Psychotropic medication discussion thread

restlesstrucker15 said:Oh, you poor thing, you've really been through the wringer. Good luck with the new medication; remember that it takes some time for these things to actually kick in, so please don't be alarmed if a panic attack strikes in the meantime. It's just part of the process, unfortunately.

Yes, definitely mention to your primary care physician that you want to try Zane since Samuel isn't working for you anymore; they certainly have the authority to switch your prescription. Then, once your psychiatrist is back in the office, follow up with them directly. Wishing you the best—please let us know how it goes. 🙂

As for me, I only experience panic when it involves my actual health; for anything else, I stay calm, though even that is becoming a struggle... It seems like these local GPs have taken those new Department of Health mandates way too seriously, acting like they can handle everything instead of referring us to specialists. For instance, an ER doctor told me to come back for a follow-up in seven days, yet he flat-out refused to give me the referral. It’s as if he expects me to call him personally just to check in! On top of that, I’ve been dealing with these skin eruptions—blooms the size of a cigarette—that flare up periodically. They've been bothering me for years; they appear, linger, and then vanish, which is incredibly uncomfortable. Yet, the doctor wouldn't even write a referral for a dermatologist, claiming it wasn't "urgent" enough and that they'd just clear up on their own. He insisted it was likely an allergic reaction to some medication, but I am certain it isn't, because my regimen hasn't changed in ages. This all actually started a few years ago after a kitten scratched me, and ever since those spots appeared, I've spent months bouncing between various dermatologists. They flare up every single year, subside, and then return. I desperately need to see a specialist, but apparently, getting referrals is becoming a thing of the past. Things are looking grim for us, especially for those of us who tend to worry about our health a bit too much.

Oh, and just to clarify regarding what I mentioned earlier about visiting the emergency room three times—I wasn't at the medical ER every time. I went to the dental clinic twice and the psychiatric ward once. I was trying to get a prescription for Ad because I simply cannot wait ten months for my current one; I truly can't stand sitting around waiting for Calixtu any longer.

Jason Vaughn482 said:As for me, I only experience panic when it involves my actual health; for anything else, I stay calm, though even that is becoming a struggle... It seems like these local GPs have taken those new Department of Health mandates way too seriously, acting like they can handle everything instead of referring us to specialists. For instance, an ER doctor told me to come back for a follow-up in seven days, yet he flat-out refused to give me the referral. It’s as if he expects me to call him personally just to check in! On top of that, I’ve been dealing with these skin eruptions—blooms the size of a cigarette—that flare up periodically. They've been bothering me for years; they appear, linger, and then vanish, which is incredibly uncomfortable. Yet, the doctor wouldn't even write a referral for a dermatologist, claiming it wasn't "urgent" enough and that they'd just clear up on their own. He insisted it was likely an allergic reaction to some medication, but I am certain it isn't, because my regimen hasn't changed in ages. This all actually started a few years ago after a kitten scratched me, and ever since those spots appeared, I've spent months bouncing between various dermatologists. They flare up every single year, subside, and then return. I desperately need to see a specialist, but apparently, getting referrals is becoming a thing of the past. Things are looking grim for us, especially for those of us who tend to worry about our health a bit too much.

Oh, and just to clarify regarding what I mentioned earlier about visiting the emergency room three times—I wasn't at the medical ER every time. I went to the dental clinic twice and the psychiatric ward once. I was trying to get a prescription for Ad because I simply cannot wait ten months for my current one; I truly can't stand sitting around waiting for Calixtu any longer.

Yes, I realized that the dental department is 🙂
It truly remains to be seen how this system will function moving forward. While having access to a reliable primary care doctor is essential, there are certain complexities—psychiatric matters, neurosurgery, etc.—that one simply cannot manage alone. It feels to me like your situation is heading toward a bit of a mess...

Regarding anxiety, there isn't a single specific antidepressant that serves as a silver bullet; I believe I mentioned that previously. One can certainly suppress panic attacks, but total anxiety relief is harder to achieve. In my estimation, the priority should be finding the correct medication first, followed by psychotherapy.

Give the new tablets at least two weeks to work.

Jason Vaughn482 said:It's such a shame, because I was just thinking about how well the Citram seemed to suit you; seeing it fail like this makes me quite skeptical about medication in general. While they might hold their own against depression, when it comes to managing pure fear and panic... well, I'm not so sure. How does that morning anxiety manifest for you?
My doctor prescribed Coaxil three times a day, but you know me—I'll probably cap it at two doses max before deciding how to proceed. I think I'll skip the evening dose tonight, mostly because I'm terrified I won't be able to catch any sleep at all.

