Sam Baker6 said:Does this also work for cases that aren't your typical heartburn? I mean, when there isn't really a burning sensation, but more of that feeling where liquid seems to be bubbling up into your throat... almost like you're about to gag?🙂
I rely on Gastall for just about everything—the burning sensation, the acid reflux, that bitter taste lingering in my mouth. It’s all quite unpleasant, and when those symptoms hit, they trigger a wave of nausea that honestly feels even more intense than early pregnancy morning sickness. It seems to me that both Renny and Rupurt operate with a somewhat similar level of efficacy; ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference. Since they are considered safe for use during pregnancy, there is really no need to worry or endure any unnecessary discomfort. 😉
Jeremy Morris2 said:God, it feels like I'm reading my own family chat. Can we just collectively put everyone in the top 😉 😁
I also have to add my two cents about waiting for news—like that group of aunts gathered at Walmart around my belly, when the ultrasound tech tells us it's a girl, and they immediately start trying to soothe you with stuff like "Well, as long as they're healthy," or "Oh, don't worry, I had daughters too, it's no big deal," etc. No. Just... no. I simply cannot. 🤦 😕
And you haven't even experienced the true level of 'consolation' yet—when you were expecting one thing, but get a girl first, and now you realize you're back at square one needing a boy next time.🙂
Dana Brown8 said:Since this is my second pregnancy in a pretty short window—gave birth barely over a year ago—it’s driving me crazy how everyone keeps commenting on how much of a bump I’m already showing at just 13 weeks. SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO ABOUT IT?? I know I won't be fitting into my jeans anymore, and I actually went out to buy maternity pants yesterday, but let's face it: I've always been built in a way where everything goes straight to my stomach. And honestly, I'll be the one dealing with the postpartum weight loss, not these busybodies. I'm also feeling a bit on edge because I've been stuck with a cold, sinus pressure, and a headache, so I'm trying to come up with a clever comeback for these comments. Any suggestions? 😁
Ugh, I feel you. This is my second pregnancy too, and the commentary is identical. My bump was visible practically from day one, and there's a constant stream of remarks about how big it is or how huge the baby must be. Since I have friends around me who are pregnant with their firsts and we look roughly the same size, there’s this endless cycle of bewildered stares and questioning... Then comes that irritating lecture about how it’s my second time around, how my skin isn't as elastic as it used to be, blah blah blah. It’s accompanied by those pitying looks that seem to imply, "Oh, don't bother making excuses, just admit you've put on weight." 🤣 Anyway, I'm nearly 24 weeks along now, I've gained a significant amount of weight, and the belly is going to be massive by the time I deliver... Given that I ended up even thinner after my first pregnancy than I was before, I'm telling you: don't let it get to you. I'll be back to my usual self eventually, even if I'm living on nothing but crackers and water, so there won't be much long-term enjoyment in staring at this extra weight. 😛
I’m about ready to snap because I honestly can’t deal with this anymore.😛 This is my second pregnancy, and since we already have one little girl, it looks like we’re adding another daughter to the mix. The commentary from people around us—most of whom don't even have kids themselves—is just relentless. It’s always something: "Oh, you'll have to have a third now," or "As long as they're healthy, right?" or the classic, "Again, a girl? Man, we were so lucky, our first was a boy."🙄
I genuinely cannot wrap my head around their logic. I don't understand where this sudden urge to "pity" us comes from, especially since, truth be told, I was secretly hoping for another girl. My husband was the one leaning toward having a son, so if anyone's disappointed, it's him—but these comments are getting exhausting.🙂
To sounds like a textbook case of traveler's diarrhea. Having traveled through those southern regions myself, I can certainly empathize with what you're going through. The tricky part is that everyone’s immune system reacts differently to these foreign bacteria. For some, there's zero disruption; for others, it's a mild nuisance; and for a few unlucky souls, it's quite severe. That is precisely why medical experts suggest starting probiotics even before you depart, and continuing them throughout your stay in those countries. As for being cautious about food and drink—honestly, I think it's nearly impossible to be perfectly vigilant. If you followed every rule to the letter, you wouldn't even be able to eat a salad because it was washed with local water, nor could you touch a juice with ice. In a hotel setting, that's just not realistic. In my opinion, your best bet is to take probiotics at the maximum recommended dosage (for instance, Linex 3 times a day) and wait for your gut flora to fully stabilize. I should mention, however, that there is a possibility of developing Irritable Bowel Syndrome following such an episode, which does happen in certain cases. Still, it isn't something that makes life unmanageable.
