Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Lisa Reyes4 said:Where on earth did my post from earlier today go?!?!?! I know Kevin Nguyen3 replied to me... but now it’s just vanished into thin air, I can't see it anywhere..,

Use the search bar, folks—seriously, just use the search function. Here you go.

fadedbear92 said:Look, Zoloft is actual medicine meant to treat you; it isn't some recreational drug you take just to get high all the time!🙄

Yes, Lexapro is the kind of medication that pulls people out of those dark, heavy states. Everyone taking it generally just feels more level—more "normal," if you will—rather than feeling actually high. If someone does experience a sense of euphoria, it’s usually a sign that the medication isn't quite the right fit, and they'll likely need to switch to something else. But that specific sensation of being high isn't what people are actually looking for.
If you truly believe that you need antidepressants, then please, go see a primary care physician or, better yet, a psychiatrist. No one is going to prescribe you medication just to make you feel a little bit more cheerful; that simply isn't how any medical formulary works. 😁 Perhaps it belongs on a different list altogether. :P

Skickas fr

I find myself unable to sleep. I don't mean to complain, but the medications prescribed for my neurological issues—specifically Neurontin, following my previous use of Lyrica—seem to keep me wide awake. Even 20 mg of Ambien wasn't enough to help.
I am genuinely curious how others taking these drugs manage to get any rest; perhaps they aren't accustomed to hypnotics, or maybe they simply don't experience this specific side effect.
If it had just been a broken finger instead of this neurological damage to my spine... then finding a treatment plan would be much simpler. I almost look forward to facing an illness that doesn't require this endless process of trial and error.😁

FedEx

restlesstrucker15 said:I find myself unable to sleep. I don't mean to complain, but the medications prescribed for my neurological issues—specifically Neurontin, following my previous use of Lyrica—seem to keep me wide awake. Even 20 mg of Ambien wasn't enough to help.
I am genuinely curious how others taking these drugs manage to get any rest; perhaps they aren't accustomed to hypnotics, or maybe they simply don't experience this specific side effect.
If it had just been a broken finger instead of this neurological damage to my spine... then finding a treatment plan would be much simpler. I almost look forward to facing an illness that doesn't require this endless process of trial and error.😁

FedEx

So, what happened with your spine?

Jason Vaughn482 said:So, what happened with your spine?

I actually went through surgery this past summer, so I am currently waiting for a specific nerve to fully recover. That process can take up to a year, and in the meantime, doctors keep prescribing various pills just to manage the numbness in my leg. The issue is that almost all of them are essentially anti-epileptic drugs, since they're used to treat neuropathic pain.😢

FedEx

Rebecca Sanders37 said:I didn't go for it back then because I was such a huge skeptic when it came to meds, you know? But honestly, looking back, I don't see anything wrong with giving it a shot now. That being said, I really wouldn't want to mess around with anything that might throw my brain chemistry out of whack, especially since I actually feel pretty decent as I am! I was mostly thinking about taking something just to level things up a bit—like a little boost to help me feel even more free and keep my mood consistently high. I was even looking into those over-the-counter 5-HTP supplements, since you can just grab them at a CVS without needing a prescription. Has anyone here actually tried those?
I wouldn't say they can't change your personality, though... I've seen it happen firsthand with a buddy of mine who turned into a completely different person.

Don't be foolish and just stay where you are. Be grateful that you're healthy and don't have any issues. Everyone strives for something better, but every extreme is harmful—including what you're looking for. Humans aren't built to be in a constant state of euphoria. If that scale stays tipped in one direction forever, there will be undeniable consequences. Emotions are incredibly complex... if you were perpetually happy, you'd trigger a chemical imbalance in your brain. You wouldn't be able to experience anything besides joy, which would cause those suppressed emotions to eventually explode. You'd end up with a broken psyche... and then you'd truly need medication just to survive an earthly hell, cursing the day you made this choice and whoever helped you do it. As for behaving more freely, just work on yourself... there's plenty of self-help literature out there to help with that.
Science is nowhere near understanding how our minds actually function, and medication is even further behind. Work on your own behavior... when you realize you can't go any further, you'll know you've hit your natural limits. Since you mentioned you feel okay as you are, don't try to find something that isn't there. Just be a human being with all the virtues and flaws nature gave you... perfection doesn't exist, and trying to reach it through chemistry always, without exception, ends terribly.

Ugh, you guys have totally steered me away from antidepressants... 🙂
But wait, does anyone here actually have experience with 5-HTP supplements? Like, is that a much safer bet? Does anyone here actually know their stuff when it comes to this kind of thing?

