Posts by Mark Nelson

Look, you probably already realize that once you start feeling that positive vibe while doing your thing, you've already got plenty of it. Why not try using those convictions of yours to actually influence them? Maybe you could nudge them toward changing their own views—or at least getting them to buy into yours.

Even if it ends up being a total wash, just having that, I don't know, let's call it "resistance," might help you stop bottling everything up inside. I honestly think you'd feel a whole lot better for it.

I’ve heard it a million times growing up—you can’t give what you haven't been given.
So, look, if you raise a kid using violence as your main tool instead of actually earning their respect, you can't be surprised when they turn around and use that same aggression on you or everyone else down the road. It's just how it works, I guess. 🤷

Personally, I wouldn't want to deal with that from my own kid, and I definitely wouldn't want it to become their default setting whenever life throws them a curveball. 😳

Back in 2011, the crew here basically pointed me in the right direction—telling me who to call and how to handle things. That’s actually how I ended up seeing a psychiatrist, getting a formal diagnosis, and starting on meds. After all that, I started keeping an eye on this subforum.
Sometimes I'll disappear for a month or even longer, but honestly, coming back here always feels pretty good.

Michelle Evans said:But it didn't happen. We aren't living in some version of Minority Report just yet. Something actually has to occur before anyone can even begin to look into someone's liability...

Thanks for this, it really helped me out 🙂

I’m sorry if I caused a bit of a false alarm... but regardless, from now on, I'm keeping my meds in a spot only I know about.

Nah, but it could have 🤷

So, I went and left my meds out where anyone could see them

So, I just stumbled upon the box. It basically appeared out of thin air, which makes me think someone might have planted it there after I mentioned it went missing in the first place?
I don't know, maybe it’s not actually my fault, or is it? 🤔

I just sent an email a second ago, but maybe I should've just called instead?

Hey everyone,

So, just like the title says, I lost a box of Lexapro.
Yesterday afternoon, I ordered my prescription and got two boxes. I opened one and took a single pill. Then, I left the meds sitting somewhere in my room unattended—my bad, obviously—and realized one of the boxes was missing.
I’ve looked everywhere. Every logical spot, under everything... nothing.

Honestly, if I lived alone, this wouldn't even be an issue. But my whole family is on medication—my mom because of her dementia, and then there's me, my brother, and my dad dealing with mental health stuff. There's a real suspicion that someone grabbed it, maybe to misuse it, or maybe they're just planning to.
To give you some context, my dad once supposedly overdosed on a bunch of pills; we were hunting for him all over, and eventually found him out in the backyard. Then last week, my mom ended up in the hospital because she was completely drugged out, barely able to sit up. I didn't hide the meds since she'd never taken them before, so the doctors figured she might have just snatched them without thinking (another mistake on my part). She denies it, though. She insists she only took what was prescribed to her, and I don't get the impression she's lying, but you can't really trust her word when dementia is in the mix. Mind you, she can still name the specific medications she takes.
In the end, they said there weren't any lasting consequences and let her go home the next day. The doctor was rambling something about blood vessels in the brain being a possible cause, but I can't quite recall exactly what he said.

So, what am I supposed to do now? Who do I even talk to? Everyone is acting like they haven't seen the box.
I already warned my dad about how dangerous misusing these meds can be.
The guilt is eating me alive. What if something happens?
I could never forgive myself if things went south... 😢
Please, I need some advice. I really need to talk to someone smarter than me here.

Thanks 🙂

Eric Mitchell55 said:That’s happened to me before too. Honestly, you shouldn't panic, but just make sure you don't skip your next scheduled dose.😉

True. I took my next one and everything turned out fine. 🙂

I missed my morning dose of Lopressor 100 mg, and now I'm wondering if things might take a turn for the worse.
It’s actually got me a little worried, mostly because I was finally starting to feel pretty decent.

redranger2 said:Sometimes I'll even take it ahead of time if I know I'm heading into a situation where I absolutely cannot afford to lose control.
I mean, it’s incredibly awkward to deal with anxiety when you’re in a spot where you need to be active and surrounded by people. Honestly, trying to hide it just makes the anxiety even worse.

My doctor didn't really say much about it; she actually claims that Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't damage your brain, and that the only real risk is developing a dependency.

