Psychotropic medication discussion thread

David Vaughn75 said:almost every antipsychotic out there is going to spike your appetite

The absolute worst part is how all these APs give me those insane sugar cravings, and then I just pack on the pounds. I have a massive sweet tooth, and my gut is basically just expanding at this point...

Plus I barely move, I've become so incredibly lazy.

My psychiatrist tried telling me Serdolect won't cause weight gain or sugar rushes, but honestly? I think she's totally gaslighting me because that is exactly what's happening to me right now.

Then again, things were going so badly before that I probably would've taken anything just to feel human again.
This time, I only managed to stay off the APs for about six months.
Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try hitting the local community pool, maybe twice a week. Though, deep down, I'm worried it won't actually do much.

Bluzara said:
I have no idea how long you’ve been on Sanval, but honestly, it loses its edge after a while. Realistically, if you're trying to actually get some sleep, the dose of Calixte you're taking seems pretty light. I’m not saying you should just crank up the dosage—definitely don't do that without talking to a doctor—but that amount (guessing maybe half of 15 mg?) is just too weak for what you need.
I'm on 45 mg myself and I don't see myself cutting back anytime soon, because, you know, I actually want to sleep. I don't know exactly how much Calixte contributes to that, but it definitely plays a part.🙂

I totally get that feeling where you feel like you can't even close your eyes without Sanval. I used to take 15 mg, then tried dropping down to 10 mg and man, it was a struggle. But eventually, you do get used to it.

Bluzara said:
I’m not entirely sure how long you’ve been on Sanval, but let’s be honest—eventually, it just loses its edge. If your primary goal is actually getting some sleep, you aren't taking nearly enough Calixte. I’m not suggesting you go cranking up the dosage on your own, of course, but a dose like that (I’m guessing about half of 15 mg?) is practically useless if that’s what you’re aiming for.
I’m currently at 45 mg and I have absolutely no intention of scaling back, because, quite frankly, it’s the only reason I can actually sleep. I don't know the exact cost of Calixte, but if it plays even a minor part in making that happen, then it's worth it.🙂

No, the standard recommendation is 30 mg. I spent a whole year stuck on 15 mg, but it did absolutely nothing for my anxiety. Instead of bumping it up, though, I actually lowered it—mostly because I feel like it’s causing weight gain and leaving me feeling completely hungover, even though people claim higher doses don't do that... How have you found the weight situation, and are you actually satisfied with it overall? How long has this been your routine?
Yeah, I've been on Sanval for ages and it doesn't do much for me anymore, so I always supplement it with a bit of Calixta.

urbanskipper4 said:I totally get that feeling where you feel like you can't even close your eyes without Sanval. I used to take 15 mg, then tried dropping down to 10 mg and man, it was a struggle. But eventually, you do get used to it.

What do you mean by "breaking the cycle"? You think you can just walk away from Sanval? Or are you suggesting you can somehow just switch off that dependency through sheer willpower? Honestly... that sounds like a pipe dream.

Jason Vaughn482 said:No, the standard recommendation is 30 mg. I spent a whole year stuck on 15 mg, but it did absolutely nothing for my anxiety. Instead of bumping it up, though, I actually lowered it—mostly because I feel like it’s causing weight gain and leaving me feeling completely hungover, even though people claim higher doses don't do that... How have you found the weight situation, and are you actually satisfied with it overall? How long has this been your routine?
Yeah, I've been on Sanval for ages and it doesn't do much for me anymore, so I always supplement it with a bit of Calixta.

Yes, Callista is a solid medication. I've been using it for about three years now. Though, I can't really pin it all on just Callista and the hangover issue, since I'm on a few other prescriptions too.
I stopped taking Ambien ages ago; I wasn't even on it for very long. Zonadin took over from there (that's a song title!), but even I'm not taking Zonadin anymore, and I still sleep perfectly fine.

