Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Jason Vaughn482 said:Honestly, I am the absolute worst kind of patient; I tend to treat my medical regimen like a series of suggestions rather than instructions, mostly because I harbor a deep-seated skepticism toward these pharmaceutical interventions. As it stands, I just took half of my 25 mg dose, and if I wake up tomorrow feeling like garbage, I’m simply done with it... personally, I find that Xanax is the only thing that actually provides me with any semblance of relief.

I wouldn't recommend xanax. I know it feels great once it kicks in, but honestly, getting off it was an absolute nightmare for me. It took me six whole months to finally get free.

Kenneth Scott41 said:I wouldn't recommend xanax. I know it feels great once it kicks in, but honestly, getting off it was an absolute nightmare for me. It took me six whole months to finally get free.

I have been on it for three years now, maintaining a strictly disciplined regimen of 0.5 mg taken two or three times a day—I never deviate from that dose, and so far, I haven't found any reason to increase it.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I have been on it for three years now, maintaining a strictly disciplined regimen of 0.5 mg taken two or three times a day—I never deviate from that dose, and so far, I haven't found any reason to increase it.

I think you're fine as long as you keep that dosage strictly under control—but if you start chasing a higher high, then you're looking at a massive problem.

fadedbear92 said:I think you're fine as long as you keep that dosage strictly under control—but if you start chasing a higher high, then you're looking at a massive problem.

Exactly—I came across that exact sentiment during my own research, which is precisely why I remain so hyper-vigilant. Even on those grueling days when my nerves are frayed or my anxiety starts to spiral, I refuse to cross that line; I never exceed three doses of my 0.5 mg, though deep down, I know that isn't a sustainable fix. I truly believe sticking to an antidepressant is the better path, yet here I am, ten days into a 25mg Zoloft regimen, feeling more depressed than I ever have in my life. It’s a strange, unsettling sensation, unlike anything I usually experience. Perhaps it's merely the initial adjustment period, so I'm planning to push through for at least another ten days to see if the fog clears... but then again, there's this nagging suspicion that antidepressants are far more effective at treating depression than they are at tackling anxiety. It almost feels as though a perfect solution simply doesn't exist. When I was on Calixta for nearly a year, I didn't even feel its effects, though it did provide the solace of decent sleep without any side effects, aside from some minor weight gain that didn't really impact my overall mood.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Exactly—I came across that exact sentiment during my own research, which is precisely why I remain so hyper-vigilant. Even on those grueling days when my nerves are frayed or my anxiety starts to spiral, I refuse to cross that line; I never exceed three doses of my 0.5 mg, though deep down, I know that isn't a sustainable fix. I truly believe sticking to an antidepressant is the better path, yet here I am, ten days into a 25mg Zoloft regimen, feeling more depressed than I ever have in my life. It’s a strange, unsettling sensation, unlike anything I usually experience. Perhaps it's merely the initial adjustment period, so I'm planning to push through for at least another ten days to see if the fog clears... but then again, there's this nagging suspicion that antidepressants are far more effective at treating depression than they are at tackling anxiety. It almost feels as though a perfect solution simply doesn't exist. When I was on Calixta for nearly a year, I didn't even feel its effects, though it did provide the solace of decent sleep without any side effects, aside from some minor weight gain that didn't really impact my overall mood.

It depends on which antidepressant you're talking about—in principle, they work on anxiety too.

I have my follow-up appointment with my psychiatrist today.... I’m honestly not feeling any better on this Valdoxan... I’ve been taking it for a month now, yet I’m still crying constantly and struggling just to get through the day.
I am considering asking her about switching medications... but I am genuinely terrified of what she might prescribe next.

George Allen71 said:I have my follow-up appointment with my psychiatrist today.... I’m honestly not feeling any better on this Valdoxan... I’ve been taking it for a month now, yet I’m still crying constantly and struggling just to get through the day.
I am considering asking her about switching medications... but I am genuinely terrified of what she might prescribe next.

I suppose I'm just glad you're still here with us.

