Posts by Kevin Nguyen3

Jason Vaughn482 said:suggested I switch from Ambien to 25-50 mg of Prazin instead.

That should be fine. I truly believe it’ll help you get some sleep. It isn't exactly a massive dose, so you should still be able to function normally tomorrow.
Prazin is one of those universal antipsychotics—not overly heavy-handed, perhaps? But then again, it can certainly carry its fair share of side effects.
A small word of caution: please, don't mix it with other medications. It can lead to some rather unpleasant interactions.
Well, aside from anxiolytics... that could happen.😉

Mark Nelson said:Kevin Nguyen3

Anyway, both of them made me feel absolutely wiped out, but Seroquel was the one that actually made me put on weight.

Well, look at that! For me, it was the exact opposite—the Seroquel made me lose a massive amount of weight.
And I felt like a total zombie the entire time.
Then there was the Loquen, which gave me constant nausea all day long.
But... ugh, the Qpin is making me gain weight. Grrr..🙂

Mark Nelson said:Loquen and Seroquel both mess with the Qpin, don't they?
I've been on both myself—started out on Loquen before eventually switching over to Seroquel.

Actually, we are looking at three distinct types here. They all rely on Quetiapine as the foundation.
Loquen and Qpin share quite a few characteristics, don't they? They act almost identically (aside from some minor differences in coloring that barely touch the actual properties).
However, Seroquel stands somewhat apart.
It actually carries a HIGHER concentration of what we call Quetiapine fumarate—that is, the primary active ingredient.
Take 100 mg of Seroquel; it actually delivers 115.13 mg of the fumarate.
The math isn't exactly difficult to work out, is it?
But with Loquen and Qpin, you get exactly what is printed on the label in milligrams. (100 equals 100).

When you add it all up, what this tells us is that if you take two 100 mg tablets of Seroquel, you are actually ingesting 31 mg more of the core active substance than if you took the exact same dose of Loquen or Qpin.
And believe me, that is not the same thing at all!

Timothy Wood38 said:Don't spread misinformation. Seroquel and Qpin are bioequivalent drugs.

Well.
Could you perhaps point out exactly what I got wrong?
And consider one more little detail—the lived experience of someone who has actually taken both medications, which means I can say, quite obviously, from a subjective standpoint, what the difference between them is.
What does "bioequivalence" in pharmacology actually signify?
You are using an ego-driven term where it simply doesn't apply.
Yes, they contain the same active ingredient at the same dosage, but that just means they have SIMILAR biological actions, so one might expect similar properties or effects.
That is absolutely not the same thing.

mistyskipper90 said:I honestly wish I could be more helpful, but you really need to stick to the doctor—specifically the one who actually wrote the prescription. Speaking from my own experience, it is all too easy to turn into a literal vegetable that just sits there existing. Don't ever mess with this stuff on your own; that was my mistake, and look where it landed me. You end up in the ER, seizing and contorted into some strange shape. Don't trust those internet "doctors." Knowing which chemical is inside a pill doesn't mean you actually understand the impact. God knows if I hadn't stopped taking it, I'd still be struggling; even a cup of coffee feels like too much now. I can feel my heart racing, and I'm still not fully recovered... and that was just from taking a couple at a time during the day and a few more at night to sleep.😁

I didn't realize he was taking anything without guidance.😕
Where on earth did you see that?🤷
I assume we are dealing with schizophrenia here (maybe some paranoia too), but since the improper treatment caused a bad episode to resurface, he needs Modiodol.
Azolar is an antipsychotic, and he takes it because of the hallucinations, the voices, and those kinds of things.
Lamictal is primarily an antiepileptic, which is why he takes such a relatively high dose. He can go up to 400 mg...
He will be getting Modiodol until the doctor decides otherwise.
There are some side effects, sure, but nothing catastrophic.
As for Azolar—I don't know, I've never actually heard of anyone taking it, even though I am aware of it.
Lamictal is an excellent medication. It has minimal side effects and is easy to tolerate.
It's taken to prevent seizures, because combining certain medications can lead to that kind of state.

Kevin Bailey2 said:Seroquel at 25 to 50 mg.

