Psychotropic medication discussion thread

restlesstrucker15 said:Listen, from a strictly medical standpoint, I am not entirely certain whether it is more harmful to take an AT or an anxiolytic, but I believe both fall under the umbrella of "every pill carries some risk." However, any psychiatrist will tell you that it isn't ideal to rely on an anxiolytic for an extended period without being on an AT. To clarify, if someone is navigating a life crisis—a divorce, job loss, or similar stressors—taking an anxiolytic or a sedative is perfectly reasonable. But three years? An anxiolytic won't resolve anxiety in its true sense; it merely eases the symptoms while creating a dependency. In that regard, it is better to utilize an AT and reserve the anxiolytic for occasional use. Anxiety is a complex beast, though; unless it is specifically Panic Disorder or OCD, there isn't really a silver bullet. Psychotherapy remains the primary priority, alongside an AT. From my own experience, finding the right AT is difficult, and none of them have ever fully cured my anxiety. That is simply the reality of it. They did, however, reduce my symptoms by maybe 20 to 30 percent, and when a crisis hits, I recover more quickly. I would advise you to consult your doctor about starting an AT. A mild sedative won't help much unless you are dealing with severe sleep issues, in which case she might put you back on that portal. Just explain clearly how you feel and what you hope to achieve, and she will select an appropriate AT for you.

I find myself agreeing with everything you've laid out, yet I am acutely aware of how many people cannot function without an anxiolytic alongside their antidepressant, nor can many manage without an AT&T... for instance, a close friend of mine requires all three just to navigate daily life. As for myself, I currently rely solely on Xanax, but don't mistake that for a lack of desire for an antidepressant; I absolutely want one, and I intend to pursue it if nothing else works from my primary care physician.

Paul Newman5 said:Must be nice. What exactly are you taking? And if you were dealing with anxiety, did it actually clear it all up? You're lucky—really. I mean it. It’s just good to hear someone say they’re doing better or that their antidepressant is finally working. Are you even working? For me, it's a phobia. Sometimes I feel like if I didn't have to show up to the office, I’d probably be fine without the meds. Not that I actually would, obviously, but that's how it feels.

He's on Lexapro and honestly, he's living the dream... if my medical tests were coming back normal, I’d be perfectly fine without a single dose of Xanax. If my tumor markers were within a healthy range and all my lab results were pristine, I’d be golden. But instead, there's always that lingering shadow of doubt, that constant uncertainty that wreaks havoc on my mental state. The reality is, when you spend your life constantly chasing doctors and running tests, you're practically inviting them to find something wrong with you.😢

Dennis Turner6 said:Andrew Peterson14, are you still on meds, or have you totally cleared everything up?

yeah, I'm still taking AT&T... 🙂... and honestly, I don't really sweat it—my doctor told me this should be the least of my worries right now. The main thing is just feeling okay, then we can worry about tapering off later..

Jason Vaughn482 said:He's on Lexapro and honestly, he's living the dream... if my medical tests were coming back normal, I’d be perfectly fine without a single dose of Xanax. If my tumor markers were within a healthy range and all my lab results were pristine, I’d be golden. But instead, there's always that lingering shadow of doubt, that constant uncertainty that wreaks havoc on my mental state. The reality is, when you spend your life constantly chasing doctors and running tests, you're practically inviting them to find something wrong with you.😢

It just goes to show how much it varies from person to person... my first prescription was either Cipralex or Elicea, and it was a nightmare. It "uplifted" me so much I felt like I was climbing the walls. I couldn't settle the restlessness even with massive doses of Lexapro back then—before I started Misar (I can't even remember how much Lexapro I used to choke down). There are no rules here. Everyone has to figure it out for themselves. But yeah, he's lucky.

