Posts by redranger2

Ronald Baker5 said:Hey everyone, I just got prescribed 10 mg of Citram today... so I'm curious to hear about your experiences if you've ever dealt with this specific antidepressant
How did your body react to it? Any particular side effects I should be looking out for?

To be honest, I’ve always had a bit of a phobia when it comes to antidepressants, so I’d really value your take—based on what you went through with your own meds, is this something worth trying or should I steer clear?

Whether it's Citram or Cipralex (the original formula), I've been on it for six years now, and it honestly saved me from constant panic attacks and anxiety.
As for the side effects I dealt with, I experienced some nausea, drowsiness, and excessive yawning.
That lasted for about three weeks, but once it passed, my concentration and memory actually improved significantly.

I used to be terrified of antidepressants too, but looking back, I actually regret not starting them sooner; I could have saved myself years of unnecessary suffering and misery.

John Smith

George Allen71 said:Ambien was also mentioned here.

I want to emphasize that you should absolutely never take any medication, and I mean *any* medication, on your own, nor should you ever change your dosage or treatment plan without guidance. Psychotropic drugs directly impact the brain, mood, and behavior; they act on the system in various ways, not to mention the complex interactions between them. Please, nothing happens without the direct advice and instruction of your psychiatrist.

I totally get why the Associated Press might have brought that up. Maybe it makes sense if someone is dealing with actual psychosis... but for me... I don't know... treating BPD with a combination of antidepressants and antipsychotics wasn't exactly the silver bullet.

I strongly advise against using any antipsychotic just to help you sleep. Antipsychotics serve a completely different purpose, and they are far too heavy-duty to be used as simple sleep aids. Your body builds up a tolerance, and before you know it, you'll be on something like Zeldox that leaves you unable to stay awake for more than two hours, resulting in you sleeping 20 hours a day... hello? Seriously, do not use antipsychotics for sleep.

There is an anxiolytic (a benzodiazepine) called Ambien that someone brought up. It’s specifically designed for sleep, as the name implies... and it's potent enough that it's even used in psychiatric wards to sedate patients.
To be honest, I only took one dose and it was way too much for me. It was explained to me that it has an immediate, short-term effect—meaning you fall asleep fast, but by morning, the effect has worn off. Personally, I felt a bit groggy in the morning, which is how I realized it was just too strong for my system.

In principle, I didn't really struggle with insomnia, except about three years ago at the very onset of my mental health issues (we've all been there—sitting out on the balcony counting stars almost all night). For me, the symptoms resurfaced a month ago while I was on vacation. I actually thought I had Restless Leg Syndrome; I was prescribed Ambien, but I didn't even need it. Instead, I changed my sleep environment—I moved my bed closer to the window... it sounds silly, but it worked for me, and now I sleep like a baby without any meds.

I’ve definitely made progress from where I used to be, but please try to work toward tapering off your medications and finding other alternatives instead... because the whole point isn't to spend your entire life on pills... it's just to get through the period until you become strong enough to move forward on your own. As for me, I just moved my bed, and I'm doing fine.🙂

I hope that soon, for all of you, things like rearranging your furniture or something equally simple will provide the relief you need instead of relying on medication.🙂

That perspective is fundamentally flawed. In fact, antipsychotics are precisely what are prescribed for stubborn insomnia. I used to take Quetiapine for sleep, but I couldn't tolerate it, so now I'm on N/A.
And nothing is "too strong" if the dosage is calibrated correctly. Surely the goal isn't to leave you
in a zombie-like stupor all through the
day.
My psychiatrist maintains that an antipsychotic is actually a superior choice for insomnia compared to hypnotics, since you build up a tolerance to those much faster. And I trust his judgment.

