Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Paul Newman5 said:So, I’ve got a question. I’ve been on 37.5mg of Velafax once a day for 28 days now. For the first two weeks, side effects were basically nonexistent—maybe some slight nausea, sweating, or dry mouth, but nothing I couldn't handle. Then, during week three, things actually started looking up. I stopped napping all day, found myself humming along to the radio, and realized I hadn't reached for my Xanax in a while. It felt good. But then, after just a few days, everything crashed back to zero. The morning sweats are back, I'm taking more Xanax during the day, and that old fatigue and sadness have returned.
To be fair, this dip happened right when my PMS and period hit. It's hard to tell if one caused the other or if they just collided.
What do you guys think? Does this mean the meds aren't working, or is this kind of roller coaster normal during the first few weeks? 🤷
I know I need to talk to my psychiatrist, but any advice from here would be appreciated right about now.

I have been on Velafax for two, perhaps three years now. It is a long time, isn't it? One begins to wonder how the body adapts... how the system settles into this new equilibrium. Does the body adjust to the medication? Yes, it does. It finds a new normal. And does the drug work? Of course, it works. But what can one truly say about the certainty of such things? Is there a universal rule for how we react? No, I don't think so. There simply isn't. We are all fundamentally different individuals, aren't we? Every single one of us.
Is it just me, or does Velafax actually seem to work? I mean, really work? In my experience, it’s a solid medication—truly dependable. And the side effects? They're minimal. Almost negligible, really! Isn't that exactly what we all hope for when starting something new? Just a steady, reliable way to feel better without all the usual chaos.
Just have a little patience, alright? He’ll get through his portion of the therapy. It takes time, doesn't it? We can't rush the process.

So, things started getting a little weird today... Work was a bit of a frantic mess this morning—nothing crazy, just that low-key panic where everyone’s running around aimlessly—but then, I had this run-in with someone. It wasn't even a close friend, just an acquaintance, really, and they said something that wasn't even meant to be mean-spirited, I swear... but man, it just hit me right in the feels. It stung way more than it should have. Honestly, I ended up totally breaking down and crying... now I'm just sitting here feeling all sorts of melancholy 🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:I have been on Velafax for two, perhaps three years now. It is a long time, isn't it? One begins to wonder how the body adapts... how the system settles into this new equilibrium. Does the body adjust to the medication? Yes, it does. It finds a new normal. And does the drug work? Of course, it works. But what can one truly say about the certainty of such things? Is there a universal rule for how we react? No, I don't think so. There simply isn't. We are all fundamentally different individuals, aren't we? Every single one of us.
Is it just me, or does Velafax actually seem to work? I mean, really work? In my experience, it’s a solid medication—truly dependable. And the side effects? They're minimal. Almost negligible, really! Isn't that exactly what we all hope for when starting something new? Just a steady, reliable way to feel better without all the usual chaos.
Just have a little patience, alright? He’ll get through his portion of the therapy. It takes time, doesn't it? We can't rush the process.

It's been a while since you were around. Thanks for getting back to me.
So you think he needs more time and I just need to hang in there? I'll ask him what's up. I have a checkup scheduled for October 31st—assuming the strike doesn't shut everything down—so we'll see how things look by then.
Gave me a little hope. Thanks.

Paul Newman5 said:So, I’ve got a question. I’ve been on 37.5mg of Velafax once a day for 28 days now. For the first two weeks, side effects were basically nonexistent—maybe some slight nausea, sweating, or dry mouth, but nothing I couldn't handle. Then, during week three, things actually started looking up. I stopped napping all day, found myself humming along to the radio, and realized I hadn't reached for my Xanax in a while. It felt good. But then, after just a few days, everything crashed back to zero. The morning sweats are back, I'm taking more Xanax during the day, and that old fatigue and sadness have returned.
To be fair, this dip happened right when my PMS and period hit. It's hard to tell if one caused the other or if they just collided.
What do you guys think? Does this mean the meds aren't working, or is this kind of roller coaster normal during the first few weeks? 🤷
I know I need to talk to my psychiatrist, but any advice from here would be appreciated right about now.

