Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Kevin Bailey2 said:The "XR" just means it's extended-release, so it kicks in slower and lasts longer.

For me, it spiked my appetite for the first three days.
After that, nothing.

Yeah, mine told me to take it once a day as a stabilizer. 😕
When exactly do you start feeling that XR kick in?
I'm really hoping I don't pack on the pounds... because right now, I'm already feeling a bit heavy...😍

Gerald Torres2 said:So, I was just prescribed Seoquel XR at 50 mg to take at bedtime. I see that some of you seem to be doing fine on it, but you’re all taking the standard version while I’ve been put on the XR formulation. Could someone please explain the actual difference between the two? Also, I’m curious if anyone has dealt with weight gain from this specific version. The instructions mention it’s a common side effect, and frankly, that’s the last thing I want to deal with right now.
thanks for the input.

Basically, the pill is designed for a slow release based on what your body needs, so it stays active through your entire 12-hour sleep cycle.
If anyone here knows more about how that works, please jump in!😉

fadedbear92 said:Basically, the pill is designed for a slow release based on what your body needs, so it stays active through your entire 12-hour sleep cycle.
If anyone here knows more about how that works, please jump in!😉

Well, that’s exactly my concern... how long does this stuff actually last, and how quickly does it kick in? I have a job interview tomorrow and I'm terrified that if I take it tonight, I'll show up looking like a total drunk. Plus, I've got class on Saturday, and I'm dealing with the same anxiety there too...
I'm stuck deciding whether I should just skip it for those two days entirely, or maybe try taking it around 5 or 6 PM so it wears off by 11 when my interview starts...😕
Any advice???

Gerald Torres2 said:Well, that’s exactly my concern... how long does this stuff actually last, and how quickly does it kick in? I have a job interview tomorrow and I'm terrified that if I take it tonight, I'll show up looking like a total drunk. Plus, I've got class on Saturday, and I'm dealing with the same anxiety there too...
I'm stuck deciding whether I should just skip it for those two days entirely, or maybe try taking it around 5 or 6 PM so it wears off by 11 when my interview starts...😕
Any advice???

I can't give you a definitive answer. It really depends on how sensitive you are to meds. But one thing is certain: most people don't feel the same way after they've slept through the initial effects.

50 milligrams isn't a massive dose—some people are out here taking 800 milligrams of Seroquel.

If you take it tonight, I'd say there's a tiny chance you'll show up looking "drunk." At worst, you might just seem a bit more sluggish than usual... which honestly isn't even a bad thing. It'll definitely keep you from being overly anxious during the interview.

Gerald Torres2 said:Well, that’s exactly my concern... how long does this stuff actually last, and how quickly does it kick in? I have a job interview tomorrow and I'm terrified that if I take it tonight, I'll show up looking like a total drunk. Plus, I've got class on Saturday, and I'm dealing with the same anxiety there too...
I'm stuck deciding whether I should just skip it for those two days entirely, or maybe try taking it around 5 or 6 PM so it wears off by 11 when my interview starts...😕
Any advice???

Your best bet is to take it around 8 PM. Don't wait until midnight.

Gerald Torres2 said:Yeah, mine told me to take it once a day as a stabilizer. 😕
When exactly do you start feeling that XR kick in?
I'm really hoping I don't pack on the pounds... because right now, I'm already feeling a bit heavy...😍

If she said "one a day," you can pretty much count that as "one at night." Just take it right before bed. If you're worried about the munchies, that's your best bet. Usually, those cravings hit hardest when the meds are peaking... so it's better to just sleep through that imaginary hunger.

But seriously... at first, I just felt hungry. After a while, even that stopped.

Then again, I’m basically on the edge of having anorexia, so who am I to give advice on this stuff?

Kevin Bailey2 said:If she said "one a day," you can pretty much count that as "one at night." Just take it right before bed. If you're worried about the munchies, that's your best bet. Usually, those cravings hit hardest when the meds are peaking... so it's better to just sleep through that imaginary hunger.

But seriously... at first, I just felt hungry. After a while, even that stopped.

Then again, I’m basically on the edge of having anorexia, so who am I to give advice on this stuff?

Well, mine was prescribed for the evening too... so I'll probably take it around 7 or 8 PM like you suggested. I don't want to be a total zombie during my interview tomorrow since this is the extended-release version. I've taken all sorts of pills before, but I've never tried an antipsychotic, so I honestly have no clue what to expect... and when does the drug actually kick in? Like, how long after taking it? Since you know about this XR version?? Sorry for being such a pain, I'm just a little stressed out...😢

Gerald Torres2 said:Well, mine was prescribed for the evening too... so I'll probably take it around 7 or 8 PM like you suggested. I don't want to be a total zombie during my interview tomorrow since this is the extended-release version. I've taken all sorts of pills before, but I've never tried an antipsychotic, so I honestly have no clue what to expect... and when does the drug actually kick in? Like, how long after taking it? Since you know about this XR version?? Sorry for being such a pain, I'm just a little stressed out...😢

For me, Seroquel hits hardest about thirty minutes after I take it. Almost immediately. I usually just head straight to bed and wake up feeling rested, though I'm a little groggy until I grab a coffee or a Gatorade. That usually snaps me out of it. And then, of course, I start my morning routine... Prozac and Valium.