Paul Newman5 said:Sorry, but I don't get it. You say anxiolytics are for anxiety, but I'm anxious and terrified, and I've never really dealt with major depression. You told me before to stop taking Helix. If anxiolytics are for anxiety, why am I suffering through Citram or any other antidepressant? Am I supposed to just vomit up my Helix and call it a day? Sorry if I misunderstood, but that's how it sounded.🤷

Look, just take the Helix, honey; there's no need to apologize to anyone. 😉
If it’s part of your treatment plan and your mind tells you it’s necessary, then take it. There will eventually come a moment when
you won't rely on it nearly as much once the antidepressant actually kicks in.
At the end of the day, I’ve been using it myself for six years; if I skip it for three days, I'll just pop one or two whenever
that restlessness hits, and then everything is fine in America. I make sure to stay disciplined so that I
don't exceed two tablets a day, except in those extreme circumstances where
I know for a fact I'm going to have a breakdown from the stress.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:I’m practically jumping out of my skin here.😁
The first one is essentially an antipsychotic, similar to > or >; it's quite potent.
As for >, it's a solid antidepressant.
Their primary job is to ease depression until it vanishes or to manage psychosis.
But they get prescribed for insomnia all the time too.
And why is that?
Because insomnia is often just a symptom of depression, anxiety, or some form of psychosis.
So, you end up in this endless, closed loop.
> is mostly used as an antipsychotic for schizophrenia, but what makes it unique is that it also acts as a mood stabilizer. I took it while working at a hospital in New York, so I don't have a strong opinion on it. These are what they call "second-generation" drugs with fewer side effects (like >, >, or >...).
They are quite effective for preventing relapses.

Go ahead and jump in whenever you feel like it; your desire to help
people by guiding them through pharmacology is obvious. 🙂
Yes, it is true that insomnia is a direct result of depression and other psycho-pathological conditions.
Regrettably so.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Calisthenics and a Q-tip are fundamentally different things and aren't primarily intended for sleep.
Everything follows its own set of rules.
The initial approach usually involves using anxiolytics to let the body "settle" (sedatives), followed by antidepressants to try and pull the system out of a depressive state—basically trying to replenish the hormone deficiencies meant to lift your mood overall.
Antipsychotics are brought in if psychosis is present. Sometimes, combining these medications can put us in a position where we risk having an epileptic seizure, which is why anticonvulsants are introduced. If, after taking all of these, we still can't sleep, then we get medications strictly intended for sleep (usually hypnotics plus sedatives).
Trazodone (whatever it goes by elsewhere) is actually David, which acts as an antidepressant, anxiolytic, and analgesic. (Over there, they might call it Oleptro, Depakote, Thomas, etc.)
The side effects are mild, but an overdose is dangerous.
I truly believe it helps you.
But that doesn't mean someone should just start taking that medication without a doctor's recommendation.
For some, Calisthenics is a lifesaver, and for others, it isn't. That is precisely why psychiatrists exist—to determine what is appropriate to take for similar (but not identical) types of depression.

They absolutely work for sleep. I was prescribed both specifically for insomnia because my psychiatrist is adamant about avoiding hypnotics at all costs. Unfortunately, both medications were a total disaster for me—Calixta triggered debilitating migraines, while Q-pin caused neurological episodes. It wasn't until I started Vaira that I finally escaped the cycle of sleeplessness, and I haven't experienced a single side effect from it. It knocked me out instantly, just like a heavy blow to the head. 😁

Paul Newman5 said:Just checking in with everyone... I've been on 😕Cyrus for just under a month now. Well, actually, today marks 14 days since I hit the full prescribed dose (5 mg). Last week was manageable—just some morning sweats and a bit of restlessness, nothing major. But yesterday and today, the mornings have been worse than last week. Nausea, and this brain fog that’s really getting to me; it feels like my head isn't even mine. I'm still taking 3x0.5mg of Helix during the day, same as before. Sleep isn't an issue; honestly, I wish I slept less. If I take 6 mg of Lexapro, I sleep like a baby.
Basically, I want to know if it's normal to still be dealing with these side effects after two weeks, especially since they seemed to clear up for a bit last week. How long am I supposed to wait? How much longer do I have to put up with this? My follow-up appointment isn't for another month, and I can't exactly call my doctor every five minutes, even though she gave me her cell number. I already called her once about the Ladd. Any advice would help. I don't want to stop the treatment, but I also don't want to spend another month suffering through these mornings.🤷

If it has only been 14 days since you reached the full dosage, side effects are still entirely possible. That said, it’s also plausible that this isn't related to the antidepressant at all. Even a perfectly healthy individual not taking any medication can experience exactly what you're describing. There are simply days when we don't feel our best, and that is perfectly normal.