Don't let it weigh on your conscience. It is perfectly reasonable to rely on John Doe when you know a stressful encounter is looming. Personally, I'll swallow two pills when things get heavy, purely because I have no desire to embarrass myself or fail to make a decent impression. There is no reason to endure the sweating, the stuttering, or the tremors when medicine 👍
is right there to prevent them.
It's just human nature to want that edge 🙂 Still, I’m going to try to cut back and save them strictly for those specific moments. When I'm back home, I can usually chill out without needing any pills—I just hit the sack, isolate myself, and it passes pretty quickly.
The thing is, I can't exactly do that when I'm out in the world, so I keep the Lawrence
on hand for those times.

David Jackson22 said:And what am I even supposed to say about the dosage when my doctor prescribed Leonardo DiCaprio "as needed"? That term doesn't actually specify how much I can take, because "as needed" could mean anything from a tiny dose to a massive one—it’s just such a vague, useless way to label a prescription 🤷

So yeah, good luck figuring that out on your own 🤷

Look, when a doctor writes "PRN" (as needed) on a script, they usually sit you down first and explain exactly how many pills you can pop and under what specific circumstances. It basically means you aren't supposed to be taking them on a strict schedule like you would with something like Advil or Tylenol; instead, you only reach for the bottle when you actually feel the symptoms hitting you hard.
Your doctor is legally obligated to walk you through the specifics—how to use the meds, what the absolute max dose is, and how long or how often you're allowed to use them. You really shouldn't guess; just ask your doctor.
I was also prescribed Leonardo DiCaprio, and I only take it when things get rough—specifically when I hit a wave of intense anxiety that I just can't manage and it starts messing with my ability to function normally. Usually, if I'm having a terrible day, I'll take up to two 1mg tablets. If I start feeling a bit better the next day, maybe I'll take just one, or none at all if I'm doing okay. Doing it this way helps me not freak out about getting addicted or dealing with side effects. There are times where I won't touch Leonardo DiCaprio for three weeks straight, then I'll hit a rough patch of three bad days and take it daily until the storm passes, then stop again. That's what "as needed" actually looks like in practice.

Look, when a doctor writes "PRN" (as needed) on a script, they usually sit you down first and explain exactly how many pills you can pop and under what specific circumstances. It basically means you aren't supposed to be taking them on a strict schedule like you would with something like Advil or Tylenol; instead, you only reach for the bottle when you actually feel the symptoms hitting you hard.
Your doctor is legally obligated to walk you through the specifics—how to use the meds, what the absolute max dose is, and how long or how often you're allowed to use them. You really shouldn't guess; just ask your doctor.
I was also prescribed Leonardo DiCaprio, and I only take it when things get rough—specifically when I hit a wave of intense anxiety that I just can't manage and it starts messing with my ability to function normally. Usually, if I'm having a terrible day, I'll take up to two 1mg tablets. If I start feeling a bit better the next day, maybe I'll take just one, or none at all if I'm doing okay. Doing it this way helps me not freak out about getting addicted or dealing with side effects. There are times where I won't touch Leonardo DiCaprio for three weeks straight, then I'll hit a rough patch of three bad days and take it daily until the storm passes, then stop again. That's what "as needed" actually looks like in practice.

Look, when a doctor writes "PRN" (as needed) on a script, they usually sit you down first and explain exactly how many pills you can pop and under what specific circumstances. It basically means you aren't supposed to be taking them on a strict schedule like you would with something like Advil or Tylenol; instead, you only reach for the bottle when you actually feel the symptoms hitting you hard.
Your doctor is legally obligated to walk you through the specifics—how to use the meds, what the absolute max dose is, and how long or how often you're allowed to use them. You really shouldn't guess; just ask your doctor.
I was also prescribed Leonardo DiCaprio, and I only take it when things get rough—specifically when I hit a wave of intense anxiety that I just can't manage and it starts messing with my ability to function normally. Usually, if I'm having a terrible day, I'll take up to two 1mg tablets. If I start feeling a bit better the next day, maybe I'll take just one, or none at all if I'm doing okay. Doing it this way helps me not freak out about getting addicted or dealing with side effects. There are times where I won't touch Leonardo DiCaprio for three weeks straight, then I'll hit a rough patch of three bad days and take it daily until the storm passes, then stop again. That's what "as needed" actually looks like in practice.
Sometimes I'll even take it ahead of time if I know I'm heading into a situation where I absolutely cannot afford to lose control.
I mean, it’s incredibly awkward to deal with anxiety when you’re in a spot where you need to be active and surrounded by people. Honestly, trying to hide it just makes the anxiety even worse.