I have to admit, I honestly have zero appetite when I’m on Wellbutrin, especially while it's really kicking in. It actually works out perfectly for me, though people around me have already started pointing out how much weight I'm losing. I never really struggled with being overweight to begin with, but now I'm thinking about dropping even more. My friends are all telling me I shouldn't bother since I'm pretty tall and wouldn't want to look too thin, but I'm curious—has anyone else here lost weight using Wellbutrin? I heard it was known for that, so I wanted to see if it's true for you guys too.😁

wiredmason56 said:I have to admit, I honestly have zero appetite when I’m on Wellbutrin, especially while it's really kicking in. It actually works out perfectly for me, though people around me have already started pointing out how much weight I'm losing. I never really struggled with being overweight to begin with, but now I'm thinking about dropping even more. My friends are all telling me I shouldn't bother since I'm pretty tall and wouldn't want to look too thin, but I'm curious—has anyone else here lost weight using Wellbutrin? I heard it was known for that, so I wanted to see if it's true for you guys too.😁

I've only been on Taylor Swift for about 10 days and I've already dropped 6 pounds. I get nauseous sometimes, so I just don't feel like eating. My doctor told me that was expected and that weight loss is part of the deal. I don't feel any better yet, though—maybe I haven't been on it long enough. I'm sticking with it and we'll see.

My prescription was changed today... they switched me over to Lexapro... does anyone know if it’s basically the same thing as Zoloft? Has anyone here actually used Lexapro before?
(I was on Wellbutrin until now... and unfortunately... it just wasn't doing anything for me...)

Scarlet, if you want to look into the whole amphetamine thing, there’s an article on Wikipedia about antidepressants that covers it. You really didn't need to delete my post, though. I was asking a legitimate question. When you're dealing with depression, your brain just... slows down. It feels sluggish. Sometimes you need a nudge to get things moving again. For instance, some doctors actually suggest sleep deprivation as a sort of reset, because the brain has to work overtime just to stay awake, which can stimulate the cortex—and in people struggling with depression, that area often atrophies. See what I mean? Why my question mattered? 🙂

Could someone perhaps explain to me what exactly constitutes trolling??

I suppose someone might be able to, though it’s probably better suited for a thread specifically dedicated to it. Posting something like this here would likely just be considered off-topic.

AR

rapidbadger15 said:Scarlet, if you want to look into the whole amphetamine thing, there’s an article on Wikipedia about antidepressants that covers it. You really didn't need to delete my post, though. I was asking a legitimate question. When you're dealing with depression, your brain just... slows down. It feels sluggish. Sometimes you need a nudge to get things moving again. For instance, some doctors actually suggest sleep deprivation as a sort of reset, because the brain has to work overtime just to stay awake, which can stimulate the cortex—and in people struggling with depression, that area often atrophies. See what I mean? Why my question mattered? 🙂

Are you suggesting that sleep deprivation could actually help with depression? It sounds like someone would be intentionally trying to deprive themselves of sleep?

Michelle Cook21 said:Are you suggesting that sleep deprivation could actually help with depression? It sounds like someone would be intentionally trying to deprive themselves of sleep?

I recall reading something similar in a book once, and there's actually scientific backing for it. I believe they even outlined a specific "protocol" for sleep restriction. If I remember correctly, it involved staying awake every third day, though I could certainly double-check that if anyone here is seriously considering experimenting with such a regimen. 😁The theory posits that simply staying awake through the first half of the night might yield a comparable result...

George Allen71 said:My prescription was changed today... they switched me over to Lexapro... does anyone know if it’s basically the same thing as Zoloft? Has anyone here actually used Lexapro before?
(I was on Wellbutrin until now... and unfortunately... it just wasn't doing anything for me...)

I’ve only been on Zoloft for about ten days now, so I can't say much; frankly, I'm not feeling it yet, but I suppose it's still far too early to tell.🤷

Jason Vaughn482 said:I’ve only been on Zoloft for about ten days now, so I can't say much; frankly, I'm not feeling it yet, but I suppose it's still far too early to tell.🤷