I’m honestly at a loss for words... I’ve been on Xarelto for over two months now, and while there are stretches where I feel fantastic—where I can actually tell the medication is doing its job—there are also these days where the most trivial, ridiculous little things just throw me completely off balance. On those days, I spiral into this intense fear and panic; I become so depressed that I lose all motivation to do anything, and I end up needing Xanax just to get through it.
Is this kind of mood swinging typical when you're on an antidepressant? 🤷 I have absolutely no idea how an antidepressant is actually supposed to function, and I don't really have anyone to talk to about it. It just doesn't make sense to me why I have these days where I'm so incapacitated that I literally cannot pull myself out of bed, yet during other times, I can clearly feel that Xarelto is "working" well. It’s as if some minor nonsense knocks me completely out of my element, leaving me to rely on a bit of "assistance" from Xanax to steady myself; it seems like the only way I feel okay is with both drugs working together. There was actually a window of two or three weeks where I was functioning perfectly fine on just Xarelto alone. There weren't any major life events or shifts happening that would justify feeling anxious or fearful. Clearly, I'm in such a fragile state that even the smallest, most insignificant things set everything off in my head.
Kenneth Scott41 said:Does anyone else actually lose sleep over the idea of being on AD for the rest of their life? Personally, I don't give it a second thought, because if it weren't for the AD, I might have been six feet under by now. It helps me feel human again, so I really don't see the point in worrying about it.
Some people who know me a bit better—a few friends here and some folks I've connected with online—are aware that my daily routine involves more than just AD just to stay afloat... but even I have had to face the reality that this is likely a lifelong commitment.
But I'm not letting it get the best of me! 🙂
What worries me is the fact that I’ve already been on it for two months.🙄 I find myself constantly spiraling about how I will eventually taper off once I hit that standard six-month mark. Though, if I’m being honest, I know that without the meds, I’d slide right back into that impossible state where simply going to work or living a normal life feels unattainable.
I wonder what would actually happen if I ended up taking them for the rest of my life.😕🤷Probably nothing much, aside from maybe putting a bit more strain on my liver.
And then there is the fear: the dread that this dosage won't be enough down the line, and I'll be forced to add something else to the cocktail, like an antipsychotic. I worry about losing my mind entirely. For instance, I was without Xanax for nearly two weeks recently. I had plenty of antidepressants in my system, and I felt quite relieved to be rid of the Xanax. But over the last few nights, as soon as I hit the pillow, the restlessness starts. Tossing, turning, spasms... that sensation that I might actually explode before I fall asleep, forcing me to reach for the pill.
I’m starting to lose faith that I’ll ever truly be off these medications. And frankly, the realization that I might need higher doses or entirely new prescriptions is deeply unsettling.😢
Last winter, I dealt with some sinus inflammation—nothing life-threatening, really. It eventually cleared up, but the aftermath was a slog. For about two weeks straight, I was hit with this crushing pressure right behind my sinuses, basically encompassing my entire head. It was this dull, heavy ache that triggered bouts of vertigo and, predictably, nausea. At times, my vision actually went dark. It was maddening. In the end, it just resolved itself without much intervention. 🤷
If these symptoms persist, I’d definitely suggest seeing a doctor. However, if you feel like it isn't anything serious and you can still manage your daily routine, there's probably no need to make a massive scene about it just yet. 🤷
Good grief, you wouldn't believe the day I've had. I was on a bit of a trek today—about a two-hour drive—and decided to take some Dramamine beforehand because, frankly, long trips always make me feel physically wretched. It never even crossed my mind to consider how that might interact with my current medication. The result? I was essentially a zombie. It felt as though I hadn't slept in three days straight; I couldn't even stay upright, let alone focus on anything, despite having actually slept quite well the night before. It was incredibly awkward, too, being around the people we were visiting. Luckily, since I have a little one, I could just play it off by saying we all had a rough night of sleep. Even so, once the afternoon rolled around, I managed to catch a quick 90-minute nap with the kid, which finally helped me feel a bit more human. Honestly, if I had known, there was no way I would have taken it. It only hit me after the fact, but then I checked the fine print on the Dramamine packaging, and sure enough, it explicitly mentions that it can cause these kinds of effects when combined with certain other drugs.