It’s not like nothing is happening, I just expected more progress after six weeks. Morning anxiety? I get up around 7:30, take my meds, and by 9 or 9:30, I feel like I'm going to snap. Like a total nervous breakdown. Then it settles down and I'm just exhausted. It triggers those fears—that I'll collapse, lose it, and end up in the ER. That's it. It isn't every day; yesterday and the day before were actually fine, but today has been rough. Tomorrow I have to head to the local hospital (25 miles to get my thyroid checked), and whenever I have an early appointment, the whole day before it turns into a mess. We've talked about this before in private messages. It's not the tests or being sick that scares me—it's the leaving the house part. We'll see about the Citra at my follow-up with the doctor in ten days.

Paul Newman5 said:It’s not like nothing is happening, I just expected more progress after six weeks. Morning anxiety? I get up around 7:30, take my meds, and by 9 or 9:30, I feel like I'm going to snap. Like a total nervous breakdown. Then it settles down and I'm just exhausted. It triggers those fears—that I'll collapse, lose it, and end up in the ER. That's it. It isn't every day; yesterday and the day before were actually fine, but today has been rough. Tomorrow I have to head to the local hospital (25 miles to get my thyroid checked), and whenever I have an early appointment, the whole day before it turns into a mess. We've talked about this before in private messages. It's not the tests or being sick that scares me—it's the leaving the house part. We'll see about the Citra at my follow-up with the doctor in ten days.

A close friend of mine found Seroquel to be quite effective for her agoraphobia; it helped immensely with both sleep and that specific type of paralyzing fear. She reached a point where she couldn't even drive a car or step foot outside, but now she’s functioning normally. My own experience with morning anxiety is somewhat different; for me, it manifests as butterflies in my stomach and a crushing sense of dread that makes me want to just stay under the covers and sleep indefinitely. I find it impossible to get out of bed, so I eventually force myself to move, grab a coffee, and somehow manage to pull myself together. Once the day gets moving, if my physical health is holding up, I usually hold steady, though even something as minor as a breakout on my skin can throw me completely off balance.🙂

Hey there. I’ve just started being prescribed Loquen. Honestly, it’s been a much smoother experience for me than Seroquel was.
My doctor mentioned that the goal is to bump me up to 50 mg as quickly as possible, and then we'll see how things go. Does anyone actually know what the typical dosage range looks like when using this as a mood stabilizer for BPD?
If anyone happens to know roughly what to expect—or if you'd be willing to share your own experiences with it—I’d really appreciate it. 😍

Anyone else here on Wellbutrin XR, 150mg?

Just wondering what everyone's experience has been like... I've pretty much cycled through every med under the sun, but I've been on this one for about two weeks now. Probably way too early to say for sure, but I'm definitely feeling a bit more spark and energy lately. Like, I don't feel like such a total couch potato for once. 😁

Roger Bennett62 said:Anyone else here on Wellbutrin XR, 150mg?

Just wondering what everyone's experience has been like... I've pretty much cycled through every med under the sun, but I've been on this one for about two weeks now. Probably way too early to say for sure, but I'm definitely feeling a bit more spark and energy lately. Like, I don't feel like such a total couch potato for once. 😁

Oh, absolutely!!! 👋
It helps my depression, but when it comes to anxiety or panic attacks, it does absolutely nothing for me...
Personally, it worked well for me. After five days, the side effects completely vanished, and it gives me a nice boost in the morning, which is exactly what I need. However, they had to add something else to my regimen recently to deal with recent bouts of anxiety, panic, and sudden outbursts of anger...🙄

Jerry Brooks5 said:I’m looking for some advice here. I’ve been dealing with depression for quite a while now, but things got complicated because my former doctor kept prescribing me Misar for way too long. Now, my current physician is telling me straight up that I’ve developed a dependency on it. My current routine involves taking 1mg in the morning and then 0.5mg three times throughout the day. I’m fully aware that I need to taper off gradually, but the real issue is that I feel like I can't function at all without it. Does anyone have insight on how to successfully wean myself off Misar while still maintaining enough stability to actually live my life? For context, I’m also taking Fevarin alongside the Misar.