I honestly don't get it... I have BPD, and she just told me straight up that no antidepressant is ever going to work because my core issue is depression. But it’s not just that—it's the emotional volatility, those intense affective states, that no antidepressant can touch. She keeps pushing antipsychotics on me, but I'm just not doing it. I've been through the ringer with them already... I've tried Saphris, Zyprexa, and Zeldox, and I felt like I was literally dying from those combinations. As for antidepressants, though... she wouldn't budge. She kept me stuck on Lexapro for a year and a half while I spent hours every single day crying my eyes out. Then, during an ER visit, they switched me over to Valdoxan, but it was like taking nothing at all. Now, she's prescribed Luxet...
I honestly don't see the point anymore if these medications aren't going to work the way she says they will... if it's just physical therapy instead. What's the point of forcing all these pills on me then?
She even went as far as to threaten me, telling me straight up that this was my very last chance... no more adjustments, no more changes!
I ended up getting into a massive argument with her... she claims I’m acting like I own the place and that I’m trying to run her clinic, and she’s absolutely livid because I went to the ER instead of waiting for her. Apparently, she’s furious that they prescribed me something different than what she had on file. She hasn't even seen me for a follow-up in two months... she won't let me book an appointment unless it's on her terms. I am just completely at my wit's end here... I honestly don't know what else I was supposed to do. I finally looked her in the eye and told her that I have to fight for myself. I told her straight up that neither she nor anyone else is going to step up for me, so I'm going to do whatever it takes to get better. She just went dead silent after that...
Honestly, she really rubbed me the wrong way... if everyone else in the waiting room is bowing down to her just because she holds a medical degree, then I’m certainly not going to join in. It’s just a profession, after all. I’m a director with a Master’s in Economics, but that doesn't mean anything special. I don't walk around acting like I'm God or like my word is the absolute, final truth on everything...

George Allen71 said:I honestly don't get it... I have BPD, and she just told me straight up that no antidepressant is ever going to work because my core issue is depression. But it’s not just that—it's the emotional volatility, those intense affective states, that no antidepressant can touch. She keeps pushing antipsychotics on me, but I'm just not doing it. I've been through the ringer with them already... I've tried Saphris, Zyprexa, and Zeldox, and I felt like I was literally dying from those combinations. As for antidepressants, though... she wouldn't budge. She kept me stuck on Lexapro for a year and a half while I spent hours every single day crying my eyes out. Then, during an ER visit, they switched me over to Valdoxan, but it was like taking nothing at all. Now, she's prescribed Luxet...
I honestly don't see the point anymore if these medications aren't going to work the way she says they will... if it's just physical therapy instead. What's the point of forcing all these pills on me then?
She even went as far as to threaten me, telling me straight up that this was my very last chance... no more adjustments, no more changes!
I ended up getting into a massive argument with her... she claims I’m acting like I own the place and that I’m trying to run her clinic, and she’s absolutely livid because I went to the ER instead of waiting for her. Apparently, she’s furious that they prescribed me something different than what she had on file. She hasn't even seen me for a follow-up in two months... she won't let me book an appointment unless it's on her terms. I am just completely at my wit's end here... I honestly don't know what else I was supposed to do. I finally looked her in the eye and told her that I have to fight for myself. I told her straight up that neither she nor anyone else is going to step up for me, so I'm going to do whatever it takes to get better. She just went dead silent after that...
Honestly, she really rubbed me the wrong way... if everyone else in the waiting room is bowing down to her just because she holds a medical degree, then I’m certainly not going to join in. It’s just a profession, after all. I’m a director with a Master’s in Economics, but that doesn't mean anything special. I don't walk around acting like I'm God or like my word is the absolute, final truth on everything...

I have heard that antipsychotics can actually be quite helpful in many instances involving both depression and anxiety, typically when administered in low doses. I am not an expert on your specific diagnosis, of course, but for example, a close friend of mine takes Zoloft in the morning and 150 mg of Seroquel—an antipsychotic—in the evening, and after years of being housebound, she finally feels wonderful and is functioning beautifully again. Perhaps it might be worth trying that alongside your antidepressant just to see; it is certainly better to try than to continue suffering like this, and small doses of an antipsychotic shouldn't do you any harm.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I have heard that antipsychotics can actually be quite helpful in many instances involving both depression and anxiety, typically when administered in low doses. I am not an expert on your specific diagnosis, of course, but for example, a close friend of mine takes Zoloft in the morning and 150 mg of Seroquel—an antipsychotic—in the evening, and after years of being housebound, she finally feels wonderful and is functioning beautifully again. Perhaps it might be worth trying that alongside your antidepressant just to see; it is certainly better to try than to continue suffering like this, and small doses of an antipsychotic shouldn't do you any harm.

You didn't read that the diagnosis is BPD... and I already listed the antipsychotics I've tried so far, like Invega, Zyprexa, and Zeldox, and none of them helped.

mistycyclist4 said:I've only been on Taylor Swift for about 10 days and I've already dropped 6 pounds. I get nauseous sometimes, so I just don't feel like eating. My doctor told me that was expected and that weight loss is part of the deal. I don't feel any better yet, though—maybe I haven't been on it long enough. I'm sticking with it and we'll see.

So apparently, I'm the only one who's just gaining weight.🤣