Psychotropic medication discussion thread

brighthawk0 said:Two months on Paxil 2 x100mg, and things are looking up, I guess. The obsessions have dialed back significantly, which helps me make much more rational decisions. I still deal with bits of anxiety every now and then, but the main thing is that I’m functioning way better in social settings—and honestly, fixing my social anxiety was the whole point of this treatment. 🎉

Anyway, maybe this helps someone out.

For me, just being around people is the hardest part—I think I might need to try this medication to see if it works for me too. How has your libido been holding up?

Alexis, thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
If you don't mind, I have one more question. Is shortness of breath a known side effect of Lexapro? I read somewhere that it might be possible, and I'm wondering if that's what's happening here. He starts struggling to breathe after walking just 200 meters at a brisk pace. Some people suggest it's just from smoking, but he's actually cut back significantly—he's only at about five or six cigarettes a day now, whereas he smoked much more before starting treatment. He used to train regularly and never had this issue. It’s hard to wrap my head around how the medication could affect him this way. Should he have adjusted to it by now, after two months?
He's quite young and is really trying to stay active, though he has gained weight since starting the medication and is finding it difficult to maintain his fitness.
Thanks again.

James Gray33 said:Alexis, thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
If you don't mind, I have one more question. Is shortness of breath a known side effect of Lexapro? I read somewhere that it might be possible, and I'm wondering if that's what's happening here. He starts struggling to breathe after walking just 200 meters at a brisk pace. Some people suggest it's just from smoking, but he's actually cut back significantly—he's only at about five or six cigarettes a day now, whereas he smoked much more before starting treatment. He used to train regularly and never had this issue. It’s hard to wrap my head around how the medication could affect him this way. Should he have adjusted to it by now, after two months?
He's quite young and is really trying to stay active, though he has gained weight since starting the medication and is finding it difficult to maintain his fitness.
Thanks again.

That never even crossed my mind. I always just assumed it was because his asthma had flared up.
I mean, I'll climb ten stairs and feel like I can barely catch my breath, and it's not like I'm totally out of shape...
So yeah, it's the first time I've heard it mentioned as a potential side effect of Leponex, but it definitely seems plausible. 😁

I’m not sure if I should be reposting a comment from an online political forum regarding the dangers of medication—so my apologies if I've overstepped—but reading this made me wonder if Lexapro is actually to blame.
Comment:
John Doe | 07/02/2008 20:43

I know of a drug far more effective at treating depression and various other psychotic conditions than Prozac. It’s called Seroquel. It is guaranteed to kill you if "correctly" dosed over a long period. Remember this name carefully; it might save your life, or at the very least, help you avoid the torture of being poisoned. In a case I witnessed personally, a fatal outcome was avoided only because the patient's family decided to stop the treatment at a critical moment, defying the neuropsychiatrist who insisted the medication must continue. Despite obvious signs of poisoning—recurring high fevers, chills, a constant heart rate hovering around 120 beats per minute day and night, and breathing difficulties—for reasons unknown, the doctor refused to halt the therapy. He even claimed the dose could be increased without risk to the patient. When the panicked family members finally broke and made the layperson's decision to stop the Seroquel, all the symptoms vanished instantly, and the patient made a full recovery. This story is true and serves as a warning: people with blind faith in doctors and their prescriptions often lose what matters most—their health, and frequently, their lives. In this country, medical errors and drug side effects are often swept under the rug. There’s a dark piece of humor about this: there isn't a good doctor until they've filled at least one cemetery.

shadowbear9 said:Is Eglonyla behaving like some kind of narcotic that just sends you straight to bed?

i used to take mine in the morning... but I had to stop because of the side effects. just wasn't doing it for me. felt gross...

Hi everyone. I’ve been on Pfizer 75mg extended-release capsules since early March. Unfortunately, therapy isn't an option for me right now—I have this recurring issue where I can't bring myself to travel to another city or a different area for appointments. It’s a pattern. Before any major event, or even something totally trivial, I spend two full days spiraling, obsessing over how things will play out. It’s exhausting. As for the medication, it's alright, I guess. Some days I feel fine; other days, everything falls apart. I was prescribed Motrin for the obsessive thoughts, but I don't take it. I don't see the point in adding more "toxins" to my system. At night, I take Xanax 0.5mg. My psychiatrist suggested I could call in for 3mg a day if needed, but I’m not interested in going down that road. There are nights when the Xanax lifts my mood so much I’d stay awake all night just to hold onto that feeling. Other times, it just knocks me out. The real issue is that without the Xanax, sleep is impossible. I wake up three or four times a night and I'm absolutely useless by morning. It’s a constant cycle, and I can't seem to shake this damn depression. I’m working on myself, reading self-help books, trying my best. I attempt to stay social, hang out with my girlfriend, get some exercise, but sometimes it just doesn't click. I don't know how to help myself or how to actually improve my life. I'll have a good week, then some stress hits, and suddenly I'm back in the gutter for another week. It's just a loop. For context, I'm 23 and have a diagnosis of F-35. The idea that I can't express my emotions 😁 feels ridiculous to me because I'm an open, communicative person; I've never had issues interacting with people or anything like that. Anyway, if anyone has advice regarding meds, personal progress, or similar experiences, please reach out. 🙂

Brandon Thompson5 said:For me, just being around people is the hardest part—I think I might need to try this medication to see if it works for me too. How has your libido been holding up?