Hang in there for another week or two, smarty-pants—if things don't shift by then, give your doctor a call.

Paul Newman5 said:It's been a while since you were around. Thanks for getting back to me.
So you think he needs more time and I just need to hang in there? I'll ask him what's up. I have a checkup scheduled for October 31st—assuming the strike doesn't shut everything down—so we'll see how things look by then.
Gave me a little hope. Thanks.

Yes, please, just be patient. You know, sometimes the symptoms can act completely opposite to what you'd anticipate. You might even walk away thinking you felt better before you started the medication, but that isn't the reality of it.
Wait, a strike?
As far as I am aware, there isn't any kind of strike happening in psychiatry. If I heard correctly—and I was at my own check-up just the other day, and everything seemed fine—it's all moving along. Sparrow is working away as usual... hehe, man, "normal" and "Sparrow" in the same sentence sounds so strange, doesn't it?🤣
For now, Velafax is the only thing that has truly helped me pull myself out of this rut, along with Calixt and Q-pin.No, but that's a whole different story entirely.☕

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Yes, please, just be patient. You know, sometimes the symptoms can act completely opposite to what you'd anticipate. You might even walk away thinking you felt better before you started the medication, but that isn't the reality of it.
Wait, a strike?
As far as I am aware, there isn't any kind of strike happening in psychiatry. If I heard correctly—and I was at my own check-up just the other day, and everything seemed fine—it's all moving along. Sparrow is working away as usual... hehe, man, "normal" and "Sparrow" in the same sentence sounds so strange, doesn't it?🤣
For now, Velafax is the only thing that has truly helped me pull myself out of this rut, along with Calixt and Q-pin.No, but that's a whole different story entirely.☕

I don't know, but my doctor at Mayo Clinic had me in for a checkup last month on September 13th because she said they'd be striking starting on the 18th—she's even acting as some kind of lead negotiator. Regardless, I always have to call her a day or two ahead because things pop up for her, so we'll see. My next appointment is set for October 31st.
Yeah, I'll keep taking it until the checkup. That's two more weeks, then we'll see.
You're right, sometimes I just want to toss all my pills and think I'd be better off without them, even though I tried going without and it didn't work.
The only thing that spooked me last time was when she told me if Velafax doesn't work either, I should come into the hospital because she's run out of options. And I'm scared of that—not the hospital itself, but the idea of getting fired just because I took medical leave.

Paul Newman5 said:I don't know, but my doctor at Mayo Clinic had me in for a checkup last month on September 13th because she said they'd be striking starting on the 18th—she's even acting as some kind of lead negotiator. Regardless, I always have to call her a day or two ahead because things pop up for her, so we'll see. My next appointment is set for October 31st.
Yeah, I'll keep taking it until the checkup. That's two more weeks, then we'll see.
You're right, sometimes I just want to toss all my pills and think I'd be better off without them, even though I tried going without and it didn't work.
The only thing that spooked me last time was when she told me if Velafax doesn't work either, I should come into the hospital because she's run out of options. And I'm scared of that—not the hospital itself, but the idea of getting fired just because I took medical leave.

😲 That sounds pretty unprofessional to me. Based on what you've posted here, it doesn't seem like you need an ER visit at all, so I'm totally lost as to why your doctor would even say that. Not making any sense.

Brandon Lopez6 said:😲 That sounds pretty unprofessional to me. Based on what you've posted here, it doesn't seem like you need an ER visit at all, so I'm totally lost as to why your doctor would even say that. Not making any sense.