@ Jason Vaughn482
Look, you don't need to put any kind of pressure on her mental state. Just be real with her—tell her exactly how you're feeling. By the way, I totally blanked on asking: how long have you actually been on this current med?
The thing is, it takes a minute for an AT&T to really kick in and show its "full potential." 🙂 Personally, I’ve cycled through about a dozen different antidepressants over the years. These days, I only touch Helex once in a blue moon, maybe once or twice a month at most.
I’ve also been on antipsychotics for years now. I used to be on Sulpirid 200 for a long stretch, but now I'm on Olanzapine 2.5 mg. Honestly, what’s there to fear if it actually helps? Taking an antipsychotic doesn't mean you're psychotic, haha 🙂

@ Paul Newman5: Hang in there. Focus on yourself, don't give up, and keep pushing... the right medication will eventually find you!

Matthew White4 said:@ Jason Vaughn482
Look, you don't need to put any kind of pressure on her mental state. Just be real with her—tell her exactly how you're feeling. By the way, I totally blanked on asking: how long have you actually been on this current med?
The thing is, it takes a minute for an AT&T to really kick in and show its "full potential." 🙂 Personally, I’ve cycled through about a dozen different antidepressants over the years. These days, I only touch Helex once in a blue moon, maybe once or twice a month at most.
I’ve also been on antipsychotics for years now. I used to be on Sulpirid 200 for a long stretch, but now I'm on Olanzapine 2.5 mg. Honestly, what’s there to fear if it actually helps? Taking an antipsychotic doesn't mean you're psychotic, haha 🙂

@ Paul Newman5: Hang in there. Focus on yourself, don't give up, and keep pushing... the right medication will eventually find you!

I have been taking Mirzaten for over a year now. I started at the absolute minimum dose of 15 mg, and currently, I’ve even scaled back to just half of that. To be perfectly honest, it doesn't seem to impact anything for me except my sleep, and since sleep is my primary concern, I stick to those 7.5 mg.
I am not afraid of an AT&T in the sense of fearing I'm schizophrenic or anything of the sort. If, for example, 50 mg of Eglonila worked for me, I would take it, but I find myself more concerned with the side effects. When you read warnings about strokes, pulmonary embolisms, or blood clots in the leg, and you're already dealing with high blood pressure... well, that is my hesitation. That is the reason. But as far as antidepressants go, I would much rather use a portal.

Matthew White4 said:@ Jason Vaughn482
Look, you don't need to put any kind of pressure on her mental state. Just be real with her—tell her exactly how you're feeling. By the way, I totally blanked on asking: how long have you actually been on this current med?
The thing is, it takes a minute for an AT&T to really kick in and show its "full potential." 🙂 Personally, I’ve cycled through about a dozen different antidepressants over the years. These days, I only touch Helex once in a blue moon, maybe once or twice a month at most.
I’ve also been on antipsychotics for years now. I used to be on Sulpirid 200 for a long stretch, but now I'm on Olanzapine 2.5 mg. Honestly, what’s there to fear if it actually helps? Taking an antipsychotic doesn't mean you're psychotic, haha 🙂

@ Paul Newman5: Hang in there. Focus on yourself, don't give up, and keep pushing... the right medication will eventually find you!

Thanks. I hope so. But honestly, I’m just worried that while waiting for the right stuff to work, I’ll lose my job because I can barely function. Can't risk my livelihood. Appreciate the support, though.

Paul Newman5 said:Thanks. I hope so. But honestly, I’m just worried that while waiting for the right stuff to work, I’ll lose my job because I can barely function. Can't risk my livelihood. Appreciate the support, though.

Look, you aren't going to lose your job. I don't know exactly what your line of work is, but if you're worrying this much, it tells me you're the type of person who actually gives a damn about doing things right. That drive—that fear of losing your livelihood—is actually what's going to give you the grit to keep pushing until things finally start looking better than any medication could. Just stay brave, okay? Don't let the anxiety win. Whatever life throws at you, you've gotta find a way to bounce back. That’s the whole point of the struggle, isn't it?... just getting back up one more time.😉

Matthew White4 said:Look, you aren't going to lose your job. I don't know exactly what your line of work is, but if you're worrying this much, it tells me you're the type of person who actually gives a damn about doing things right. That drive—that fear of losing your livelihood—is actually what's going to give you the grit to keep pushing until things finally start looking better than any medication could. Just stay brave, okay? Don't let the anxiety win. Whatever life throws at you, you've gotta find a way to bounce back. That’s the whole point of the struggle, isn't it?... just getting back up one more time.😉

You’re better than the therapist I saw five months ago. Your support really means a lot, thanks.😉But I work for a small firm where I handle all the bookkeeping. It would be great if I could take a sick day once in a while, but in accounting, there's work every single month. Plus, I'm scared to tell anyone at the office what I'm taking, though I doubt it shows. Anxiety always has something to say in my life, so I'm constantly worried about this or that... The Lexapro just makes me tired, but that's the only side effect so far, and it's only been five days.

