Posts by George Allen71

Lisa Myers said:Weight gain isn't any less dangerous than a mental illness, even if I see your point. If someone is already overweight—and they're eating because of their mental struggles—then they deal with psychosomatic issues, and then the medication causes even more weight gain while treating the mind... you're just stuck in a vicious cycle and nothing gets better. I've made that a bit messy, but I hope people get what I'm trying to say.

I'm not looking for a weight-loss miracle in psychotropic drugs; I just don't want them to cause weight gain. Honestly, if weight loss were a side effect, that would be even better. That's really all I care about.

Oh, Vicky dear... I hear you. Believe me, I wish it were that simple. But unfortunately, it isn't. I catch myself wondering all the time why they put me on Zyprexa when it caused me to pack on 30 pounds... why couldn't they have picked a different antipsychotic? Then they switched me to Zeldox, which just made me sleep all day until I was practically losing my job... and it just keeps going like that. You really can't know how a drug will affect you until you actually try it.
In my experience, you don't usually see much weight gain from anxiolytics. At most, they might help you relax, and once you're calm, maybe you feel a little more inclined to snack than usual... but that's true of almost all psychiatric medications, so don't let it scare you. As long as you're doing okay without needing the heavy-duty stuff... that's wonderful!!!

Anthony Lopez8 said:While Prozac and Zoloft aren't identical, they share very similar properties.

As far as I am aware, it is rare to lose weight from anxiolytics. Some might experience slight weight gain, though I suspect that is more a byproduct of how the medication works—essentially boosting your mood enough that you actually feel like eating 😁.
There are certain antidepressants that lead to moderate weight gain, but it is crucial to note that both weight gain and weight loss are frequently cited as side effects for a large portion of antidepressants. And it truly is a mixed bag; some people pack on pounds while others drop several. Based on my experience, weight loss is often seen with Zoloft and Cymbalta, and I believe it happens frequently with Effexor as well, though I wouldn't suggest the latter unless one is dealing with severe depression.

The category where the vast majority of people experience SIGNIFICANT weight gain is antipsychotics. Within that group, Zyprexa is a primary culprit—gaining 40 or 50 pounds isn't unusual, a reality I have unfortunately experienced firsthand. If we look at the newer generation of antipsychotics, I believe Zeldox is the only one that doesn't carry that particular side effect.

George Allen71... I completely agree with you. I already posted my own experiences with antipsychotics here today... especially with Zyprexa... they switched me over to Zeldox specifically because I gained over 65 pounds so suddenly... but even Zeldox had its issues... the sedation was just awful. Now, I'm refusing to take any antipsychotics at all.
I have a question regarding the stabilizer Lamictal. I've heard rumors that some people gain weight from it as well. The official side effects don't mention changes in body weight... but I would love to hear if anyone else has dealt with that. I've been taking it for six months alongside my antidepressant for Bipolar Disorder, and I'm happy with the results.
It's true that the weight you put on from Zyprexa won't just disappear on its own... haha... it definitely won't... but I just want to be sure that Lamictal isn't going to make things worse when it comes to weight fluctuations.

Someone mentioned here that they lost weight on Prozac... but everything is so individual... and antidepressants, or any psychotropic medication for that matter, aren't prescribed for weight management—they are prescribed to treat serious conditions. In my case, my psychiatrist wouldn't even prescribe Prozac because of its tendency to increase anxiety during the initial stages.

No matter how unpleasant the side effects might be... if the medication actually works to address the primary issue it was intended for... then that's a win. We can deal with the secondary stuff once the main problem is stabilized.
I don't mean to offend anyone... but when a mental health disorder reaches a point where it's severely interfering with your ability to live a normal life, you stop worrying about the side effects or anything else... we just pray to God that the medicine works... that's what matters most.

Alright, I need to jump in here regarding the whole medication and weight gain issue....

When I was on Zyprexa, I put on an incredible amount of weight—and honestly, I still haven't forgiven my psychiatrist for it. Even though I asked her multiple times and tried to convince her otherwise, Zyprexa is notorious for causing weight gain, yet she insisted I’d be fine.

At the same time, I was taking Lexapro... hm, it seems like some people stay thin while others pack on the pounds on that one... personally, I don't think it had much of an impact on me.

Now, I'm taking Lamar. Looking at the side effects listed for this mood stabilizer, there isn't a single mention of weight fluctuations or changes in appetite, up or down. I would really appreciate hearing about anyone else's experiences, and perhaps some expert insight (mods, if you please)—has anyone else dealt with weight gain while on Lamar? Is this stuff actually going to make me gain weight???

To be completely honest, a few years before these mental health struggles hit, I had reached my ideal weight and felt so happy and confident in my own skin. Then came one illness after another, then the mental health issues, and now my life feels like it's been ruined by these medications and their side effects.