Paul Newman5 said:How do you handle that numbness or brain fog at work, or even at home when you actually have stuff to do? For me, Coaxil was great for calming down, but I could barely walk through the office or even cook a meal at home. I just felt completely checked out from work. And I wouldn't agree that you have to stick with an antidepressant for months if it's not working for you. Both my first and second psychiatrists told me you can tolerate side effects for maybe 2-3 weeks, but if they don't pass, you should switch to something else—unless Prozac isn't doing anything at all, which I doubt. I personally know someone who had nausea and extreme fatigue or sleepiness for only about ten days on Prozac, and after that, they were fine—getting up, studying, exercising. It helped them immensely with anxiety and those irrational fears we deal with. This idea that you shouldn't suffer for two months is something I've heard from others here on the forum whose doctors said the same. Just my own layman's observations, though. Who knows if I'm right.
Well, I’m not quite that numb every single day. I tend to force myself to get moving, to tackle what needs to be done—it's essentially a matter of sheer willpower to push myself forward 😁. Since my job involves interacting with people, that actually helps redirect my focus and keeps my mind active. I don't really have a choice in the matter, though I occasionally feel the urge to just lose it a little.
Of course, if you're experiencing nasty side effects without seeing any actual improvement, you shouldn't force yourself to stay on an antidepressant that doesn't suit you. I am merely suggesting that if someone hasn't felt a definitive improvement after three weeks, it's not the end of the world—it just clearly means more time is needed. For instance, as I mentioned before, I still deal with some nausea, but it’s nothing unbearable and passes quickly. Generally speaking, I feel much better and can function far more effectively since starting Prozac, so I won't quit just because of occasional nausea; the benefits are worth it. Specifically regarding restlessness, anxiety, irrational fears, terrible nerve issues in my gut, tension, insomnia, abdominal pain, and cramping—all those awful things I've been battling lately—I felt an improvement almost immediately upon starting. That makes the nausea a minor concern. Sometimes, I actually find a sense of relief in feeling a bit dull or sleepy. When I remember how constantly tense and cramped up I was until recently, this state feels like a mercy.
Angela Reyes4 said:copperheron18, thanks for the heads up.
I’ve just hit my third week on this medication regimen. I was prescribed Prozac for OCD, along with Lamictal to deal with the constant rage that comes with my depressive episodes.
As far as the Prozac goes, it isn't doing much for the OCD specifically, though it does leave me feeling so numb and lethargic that I lack the energy to even act on my compulsions (so, I suppose that counts as "help" in a way)😁. The Lamictal hasn't done a thing for me; I am still perpetually filled with anger.
Perhaps it is simply too early to tell.🤷
It’s definitely too soon. In my experience, you need at least one or two months to gauge the actual effectiveness—or lack thereof. I'm only four weeks in myself. Just yesterday I was boasting about feeling fantastic, yet today I find myself sinking back into a low spot.😢 I take Prozac for anxiety and depression, and for me, it truly provides a sense of calm. I started dealing with these irrational fears that were completely paralyzing my daily life; I was constantly tense and anxious, unable to function normally. That tension was unbearable. Prozac definitely takes the edge off, so you hit the nail on the head regarding that feeling of being "dulled." It makes me significantly calmer; it really is built for soothing that agitation.
Angela Reyes4 said:Well, thanks for the comfort. 🙂
I have a baby at home, so between the housework and this upcoming exam hanging over my head, I don't really get much downtime. But before I started taking Fever, I used to at least get some solid sleep between the baby's feedings and felt refreshed during the day. Now, I'm tired all the time, I wake up constantly during the night, and I feel completely "wooden" during the day.
How long did it take for you to start feeling like yourself again?