Don't sweat it. Those aren't even high doses.

Kevin Bailey2 said:For me, Seroquel hits hardest about thirty minutes after I take it. Almost immediately. I usually just head straight to bed and wake up feeling rested, though I'm a little groggy until I grab a coffee or a Gatorade. That usually snaps me out of it. And then, of course, I start my morning routine... Prozac and Valium.

Don't sweat it. Those aren't even high doses.

That’s great, thanks so much for the heads-up!!! 😍
Wellbutrin is going to be my lifesaver; it’s basically my morning jumpstart. 🙂

Honestly, this Xanax feels like water to me. I took 7 mg today—spread out over about four hours—and besides feeling a little sluggish, I don't feel a thing. I’m planning on taking the bottle back to my doctor. Though, given how much of a monster my tolerance for benzos is, you probably shouldn't take my word as gospel. Back in the day, before I built up this massive resistance, even a tiny 1 mg dose used to hit me just right... but that was ages ago, since the last time I even touched the stuff. I might give it another shot, but I'll try sticking to it only when things get heavy.

Kevin Bailey2 said:For me, Seroquel hits hardest about thirty minutes after I take it. Almost immediately. I usually just head straight to bed and wake up feeling rested, though I'm a little groggy until I grab a coffee or a Gatorade. That usually snaps me out of it. And then, of course, I start my morning routine... Prozac and Valium.

Don't sweat it. Those aren't even high doses.

I ended up getting a bit anxious and decided I’ll just hold off on starting the Seroquel until Saturday night. Between a job interview today, studying for school all afternoon, and a workshop tomorrow morning... I figured it was better to delay. I'll let you guys know how it goes once I actually try it.😍

I’ve been taking Xanax myself, and I can back up what’s already been said—it doesn't leave you feeling numb or totally wiped out; after a little while, you just feel like your normal self again.

Gerald Torres2 said:I ended up getting a bit anxious and decided I’ll just hold off on starting the Seroquel until Saturday night. Between a job interview today, studying for school all afternoon, and a workshop tomorrow morning... I figured it was better to delay. I'll let you guys know how it goes once I actually try it.😍

Makes sense.
Antipsychotics used to sound 😲 😲 😲
to me, too. But once you actually find the right one, it’s not some huge deal. Still... definitely better than those standard benzos.

Do antipsychotics cause a heavy addiction?

I don't think so. I was on Zyprexa about eleven years ago for a duration of one year. I was able to taper off completely without any issues at all. Now, I’ve had to start taking it again because my OCD decided to flare up after all those wonderful, peaceful years. But that’s a whole different conversation.

I suppose Seroquel seems to be working wonders for just about everyone🙂

Kevin Bailey2 said:Do antipsychotics cause a heavy addiction?

Look, if you look at most of the research out there, you're basically looking at taking these APs for the rest of your life anyway—so honestly, does it even matter if they're addictive or not? It's all moot when you're on them indefinitely.

David Vaughn75 said:Look, if you look at most of the research out there, you're basically looking at taking these APs for the rest of your life anyway—so honestly, does it even matter if they're addictive or not? It's all moot when you're on them indefinitely.

Yeah. That’s exactly what I told my buddy when he started getting worked up about why I was using the Associated Press. 😵

Death of Art said:Yeah, I mean... my psychiatrist basically handed them over because I was itching for something to happen, not because I actually needed them. Good grief... 🙂

People act like these meds are pure poison, which is just plain stupid.

David Vaughn75 said:People act like these meds are pure poison, which is just plain stupid.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or just messing with me here...
But let’s be real: drugs have a certain level of toxicity. You can't deny that.
That's why I take milk thistle to support my liver whenever I'm on meds.

That said, speaking from experience, since I started my medication (about a year ago), my PHYSICAL health has improved massively.

My logic is pretty simple: stress is the root cause of most ailments, and being on medication keeps your stress levels way down. Naturally, your immune system follows suit.
At least, that's how I see it.

Before I was medicated, I was physically sick almost every single week... some virus, this ache, that pain... it never ended.

Just recently, I was right in the middle of a crowd of people who were clearly sick (I don't know if it was the flu or something else, but they were running fevers over 102)... and I didn't catch a single thing.

Plus, those issues I've dealt with since I was ten—my asthma and allergies—have basically vanished.
I had my first asthma attack right after my father passed away. I was ten. From that point on, I was practically living in hospitals. They threw every allergy and asthma med under the sun at me, but nothing worked.

Now? Dust, pollen, ragweed... none of it bothers me. Even mites.

It's entirely possible all my physical issues were rooted in my mental state.
And that isn't something you can just "willpower" your way out of. I tried everything before—piles of vitamins, strict diets—nothing did a damn thing for me compared to psychotropic meds.

I'm strictly talking about physical health here.