Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Eric Mitchell55 said:I have an appointment with my psychiatrist this Thursday, and I’m really hoping we can finally phase out this 10mg dose of Haldol. It’s honestly just draining the life out of me...
I seem to be doing okay with the Helix, Prazosin, and Cymbalta, but this one is just brutal.
In my opinion, Haldol is pretty awful. My doctor mentioned she might switch me over to Seroquel instead—has anyone here had any experience with that?

How did Haldol affect you? For me, my doctor first put me on Seroquel—just the lowest dose for sleep—but I only lasted a few days before quitting because I felt like a complete zombie the next morning. It was brutal. Then at my last check-up, they pushed Haldol and Cogentin on me. I don't even dare try the Haldol, and when I took the Cogentin, I was completely out of it. Everything went blurry, like I couldn't read anything in front of me. I tried texting a friend, but when she showed me the message the next day, I couldn't believe the nonsense I'd written. I was talking in circles, having hallucinations, just all sorts of weird things.☕

wiredmason56 said:I’ve definitely felt that too, noticing a real difference between Xanax and Klonopin. When I took the Klonopin, after just a few days, it felt like I was drinking nothing but water, and I actually ended up feeling more on edge. The Xanax worked way better for me, though even that felt different from my absolute favorite.🤷

I built up a tolerance to both Klonopin and Xanax in just a few days. It didn't take long at all.
I'm not feeling it at all. None of this works for me.

Klonopin is definitely my go-to. I’ve been on it for a long time now. I don't deal with any side effects, but it's not like I'm just drinking water, either—it actually helps clear the fog and gets my head straight.

Kevin Bailey2 said:I built up a tolerance to both Klonopin and Xanax in just a few days. It didn't take long at all.
I'm not feeling it at all. None of this works for me.

Klonopin is definitely my go-to. I’ve been on it for a long time now. I don't deal with any side effects, but it's not like I'm just drinking water, either—it actually helps clear the fog and gets my head straight.

I take 2mg of Klonopin three times a day, though I mostly use it as needed, and it works fine for me. My doctor prescribed Lorazepam, which is way stronger, but man, you get hooked on that stuff fast.

redranger2 said:😁
I haven’t personally tried that one, but I have used Mirtazapine, which essentially turned me into...
I spent the entire day absolutely livid, fueled by nothing but pure spite toward a truly malicious individual. I was a complete wreck, just snapping at everyone and picking fights like my life depended on it.
I honestly don't know who I was sitting next to. My psychiatrist didn't even hesitate to separate us immediately.🤣

What exactly is it that you’re reaching for to replace Mirzaten?

Jason Vaughn482 said:What exactly is it that you’re reaching for to replace Mirzaten?

Lexapro, and I use Ambien to actually get some sleep.

What’s the copay for Cipralex?

Scott Rodriguez2 said:What’s the copay for Cipralex?

$17 Just a few bucks

redranger2 said:It’s worth getting your cortisol levels checked; I dealt with an elevation myself and the symptoms were nothing short of terrifying, especially since I couldn't get access to a hospital at the time. Now, the whole thing is washing over me again because I've been pushing myself far too hard at work.

Cortisol can trigger a wide array of adverse effects on the body—we're talking about everything from depression and hypertension to osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome X, which manifests as abdominal obesity, insulin resistance despite adequate secretion, elevated blood lipids, clotting issues, and high blood pressure. Cortisol surges during periods of stress, and whether that stress is chronic, constant, or even intermittent, it can lead directly to panic disorder and clinical depression. When cortisol levels remain chronically high, you face increased blood pressure and disrupted sugar metabolism, which can ultimately culminate in diabetes. Furthermore, excessive cortisol suppresses thyroid function, potentially leading to hypothyroidism, while simultaneously inhibiting growth hormone secretion—a critical factor for children and adolescents—and diminishing reproductive hormone production. Ultimately, it cripples the immune system, leaving you significantly more vulnerable to infections.