It might be wise to start tapering off the Helios gradually—perhaps moving down to two tablets a day for a week or two, then eventually to just one. You're dealing with quite a heavy chemical load right now between the three Helios doses and the Xanax. However, if your anxiety remains intense, continue with the current regimen and wait for the Citrus to stabilize. It would be a mistake to abandon the therapy prematurely; it takes time for the brain chemistry to settle. The most difficult part is often the transition between different medications, which can create absolute chaos among your neurons.🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:On one hand, you're absolutely right—addressing the primary issue is paramount, but...
What happens when, after we finally manage to stabilize the main illness (regardless of what it actually is), all those tiny, subtle, previously ignored ailments suddenly resurface? They were always there, lurking in the background while we dealt with much larger crises.
Suddenly, those minor issues become the very challenges we feel compelled to solve.
At some point, the depression or the OCD or whatever else fades away... and then, suddenly, you notice your stomach hurts. Or you have digestive issues. Or a headache won't quit. We didn't even register these symptoms before, but now we realize we have to deal with them too.
And isn't that one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle? It’s how we prevent physical ailments from taking root—ailments we couldn't even address while our mental health was the sole priority.🙂

In my case, it is pure genetics. Even at ten years old, I realized I wasn't like the other kids and likely never would be. I came to understand that I was "fragile." Not in terms of character—I am actually a very resilient person—but my nervous system and my tolerance for even the slightest hint of stress were practically non-existent.

As a young girl, I experienced the raw sensation of fear and heart palpitations, which eventually spiraled into bouts of panic attacks so severe that I barely managed to graduate high school. It was a struggle. Every single morning before heading to class, I would end up vomiting in the bathroom. School was an indescribable source of stress for me. And so it went. On my father's side of the family, everyone carries this same burden. Unfortunately, I do too. I started treatment far too late, mainly because back when I was growing up, the internet didn't exist to provide resources, and psychotherapy alone wasn't doing much for me. Fortunately, I am now on medication for the rest of my life. All I can say now is that I am surviving.🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Ugh, Vaira actually contains aspartame (sort of like an artificial sweetener).
That is some bad AP.🙄
As for me, Q-pin worked just fine. Isn't it strange how differently things work? No rules at all.
For my stomach issues, an old-timer once suggested a mix of dried ivy, sage, and wormwood. You just take a tiny pinch of each, put them in hot water, let it cool down, and then drink it all at once.
A friend brought me some stuff from California too, and it really helps the stomach.
Everyone has such different experiences, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, right? It means you get to hear advice from all sorts of different sources.

Honestly, I don't care what it contains—I couldn't care less about the aspartame as long as it lets me function. When you're hitting rock bottom, you'd probably swallow hydrochloric acid if someone promised it would make you feel better. I learned a long time ago that you can't have your cake and eat it too.🙂

Larry Lewis said:One more thing—has anyone else dealt with digestive issues while taking Zyprex? Specifically, does it mess with your bathroom habits?
I’ve been on Zyprex for a while now, and honestly, the medication itself seems to be doing its job just fine—but back in February, things took a turn for the worse. I started dealing with this constant, urgent need to run to the restroom. It was brutal; I couldn't even step foot outside my house for at least three or four hours after waking up without worrying I'd have an accident. Just a total nightmare, frankly.
I’ve been taking probiotics for quite some time, which has actually helped a lot, but the doctors are giving me the runaround. My primary care physician insists it’s definitely a side effect of the Zyprex—she mentioned she had another patient deal with the exact same thing—but then my psychiatrist claims she’s never heard of such a thing. It’s maddening when the experts can't agree.
I feel better now thanks to the probiotics, but let's be real: those supplements aren't exactly cheap. And don't even get me started on our healthcare system here in the States. Even though I requested a referral way back in June, the earliest I can see a specialist is mid-October. It’s a complete disaster.
Does anyone have any insight on this?

I take Vaira for insomnia and depression. Honestly, I haven't experienced a single side effect from it; it works perfectly for me. In contrast, when I was on Q-pin, I had terrible reactions—heart palpitations, difficulty swallowing, and that terrifying restlessness in my legs. There really is no predictable rule to these things.

