Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Brandon Lopez6 said:risset + seroxat + Akineton + Helex 🙄
3 + 1 + 2 + 5 = 11
(that's the order I listed them above)

Honestly, I just want something that helps without nuking my emotions. I'd much rather feel sad when things actually suck than be some mindless zombie who can't even cry or process anything, while everything just eats away at me from the inside.

When I finally stopped my meds, the flood of emotions was honestly terrifying. It hit me how much I'd forgotten what being happy even feels like.😲

Though, once I tell my doctor how bad it's been, I'll probably get prescribed something even heavier because the way I describe it sounds pretty grim. But the thing is, I just need a tiny bit of help to get back to baseline. I can handle the rest on my own.🙂
I don't need a motorized scooter to carry me through life; I just need a little crutch to help me walk steady on my own.😁

Could you please explain what those numbers mean? Are you saying that’s the total number of pills you're taking?
Are you actually taking 5 Helex tablets a day?

redranger2 said:Could you please explain what those numbers mean? Are you saying that’s the total number of pills you're taking?
Are you actually taking 5 Helex tablets a day?

Wait, if Helex comes in 0.5mg doses, then what are we looking at?
That would only be 2.5mg total.

From what I understand, the maximum dose usually caps out around 5-6mg.🙄

Frank Campbell said:Wait, if Helex comes in 0.5mg doses, then what are we looking at?
That would only be 2.5mg total.

From what I understand, the maximum dose usually caps out around 5-6mg.🙄

Regardless, it is still a significant amount, because when you combine it with an AP, it could very well be
one of the primary reasons you feel like a total zombie.
You were likely prescribed Akineton specifically to combat the side effects caused by the AP.
You really ought to explain these sensations to your psychiatrist; perhaps
they will consider adjusting your treatment plan. Don't afford them the luxury of silence regarding your symptoms.

Are you still struggling with intense anxiety? If that has subsided, try tapering down on the
Helex, as it should ideally be taken on an as-needed basis rather than as a constant fixture in your routine.🙂

I’ve cut everything else out. Just two Helex a day to keep my head straight right now (still on Reglan for my stomach and some meds for PCOS). Honestly, the anxiety is pretty brutal, but I refuse to feel like a total zombie again. That feeling was just... not it.🙂

Really hoping I land a doctor who actually listens instead of just pushing every pill in the cabinet on me..

Yeah, it’s honestly such a struggle when you and your doctor just aren't on the same page.
And listen, Brandon Lopez6, you’ve gotta be more persistent and really advocate for yourself with your doctors. You have to realize that if a medication isn't working or the side effects are absolutely brutal, you need to check in with them way more often. Helex is an anxiolytic—it's basically there to help us manage the anxiety while we wait for an antidepressant to actually kick in. Personally, I went through at least 10 different meds before I finally found the one that actually worked for me...
Just let this give you a little bit of hope that there is a solution out there for you too. Just stay stubborn, keep listening to your body, and take care of yourself. Good luck!

So, with my last doctor, I was actually sticking to the treatment plan religiously for like 8 or 9 months. All that time, I was stuck on Seroxet because he refused to budge. His whole logic was basically, "It’s definitely going to kick in eventually, just keep taking it. It's the best antidepressant out there, it'll work for you, just hang in there." He wouldn't touch the dosage or swap the med, even though I clearly wasn't feeling any better. Honestly, once I finally stopped taking it, things actually felt way worse.

Anyway... now I'm heading over to the VA hospital (I think my referral says "Main Campus") and I'm just praying I get a doctor who actually has some patience and a bit of common sense.

Has anyone here actually dealt with Leponex before? My psychiatrist just put me on it today, and honestly, I’ve never even heard of it. If anyone has some firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it—just trying to get a rough idea of what I'm getting into... 😁

Arthur Vaughn2 said:Has anyone here actually dealt with Leponex before? My psychiatrist just put me on it today, and honestly, I’ve never even heard of it. If anyone has some firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it—just trying to get a rough idea of what I'm getting into... 😁

It's a standard antipsychotic—potent and quite effective.
I don't have personal experience with it, but perhaps someone currently taking it will weigh in.🤷

Arthur Vaughn2 said:Has anyone here actually dealt with Leponex before? My psychiatrist just put me on it today, and honestly, I’ve never even heard of it. If anyone has some firsthand experience, I’d love to hear it—just trying to get a rough idea of what I'm getting into... 😁

So, what did they prescribe it for? Like, what's the diagnosis?
I've been on it for about a year and a half now—usually one in the morning and two at night... For the first month or two, it totally knocked me out, but now? Man, I barely even feel it anymore. It's like it doesn't even do anything. 🤷

@shadowbear9

I haven't tried antipsychotics yet; I really need to sit down and discuss that with my doctor first. To be honest, I'm just not entirely sure how insomnia is even treated. I guess I was under this misguided impression that I was one of those rare cases—like one in a million—who actually deals with this, so... 🤷

Insomnia isn't exactly a rare thing 🙂
just flip through the last few pages. There’s a ton of stuff on sleep issues in there; might actually be useful if you end up getting prescribed any of those meds (I think Ambien gets mentioned most often alongside xanax or Ativan)

And yeah, doctors definitely prescribe antipsychotics for sleep sometimes.

driftinggull21 said:It's a standard antipsychotic—potent and quite effective.
I don't have personal experience with it, but perhaps someone currently taking it will weigh in.🤷