Oof, I honestly can't say for sure. I just remember that about two weeks ago, I was too out of it to even feel safe behind the wheel of a car. Now, I'm doing much better. Maybe it was about two weeks? I can't pinpoint the exact moment things stabilized, but it happened. Keep in mind, I'm also taking Xanax, so that’s helped me regulate the sleep I managed to get once I started Prozac (which wasn't great to begin with). The only thing is the nausea. I still get hit with it—at least once a day, I get these waves of intense nausea and weakness. It passes within thirty minutes or so, thank God, but it’s something new. It definitely started once I began this medication.
Angela Reyes4 said:Man.😢 This is my final exam and I'm up against a hard deadline.
Did your head finally clear up and did your concentration get any better? If so, when did that happen?
Yes, I'm doing fine now. The only issue is that I am incredibly drowsy; however, once I catch up on sleep, I'm an absolute powerhouse 😁 —cheerful, focused, articulate, relaxed, and calm—but only if I manage at least 10 hours of rest beforehand (like today, for instance 😛) Otherwise, I’m just yawning incessantly and counting the minutes until I can hit the sack. But then again, you're clearly at university, so your situation is different; you have the luxury of sleeping whenever. I'm working, so it becomes a bit of a struggle when I'm yawning every two seconds; my coworkers are starting to give me strange looks because of it.🙄
Angela Reyes4 said:The exhaustion I’m dealing with is absolutely brutal. Basically, ever since I started taking Paxil, my sleep schedule has been a total wreck. I keep waking up multiple times throughout the night, and once I'm up, I can't get back to sleep, which leaves me completely drained during the day. It’s hard to even describe: I feel exhausted, yet I can't manage to sleep for more than two hours at a time without waking up. And of course, I have an exam I actually need to study for.
Both copperheron18 and I are naturally thin, but lately, it’s been a nightmare. Whenever I try to eat, it feels like I’m just chewing on cardboard.
I guess I’m trying to stay positive by telling myself things will improve soon, since I only started these meds two weeks ago.
The other medication I’m on is Lamictal. I noticed nobody seems to be mentioning it here. Every time I search online, all I see is Lamictal. Is it the exact same thing?
I suspect you're still in that adjustment phase with the Paxil, which explains why you're feeling this way. I went through a similar stretch at the start where the side effects were intense; I actually posted about it on this forum once—everything from a restless, internal jitteriness to suicidal ideation. For me, the nausea lasted the longest, and even now, it hits me out of nowhere; it really doesn't sit well with my stomach. But all those other issues eventually cleared up, and looking back, the worst of it was actually quite brief. Then again, we're all built differently, so side effects and adjustment periods vary from person to person—hopefully, there's some comfort in knowing I made it through. To be honest, I don't know how you'll manage studying for an exam in this state; my first two weeks were pure mental chaos and brain fog. It was nearly impossible to focus on anything, even the simplest tasks, but perhaps you'll pull through—fingers crossed for you! Lamictal and Lamictal contain the active ingredient lamotrigine, so they are chemically identical; it's simply a matter of different manufacturers.
Benjamin Martin65 said:Yeah, honestly, I experience the exact same thing when I take it, so I wouldn't hold my breath expecting that to change anytime soon. 😬
Honestly, in a way, this isn't even a bad trade-off. Before, aside from those first couple of hours, I’d be tossing and turning all night. My sleep was incredibly shallow, leaving me completely drained. I’d wake up in the middle of the night just staring at the ceiling, waiting for morning so I could finally get to work. My mind would race with a hundred different thoughts; everything felt high-stakes and stressful, which just fed back into the insomnia loop. So, truthfully? I'm actually relieved that I'm having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning again. That constant cycle of lying there awake from 4:00 AM onwards was absolutely exhausting. 🙄 But let me tell you—it’s too much. It's just excessive. When I work morning shifts, I'm so wiped out that I end up crashing for nearly three hours in the afternoon and still struggle to function. On my afternoon shifts, I'll sleep for ten hours straight. This past weekend was the same story; even after sleeping that long, I still needed a one- or two-hour nap during the day. 😁, and despite all that sleep, I’m constantly yawning and feeling lethargic at work. Still, I suppose it beats the alternative—being perpetually tense, restless, and paralyzed by panic.
Angela Reyes4 said:Is anyone here currently taking Paxil and/or Lamictal?