The only way through this is strict medical supervision and an incredibly slow, cautious reduction of your dosage.
There is also the option of using a transitional medication... there are plenty of alternatives that an experienced psychiatrist 😉 will be familiar with. You might find a drug that isn't quite as "perfect" in its effect, but it makes the process much smoother and doesn't carry that same heavy physical dependency.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Well, I said almost the same thing—not a single medication is truly identical, even if the chemical composition and intended purpose suggest they should be! Isn't that just the way it goes?
Zan and Sanval (zolpidem tartrate) both have the primary goal of helping someone drift off to sleep. Now, Zan is supposed to keep a person asleep for a bit longer, though that isn't a guaranteed rule, is it?
The pharmaceutical company claims Zan doesn't cause dependency, which is absolute nonsense! How can they say that when certain drugs in the zaleplon class are actually banned in some places, like Canada?
As for Sanval, we all know how it works; it helps you fall asleep, and you take it right before bed, but it won't keep you asleep through the night, nor can it regulate those middle-of-the-night awakenings.
Food slows down its effects, too, so it isn't recommended to eat anything right before taking Sanval.
And let's not forget, Zan is a dangerous medication with quite a few side effects.
A very common occurrence is people mixing Zan with other medications, which results in massive drowsiness the next day. Seriously, you shouldn't be drinking anything at all while on Zan.
It also contains lactose, so for certain diabetics, it might not be the best choice either.
Taking it for any period longer than 14 days (!!!) provides absolutely no benefit whatsoever—you just end up with a mountain of side effects.☕

Please, stop spreading misinformation. I'm only quoting this specific post of yours, but there were others too. Zan has a much shorter half-life than Sanval, so your claim that it should keep someone asleep longer is completely contradictory. Zan is used to induce sleep. It actually has a more favorable side effect profile than Sanval. There’s a much lower chance of morning grogginess or parasomnia. If used correctly, it’s a perfectly safe medication, especially since it leaves your system so quickly.

Timothy Wood38 said:Please, stop spreading misinformation. I'm only quoting this specific post of yours, but there were others too. Zan has a much shorter half-life than Sanval, so your claim that it should keep someone asleep longer is completely contradictory. Zan is used to induce sleep. It actually has a more favorable side effect profile than Sanval. There’s a much lower chance of morning grogginess or parasomnia. If used correctly, it’s a perfectly safe medication, especially since it leaves your system so quickly.

I have been relying on Ambien for quite some time now, and while I had never heard of Xanax, I find it utterly baffling why my psychiatrist hasn't suggested it. She never offered a change, especially when I explicitly mentioned that Ambien just doesn't hit the same way it used to... and then just recently, I found myself in the Emergency Room at a local hospital trying to get my prescription adjusted, and the doctor there actually asked if I preferred Ambien or Prozac. I told her absolutely not to Prozac... it wasn't until I walked out of the clinic that it finally clicked—I remembered hearing about Xanax, but the thought had slipped my mind in that moment. I would be more than willing to give it a try, but when I approached my own doctor, he simply brushed me off, claiming they were essentially the same thing and refusing to switch me. It seems they are all just profoundly indifferent to our needs.

Gerald Torres2 said:Oh, absolutely!!! 👋
It helps my depression, but when it comes to anxiety or panic attacks, it does absolutely nothing for me...
Personally, it worked well for me. After five days, the side effects completely vanished, and it gives me a nice boost in the morning, which is exactly what I need. However, they had to add something else to my regimen recently to deal with recent bouts of anxiety, panic, and sudden outbursts of anger...🙄

Yeah, it can definitely lift you out of those dark depressive thoughts, but it can also crank up the anxiety way too much....

For me, starting around day two or three, my palms and feet just start sweating like crazy. I'm just sitting here hoping it passes. Had the exact same thing happen with Zoloft, so I eventually had to quit that one altogether. :/

Roger Bennett62 said:Yeah, it can definitely lift you out of those dark depressive thoughts, but it can also crank up the anxiety way too much....

For me, starting around day two or three, my palms and feet just start sweating like crazy. I'm just sitting here hoping it passes. Had the exact same thing happen with Zoloft, so I eventually had to quit that one altogether. :/

I'm actually on a combination of Zoloft and Wellbutrin right now. Maybe it just isn't hitting the mark for you... everyone is different. You'll eventually stumble upon something that works, but unfortunately, the only real way to find the right antidepressant is through trial and error...

