an antidepressant, and it's entirely possible to encounter a few more panic attacks before they start tapering off. But there is no denying you are making progress; being able to go shopping and grab coffee is a real step forward. It took me nearly two months before
my meds truly kicked in and I could confidently say the panic attacks were behind me. Just stay the course. When things get rough, lean on the Xanax. Your improvement is undeniable, so just stick
with the treatment plan. 🙂

shadowbear9 said:So, I went to my appointment. They cut me off my Abilify because of the side effects, lowered my Ativan 😠 and kept rambling on about how Amyzol is one of the better antidepressants, then they prescribed Quetiapine. I was actually happy—I thought, finally, a combo strong enough to help me sleep. But then I go to see my primary care physician, and she refuses to give me the Quetiapine! She keeps repeating that I don't have psychosis, so what am I supposed to say? It’s ridiculous. If she doesn't write it after the next checkup, 🙂 I might actually consider finding a new doctor. Honestly, who cares? I guess I’m supposed to listen to a GP instead of a specialist, but she's just obsessing over insurance regulations... 🙂 Or maybe I’ll just have a massive nervous breakdown right in front of them so they can see what actual psychosis looks like when they're messing with me. I bet their kids never even slept through the night.

Unfortunately, your primary care doctor lacks sufficient expertise in psychopharmacology and simply shouldn't be questioning a treatment plan laid out by a psychiatrist.

I don't have psychosis either, yet I was prescribed AP (Vairu, though I've also taken Seroquel—Quetiapine) specifically to deal with insomnia. Switch doctors.

jadehawk8 said:redranger2, your words really mean a lot to me🙂 thank you🙂 I can't even step foot outside because the dizziness hits, then the panic sets in, and it just becomes this endless loop.
I'm just stuck lying around at home, letting days slip by. When you feel like this, the day feels like it'll never end.
.😢(I keep dreaming about the day I can finally go out and actually feel okay again.

It would be impossible for my words not to offer comfort, considering I have walked that exact same path myself. Back then, I couldn't
leave the house either; I dealt with those ridiculous bouts of derealization where the moment I stepped
outdoors, I’d be struck by the sensation that the entire world around me wasn't even real—and that was the fast track to
a full-blown panic attack.😁 Yet look at me now; I can go wherever I please, whether it’s walking through a park, heading to Chase, the local post office,
grocery stores, or any other shop imaginable, whereas before, it was out of the question. It wasn't that I lacked the physical ability, but rather that everything was
utterly derailed by those waves of panic.
That is why I tell you to take it slow; eventually, things always settle into place.
Furthermore, this dizziness you're experiencing could very well be a symptom of anxiety, though it might also stem from issues with
your cervical spine. You might find some relief in gentle movements, perhaps something like yoga.

jadehawk8 said:I felt super nauseous earlier but couldn't even throw up... it was gross. I just made some chamomile tea and I'm feeling a little better now. Honestly, the dizziness and that spinning sensation are my biggest struggles right now; Connie says they're the worst part of my condition. Has anyone else dealt with that dizzy feeling or that general sense of weakness after starting AD?

Before I started taking Lexapro, I used to deal with these persistent bouts of dizziness and this unsettling sensation that my gait was unsteady whenever I walked.
Fluid in the eye. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. It’s been a nightmare ever since I started taking Lexapro.
It’s all behind you now. Just take it slow and give the medication enough time to actually settle in and do its work.

jadehawk8 said:I’m doing alright now... I took some Xanax to help with the dizziness so I could actually step outside without feeling faint. To be honest, I was terrified about how it might react with the Zoloft! Now I’m just dealing with these weird tingles and stuff... this health anxiety is just the worst. I really hope this passes soon. It’s honestly exhausting, and I wish people understood what we go through.
..Thanks so much for the support, Duet!!!😍

Just leave an hour of space between the Zoloft and the Helix; personally, I never take two pills at the exact same time. 😉

jadehawk8 said:What's the worst part? I had a drink tonight to take the edge off, so I'm feeling a bit calmer now. But tomorrow morning, the anxiety and the anticipation will be right back. Aaaaaaa, but I don't really have any other choice. 😢