Thomas Rodriguez14 said:Can you explain what kind of side effects we're talking about? And what's the absolute worst part? I don't need a lecture ☕ I just want some peace at home while my mom waits for her divorce papers to go through.

Just take a look at the Zoloft patient information leaflet. You can easily find the full PDF online if you search for it.
Like pretty much any antidepressant, you might deal with some side effects during those first three weeks on Zoloft, though everyone reacts differently. Usually, it’s just headaches or nausea. It varies from person to person, some feel it more than others.

fadedbear92 said:Wait—are you actually happy with it? Luxury And how long have you been on it?

It's just a generic medication—what was the name again? I can't quite wrap my head around it right now, you know?

fadedbear92, I already explained all of this to Paul Newman5.... regarding the Zoloft... and she only started taking it last Saturday... there's still plenty of time to see...

Paul Newman5 said:I started Apple on Saturday, just 25mg in the morning so far, but the restlessness is hitting hard. I told my doctor, but she just told me to take a Normabel. I was already dealing with some anxiety and depression before this, but honestly, it feels worse now. Is this normal when you first start? That feeling where your chest tightens, you can't focus on anything, and everyone just gets on your nerves. It's true I've been diagnosed with perimenopause and I'm supposed to start Novofem hormone therapy soon. My thyroid isn't doing great either. Anyone else dealt with this? I wasn't expecting a miracle in five days, but this constant restlessness is too much. Help.🙂

I've actually been on Luxury for a few months now. Is this your very first time taking an antidepressant?

The reason I ask is that it’s pretty standard with almost any antidepressant; you usually go through a three-week adjustment period while your body gets used to the medication before it actually starts working properly. That transition phase is most often accompanied by side effects... with Luxury, people typically report headaches, nausea, or restlessness....
I've personally gone through switching from one medication to another several times, and I've dealt with everything from debilitating headaches and nausea/vomiting to restlessness and even suicidal ideation.
The bottom line with antidepressants is that you really have to try to push through at least those first three weeks, despite all the nonsense your body puts you through... take something for the pain if the headache is unbearable, or maybe take some Xanax or another anxiolytic if the restlessness is too much... but you have to hang in there for those three weeks to see if it actually starts working. Only then can you truly judge if the medication is making progress.
Whatever you do, never start or stop psychiatric medication on your own, no matter how bad it feels. If it gets so overwhelming that you feel like you can't handle it, please reach out to your doctor for guidance.
Luxury is a solid option; it's essentially the same thing as Pfizer, just under a different brand name. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how it affects you personally, because we're all wired differently and every medication hits everyone uniquely.
So, wishing you the best of luck. 🙂

vividdrifter26 said:So, last year I tell my doctor I’m dealing with this massive amount of rage—just constant anger—and he basically shrugs and goes, "That's what Xanax is for." Look, the Xanax works—it's not like it does nothing—but it feels like the effects just don't last nearly as long as they used to(?).

Just posting this to see if anyone else is going through the same thing. What kind of Xanax doses have you guys been taking, how long has it been, and what kind of line is your doctor giving you?
I’ve seen some massive bottles of Zoloft and Xanax sitting on pharmacy shelves lately—just huge quantities of the stuff. I've also heard that these... I can't even begin to deal with these idiots. They’re handing out some extra heavy doses—who knows exactly what the deal is—plus another two or three different pills on top of that. Honestly, I don't even know the names, but whatever. It doesn't really matter right now.

Oh, honey... you've just built up a tolerance to the Xanax... you're becoming somewhat immune to its effects... that's a totally normal occurrence after long-term use.

It says right there on the label that it's an antipsychotic... but man, it really knocks me out... great for sleeping

Paul Newman5 said:What’s the early experience like with Lexapro? My doctor said start at 25mg then bump to 50mg. I started on Cipralex and it made me so wired I had to quit. Now I'm a bit nervous about Lexapro. Doc says it's milder and shouldn't be an issue. But she isn't me, so I'm asking.

With any antidepressant, you usually start with a lower dose for those first few days before moving up to your regular dose. Then, if it’s not doing enough after a month, they bump you up. As for Lexapro... well, I don't know... it's just how it is for me. The main thing is that I didn't deal with major side effects during that first three-week stretch, just some slight headaches, and that was it. I also tried Alice's dose of Cipralex... but even 20mg wasn't enough for me, which is pretty much the ceiling.
I don't know... every antidepressant affects people differently... but you really can't judge how effective it is until you've been on it for at least a month. For those first thirty days, you basically just brace yourself for the side effects and the brain fog, just waiting for it all to pass. That's been my experience so far. And Lexapro... honestly, I'm not sure how much it's actually helping... I take it regularly... but I wouldn't say I feel "high" or like my depression has vanished or that things are significantly easier. But then again, I'm not really expecting miracles from antidepressants anymore. Clearly, none of them work as an antidepressant for me... either my depression is just incredibly heavy or I'm somehow immune to everything... I have no clue... I just keep taking them. I'm working on myself and accepting things as they come... whatever happens, happens...

restlesstrucker15 said:I agree; one should never experiment independently. However, everything I have described has occurred over the course of this past year—meaning every single combination was managed exclusively in consultation with my psychiatrist. Even if I had wanted to deviate, I wouldn't have been able to simply obtain the pills on my own. My intention is merely to see if anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation, so I can understand what people are taking and then discuss those specific options with my doctor.