Me too. My job requires a lot of responsibility and I make sure I never miss a beat—everything gets done at home, bills are paid on time, I haven't missed a single day of work. It's just anxiety and depression. Only taken four different antidepressants so far.
No clue why she said that. We'll see at the follow-up. Besides, she isn't the only doctor in the building. Maybe Velafax will finally kick in.
Or maybe she just meant I should take some time off, like a vacation. Probably wouldn't hurt.🤣

Paul Newman5 said:Me too. My job requires a lot of responsibility and I make sure I never miss a beat—everything gets done at home, bills are paid on time, I haven't missed a single day of work. It's just anxiety and depression. Only taken four different antidepressants so far.
No clue why she said that. We'll see at the follow-up. Besides, she isn't the only doctor in the building. Maybe Velafax will finally kick in.
Or maybe she just meant I should take some time off, like a vacation. Probably wouldn't hurt.🤣

Four antidepressants isn't much at all (I've only tried three myself and none of them worked 😳). It's not like you've cycled through forty. You made a good point about her not being the only option, so seriously, think about switching doctors if this one is trying to send you to some damn hospital just because of anxiety and depression. I was in the absolute worst phase of my OCD, to the point where I would've eaten literal garbage or jumped off a building if someone promised me I'd feel better. My doctor told me I wasn't "hospital material," even though I could barely function. Washing dishes felt like a massive daily achievement, and afterward, I felt like I'd run five marathons. Looking at everything you manage to get done in a day, I don't get why she'd suggest a hospital. It makes zero sense.
Give Velafax more time 🙂.

Yeah, take that vacation 🤣. Get lost in the chains 😬.

Paul Newman5 said:Me too. My job requires a lot of responsibility and I make sure I never miss a beat—everything gets done at home, bills are paid on time, I haven't missed a single day of work. It's just anxiety and depression. Only taken four different antidepressants so far.
No clue why she said that. We'll see at the follow-up. Besides, she isn't the only doctor in the building. Maybe Velafax will finally kick in.
Or maybe she just meant I should take some time off, like a vacation. Probably wouldn't hurt.🤣

I haven't been following your posts closely, so I'm not entirely sure what your specific diagnosis is, but let me tell you this: saying there is no cure is simply not true.
There is a remedy for everything! Whether it works with more or less success, or whether the effects manifest quickly or slowly... does that even matter? The core issue is that medication can alleviate all sorts of disorders. Of course, it would be ideal to incorporate some form of psychotherapy as well.
The Velafax will help you. I am speaking from memory here since I don't know your exact situation... I take 75 mg every single night, and I can't recall ever wanting to stop. Your body cannot develop a tolerance to it, so there is really no point in increasing the dose or taking it more frequently.
Your doctor likely knows very well—though, frankly, many don't—that certain combinations can lead to real success. In a worst-case scenario, adding an antipsychotic could provide immediate relief for your current state. Thank God there are heaps of them available on the market now; there was a time when you could count them on one hand!
All of these medications cause some negative side effects, whether they are mild or severe, but it remains manageable considering the weight of the illness itself.
Just give the Velafax some time... everything is going to be okay.😉

Paul Newman5 said:I don't know, but my doctor at Mayo Clinic had me in for a checkup last month on September 13th because she said they'd be striking starting on the 18th—she's even acting as some kind of lead negotiator. Regardless, I always have to call her a day or two ahead because things pop up for her, so we'll see. My next appointment is set for October 31st.
Yeah, I'll keep taking it until the checkup. That's two more weeks, then we'll see.
You're right, sometimes I just want to toss all my pills and think I'd be better off without them, even though I tried going without and it didn't work.
The only thing that spooked me last time was when she told me if Velafax doesn't work either, I should come into the hospital because she's run out of options. And I'm scared of that—not the hospital itself, but the idea of getting fired just because I took medical leave.

