Update (help more than appreciatted...needed)

[rms]

ok it has been awhile since I activly posted here..its not cause I don't like you guys but I was trying to sort myself out.

on my last big post backthen in December (http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ead.php?t=8642), I thougth I kinda hitted the buttom, but I did managed to get up.

Things are very bad attm tho. I just lost my girlfriend (don't really want to talk about that) among some other things and I fell like i'm in another "cruzade".

Attm I'm currently taking daily:
- Seroxat (10mg)
- 1 Stablon pill
- Stresstabs (vitamins)
- 1/3 of Quentiapine (Alzen) at nigth.

Problem is I can't seem to focus in nothing and pressure is building up (for exams), I'm always tired (and I mean EXTREMLY tired) and cant seem to get nothing done, not only that but my libido is down the gutter and the lower parts don't work very well...

My main concern now is not the anxiety and depression but the problems i'm having memorizing and studying, i'm considering checking with my family doctor to get a Ritalin prescription (for ADD) but I don't know how will that mix with my current meds (and i'm sure my family doctor doesn't know iether).

So here I am once again asking for your help and guidance.

Best Regards
Rui

[zman]

You may want to see a nutritionist or holistic/chiropractor type doctor. I've seen tremendous results from people that were not able to get help from their medical doc. I personally know a woman that was extremely sick and the medical docs could do nothing for her. She was near death, they had her on chemo (even though she didn't have cancer) to try and kill whatever was killing her.

She went to my holistic doctor and he was able to determine she is allergic to gluton (don't ask how... until you actual have the tests done to see it actually works you would think it's b.s.). 2 months of being mostly gluton free this lady is back to normal.

I guess I'm just trying to say examine options outside of the medical community. Meditation, eastern medicine, etc. Good luck getting through this tough time.

[rms]

I understand what you are saying my therapist prefers to use this sort of approach but I don't really think it can help me attm, i've already went tru with all sorts of "natural stuff" ...

I'm kinda scared about the possible problems that Ritalin may have when combined with what i'm taking attm to be honest

[MizzT]

ritalin is another foreign chemical.
Is it possible "Your Drug May Be Your Problem"?
is it possible that you are really seeing the effects of what these drugs do to your brain? lack of concentration, exhaustion, lack of libido and sexual function? Sounds like all the typical side effects of the meds.

I have to agree with Zman as its the only approached that worked for me. working with a natural healer and/or energetic healer to find allergies, adjust your diet, get you safely off the chemicals and get the body in its own healing rhythm.

Ritalin may be an "UP" but who knows in combination with the other downs you are on.

[rms]

defonz3 -I've been doing some heavy research and to be honest while we have to take one day after another, I can risk to fail another year..I mean i'm 20y and still in High-School...I dunno how to explain this but I mean its not like anybody but myself is presuring me to pass..

The idea isn't to use on a regular basis but when now I have to do some proper study, I can't "waste" more time looking for other solutions for this problem

ermmhh.

[rdjanis]

Hi rms, can't offer much help here. I can tell you that your lack of concentration and being tired is probably due to the paxil. I also don't think that it is a wise decision to add ritalin to the mix, you just may make things worse. I think that would be a trial and error step, and that in itself is taking a risk on failing.

Perhaps Laurie can offer better information regarding the meds.

[MizzT]

"wasting time"

i could get into a really esoteric conversation on "time" and that it doesnt exist anyway....but that is pointless.

The point is.....you can keep pouring drugs into yourself and guinea pigging to see what works. Its your M.O.
but in the long run....they destroy your liver and make you confused and unable to concentrate and exhausted simply by what they do to your brain and organs.
But if you need a drug....you need to talk to a Dr.

You are currently taking Paxil, AND a major tranquilizer (Quentiapine) and the other AD and you wonder why you are exhausted.
at 20 years old....IMHO.....there has got to be something majorly wrong in the world that a 20 year old has to be on this many meds to get thru a day. Its a cocktail of pure ****. No wonder you are exhausted and unable to concentrate.

No....no one is pressuring you to pass but yourself. So stop pressuring yourself. Pass when you are able. Heal when you need to.

Heroin makes you really tired and sleep....altho its a good high.....But you know...the sleepiness.....So some brilliant individual said...HEY!!! lets add an upper!!!! Cocaine!!!
(its called a speedball)....And it will kill you.

I hope the meds fix you up in time to pass your finals.

[rms]

2 months left, I sorta agree that the mix of Seroxat+Stablon+Quentiapine) aren't helping and the fact that Ritalin may have side-effects that include: depression..

Ahhh hell my life is a mess

[MizzT]

life....is not a "mess". LIFE....IS.
the mix of many tranquilizers will simply make you exhausted.

I HATE that the drugs do this. I feel SO BAD for you rui. I want ALL "kids" to be happy and healthy and able to pass school and be happy undepressed kids and enjoy LIFE!!!!

and i swear to you that you can do this. but you have to be honest that the combo of tranquilizers can make anyone tired. the sexual side effcts SUCK!!!! all this is SO true!!

at some point you will believe in YOU and know that you have the ability to heal and not be depressed or taking many many drugs. your body can do it. If mine can heal at 39 years old....and people even older are able to come back from it.....You at 20 have THAT MUCH MORE going for you physically.

these natural ways do work....but they also take work. meditation is a great thing to learn whether on or off meds. consider it. nutrients are vital to life. consider them.
talk to your doc.....but also try to take a bit of time to see what naturopaths are available. to you. explore and inform yourself.

depression is a pretty easy thing when you learn to love yourself and get good nutrition. fish oils in particular.

[rms]

Thanks, my biggest concerns attm are anxiety and this lack of ability to concentrate myself, I tend to zone out alot and have the atenttion span of a fly...

I think I will talk to my current psyquiatrist that prescribed Alzen and Stablon and report how i'm felling, he seems to be a pretty nice fellow.

[MizzT]

i dont know if you ever checked this out but i use it all the time and it works well for anxiety.
http://www.emofree.com

and magnesium for anxiety too. try to remember that the Alzen in particular is classed as a "major tranquilizer". It can certainly make for the lack of concentration and exhaustion. talk to the psych...explain in detail. see if you can lower doses or what they might suggest to get you back up to functioning well.

I dont mean to be harsh at all. I really truly care. I worry too. I worry about each and every "kid" who comes in here personally. Im not a mom to any of my own offspring, rms....but i have a strong maternal thing going. I really do care.
But if it takes you another semester, or year, or whatever.....Its OK!!!!! life is LONG!!! don't be MY age and trying to figure this out. altho i dont see me as old at all....Im still a kid!!! at 39.

its all ok....you will get thru all of it....including school. but in due time.
Ive gotta run now but you have a good day. Try to talk to the shrink. try to get more info. Try to have one happy hour if its nothing more than putting your feet up and listening to some good music....ok!

peace

[rms]

Thanks, I really do appreciatte your help.

last time I went there I was suposed to cut my dosage to 1/3 pill (Alzen), but I will try to have an appointment with him this weekend so we can "work something else".

Do you use msn or icq, would love to chat with you one of these days when you have time and patience

OBS: Music is among the very few things that keeps me going

[MizzT]

I dont use MSN because im on a mac and have not had luck with it. I will see if my icq works and let you know.

let yourself get absorbed in good music whenever you can. breathe to it. relax to it.

[rms]

Ok I haven't took Quentiapine and Stablon for the past 2 days...and I fell so tired and sleepy I almost cant get out of bed

[rms]

fells like I had rested in 2 days...gezz cant even hope my eyes properly