I have to admit, this is the first time I’ve ever come across this. I guess I'm a bit out of the loop on this particular topic, but it's certainly new to me.😁

wiredmason56 said:I’ve definitely felt that too, noticing a real difference between Xanax and Klonopin. When I took the Klonopin, after just a few days, it felt like I was drinking nothing but water, and I actually ended up feeling more on edge. The Xanax worked way better for me, though even that felt different from my absolute favorite.🤷

I have to agree there; at the end of the day, nothing really beats the real thing. I suppose Pfizer's xanax is still the gold standard for alprazolam.

Gerald Torres2 said:😍 I actually stopped taking them. I quit a few months before I started on the ADOv, though they aren't directly related (I was only on them because my cycles were irregular and incredibly painful).... Interestingly, since starting the ADOv, my condition has stabilized, and my periods have become regular and much less painful. 😍😍
(Who would have thought an ADOv could impact that, right?)

I bet your boyfriend isn't exactly thrilled about that change! haha😁

Kenneth Scott41 said:I bet your boyfriend isn't exactly thrilled about that change! haha😁

I don't even have it, so frankly, I couldn't care less.😍 I honestly feel like I’ve already taken enough toxins to last a lifetime, so I see absolutely no reason to start adding another one to the mix. Look, the antidepressants I was on sorted out just about everything—everything from digestive issues to menstrual cycles, not to mention the headaches and vertigo. It got so bad that my eye would actually drift outward; doctors were convinced I was having a stroke because the entire left side of my face went numb, my left eye would wander, and my hearing in that ear dropped while the tinnitus kicked in. They kept insisting it was all "just psychological." I spent my late teens, around 16 or 17, bouncing from specialist to specialist. Then, when I hit 20, they decided I finally needed an MRI of my brain. I refused to go. They had spent so much time hovering over me and treating me like a walking stroke victim that I just wasn't interested. Fast forward to now: I found the right antidepressant, and I’m a healthy person. Case closed.😍
And then there are those days when I'm told my doctor that I actually need to go for a walk. 😂 And chamomile. 🤣 And I'm sure things will just magically get better—as if! It’s enough to drive me absolutely insane. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

So, right now I’m taking Memantine plus some amphetamine (which, unfortunately, is illegal here). The effect is actually pretty interesting... this is my third day on it now.
For some reason, I’m barely feeling any side effects from the amphetamines at all. Like, my mouth isn't dry at all—actually, it's kind of the opposite, lots of saliva—and I actually have an appetite (usually, amphetamines kill my appetite, but I don't really eat much anyway and I've lost a lot of weight, so this is weird)... I don't have any jaw tension or anxiety issues either... honestly, it seems to have just wiped out my anxiety... my blood pressure is fine too, and I don't feel hyper or anything; I actually feel sleepy sometimes and find myself yawning...

The only side effect I've run into is insomnia, but I guess that's my own fault since I was taking it pretty late in the day... I think I felt safe enough to try because I wasn't feeling any of the other usual stuff...

So... what should I do? I used to use Concerta for my ADHD symptoms, but that only works okay once every few days... and that crash is such a nasty feeling (I mean, I can handle it, it's not the end of the world, but that constant up-and-down throughout the day is just no fun) and it spikes my anxiety, which is the complete opposite of how this stuff makes me feel... street amphetamines are illegal in America... I wonder if once we're fully integrated into the European Union, I'll be able to go abroad to get Adderall? It's just so hard to dose street drugs correctly...

This whole situation is just kind of sad...

Does anyone else actually lose sleep over the idea of being on AD for the rest of their life?
Personally, I don't give it a second thought, because if it weren't for the AD, I might have been six feet under by now.
It helps me feel human again, so I really don't see the point in worrying about it.

Some people who know me a bit better—a few friends here and some folks I've connected with online—are aware that my daily routine involves more than just AD just to stay afloat... but even I have had to face the reality that this is likely a lifelong commitment.

But I'm not letting it get the best of me! 🙂

Kenneth Scott41 said:Does anyone else actually lose sleep over the idea of being on AD for the rest of their life?
Personally, I don't give it a second thought, because if it weren't for the AD, I might have been six feet under by now.
It helps me feel human again, so I really don't see the point in worrying about it.