And that's what they call doctor😲🙄ly changing her

Kevin Nguyen3 said:I haven't been following your posts closely, so I'm not entirely sure what your specific diagnosis is, but let me tell you this: saying there is no cure is simply not true.
There is a remedy for everything! Whether it works with more or less success, or whether the effects manifest quickly or slowly... does that even matter? The core issue is that medication can alleviate all sorts of disorders. Of course, it would be ideal to incorporate some form of psychotherapy as well.
The Velafax will help you. I am speaking from memory here since I don't know your exact situation... I take 75 mg every single night, and I can't recall ever wanting to stop. Your body cannot develop a tolerance to it, so there is really no point in increasing the dose or taking it more frequently.
Your doctor likely knows very well—though, frankly, many don't—that certain combinations can lead to real success. In a worst-case scenario, adding an antipsychotic could provide immediate relief for your current state. Thank God there are heaps of them available on the market now; there was a time when you could count them on one hand!
All of these medications cause some negative side effects, whether they are mild or severe, but it remains manageable considering the weight of the illness itself.
Just give the Velafax some time... everything is going to be okay.😉

Diagnosis is anxious depression, but I can't get either doctor to understand that the anxiety hits harder. I can't control the jitters, and honestly, most antidepressants eventually start making me feel too wired and restless. Ladiomil worked for a bit, but I'd probably be 100 pounds heavier by now, and even that wasn't a fix.
Also, is Velafax considered an antidepressant? I ask because you're taking double my dose at night. Since I'm on day 30, is it okay to skip a day just to see how I react?
Tried talking to my doctor about combining meds, but she just mumbles something about "that's not for you" and ends the session. Went from a top private specialist to someone at Mayo Clinic. I can't believe there's no cure either. Were you anxious too, or just depressed? Did Velafax touch the anxiety at all?
Thanks everyone, you're helping a little.

Paul Newman5 said:Diagnosis is anxious depression, but I can't get either doctor to understand that the anxiety hits harder. I can't control the jitters, and honestly, most antidepressants eventually start making me feel too wired and restless. Ladiomil worked for a bit, but I'd probably be 100 pounds heavier by now, and even that wasn't a fix.
Also, is Velafax considered an antidepressant? I ask because you're taking double my dose at night. Since I'm on day 30, is it okay to skip a day just to see how I react?
Tried talking to my doctor about combining meds, but she just mumbles something about "that's not for you" and ends the session. Went from a top private specialist to someone at Mayo Clinic. I can't believe there's no cure either. Were you anxious too, or just depressed? Did Velafax touch the anxiety at all?
Thanks everyone, you're helping a little.

My situation is a completely different animal altogether, driven by entirely different causes—specifically PTSD.
I wouldn't go so far as to call Velafax an "uplifter." It’s more like... how should I put this? It simply fills the void left by missing hormones or certain receptors. It doesn't drastically swing my mood one way or the other.
The real goal is just being able to wake up in the morning feeling somewhat level-headed, depending on the circumstances. That’s it. I don't expect anything more than that.
If it's raining or freezing outside, am I going to be over the moon? Of course not! Not like when it's warm and sunny, but really, isn't that just what we should expect from life?
It was actually Velafax that got me to this point. To finally feel like everyone else—just feeling... appropriate. Or rather, fitting for the moment.
Whatever you do, please, do not skip doses. You know that tightening sensation? It hits you incredibly fast. And look, it doesn't cause a traditional addiction; one could theoretically take it for their entire life if necessary.
My doctor keeps grumbling about it because she lacks experience when it comes to combining different medications.
And for the record, I haven't just been taking meds for anxiety; it's always been several types at once, primarily targeting depression—or dysthymia, to be more precise.

Brandon Lopez6 said:Four antidepressants isn't much at all (I've only tried three myself and none of them worked 😳). It's not like you've cycled through forty. You made a good point about her not being the only option, so seriously, think about switching doctors if this one is trying to send you to some damn hospital just because of anxiety and depression. I was in the absolute worst phase of my OCD, to the point where I would've eaten literal garbage or jumped off a building if someone promised me I'd feel better. My doctor told me I wasn't "hospital material," even though I could barely function. Washing dishes felt like a massive daily achievement, and afterward, I felt like I'd run five marathons. Looking at everything you manage to get done in a day, I don't get why she'd suggest a hospital. It makes zero sense.
Give Velafax more time 🙂.