Jason Vaughn482 said:For me, Prozac actually worked quite well; I appreciate having a bit of an upward lift because otherwise, I feel completely numb. God, last night was an absolute nightmare. I went to bed with 10 mg of Zoloft and 7.5 mg of Eli Lilly, but... I ended up wide awake at 3:30 AM just staring at the ceiling until dawn. Then, at 6:00 AM, I had to take another 5 mg of Zoloft and 7.5 mg of Eli Lilly just to limp my way to 10:30. I absolutely loathe doing that. I think I'll ask my doctor if I can take Prozac in the morning and then this small dose of Eli Lilly at night just to help me sleep. I'm terrified of messing with the dosage on my own since I don't know how they interact. Just like you, I'm not dealing with depression; it's all anxiety, panic, and insomnia. 🙂

Insomnia is truly brutal. I have mentioned before that hypnotics aren't a permanent fix, but if you find yourself needing them, the general strategy is to rotate them—take one for a week or two, then switch to another, and perhaps return to the first later. Over time, you really should look into changing your hypnotic medication.
I am honestly at a loss for what to tell you. 😢 You need to sit down with your psychiatrist, describe your experience clearly, and let them know you want to move away from Calixta. I remember feeling a genuine sense of panic myself when I realized my Halcion wasn't doing much at all; it felt like the rug had been pulled right out from under me.

Prozac and Calixta can be taken together, provided the latter is used at night for sleep, though I've lost my train of thought for a moment. Are you planning to request a serotonin-based medication for your anxiety, such as Prozac, or are you already currently prescribed it?

restlesstrucker15 said:Insomnia is truly brutal. I have mentioned before that hypnotics aren't a permanent fix, but if you find yourself needing them, the general strategy is to rotate them—take one for a week or two, then switch to another, and perhaps return to the first later. Over time, you really should look into changing your hypnotic medication.
I am honestly at a loss for what to tell you. 😢 You need to sit down with your psychiatrist, describe your experience clearly, and let them know you want to move away from Calixta. I remember feeling a genuine sense of panic myself when I realized my Halcion wasn't doing much at all; it felt like the rug had been pulled right out from under me.

Prozac and Calixta can be taken together, provided the latter is used at night for sleep, though I've lost my train of thought for a moment. Are you planning to request a serotonin-based medication for your anxiety, such as Prozac, or are you already currently prescribed it?

I’m not taking it yet; I have it sitting right here at home, but once I start taking those small doses of Calixt, I get this creeping fear about combining it with Prozac. My doctor is incredibly vague, which is frustrating; she hasn't given me a straight answer on whether they can be mixed, even though I have the Prozac on hand because my GP prescribed it. I asked her, but nothing. And tonight was just another repeat of the struggle. Tell me, if I simply skip the sedative tonight, what am I supposed to do? I have Calixt and I have Prazine, but 25 mg of Prazine doesn't touch it, and I'm terrified that 50 mg might be overkill. I just want to sleep through the night without these interruptions. Right now, everything feels chaotic; I end up taking the sedative in the morning and sleeping until 10:00 AM... anyway, I have been tapering my Xanax, dropping from three 0.5 mg pills a day down to three 0.25 mg pills... perhaps that shift is part of why things feel so unsettled, since I've been doing that for the last eight days.

Isn't 50 a bit much for you?

Jason Vaughn482 said:I’m not taking it yet; I have it sitting right here at home, but once I start taking those small doses of Calixt, I get this creeping fear about combining it with Prozac. My doctor is incredibly vague, which is frustrating; she hasn't given me a straight answer on whether they can be mixed, even though I have the Prozac on hand because my GP prescribed it. I asked her, but nothing. And tonight was just another repeat of the struggle. Tell me, if I simply skip the sedative tonight, what am I supposed to do? I have Calixt and I have Prazine, but 25 mg of Prazine doesn't touch it, and I'm terrified that 50 mg might be overkill. I just want to sleep through the night without these interruptions. Right now, everything feels chaotic; I end up taking the sedative in the morning and sleeping until 10:00 AM... anyway, I have been tapering my Xanax, dropping from three 0.5 mg pills a day down to three 0.25 mg pills... perhaps that shift is part of why things feel so unsettled, since I've been doing that for the last eight days.

