Posts by Michael Hill2

feralpanther64 said:Exactly. I fall asleep without Xanax, wake up later, can't get back to sleep, so I take Xanax and pass out.
Last night, I took Xanax around 9 PM thinking I'd sleep through the night, but I still woke up at 2:30 AM and had to take more. Then I slept until 9 AM.

I'm going to try going without Xanax. I have zero intention of getting hooked on something I don't even need... even if it means pulling an all-nighter.

Slow down, there's no reason to panic here. 🙂

It’s only day 11 of your SSRIs. It is completely normal to take Xanax when you need it; you aren't going to get addicted to it in a month or two. 😉

SSRIs—which is the group your medication belongs to—mess with your sleep architecture during the initial phase. Your body needs way longer to hit the REM stage, and when you do, it's shorter than usual. That’s why you’re waking up so abruptly.

I went through the exact same thing when I first started Paxil. I’d fall asleep and then wake up after maybe 3 or 4 hours feeling like I’d slept for 12, yet I was wide awake. I used to take Xanax 0.25 just to get back under.

My situation with early waking was extra tricky since insomnia was the whole reason I started taking antidepressants in the first place.

It all evens out after a while. Just try to relax. If you wake up in the night and can't get back to sleep, take Xanax 0.25 and stop stressing about becoming dependent. It doesn't work that fast. 😉

If your sleep hasn't leveled out after a month or two—meaning you're still waking up constantly—then you might need to look into switching your antidepressant or adding something else for sleep. You have plenty of options (low doses of antipsychotics like Seroquel, or low doses of a sedative antidepressant like Calixto, etc.).

Chill out. I really think this waking up is just a standard startup side effect of the meds and it should clear up soon.

Good luck. 🙂

Mark Nelson said:What you said about that wonderful sense of relaxation? Yeah, I know it all too well. Lustral calms me down perfectly and chases away every bit of fear. But I guess we have to look at the long-term effects. If my brain really is deteriorating, then there isn't much of a dilemma about what to do.

My doctor never mentioned brain damage. When I told her I was tapering off the Lustral, she only brought up the possibility of addiction. She didn't prescribe any other SSRIs, she just increased my Seroquel. I don't really know what to say about it; I can only guess that there might be better solutions out there, but I'm just a layman.

I'm glad you're finally sleeping well. I guess it just took a few more tries to get there. And it sounds like you have a great doctor who explains everything clearly; I feel like I have to pull words out of my own doctor's mouth.

Since mine is a private specialist, they try harder to explain everything, though I do spend a massive amount of time reading up on things myself.

I think being proactive is good, and you definitely need to educate yourself about your condition and your meds, but let's be real—all this intense research is probably just another symptom of my OCD.😵

What are you taking Seroquel for? 🙂

Mark Nelson said:You're 🙂just the best
. To everyone out there still battling through those anxiety spikes—I wish you guys luck and a whole lot of patience. It really does get better. I mean, I still get hit with that sudden wave of panic every now and then, I guess, but I'm working on managing it myself. It happens way less often than it used to. Even my doctor doesn't feel the need to call me in for checkups nearly as much anymore.
Did you go through the same thing with the panic attacks?

Yeah, with Xanax 🙂

I was taking it for sleep for a little over two months. My whole saga with psych meds actually started because of insomnia about six months ago.

Turns out, the insomnia was the least of my problems—it was all being driven by anxiety. So, I got prescribed Paxil and started psychotherapy.

But during those first two months on Paxil, I was still dealing with intense fear about whether I’d actually be able to fall asleep. I’d take 0.5 Xanax before bed and then another 0.5 if I woke up in the middle of the night. It was a total mess; I was barely scraping together four hours of sleep a night during that first month.

After that, I could manage to fall asleep on my own, but I’d still wake up during the night, so I’d definitely take 0.25 Xanax, and that’s how the second month went.

My shrink was definitely not happy about me being on Xanax for sleep for such a long stretch. He scared the life out of me with horror stories about how bad benzos are—addiction, brain damage, and all that good stuff. So, he swapped my Xanax for a low dose of another antidepressant, Calixto, which I’m taking now to sleep, and I’m sleeping just fine.

I don't take Xanax anymore—well, maybe a 0.25 here and there, maybe once every two weeks if I figure I won't get at least seven hours of sleep (which is what Calixto requires), then I'll take half a pill and sleep like a baby.