Some people who know me a bit better—a few friends here and some folks I've connected with online—are aware that my daily routine involves more than just AD just to stay afloat... but even I have had to face the reality that this is likely a lifelong commitment.

But I'm not letting it get the best of me! 🙂

What worries me is the fact that I’ve already been on it for two months.🙄
I find myself constantly spiraling about how I will eventually taper off once I hit that standard six-month mark. Though, if I’m being honest, I know that without the meds, I’d slide right back into that impossible state where simply going to work or living a normal life feels unattainable.

I wonder what would actually happen if I ended up taking them for the rest of my life.😕🤷Probably nothing much, aside from maybe putting a bit more strain on my liver.

And then there is the fear: the dread that this dosage won't be enough down the line, and I'll be forced to add something else to the cocktail, like an antipsychotic. I worry about losing my mind entirely.
For instance, I was without Xanax for nearly two weeks recently. I had plenty of antidepressants in my system, and I felt quite relieved to be rid of the Xanax. But over the last few nights, as soon as I hit the pillow, the restlessness starts. Tossing, turning, spasms... that sensation that I might actually explode before I fall asleep, forcing me to reach for the pill.

I’m starting to lose faith that I’ll ever truly be off these medications. And frankly, the realization that I might need higher doses or entirely new prescriptions is deeply unsettling.😢

Kenneth Scott41 said:Does anyone else actually lose sleep over the idea of being on AD for the rest of their life?
Personally, I don't give it a second thought, because if it weren't for the AD, I might have been six feet under by now.
It helps me feel human again, so I really don't see the point in worrying about it.

Some people who know me a bit better—a few friends here and some folks I've connected with online—are aware that my daily routine involves more than just AD just to stay afloat... but even I have had to face the reality that this is likely a lifelong commitment.

But I'm not letting it get the best of me! 🙂

I’ll most likely be on antidepressants for good... and lately, I’ve been reaching for an anxiolytic pretty frequently. Things have been incredibly stressful for me recently. Yeah, sometimes it scares me, but other times I just wave it all off. At the end of the day, the goal is simply to live my life, not to spend my days locked in a room terrified of everything around me while drowning in depression. Who knows if I'd even be typing this right now if it weren't for the medication...🤷
In my opinion... that's exactly how you should look at it. You know what works for you. Just try to keep your dosage of the second medication steady, or perhaps attempt to taper down very slowly and cautiously... if it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. One psychiatrist once told me that it doesn't matter what helps you, as long as you're alive and able to function; everything else is secondary. His words always give me strength when I'm struggling with the side effects of these pills. Quality of life is the only thing that matters. Hang in there, don't give up... and stop worrying.

Kenneth Scott41 said:Does anyone else actually lose sleep over the idea of being on AD for the rest of their life?
Personally, I don't give it a second thought, because if it weren't for the AD, I might have been six feet under by now.
It helps me feel human again, so I really don't see the point in worrying about it.

Some people who know me a bit better—a few friends here and some folks I've connected with online—are aware that my daily routine involves more than just AD just to stay afloat... but even I have had to face the reality that this is likely a lifelong commitment.

But I'm not letting it get the best of me! 🙂

Go ahead, salt me. Just give it to me straight.🙂
But... I simply have no choice. Truly, what else is there to be done?🤷
It is either this... or a miserable, wretched existence. If such an existence even exists at all? Is there even a way out?😢
Between two evils—which is quite a predicament, if you think about it—one simply cannot select a "good" option when no such thing exists! It’s an impossible choice, isn't it? Truly.
I am fully aware of the consequences if I take them... truly, I am. And yet, I am equally aware of the consequences if I don't? Is that even a choice at this point? It feels like walking a tightrope where both sides lead to a drop. I know exactly what happens if I follow one path, and I know precisely what awaits me if I choose the other. How does one navigate such a narrow ledge?
Caught between two walls... a winding, crooked path, yet somehow, you always end up right back at the wall again. Isn't that just the way of things? You wander and turn and think you've found an exit, only to find the barrier waiting for you once more. Is there ever truly a way out, or are we just circling the same obstacle over and over?
I have been taking them for years, and honestly? I’ll keep taking them for as long as necessary... just so I can find the strength to write. Is that too much to ask? To simply be able to put pen to paper? It seems like such a fundamental thing, yet here I am, relying on this just to function. I will continue. I must. 😉Seriously, though... what is even happening with these posts? It’s just... honestly? Just... ugh.🙄

Kenneth Scott41 said:Does anyone else actually lose sleep over the idea of being on AD for the rest of their life?
Personally, I don't give it a second thought, because if it weren't for the AD, I might have been six feet under by now.
It helps me feel human again, so I really don't see the point in worrying about it.