You are in a state of total chaos.
Can you please just call your psychiatrist and ask exactly which medications and which specific combinations
are safe for you to use?
The way you're handling this is just pure suffering, and frankly, none of this approach makes any sense.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I’m not taking it yet; I have it sitting right here at home, but once I start taking those small doses of Calixt, I get this creeping fear about combining it with Prozac. My doctor is incredibly vague, which is frustrating; she hasn't given me a straight answer on whether they can be mixed, even though I have the Prozac on hand because my GP prescribed it. I asked her, but nothing. And tonight was just another repeat of the struggle. Tell me, if I simply skip the sedative tonight, what am I supposed to do? I have Calixt and I have Prazine, but 25 mg of Prazine doesn't touch it, and I'm terrified that 50 mg might be overkill. I just want to sleep through the night without these interruptions. Right now, everything feels chaotic; I end up taking the sedative in the morning and sleeping until 10:00 AM... anyway, I have been tapering my Xanax, dropping from three 0.5 mg pills a day down to three 0.25 mg pills... perhaps that shift is part of why things feel so unsettled, since I've been doing that for the last eight days.

I am truly unsure how to advise you. It is evident that you are going through a difficult time. Your best course of action is to call your psychiatrist and ask her directly.
Please do not attempt to take the Prazosin right now without her specific guidance. Ultimately, they are the experts regarding drug interactions and, more importantly, the half-life of these medications in your system. Call her, explain that your current regimen isn't working, and ask for a clear plan of action.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I’m not taking it yet; I have it sitting right here at home, but once I start taking those small doses of Calixt, I get this creeping fear about combining it with Prozac. My doctor is incredibly vague, which is frustrating; she hasn't given me a straight answer on whether they can be mixed, even though I have the Prozac on hand because my GP prescribed it. I asked her, but nothing. And tonight was just another repeat of the struggle. Tell me, if I simply skip the sedative tonight, what am I supposed to do? I have Calixt and I have Prazine, but 25 mg of Prazine doesn't touch it, and I'm terrified that 50 mg might be overkill. I just want to sleep through the night without these interruptions. Right now, everything feels chaotic; I end up taking the sedative in the morning and sleeping until 10:00 AM... anyway, I have been tapering my Xanax, dropping from three 0.5 mg pills a day down to three 0.25 mg pills... perhaps that shift is part of why things feel so unsettled, since I've been doing that for the last eight days.

What exactly is your diagnosis?
What specifically did your doctor recommend you take?
Why on earth would you stop taking the Calixt?
I have so many questions... It is simply not safe to start playing chemist and experimenting with medications on your own. That is dangerous. Some of the combinations you are mentioning could potentially trigger an arrhythmia... it isn't a guarantee, but the risk is absolutely there.
Why won't you just reach out to your doctor about these issues?
You aren't going to solve anything by yourself... especially not like this.☕

I find myself thinking it is finally time to bid farewell to this digital corner of the internet and head out to catch some waves... I wish you all a swift recovery, provided such a thing is even within the realm of possibility.

I totally get where Jason Vaughn482 is coming from. He wants to ditch Calixt because it’s turned him into a complete zombie—he just has zero motivation for anything, especially first thing in the morning.

As for you, Jason Vaughn482, I get the feeling that "sleeping" to you means dragging yourself out of bed at 10 or 11 AM. But if you happen to wake up around 6 or 7, suddenly you’re claiming you can’t sleep. Honestly, what if you just wake up once or twice during the night? That’s just life; even regular folks deal with that sometimes.😁

What's the harm in getting up at 6 AM and maybe going for a stroll, a quick jog, or even just catching some TV or getting lost in a good book?

redcrane22 said:I totally get where Jason Vaughn482 is coming from. He wants to ditch Calixt because it’s turned him into a complete zombie—he just has zero motivation for anything, especially first thing in the morning.

As for you, Jason Vaughn482, I get the feeling that "sleeping" to you means dragging yourself out of bed at 10 or 11 AM. But if you happen to wake up around 6 or 7, suddenly you’re claiming you can’t sleep. Honestly, what if you just wake up once or twice during the night? That’s just life; even regular folks deal with that sometimes.😁

What's the harm in getting up at 6 AM and maybe going for a stroll, a quick jog, or even just catching some TV or getting lost in a good book?