I hear you. Every medication hits everyone differently. I went through a phase where I was on an antidepressant for a really long time, but I still felt totally depressed... we tried switching things up, but nothing worked because I was hit with such a heavy rebound depression... now I'm on an antidepressant... nothing too crazy... Lexapro... basically the same thing as Zoloft... just trying to pull my life together a bit... honestly, I still feel like these antidepressants aren't doing much for me... at least not in the way everyone else describes them working.

restlesstrucker15 said:Don't worry, I've been following your situation 🙂 and I truly understand what you've been going through. However, since you didn't typically have trouble sleeping before this, it likely just sedated you; I doubt it would have had that effect on me. That said, I can always check back in with my doctor.

Please don't start playing chemist with your medication. Look, I'm no doctor... but I really don't think experimenting like that is a good idea. I don't know your specific diagnosis or which combination of meds you're supposed to be taking. For me, plain old Prazosin works wonders for sleep... and I know from when I was on antipsychotics that Prazosin used to put me right out... not even mentioning Zeldox. But if your only issues are depression and trouble sleeping... as far as I can tell... there's no point in messing around with antipsychotics. I'm sure there are much milder options, maybe some type of anxiolytic, that will help you drift off. From what I've seen, it seems to be a universal rule for anyone dealing with mental health issues—you spend those first few months staring at the ceiling at 4:00 AM counting stars on the balcony... but after a while, they usually dial in the meds so you actually get some rest... though the truth is, sometimes you don't even want to wake up because the day ahead looks so grim... and then, well... things get messy... until you finally start psychotherapy and try to pull yourself together. That’s just my takeaway from my own experience and what others have told me. No single pill is ever going to "cure" us or magically change our condition... they just take the edge off enough so we can actually start doing the work on ourselves. Yeah... it's sad... but it's not like other illnesses where you just pop a Tylenol and the fever vanishes...

restlesstrucker15 said:I apologize if this topic is considered inappropriate for discussion here.
Has anyone found Agomelatine helpful for insomnia? The literature suggests it works on melatonin receptors, but I’ve found most melatonin supplements to be nothing more than expensive water. My doctor mentioned that, at least among her own patients, she hasn't observed a link between Agomelatine and insomnia.

I am struggling significantly with insomnia. I seem to be resistant to almost all hypnotics (including Ambien, Valium, Celexa, and Flurazepam, or even Xanax). I have had to abandon everything from Lexapro to low doses of antipsychotics because the next day I feel like I'm in a coma. My doctor maintains that none of the older ADs still on the market are effective for sleep; they just provide mild sedation. Look, I could easily take two 10 mg doses of Valium to pass out, but that isn't a sustainable solution.

Do you have any pharmacological advice or, perhaps, personal experience to share? For context, I have been taking Eli Lilly medication in the morning for quite some time. My issue isn't the morning dose; rather, I can't sleep due to racing thoughts and what feels like a growing dependency on hypnotics. Has anyone else dealing with chronic insomnia found an AD that actually aids sleep, specifically excluding Lexapro or Faverin, both of which caused me terrible side effects?

Trintellix is a newer generation AD, and unlike the older ones, it targets melatonin. I’ve personally taken it. And yes... you definitely sleep well with it. You take one in the evening and it's lights out.
I didn't personally deal with insomnia... it was prescribed to me as an AD for depression... but it wasn't strong enough.
I can only repeat what the literature says about it being an AD with the mildest side effects, and that's what doctors tell you too... unfortunately, I experienced quite severe side effects, including dizziness and nausea. If you look through this specific thread, you can find my posts from late August and September of this year where I wrote specifically about how Trintellix affected me, since it's relatively new and not many people had even tried it yet. Good luck.

Eric Mitchell55 said:My doctor just switched me off Prozac and put me on Cymbalta instead. I’m also scheduled for another injection of Risperdal, and since we're starting to prep for tapering off the long-acting stuff, I started taking Olandix this evening.
On top of all that, they gave me some more Valium to help me sleep along with some Prazin.