I’m really glad my doctor basically banned me from using Xanax, because it would be so easy to get hooked on that amazing feeling it gives. For me, twenty minutes after taking it, all my worries and thoughts just vanish, leaving nothing but this beautiful, warm, relaxed silence before drifting off. Ah, I shouldn't even think about it. 🙂

Mark Nelson said:🙂

Since things are moving in this direction, I really hope they stay that way. It's been a hell of a lot easier on my mind since you opened my eyes to actually doing something about it. 😍

Aww, you're too kind 😍

I just hope someone else struggling with gas prices can read about your success and realize it’s actually possible to cut down on them. 🙂

Mark Nelson said:I guess I should brag a little—over the last few months, I’ve actually managed to scale back my dose of Lorsilan. Now I’m just taking it occasionally, maybe two or three times a week, whereas before? I used to take way too many in a single day. Those panic attacks and that constant tension don't hit me nearly as often anymore. I know what I’m saying probably doesn't matter to anyone else, but I just wanted to remind people that sometimes, taking a little bit of a risk pays off. 🙂

It matters to me. 🙂

Bravooo, that is seriously huge. I'm rooting for you to keep this momentum going and eventually taper down even more. 🎉

Drew Castillo5 said:That caffeine is likely what triggered it.

I’m with you there. Caffeine and SSRIs really shouldn't be roommates. Most of them just ramp up the caffeine jitters, which makes everything feel way more unsettled. It's basically the same deal with alcohol—it gives you that initial lift and then drops you right back down into a chemical imbalance in your brain.

I’ve been on Paxil for six months now, and I've had maybe one or two moments where it wasn't quite a full-blown panic attack, but it was definitely a super uncomfortable feeling.

My main issues are sleep-related. I spent a long time fighting this massive fear that I’d end up in that same cycle of sleepless nights that actually caused me to start taking antidepressants in the first place.
Ever since I started the meds, I've had those times where I lay down in bed and that old, familiar dread kicks in: "What if I can't sleep again?" My heart starts racing, anxiety spikes... it's a blast. Luckily, I'm doing CBT, so I managed to talk myself through it and redirect my focus like I learned in my sessions. It passed pretty quickly, but yeah, it was incredibly unpleasant, so thanks 🙄

That’s why I think it’s so vital to pair medication with actual psychotherapy. You need to learn how to catch a panic attack at the very first symptom before it spirals out of control. Thankfully, there are tons of techniques out there to help shut a panic attack down. 👍

electrichound3 said:Man... just looking at how many pills that kid was being pumped with is terrifying. It feels like America is a nation that prefers to keep its people sedated. Psychiatry is expanding rapidly, especially psychopharmacology, but it makes me wonder. It’s a field where you can't exactly peer inside a brain to verify what's happening; instead, they just rely on trial and error. We’re essentially walking test subjects. I’ve been there myself. Dealing with various medications was easily the darkest chapter of my life. I never suffered from depression naturally, but I experienced it firsthand after being put on an antidepressant. That feeling of helplessness—like you're frozen inside your own skin, unable to move—is pure horror. I truly empathize with anyone fighting this, even if my ordeal only lasted a few days. It’s impossible to tell if these drugs are helping or hurting, because everyone reacts so differently.

I’m with you—diagnosing mental health issues is a total crapshoot.

I used to think there wasn't any objective way to diagnose anything, but I saw this killer documentary explaining that you actually *can* detect depression via brain MRIs. They showed how the amygdala—the part of the brain handling emotional responses—shows up significantly enlarged, and after the right medication kicks in, it shrinks back to a normal size.😉

Personally, I think the most important thing is finding a solid psychiatrist with actual clinical experience—someone who actually has the time to sit down and have a real conversation with you. In our healthcare system, that’s a rare find. I didn't mind paying a premium to see a private specialist because I finally got exactly what I needed: an expert who actually focused on me.

Even my doctor admitted that for any given psychiatric drug, there's only about a 50/50 shot it’ll work for a specific person. A good psychiatrist is supposed to use their experience to guess which med might fit your symptoms, but at the end of the day, it feels like a coin flip whether you land in that successful 50% or not.

I think I even read somewhere that they’re working on DNA testing here in the States to predict how someone will react to certain drugs. I can't remember if it's still in the testing phase or already being used in clinics, though.

But knowing how things work with the government around here... we probably won't see that kind of progress for another five hundred years.😵

Brandon Lopez6 said:Maybe I’m just being paranoid 😛, but I swear there's a massive wave of banned users hitting this place lately.🥳

You actually made me laugh 😁

Look, I have zero beef with young John Newman, but I really don't get why this thread is being swarmed by haters acting like psych meds are straight out of hell. There are plenty of other subreddits for that; I'm sure there's at least one dedicated to Big Pharma conspiracy theories somewhere out there 👍

Anyway, the whole point here is that we can lean on each other when things get rough or swap advice about side effects and stuff. I found so much actual help and support here when I needed it most, so it honestly sucks seeing trolls and conspiracy theorists just messing around for no reason 🙄

shadowfox75 said:Quincy:

Michael Hill2 As specified by: Nausea and a loss of appetite are standard initial side effects for any SSRI antidepressant, including your Zoloft. When I first started taking Paxil, the nausea was intense during that first week. For about two or three weeks after that, I had absolutely no appetite, though I didn't experience any vomiting. It will pass. My appetite has actually increased significantly compared to before, though I do wish the nausea hadn't lasted quite so long. 😁 Don't overthink it. Just eat whatever sounds good to you when you feel ready; the nausea won't last forever. 😉

Thank you so much for your response. It truly means a lot to me, as the nausea is becoming quite overwhelming, and I just want to avoid getting sick. I am going to try my best to push through this, because I don't want these side effects to drive me to quit my medication. Tomorrow will be day five—the halfway point of this week. If the nausea persists, we will just take things one step at a time.

Don't mention it. 🙂

The nausea should pass. I read somewhere that a few sips of Coca-Cola can actually help quite a bit. I don't usually suggest it since I try to avoid caffeine whenever possible, but it might be worth a shot. 🙂

shadowfox75 said:Hello everyone. I started taking Luxe on Saturday. I've been on 25 mg for about three weeks now. I am experiencing terrible nausea—it feels like I’m constantly on the verge of vomiting. Some people have mentioned having issues with reflux as well, but one doctor I spoke with noted that if these symptoms persist beyond five or six days, it might be time to consider an alternative treatment. What has your experience been? I need to know how long I should wait for this to pass; it feels awful and I still have to work. I have absolutely no appetite, and whatever little I do manage to eat takes hours to digest. 🙂

Nausea and losing your appetite are pretty standard early side effects for any SSRI antidepressant, including your Zoloft.

When I first started Paxil, the nausea was brutal for the first week, and I definitely had zero appetite for at least 2 or 3 weeks. No vomiting for me, though.

It does pass. Now, my appetite is actually way better than it was before. I honestly wish the nausea hadn't lasted quite so long. 😁

Don't overthink it too much. Just try to eat something you actually like whenever you feel up to it. This nausea won't last forever. 😉

restlesstiger49 said:Quick question here...
Has anyone else using Velafax dealt with those sudden, random muscle spasms popping up in different parts of the body?

I’ve actually read about this exact thing happening with Calixta.

Since I take mine to help me sleep, I took some advice from an American user saying you can pretty much dodge those twitches with magnesium. If I were you, I'd grab some high-quality stuff—avoid the cheap magnesium oxide if you can. Look for magnesium chloride or, even better, magnesium gluconate.

If you have access to iHerb, they have some great options for like $8. 😉

Jamie Martin37 said:I'm honestly spiraling over this article I just stumbled upon: Antidepressants might actually trigger cataracts.

"Taking fluvoxamine (Luvox) was linked to a 51 percent higher risk of needing cataract surgery, while venlafaxine (Effexor) showed a 34 percent increase. Interestingly, no link between cataract surgery and meds was found for people taking fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), or sertraline (Zoloft)."
And here I am, still stuck on my current prescription :/ Why does it feel like there’s a massive wave of articles coming out lately just trashing antidepressants?! 😢 It’s like, when we were at our absolute breaking point, did we even have a choice? Now it feels like everyone is claiming the side effects outweigh the benefits. Honestly, what's next? Are you guys gonna tell me they cause acne and breakouts too? :/

Look, honey, don't let these obviously sensationalist clickbait articles get to you. 🙂

They don't even mention the sample size, how long those people were actually on the medication, or if they already had pre-existing eye issues, etc., etc.

Besides, a tiny percentage of women using tampons can develop Toxic Shock Syndrome, or you could get Reye's syndrome from taking aspirin—you can go on forever like that. They're all potential risks that might happen in a minuscule fraction of cases, but it doesn't mean it's going to happen to you.

If Fevarin is working for you, be glad you found an antidepressant that actually helps and just enjoy your life. 🙂

PS: No, they don't cause acne.😁

Kate James21 said:That’s great news. From what I can gather, this is a heavy-duty medication, quite potent... It seems my situation isn't exactly trivial if they felt the need to prescribe an anxiolytic alongside it to boot.

The most important thing is that it doesn't carry a high risk of dependency. Right now, I just need something to lift me up, to finally get my head back on straight so I can actually move forward with my life. How long does it usually take before the effects really kick in?

Doctors usually prescribe an anti-anxiety med at the start of antidepressant treatment just to blunt those initial side effects. Unlike antidepressants, those anxiety meds can be habit-forming, so only take them when things are actually hitting the fan while you wait for the AD to stabilize.

