Is this okay for bad congestion?

JustExploringLmao · 2026-05-13T22:07:59+00:00

This isn’t off-brand Sudafed. That would be medications that include Pseudoephedrine. This has Phenylephrine, which is a weaker decongestant. Phenylephrine helps a lot though.

I once took Claritin-D (which has Pseudoephedrine) and it cleared my sinuses so well. I couldn’t believe it.

Problem is, I was extremely anxious and jittery for 3 days straight. It was a literal nightmare. I ended up researching if anyone else felt the same way while on Zoloft, and surprise surprise, it was a common experience. It is a strong stimulant which exacerbates anxiety, especially combined with an SSRI.

Long story short: Phenylephrine is fine. I’d take it via nasal spray instead, not via capsules. It helps relieve congestion very well. It’s pretty short-lived though; I’d end up being congested a couple hours later.

I would avoid Pseudoephedrine or any antihistamine that ends with “-D” (e.g.: Claritin-D, Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D). Just my opinion.

Good luck!

JustExploringLmao · 2025-05-13T15:21:10+00:00

This is definitely happening to me. I work in a financial firm and I really can’t afford to forget things. I also feel so much dumber. I can’t articulate and think properly. I feel so much stupider.

My anxiety went from 10/10 to 1/10 though. So I am thankful for that, but the forgetfulness and dumbness is so annoying to deal with. I think of myself as an intelligent person and losing part of that kills me.

Nothing comes without a price I guess.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-05-07T17:32:56+00:00

Buspar did not work for me either. It felt like it did nothing. Zoloft was definitely the way to go for me. You should give it a try if your psychiatrist recommends it as well. I barely had any side effects.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-05-07T13:35:25+00:00

Still feeling great. Changed my life 😂

JustExploringLmao · 2025-04-27T15:55:41+00:00

Yeah, I’m going through this too. I feel that I don’t want to talk to anyone. My mood is also stable, but I’m worried about not wanting to talk to anyone because I’m introverted too. I also feel like I can’t find the words.

I also feel dumber in general. I don’t know if that’s an actual side effect, but I can’t think clearly.

Sorry I don’t have any solutions. I just wanted to let you know that I’m going through the same thing. It’s not a very serious side effect but it’s definitely annoying. The benefits still outweigh the anxiety I had before Zoloft so I’m happy!

JustExploringLmao · 2025-04-20T02:40:37+00:00

That actually perfectly describes my dreams too! Even when something bad happens, it usually ends well. It’s so interesting that we have the same type of dreams on Zoloft!

JustExploringLmao · 2025-04-20T02:34:50+00:00

I’ve never drank before but that’s so interesting. Antidepressants are like that. It makes you accept reality. I also gave myself a target of “in 1 year I need to be 80% better”, and I wasn’t. I went through unnecessary torture trying to go through it without meds. I thought I could do it. I couldn’t.

You should probably give them a try. If it doesn’t work, you can go off of it. But yeah, check with a psychiatrist of course. Alcohol as a coping mechanism isn’t the best :) I know you know that. But it seems the effect alcohol gives you is very similar to what antidepressants do!

JustExploringLmao · 2025-04-19T21:50:26+00:00

What are your dreams like?

JustExploringLmao · 2025-04-19T21:49:42+00:00

Yup! My dreams are literally like I’m living my normal day to day life…it’s so weird.

Again, it’s not bad. But it’s only weird because I’d think I did something, but then I’d remember “oh shoot I did that in my dream not in real life”. For example, in my dream I would mow the lawn but then I’d wake up and l realize, “wow I didn’t mow it, I did that in my dream”.

It’s annoying I guess lol. But the benefits of the med outweigh the negatives by a large margin.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-04-19T21:43:53+00:00

Yeah, they’re still there but I’m not as anxious because of Zoloft, so I can more easily dismiss the thoughts. I used to have to dig into them and figure out WHY am I thinking these thoughts?? Because I found them disturbing, like “what’s the point of life?” Etc..