Libido?
It wasn't great to begin with, honestly. It’s been off for about a year now. I haven't really thought about sex in ages—probably just because I'm so burnt out by everything else in life. And right now, it's the same 😵

Just got back from my check-up this week. My psychiatrist was talking to me about this whole "emotional numbness" thing—basically feeling totally flat—and she’s claiming it’s all down to my lifestyle. She says I don't feel happy or fulfilled because of how I'm living, and that the numbness will eventually lift if something positive actually happens in my life, like landing a new job or something. Honestly? I’m not sure if I buy it. From everything I’ve read up on regarding emotional blunting, this is pretty much the first time I've even heard that explanation.
My doctor swapped out my Xanax for Arvind to help with sleep and added Diazepam to the mix to help with my mood. I haven't actually tried either one yet. I'm a bit skeptical about whether I'll even feel anything, though, especially since I've built up such a massive tolerance to meds over time.

Zachary Stewart2 said:Just got back from my check-up this week. My psychiatrist was talking to me about this whole "emotional numbness" thing—basically feeling totally flat—and she’s claiming it’s all down to my lifestyle. She says I don't feel happy or fulfilled because of how I'm living, and that the numbness will eventually lift if something positive actually happens in my life, like landing a new job or something. Honestly? I’m not sure if I buy it. From everything I’ve read up on regarding emotional blunting, this is pretty much the first time I've even heard that explanation.
My doctor swapped out my Xanax for Arvind to help with sleep and added Diazepam to the mix to help with my mood. I haven't actually tried either one yet. I'm a bit skeptical about whether I'll even feel anything, though, especially since I've built up such a massive tolerance to meds over time.

She'll either bump up your dose or switch things up again—you just have to be patient, which is honestly the hardest part of this whole process.

shadowbear9 said:Is Eglonyla behaving like some kind of narcotic that just sends you straight to bed?

Nah. What dose are we talking about here?

I’d like to get your thoughts on something. Do you think four months off is enough to fully recover after being on Paxil for eleven years? I’m wondering if these returning symptoms are just part of the adjustment process or if they indicate I’ll eventually have to go back on that medication. Neurology has their own take, as you all know. It seems obvious that there's a serotonin deficiency and I'll need to restart the treatment. Yet, after eleven years, my doctor told me straight up that I could stop because I wouldn't need it anymore. Honestly, I'm feeling pretty lost here.

Hold on a sec. You've got this... if you really want it, you can make it happen...

You’ll get there. Just stick with my routine for another month and you'll see... If things still aren't looking up by then, definitely go see her.
And look, if you notice things getting worse in the meantime and you just can't handle it anymore, seriously, go get some help. You need to feel better, because dragging it out like this only hurts you, and that's the last thing you need...

Feeling any better?

Zachary Stewart2 said:Just got back from my check-up this week. My psychiatrist was talking to me about this whole "emotional numbness" thing—basically feeling totally flat—and she’s claiming it’s all down to my lifestyle. She says I don't feel happy or fulfilled because of how I'm living, and that the numbness will eventually lift if something positive actually happens in my life, like landing a new job or something. Honestly? I’m not sure if I buy it. From everything I’ve read up on regarding emotional blunting, this is pretty much the first time I've even heard that explanation.
My doctor swapped out my Xanax for Arvind to help with sleep and added Diazepam to the mix to help with my mood. I haven't actually tried either one yet. I'm a bit skeptical about whether I'll even feel anything, though, especially since I've built up such a massive tolerance to meds over time.

Of course she's right. Having a job is huge for mental health. Plus, there are other things that provide purpose... family, kids, even just having a cat... something to keep you going.

This is my second time being hospitalized for suicide attempts, and right now I'm on 45 mg of Calixtu and two tablets of Tegretol daily. I have no idea why they have me on an anti-epileptic medication that's strictly for seizures, but whatever. My treatment plan is completely wrong—nothing is working, and the side effects are brutal. I'm dealing with massive hair loss, weight gain, muscle twitches, and a total loss of motor control. Even my speech is messed up; letters blur together, my tongue gets tied, and I end up saying things that make zero sense or use the wrong grammar, even though I’ve always been highly intelligent with excellent command of the English language. Everything feels terrible, and they're planning to discharge me from the hospital next week despite the fact that I haven't improved at all. To make matters worse, my doctor won't even talk to me—he avoids me entirely, but he told the nurses I'm not allowed back here once I leave. I've already been stuck here for a month, and if I ask for a new prescription now, I'll just spend another month struggling to adjust to new meds. I honestly don't know what to do. Should I just stop taking these drugs, or keep pushing through in the hope that they'll actually help?