Yeah, take that vacation 🤣. Get lost in the chains 😬.

They push the hospital option on us, often triggered by that very first depressive episode, and at that point, it's really up to us whether we accept their assessment or fight it...

As of today, I’m starting a regimen of Coaxil paired with Xanax to help me actually get some sleep. Though, if I’m being honest, the effect feels identical to taking Sanval—it just costs a hell of a lot more, so I suspect I’ll eventually just revert to the Sanval once I’ve burned through these first 14 Xanax pills, unless they somehow manage to hit differently. Beyond the medication, I also decided to pull the plug on seeing my psychotherapist. Over the last six months, I showed up maybe six or seven times, and each session lasted a measly ten to twenty minutes. I was under the impression that I’d be getting a full hour of undivided attention every single week; instead, she’d see me twice a month, if we were lucky, for fifteen minutes at most. Just when I finally start to open up and dive into what’s actually going on with me, she cuts me off with a "Right, well, see you in two weeks." It’s absolutely absurd. That’s the reality of trying to use state-funded therapy through insurance; if you don't have a job or the extra cash to pay out of pocket, you’re essentially left with nothing but a handful of pills and the instruction to just white-knuckle your way through life.

Jason Vaughn482 said:As of today, I’m starting a regimen of Coaxil paired with Xanax to help me actually get some sleep. Though, if I’m being honest, the effect feels identical to taking Sanval—it just costs a hell of a lot more, so I suspect I’ll eventually just revert to the Sanval once I’ve burned through these first 14 Xanax pills, unless they somehow manage to hit differently. Beyond the medication, I also decided to pull the plug on seeing my psychotherapist. Over the last six months, I showed up maybe six or seven times, and each session lasted a measly ten to twenty minutes. I was under the impression that I’d be getting a full hour of undivided attention every single week; instead, she’d see me twice a month, if we were lucky, for fifteen minutes at most. Just when I finally start to open up and dive into what’s actually going on with me, she cuts me off with a "Right, well, see you in two weeks." It’s absolutely absurd. That’s the reality of trying to use state-funded therapy through insurance; if you don't have a job or the extra cash to pay out of pocket, you’re essentially left with nothing but a handful of pills and the instruction to just white-knuckle your way through life.

Jason Vaughn482, are you from Chicago? There was a thread somewhere with recommendations for psychiatrists—actual doctors who provide real, quality therapy covered by insurance.
We really should comb through the old posts.
I have this vague memory of someone at a clinic over near Michigan Avenue—don't quote me on that, I'm not 100% sure.

Those 15-minute sessions are basically just check-ins. I spent seven years dealing with my grandmother's care at a clinic in downtown Seattle—we went every two weeks, then once a month, then once every two months, maybe once every three.
If you add it all up, it probably totals maybe a year or two of so-called "therapy" where the whole thing just starts with: "So, anything new?" followed by "Why don't you try this?" or "Why don't you try that?"🙄

Jason Vaughn482 said:They push the hospital option on us, often triggered by that very first depressive episode, and at that point, it's really up to us whether we accept their assessment or fight it...

Look, there's a difference between dealing with a depressive episode (we all know where that road leads) and being told "I don't have any antidepressants to give you." Besides, Paul Newman5 mentioned herself she deals with more anxiety than depression.

fadedbear92 said:Jason Vaughn482, are you from Chicago? There was a thread somewhere with recommendations for psychiatrists—actual doctors who provide real, quality therapy covered by insurance.
We really should comb through the old posts.
I have this vague memory of someone at a clinic over near Michigan Avenue—don't quote me on that, I'm not 100% sure.

