Posts by Michael Hill2

Michael Lewis5 said:hey guys,
is it better to take Calixt right before bed or a bit earlier?
taking 1. 7.5 mg tonight

read a bunch of different stories online, just wondering what you all think
thanks 🙂
maybe one day I'll actually know how to help someone... for now I'm just asking questions 😲

Just take it when you hit the pillow, close your eyes, and you'll be out.🙂
My advice? Honestly, even a quarter might be too much for you.🙂

jadehawk8 said:http://www.nytimes.com/Lifestyle/Health...im-djelovanjem

Total 😉sensationalism.

We already have antidepressants that hit multiple neurotransmitters, like Velafax 🙂

Jason Vaughn482 said:Oh man, it absolutely did not agree with me. I honestly can't tell if it was just bad luck or the drug itself, but I felt utterly wretched all week; I was incredibly restless, couldn't even catch a wink of sleep, and my stomach was in knots. I have no idea how that happened since I was only taking 50 mg... so I went back to Calixta. I actually wanted to try Devon because of the insomnia and anxiety combo, but I can't get a steady supply of it—a friend of mine visiting from Switzerland gave me a single box of 100 tablets at 50 mg (I did check with my psychiatrist first, of course).
Please, tell me exactly which dosage I should buy; the constipation is becoming unbearable, and I'd rather not admit how many laxatives I'm currently relying on...

Around here, the only decent one you can find is the Solgar magnesium chloride, which I think is $50. That stuff was a nightmare for me—it completely wrecked my system. I was basically living in the bathroom, probably five to seven times a day.

I ended up ordering some Dr.'s Best 100% chelated magnesium from iHerb instead, and it’s been awesome for my headaches without making my stomach freak out. 😉

Jason Vaughn482 said:That's interesting, but did you actually manage to get any rest from those 7.5 mg of Calixta? I've been taking it for three years now with occasional breaks. If I take 15 mg—which is rare—I feel completely drugged, but with 7.5 mg combined with 10 mg of Sanofi, it's not quite like that; I just sleep for a long time. I go to bed at midnight, struggle to fall asleep until about 1 AM, and then sleep until 10 AM. Once I've had my coffee, I'm fine... I wish I could ditch both Calixta and Sanofi and just fall asleep with something like Paxil like I used to, but it's just not possible... so here I am, relying on that duo for years. At least I'm glad I've significantly cut back on Xanax; I can manage 0.25 mg twice a day without any trouble, and I didn't even realize how much less I needed. I was taking 1.5 mg a day for three years... I tried Prazin too, but 25 mg didn't really knock me out and I didn't care for it... who knows, maybe something like Amantila Relax would work? haha
Oh, yeah, I used to take Ambien once in a while and I’d sleep like a log. I've had a box sitting at home for a year now; the expiration date is approaching soon. I deal with constipation, so I'm hesitant to take it because of that, though they say it's good for anxiety too.

Jason Vaughn482, why didn't you mention you were starting Feosol?

Didn't sit well with you?

As for that constipation issue with the Ambien, you could probably fix that easily with some decent magnesium—maybe magnesium citrate or magnesium gluconate. That way you could give the Ambien another shot alongside the magnesium. Just don't bother with that cheap effervescent magnesium junk you find at CVS or something. 😉

Benjamin Robinson3 said:I heard that if you stop taking an antidepressant and switch to a new one, it takes another four weeks for the new one to actually kick in. But what if you just missed a dose or two? Does that count as stopping?
It's regarding Calixta 45 mg.

Heh, I can probably answer that since I went down a total rabbit hole researching Calixta before I started taking it—I’m on 1/6 of a pill for insomnia.

Calixta (Remeron) is pretty unique among antidepressants because its half-life is incredibly long, sitting somewhere between 20 and 40 hours.

Source:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0101/p159.html

So, if you just missed a dose or two, the substance is still hanging out in your system. It basically counts as if there was no break in your treatment at all.🙂

quietwalker5 said:What is its half-life? About 11 hours?
So, if you miss a single day, it’s basically out of your body?

I was digging around online and saw that the half-life for Effexor is about 5 hours—meaning it takes 11 hours to clear out. I guess that changes depending on whether you're on the standard version or the XR.

http://www.drugs.com/ppa/venlafaxine.html

The site mentions how crucial it is to stay on schedule with your daily dose.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/506427

jadehawk8 said:My doctor mentioned my body might be reacting more intensely to the medication, so we’ll see how things go over the next day or two. If it stays this way, we might try Dr. Adams... also, I'm supposed to take my Xanax right along with the antidepressant tomorrow to help ease the side effects. I actually took some Xanax about an hour ago and I'm feeling much better now.
Did you get that same burning sensation inside too? Because when it happens to me, I don't even sweat—it just feels like I'm burning up from the inside out. It's awful.