Benjamin Robinson3 said:This is my second time being hospitalized for suicide attempts, and right now I'm on 45 mg of Calixtu and two tablets of Tegretol daily. I have no idea why they have me on an anti-epileptic medication that's strictly for seizures, but whatever. My treatment plan is completely wrong—nothing is working, and the side effects are brutal. I'm dealing with massive hair loss, weight gain, muscle twitches, and a total loss of motor control. Even my speech is messed up; letters blur together, my tongue gets tied, and I end up saying things that make zero sense or use the wrong grammar, even though I’ve always been highly intelligent with excellent command of the English language. Everything feels terrible, and they're planning to discharge me from the hospital next week despite the fact that I haven't improved at all. To make matters worse, my doctor won't even talk to me—he avoids me entirely, but he told the nurses I'm not allowed back here once I leave. I've already been stuck here for a month, and if I ask for a new prescription now, I'll just spend another month struggling to adjust to new meds. I honestly don't know what to do. Should I just stop taking these drugs, or keep pushing through in the hope that they'll actually help?

You're taking Carbamazepine, which is technically an anti-epileptic, but it's actually used quite effectively for psychosis, depression, anxiety, and a bunch of other things. Its uses are pretty broad. That said, the side effects can be brutal; I've seen it firsthand with people in the hospital who were on it. They basically look like zombies. Honestly, you might be better off leaving the hospital with your current prescription, then finding a private psychiatrist once you're home and asking them to adjust your meds. That's exactly what I did when they put me on Klonopin; I couldn't even pull myself out of bed. As soon as I was discharged, I went straight to my doctor and asked for a change.

neonotter20 said:You're taking Carbamazepine, which is technically an anti-epileptic, but it's actually used quite effectively for psychosis, depression, anxiety, and a bunch of other things. Its uses are pretty broad. That said, the side effects can be brutal; I've seen it firsthand with people in the hospital who were on it. They basically look like zombies. Honestly, you might be better off leaving the hospital with your current prescription, then finding a private psychiatrist once you're home and asking them to adjust your meds. That's exactly what I did when they put me on Klonopin; I couldn't even pull myself out of bed. As soon as I was discharged, I went straight to my doctor and asked for a change.

Don't generalize.
I didn't experience any side effects at all when I first took Carbamazepine for insomnia. After a few years, we reintroduced it, and *that's* when the side effect itching over my whole body showed up—so my doctor shut it down immediately. When you're on this medication, it's vital to get your liver checked (CBC) every three months.

I don't know what dosages those people were on if they looked like zombies, and it's also a big question mark what else they were taking alongside the Carbamazepine.

@ladymoonlight: Carbamazepine is used in psychiatry as a mood stabilizer—meaning it prevents those massive swings where you feel high one minute and then totally down just a few hours later. It's also used for sleep (my case) and sometimes for anxiety.
If you're dealing with the kind of side effects you described, tell the doctor who prescribed them right away so they can adjust your treatment. Dragging it out just prolongs the misery.

brighthawk0 said:Of course she's right. Having a job is huge for mental health. Plus, there are other things that provide purpose... family, kids, even just having a cat... something to keep you going.

The thing is, right now, nothing really hits the spot for me besides reading a book or grabbing a coffee. I've totally given up on hitting the gym—I just lost all my motivation and energy, and honestly, I'm not even enjoying working out anymore, even though I used to love it. When I don't have any responsibilities, I just end up sitting at my computer or lounging in front of the TV, counting the hours—and I can't even do that peacefully because everything just feels so incredibly boring. Even gaming feels pointless. I don't get that feeling of satisfaction after finishing something, and I can't focus when I try to study. On top of that, I haven't been able to cry for months, even when I feel like I need to, which is just weird for me. My absolute top priority is fixing this state of emotional numbness—once I deal with that, I know I'll find the drive to actually start enjoying life again. All that's left is to try those two new meds and see how things shake out.

Hey everyone. So, I’ve been dealing with BPD for about seven years now. For the last couple of years, my routine has just been 15 mg of Mirzaten before bed and taking Xanax whenever things get too much. Honestly, I’m functioning fine. My biggest struggle has always been insomnia, but the Mirzaten pretty much fixed that for me. Lately, though, I’ve been dealing with these physical symptoms that are slowly driving me insane—this sharp, stabbing pain on one side of my head that radiates down into my ear, constant exhaustion, and this daytime sleepiness so paralyzing that I actually start feeling nauseous and seeing black spots. My blood pressure stays steady at 110/70, but I still managed to pass out last week. Given how much of a hypochondriac I am, obviously, this was the perfect trigger for another anxiety spiral and all the chaos that comes with it. So, what do you guys think? Is this just Mirzaten side effects, some kind of psychosomatic stuff, or something else entirely? Luckily, I managed to badger my doctor into giving me referrals for a brain MRI; otherwise, my GP's standard response to everything is just: "When was the last time you saw your psychiatrist?" 🙂
But hey, maybe they have a point. I’m actually heading in next week—after more than a year of avoiding it! 👋