Look, you don't need to give your coworkers a play-by-play of what you're drinking or taking. Just give them the standard excuses—my head is killing me, I didn't sleep a wink, my blood sugar is tanking... honestly, nobody at the office actually gives a damn about your mental state or how much you're struggling.
Everyone’s too busy staring at their own reflection anyway.
Stick with the Lexapro for at least a few weeks to let the brain chemistry settle down. If you still feel like garbage after that, go talk to your doctor and don't be afraid to switch up the prescription.
The reality is, American corporate culture expects us to be absolute machines; they don't care if you're feeling off unless you're literally bleeding out on the breakroom floor. Do yourself a favor and put a photo on your desk—something pretty that gives you a little boost when things get heavy. Maybe even scribble "I've got this!" somewhere private where only you can see it.
You are way bigger than this anxiety. No problem is ever so massive that there isn't a way through it. There's always a way out!

Gerald Torres2 said:That’s entirely down to the individual. It’s just like how certain medications make some people gain weight while others actually lose it. You should probably have a chat with your doctor; maybe they’ll throw some Wellbutrin into the mix. It can boost your libido and help curb the urge to smoke at the same time—killing two birds with one stone. Personally, I didn't quit smoking outright, but I managed to cut back significantly without even trying. Besides, depression itself can be a massive libido killer.

Look, man, I actually sat down with my psychiatrist specifically because my libido had completely bottomed out, asking if there was an antidepressant that wouldn't crush my sex drive—ideally, something that does the exact opposite. There is a heavy hitter out there, but honestly, I only managed to stick with it for about a week because the side effects are just brutal. You start acting like you're on some cheap, low-grade speed—if you've ever experienced that—not to mention the heartburn and the tremors... it was easily one of the worst meds I've ever tried. So, where does that leave me? A man really has to weigh his options here, and I think it's a struggle women don't typically face in the same way. I eventually decided to go back to Velafaks, which manages to stabilize my depression entirely and makes me feel decent, but at the cost of having absolutely no sex life. (I guess I can't help but feel a bit envious of women in that regard... because even when they're dealing with depression, they can usually still find their rhythm, whereas we men have to deal with the physical necessity of being able to get aroused and stay hard just to participate.) But I probably shouldn't dwell on that, as it's getting a bit off-topic.

Kenneth Scott41 said:Look, man, I actually sat down with my psychiatrist specifically because my libido had completely bottomed out, asking if there was an antidepressant that wouldn't crush my sex drive—ideally, something that does the exact opposite. There is a heavy hitter out there, but honestly, I only managed to stick with it for about a week because the side effects are just brutal. You start acting like you're on some cheap, low-grade speed—if you've ever experienced that—not to mention the heartburn and the tremors... it was easily one of the worst meds I've ever tried. So, where does that leave me? A man really has to weigh his options here, and I think it's a struggle women don't typically face in the same way. I eventually decided to go back to Velafaks, which manages to stabilize my depression entirely and makes me feel decent, but at the cost of having absolutely no sex life. (I guess I can't help but feel a bit envious of women in that regard... because even when they're dealing with depression, they can usually still find their rhythm, whereas we men have to deal with the physical necessity of being able to get aroused and stay hard just to participate.) But I probably shouldn't dwell on that, as it's getting a bit off-topic.

You're under the impression that it's easier for women, but it really depends on the individual. There are plenty of women out there who maintain a perfectly healthy libido despite being on both antidepressants and antipsychotics; I know people in that situation personally. On the other hand, there are many of us who drop to absolute zero when it comes to desire, and when you are truly spiraling into depression, sex is the very last thing on your mind. It's a complete void. There is simply no chance of feeling any kind of masculine drive.

