Posts by redranger2

mistyjackal842 said:Can anyone tell me if they have any experience with Lexapro? I picked up my prescription yesterday, but I haven't actually started taking it yet. The script says Lexapro 10mg, one tablet in the morning. From what I've been reading, you're supposed to start antidepressants at a lower dose, so I guess I'm wondering if I should just start with half a pill? My doctor didn't mention anything about tapering up gradually. Also, for those of you on Lexapro, does it cause weight gain? I'm not exactly overweight, but I really don't want to put on extra pounds.

I was also prescribed Xanax 0.5mg (half a pill, half a pill, zero) and Valium 15mg, one tablet before bed. I took the Valium for the first time last night, but... I don't know, it feels like I didn't even sleep that much better because of it. I did nap better this afternoon, though, almost like the medication kicked in then. I didn't take the Xanax today. I don't really see the point of it, either. I took half a Xanax yesterday afternoon, and honestly, it felt exactly the same as before I took it.

My issues are mostly stemming from grieving... my mother passed away after suffering from septic shock back in October of last year. I'm planning to start the Lexapro as soon as possible. However, my doctor suggested I deal with a dental issue first—I have an appointment tomorrow, and I might even need an extraction—so he wants me to wait until that's sorted before starting the meds. He did mention that I might run into some digestive issues, but said Lexapro is a really good antidepressant. Reading through this forum, I started thinking maybe Faverin might actually be better for me since it's supposed to be calming and helps with sleep, and I'm struggling so much with insomnia and barely sleeping at all. It just feels... awkward, I guess, to ask for Faverin specifically from a doctor I trust; he definitely knows more than I do. Should I bring up Faverin at my next visit, or should I just stick to the plan and start the Lexapro once my tooth is taken care of?

You are navigating quite a chaotic cocktail of medications. Let's approach this methodically. I have been on Lexapro for six years now, and I consider it to be among the superior, more modern antidepressants available. Whatever you do, do not jump straight to a half tablet; in fact, start even lower, with a quarter pill. Take that 1/4 pill for three days. After three days, move up to a half tablet for another three days. Then, transition to a half plus a quarter, and after another three days, move to the full dose. This way, your system acclimates to the medication and the side effects remain manageable. You might experience slight dizziness, mild nausea, yawning, or drowsiness, but in my experience, those subside within a week or two. As for weight, I haven't gained a single ounce while on Lexapro. Regarding the Valium for sleep, try taking it an hour or two before you actually intend to get into bed.
Xanax is an effective medication for anxiety and panic attacks, and it is typically used on an as-needed basis, primarily to bridge the gap until the antidepressant takes full effect.
I would advise against Faverin for now; give the Lexapro a chance first. Faverin belongs to an older generation of drugs and tends to carry much harsher side effects.

Brian Young5 said:Have you been on that medication since the insomnia first hit, or did you start with something lighter? Also, how long have you been taking Q-pin, and have you had to increase the dose? Sorry if you already covered this earlier; I don't hang out in this thread every day and things are getting a bit intense right now.

The fact that your insomnia hasn't subsided is the clearest indicator that you haven't fully stabilized yet. In my experience, insomnia is often the first signal that something is fundamentally wrong with a patient's progress. You really shouldn't worry about developing a tolerance to Quincy; higher doses are quite common, sometimes reaching anywhere from 600 to 800 mg, though you should never adjust your regimen without medical supervision. Even if you eventually need to bump up to something like 300 mg, your psychiatrist will always have other options available, such as Vera or Prizena, to help you sleep. Once things settle, you can always transition back to Quincy. The priority is fixing the sleep cycle, because once that stabilizes, your overall sense of well-being will follow naturally. Additionally, I'd suggest looking into B vitamins, as they are essential for proper nervous system function.🙂 B-12 is particularly vital.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:So, look—antipsychotics aren't strictly *intended* to be sleep aids.
Their primary purpose is to stabilize certain types of psychosis.
However, doctors will occasionally prescribe them for sleep because when someone is dealing with psychosis (or even intense neurosis), they simply cannot sleep. They show up to their appointments absolutely exhausted, sleep-deprived, and completely wiped out...
In those specific instances, you have to address the lack of sleep immediately as a matter of urgency.

