Alex Barnes8 said:I'm on Lamictal, an antiepileptic, and I've been told the same thing. It's tough, though, because I love my coffee and soda.😢 Anyway, I wanted to ask about a different combination. I'm dealing with terrible insomnia. Based on what you all have experienced, what are the best sleep aids? I mean, looking for effectiveness with minimal side effects. And most importantly, which ones are safest to mix with other medications? In case it helps, the main ingredient in my Lamictal is lamotrigine. Aside from epilepsy, it's used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder... Please don't tell me to just ask my doctor, because I already tried, and she pushed Samuel on me. I've read such bad things about Samuel that I'm hesitant to try it. Though, maybe it isn't actually that bad.🤷 This matters to me because my therapist insisted that getting enough sleep is my top priority right now. If anyone could share their own experiences, I'd appreciate it.🙂
Ambien! For me, it knocks me out immediately, and you wake up feeling genuinely rested and energized. The real benefit with Ambien is that you get actual deep, quality sleep, which is why you feel so good the next morning. With stuff like Sanval or Xerson, you just end up feeling like a zombie, stumbling around for an hour trying to find your brain. Even half a pill is plenty for me, and I'm probably at least 50 pounds heavier than you are.🙂 So... yeah. Ambien. 👍
fadedbear92 said:Hey, fadedbear92—don't you think it might be smarter to spread those milligrams out a bit more, maybe split them right down the middle?!
I honestly don't think I can do it. Seriously, it’s just not working. There isn't even a score line on these things to guide me, and they are so incredibly small that trying to split them feels impossible. I suppose if I actually managed to break one in half, the piece would probably just disintegrate instantly anyway, given that they're these soluble tablets. I mean... I'm not exactly taking them on a strict schedule or anything. It’s more like I just reach for them whenever the need arises, I guess.
It’s all well and good, I suppose, but there are moments when this Vaira just hits me so hard that I end up passing out instantly, much like I did yesterday.☕
Larry Lewis said:Look, don't let it get to you—you’ve got more grit in you than you think, and I truly believe you can navigate through this mess. As for that Cipralex stuff? Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue about it—medication is a bit of a black box to me. I actually just started a new regimen of Wellbutrin myself, so I'm currently sitting here in a state of anxious anticipation, waiting to see if it actually does anything at all. Yesterday was... well, it was a wash. I spent practically the entire day sleeping off a bout of depression—it's exhausting, really. And I don't know about you, but I certainly doubt my parents are saints—I mean, if they can put up with someone like me, they must have some serious patience.🙂
Effexor was probably the biggest mistake I've ever made. I ended up throwing it back up after only half an hour because I had to vomit. 😳 Man, that was easily the worst antidepressant I've ever tried.
fadedbear92 said:Ugh, I really wouldn't recommend doing that. Just once, I missed a dose of my long-acting Xanax, and man, the panic attack hit me harder than anything I've ever felt in my life. That doesn't mean it'll happen to you, though...😲
In my experience, diazepam seems to be one of the more reliable and safer benzodiazepines out there. As for alprazolam, I've heard quite a bit about how it can be a real trap—it feels much smoother and hits harder than standard Xanax, which might be why people get hooked. I suppose I don't really know... maybe I'll just mention it to my doctor and see if they'd consider switching me from Apache to Xanax instead. It wouldn't hurt to ask.
fadedbear92 said:Look, I was practically addicted to Xanax for nearly 14 years. We eventually switched to the SR (slow release) version, but honestly, that's just a total gimmick. My advice? Toss it all in the trash and move to Normabloc. It wasn't until then that I realized just how much stronger Xanax actually is compared to the milder stuff. These newer ones feel like candy by comparison, but I finally managed to kick my Xanax habit because of them. My doctor even told me that Xanax burns out your brain receptors even faster—so, if you can manage it, please try not to switch over to Xanax.
Just so I'm clear, were you actually fully dependent on the extended-release xanax?? Like, you couldn't even function or get through a normal day without it? And how long did it actually take you to finally break free? I don't even know anymore... I find myself constantly taking Xanax, and while I know it isn't as difficult to step away from as the heavy stuff, I am still taking it on a regular basis. I suppose I might try to work out a little arrangement with my doctor, maybe something where I take Xanax 10 mg for two weeks, followed by the extended-release version for another two weeks.
velvetsailor26 said:It’s not that I’m afraid of everyone, just certain people, but my confidence has basically bottomed out because I spend all my time watching others tackle the very things that terrify me without even breaking a sweat. I can't focus on anything else anymore; it’s the only thing playing on loop in my head, and nothing else seems to matter. I can't find any sense of joy or satisfaction in anything I do.
