Does anyone happen to know which specific tests I should probably have done before I actually start taking the pills? 🙂 I’d really love to get all my ducks in a row before I head in to see my gynecologist. I’m aware that I definitely need to get some liver function tests checked out, but, err, what else should be on my radar?
I’ve been dealing with these absolutely brutal pains since I was just thirteen years old, and now, at twenty-two, they haven't let up one bit. There was this one period where things actually felt manageable—back when I was on Diane—and during those times, I could almost get away without even reaching for the painkillers; a simple cup of hot tea would sometimes do the trick. Of course, that isn't really an option anymore, because if I don't take something, the pain is just utterly overwhelming. It’s debilitating, honestly—I end up breaking out in cold sweats, my lower back and spine just ache incessantly, I start shaking, and I frequently deal with bouts of nausea and vomiting as well. I suppose what I’m wondering is, could my gynecologist actually offer any real relief for this? I'm not entirely sure if there's anything more they can do, perhaps prescribing a different type of medication or some specialized treatment? Should I even bother bringing it up during my next appointment?
Jason Vaughn482 said:It is widely recognized that SSRIs, which include medications like Faverin, can cause a decrease in libido, so it is certainly a possibility.
Well, in my own experience, I did notice a pretty significant dip in my drive, though it was really only during that initial adjustment period at the start; eventually, things seemed to level out quite nicely, and honestly, everything feels perfectly fine now. 🙂
It’s actually been about a year since I last took them, though I did use them consistently for three years prior, and honestly, I was incredibly satisfied with the results. For me, the primary motivation was dealing with acne; my complexion cleared up beautifully, which felt absolutely wonderful, and even my back became perfectly clear! On top of that, I usually suffer from debilitating menstrual cramps, but while I was on them, those pains subsided by about 80%, and my periods became much lighter and shorter—just perfect. 🙏 I also noticed that my breasts seemed to increase in size, and my cycle became incredibly predictable, always arriving on the exact same day, which were such fantastic benefits! Regarding weight, I did find that I tended to retain a little bit of water, though it wasn't overwhelming; I gained maybe 7 or 8 pounds, nothing too drastic...
The downside was that my cholesterol levels spiked, and a few other lab results weren't looking great after those three years, so I eventually decided to stop taking them based on my gynecologist's recommendation. Since then, the acne has returned—not quite as severe as it used to be, but still quite noticeable—and my back isn't as clear either. My cycle has also become a bit irregular lately, though thankfully things seem to be improving now.
Part of me really wishes I could start taking them again, but I simply don't want to risk messing with my bloodwork like that, especially since I'm currently on antidepressants, and mixing the two isn't something I should do.
copperheron18 said:I've been on Paxil for about three and a half weeks now. At first, I was dealing with the exact same thing—couldn't sleep at night, so I'd try to catch up during the day. Now, I just feel incredibly drowsy all the time, both day and night. I'm sleeping way too much. Honestly, it feels excessive; no amount of sleep ever seems to be enough. 🙄
In the beginning, my appetite was practically non-existent. Since I'm naturally on the thinner side, I ended up losing even more weight initially. Things are starting to stabilize now, though; I've stopped losing weight and things seem to be returning to my baseline.
Yeah, honestly, I experience the exact same thing when I take it, so I wouldn't hold my breath expecting that to change anytime soon. 😬
Angela Reyes4 said:Is anyone here currently taking Paxil and/or Lamictal?
I am feeling completely drained. My sleep quality at night is poor, and during the day, I feel like I could just lie down and sleep constantly (if I were able to). My appetite is non-existent.
Well, I've been on Paxil for about five months now. For me, my appetite stayed pretty much the same, though I did end up losing a few pounds right at the beginning—looking back, I can see that was definitely the medication's doing, but things have leveled out since then. As for the sleep issues, I dealt with similar struggles early on, but nowadays, it actually helps me drift off quite easily.
copperheron18 said:I take Faverin + Xanax in small amounts every single day. I find myself constantly wondering if having one beer or a glass of wine would make a difference. Lately, there seems to be a social gathering or a party every weekend; everyone is drinking, and frankly, it’s difficult to watch 😁, but I have no desire to trigger some unexpected reaction or worsen my condition. I read somewhere that frequent alcohol consumption might neutralize the effects of AD-ove, though I’m not certain if that's accurate 😕. Given that my current medication is working well for me, the last thing I want to do is jeopardize that stability.