Does anyone here have experience using the meds I mentioned above?
Is Olandix basically the same thing as Zyprexa?
I'm really not thrilled about this change—I definitely don't want to end up gaining another 40 pounds again.

Honey, Olandix is an antipsychotic just like Zyprexa... they have the same packaging, they crumble the same way... and I suspect the side effects are similar too. Why couldn't they have prescribed a different antipsychotic? I know they're all terrible... you either gain weight, or you sleep constantly... or who knows what else. Did you tell her that you gained that much weight while on Zyprexa?
My doctor tried to put me back on an antipsychotic too, but I refused. Try to get some more details from her. You're only 19, and you've already been through so many awful medications... fight for yourself!

Jason Vaughn482 said:I'm actually quite curious about that stabilizer. People on these forums seem to mention Xanax constantly, but I’ve never actually tried it myself. What is its primary function, really? Does it knock you out? And do you find yourself needing something specific to help you fall asleep, or is that not an issue for you?

I don't really have trouble sleeping... maybe some Paxil if needed. As for stabilizers... I'm on Lamar. But hey, you're dealing with anxiety... whereas I have BPD... that's the big difference.

Jason Vaughn482 said:So, you're suggesting Praxiten might be a viable option for me after grinding through three years of Xanax? That was actually the exact path I was considering taking.

Look, Jason... personally, after two years on Helex, I ended up switching over to Paxil. It worked out okay. I'm still taking my AD and a stabilizer, but those are different stories. Paxil doesn't exactly make anxiety vanish into thin air... though I don't really struggle with it much myself. It’s great for helping you wind down and get some sleep, though. To me, it feels a lot milder than Helex, which works fine for me. Nowadays, I only take it when I really need to, and sometimes I can go a whole week without needing a dose.

Anthony Lopez8 said:Still, you should give Lipitor a shot. It didn't sit well with me either—in fact, I felt it had a worse effect on me than the milligram—but if it works for your system, it could be an excellent alternative, especially since it is the only one proven not to cause weight gain.

I feel like I need to share my own experience with Zeldox. I forced myself to take it for three weeks straight. For those three weeks, I could barely even get out of bed. It was absolute hell. I would try to head into work... only to come home and crash for a nap after a little while... I just couldn't function at all. As soon as I stopped taking it, I felt like myself again.
Maybe you'll have better luck with it.

What exactly makes antipsychotics different from empty placebos?

Jason Vaughn482 said:Whether it’s "peanuts" or not is beside the point—why on earth do I feel worse now than I did before I started this? I am honestly terrified of swallowing a 50 mg pill. Looking at my bottle, there are only 10 tablets left, which means I’ve been splitting them in half for twenty days straight, and yet I haven't felt any actual relief—only this bizarre, unsettling sensation that everything is just... off. It feels worse. I skipped my dose yesterday, and now I'm sitting here completely lost. I mean, after twenty days of this, shouldn't I have noticed some sort of improvement by now?😕

You really shouldn't be deciding how to adjust your dosage or quitting on your own without talking to your doctor first... you shouldn't just increase things by yourself, either. For instance, the Zoloft instructions mention starting at 25 mg for anxiety and then increasing it as needed... but in my opinion, that’s something you have to coordinate with your physician, not decide solo. Give her a call and ask her about it if you aren't feeling right. From what I understand, the first three weeks with any antidepressant are basically just your body trying to adapt... so it makes sense that you might feel like things are getting worse... it's all listed under side effects. In my own experience, no matter which antidepressant I started on, I dealt with everything from headaches and nausea to suicidal thoughts... just about everything... and you can see it here on the forum... I vent about everything... anyone who has followed my posts knows I have sudden mood swings and complain about every little thing... but I know it's just the medication. Once the drug stabilizes in your system... usually after two or three weeks... that's when you can actually tell if it's working for you or if you're feeling any relief. I think 20 days is still within that adjustment window. Hang in there just a little longer. Believe in yourself and stay persistent.

fadedbear92 said:I might—and that's a big maybe—end up getting Lamictal, similar to your Lamictal, if a higher dose of Klonopin doesn't do the trick.

Hey, fadedbear92...

I know you've been on it before. What does Lamictal—or mood stabilizers in general—actually do to your mood...? I've been taking 25mg + 0 + 50mg for a while now... and I'm honestly not feeling any real stability... if anything, it feels like the opposite...

feralstag72 said:George Allen71 is essentially alone

And I'm not entirely sure if you're allowed to mix Zoloft and Mirtazapine—you really shouldn't be doing that anymore.

Ugh, reading this was so hard for me too.... I won't let it get to me... I'm strong... hang in there, Jane, through all these years... though I'm not even Jane... ughhhhh

Day 6 on Luvox... 25 mg Lamictal first thing in the morning... then another 50 mg in the evening.... man, once I finally get stabilized... oh boy😂