Posts by redranger2

Jason Vaughn482 said:Everyone speaks from their own experience, and for me, Xanax works fine. Over three years, I haven't taken more than 1.5 mg a day. Right now, I'm dealing with some kind of virus, I have a fever, I haven't slept, and I feel terrible—yet as I read this post, I realized I haven't even taken a single Xanax today. I simply forgot because of the herbal teas, the Tylenol, and all these other cold medicines... I don't know, but I don't think I've become addicted, even though I usually take up to 1.5 mg depending on the day and my condition. Personally, I find AP to be more dangerous drugs, especially for certain groups of patients. If I ever felt like I was starting to crave "just one more pill," as you put it, I would naturally worry and perhaps switch to something else. On the other hand, my friend takes 200mg of Seroquel and 50mg of Zoloft, and yet she still can't function without three Xanax; if that's the case, what is the point of the Seroquel?

Don't let the question of whether you are addicted to xanax weigh on you so heavily. If you were truly hooked, you would be consuming much larger quantities than what you are currently taking, so the situation remains under control.😉

Any competent psychiatrist must thoroughly review a patient's medical history to determine whether prescribing an AP is appropriate. They certainly won't prescribe them to someone who has recently suffered a stroke, nor will they give high doses to elderly patients in high-risk groups; instead, they are administered in minimal amounts. An AP isn't just handed out indiscriminately.

Regarding your friend, everything depends entirely on her specific diagnosis.
Speaking from my own experience, ever since I started Seroquel, I haven't needed Mississippi (xanax), because while I take Seroquel (specifically Quetiapine) to combat insomnia, my doctor also gave me permission to take small amounts during the day since that medication doesn't stay in the plasma for very long.

Angela Patel79 said:Thanks for the replies!

Been on this AP for 5 days now, hopefully I start feeling better soon... 🙂

What exactly are you taking it for, and what's your dosage?

Angela Patel79 said:Hey,
My doctor just added 10mg of Olanzapine at night to my current meds.

How long does it actually take for an AP like this to really kick in and start working consistently, rather than just making me sleepy right after I take it? Thanks

Of all the antipsychotics out there, this one tends to act quite rapidly; you might actually see some symptom relief or a reduction in issues within just a day or two. Of course, that doesn't apply to every single symptom. Most other antipsychotics usually take anywhere from a week to two weeks to really kick in, depending on the specific drug.

Scott Alvarez22 said:My doctor is trying to convince me that Mirzaten and Velafax are essentially identical, just coming from different manufacturers!
Does anyone actually buy that?

Hardly. I’ve personally used both, and they served entirely different purposes—one was my go-to for insomnia, while the other was prescribed to pull me out of a depressive slump.
Do yourself a favor and look up their chemical compositions on Google before you take their word for it.

That’s precisely why I don't hold it against him, though the reality remains that I stumbled into his office by mistake six years ago, and now I find myself entirely dependent on both him and his prescriptions.
How exactly do you define that, Fate?
I would personally characterize it as a series of unfortunate coincidences. I am truly sorry you had to go through that.
Before my own psychiatrist ever prescribed me medication, he made sure to run me through an exhaustive battery of tests and screenings just to rule out any underlying organic issues. However, I can't say for certain if I would have been in your exact position regarding the ear issue, or if he even could have detected it.

Don't go thinking that all psychiatrists are bad or out to bleed you dry. My doctor
has actually turned down payment from me before, knowing my financial situation isn't exactly ideal. As for veterinarians, we have four cats, so our vet doesn't bother offering us premium gourmet food, and we aren't exactly social buddies with him either. I understand what you're going through, but please believe me when I say there are still
plenty of decent people left in this world.😉

David Bishop4 said:I’m really glad to hear you're doing okay. 🙂 Honestly, life is funny; some people struggle with blood sugar, others deal with high blood pressure, and then there's us dealing with this, yet we keep moving forward. It's good to see you here; I actually remember you from an anxiety thread about five years ago. You were a big help to me back then. 🙂

I'm glad to hear I was.🙂

Scott Alvarez22 said:Honestly, if you want a real cure for any kind of sleep issue, nothing beats spending your entire day working outdoors—whether that's out in the fields, deep in the woods, or down by the coast.
Just let that physical exhaustion and some fresh air completely wear you down, and sleep will come naturally.
If you don't have a job that keeps you out in nature, just find something to do and get moving.

Good grief, Scott Alvarez22, 🤣
why on earth didn't my psychiatrist suggest that same remedy?😁

David Bishop4 said:I have to disagree with the idea that life feels like it's trapped in plastic while on medication. At least, that certainly wasn't my experience. I was able to love and laugh, and I did so with complete sincerity and from the bottom of my heart.

I have to agree, my experience was identical. In fact, if anything, being on antidepressants actually provided an emotional liberation for me,
allowing me to finally be my true self instead of constantly suppressing everything I felt.
Of course, perhaps the effects manifest differently for everyone else.

David Bishop4 said:Thank you so much, you've truly encouraged me. But you haven't told me anything about how you're doing?