For the frequent bowel movements, I would suggest black seed oil. Beyond being excellent for overall health, it should help stabilize your digestion. Take three small teaspoons a day, and you can eventually scale down to two.

Paul Newman5 said:Yeah, she told me that. After five days of pure hell, instead of suggesting I taper off, she just cut it off entirely and switched me to Lexapro, which was another total bust. I was completely new to all this. My anxiety issues first hit in October, and since nobody else in my family deals with stuff like this, I honestly thought this was just how life worked. Then I was blindsided to find out Citram is basically the same thing as Lexapro. My doctor told me to drop by quarters, then down to a half, and said to stick to 5 mg until my checkup at the end of August.

It is frankly terrifying and incredibly irresponsible of your doctor to jump straight to a full dose; it’s no wonder you felt like you were falling apart. Since Citram and Cipralex are chemically identical,
if you had been tapering on the Cipralex—starting with a quarter dose for three days before scaling up—you wouldn't have endured those symptoms.
No competent psychiatrist would ever prescribe a full dose of an antidepressant right out of the gate.

Paul Newman5 said:On Citram I've been on for about 3 weeks now. Since I'm a total wimp, I spent the first 10 days taking just a quarter dose, and now I've been on 5 mg for 9 days—that's what my doctor prescribed until my follow-up in 5 weeks (late August). No major side effects, just some extra jitters and nausea in the morning. It’s manageable. But I'm wondering, how does someone actually feel when an AD is working? Like, when am I supposed to notice a shift? I haven't felt anything with any AD so far. Maybe a stupid question since everyone is different, but I'm just counting the days, waiting for the moment I can get up and head to work or leave the house without feeling so much fear and anxiety. I was on Ladiomil for 7 weeks once; it was fine at first, but I gained 3 lbs in the first month—which I mentioned here—and then after that, it was like my metabolism just went haywire. I put on 7 lbs in three weeks. I had to call my doctor because I was terrified I'd hit 200 lbs before my next appointment, so she told me to stop the Ladiomil immediately. Another thing: my first med last November was Lexapro, starting straight at 10mg. Five days of pure hell and unbearable restlessness, but my doctor back then refused to lower the dose and just stopped it entirely. Now I'm on Citram and it's tolerable. If she had taught me to taper slowly like they do now, maybe Lexapro would have worked and I wouldn't have wasted months of misery. Am I right, or is Citram just weaker than Lexapro even if they're in the same class?

Don't tell me you jumped straight to 10 mg???😲

granitecobra5 said:Thanks, velvetmoose9! 🙂 So, I’m currently sitting here at ten o'clock having just knocked back my fifth 1-gram tablet of Klavocin.

As of right now, my lip hasn't swollen up, but the entire upper front section of my gums is pretty inflamed. To make matters more confusing, my dentist keeps telling me I have gingivitis—but I honestly can't wrap my head around why my upper lip was so incredibly swollen that morning, only for the internal inflammation to show up much later!?!?!?!

The swelling seems to be receding bit by bit now, though it's still puffy right between my two front teeth, and a couple of tiny blisters have popped up right where that initial sore spot was. I'm not really sure what's going on. I guess I'll post again if anything else interesting happens!

Could they just be canker sores?

Scott Rodriguez2 said:What’s the copay for Cipralex?

$17 Just a few bucks

Jason Vaughn482 said:What exactly is it that you’re reaching for to replace Mirzaten?

Lexapro, and I use Ambien to actually get some sleep.

Paul Newman5 said:Personally, I don't think that applies to me. It's pure anxiety for me—even specific phobias. I'm jittery, sure, but I've always been a high-strung perfectionist by nature. What do you mean by "shaking"? Is it nerves or something else?

Cortisol floods the system whenever a person is under stress. Even though I’m not currently facing a crisis, the cortisol keeps pumping out regardless. Consequently, I feel like I'm constantly under siege, and the physical manifestations are truly wonderful: back pain, shallow breathing, tingling in my hands, tremors, and this profound, unrelenting restlessness. I'm heading to see my doctor soon to figure out what to do about this entire mess once and for all.

Paul Newman5 said:How do you even treat high cortisol? And how do you check if it’s actually up? You on some kind of adaptogen now? Can't keep track of everything.