I was sweating through my clothes and had that weird burning feeling in my head, plus this constant ringing sound.

I just tried to rationalize it—told myself it was just an initial side effect that had to pass. Honestly, the more you hyper-fixate on your body and obsess over every tiny weird sensation, the worse it gets.

Just find a distraction. When it becomes totally unbearable, just take some Xanax and let the other stuff kick in. 🙂

jadehawk8 said:I'm on my fourth day of taking Citalopram, and about an hour after my dose this morning, I suddenly felt incredibly dizzy. I started sweating and actually got pretty scared, so I just laid down. Then, out of nowhere, it felt like I was burning up from the inside—like this intense acid was eating through my whole body, especially my upper torso. It was awful... I'm still feeling it. Has anyone else ever dealt with this? I tried calling my psychiatrist, but they aren't picking up, so I'm just waiting for a text back. Honestly, I'm pretty shaken up.😢

That heat you're feeling is just that initial surge of serotonin hanging around in your synapses too long. I was sweating like a pig when I started mine. It’ll pass, I promise. Don't panic.🙂

Michael Lewis5 said:Hey guys, I need some help.
I honestly have no idea what to do... 😢
I'm on 50 mg of Zoloft plus Xanax 2x0.25; it'll be three weeks tomorrow. Diagnosis is anxiety and depression, but the depression is hitting hard—like, full-blown major depressive episodes. Basically, after three weeks, I don't see any progress. Maybe the anxiety calmed down a tiny bit, but it's still there, and emotionally I'm just sinking deeper into apathy and total lack of motivation. It makes this whole fight feel impossible... had a phase last week where I felt absolutely nothing, just pure emotional emptiness, and I really don't like that 😢 Some physical stuff settled down, but I'm still struggling with sleep, no appetite, and constant fatigue. I went in for a checkup at the two-week mark and my doctor (and I) both agreed there’s zero movement—so we decided to stick with the meds and give the antidepressant more time to kick in. This rough patch has been going on for two months, though I've been dragging this depression and anxiety around for months before that... everything just peaked back in July. Yesterday my sister and a friend came over, and for the first time in two months, I actually felt okay. I feel most relaxed with them, and I even managed to fall asleep peacefully and catch some decent hours 🙂 but then the next morning, it's all over again. Anxiety, heaviness, apathy, exhaustion...
I'm seeing my old therapist this week once she gets back from vacation, and I'm waiting for my psychotherapy session at the Mayo Clinic on 9/16 to see how things go. My psychiatrist who handles the diagnosis and meds has me scheduled for 9/16 too.
I'm supposed to head back to work next week, but right now, I don't see myself being able to do it 😢 It scares me that there's almost no change when it comes to my willpower, which is exactly what I need most right now. I'm just scraping together enough strength to keep fighting. Of course I want to function normally again ASAP, or at least be able to get to work... the job itself isn't stressful, but dealing with a crowd of people is. Luckily, I have colleagues there who care about me and know what I'm going through.
This is my first time on antidepressants, and it's tough to judge if I should give this one more shot or switch things up...
I know I have to make all these calls myself—both regarding therapy and returning to work—but does anyone have suggestions based on their own experience?
Ask away if you need more info...
Thanks 🙂

Look, drag Baby, if I were you, I’d give it maybe two more weeks tops. Don't spend all your energy wondering if you should have just waited around for the antidepressant to kick in. If you don't see any real movement toward feeling better in two weeks, just go see your doctor and have them switch up the prescription.

It took me a solid month and a half before my antidepressants actually kicked in. Around week three, I was hitting a real low point—just feeling miserable because it felt like nothing was changing. Then I stumbled upon a post from this girl who was on the exact same medication as me. She basically told me to hang in there and just be patient for a little longer. Honestly, I’m really glad I listened to her.

I wouldn't wait longer than a month and a half if I were you.

Regarding your job situation—honestly, if I were in your shoes, I’d probably force myself to just show up. Keeping your mind occupied is key. It stops that endless loop of overthinking whether you're feeling anxious, depressed, or whatever else is weighing on you today. Plus, you mentioned having good people at work who actually have your back. Having that kind of support makes a huge difference; it’s enough motivation to help the clock move a little faster.

Look, if you think staying home on sick leave is what you need right now, go for it. But honestly? I think isolating yourself is a bad move. You need to get out there and actually engage with the world a little—anything to give your head a distraction from everything you're feeling.