Rebecca Sanders37 said:Ugh, you guys have totally steered me away from antidepressants... 🙂
But wait, does anyone here actually have experience with 5-HTP supplements? Like, is that a much safer bet? Does anyone here actually know their stuff when it comes to this kind of thing?

See, that's a supplement. Most people hanging out here are dealing with actual prescriptions and clinical treatments, so getting a straight answer might be tough. From everything I've read from folks who use it, it seems to provide a slight mood lift and leads to incredibly intense dreams—could be good, could be bad. Then there are those for whom it does absolutely nothing at all, which most people just chalk up to the placebo effect...
Since it's just a supplement, the call is yours. Personally, though, I don't think you really need it. Since you're already feeling pretty good, maybe try to dial back that urge to be "the best" at everything. And again, I really mean it... try to work on your mental stability. That makes you way more resilient to life's challenges than any chemical ever could...
A mentally stable person knows exactly where they stand. It’s hard to shake them or sway their beliefs. They're tougher against illness, they stay rational when things go sideways, and plenty of other things too. But you need to learn this. It shouldn't be an issue, because from the way you talk, it's clear you're still young and haven't quite lived much yet. Just let yourself live while you aren't facing major problems, and slowly try to test out what you think could be improved...

Donna Vaughn28 said:See, that's a supplement. Most people hanging out here are dealing with actual prescriptions and clinical treatments, so getting a straight answer might be tough. From everything I've read from folks who use it, it seems to provide a slight mood lift and leads to incredibly intense dreams—could be good, could be bad. Then there are those for whom it does absolutely nothing at all, which most people just chalk up to the placebo effect...
Since it's just a supplement, the call is yours. Personally, though, I don't think you really need it. Since you're already feeling pretty good, maybe try to dial back that urge to be "the best" at everything. And again, I really mean it... try to work on your mental stability. That makes you way more resilient to life's challenges than any chemical ever could...
A mentally stable person knows exactly where they stand. It’s hard to shake them or sway their beliefs. They're tougher against illness, they stay rational when things go sideways, and plenty of other things too. But you need to learn this. It shouldn't be an issue, because from the way you talk, it's clear you're still young and haven't quite lived much yet. Just let yourself live while you aren't facing major problems, and slowly try to test out what you think could be improved...

I truly believe our mental state—whether we're stable or spiraling—is all down to brain chemistry. Everything is basically just chemistry, even our thoughts! By doing "inner work," I'm essentially trying to change my brain chemistry naturally. But what exactly do you mean when you talk about "working on your psyche"? Like, what am I supposed to actually *do*?

Rebecca Sanders37 said:I truly believe our mental state—whether we're stable or spiraling—is all down to brain chemistry. Everything is basically just chemistry, even our thoughts! By doing "inner work," I'm essentially trying to change my brain chemistry naturally. But what exactly do you mean when you talk about "working on your psyche"? Like, what am I supposed to actually *do*?

This is incredibly complicated—honestly, trying to change who you are, especially those deep-seated personality traits, is pretty much impossible without long-term, intensive psychotherapy. Anything else is just spinning your wheels.☕

Rebecca Sanders37 said:I truly believe our mental state—whether we're stable or spiraling—is all down to brain chemistry. Everything is basically just chemistry, even our thoughts! By doing "inner work," I'm essentially trying to change my brain chemistry naturally. But what exactly do you mean when you talk about "working on your psyche"? Like, what am I supposed to actually *do*?

Look for where you're most vulnerable. Find those spots where you seem indecisive or feel like you could improve. Once you do that self-analysis, start looking for ways to fix it—find books, articles, or online resources that can guide you. If you see someone who seems more balanced than you, try to figure out why. Just don't try to compete with the absolute best if you don't have the genetic makeup for it, or try to mimic a friend who relies on medication. We are all so incredibly different. Even something as basic as Aspirin doesn't affect everyone the same way, let alone substances that regulate your psyche. That 5-HTP is essentially a serotonin generator, which people consider vital for mood, but it works wonders for one person, does nothing for another, barely touches a third, and some people even deal with side effects. Some find it works for ten days and then suddenly stops. There's even a recommended timeframe for taking it. It all depends on how much serotonin a person has and how their receptors receive it. You can't just eat iron filings to fix low iron in your blood because your stomach can't process them into something useful; it has to be in a specific form with other substances so the body can actually utilize it. Sometimes, serotonin receptors get dulled, die off, or get blocked by some unknown process. You might think you aren't lacking the substance itself, but your body simply isn't capable of processing or transporting it further through the system. In those cases, you might end up causing more problems, like serotonin syndrome, which is anything but harmless. There are tons of serotonin inhibitors on the market, and doctors honestly struggle to predict how any of them will work because we are all so unique. They try one, then another, then a tenth... until the patient finally responds, though some people don't respond to any at all. So, stay away from the chemicals unless you are truly ill. Instead, study yourself. Try to understand your own framework, or strive to climb one more rung up the ladder through learning and practice...