To clarify, that is precisely the crux of the issue—I don't *want* to be sleeping until 10 or 11... but if I drift off at 1 AM, my body simply refuses to function at 6 AM; that is just how my biology is wired. Or, if I find myself wide awake at 3 AM and can't drift back off until 5... especially when all those hallucinations and the effects of Calixt start weighing on me, pinning me to the mattress like I've lost all control over my own soul... I just hope things improve, I truly do...

Jason Vaughn482 said:I’m not taking it yet; I have it sitting right here at home, but once I start taking those small doses of Calixt, I get this creeping fear about combining it with Prozac. My doctor is incredibly vague, which is frustrating; she hasn't given me a straight answer on whether they can be mixed, even though I have the Prozac on hand because my GP prescribed it. I asked her, but nothing. And tonight was just another repeat of the struggle. Tell me, if I simply skip the sedative tonight, what am I supposed to do? I have Calixt and I have Prazine, but 25 mg of Prazine doesn't touch it, and I'm terrified that 50 mg might be overkill. I just want to sleep through the night without these interruptions. Right now, everything feels chaotic; I end up taking the sedative in the morning and sleeping until 10:00 AM... anyway, I have been tapering my Xanax, dropping from three 0.5 mg pills a day down to three 0.25 mg pills... perhaps that shift is part of why things feel so unsettled, since I've been doing that for the last eight days.

Look, 50 mg of Prazine is basically nothing. I know people out there pulling 500 or even 600 mg without blinking.

It’s an Antipsychotic, sure, but at doses that low? It’s really just acting like a sedative—just knocks you out and keeps things quiet.

@restlesstrucker15 I read your post about how you've been worrying because the Halcion just isn't doing its job anymore. I suppose I'm in the exact same boat... I've only got ten tablets left of that Halcion, and I have to shell out nearly $13 for it using a private prescription from my doctor that’s only good for six months. Honestly, the price is just ridiculous!
I found myself wondering, what now? There aren't any stronger sleeping pills out there. At least, that's what the pharmacists tell me every single time. And frankly, I can't bring myself to consider jumping onto an Antipsychotic!
To make matters worse, my psychiatrist actually prescribed one or two Halcion tablets before bed. Well, I tried taking two, and it felt exactly the same as if I'd only taken one. 🙂
Then, it occurred to me—I stumbled upon a rather brilliant solution! Hehehe, but seriously, when I tell you what I started doing, I wake up feeling perfectly rested every single day.
What's the secret? 😁 Stihl earplugs! 😂😂
Yes! I used to work with a trimmer, but I never bothered using these plugs. One night, I happened to spot a new little box of Stihl gear, containing two pairs of those yellow ones—they're a bit longer and thicker, sort of like a tiny finger, or even smaller. I turned everything off, popped the plugs in, and went straight to bed without taking a single bit of Halcion. And just like that, I woke up feeling great, fully rested... full of energy, and all I had to do was pull the plugs out. 😁

You all should give it a shot, especially if you're in that position where even the Halcion isn't helping anymore! 😉

Kenneth Scott41 said:@restlesstrucker15 I read your post about how you've been worrying because the Halcion just isn't doing its job anymore. I suppose I'm in the exact same boat... I've only got ten tablets left of that Halcion, and I have to shell out nearly $13 for it using a private prescription from my doctor that’s only good for six months. Honestly, the price is just ridiculous!
I found myself wondering, what now? There aren't any stronger sleeping pills out there. At least, that's what the pharmacists tell me every single time. And frankly, I can't bring myself to consider jumping onto an Antipsychotic!
To make matters worse, my psychiatrist actually prescribed one or two Halcion tablets before bed. Well, I tried taking two, and it felt exactly the same as if I'd only taken one. 🙂
Then, it occurred to me—I stumbled upon a rather brilliant solution! Hehehe, but seriously, when I tell you what I started doing, I wake up feeling perfectly rested every single day.
What's the secret? 😁 Stihl earplugs! 😂😂
Yes! I used to work with a trimmer, but I never bothered using these plugs. One night, I happened to spot a new little box of Stihl gear, containing two pairs of those yellow ones—they're a bit longer and thicker, sort of like a tiny finger, or even smaller. I turned everything off, popped the plugs in, and went straight to bed without taking a single bit of Halcion. And just like that, I woke up feeling great, fully rested... full of energy, and all I had to do was pull the plugs out. 😁