I’m doing alright, thanks for asking. I’ve been on various antidepressants for five years now, and I've dealt with antipsychotics for a little over two.
I've had my share of relapses—it's just the way things go when a condition becomes chronic—but my psychiatrist always manages to
pull me back from the edge during a crisis, mainly because he's an incredibly skilled pharmacologist.😉

Scott Alvarez22 said:First off: yes, they are addictive, especially if you're using them for three to six months.
The most important thing to understand—and it’s explicitly stated in the prescribing information—is that xanax isn't something you take on a schedule like an antibiotic, whether that's three times a day or twice a day.
Xanax is strictly intended for as-needed use; essentially, you take it only when you actually feel the panic or anxiety hitting you.
Furthermore, xanax has a significant impact on blood pressure, which means its effects can fluctuate depending on atmospheric pressure—it'll hit much harder during low-pressure systems than during high-pressure ones. That's why you can't just follow a rigid routine every few hours like you're finishing a course of penicillin; you use it when necessary, just like the instructions clearly state.

Just let the person follow the treatment plan they were prescribed; can't you see they're only halfway through their dosage of Lexapro?

It is perfectly standard to utilize higher doses of anxiolytics during the initial stages of therapy.

Brandon Lopez6 said:Yeah, totally. Since I stopped taking Cipralex, those heavy side effects—the suicidal thoughts and the deep depression—have cleared up. But man, I’m still left with this stupid morning "hangover." It hits me so hard I feel like I'm about to pass out almost every single damn day. 🙂

I went back to my usual dose of Xanax, just 4x0.25mg like before. 👋

Honestly, I’m not even sure if I’ll bother looking for new meds right now. Based on how things are going, probably not. Everyone kept raving about Paxil and Cipralex, but for me? They just made everything worse. 🙄

I guess I'll wait until May rolls around and see how I'm feeling then. That's when I'll make a call on what to do next. 🙂

How are you doing? Looks like you settled into the Paxil routine pretty well. Really happy to hear that. 👍

Just please, whatever you do, don't try to quit antidepressants cold turkey. You have to taper off gradually—maybe go half a pill for a few days, then move to a quarter for at least ten days, then every other day, and eventually every third day until
you're completely off them.

David Bishop4 said:In that case, that sounds promising. 😉 I am currently taking Paxil, exactly 4mg today. It has been three weeks now, and while I definitely feel better, I still struggle with the idea of going out anywhere, especially by myself. My mind keeps telling me that this part will pass too, if I just give the medicine enough time to work. What is your take on that? Because honestly, I have seen a significant shift; I was a total wreck just three weeks ago.

Your therapist is absolutely right.
You’ve only been on the medication for four weeks and you’re already seeing improvement, which is an excellent sign.
And yes, that fear of heading out the door alone will fade away, no matter
how impossible that mission feels to you right now.
For instance, it took me two full months before the panic attacks finally receded, though for some people it
moves much faster since everyone reacts differently and we aren't all on the exact same prescriptions. After
six months, I could finally say I had moved past all that bullshit.😁
So, just be patient; you are still in the early stages. Just deal with Misar when you feel a surge
of panic or anxiety hitting you; once the antidepressant fully kicks in, you won't need it nearly as much.🙂

David Bishop4 said:I agree, every medication affects people differently. Though, I have to admit, what your psychiatrist mentioned regarding Misar actually gave me a bit of anxiety. I’ve already been taking Misar at 0.5 mg once a day for about a month now.

Honestly, there is no reason to be intimidated by a 0.5 mg daily dose. My previous point was directed at those taking multiple pills a day, which is where you start seeing that tolerance build up
where the dosage has to keep climbing just to achieve the same level of anxiety relief. When it comes to panic attacks, nothing quite beats Misar or similar medications.
Are you also taking any kind of antidepressant?

David Bishop4 said:You see how much this varies from person to person? I used to take Eglonyl, starting at 1 x 0.50 and then moving to 2 x 0.50, primarily to deal with gastritis, but it didn't do a single thing to soothe my nerves.

Exactly, everything is highly subjective, and there is no such thing as a universal neuroleptic, much like antidepressants or
any other class of medication.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Look, I grasp the logic, truly I do, but I cannot fathom why there is such a massive uproar regarding Xanax. In my estimation, every single medication carries some degree of risk; I spend a great deal of time reading about psychopharmaceuticals, and from what I have gathered, antipsychotics seem to be the most hazardous, whereas antidepressants are generally the superior option. My comment about memory was merely a follow-up to someone else who noted that taking anxiolytics shouldn't impact one's intellect—everyone takes what works for them. I could certainly transition to an AP if my condition deteriorates, but if I am managing well with Xanax, I see no reason to disrupt that balance. Perhaps weaning off is difficult, but I struggle with panic attacks, and I suffer from high blood pressure—I'm already on medication for that. With my family history of strokes, it feels entirely rational to be wary of any drug where the primary side effect involves blood clots and potential strokes. Of course, I don't believe I would take a dose high enough to trigger that, and I might try 25 mg eventually, but as long as I can sleep with Ambien—which I also dislike—and function on Xanax, I won't touch an AP. My doctor prescribed me Empty two years ago when I was suffering from total sleep deprivation, but I only took it for a very short window, just one box of 25 mg. It makes me incredibly restless, and the mere thought that it might cause a stroke leaves me feeling even more anxious, which is precisely why I avoid them.