Rebecca Sanders37 said:I truly believe our mental state—whether we're stable or spiraling—is all down to brain chemistry. Everything is basically just chemistry, even our thoughts! By doing "inner work," I'm essentially trying to change my brain chemistry naturally. But what exactly do you mean when you talk about "working on your psyche"? Like, what am I supposed to actually *do*?

Where on earth are you getting these ideas from?
"Self-work" alone isn't going to change a thing.
If you had been focusing on this before the illness took hold, then sure, maybe... but right now? The medication has to do its job first, stabilizing things until you're actually ready for psychotherapy.
And let me tell you, that is an entirely different ballgame altogether... just like fadedbear92 told you, it's all about time. And nothing but time.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Where on earth are you getting these ideas from?
"Self-work" alone isn't going to change a thing.
If you had been focusing on this before the illness took hold, then sure, maybe... but right now? The medication has to do its job first, stabilizing things until you're actually ready for psychotherapy.
And let me tell you, that is an entirely different ballgame altogether... just like fadedbear92 told you, it's all about time. And nothing but time.

From what I gather, he isn't actually sick. He’s just young and wants to be better than he currently is by his own standards. He’s looking for an instant fix through medication because he saw a friend do it and thought it worked. But he’s being cautious and sensible, asking if this is really the way to go since he cares about his future. He senses that these quick fixes offer temporary success and satisfaction, but they ultimately destroy you in the long run by creating a massive imbalance in such a delicate part of the psyche. There’s usually no turning back once that happens; you just end up dealing with a chronic condition for the rest of your life. So, if he truly wants to improve, the only real path forward is doing the actual work on himself.

Donna Vaughn28 said:From what I gather, he isn't actually sick. He’s just young and wants to be better than he currently is by his own standards. He’s looking for an instant fix through medication because he saw a friend do it and thought it worked. But he’s being cautious and sensible, asking if this is really the way to go since he cares about his future. He senses that these quick fixes offer temporary success and satisfaction, but they ultimately destroy you in the long run by creating a massive imbalance in such a delicate part of the psyche. There’s usually no turning back once that happens; you just end up dealing with a chronic condition for the rest of your life. So, if he truly wants to improve, the only real path forward is doing the actual work on himself.

Yes, you are absolutely right.
Regardless of his specific situation, isn't the only way to change one's beliefs or build true character through learning?
And I mean systematic, disciplined learning—not just swallowing random words that have no meaning or purpose.
What kind of supplements or "elixirs" could possibly work? Even if they do, the effect is incredibly fleeting, which is exactly why people take them.
Will a pill grow your brain? Will it grant you photographic memory? No. It won't.
The more one learns, the more understanding and intelligence develop; experience builds intuition; and all of it together provides the tools to fight stress or apply knowledge practically.
I have yet to see a "smart pill." Or perhaps... maybe they just don't work on me...🤣

Is it safe to mix Normabell and Helix?

Brandon Lopez6 said:Is it safe to mix Normabell and Helix?

Technically, you could... though I don't see much point in doing it. Both drugs serve the same purpose—calming you down. If you mix them, they’ll likely just amplify each other's effects, at which point you're better off just taking a higher dose of either the Helix or the Normabrel alone. But obviously, check with your psychiatrist before you try anything.

As for my sleep situation... it's been a downward spiral. I used to be knocked out by 25 mg of Quetiapine, then it moved up to 50... then 100. Now, I need 150 to 200 mg just to pass out. It’s a depressing trend, honestly. How high is this going to go? Plus, I really want to avoid sleeping pills—the hypnotics—because they're notorious for being habit-forming. At the end of the day, without actual therapy, sleep is just out of reach.🙂🙂