Actually, from what I gather, Leponex isn't your run-of-the-mill type; it's an atypical antipsychotic. It's widely considered one of the most effective options on the market right now. That said, doctors don't prescribe it all the time because there's a risk of agranulocytosis. You basically have to get regular blood work done—usually every two weeks—just to keep an eye on things and make sure those white cell counts stay safe.

shadowbear9 said:@shadowbear9

I haven't tried antipsychotics yet; I really need to sit down and discuss that with my doctor first. To be honest, I'm just not entirely sure how insomnia is even treated. I guess I was under this misguided impression that I was one of those rare cases—like one in a million—who actually deals with this, so... 🤷

You aren't. I’ve been a chronic insomniac for years, used to find myself wide awake until 5 or 6 in the morning.
My psychiatrist refuses to prescribe standard sleeping pills because they don't view them as a
long-term fix, arguing that they just lead to dependency and end up wrecking your nervous system even further.
Antipsychotics actually work wonders for sleep, and as a side benefit, they help pull you out of depression and quiet down
anxiety.

Check out this first post where a specialist mentions Seroquel (Q-pin):
http://www.mayoclinic.org/...insomnia-treatment/

P.S. Just ask your psychiatrist about antipsychotics and see what their take is on the matter.

Justin Rogers5 said:Has any of you ladies ever taken Eglonyl, or maybe you're on it right now? Did it mess with your period or cause any other issues down there?

I was on Eglonyl for about six months, and for the first two months, I was getting my period twice a month.
Like, what even is that? As if I don't have enough to deal with, now I get to go through PMS twice a month. Just great.
Then, after those two months passed, my period just stopped altogether. Aside from that, I actually handled the meds pretty well.
It definitely helped with my temper—it calmed me right down, and I became totally chill about everything.

Brandon Lopez6 said:Insomnia isn't exactly a rare thing 🙂
just flip through the last few pages. There’s a ton of stuff on sleep issues in there; might actually be useful if you end up getting prescribed any of those meds (I think Ambien gets mentioned most often alongside xanax or Ativan)

And yeah, doctors definitely prescribe antipsychotics for sleep sometimes.

It's all over the place. I mean, why wasn't I offered those options right away? I've been on Ambien and Misar for three years now, and they haven't even suggested a different brand or a substitute. Meanwhile, they switch my dad from Xanax to Misar every few months or so. I was on Paxil for a while before I stopped, and now I'm on Elavil... I suppose I should ask my doctor about it, though I really don't want to come across like I'm trying to lecture her on her own job.

Honestly, it just depends on which doctor you’re seeing. Everyone’s got their own specific playbook and they'll prescribe whatever they think is best for your particular situation. You aren't going to get the exact same med or dosage for the same condition every single time. Just ask them—it’s not like it costs you anything to get some clarity 🙂

shadowbear9 said:It's all over the place. I mean, why wasn't I offered those options right away? I've been on Ambien and Misar for three years now, and they haven't even suggested a different brand or a substitute. Meanwhile, they switch my dad from Xanax to Misar every few months or so. I was on Paxil for a while before I stopped, and now I'm on Elavil... I suppose I should ask my doctor about it, though I really don't want to come across like I'm trying to lecture her on her own job.

Even if you do end up lecturing her, so what? Who cares. You are standing up
for your own health and your own well-being, and that is a fundamental right that no one can strip away from you.
Go ahead and ask her, because you have every right to be fully informed about your own treatment.😉

I’m with redranger2 on this one. Honestly, there have been plenty of times where my doctors—not just the psych ones, but everyone—didn't bother telling me the side effects of what they were prescribing. So now, I find myself grilling anyone and everyone I can, including people here on this forum, just to make sure I'm staying safe. It’s not about being a know-it-all; it’s just basic self-care at this point. If you know option B actually exists, but someone is shoving option A down your throat, you’ve got every right to ask why B wasn't even on the table to begin with.

Brandon Lopez6 said:I’m with redranger2 on this one. Honestly, there have been plenty of times where my doctors—not just the psych ones, but everyone—didn't bother telling me the side effects of what they were prescribing. So now, I find myself grilling anyone and everyone I can, including people here on this forum, just to make sure I'm staying safe. It’s not about being a know-it-all; it’s just basic self-care at this point. If you know option B actually exists, but someone is shoving option A down your throat, you’ve got every right to ask why B wasn't even on the table to begin with.

That is precisely my approach as well. I used to worry about what a doctor might think of me if I spoke up, but now I realize I can ask whatever I need to; after all, they won't remember me five minutes after I walk out of the office anyway.

I also make it a point to research the implications of any drug I am prescribed, and I encountered a particularly absurd situation when I developed an allergic reaction to Hale. My physician prescribed an antihistamine to combat the allergy. When I sat down to read the fine print regarding potential side effects, I discovered that the medication itself could actually cause
an allergic reaction. It is a complete paradox; being prescribed an anti-allergy medication only to potentially suffer an allergy 🤣

Timothy Wood38 said:Actually, from what I gather, Leponex isn't your run-of-the-mill type; it's an atypical antipsychotic. It's widely considered one of the most effective options on the market right now. That said, doctors don't prescribe it all the time because there's a risk of agranulocytosis. You basically have to get regular blood work done—usually every two weeks—just to keep an eye on things and make sure those white cell counts stay safe.

I misspoke. My mistake. It is an atypical. Blood counts are monitored regularly and usually come back normal. While it is prescribed, it is rarely the first line of treatment.