Good luck, 🙂

jadehawk8 said:I’m doing alright now... just a little bit of shaking and then it passes. Everything else is fine, though I guess I am paying extra close attention to my body since I'm such a huge hypochondriac, ugh.

Been there, done that. 😁

redranger2 said:It would have been much more sensible to start with just a quarter of a tablet for a few days, then gradually move up to a half, and so on; that approach usually keeps the side effects much more manageable.

I get that, honestly. But I tried the whole gradual approach myself and the side effects still hit me like a freight train.😁

jadehawk8 said:What can I drink while taking Advil? Is it okay to have things like chamomile or mint tea?

Pretty much anything goes, except maybe St. John’s Wort or Ginkgo, if I recall correctly. My therapist actually told me to stay away from grapefruit entirely. Honestly, if you want my advice? Try to ditch the caffeinated coffee. Get used to decaf. If you absolutely can't live without a caffeine fix, just try to cap it at one cup a day.😉

jadehawk8 said:I finally worked up the nerve to take my first 10 mg dose of Citalopram at 10:00 this morning. About half an hour later, I started getting these weird tingles in my hands and legs—kind of like when your eyelid twitches, but more like my muscles are just jumping around. It’s nothing intense, just some buzzing in my limbs. Honestly, I read the list of side effects online and now I'm totally overthinking everything. I know I shouldn't, but maybe I'm just terrified of the worst-case scenario? Is this a normal reaction to the meds? I already shot my doctor a text just to be safe. Ugh, I'm such a nervous wreck. I still have more to take, too. I can't believe I'm panicking like this.🙂
how long after taking a pill do these side effects usually kick in, and how long do they last? Also, should I be bracing myself for anything else today?😁

I totally spiraled when I took my first antidepressant. It was pure panic. My advice? Just breathe. Everything’s going to be fine, just please, for the love of God, stop hyper-focusing on the side effects. If you spend all day waiting for something bad to happen, you're just inviting it in. If a side effect actually pops up, then yeah, deal with it then. But don't go looking for trouble before it even arrives. 😉

You’ve just gotta power through this first phase to get to the good part. Honestly, just hang in there and find something else to do so you don't spend all day overthinking it. It's not worth the mental energy.

If you're dealing with those muscle twitches, magnesium is a lifesaver. Honestly, just go grab some. It works wonders. 🙂

It’ll all work out. Hang in there.

Mark Nelson said:I told her I take it every single time I leave the house. I was out today and tried to tough it out without the Lorsilan—I felt fine for a bit, really, but then right as we walked into the restaurant, this wave of intense anxiety just slammed into me. I totally folded and ended up taking half a 😢

Should I suggest she prescribe an AD instead? Would that come off as arrogant? Like, is it weird when a patient tells their doctor what they need? I really don't want to keep taking Lorsilan, but my next appointment isn't until September 23rd. I don't know if I can make it that long. Is it even possible to ask them to move the appointment up?

If you're dealing with social phobia, there are actually plenty of antidepressants that could help. Honestly, it’s kind of lazy on your doctor's part to take the path of least resistance by just handing out quick fixes instead of giving you an AD that will actually address the root issue rather than just masking it.

Look, I used to have massive insomnia issues. My first move was scouring the internet for solutions, and I eventually found out that a low dose of Calista works wonders for most people.

I brought it up with my therapist, and he was actually stoked that I was doing my own research and taking charge of my mental health. He was super supportive and even gave me a trial pack of Calista to see if it worked for me. Thank God, it did.

Mind you, he's in private practice, so he’s a bit more polite and open to discussion than your typical public sector shrink. But hey, it doesn't cost anything to tell her you feel like you're taking too many anxiolytics, that you're worried about dependency, and ask if she thinks there's a more systematic way to tackle this.😉

You always have the option to head down to the Mayo Clinic emergency department if you can't wait for your scheduled appointment.

Fingers crossed everything turns out okay.🙂

Mark Nelson said:If I hadn't asked, I probably would've kept believing that my doctor knew best.🙄
She's been managing me for almost a year and a half now. I've seen some improvement, but clearly, it isn't enough.
She had me on Lorsilan PP the whole time, so I figured there wasn't any danger... Thanks for opening my eyes.😍 🙂

Maybe your doctor just assumed you were taking the Lorsilan sporadically instead of every single day. 😉

At the end of the day, I honestly think you'd get way more out of a real, systematic antidepressant treatment than just popping Lorsilan. That stuff barely does anything for me. 😉

Mark Nelson said:I've been on them pretty much non-stop for at least eight or nine months now. Usually, I’m just taking two 1 mg tablets a day. I guess that's just how it goes.

