Posts by Kenneth Scott41

restlesseagle4 said:Where the hell can I pick up those earplugs? Aside from seeing a therapist, I’m losing my mind because I can't sleep—everything is too loud, from the honking outside to the neighbors slamming doors. It's driving me insane and I need those plugs ASAP. Where can I get them?
I've been dealing with this insomnia crap for forever. My doctor put me on some sleep aid for ten days, but it was useless; it worked for maybe three days max, then I spent seven straight nights wide awake even though I was supposed to be out cold. Then a coworker handed me some 10mg Diazepam, which helped for a few nights, but now even that isn't doing anything. I'm just lying there, wired and exhausted, knowing I have to work tomorrow. Every single workday is such a massive struggle when you're dealing with constant stress over money, the future, and everything else piled on top of you. I can't shut my brain off at night even when my body is completely dead; that damn brain of mine just runs at a hundred miles an hour and won't let me rest. Help—where do I buy those earplugs? I jump at every little sound. I am absolutely impossible when it comes to sleeping. 😢((((

Back in the day, 0.25mg of Xanax actually did the trick, but now even double the dose does nothing... I can't believe I've been cycling through pills for two or three years already. If someone had told me years ago that I'd end up like this, I would've called them crazy. But I guess life hits you with things you never see coming, and you should never say "never."

It’s somewhat comforting to see that someone actually took my suggestion into account. 😉 Personally, I live right next to a major highway with constant heavy traffic, so there are trucks and buses passing by incessantly; the noise is constant and quite disruptive.
I'm not entirely sure what kind of noise-canceling earplugs they carry over at CVS or Walgreens, or how much quality you can really expect from them...

Most men seem to know about Stihl (German quality), but Stihl is a giant factory with a presence all over the world, primarily producing tools and machinery for various industries, including hearing protection like those high-end earplugs for loud environments.

I suppose I should address what Kevin Bailey2 mentioned earlier. It’s an interesting perspective, though perhaps a bit more optimistic than I’d personally care to be about how things usually play out. Looking at the current situation, it seems like we're all just navigating a rather complicated landscape, isn't it? One might think that certain patterns would eventually lead to a clearer outcome, but I suspect reality tends to be much more messy and unpredictable than our theories suggest. Maybe I'm being too cautious, or maybe I've just seen this cycle enough times to know that nothing ever goes quite according to plan. Regardless, it’s worth considering how these shifting dynamics might affect us in the long run.

redcrane22 said:I’m in the exact same boat. Honestly, I’m not sure why Bluzara thinks they’re identical.

That second part applies to me too. A single Helex or 10 mg of Diazepam is all it takes for me to drift off.

I sometimes find myself wishing my brain functioned anything like a Windows operating system—specifically, if I could just trigger a system restore to some specific date in the past. It would certainly make things easier if I could just roll back the clock whenever things start getting messy.😛 I suppose I would have gone back to taking it if that 1mg dose of Xanax had hit me hard enough to make me struggle through a simple conversation. It’s just one of those things... honestly, redcrane22, I find myself feeling a bit envious of you. If you can actually drift off from just 1mg of Xanax or 10mg of Valium, it suggests your brain hasn't quite learned how to react to benzodiazepines yet. My own neurochemistry feels like it's been completely torn apart by now; I've reached a point where even higher doses of Xanax or Valium don't seem to touch me anymore.🙄
I couldn't catch a wink of sleep last night, so I ended up taking a Dormicum in the middle of the night, but honestly, it didn't do a damn thing. I eventually dragged myself out of bed around 7:00 AM feeling like a total zombie, mostly because I had to rush to the bathroom—it felt like my bladder was being kicked by someone. It took me about thirteen minutes just to finally finish up, which was an ordeal in itself. I was sitting there, completely lost on what to do next, when it finally clicked... I realized I’d forgotten the cap.😁 I downed a glass of water, popped my pills, and finally managed to drift off. I ended up sleeping right through until about 3:30 in the afternoon. 🙂 Honestly, forget about Dormicum; it’s a total rip-off. It costs an absolute fortune, and yet, I guess it barely even does anything at all.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I don't follow? What kind of earplugs are these, what exactly do they do, and where on earth do you buy them? I've actually avoided Halcion specifically because of what you mentioned, yet I'm still struggling miserably with insomnia...

Vegg 😁 well, they're just high-quality earplugs. They're typically used by people working around extremely loud machinery to prevent permanent hearing damage.😉 That’s really all there is to it.

I personally use the original Stihl ones, which are actually quite decent; they fit perfectly into the ear canal—you can push them in as deep as feels comfortable. You get two pairs in a little case. Once you get them seated properly, everything around you just fades away into total silence; you might hear your own heartbeat, but it's so faint that it doesn't really bother me.