I know that feeling all too well, believe me. I’m not sure if you’re currently seeing someone for therapy or anything like that, but it seems pretty obvious that you’re dealing with depression—and I’d hate to see it turn into something chronic.
fadedbear92 said:So does that mean you're healthy and haven't been diagnosed? Wait, why the Vair then? What's actually going on with you?
I suppose I'd say I'm depressed, with some bipolar tendencies thrown in. My diagnosis is F40.1, or something close to that—I can't quite recall the exact code right now. But depression is definitely the core issue, even though I deal with these sudden mood swings that my psychiatrist either misses or seems to overlook... though I don't have OCD. It might be bipolar disorder mixed with depression... something along those lines. That's why I'm on Vair and Elicea-ad. On top of that, I've been taking Diazepam 10 mg, but I was thinking it might be wise to switch things up rather than sticking strictly to Diazepam or moving to something like Xanax. I really don't want to develop a dependency on Diazepam, so I thought maybe rotating through different benzos might help prevent getting hooked on just one. What do you think? I tried Misar SR, and honestly, those SR tablets with the gradual release seem much better than the ones that hit you all at once, don't they?
I suppose I should start by saying that I’m just sharing my own perspective here, though I realize how much weight people tend to put on these kinds of discussions. It feels like we’re all just circling the same drain, isn't it? Every time I look at how things are trending lately, I can't help but feel a sense of weary resignation. It’s almost as if we expect the chaos, yet we still act surprised when it finally arrives. I don't know, maybe I'm just being overly cynical, but it seems to me that the patterns are becoming impossible to ignore if one is actually paying attention. Perhaps it’s better to just sit back and watch it unfold, rather than exhausting ourselves trying to make sense of something that might simply be beyond our control.
fadedbear92 said:Just to simplify things—it’s hereditary depression, passed down from my mom. What does that actually mean for me? Getting rid of it.What does that actually mean? It just needs to work. Whenever a new depressive episode hits—or what people call a relapse—I just completely shut down. I end up stuck in bed all day, only getting up for bathroom breaks. That’s just how it is, unfortunately. I’m doing okay now, but back in the spring, I was in a truly terrifying place. It wasn't even really depression—more like a constant, crushing state of General Anxiety Disorder. You feel like you're living in fear 24/7, and honestly, you start losing your mind unless someone steps in with medication or a hospital stay. In my case, the meds were what saved me.
The way you describe things, I guess it sounds a bit like someone struggling through withdrawal while stuck in bed. I actually have a colleague who describes their physical state in much the same way you do, so please don't take the comparison to a junkie as an insult; I truly didn't mean it that way. Just try to hang in there... hopefully, those episodes start to subside soon. I still vividly remember when I dealt with my very first anxiety attack. It was absolutely terrifying—I genuinely thought I was going to die right then and there. Eventually, though, I managed to get through it using Helex, and it just took some time. It was quite a long road, but thank God, I don't have to deal with those kinds of attacks anymore.
fadedbear92 said:Well, you really are a miracle worker! But why did they switch your meds so many times? Were you dealing with relapses? What's the diagnosis? Personally, I've been battling depression for 14 years—it'll probably be a lifelong thing for me. I started out on Prozac, then moved to Zoloft, and now I'm on Paxil. Basically, my doctors adjust my prescription whenever a depressive episode hits. I also take Tegretol—which is technically an anti-epileptic—but for me, it mostly just helps me get some sleep.
fadedbear92—you're saying you've been dealing with depression for fourteen years?!😲 That actually caught me completely off guard... I mean, I guess you have to wonder how it wasn't resolved sooner? Fourteen years!? Just imagining myself being on those pills for that long... man.🙄 And honestly, this is the first time I've even heard about those stabilizers...
fadedbear92 said:Well, I'd say either scale back the dose of Vaira or try a different medication entirely. Honestly, it had me shaking all over—my doctor cut me off it immediately because I was dealing with some pretty intense psychotic thoughts for a bit. Brrr.😲Real psychos don't just drift off to sleep on it; it hits them hard, you know?