Timothy Wood38 said:Please, stop spreading misinformation. I'm only quoting this specific post of yours, but there were others too. Zan has a much shorter half-life than Sanval, so your claim that it should keep someone asleep longer is completely contradictory. Zan is used to induce sleep. It actually has a more favorable side effect profile than Sanval. There’s a much lower chance of morning grogginess or parasomnia. If used correctly, it’s a perfectly safe medication, especially since it leaves your system so quickly.

I have stopped.🙂
The best approach is simply to give people a choice, so they can read for themselves what I have read. Sure, there are instructions, but...
What is even the point of reading if one refuses to accept or comprehend the information?
If I have erred somewhere, I would be deeply grateful if you would point it out to me, because I have gathered the impression that I am generally providing incorrect information.
Here in the States, Sanval is typically the first-line treatment, though sometimes Zonadin is prescribed instead. Since these drugs are essentially serving the same purpose (not literally, of course), the effect is more psychological than a physical change.
Zan is rarely, if ever, offered.
And what, precisely, does "if taken correctly" entail?
Please, describe it to me.
Given that it is strongly recommended for no longer than two weeks (!!!)—and if no improvement is seen, one should contact their psychiatrist again—in that context, I am curious about what I asked you.
How long have you been taking Zan?
Please, take a moment to read about the massive list of medications that are not recommended to be taken in combination with Zan.
A whole mountain of them.
Zan is primarily prescribed to those who are allergic to certain ingredients found in other benzodiazepine-based medications (like Sanval and similar...).
As for a "more favorable side-effect profile," I won't even go there; such things are so incredibly individual that writing about it feels like a total waste of time.☕

I guess I’m looking for some actual expertise here—can someone tell me which one of these works faster and hits harder? I’d really prefer to take as little as possible since all these milligram conversions are honestly a bit confusing to me. I have the 0.5 mg dosage and then there's the 15 mg Praxiten. Which one should I be looking at?

shadowbear9 said:I guess I’m looking for some actual expertise here—can someone tell me which one of these works faster and hits harder? I’d really prefer to take as little as possible since all these milligram conversions are honestly a bit confusing to me. I have the 0.5 mg dosage and then there's the 15 mg Praxiten. Which one should I be looking at?

In my own experience, Praxiten (15 mg) was absolutely stellar for helping me drift off to sleep. However, if we’re talking about tackling anxiety or those sudden, sharp panic attacks, Misar or xanax are significantly more effective; they just don't possess that same sedative quality for sleep. It really all boils down to what specific symptom you're trying to manage.
(my personal experiences)

Bluzara says
I’ve quit.🙂
It’s better to just let people decide for themselves—let them read the same things I did. Sure, there are official guidelines, but...
What’s even the point of reading if you aren't going to actually absorb it or take it to heart?
If I’ve messed something up here, please, tell me. I genuinely get the feeling that my information might be off base sometimes.
In our neck of the woods, Sanval is usually the first thing doctors suggest, though sometimes they offer Zonadin instead. Since they’re essentially doing the same job (not literally, obviously), the difference is more about the psychological aspect than any actual physiological shift.
Zan is rarely, if ever, even on the table.
And what does "if taken correctly" actually entail?
Walk me through it, please.
The recommendation is usually not to use it for longer than two weeks (!!!), and if there's no progress, go back to the psychiatrist—so, in that context, I’m wondering what specifically I asked.
How long have you been on Zan?
Please, look up that list of medications that shouldn't be mixed with Zan when you have a moment.
There are a ton.
Zan is primarily prescribed for folks who have allergies to certain ingredients found in other benzodiazepine-based drugs (like Sanval and its ilk...).
As for the whole "more favorable side effect profile" argument... I won't even go there. It's such an individual experience that trying to write about it feels like a total waste of breath.☕

A doctor determines the proper way to take a medication. When setting up a pharmacotherapy plan, there are several benchmarks to hit: selecting the right drug, the correct dosage, the right route of administration, timing, the circumstances under which it's taken, and so on. Regardless, Zan (zaleplon) has proven to be a safer option than Sanval (zolpidem). There is plenty of research out there supporting this. I believe the FDA recently released some report regarding zolpidem and its side effects.

shadowbear9 said:I guess I’m looking for some actual expertise here—can someone tell me which one of these works faster and hits harder? I’d really prefer to take as little as possible since all these milligram conversions are honestly a bit confusing to me. I have the 0.5 mg dosage and then there's the 15 mg Praxiten. Which one should I be looking at?