@restlesstrucker15 I read your post about how you've been worrying because the Halcion just isn't doing its job anymore. I suppose I'm in the exact same boat... I've only got ten tablets left of that Halcion, and I have to shell out nearly $13 for it using a private prescription from my doctor that’s only good for six months. Honestly, the price is just ridiculous!
I found myself wondering, what now? There aren't any stronger sleeping pills out there. At least, that's what the pharmacists tell me every single time. And frankly, I can't bring myself to consider jumping onto an Antipsychotic!
To make matters worse, my psychiatrist actually prescribed one or two Halcion tablets before bed. Well, I tried taking two, and it felt exactly the same as if I'd only taken one. 🙂
Then, it occurred to me—I stumbled upon a rather brilliant solution! Hehehe, but seriously, when I tell you what I started doing, I wake up feeling perfectly rested every single day.
What's the secret? 😁 Stihl earplugs! 😂😂
Yes! I used to work with a trimmer, but I never bothered using these plugs. One night, I happened to spot a new little box of Stihl gear, containing two pairs of those yellow ones—they're a bit longer and thicker, sort of like a tiny finger, or even smaller. I turned everything off, popped the plugs in, and went straight to bed without taking a single bit of Halcion. And just like that, I woke up feeling great, fully rested... full of energy, and all I had to do was pull the plugs out. 😁

You all should give it a shot, especially if you're in that position where even the Halcion isn't helping anymore! 😉

I’m currently on a regimen of Effexor, Normabel, and Zoloft, and I usually take a dose of Seroquel at night just to help me get some decent sleep. However, I’ve started noticing these involuntary twitches lately. It happens when I'm lying in bed getting ready for sleep, or sometimes just while I'm sitting at my computer or going about my day. My arm will suddenly jerk, or my head or legs will twitch—it’s almost impossible to control because it feels like these sudden brain zaps, though perhaps not exactly like the sensation itself, just incredibly fast and completely unpredictable.
I can't help but wonder what might be causing this?😕

I suppose I should start by saying that there isn't much to add to what was already stated, though perhaps a bit of context might help clarify things for those who feel left in the dark. It seems we are circling the same drain once again, and while I’m not one to jump on every passing trend, I can't help but notice how little actually changes when these situations arise. Maybe it's just my own cynicism talking, but I have a feeling we've been through this exact cycle before, and quite frankly, I'm starting to get a little tired of seeing the same patterns repeat themselves without any real resolution. One would think that after all this time, we might have developed some sort of collective wisdom, but I guess that's probably asking too much from people in this situation.

Kevin Bailey2 said:I'm not sure about diazepam, but I think taking Prozac can sometimes trigger a false positive for THC on a urine test.

Did I read that somewhere or am I just dreaming? Honestly, who knows. 😁

Diazepam stays in your system for a significantly longer stretch because of its half-life. It honestly has the longest-lasting effect of any of the benzos out there. I suppose you already know that most dealers and street users always seem to have some Diazepam on hand... they aren't exactly foolish, after all. They know exactly what works.😉

@Jason Vaughn482

I’m really sorry to hear you’re feeling so utterly drained, to the point where even basic things like taking a shower feel impossible. I’ve definitely been in that same dark place before. There were times when I couldn't bring myself to eat, let alone get out of bed—I’d just drift in and out of sleep until noon or even 1:00 PM. It seems like almost everyone in this community deals with anxiety, and honestly, there are countless people out there dealing with massive amounts of stress at their jobs who don't even realize they're struggling.
As for me, I struggle quite often with that sense of being trapped, mostly because so many of these medications come with side effects like a crushed libido. And then there's Prazine-Praznina... man, that old reliable antipsychotic... 🤣
anyone who has actually dealt with it or tried it usually gives the exact same response: Prazine-Praznina! 😂 It just leaves you feeling completely hollowed out inside. I think most of us have avoided it for that very reason; it can absolutely break you, especially if you're on a 100mg dose. Personally, I wouldn't touch it again. I guess there are just far better, more modern options available these days.

Kevin Bailey2 said:Kenneth Scott41, I don't see what's so weird about prescribing Cogentin to people who are on a heavy cocktail of various antidepressants and stabilizers. I know a few folks dealing with much tougher mental health issues than mine—people on way 😬 heavier regimens than I am—who actually take Cogentin just to deal with the side effects of their meds.