As for how long it takes... honestly, it's different for everyone. Three weeks is a rough minimum. Personally, it took me a month and a half before the AD really kicked in, but then again, my anxiety was through the roof. For pure depression, you might feel it sooner.😉

Kate James21 said:Alvent 75 mg. Can anyone give me some insight into this medication? I'm trying to gauge its potency—whether it's actually effective or if it's relatively weak... and if it truly delivers results when you need it most.

But more importantly, does it carry a risk of dependency?

That’s just the generic version of Effexor—the active ingredient is venlafaxine.

A lot of people here take it. There’s plenty of discussion on the psych forums if you just search for "Effexor."

Like any other antidepressant, there isn't really a "strong" or "weak" category. It’s used for specific reasons: major depressive episodes, generalized anxiety disorder, or social phobia.

Antidepressants don't cause addiction in the way people think. You won't find yourself needing higher doses just to get high; you stay on whatever dose your doctor decides is right for you.

From what I've read, Effexor can be a real lifesaver. A ton of people have posted saying it worked for them and gave them their spark back.

Good luck. 🙂

🙂 don't mention it 😉

Michael Hill2 said:I don't know. Maybe I just need more caffeine or a better therapist. Or maybe it’s just life being life. One day you think you've got a handle on things, and the next, everything feels like a mess. It’s hard to say.

So, here’s the lineup of antidepressants that all use the same active ingredient, Paxil:

Prozac: one pill comes in either 20 mg or 30 mg of paroxetine mesylate.

Paxil 20 mg tablets contain 20 mg of paroxetine hydrochloride.

So, is there actually any real difference between the two versions of Paxil? I’m looking for someone who actually understands chemistry to weigh in here. But honestly, if it’s the exact same active ingredient, I don't see why it should matter to your body or mess with all the progress you've made. 😉

So, I did a quick Google search for you—turns out these two meds are basically twins.

http://www.drugs.com/news/fda-final-...tive-3346.html

The only real difference is how the inactive part (the mesylate or the hydrochloride) splits away from the active stuff (the paroxetine) once it hits your digestive tract. But the end result is the same: only the active paroxetine molecule gets absorbed into your bloodstream to do its job.

So, no worries. Your new antidepressant is just a clone of the old one. 🙂

I don't know. Maybe I just need more caffeine or a better therapist. Or maybe it’s just life being life. One day you think you've got a handle on things, and the next, everything feels like a mess. It’s hard to say.

jadehawk8 said:I am such a mess right now... just my luck, I guess. :/ I’ve been on Prozac for a month and it’s honestly been a lifesaver. My life finally feels normal again and those panic attacks have totally vanished. But then, out of nowhere, I run out of pills and apparently, they’re impossible to find anywhere in the US. People are telling me they can't even order them. Just great! So, I call my doctor—who is seriously wonderful, by the way—to explain the situation. He tells me all the pharmacies are suggesting I switch to Paxil instead. I asked him if it was really the same thing, and he said no, but suggested I start taking half of a 10mg dose and eventually work my way up to 20. Just my luck! Right when I finally find the one medication that actually works for me, I have to swap it out. Has anyone here ever switched from Prozac to Paxil?🙏

So, here’s the lineup of antidepressants that all use the same active ingredient, Paxil:

Prozac: one pill comes in either 20 mg or 30 mg of paroxetine mesylate.

Paxil 20 mg tablets contain 20 mg of paroxetine hydrochloride.

So, is there actually any real difference between the two versions of Paxil? I’m looking for someone who actually understands chemistry to weigh in here. But honestly, if it’s the exact same active ingredient, I don't see why it should matter to your body or mess with all the progress you've made. 😉

Benjamin Robinson3 said:Yesterday was a total disaster!

I got prescribed Prazina 50 mg to help me sleep, they kept me on Quetiapine as a stabilizer, and bumped my Prozac from once a day to twice a day.
I really thought the Prozac-Quetiapine combo was going to be the sweet spot, but clearly, that's not enough either. I've been feeling pretty depressed over the last few days.

At least hopefully things turn around soon.🙂

Has the Quetiapine worked for your sleep before, or have you just been using it as a stabilizer?

Kyle Sanchez88 said:they'll pull the pills, but you'll be even stronger

Thanks, 😘

fadedbear92 said:The bolded part is absolutely crucial—it’s actually way more important than the medication because you’re actively changing those behavioral patterns, which is how the anxiety truly decreases or even disappears altogether.

Thanks Zvonx, Kyle Sanchez88, and Rejica for giving me a little boost of optimism here. 🙂

Even if my doctor's rough estimate of a year before tapering me off feels ages away, the thought of actually stopping scares me. After years of total chaos, endless testing, and constant anxiety, I finally have some peace and quiet in my head. I'm not letting anyone take that away from me. 😁