You all should give it a shot, especially if you're in that position where even the Halcion isn't helping anymore! 😉

Well, well. If I didn't know you from the forums... 🙂
I am genuinely glad to hear you managed to resolve your insomnia that way.
As for me, I will certainly give it a shot. Currently, I am taking a sedative antidepressant to sleep, but I don't feel like myself until midday.
Read or don't read, watch TV or don't watch TV, relax or don't relax, tire yourself out or don't... none of it seems to work anymore. So, I am more than ready to try the earplugs.

Kenneth Scott41 said:@restlesstrucker15 I read your post about how you've been worrying because the Halcion just isn't doing its job anymore. I suppose I'm in the exact same boat... I've only got ten tablets left of that Halcion, and I have to shell out nearly $13 for it using a private prescription from my doctor that’s only good for six months. Honestly, the price is just ridiculous!
I found myself wondering, what now? There aren't any stronger sleeping pills out there. At least, that's what the pharmacists tell me every single time. And frankly, I can't bring myself to consider jumping onto an Antipsychotic!
To make matters worse, my psychiatrist actually prescribed one or two Halcion tablets before bed. Well, I tried taking two, and it felt exactly the same as if I'd only taken one. 🙂
Then, it occurred to me—I stumbled upon a rather brilliant solution! Hehehe, but seriously, when I tell you what I started doing, I wake up feeling perfectly rested every single day.
What's the secret? 😁 Stihl earplugs! 😂😂
Yes! I used to work with a trimmer, but I never bothered using these plugs. One night, I happened to spot a new little box of Stihl gear, containing two pairs of those yellow ones—they're a bit longer and thicker, sort of like a tiny finger, or even smaller. I turned everything off, popped the plugs in, and went straight to bed without taking a single bit of Halcion. And just like that, I woke up feeling great, fully rested... full of energy, and all I had to do was pull the plugs out. 😁

You all should give it a shot, especially if you're in that position where even the Halcion isn't helping anymore! 😉

I don't follow? What kind of earplugs are these, what exactly do they do, and where on earth do you buy them? I've actually avoided Halcion specifically because of what you mentioned, yet I'm still struggling miserably with insomnia...

restlesstrucker15 said:Well, well. If I didn't know you from the forums... 🙂
I am genuinely glad to hear you managed to resolve your insomnia that way.
As for me, I will certainly give it a shot. Currently, I am taking a sedative antidepressant to sleep, but I don't feel like myself until midday.
Read or don't read, watch TV or don't watch TV, relax or don't relax, tire yourself out or don't... none of it seems to work anymore. So, I am more than ready to try the earplugs.

Remind me, which sedative antidepressant are you taking? I can never seem to find my footing in the morning—I'm a wreck until midday, and honestly, even the afternoons are a struggle. I wake up gripped by anxiety and just feeling... off. For instance, right now, I'm feeling pretty miserable. Just one of those heavy, low days.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I don't follow? What kind of earplugs are these, what exactly do they do, and where on earth do you buy them? I've actually avoided Halcion specifically because of what you mentioned, yet I'm still struggling miserably with insomnia...

Vegg 😁 well, they're just high-quality earplugs. They're typically used by people working around extremely loud machinery to prevent permanent hearing damage.😉 That’s really all there is to it.

I personally use the original Stihl ones, which are actually quite decent; they fit perfectly into the ear canal—you can push them in as deep as feels comfortable. You get two pairs in a little case. Once you get them seated properly, everything around you just fades away into total silence; you might hear your own heartbeat, but it's so faint that it doesn't really bother me.