They run blood tests—usually one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Naturally, your morning levels are always going to be higher than the afternoon ones; in my case, the morning reading was well beyond the threshold while the afternoon stayed within range. You can also do a 24-hour urine collection test. I didn't bother with that one, frankly, because I simply couldn't face the hassle of dragging myself over to the Mayo Clinic to get it done.
They also use a dexamethasone suppression test at midnight to get a true picture of where your cortisol stands.

I’m currently taking adrenal and anti-inflammatory supplements, but after being subjected to such relentless stress and pulling 10 to 15-hour shifts, I've essentially collapsed, and I can feel the physical tremors from how much this hormone is wrecking me.
I haven't delved deeply into the specifics of treatment, but I know the standard procedure starts with a CT scan of the adrenal glands, and then you move forward based on those results.

It’s worth getting your cortisol levels checked; I dealt with an elevation myself and the symptoms were nothing short of terrifying, especially since I couldn't get access to a hospital at the time. Now, the whole thing is washing over me again because I've been pushing myself far too hard at work.

Cortisol can trigger a wide array of adverse effects on the body—we're talking about everything from depression and hypertension to osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome X, which manifests as abdominal obesity, insulin resistance despite adequate secretion, elevated blood lipids, clotting issues, and high blood pressure. Cortisol surges during periods of stress, and whether that stress is chronic, constant, or even intermittent, it can lead directly to panic disorder and clinical depression. When cortisol levels remain chronically high, you face increased blood pressure and disrupted sugar metabolism, which can ultimately culminate in diabetes. Furthermore, excessive cortisol suppresses thyroid function, potentially leading to hypothyroidism, while simultaneously inhibiting growth hormone secretion—a critical factor for children and adolescents—and diminishing reproductive hormone production. Ultimately, it cripples the immune system, leaving you significantly more vulnerable to infections.

Honestly, Magdalena, you’re stuck in the exact same bind I am—I’m in a line of work where taking sick leave or even a decent vacation is essentially off the table, which inevitably leads to an overwhelming amount of stress.😢

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Yes, it’s generally accepted that Q-pin and Seroquel are the same thing, just made by different companies—like Pfizer or something from the United Kingdom.
But are they truly identical? Not really. They don't impact every patient in the exact same way. For instance, Seroquel can frequently cause blood pressure to spike, whereas Q-pin tends to do the opposite. Though, granted, in very rare, exceptional circumstances, even Q-pin might cause a sudden jump in blood pressure. But that's rare. Very rare indeed.
Seroquel is sometimes utilized for bipolar depression.
People lump them together because they're both antipsychotics intended for patients dealing with schizophrenia or mania.
The real issue, though—the real trouble!—is that we don't truly know how these drugs behave when mixed with other antidepressants. Sometimes, though not always, an antidepressant is paired with another drug if libido issues arise.
To put it bluntly: when a doctor heads off on vacation and doesn't want to deal with a patient hanging from a chandelier upon their return, they just prescribe Seroquel... and peace at last.
Anyone without major issues with schizophrenia or mania sleeps like a baby, sometimes twenty hours a day.
As for me, since I started taking Q-pin 200 mg (which in my recent case has been Loquen 200 mg), I haven't had any problems with my libido.
Psychopharmacologists theoretically understand exactly how a drug should act based on its chemical composition and all that, but they aren't the ones actually swallowing the pills, are they?
Once a patient starts on these heavy-duty medications, they begin experiencing all sorts of symptoms that often get brushed aside... simply because the drug is doing "exactly what the doctors said it would do." Very nice. Truly.😳

We all react differently. I take Q-pin for insomnia, and it allows me to sleep for eight to nine hours, which is plenty for me. As for my libido, there isn't a trace of it left. Fortunately, I'm single, but if
I were married, things would be quite difficult.😍

Jessica Fowler4 said:and those sudden outbursts of rage🙂

😁
I haven’t personally tried that one, but I have used Mirtazapine, which essentially turned me into...
I spent the entire day absolutely livid, fueled by nothing but pure spite toward a truly malicious individual. I was a complete wreck, just snapping at everyone and picking fights like my life depended on it.
I honestly don't know who I was sitting next to. My psychiatrist didn't even hesitate to separate us immediately.🤣