Matthew White4 said:Look, you don't need to give your coworkers a play-by-play of what you're drinking or taking. Just give them the standard excuses—my head is killing me, I didn't sleep a wink, my blood sugar is tanking... honestly, nobody at the office actually gives a damn about your mental state or how much you're struggling.
Everyone’s too busy staring at their own reflection anyway.
Stick with the Lexapro for at least a few weeks to let the brain chemistry settle down. If you still feel like garbage after that, go talk to your doctor and don't be afraid to switch up the prescription.
The reality is, American corporate culture expects us to be absolute machines; they don't care if you're feeling off unless you're literally bleeding out on the breakroom floor. Do yourself a favor and put a photo on your desk—something pretty that gives you a little boost when things get heavy. Maybe even scribble "I've got this!" somewhere private where only you can see it.
You are way bigger than this anxiety. No problem is ever so massive that there isn't a way through it. There's always a way out!

Sent you a DM with everything explained. Thanks again for the support.

I’m joining the chorus of those mourning the death of libido here.😵 It can be incredibly tough for women, too; there are times when you feel completely numb, just lying there feeling absolutely nothing... just that one big void... even when you know you should be fully present and engaged. For me, I definitely need a little bit of a warm-up period to get into the right headspace. But anyway, I guess I'm drifting a bit off-topic now.

redranger2 said:You're under the impression that it's easier for women, but it really depends on the individual. There are plenty of women out there who maintain a perfectly healthy libido despite being on both antidepressants and antipsychotics; I know people in that situation personally. On the other hand, there are many of us who drop to absolute zero when it comes to desire, and when you are truly spiraling into depression, sex is the very last thing on your mind. It's a complete void. There is simply no chance of feeling any kind of masculine drive.

My point was more about the technical side of things—which is to say, from a physiological standpoint, it tends to be much harder for men. That seems to be the reality.

Donna Torres5 said:I’m joining the chorus of those mourning the death of libido here.😵 It can be incredibly tough for women, too; there are times when you feel completely numb, just lying there feeling absolutely nothing... just that one big void... even when you know you should be fully present and engaged. For me, I definitely need a little bit of a warm-up period to get into the right headspace. But anyway, I guess I'm drifting a bit off-topic now.

haha, you're such a legend, Doughnut... seriously🙂...
anyway, does anyone else deal with digestion issues???
the label says ExxonMobil doesn't lower your libido, but I don't know... I wouldn't say I agree with that at all...

Kenneth Scott41 said:My point was more about the technical side of things—which is to say, from a physiological standpoint, it tends to be much harder for men. That seems to be the reality.

Look, there's a technical component for women too, and if that part fails, it can be incredibly, incredibly painful.

Andrew Peterson14 said:haha, you're such a legend, Doughnut... seriously🙂...
anyway, does anyone else deal with digestion issues???
the label says ExxonMobil doesn't lower your libido, but I don't know... I wouldn't say I agree with that at all...

Since I'm only on day five of ExxonMobil, I might as well go after my husband before my drive completely dies🤣Not me. Even before the ExxonMobil, I wasn't exactly obsessed with sex. I'm middle-aged and we've been married so long that it isn't even a daily thing at our house anyway.😂

To sum it all up:

For those of us in America navigating life on medication, the sexual landscape tends to look like this:
He can’t get an erection, she can’t find any arousal, and even if by some miracle they manage to technically
get things moving, neither one of them can actually reach a climax. 🤣

Honestly, we probably ought to start a dedicated thread just for this particular misery. :-)))

redranger2 said:To sum it all up:

For those of us in America navigating life on medication, the sexual landscape tends to look like this:
He can’t get an erection, she can’t find any arousal, and even if by some miracle they manage to technically
get things moving, neither one of them can actually reach a climax. 🤣

Honestly, we probably ought to start a dedicated thread just for this particular misery. :-)))

I mean, I don't think it's a bad topic at all. Honestly, a huge chunk of people deal with this exact thing, it’s just that most folks aren't exactly eager to talk about it openly. 🤷

I'm doing alright 🥳, but man, when I was on the pills... it was rough. 🙂