Once the psychosis begins to settle down, the antipsychotics are phased out or the dosage is tapered off.

Zyprexa is a solid medication—olanzapine. I used it back in the day, and later on, I took Olandix... it's essentially the same thing.

Look, I wasn't experiencing psychosis or neurosis; I simply couldn't sleep, plain and simple. Since my psychiatrist refuses to prescribe traditional antipsychotics—fearing they might deepen my depression or lead to dependency—he decided to prescribe antipsychotics to handle my insomnia instead. If I didn't take them, I'd be pacing the house until 6 in the morning. 😁

Kevin Nguyen3 said:And I’ve taken that stuff myself; it isn't exactly terrible.
But listen, it isn't meant for sleep; it's an antipsychotic.

They definitely work for sleep; I was prescribed them for stubborn insomnia.

David Vaughn75 said:I'm on Zyprexa myself, and honestly, my only real complaint is the weight gain—I've put on some serious pounds. But look, you've gotta distinguish between what's actually a side effect from the meds and what's just a symptom of the underlying disorder itself. Besides, 6.5 mg is a pretty tiny dose. I used to be up at 20 mg for a while.

For me, the best part about being on Zyprexa is that I can still enjoy a few 🤣 🤣

I’ve been on Vair and Zyprexa, and I have managed to pack on sixteen pounds. 😁
The medication is actually working quite well for me; my concentration has become remarkably sharp since I started taking it, and I haven't felt this focused in a very long time.
Sedation was truly my lifeline, saving me from those crushing depressive episodes and the endless, hollow nights of insomnia.

Is it even worth complaining about it? Honestly, I hadn't realized that was an option. 😍

Kevin Nguyen3 said:🙈

I completely lost my bearings with the boss and the station.
You were the one bringing up q-pin.
As for me? Well, I take 200 mg of it every single night. Honestly, out of everything I have ever tried—and believe me, I have tried a mountain of stuff—it remains my absolute best option so far.
I have no idea what your dosage looks like, or if you are even on it, but from what I’ve read about other people's experiences... there are side effects, you know? Allergies, stomach issues, things like that. But really, it’s just like drinking chamomile tea.

How on earth did I get my wires so crossed that I swapped out Tene and No.13? It’s like I wasn't even looking!🙂

Hahaha, please, these things happen, and we're all just human.
I used to take 150 mg of Quincy, but I eventually had to cut it off because of some neurological glitches.
Now I'm relying on Virginia. It barely helps me drift off at this point, but I suppose that's still better than facing total
insomnia.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:🙂

But he *is* a child.
Just kidding.
I don't know his exact age, but typically the instructions state that adult therapy protocols aren't meant to be swapped with those for anyone under 18. It isn't strictly defined down to the day and month, obviously, but surely there's some level of medical tolerance? Isn't there?
If he's extremely thin, I suspect the doctor might be assuming—just an assumption on my part!—that given his body weight, he won't react to the medication in the standard or expected way.
So, if that's the case, it would be justified... though again, I am merely speculating.
What exactly is going on with him?
Anyway, I was looking over that combination of medications you listed (Calixta, Sanval, Misar...)
Now, I’m probably not the best benchmark for what constitutes a "heavy" dose by most standards, but I highly doubt I'd even be feeling drowsy on that specific regimen.
I'm currently taking 30 mg of Calixta, 200 mg of Q-Pin (!!!), and 75 mg of Velafax—plus I occasionally take Zonadin, just a little 5 mg dose, along with Lamal, which used to be 25 mg but is now 50 mg.
I’ll spend about an hour just swaying back and forth before I finally head to bed.🤣
Once I do fall asleep, it's like someone hit me over the head with a heavy oar.😍