I am feeling completely drained. My sleep quality at night is poor, and during the day, I feel like I could just lie down and sleep constantly (if I were able to). My appetite is non-existent.
I've been on Paxil for about three and a half weeks now. At first, I was dealing with the exact same thing—couldn't sleep at night, so I'd try to catch up during the day. Now, I just feel incredibly drowsy all the time, both day and night. I'm sleeping way too much. Honestly, it feels excessive; no amount of sleep ever seems to be enough. 🙄
In the beginning, my appetite was practically non-existent. Since I'm naturally on the thinner side, I ended up losing even more weight initially. Things are starting to stabilize now, though; I've stopped losing weight and things seem to be returning to my baseline.
Bryan Rodriguez7 said:I'm only on an AD, and even then, it's the lowest possible dose. But sometimes I'll indulge and have quite a bit to drink. It's not that I can't get drunk, it's more that I enter this state that isn't even intoxication, it's just... strange. My head feels perfectly clear. My fear is that this might leave some kind of lasting trace on my brain; I know the liver takes a hit, too. That's why I was asking. Thanks for the response. 🙂
I take Faverin + Xanax in small amounts every single day. I find myself constantly wondering if having one beer or a glass of wine would make a difference. Lately, there seems to be a social gathering or a party every weekend; everyone is drinking, and frankly, it’s difficult to watch 😁, but I have no desire to trigger some unexpected reaction or worsen my condition. I read somewhere that frequent alcohol consumption might neutralize the effects of AD-ove, though I’m not certain if that's accurate 😕. Given that my current medication is working well for me, the last thing I want to do is jeopardize that stability.
Death, what’s the issue here? If my comments aren't your cup of tea, just hit the block button.
I have zero interest in picking fights or trying to outsmart anyone on this forum; that isn't why I'm here. Perhaps my phrasing was a bit clumsy at times, but let’s get back to the point—when someone claims a teacher only puts in 4 or 5 hours a day of actual instruction and calls it a day, they are simply wrong. Based on all the systemic issues I've already outlined, those extra hours are mandatory. My earlier, somewhat awkward mention of child supervision was because the workload for educators is ballooning daily due to new mandates from the Department of Education. These aren't optional "extra mile" gestures by teachers; they are requirements.
As for the whole debate regarding character building in schools, I still fail to see how a chemistry teacher—someone who sees a kid for maybe two 45-minute sessions a week—could possibly have more influence on a child's upbringing than their own parents. Maybe that's just my perspective since I don't have kids in school right now.
Honestly, I can't fathom why my posts are triggering such intense backlash.
I honestly couldn't care less what some random forum handle thinks about my parenting style or the wild leaps in logic they’re making. They seem to think I need someone to babysit because my kid isn't quite old enough for preschool yet, while I'm juggling mandatory lectures, seminars, and lab work at the university—plus the constant pressure to nail every exam. I don't see why I even feel the need to justify needing childcare in the first place. My frustration isn't about my schedule; it's about the fact that the sitter's availability is a total moving target. One minute everything is fine, then suddenly the schedule shifts, and I'm left wondering when she's actually free to help.☕
I truly fail to see why you've decided to make my life your personal case study, and frankly, I find it exhausting. However, I can't just sit by while people claim that public school teachers do nothing besides teach classes. That is patently false, and I know that from firsthand experience. Lesson planning, grading, reviewing literature, creating worksheets, gathering resources, attending faculty meetings, and sitting through committee sessions—none of that magically completes itself. Take, for instance, when you have to grade three entire grades' worth of reading assignments; you end up spending hours on a Saturday or Sunday doing it, and of course, nobody ever sees that effort.