Hey everyone...
Thought I’d jump in here and share my own little saga...
Back in 2010, I first went to see a psychiatrist because I was struggling with social anxiety...
The first med they put me on was Lamictal..
It worked okay for me. Then I got officially diagnosed with Avoidant Personality Disorder. At that point, they added Cymbalta to the Lamictal, but that didn't really sit right with me.
Later on, they added Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder to my diagnosis. Those two have actually stayed the same even today...
I was also prescribed Helix.
At my next check-up, they swapped out the Cymbalta for Paxil. So, for a while, I was on a combo of Paxil, Lamictal, and Helix.
Once things started looking up, they began tapering me off the Lamictal. When I finally stopped completely, I didn't feel any withdrawal symptoms at all.
My mental health just kept steadily improving while I was on the meds.
But then, right when my psychiatrist decided to taper me off the Paxil (since the Lamictal was already gone), everything hit the fan.
Right as I was stopping the Paxil, my mother passed away after a serious illness, which obviously threw me for a loop and meant I had to start the Paxil back up again.
I’ve been taking Helix as needed, though lately, I haven't even been touching it.
Anyway, enough rambling from me, haha 🙂

Basically, I reached a point where I was feeling so good that we decided it was time to get me off the Paxil, and man... it has been pure chaos.
I started tapering by taking half a pill once a day for a month, and everything felt relatively fine—no symptoms to speak of. But now that I've moved to taking half a pill every other day, I am feeling absolutely terrible.
The symptoms are restlessness, tension, brain zaps, feeling jittery, depressed... I don't even know what else to say. It's honestly awful. Now I've reached the point where I'm not taking anything at all and it's just a total wreck. I'm even feeling nauseous and everything... Long story short, I'm not on any meds right now...

If anyone has dealt with this or has any advice, please reach out...

help

Thanks

It’s a long story, to put it briefly. I’ve been on Paxil for eleven years, along with a few other medications. My most effective combination was Paxil and Lamictal. After discussing it with my neurologist, we decided I could finally taper off the Paxil. Now, that decision is becoming a major challenge because this is actually my third attempt at weaning myself off it. Since my side effects mostly consist of those intense "brain zaps" and constant restlessness, everything is being meticulously coordinated with my neurologist. Honestly, many specialists don't even recognize these specific symptoms because the pharmaceutical industry doesn't educate them properly. My tapering process looks like this—and it's still ongoing: for two months, I’ve been taking a half tablet of Paxil every other day while staying on 50mg of Lamal twice a day. I took my last dose of Paxil this past Thursday, though I have to continue the Lamal to compensate for the lack of Paxil. Everything was fine until today. Now, the brain zaps and restlessness have returned. I suspect the anxiety surrounding the withdrawal is intensifying the symptoms. I'm not sure if I can make it through without calling her back. I understand what you're going through. It's exhausting, but it's now or never for me. Personally, I think cutting everything off at once was a mistake. Your brain needs support during this transition. Please seek medical help to design a more gradual tapering plan; what you're experiencing is just too much. I hope I can pull through, though it certainly isn't easy. You can find plenty of information and personal accounts about this online; there are even videos about it.

sent from hell

Gerald Torres2 said:Technically, you could... though I don't see much point in doing it. Both drugs serve the same purpose—calming you down. If you mix them, they’ll likely just amplify each other's effects, at which point you're better off just taking a higher dose of either the Helix or the Normabrel alone. But obviously, check with your psychiatrist before you try anything.

As for my sleep situation... it's been a downward spiral. I used to be knocked out by 25 mg of Quetiapine, then it moved up to 50... then 100. Now, I need 150 to 200 mg just to pass out. It’s a depressing trend, honestly. How high is this going to go? Plus, I really want to avoid sleeping pills—the hypnotics—because they're notorious for being habit-forming. At the end of the day, without actual therapy, sleep is just out of reach.🙂🙂

If I'm gonna taper off Helix, I feel like I should probably get some Normabale so it isn't such a sharp drop-off (I seriously don't have the patience to cut my dose by a quarter every single week). So, I'm wondering if Normabale actually works well enough for panic attacks and general anxiety. I was thinking about asking my doctor if I could test it out for a couple of days—two days is plenty—just to swap one dose of Helix for Normabale and see how it feels. That's basically it.

Brandon Lopez6 said:If I'm gonna taper off Helix, I feel like I should probably get some Normabale so it isn't such a sharp drop-off (I seriously don't have the patience to cut my dose by a quarter every single week). So, I'm wondering if Normabale actually works well enough for panic attacks and general anxiety. I was thinking about asking my doctor if I could test it out for a couple of days—two days is plenty—just to swap one dose of Helix for Normabale and see how it feels. That's basically it.

In my own experience, Normabel does absolutely nothing for panic attacks, which is something my therapist confirmed as well.

Skickas FR