I know people who didn't experience any side effects at all—two of my close friends, actually.
Some deal with minor issues, others find them much more intense. There is no reason to dwell on the fear; things will eventually settle down. Once you actually start feeling better... well, there really isn't a limit to how much better life can get.
🙂

jadehawk8 said:I finally worked up the nerve to take my first 10 mg dose of Citalopram at 10:00 this morning. About half an hour later, I started getting these weird tingles in my hands and legs—kind of like when your eyelid twitches, but more like my muscles are just jumping around. It’s nothing intense, just some buzzing in my limbs. Honestly, I read the list of side effects online and now I'm totally overthinking everything. I know I shouldn't, but maybe I'm just terrified of the worst-case scenario? Is this a normal reaction to the meds? I already shot my doctor a text just to be safe. Ugh, I'm such a nervous wreck. I still have more to take, too. I can't believe I'm panicking like this.🙂
how long after taking a pill do these side effects usually kick in, and how long do they last? Also, should I be bracing myself for anything else today?😁

It would have been much more sensible to start with just a quarter of a tablet for a few days, then gradually move up to a half, and so on; that approach usually keeps the side effects much more manageable.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Everyone, please, let's be serious here.
Vair, which I used back in the day, is absolutely no joke. In certain doses, it can actually shift your perception of reality—it can make your surroundings feel completely unreal—so honestly, experimenting with it is probably the worst thing you could do.
And besides, Vair doesn't exactly promote sleep, so there is really no point in trying it for that.

Calixta is also a very specific antidepressant and isn't right for everyone; in fact, I very rarely hear of anyone else taking it. Its main advantage is that it works well when combined with another antidepressant, but that’s really it. Beyond that, it's just like any other antidepressant.
For what it's worth, I take 45 mg, so I know exactly how it hits.

As for Q-pin, it is primarily prescribed for psychotic episodes, and strictly for that reason. It wasn't designed to help with sleep, even though so many people use it because they struggle to rest.
I have no idea what the side effects might be if someone takes Q-pin when psychosis isn't the underlying issue.
That isn't something to mess around with either.

@redranger2... oh, you little troublemaker. 🙂
Well, I suppose since you aren't on Calixta anymore, you aren't being so combative!😁

My dear colleague, no antipsychotic is "nothing to trifle with." When I was on Quetiapine, I struggled to swallow food, my heart would race at every turn, and the restless leg syndrome I experienced was absolutely harrowing.
As for me, I am currently on Vair, and it hasn't distorted my sense of reality—because if it had, I would have abandoned it immediately.😁

And you are mistaken regarding Vair and sleep; I suffer from chronic, severe insomnia, and thanks to this medication, I finally sleep like a baby, which is why it remains part of my daily regimen. My point is that there are no universal rules—for some, it disrupts sleep, while for others, it facilitates it.

It is also incorrect to claim that Quetiapine is exclusively for psychotic episodes; I utilized it for insomnia as well, and it worked perfectly for me, provided I hadn't dealt with those debilitating side effects.

Yes, it is true that I am no longer taking Calixta, which nearly turned me into a complete monster. 😍

mistyjackal842 said:redranger2

Thanks for getting back to me. I’ll definitely make sure to mention taking antidepressants before any dental work next time. I guess I put myself at risk by not speaking up last time, even though the surgeon was honestly wonderful and I could have easily just told him.

As for Dr. J., I felt like she was being really guarded with me... maybe we just didn't click? I'm planning to ask this other doctor about Prozac tomorrow. I definitely need some kind of antidepressant for two main reasons. My only real worry is those side effects, specifically the frequent urination. I'm just not sure how much time I'll actually get with the doctor tomorrow. Sometimes I feel like I need extra support just to get through the summer holidays. I had a massive crisis back in August, right when everyone else was away on vacation. Someone recommended a male physician to me, but I really wanted to wait and see this doctor since I trust her more. I'm actually glad I'm seeing her tomorrow. I really hope she can help me, and I plan on sticking with her. Maybe, eventually, I'll be able to stop the ADs altogether.

Honey, don't mention it. You've been struggling for far too long. I am truly sorry about your mother, but since your grief is still so overwhelming, you need support—whether that's through psychotherapy, medication, or both.
It doesn't necessarily mean that switching to different antidepressants will cause frequent urination. Don't let that scare you. And you'll stay on them for exactly as long as you need to. Right now, the priority is simply finding the right fit for you. Let me know how it goes.

Mark Nelson said:I guess it varies from person to person. It's weird to me because I've been taking it for almost a year now and it doesn't actually help me sleep. As for side effects, the only thing I've really noticed is weight gain, but honestly, I'm not even sure about that—I've just been eating a whole lot lately.🤷

You can't be serious. 😲
It's clear there's no consistency here. My doctor keeps insisting that Lopressor knocks you right out.
Most people probably do sleep heavily on this medication, but who really knows anymore.
It's quite possible that Lopressor increases your appetite, which would explain why you're eating more.

restlesstrucker15 said:I am not taking it anymore. I took it for ten days a while back, but I wouldn't even know my own name until five in the afternoon, so I decided to stop because that sedation just wouldn't let up. Perhaps I should have pushed through it, but my doctor told me that if it doesn't work initially, it won't work later. It was the exact same situation with Calixt.