Jessica Howard5 said:Man, I just scrolled through some of the posts above. Some solid points in there, but honestly, it’s a mixed bag. You can tell exactly who actually knows what they're talking about and who’s just noise. I could probably pinpoint exactly who is an educator versus just a parent, and I’d bet I could guess the age of their kid, too. But I won't play guessing games. I'll just weigh in from a parent's perspective—dealing with elementary and high school. First off, let me try to debunk this myth that teachers are working way more hours than they're actually teaching. Look, lesson plans (aside from the rookies just starting out) get recycled year after year. Some teachers don't even bother updating them to reflect the real world; they just hand down stuff that isn't even relevant anymore. For example: A couple of years back, in a 4th-grade social studies class, we did a unit on "the community where I live." We're talking about Indianapolis. After school, I grabbed my kid's notebook to see what they actually wrote down that day. Local industry: - Leather tannery - Footwear manufacture - Niveta - Mobilia - Blacksmith - IPK - Procter & Gamble - Silk Mill - Litokarton ... I won't list the rest, because it was just a long list of dead or dying industries in Indianapolis. Out of all that, only Procter & Gamble, Niveta, and IPK are actually still operating. The teacher was listing the local economy as it stood when she was a college student. It makes me wonder: how much prep work is she actually doing, or is she just using lesson plans from twenty years ago? What are we even talking about here? Second example: High school—Computer Science class. Learning programming languages and calculating logic? For what? What’s the point? Is it only because that's what the teacher studied 15 years ago? It's pure nonsense. And the kicker? The kid doesn't even know basic computer concepts. When I asked them to name input or output devices, or explain the difference between software and hardware... it was a struggle. Don't even get me started on the lack of skills with programs like PowerPoint or Word. They have zero clue what Excel is for or how useful it actually is. So, there you go regarding teacher prep and whether they actually update their curriculum to keep up with technology and the modern world. As for the whole "upbringing" debate in schools, let's be clear: our school system is officially defined as "developmental and educational." Development comes first; education comes second. Once the system is rebranded as strictly "educational," then sure, I'll accept the idea that teachers shouldn't have to deal with behavioral upbringing. But by choosing this career, you accepted that you'd be working in developmental-educational institutions. Stick to the job description. Now, a little about us parents. We're a diverse bunch. We vary in education levels, social status, and whether we're employed or not. If I really broke it down, I'd include the healthy and the sick, the alcoholics, the hypochondriacs, the PTSD sufferers, the optimists, and the pessimists. There are parents who know they're struggling and seek professional help, and there are those who refuse to admit they have no idea what they're doing, so they just keep making mistakes in how they raise their kids. That's why institutions exist—specifically tasked, I emphasize *tasked*, with correcting developmental issues. First, there's the school (the support services), which is supposed to recognize and diagnose the problem. They should try to fix it, and if they can't handle it in-house, they are legally required to refer the matter to the agencies that actually have the authority to solve these issues. The school isn't some sacred, untouchable institution where you walk in after graduation and clock in for 40 years without anyone asking questions or holding you accountable. You aren't exempt from continuing your education, you don't get to stop being responsible, and heaven forbid someone actually evaluates your performance. Let’s get real here for a second. We need some actual self-reflection from everyone involved—parents, teachers, school administrators, the whole lot of us. IN OUR SCHOOLS, WE ARE OBSESSED WITH STUFFING KIDS FULL OF FACTS, BUT WE ARE COMPLETELY NEGLECTING CHARACTER BUILDING. I think we’re failing miserably, and frankly, it’s a disaster.
I have no idea what exactly you think you are "debunking" or "demystifying," but you are frankly talking nonsense. My mother is an elementary school teacher—she teaches English—and whether you believe it or not, she works far more than her contracted hours. Lately, that workload has ballooned to such an extent that it’s becoming a genuine grievance for me; I can barely find time to help watch my own child because she is constantly bogged down by extra duties. Between Department of Education mandates requiring endless meetings every week or two, and the fact that old lesson plans are no longer accepted—requiring brand-new prep for every single period—the burden is immense. Add to that the constant cycle of changing textbooks, grading tests, reviewing essays, and managing homework, not to mention dealing with parents showing up at unpredictable times. For instance, a father might storm in because he’s worked up over his kid getting a C when he thought they deserved an A. Then there are the mandatory "professional development" sessions scheduled during holidays; people assume teachers have too much free time, when in reality, those are just more work hours. I won't list everything, as it would be exhaustive, but please, think twice before making these claims, as it is clear you are out of the loop.
And regarding the point about character building: the emphasis is shifting because primary upbringing happens at home, not in a classroom. Ultimately, parents are the ones responsible for raising their children; they shouldn't simply outsource the job and then blame the school system the moment things go sideways.☕