You've got it mixed up; I wasn't the one who listed Calixta, Sanval, and Misar.😁🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Now, when it comes to children, that is an entirely different matter altogether.
The conversation wasn't about kids, so I didn't bring it up.
But look, we certainly have some child psychology experts present here on this forum, don't we?😉

We aren't talking about a child; we're talking about a grown man.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Body weight really doesn't dictate how the therapy works.
Especially when you're dealing with antipsychotics.
Certain medications—like Torendo Q-tabs, for example—might be prescribed based on weight, sure.
But how your body actually tolerates a drug? That’s caused by a massive cocktail of factors: what you eat, your stress levels, how much sleep you get, your environment, physical activity, and so on.

So, what does that mean? It means your scale reading and your razor blade, or my own 180-pound frame and a razor blade, could react to a specific medication in the exact same way. It all comes down to which disorder we're talking about; we might see a typical response to the drug, or perhaps an atypical one.

I personally disagree, though I can't quite articulate why beyond the fact that my son's psychiatrist specifically asked
for his weight before finalizing the prescription. My son is incredibly
thin.

Melissa Sanchez59 said:I'm on Lexapro. The thing is, it seems to hit me even with just one pill (25 mg). I'm pretty petite and have low blood pressure, so maybe that's why.

I'm actually okay with coffee😁 When I'm going through a really rough patch, I'll have one in the morning just to feel human again, but after that, no way. But when I'm feeling relatively alright, I can sip it all day long... It's the opposite with the Associated Press stuff—when I'm feeling low, I can take them all day, but when I'm doing well, even just one 😁
knocks me out.

What is your weight and height?

Yes, it is entirely possible that you are simply too small for that specific dosage. As others have pointed out, you risk being split
right down the middle. I eventually had to start splitting my own pills just to find
my own sweet spot.

The first time I took a Quetiapine pill, I genuinely thought I was dying because I felt like such a total zombie.😁

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Exactly.
I struggled with sleep issues for years—not always severe, but constant enough to be a nuisance—and honestly, it was only the combination of APs and ADs that finally pulled me through.
For chronic, long-term insomnia, an antipsychotic is really the only way out. And quite often, this is tied to depression as a secondary result, so you end up adding an AD to the mix as well.
I simply don't see any other way, and I certainly haven't heard of anyone actually finding a permanent cure using just things like Sanval or Normabest or similar medications.

I couldn't agree more. My psychiatrist, for instance, refuses to prescribe me anything like Sanvale, Zanov, or Dormicum—those heavy-duty hypnotics—because he insists they cause genuine damage to the brain and its neurons.
Instead, he keeps me on antipsychotics, which don't carry that same risk and won't lead to dependency.

Yeah, I'm also running a combination of an AD and an AP. It’s just the modern American way of life, I suppose.😁

Andrew Bishop6 said:lol, antipsychotics... no way in hell am I taking those kinds of poisons.

And please, tell me—which medication isn't a poison? Just name one single drug out there that doesn't come with side effects.

If you have to be up at 6:00 AM, but you don't finally drift off until 5:00 AM because of insomnia, then
you've only had one hour of sleep; I can only imagine what your productivity would look like after a week
of living on that kind of schedule.

Sometimes, people simply don't have the luxury of choice because they have to survive—they have to work, cook, clean, and raise children, all of which becomes an impossible feat if you're lethargic all day or staring at the ceiling all night. In this day and age, very few people can actually afford to live with that kind of rhythm.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Last night was an absolute nightmare. I turned in at 10 PM and popped that Zan—though, frankly, I am never touching that stuff again. I spent two grueling hours tossing and turning in bed with zero relief, so I eventually tried 25 mg of prazosin, but even that did absolutely nothing for me. It wasn't until 4:30 AM, after I finally took 5 mg of Sanval, that I managed to drift off. Now, I feel like I’m in a complete stupor; I have never experienced such a profound inability to sleep through the night before. Could this be some sort of reaction to the Coaxil I started yesterday? It’s only my third day on it, but I haven't the slightest clue. Regardless, I’m skipping my dose today; I just can't face it. The only reason I even stuck with Calixt in the first place was because it always seemed to knock me out reliably... ugh, I am just so incredibly exhausted by all of this.

