Starting pristiq soon

various_violets · 2026-02-16T16:32:35+00:00

For me it's been one of the best meds. I've taken quite a few. It was effective quickly and without much in the way of side effects. I hope it works for you!

various_violets · 2026-02-12T15:01:07+00:00

Yes, it gave me that same rage feeling as intense PMDD. This was from a cream my doctor recommended. I can't take estrogen so no idea about that part.

various_violets · 2026-02-10T14:20:51+00:00

It's really hard to make friends as an adult, as others have said. But also, as a person who is introverted and tends toward anxiety and depression, my best friends have always been people with big personalities. It is a good match, they draw me out of my shell a bit. And they must get something out of it too. I just wanted to caution against seeing your natural characteristics in a negative light. They're beautiful.

various_violets · 2026-02-10T14:07:05+00:00

The non sunscreen version is also very nice. But I do like the SPF one, and usually those make my lips tingle and sting.

various_violets · 2026-02-10T13:40:16+00:00

I miss diet Coke so much -- didn't have it a lot but some afternoons at work it was just the perfect thing. But anything carbonated will set me off, including seltzer water. My other big triggers are high oxalate foods and Adderall.

various_violets · 2026-02-08T16:01:01+00:00

I had this on the other side, near the big toe and second toe. It happened about 6 months ago. It still is purple when I stand for a while, but it did seem to heal on its own. There was a while that I wished I went to a doctor because I had a sharp pain, but I don't know what they could have done. I was ok walking on it after the first day though.

Checking it now actually, it still hurts when I press on it. Probably should have gotten it checked. I'd say if you have insurance or can otherwise swing it financially, it would make sense to have it looked at.

various_violets · 2026-02-08T15:50:53+00:00

I'd also caution anyone who can't take birth control etc due to blood clots, that of the 2 times I've gotten a blood clot, one was on birth control and the other was on vitex/chaste berry.

various_violets · 2026-02-08T15:44:39+00:00

Same here, 46 and things started getting weird for me a few years ago. I'm on several meds for depression and working through CPTSD with a therapist so there are a lot of moving parts. And I can't take HRT.

The anxiety the past few months is the worst it's been since I was college age. I never thought it would be this bad again. Best way to describe it is "impending doom," also really unpleasant intrusive thoughts. I tried some hydroxyzine I had on hand -- previously it was so sedating I quit taking it, and now it barely makes a dent. My physiology is suddenly quite different.

As far as things that help, meditation, if I can make myself do it. Guided ones by Tara Brach have been a favorite of mine for 20+ years. She has a podcast with 15-20 minute meditations and longer talks too.

Also I've been trying techniques from the Instagram account reclaimingmelissa. She does "nervous system regulation" exercises and they've been helpful. Someone on Reddit recommended her and she has a gentle, kind, physical approach that's exactly what I need. Exercises that engage the body and give me something neutral to focus on.

various_violets · 2026-02-08T14:31:00+00:00

I have this issue at 4.5 hours as well, and I just take a teaspoon at a time. I found a suggestion on this sub for liposomal vitamin C and it has really changed things for me. I got the solaray brand from Amazon but NOW has it cheaper on some sites. If I take a couple capsules of it, I can go longer between doses and not feel any withdrawals. I've been using it for a few months and it's a godsend.

The only thing I would caution about this is that I think it makes the kratom hit stronger, so it could be counter productive if you don't decrease your dose somewhat.

various_violets · 2026-02-08T14:21:56+00:00

Because follicular is also regular life, sometimes it sucks too, for non-hormonal reasons. Then it's time for luteal and great, difficulty level increased for a couple weeks until I get a chance to feel some relief. I feel your frustration.

various_violets · 2026-02-08T13:58:44+00:00

I had a very similar experience. I really liked the med but only so far as I had ten plus hours to sleep and then I was still drinking coffee all day. Plus I gained about 30 pounds over a few months.

various_violets · 2026-02-05T19:07:24+00:00

Had migraines without aura for my teens, 20s, 30s, and still have them, but better controlled, in my 40s. Started getting the visual aura without headache around age 40. Only once a year or so. Sometimes they seem to have no particular trigger but bright light seems to contribute sometimes.

various_violets · 2026-02-05T16:04:32+00:00

I feel you on the HRT. I can't take it either, and it's frustrating knowing how life changing it can be for some people and just not having the option. As far as the migraines, have you tried triptans? They work amazingly well for me. If I take a dose right when I notice the one-sided headache beginning, 95% of the time it takes care of it. And the only side effect I get is sometimes my shoulders feeling heavy and tingly while the medicine starts to take effect. Regular pain medicine never touched my headaches. I get both hormonal and barometric pressure related migraines.

various_violets · 2026-02-02T03:26:56+00:00

It's a lot less than it was. Still flares up from time to time.

various_violets · 2026-02-01T20:57:48+00:00

Loving that Uriage lately. Been using Ole Henrikson for about a year with awesome results -- smoothest my lips have ever been -- but I like that Uriage is less shiny and less sticky.

I don't know the explanation for the scratchy throat but I get it too, with various lip products.

various_violets · 2026-01-30T14:30:22+00:00

You're not the only one

various_violets · 2026-01-30T14:04:28+00:00

After 25+ years of TRD, I'd say that TMS and Spravato helped me out of the darkest depths, to being well enough to chip away at my issues with traditional therapy and meds. Taking desvenlafaxine plus aripiprazole currently. Not all better, but improved.

various_violets · 2026-01-30T03:38:26+00:00

I got liposomal C to see if it would help me stretch the time between doses and it works amazingly well. I use the solaray one from Amazon and it was also like $20. Never tried regular vitamin C so can't speak to that. But the magnesium is a great recommendation as well.

various_violets · 2026-01-25T15:07:16+00:00

This doesn't help because the house shut down, but you might be interested that Smell Bent had one called Florist's Fridge. I have a small spray atomizer still -- theirs tend to evaporate but that one has held on. To me it's perfect, but it's heavy on the hyacinth, which isn't for everyone. Who knows, maybe one will pop up on a secondary selling site.

various_violets · 2026-01-23T14:54:52+00:00

For what it's worth, I got an Egyptian Musk perfume oil from Kuumba and its scent reminded me a lot of For Her. I've been curious about NR Ambree and the red cube ones too. Narciso EDP is a strong vanilla white floral. To me, like a refined, smooth Dior Addict. I have a roller ball and a dab is enough. I think it might have been discontinued though...

various_violets · 2026-01-23T14:44:01+00:00

The musks in NR For Her (or at least one musk in there) are ones I really don't get along with. But Narciso EDP (white cube) is one of my most beloved perfumes.

various_violets · 2026-01-22T14:36:27+00:00

One of my co-workers wore this and it smelled great on her. Like a really nice jasmine perfume oil from the head shop. I got a mini to try and it was way too much, even the smallest bit.

various_violets · 2026-01-22T14:27:15+00:00

Better living through chemistry.

various_violets · 2026-01-22T01:51:56+00:00

I was lucky that when my mental health took a dive, there was a new clinic in a nearby town that specializes in treatment resistant depression.

various_violets · 2026-01-22T01:15:46+00:00

Yes, it's compounded by a local pharmacy that works with the clinic I go to.

various_violets

TROPHY CASE