Man, that really spooked me. I've noticed lately that I’m having a much harder time focusing on what I'm reading. It’s like my brain just won't latch onto the words. Does this mean I've actually done some permanent damage to my brain? I guess I'm just spiraling a bit here.

Should I ask my doctor to switch me over to an antidepressant? She bumped up my Solian dose because of the anxiety, but that isn't even an antidepressant. I don't do psychotherapy—just check-ins with my psychiatrist—but from what I can tell, she doesn't actually do any therapy work. That feels like a huge downside to me, even if she is a decent doctor, I guess.
Look, I’m not exactly an expert here, so I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but if there’s actually a better way to handle this, why wouldn't we try it? I’ve been taking Lorsilan for my anxiety, but after reading all of this... honestly, I think I'm done with it. Whatever happens, happens.

I don't know which doctor you're seeing, but mine told me straight up that I shouldn't be on benzos for more than maybe two months and that anxiety needs to be handled with an AD.

Honestly, I think your doctor is being pretty irresponsible prescribing anxiolytics for that long without actually digging for a real solution to your issues.

Thank God there are plenty of antidepressants with anti-anxiety effects that totally replace benzos. They cover the whole anxiety spectrum without causing dependency or forcing you to hike up the dose after constant use.

I'm on Fevarin myself and it completely handled my anxiety. I don't even think about Xanax anymore because I genuinely don't need it.

So yeah, it might be smart to get a second opinion from someone who will give you actual therapy rather than just patching holes with benzos that don't fix anything and cause damage in the long run.

🙂

Mark Nelson said:So that's really the only bad thing that could happen to me? And what does "tolerance" actually mean in this context?

Thanks, 😉

Since I don't know how long you've been on benzos or what your typical dosage looks like, I'll just speak in general terms.

Basically, you aren't supposed to take them every single day for more than six weeks—maybe two months at most. If you go beyond that, you run the risk of developing a tolerance, which just means you'll need higher and higher doses to get the same effect. Then there’s the whole dependency issue, where you end up facing withdrawal symptoms once you try to stop taking the anxiolytic.

There are endless forums out there dedicated solely to people trying to kick benzos and survive the aftermath. From what I read, the withdrawal side effects can be pretty brutal.

We're talking insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, brain fog, anxiety, and muscle aches that feel a lot like the flu.

Plus, using benzodiazepines long-term tends to mess with your cognitive functions.

So, if you find yourself needing them daily for anxiety, sleep issues, or whatever else, the real solution should be found elsewhere—usually through antidepressants and psychotherapy. 😉

Mark Nelson said:Is a daily dose of 4 mg of Lorsilan too much? Yesterday, because my anxiety was hitting me hard, I took 4 tablets—one in the morning and then three more at night within a pretty short window.

Is there any chance I actually overdosed? And could this stuff mess with my brain in the long run? 😢

If you’re still breathing and actually feeling okay right now, then you clearly didn't overdose. Simple math. 🙂

I’m pretty sure you aren't going to suffer any lasting damage from this, but seriously, don't make a habit of popping doses that big. Taking that much at once—basically like hitting a 2 mg Xanax—is just asking for your body to build up a tolerance. You don't want to end up in a spot where nothing works anymore.

Robin Reed3 said:That is such a beautiful way to put it; I spent so much time sweeping things under the rug that I ended up being that "popcorn" moment... they helped patch me back together, and now I'm also working hard on myself. Do you happen to have any recommendations for a good psychotherapist? Thanks!

I do. In Washington, D.C., there's the Mayo Clinic, specifically working with Andrej Kostelić-Martić, who's a Master of Psychology.

I've been seeing her since May, and honestly, the progress has been massive. She taught me how to actually handle anxiety, and right now we're tackling cognitive restructuring—basically rewiring my broken thought patterns.

Seriously, she’s top-tier. Highly recommend. 🙂

Robin Reed3 said:That is such a beautiful way to put it; I spent so much time sweeping things under the rug that I ended up being that "popcorn" moment... they helped patch me back together, and now I'm also working hard on myself. Do you happen to have any recommendations for a good psychotherapist? Thanks!

I can. In Washington, D.C., there's the Mayo Clinic, specifically working with Andrej Kostelić-Martić, who's a master of psychology.

I've been seeing her since May, and honestly, the progress has been massive. She taught me how to handle anxiety through specific techniques, and right now we're diving into cognitive restructuring—basically retraining my brain to stop using those broken thought patterns.

Seriously, she's the only one I'd vouch for. 🙂