Well, it's because the fine print on the packaging explicitly states that Cogentin is indicated for Parkinson's disease, or rather, Parkinsonian syndrome. And unless I'm mistaken, you certainly don't have Parkinson's, do you?☕

George Allen71 said:I have been incredibly happy with Prozac. Honestly, I still am. For the longest time, I searched for an antidepressant that could actually lift my spirits even just a little bit... and it seems like the dopamine boost from Prozac did exactly that. It truly feels like my life has completely changed since I started taking it.
Looking back at my old regimen—it was a mess of antidepressants, antipsychotics, stabilizers, anxiolytics, and Cogentin just to deal with the side effects... and let me tell you, those side effects were brutal. I was sleeping for 20 hours a day, gaining 30 pounds in just four months because of the Zyprexa, dealing with terrible swelling in my legs, and having tremors in my hands and feet. Even then, mentally, nothing was improving; if anything, things felt worse. Now, my treatment is just Prozac plus Ativan on an as-needed basis... I don't need any of that other stuff anymore... and my life is finally feeling normal again.

That sounds wonderful. But I have to ask, who on earth prescribed you Cogentin?! Do you even realize what that medication is typically intended for?

Honestly, Lopomin—it’s basically a heavy hitter. It hits you so hard that it feels like your legs just stop working; you can't really do anything except crawl into bed and pass out. For me, personally, it’s easily the most powerful medication I’ve ever dealt with.🙂😁
They gave it to me when I was tapering off my previous meds. But honestly? Never again. That stuff is intense. I guess if you're feeling completely bottomed out and spiraling into a deep depression, maybe it makes sense to just take it and sleep it off rather than doing something reckless, like attempting suicide.

Eric Wood7 said:I don't know much about that specific medication... but I've been through the ringer with Zyprexa and everything else you mentioned. Honestly? I put on 30 pounds. And that wasn't even my biggest issue—since Zyprexa is relatively newer, I also ended up with high blood sugar. My doctors actually had to pull me off it because of that. It’s not just me, either; there are hundreds of thousands of people worldwide filing lawsuits over Zyprexa. In my opinion, it might be "fine" for some, but it hits your entire system—we're talking things like elevated liver enzymes and stuff like that. If it's absolutely necessary, then okay, fine... but if you have an alternative, skip it. You should probably do some digging online regarding Zeldox, too... I'm sure there are already issues popping up with that one. Actually, at places like the Mayo Clinic, they sometimes give out long-acting Zyprexa injections on an experimental basis, and patients get paid around $1333 a month for participating. Even with the older drugs, things can still feel pretty experimental. I just want to warn you to be really careful with these newer meds—so much gets swept under the rug or outright lied about.
As for me, I personally react terribly to psychotropic drugs. Not that I'm exactly the gold standard for everyone, though! For most of my experiences, the side effects were way more intense than any actual improvement in my condition.
Risperdal... caused sexual dysfunction for me.
Everbio... gave me nothing but nausea and vomiting.
Zyprexa... it's alright, I guess, but there's a massive risk of weight gain and developing diabetes.
I honestly don't know if it's worth dealing with all that unless you absolutely have to take it.
All in all, just try to weigh which one is the lesser of two evils.
Hang in there... all the best.

You laid it out pretty well. I had to cycle through various antidepressants and antipsychotics myself just to find one that actually worked for me without making things worse. I have a friend who is currently on Zyprexa, and he has become so overweight and lethargic... he gained about 65 pounds. Because of that, my psychiatrist suggested Zeldox, claiming it works like Zyprexa but won't cause the same weight gain. But, just like you pointed out... there's no way I'm dealing with that kind of sexual dysfunction. So, I told her I wasn't interested in taking it, and now I just stick to one antidepressant and take Quetiapine at night. That seems to be enough for me; I'm functioning well enough şekilde.🙂

redcrane22 said:You know I'm doing just fine😉

I'm on Zoloft 100, plus three diazepam and two prazosin as needed, maybe a pill or two of Valium occasionally, and so on and so forth. Honestly, I haven't really felt depressed for quite a while—maybe just those typical bad days everyone gets—but I think I'll stick with the Zoloft for a bit longer since it helps me see things more clearly and realistically. It’s just strange, though; I don't get why I, or any of us here, don't feel that sudden burst of energy or whatever people expect when they take it. For me, everything just feels normal.
🤷

Well, I think we all know exactly why you aren't feeling that surge of energy from the Zoloft.
It’s probably because you're taking a very potent stimulant every single day. 😉
I suppose you've finally realized it now... 😉🙂

Let’s stick to the topic at hand, shall we!

redcrane22, I hope you're doing alright? What does your current regimen look like?

I think I mentioned quite some time ago that I absolutely need AD, because without it, I’d probably just sink straight to the bottom.
And honestly, I don't have any issue taking it for the rest of my life. My only real concern is how far this tolerance thing goes. I mean, after a year of steady use, one Effexor just isn't cutting it anymore, so my psychiatrist ended up bumping me up to two pills.