My doctor didn't really say much about it; she actually claims that Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't damage your brain, and that the only real risk is developing a dependency.

Quincy:

Duets. Or whatever you want to call it. It’s just two people trying to make something happen at the same time, I guess. Sometimes it works, sometimes it’s just a total mess. Hard to say. kaže: Look, Mark Nelson, don't sweat it too much. You aren't going to drop dead. I’ve been doing the exact same thing for six years now, and honestly, all my blood work comes back perfectly fine. I don't even feel like my brain is slowing down or anything. I guess it's just fine. My therapist told me he’d never just throw benzos at a patient to fix things. He says he'd go with something like an antidepressant instead, depending on what the actual diagnosis is. In his opinion, those ADs aren't nearly as damaging as benzos. I guess that makes sense, though. I mean, look, all of us who regularly rely on stuff like Adderall, Benadryl, or even Advil... we really ought to be getting blood work done at least once a year. Just to keep an eye on our blood sugar levels and those liver enzymes. It’s probably a good idea, I guess. Maybe we should just make it a habit.

I haven't really noticed any dip in my brainpower or anything, but honestly? I’d still rather avoid the potential fallout if there is one. Just to be safe, I guess.
I’m currently on two APs and Lowe's. Larsen is my go-to. I don't take any antidepressants while on Larsen, so I'm wondering... should I maybe suggest to my doctor that she prescribes one?
I’ve already touched on this before.
Look, I don't want to step on anyone's toes here. I’m just a patient, a complete layman in all of this. But if there really is a better way to handle things, why aren't we doing anything about it? It feels like we're just sitting around.

David Jackson22 said:Look, people don't just pop pills to dodge their actual life issues; they take them because they're dealing with an actual disorder or illness that’s making their quality of life absolute garbage.
If you're taking Lorsilan exactly how your doctor prescribed it, it isn't wrecking your brain. Lorsilan isn't some street drug; it's legitimate medicine used for specific purposes, and you have to follow a doctor's dosage strictly.
On the flip side, just white-knuckling through constant anxiety wreaks havoc on your entire body and all your organs, which can seriously lead to major health problems down the road.

What am I even supposed to say about dosing? It’s a joke. My doctor has me on Larsen, but they just labeled it "as needed." That doesn't actually mean anything. How am I supposed to know how much to take? "As needed" is such a massive, vague loophole. Maybe my need is tiny, maybe it's moderate, maybe it's huge—it's all just one big, blurry mess. Using a term that broad is basically useless. 🤷

I told you to be smart about this. I really did. 🤷

Cheating. It’s such a messy, exhausting business. Honestly, I don't know how people find the energy for it. You spend all this time spinning webs, lying to your partner's face, and managing a whole second life just for a momentary thrill? It seems incredibly draining. Maybe some people are just wired that way, or maybe they're just running from themselves. Either way, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Most of the time, it isn't even about the other person—it's just pure, unadulterated selfishness. I guess it's just one more way people break things that were actually worth keeping. Mark Nelson says:
Panic attacks and anxiety? They basically turn your body into a cortisol factory. It’s constant. You get those spikes, and suddenly your cortisol levels are through the roof. I guess that’s just how the biology works, right? It’s pretty much a feedback loop from hell. Your system stays stuck in high gear, pumping out stress hormones like there's no tomorrow. Maybe that’s why everything feels so heavy all the time. It’s exhausting, honestly.
It systematically wrecks your brain, shreds your nerves, and eats away at your internal organs. That’s why you have to...
They’re taking antidepressants both here and over there, plus some Xanax whenever things get too heavy.