Some people who know me a bit better—a few friends here and some folks I've connected with online—are aware that my daily routine involves more than just AD just to stay afloat... but even I have had to face the reality that this is likely a lifelong commitment.

But I'm not letting it get the best of me! 🙂

Hey, I know you'll likely be on these for life too.

But yesterday, I was thinking about one potential downside—specifically, after taking these pills for a year or two, a close relative of mine ended up with incredibly high liver enzymes.
For instance, if the standard max value is supposed to be around 48, his was sitting at 585. 😲
He’s looking into it now, but his doctor suggested the medication might be the culprit, so we're all just waiting to see what happens.
It’s tragic because I know far too many people who have lost their lives due to liver issues. 😢

He was on Seroxel Xr, Fevarin, and Arvind for four months, and for the rest of the time, it was a mix of things like Xanax, Mirzaten, and similar stuff.
And it wasn't even like he was abusing the meds or anything.

I’ve been on some pretty heavy meds for about a year now. Honestly, I’ve dealt with stuff even stronger than what I’m taking at the moment. To help my body handle it, I take vitamins, B complex, and milk thistle to keep my liver in check. Just had my blood work done recently, and everything came back perfect—even though I used to have a few too many drinks while on them.

The real question is how much your friend weighs and what they’re actually eating. If they’re overweight or living on junk food, the pills aren't even going to be a factor.

redcrane22 said:Hey, I know you'll likely be on these for life too.

But yesterday, I was thinking about one potential downside—specifically, after taking these pills for a year or two, a close relative of mine ended up with incredibly high liver enzymes.
For instance, if the standard max value is supposed to be around 48, his was sitting at 585. 😲
He’s looking into it now, but his doctor suggested the medication might be the culprit, so we're all just waiting to see what happens.
It’s tragic because I know far too many people who have lost their lives due to liver issues. 😢

He was on Seroxel Xr, Fevarin, and Arvind for four months, and for the rest of the time, it was a mix of things like Xanax, Mirzaten, and similar stuff.
And it wasn't even like he was abusing the meds or anything.

So, regarding what that colleague mentioned earlier—about how the main thing is just being able to function normally and live your life—that’s kind of how I look at it. I don't really lose sleep over my liver or how much longer I might have left. I know I won't live forever, but who knows? Maybe I'll make it to a ripe old age, given everything I'm taking.😉

The only thing I am wondering about is how all this changes once we fully integrate further into the European Union. I suspect the government might not cover everything like they used to, and who knows what else might change—maybe we'll have to deal with more frequent check-ups and such.

Another thought is tolerance... eventually, the body is going to demand higher doses, though I certainly don't mean taking five grams of Adderall!!🙂 🙂

Been taking Ladomil 25 mg at night for a month now. It’s doing alright—helped lift the depression as much as it can in this timeframe and dialed back the jitters, which was a huge issue for me in the mornings. Because of that, I've actually been able to cut back on my Xanax intake, though I'm still using it. Still, it hasn't touched the anxiety much. I'm still struggling with getting to work and that constant dread of something going wrong once I'm there. Honestly, I just hate leaving the house in the morning. Even though the Ladomil keeps me calmer, my doctor prescribed the same nightly dose plus 5 mg (half a pill) of Escitalon at my checkup today. I've been lurking here for months and don't recall anyone mentioning it. If anyone has experience with it or knows anything, let me know. I read it's good for various types of anxiety and social phobia since it's an SSRI, but that's just what the pamphlet says. Real-world experiences would be helpful. Thanks.