And why have you stopped taking Calixt?
When dealing with stubborn insomnia, antipsychotics are often prescribed; Vaira (Zyprexa) or Q-pin (Seroquel, Loquex) are quite effective options. I have personally tried both, and they certainly get the job done.

I only touch alcohol on New Year's Eve—maybe two sips of champagne, and that’s really the extent of it.
Since I started taking my medication, alcohol has been completely off the table for six years running. Before the pills, I used to drink; it was honestly the only way I could manage to settle my panic attacks and anxiety.

When someone tries to offer me a drink, I shut it down immediately. If they push for a reason, I just tell them that I have zero tolerance and that even a single glass of wine turns me into a rambling mess that embarrasses everyone involved. It’s a foolproof excuse, and once I say that, people usually stop digging.

Yet, it remains truly remarkable how, the moment you mention you don't drink, there is always that inevitable follow-up question: "Oh, why not?"😁

Larry Lewis said:I honestly couldn't wrap my head around it—it’s like telling a diabetic they just can't have their insulin. If I were to go even two weeks without my medication, I’d likely end up admitted to a hospital somewhere; we aren't talking about a sprained ankle or some nagging cold here, this is schizophrenia.

I’ve got enough supplies to last me right up until my next appointment with my psychiatrist, so I’ll play it by ear and see how things shake out then.

I actually have a close friend who’s a pretty sharp attorney, and if my doctor writes a prescription for Loquen in the new report but refuses to authorize my actual medication, well, I’m going to have a very serious conversation with him about my options.

She should have recommended a generic version immediately; by withholding treatment like this, she's actually committing a punishable offense.
Would she dare treat a heart patient with such negligence? Or does she genuinely believe schizophrenia is on par with a minor cold where nothing happens if you're left without your meds?

Go see her and demand the generic—it's your right, and she's obligated to provide it. If she starts acting up, tell her straight that you intend to file a formal complaint.

urbanskipper4 said:My bad, I totally messed that up. I’m such a klutz. I'm on Zelmid right now and honestly? It's making things even worse than the Seroquel did when it comes to my appetite and putting on weight. Just constant hunger.

I was on Risperdal once, and man, it turned me into a total zombie. But honestly? I dropped 10 pounds just like that. It’s weird because I know some people take it and just pack on the weight immediately.

Prozac just sent me straight into hypomania. Honestly, the only thing that one actually messed with was my appetite—I couldn't eat a damn thing.

Xanax, Seroquel, and Zelmid just turned me into a total tank. All that weight gain... seriously.

My aunt is on Lamictal and she’s put on weight. Like, seriously, she's just getting huge.

Is there any damn antipsychotic out there that doesn't make you gain weight?

There is. Apparently, Zoloft doesn't cause weight gain.

Bluzara said:
I’ve touched on the subject of weight gain before, and I’m honestly not convinced that any medication is the primary culprit. In my view, it’s more about lifestyle choices and one's mental approach than the pills themselves. They might tweak your metabolism enough to trigger hunger pangs or sugar cravings, but ultimately, the responsibility lies with the individual to exercise self-control.

I disagree completely.🙂
The Associated Press reports show there is a definitive link between these drugs and weight gain. Personally, as someone who has been naturally thin my entire life, I gained 26 pounds in just one month while taking Virginia. No amount of dieting could budge the scale until the very moment I stopped taking Virginia; once I did, the weight vanished almost instantly.

urbanskipper4 said:Hey unknown!
I seriously need to get off this Seroquel. I’m counting down the days until my next check-up, just praying my doctor finally agrees to taper me off. Fingers crossed.