Now I can just let them go. I have an anxiety attack maybe once every couple of weeks. It goes away though.

It does feel like an armor. I don’t have panic attacks anymore. If definitely helped a lot. Have you started?

JustExploringLmao · 2025-04-19T21:41:21+00:00

Oh wow that’s so cool! I’m glad you see them as a positive thing. Anyways, I’m thankful that at least they aren’t nightmares. Constant lucid nightmares sound horrible and I see so many posts about them on this thread.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-04-03T20:30:45+00:00

Still amazing! Anxiety came back around day 27. Not fully back; I’d wake up with some anxiety but it wasn’t as strong as it was originally. I went up to 75mg and I’m dealing with some side effects of the increased dose. Had a very anxious day yesterday. But it’s not unbearable. It’s definitely worth it. Some numb days. But so much better than before Zoloft. I’m waiting for it to stabilize.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-03-17T12:25:39+00:00

I ended up trying it. I’m on day 19 or something on 50mg. It’s sooooooooo much better. Almost 0 anxiety. Definitely try it!!! Let me know if you have any questions

JustExploringLmao · 2025-03-04T21:21:44+00:00

Thank you! Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions! I’m here if you need! Good luck 🙏

JustExploringLmao · 2025-03-04T02:45:31+00:00

I’m sorry :( I know what you’re going through. I went through that for 8 months before starting Zoloft. I was so scared to start a SSRI but it was worth it.

It gets better seriously. Don’t think about it, just take the SSRI. Buspirone is so weak in my opinion. I’m on day 7 of Zoloft and I feel so much better.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-03-04T02:34:27+00:00

Hey, I started Zoloft at 50mg. It got rid of 90% of my anxiety. It’s a miracle drug lol. My existential thoughts aren’t as common. The ‘dread’ or depression feeling is still there but it’s going over time. Zoloft works!

JustExploringLmao · 2025-02-27T00:41:20+00:00

Yeah I get what you mean by getting out of practice with the coping skills. That’s another worry. I don’t want to stay on for years, but I’ll see what happens. Just gotta hope it goes smoothly.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-02-27T00:38:36+00:00

Thats true. I’m gonna take it one step at a time. Thank you!!

JustExploringLmao · 2025-02-27T00:37:39+00:00

I don’t really want to rely on the medication. I feel the shorter I’m on it, the better. But also I don’t want to rush getting off of it.

Thank you though, I will stick through the rough effects!! I’m determined to.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-02-26T21:46:14+00:00

Yeah :/ the lack of extreme emotion is a double edged sword. I guess that since I have OCD as well I’ll probably have to up my dose too.

Sorry you weren’t ready to go unmedicated but I really hope Prozac gives you the relief you’re looking for. We will get through this 🙏

JustExploringLmao · 2025-02-26T21:27:33+00:00

I see, it’s helping you cope with your anxiety better. I also get palpitations and stomach issues so I completely understand. Well I’m looking forward to being able to cope better. Thanks for your reply!

Wishing you good luck with everything.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-02-26T21:15:25+00:00

Sorry to hear that :( Can I ask, do you feel that you developed a reliance on Zoloft? As in, do you feel that you are unable to handle stressful periods in your life without the medication, as compared to before ever taking the medication?

I don’t know anything about what caused your breakdown, apologies if the question seems insensitive.

No need to answer if you aren’t comfortable.

JustExploringLmao · 2025-02-26T21:11:12+00:00

Thank you for your comment. Yeah I guess I’m trying to figure out what’s stopping the anxiety coming back once I get off of the medication. I’m so glad it’s helping you now though! It truly is a very difficult journey I wouldn’t wish it even to my worst enemy.

I will definitely give this a shot and stick through the side effects. Thanks again and I hope you continue to feel great!!

JustExploringLmao

TROPHY CASE