I understand where you're coming from; we have a history of strokes in my family as well, but for me, an anxiolytic alone isn't sufficient—unless I were popping them every two or three hours, which would be absolute madness.😁
It seems that taking Empty was specifically triggering your fear of strokes and only serving to amplify your existing anxiety.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I have to say, I couldn't disagree more. Are we suggesting that "smart" doctors are those who prefer to manage patients with heavy-duty antipsychotics instead? And let’s be honest, tapering off antidepressants isn't exactly a walk in the park either—or at least, that’s the consensus, even if I can't speak to it personally. For my part, I take Xanax, topping out at 1.5 mg and usually hovering around 1.25 mg, which doesn't strike me as some catastrophic dosage. Honestly, it keeps me feeling steady enough.

It’s great that a dose like that works for you, but there are plenty of people for whom that amount simply isn't enough.
And frankly, I fail to see how taking antipsychotics relates to intelligence, considering psychiatrists have been prescribing them for years to manage anxiety and stubborn insomnia. Those pills aren't strictly reserved for a schizophrenia diagnosis. My first AP was actually
prescribed for severe depression, and quite honestly, it saved me.

Jason Vaughn482 said:And yet, I am still waiting for someone to provide a coherent explanation of what the actual point is here. Whether you’re popping Xanax, taking Quetiapine, or some other antidepressant, the pattern remains identical: you end up consuming something just to adapt to one thing or another. And don't even get me started on the sheer number of people who mix them all together like a cocktail. I have a friend who takes three Xanax, 200 mg of Seroquel, and Zoloft on top of that... she claims she feels fine and can function perfectly well, but when you actually step back and look at the sheer volume of medication being forced into her system, it's staggering. None of these drugs come without a price; every single one carries side effects and carries its own set of risks, but from everything I’ve read, nothing is quite as damaging as the APs.

Ultimately, everything hinges on the specific diagnosis. For instance, after four years, an antidepressant alone simply wasn't cutting it for me anymore, so my psychiatrist introduced an AP, which has allowed me to function quite well.
From my own experience, I can tell you that tapering off an AP is actually the easiest route, or at least it was in my case. I was on Vaira 2 for two years, but once it stopped helping with my insomnia, I managed to get
off of it within a single week under medical supervision. I stayed off APs for about a month and a half, foolishly believing the antidepressant would be sufficient on its own, but it wasn't. The panic attacks returned, along with the depression, so I had to restart the AP.
As for the toxicity, every drug carries risks, some more significant than others. But there are those of us
here who, unfortunately, simply cannot exist without them.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Oh, I certainly grasp that distinction, but what escapes my understanding is why anyone would claim an antipsychotic is a superior choice for managing anxiety over something like Xanax...

It really depends on the specific medication you're taking. Personally, I found myself becoming dependent on Misar, which my psychiatrist fought tooth and nail against because he argues it can trigger depression in certain people and tends to
be quite harsh on the nervous system. When my anxiety hits a peak, I'll take a minimal dose of
an antipsychotic, and it settles me down perfectly, whereas I've completely moved away from Misar. That said, I still use antipsychotics to deal with insomnia, mainly because my doctor insists that the long-term use of psychotics carries its own set of pathological risks.

David Vaughn75 said:Smart psychiatrists generally steer clear of the heavy-duty stuff—you know, things like Loris, Xanax, Clonazepam, and all that junk—because they actually realize how easy it is to get hooked. They really only reach for those prescriptions when things are truly hitting the fan. Honestly, when I was trying to kick my Loris habit, I thought my brain was actually going to melt—I was dealing with these massive waves of panic attacks basically every hour on the hour.

Brave! My doctor takes the exact same stance, refusing to hand out anything like Salvatore, Ambien, or Zane for insomnia, and he remains staunchly opposed to all anxiolytics.

Look, when it comes to medication, let’s be realistic: there isn't a single pill on the market that doesn't come with a side effect. When you start taking something, you have to accept that there's always going to be a trade-off.
You start reading through the list of side effects for antibiotics—something like Azithromycin—and you begin to wonder if you'll even be functional enough to make it through the week.
It’s a lethal mistake to make. One wrong move with that stuff and you're dead.😂 Whether we are talking about basic Ibuprofen, simple nasal sprays, or standard allergy pills, pharmaceutical giants have to insulate themselves against potential patient lawsuits by listing every conceivable side effect imaginable.

I find myself grappling with that same deep-seated dread regarding medication; every single time I attempt to face it, I end up losing my nerve completely.
Whenever I find myself facing the prospect of starting a new prescription, that familiar dread regarding potential side effects begins to settle in. It’s an exhausting cycle of anxiety. Yet, the moment I consider what life would actually feel like without any chemical assistance at all, the fear shifts entirely.
I would much rather take my chances with medication than face the prospect of returning to that living hell.😉