Here’s the damage so far:-weight gain-I’ve been snacking constantly all day, and honestly, the anxiety gets so bad I find myself raiding the fridge at 4 AM.
-tardive dyskinesia-my muscles won't stop twitching; my arms and legs just jerk uncontrollably sometimes.
-congested nose-it never goes away.
-pins and needles-this weird sensation where it feels like someone is poking my skin with needles, usually just for a second at a time.
-insanely low blood pressure
-dry mouth and shortness of breath
-swollen joints and fingers

Look, I could probably deal with most of this crap, but the weight gain is where I draw the line. I put on 13 pounds in just a month, and I wasn't even overweight before this. My appetite is out of control—honestly, it’s even worse than when I was on Zyprexa. I don't get how my doctor could look me in the face and claim this stuff doesn't cause weight gain or sugar cravings when that is literally what's happening to me. I feel like she totally lied to me.

Do you happen to know if unknown causes weight gain? Because that was the first thing she tried to put me on.
Later,

I experienced those exact same side effects from Seroquel, along with heart palpitations. My doctor pulled me off it immediately because he recognized them as neurological issues.
I was previously prescribed unknown, which is essentially Zyprexa, and I gained nearly 30 pounds. Eventually, I switched from that due to the weight gain and moved to Q-pin (Seroquel), which allowed me to lose 15 pounds in two weeks. The other 13 pounds stayed put. Essentially, Q-pin was easier on my weight than the unknown was. There is simply no consistent rule here.
As for Ludiomil, weight gain is a known possibility, and it is sometimes prescribed to certain patients specifically for insomnia. In my experience, it didn't help with sleep; it actually kept me awake.

I have heard that Zeldox (Abilify) does not cause weight gain, so you should probably discuss that specific option with your psychiatrist to see if it is appropriate for your situation.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I’m not taking it yet; I have it sitting right here at home, but once I start taking those small doses of Calixt, I get this creeping fear about combining it with Prozac. My doctor is incredibly vague, which is frustrating; she hasn't given me a straight answer on whether they can be mixed, even though I have the Prozac on hand because my GP prescribed it. I asked her, but nothing. And tonight was just another repeat of the struggle. Tell me, if I simply skip the sedative tonight, what am I supposed to do? I have Calixt and I have Prazine, but 25 mg of Prazine doesn't touch it, and I'm terrified that 50 mg might be overkill. I just want to sleep through the night without these interruptions. Right now, everything feels chaotic; I end up taking the sedative in the morning and sleeping until 10:00 AM... anyway, I have been tapering my Xanax, dropping from three 0.5 mg pills a day down to three 0.25 mg pills... perhaps that shift is part of why things feel so unsettled, since I've been doing that for the last eight days.

You are in a state of total chaos.
Can you please just call your psychiatrist and ask exactly which medications and which specific combinations
are safe for you to use?
The way you're handling this is just pure suffering, and frankly, none of this approach makes any sense.

Kenneth Scott41 said:I’m currently on a regimen of Effexor, Normabel, and Zoloft, and I usually take a dose of Seroquel at night just to help me get some decent sleep. However, I’ve started noticing these involuntary twitches lately. It happens when I'm lying in bed getting ready for sleep, or sometimes just while I'm sitting at my computer or going about my day. My arm will suddenly jerk, or my head or legs will twitch—it’s almost impossible to control because it feels like these sudden brain zaps, though perhaps not exactly like the sensation itself, just incredibly fast and completely unpredictable.
I can't help but wonder what might be causing this?😕

Those sound like neurological outbursts, most likely a side effect of the Seroquel.
You need to contact your doctor immediately—don't sit around waiting—as they will probably have you taper off it and switch you onto
something else.