Misar is definitely more potent.

I just need to unwind and hopefully pass out soon, though I'm trying to take it easy on the drinks since I have to stay alert enough to get through these pills...

Timothy Wood38 said:

Bluzara says
I’ve quit.🙂
It’s better to just let people decide for themselves—let them read the same things I did. Sure, there are official guidelines, but...
What’s even the point of reading if you aren't going to actually absorb it or take it to heart?
If I’ve messed something up here, please, tell me. I genuinely get the feeling that my information might be off base sometimes.
In our neck of the woods, Sanval is usually the first thing doctors suggest, though sometimes they offer Zonadin instead. Since they’re essentially doing the same job (not literally, obviously), the difference is more about the psychological aspect than any actual physiological shift.
Zan is rarely, if ever, even on the table.
And what does "if taken correctly" actually entail?
Walk me through it, please.
The recommendation is usually not to use it for longer than two weeks (!!!), and if there's no progress, go back to the psychiatrist—so, in that context, I’m wondering what specifically I asked.
How long have you been on Zan?
Please, look up that list of medications that shouldn't be mixed with Zan when you have a moment.
There are a ton.
Zan is primarily prescribed for folks who have allergies to certain ingredients found in other benzodiazepine-based drugs (like Sanval and its ilk...).
As for the whole "more favorable side effect profile" argument... I won't even go there. It's such an individual experience that trying to write about it feels like a total waste of breath.☕

A doctor determines the proper way to take a medication. When setting up a pharmacotherapy plan, there are several benchmarks to hit: selecting the right drug, the correct dosage, the right route of administration, timing, the circumstances under which it's taken, and so on. Regardless, Zan (zaleplon) has proven to be a safer option than Sanval (zolpidem). There is plenty of research out there supporting this. I believe the FDA recently released some report regarding zolpidem and its side effects.

I am well aware of that. I have actually been reading through various accounts—admittedly rather negative ones—along with research coming out of Canada because they banned the prescription of Zane (or at least their equivalent version of the same drug, assuming nothing has changed in the formula). Honestly? It didn't leave me with much of a positive impression.
But then again, isn't that just how all medical treatments work? A medication might work wonders for one person while causing harm to another.
And yes, when you get into the weeds regarding administration protocols, things certainly become more complicated, but perhaps that is a conversation for another time.🙄

Timothy Wood38 said:

Bluzara says
I’ve quit.🙂
It’s better to just let people decide for themselves—let them read the same things I did. Sure, there are official guidelines, but...
What’s even the point of reading if you aren't going to actually absorb it or take it to heart?
If I’ve messed something up here, please, tell me. I genuinely get the feeling that my information might be off base sometimes.
In our neck of the woods, Sanval is usually the first thing doctors suggest, though sometimes they offer Zonadin instead. Since they’re essentially doing the same job (not literally, obviously), the difference is more about the psychological aspect than any actual physiological shift.
Zan is rarely, if ever, even on the table.
And what does "if taken correctly" actually entail?
Walk me through it, please.
The recommendation is usually not to use it for longer than two weeks (!!!), and if there's no progress, go back to the psychiatrist—so, in that context, I’m wondering what specifically I asked.
How long have you been on Zan?
Please, look up that list of medications that shouldn't be mixed with Zan when you have a moment.
There are a ton.
Zan is primarily prescribed for folks who have allergies to certain ingredients found in other benzodiazepine-based drugs (like Sanval and its ilk...).
As for the whole "more favorable side effect profile" argument... I won't even go there. It's such an individual experience that trying to write about it feels like a total waste of breath.☕

A doctor determines the proper way to take a medication. When setting up a pharmacotherapy plan, there are several benchmarks to hit: selecting the right drug, the correct dosage, the right route of administration, timing, the circumstances under which it's taken, and so on. Regardless, Zan (zaleplon) has proven to be a safer option than Sanval (zolpidem). There is plenty of research out there supporting this. I believe the FDA recently released some report regarding zolpidem and its side effects.

Fine, then what is actually the least harmful option for sleep? Is Prazosin somehow superior to Zolpidem? And why was I never even offered Eszopiclone; I wasn't even aware such an option existed in the first place.