Even my therapist says that getting hooked on benzos—using them long-term and systematically—is a recipe for disaster.
It really gets under your skin. Honestly, it might even mess with your head and make depression worse, since they're basically central nervous system depressants.
They’re pretty rough on the liver. Honestly, they could even trigger some nasty spikes in your liver enzyme levels. I guess it's just one of those things you really have to watch out for.
Enzymes. Honestly, you can take them here or there—it doesn't matter. I guess it won't make much difference whether you're popping some stuff from Misar, Lorsilan, or apaurin. It’s all the same.
Total damage.

The issue for me is that I’m still drinking benzic on a regular basis. It's not quite the daily thing it used to be, but I'm hitting it every second or third day. I guess you could say it isn't exactly "occasional" anymore. 🤷

Jeremy Scott said:

Enduring misery is far worse than just taking a pill. You honestly think anxiety is doing your body any favors? Your system suffers when you just sit there and take it. That’s a much greater evil than simply using medication when things go south.

Using a pill to fix your life problems is the worst approach of all.

It's a fact that unknown damages the brain.
Suffering through anxiety doesn't damage the brain.

Yeah, so that's the distinction between "enduring" something and actually "causing damage." They don't necessarily have to be linked.
The bolded part was my answer to the question.

I mean, I doubt two pills are going to kill you or anything. 🤔

David Jackson22 said:Seriously, why on earth would your brain be damaged from taking two 1 mg pills of unknown?
You didn't "cave," you just did what you had to do to get through it when things got rough. Honestly, suffering through it is way worse than just taking a pill. You think anxiety is doing your body any favors? You think your system isn't paying a price by making you suffer? That's a much bigger evil than taking a pill when you're feeling crappy.
If you had an unbearable headache or a toothache, you'd take something without even questioning if the medicine was wrecking your organs, right? So why is it that when your soul is hurting, you suddenly worry about damaging your brain? Your soul needs some relief too, even if it comes in pill form. It'll thank you for it.

I heard that benzodiazepines mess with your brain and cognitive skills, and honestly, it terrified me. I don't even know about painkillers for teeth or headaches; maybe they do damage too, I guess.

I could feel the anxiety starting to creep in, so I took something preventatively before it really hit me. Maybe I shouldn't be so quick to reach for a pill, maybe I should wait it out, but then I’m just miserable, and if I wait until later, it doesn't even matter—it's the same result.

Everyone tells me to focus on other stuff—read more, play music, stay busy, just "do something" and it'll pass. But it's not that simple. When the anxiety hits, it just swallows me whole. I just end up playing the same loop in my head over and over, praying to God that it passes, just this one more time.
I just can't function when it happens.

I get everything you're saying—when it hurts, it hurts—but I'm still scared of those benzos. Is anxiety just as bad for the brain as the medication itself?
It's all a bit confusing, I guess.

I have to admit, I caved again. I ended up taking Lexapro two days in a row, just one 1 mg tablet each time. 😠
I’m really hoping I haven't done any lasting damage to my brain here. Maybe I should have been more disciplined and just tried to tough out the anxiety, but honestly? It’s just too much. It completely overwhelms me. I can usually manage to calm down once I'm back home, but when I'm out in the world? It's a different story entirely. 😢

Kevin Bailey2 said:Between the Prozac, Clonazepam, Lamal, and Seroquel, I’ve lost weight on all of them.
The Prozac does it because it just wires me up; I'm so hyperactive I forget to eat.
Clonazepam makes me such a multitasking machine that I'm constantly juggling ten things at once and don't have a second to grab a bite.
As for Lamal... honestly, no clue why, but the hunger just vanishes when I take it.
Then there's Seroquel. It knocks me out cold. I sleep so much that I miss meal times entirely, and by the time I actually wake up, I'm not even hungry—I just grab a coffee and basically live off caffeine.

I actually came pretty close to anorexia because of the Prozac.
Though, if you ask me, anorexia feels like just another side effect of taking Prozac.

That’s exactly how Zoloft worked for me. It made me feel totally euphoric, and I honestly couldn't sleep at all. I actually ended up dropping about 15 pounds while I was on it a couple of years back.

Arthur Vaughn2 said:Don't feel bad about it! 😁 When I was on Zyprexa, I felt like even breathing the air made me gain fat. 😁

I wasn't even on it for that long—just a few months, really—but it didn't matter. The weight just kept climbing and climbing. It was relentless. 😠