That's great that it isn't covered; I know that Q-pin won't be covered by insurance unless you have a specific diagnosis for it, and my anxiety and depression diagnosis doesn't cover that.

Skickas FR

It isn't covered, so don't worry about that. You might want to try Vair; it might not leave you feeling so completely wiped out. For me,
it worked perfectly, and I never dealt with any daytime grogginess. I sincerely hope you have better luck with it.

With Calixt, I suffered from terrible headaches and a constant hangover sensation, and it altered my temperament so much that I became incredibly argumentative—which is strange, because I'm a pretty easygoing person.😍

restlesstrucker15 said:I agree, it’s sedating, but I haven’t even known my own mind since I was 25, and I was really hoping this would finally be the breakthrough.
Look, I’m going to ask my doctor about that Vair; I assume you have to pay out of pocket for that? I know the Associated Press rates for these things are steep, and there’s no point in buying it if it isn't going to work. Honestly, I’ll just ask my doctor to prescribe a trial dose first. But nothing for another month or two—I'm practically bedridden right now, 😢 not because of my mental state, 🙂 just currently 🙂
Yeah, yeah, 🙂 I think you and I are on the exact same page regarding that.

Skickas FR

Vaira doesn't cost anything.

Wait, I'm not following you. You're taking 25 mg and it's pinning you to the bed? How long has it been since you started?
In the beginning, it’s common for low doses to act that way, but over time
you develop a tolerance to the medication, and that morning gloom and drowsiness
eventually subside. At least, that was my experience.

restlesstrucker15 said:I'm actually quite jealous of you and Rachel 😁
Just kidding, obviously.
I just wish that 25 mg dose wouldn't affect me so I could finally sleep like a normal person. What are you using for sleep these days?

Skickas FR

My doctor put me straight on 50 mg of Q-pin; it knocked me out instantly, but the effect was far too fleeting, so I had to keep bumping up the dosage. I think I eventually hit 200 mg and even that wasn't enough. However, the side effects were unbearable, so my doctor pulled it immediately. It does put you to sleep beautifully, though.

Right now, I'm on Vaira (olanzapine) at 15 mg, but I've been dealing with heart palpitations, so I was prescribed beta-blockers—yet my heart is still racing, making me think I'll have to stop those as well. My doctor admitted he's running out of options for my insomnia. He mentioned that Lopressor is excellent for sleep, but warned it's a heavy-duty medication with significant side effects, so he'd rather not play games with it. Falling asleep is such an ordeal for me; honestly, I feel like I'd have better luck just hitting myself in the head with a hammer every night.😁

Chris Robinson25 said:Well, I gained about 40 pounds in four months myself. So, it is what it is. Besides, I already look like a skeleton, so what's another few pounds?

I was nothing but skin and bones before I started seeing Vaira, but now everything has migrated straight to my midsection, leaving me looking like I’m in my second trimester. At this rate, people on the subway are going to start giving up their seats for me soon enough.😍

mistyjackal842 said:Has anyone here dealt with getting a tooth pulled while being on antidepressants? It looks like I’m going to have to have another one extracted because of some pain and a granuloma. I’m honestly not sure if I can get this sorted out before I start my antidepressant medication. It hasn't been hurting much until now. Last time, I didn't actually mention to my dentist that I was taking Lexapro. I didn't just skip my dose that morning; I actually ended up taking it later that evening instead. I know I really should have told him, but I guess I just felt awkward about it. He made a special trip just to see me, and he did such a great job with the extraction. But, from what I've read, I'm wondering if antidepressants can interfere with certain local dental anesthetics.

Sent from my iPhone 13 using Reddit

Just tell your dentist you're on an AD; they can sometimes increase bleeding at the site,
and generally speaking, it can affect bleeding in other ways too. For instance, it made my period much heavier. There’s no reason to feel self-conscious—you aren't doing anything wrong by taking your medication. Just tell yourself, "Who cares what anyone thinks?" and move on with your life. 😍

Chris Robinson25 said:Just got some Ambien 5 mg. Depending on how things go, I might bump it up to 10mg. Anyone have any experience with this stuff?😬

I’ve been on it for two years now (using both Zyprexa and Vaira), and while it’s remarkably effective at settling the nerves and curing insomnia, there is a significant catch—it causes massive weight gain. I personally packed on about 35 pounds in just two months. It triggers intense sugar cravings and sudden bouts of hunger, so you really need to watch what you eat.