You were actually shaking? 🙄 hmm... For me, it works fine, though it feels just a tiny bit too strong at times, and I suppose I just really like that lemon flavor.😁 I didn't quite follow what you meant there—are you saying actual psychotics don't just fall asleep, or that it's even too potent for them and they just slip away?
I actually have a formal diagnosis on file from my psychiatrist, but even when I was first prescribed Vaira through an emergency psychiatric referral, they just handed me a full box to take home at no cost to me. As far as I can recall, everything comes via those blue outpatient prescriptions, and I haven't had to pay a dime out of pocket for any of them—even after cycling through God knows how many different medications, ranging from Vaira to Zoloft 🙄
fadedbear92 said:Vaira is an incredibly potent antipsychotic, so what you're experiencing is actually pretty standard. You should try talking to your doctor about potentially lowering your dosage.
Well, that is precisely what I am planning to do, though I can't help but wonder what kind of alternatives they might suggest... do you happen to have any specific ones in mind?
I honestly don't think I can deal with General Electric—or rather, Zyprexa—anymore. It’s getting to the point where I’m nodding off maybe ten times a day, just dropping into these micro-sleeps for a split second before snapping back to reality and realizing I actually drifted off.😲 Next time I see my psychiatrist, I’m going to ask if there’s anything else in that same class of medication that won't leave me completely incapacitated, though I suppose I have to wonder if what I'm looking for even exists.😁Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't...
Does anyone else feel like Seroquel has that same effect? Does it just knock you out, or does it give you that heavy, "stoned" feeling without making you feel like you haven't slept in twenty days straight?
I’m not entirely sure how many of you here are on antipsychotics, but I happen to be taking General Electric (zyprexa) from Pfizer, and I should mention that I pick them up along with my other prescriptions without having to shell out any extra cash at the pharmacy. My therapy regimen is twice a day, but this particular pill is just so potent that I find it nearly impossible to stay awake once I take it...🙄 I usually take one in the morning because that allows me to get things done during the day—run errands, head out to appointments, and so on—so the drowsiness doesn't hit me quite so hard. But when I take this dose in the evening, my head just drops; I'll be sitting at my computer or somewhere else and I'll simply pass out mid-action.🤣
Does anyone else deal with these kinds of issues?🙄
I've been on Cipralex for nearly four months now, and I think I can finally say I’m actually feeling the effects🙂. It seems that if I miss a dose, those heavy waves of depression start creeping back in, whereas taking it provides an almost immediate lift to my mood.👍
I suppose there's a possibility I've become somewhat dependent on it, but honestly, if it keeps me functioning better, then I guess I don't see the harm,☕
It’s been a full week now since I started taking Vayarin, and honestly, the only real downside I’ve run into so far is this overwhelming sense of drowsiness. Even as I’m sitting here typing this, I feel like I could just collapse onto the bed and drift off instantly🙂—and it happens during the day, too. It’s strange because I’ve never been the type of person who could ever nap during the day; even if I had been working like a dog all morning, I just couldn't do it. But with Vayarin or Zyprexa, I can. If this lethargy is truly the only side effect I have to deal with, then I suppose I’ll take the win. 🙂 Looking at how many side effects people list for various ADs or antipsychotics on forums like this, I’d say I’m actually quite satisfied. The only thing is, hehe... once the medication really kicks in, my eyes get this heavy, glazed look, almost like I’ve been smoking weed. That part is pretty noticeable.😲
I used to be on Seroquel, and I’d say these two medications are remarkably similar. The main difference, though, is that with Seroquel, I’d get hit with such intense hunger that I’d find myself ordering a massive pizza at 11 PM.🤣
Robert Collins2 said:No way, there’s no chance. He definitely padded that prescription somehow. It used to be that if you weren't out there actively endangering everyone around you, the board would just rubber-stamp your stuff without a second thought. But now? Total headache. Honestly, I don't even bother with all that bureaucracy anymore—I just go to my private doctor and pick up my Logan myself.
Well, I actually went and picked up a box today using a standard prescription. What do you mean, paying for it? 😕 Who on earth were you paying then? 🤣 To make matters more confusing, my pharmacist handed me the sublingual version of Jane Doe instead of the regular tablets.😁