Those 15-minute sessions are basically just check-ins. I spent seven years dealing with my grandmother's care at a clinic in downtown Seattle—we went every two weeks, then once a month, then once every two months, maybe once every three.
If you add it all up, it probably totals maybe a year or two of so-called "therapy" where the whole thing just starts with: "So, anything new?" followed by "Why don't you try this?" or "Why don't you try that?"🙄

Unfortunately, I am not.😢
They label it psychotherapy, but I see one doctor for medical check-ups and another specifically for therapy. I was with the second one yesterday, and I actually spend more time with her—sometimes even thirty minutes... but this second one (today) is strictly for the psychological side. I felt so triumphant when I finally managed to secure an appointment with her, but since May 1st, it’s been the same repetitive loop. Today, she practically said, "Go ahead, tell me everything" the moment I sat down, but I was feeling so low that I simply didn't know where to begin. When I hesitated, she just remarked, "Well, you did come to a psychiatrist, didn't you?" I told her, "Please, ask me something, because I honestly don't know what to talk about." She then started questioning me as if I were discussing my mother. Just as I finally began to open up after ten minutes or so, she cuts me off and says, "Alright, we'll see you in fifteen days..." and it goes on like that constantly, though sometimes it's been once a month.
She is a lovely, pleasant woman, but what is the point? To me, it feels like a complete waste of time...
Whatever, maybe I'll go a few more times, but I'm starting to think it's futile. I see other patients being rushed out just as quickly; even when the waiting room is empty, she never keeps me longer.
And so I continue to struggle with anxiety for four years now. I'm quite sensitive to medication, so we'll see how things progress with the Coaxil... if I can even stomach taking it. Even considering that Xanax and Ambien aren't exactly a small amount of medication to have been taking for four years straight.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Unfortunately, I am not.😢
They label it psychotherapy, but I see one doctor for medical check-ups and another specifically for therapy. I was with the second one yesterday, and I actually spend more time with her—sometimes even thirty minutes... but this second one (today) is strictly for the psychological side. I felt so triumphant when I finally managed to secure an appointment with her, but since May 1st, it’s been the same repetitive loop. Today, she practically said, "Go ahead, tell me everything" the moment I sat down, but I was feeling so low that I simply didn't know where to begin. When I hesitated, she just remarked, "Well, you did come to a psychiatrist, didn't you?" I told her, "Please, ask me something, because I honestly don't know what to talk about." She then started questioning me as if I were discussing my mother. Just as I finally began to open up after ten minutes or so, she cuts me off and says, "Alright, we'll see you in fifteen days..." and it goes on like that constantly, though sometimes it's been once a month.
She is a lovely, pleasant woman, but what is the point? To me, it feels like a complete waste of time...
Whatever, maybe I'll go a few more times, but I'm starting to think it's futile. I see other patients being rushed out just as quickly; even when the waiting room is empty, she never keeps me longer.
And so I continue to struggle with anxiety for four years now. I'm quite sensitive to medication, so we'll see how things progress with the Coaxil... if I can even stomach taking it. Even considering that Xanax and Ambien aren't exactly a small amount of medication to have been taking for four years straight.

Yeah, that's how it works in therapy, but she shouldn't have cut you off after only 15 minutes. Did she even give you any feedback on what you were saying?

fadedbear92 said:Yeah, that's how it works in therapy, but she shouldn't have cut you off after only 15 minutes. Did she even give you any feedback on what you were saying?

Well, yes—she actually posed this question to me, asking who I thought was responsible for my current anxiety. I offered the candid opinion that it likely stems from myself, to which she responded with some vague notion that everything traces back to one's childhood... and just like that, the conversation hit a dead end. In my estimation, we should have delved deeper, but it’s always the same pattern: these sessions are incredibly brief. Once, she spent two entire sessions lecturing me on sleep hygiene—as if I haven't mastered the basics of a good night's rest, thank Quincy—and then simply said goodbye.
So, what am I expected to do when I show up? Am I supposed to just wander in and start rambling about whatever random thought crosses my mind or whatever minor grievance is bothering me that day?
I did see a psychotherapist once for a short stint—he's currently answering queries on WebMD—and he always took the initiative to steer the dialogue, which felt productive enough. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep up with the costs, so I had to walk away.