I’m honestly relieved the Administrator finally stepped in. It looks like Blizzard has stopped the constant gossiping and personal attacks.🙂

Seriously, everyone, why are you all so intimidated by him? I mean, can't you see he’s clearly dealing with some kind of issue? He feels this compulsive need to overanalyze every single post, and in his mind, he's always right, I suppose.☕

As for me, I’m doing alright. I’m staying consistent with my medication, but more importantly, I’ve started getting out more. You really shouldn't spend your entire life glued to a computer screen. Every day, I take a walk along the Mississippi, or I'll grab a coffee with a friend, and I try to maintain a positive mindset—it seems like when you do, things just tend to fall into place around you.
That whole law of attraction thing actually seems to hold some weight, because people can sense when someone is depressed; they pick up on that negative energy. Personally, I head into town every day with a smile on my face, and I can assure you, it isn't forced. I genuinely feel good. 😁

redcrane22... please take care of yourself, and you too, Ana... where have you been hiding lately?😁

I hope everyone has a pleasant day!

redcrane22, I suppose you might decide to show up here sometime, if you feel like it.😁

redcrane22 said:Hey, I know you'll likely be on these for life too.

But yesterday, I was thinking about one potential downside—specifically, after taking these pills for a year or two, a close relative of mine ended up with incredibly high liver enzymes.
For instance, if the standard max value is supposed to be around 48, his was sitting at 585. 😲
He’s looking into it now, but his doctor suggested the medication might be the culprit, so we're all just waiting to see what happens.
It’s tragic because I know far too many people who have lost their lives due to liver issues. 😢

He was on Seroxel Xr, Fevarin, and Arvind for four months, and for the rest of the time, it was a mix of things like Xanax, Mirzaten, and similar stuff.
And it wasn't even like he was abusing the meds or anything.

So, regarding what that colleague mentioned earlier—about how the main thing is just being able to function normally and live your life—that’s kind of how I look at it. I don't really lose sleep over my liver or how much longer I might have left. I know I won't live forever, but who knows? Maybe I'll make it to a ripe old age, given everything I'm taking.😉

The only thing I am wondering about is how all this changes once we fully integrate further into the European Union. I suspect the government might not cover everything like they used to, and who knows what else might change—maybe we'll have to deal with more frequent check-ups and such.

Another thought is tolerance... eventually, the body is going to demand higher doses, though I certainly don't mean taking five grams of Adderall!!🙂 🙂

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! 🙂

Gerald Torres2 said:😍 I actually stopped taking them. I quit a few months before I started on the ADOv, though they aren't directly related (I was only on them because my cycles were irregular and incredibly painful).... Interestingly, since starting the ADOv, my condition has stabilized, and my periods have become regular and much less painful. 😍😍
(Who would have thought an ADOv could impact that, right?)

I bet your boyfriend isn't exactly thrilled about that change! haha😁

wiredmason56 said:I’ve definitely felt that too, noticing a real difference between Xanax and Klonopin. When I took the Klonopin, after just a few days, it felt like I was drinking nothing but water, and I actually ended up feeling more on edge. The Xanax worked way better for me, though even that felt different from my absolute favorite.🤷

I have to agree there; at the end of the day, nothing really beats the real thing. I suppose Pfizer's xanax is still the gold standard for alprazolam.

redranger2 said:It’s worth getting your cortisol levels checked; I dealt with an elevation myself and the symptoms were nothing short of terrifying, especially since I couldn't get access to a hospital at the time. Now, the whole thing is washing over me again because I've been pushing myself far too hard at work.

Cortisol can trigger a wide array of adverse effects on the body—we're talking about everything from depression and hypertension to osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome X, which manifests as abdominal obesity, insulin resistance despite adequate secretion, elevated blood lipids, clotting issues, and high blood pressure. Cortisol surges during periods of stress, and whether that stress is chronic, constant, or even intermittent, it can lead directly to panic disorder and clinical depression. When cortisol levels remain chronically high, you face increased blood pressure and disrupted sugar metabolism, which can ultimately culminate in diabetes. Furthermore, excessive cortisol suppresses thyroid function, potentially leading to hypothyroidism, while simultaneously inhibiting growth hormone secretion—a critical factor for children and adolescents—and diminishing reproductive hormone production. Ultimately, it cripples the immune system, leaving you significantly more vulnerable to infections.

I have to admit, this is the first time I’ve ever come across this. I guess I'm a bit out of the loop on this particular topic, but it's certainly new to me.😁