I’m following the exact same treatment plan... I've had a drink here and there, and I’ve even gone out and had a bit more than just one, but nothing ever seemed particularly bad or caused any issues for me, so 🙂
rowdyscout8 said:A friend of mine had her GP tell her she has leukemia... I mean, what are you even supposed to say to that? You can't just throw out serious diagnoses like that without running more tests first! Then she called me and just started breaking down. It was a total Catastrophe. Of course they sent her for follow-up testing and everything turned out fine... She didn't just freak me out, though—she ended up stressing out everyone close to her too!!!
😲
I remember a time when a friend of mine—who was only about twelve years old at the time and had actually just gone in because of some minor acne—was told by a general practitioner that she had PCOS, just based on a quick glance at her. The doctor went on to tell her that yes, it was clearly visible, that she would remain infertile because of it, that she’d never have children, and that she absolutely had to see a specialist immediately for an urgent consultation. The poor girl ran home in a complete state of panic to her mother, who then had to go back to that doctor's office to have a serious word with her. I truly believe 🙄
For those of us in America navigating life on medication, the sexual landscape tends to look like this: He can’t get an erection, she can’t find any arousal, and even if by some miracle they manage to technically get things moving, neither one of them can actually reach a climax. 🤣
Honestly, we probably ought to start a dedicated thread just for this particular misery. :-)))
In my own experience, things were quite difficult during those first two weeks after starting the antidepressant... but now, everything seems to have leveled out and feels okay... just thought I'd mention it. 😁
fadedbear92 said:I took it myself, though I didn't get quite that sleepy—since I struggle with insomnia, I actually needed a sleeping aid on top of it.
It clearly has a calming effect on you—given that it acts as an anxiolytic too—so you might want to look into lowering your dose.
Thanks for the input. 🙂 My therapist actually told me that my current dose is perfectly fine and suggested we shouldn't bother scaling it back just yet. And hey, at the very least, I'm finally getting some decent sleep.
Has anyone here ever tried taking Fevarin ? I’d love to hear some feedback, please 😉.
I’ve been on it for nearly three months now, and honestly, everything seems to be going great... except for the fact that it makes me sleep incredibly, incredibly deeply. It’s almost as if I’m taking actual sleeping pills; I can just drift off and stay out for twelve hours straight. Even if I do happen to wake up a couple of times during the night, I feel so completely groggy and out of it that I just fall right back to sleep immediately. I don’t think I have ever slept this much in my entire life—if it were up to me, I’d just stay asleep indefinitely. 😁 My therapist mentioned that this might actually be a sign that the treatment is working and that everything is perfectly fine... but still, I figured I would ask if anyone else has had similar experiences with it... or if you could share any thoughts at all regarding your own experience.
I just realized I've finished my very last pill of Effexor, and I was honestly under the impression I still had quite a few left in the bottle... it’s such a frustrating realization. My doctor isn't available at all over the weekend, so I can't exactly call in a refill, and even when Monday rolls around, I have this nagging doubt about whether they'll actually squeeze me into their schedule... hmm, what on earth am I going to do now? Do you think if I went down to the local CVS with my old prescription printout they might just give me a small emergency supply, though I suspect they probably won't, and I feel so incredibly foolish for letting this happen. Oh dear
It doesn't really help me drift off, though I suppose it could be used for relaxation if one were so inclined. 😁 But when I actually sit down and give it some serious thought, I find that I sleep much more easily with it, and I generally have a decent night's rest—aside from those frustrating moments where I find myself waking up several times in the middle of the night.
I’m currently on an antidepressant, and I’m just about to finish my second box. I was wondering if I actually need to make an appointment to see my doctor in person, or if it’s possible to just give the office a call and have the nurse send the prescription over to the pharmacy? Honestly, I really don't have the luxury of sitting around in a waiting room just to get one single refill, and I wasn't sure if things like this could be handled over the phone these days...
That’s exactly what I was thinking myself... thanks for the input 😉 I mean, he probably intended to stay for a few more months, most likely, but I can't help feeling this lingering sense of anxiety because I just really don't want to end up back in that same painful situation again..
Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how much AD one actually needs to take at a minimum to see results? And more importantly, what happens when you decide to stop—does everything just go back to exactly how it was before you started? I’ve been on it for about two months now, and today my therapist mentioned that he might keep me on it for a little while longer, which honestly left me feeling a bit lost; I found myself wanting to ask him, "Well, what happens after that?"
Well, if I’m being honest, it felt like a bit of an ordeal at first, but for me, almost all of those side effects—well, nearly all of them, really—seemed to just dissipate after about two weeks had passed.