No. Please, just don't go suggesting pills that might actually make her feel even worse than she does right now.
Seroquel is a heavy hitter; I mean, is it even possible for someone to sleep for 20 hours straight without ever waking up? Because it happens... it really does.
Seroquel is intended for schizophrenia.
For anything else? It isn't the right tool for the job.
Qpin is a much milder option and generally easier to tolerate, though you have to remember the dosages aren't comparable.
A 200 mg dose of Qpin is significantly lighter than taking 100 mg of Seroquel.
She has a doctor, doesn't she? So let them decide what they think is best.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Which AP would be considered the mildest option for anxiety or perhaps as a sleep aid to replace Ambien, assuming it doesn't come with debilitating side effects or a laundry list of required lab tests? They always seem to suggest 25-50 mg of Prazosin to me; is that truly the gentlest option, or is there something else?
I'm mostly asking about sleep options for when I can no longer rely on Ambien.

Ugh, what an ungrateful question to ask!🙄
Who on earth knows?
For me, one specific benzo might feel incredibly heavy, like I can barely tolerate it, while for you, it might act just like a cup of chamomile tea.🙂
And vice versa!
It's up to a doctor to decide which medication might work for your specific situation and whether such a solution is even appropriate for you in the first place.
Personally, I take Q-pin... because I feel good and I get enough (and high-quality) sleep. No one in this world can guarantee that any medication will work the exact same way for you.
We really can't just categorize benzos by "strength." It depends entirely on the condition being treated.

Mark Nelson said:Thanks for the reply 🙂
Zyprexa really did a number on me; I gained almost 45 pounds, and my psychiatrist told me Lopressor wouldn't cause weight gain. The list of tests for Lopressor is honestly pretty exhausting, though my doctor only mentioned basic blood work and didn't say anything about the rest.
Do you happen to know if Paxil can be taken along with Lopressor?
I took one last night and one this morning, which is why I'm asking.

It can be combined.
But now, the real question is: why?
Because it is generally understood that anxiolytics—you know, things like sedatives or hypnotics—shouldn't be taken long-term, but rather for a strictly defined period.
Four weeks. After that, they can trigger dependency. And once that happens, you can no longer say with any certainty how a benzodiazepine (any kind... like Praxiten) will react when mixed with an antipsychotic.
As for all those other tests, it really just depends on your medical history, previous treatments, allergies, and so on.
If you aren't in one of those high-risk groups, then the main thing is just getting blood work done to monitor your white blood cell count.

Mark Nelson said:Does it really have to be every two weeks?

Well, if your doctor recommends it, then even more often!
For those first 3 to 4 months, wouldn't it be best to go every single week?!
There is such a massive risk for agranulocytosis—you know, that huge drop in white blood cell counts.
If you're at risk, isn't it just better to do regular checkups?
They even perform an EKG for the heart.
Lopressor is a hell of a drug. I took it ages ago and honestly, I don't even remember it anymore.
After that initial 3 to 4 month period, they do monthly white blood cell checks.
Once you stop the therapy, you have to do blood tests again around the 4-week mark.
Sometimes they run lipid panels too, checking sugar levels, liver function, and monitoring for low blood pressure (which is actually why I stopped taking it myself).
It is absolutely vital to tell your physician if you are on any other medications, because certain drugs simply cannot be combined with Lopressor.
And there's also the possibility of weight gain.
Zyprexa is peculiar in its own way; it carries quite a few unpleasant side effects that tend to pop up frequently.
Of course, it doesn't happen to everyone—for some people, it's perfectly fine.
Then there is that famous "Lilly" phobia.🙂
If there are signs of persistent behavior issues—hallucinations, mania, sudden loss of speech, and things like that—then Zyprexa is usually pushed. If those aren't present, one looks into changing the therapy.
In your specific situation, it would be Lopressor.

Jason Vaughn482 said:My doctor informed me today that he can no longer prescribe Sanval for me, as his medical board insists it’s strictly intended for short-term use. Apparently, following a recent audit, they’ve tightened the reins; now, it can only be issued via a private prescription, and the suggested alternative is Cerson. Personally, I find Cerson to be utterly ineffective—Sanval actually does the job, though, truth be told, I am eager to move past it. Now I find myself in a bit of a bind, staring down an uncertain path, wondering what on earth I should start using to finally get some decent sleep.

Well, there you go.
Think of this as your golden opportunity to finally kick the habit.🙂
I mean, you've been popping those Adderall pills for as long as I can remember, haven't you?
Those are supposed to help regulate things so your sleep patterns actually normalize.
If they aren't doing the trick... well, then what are you waiting for? Just bolt straight to the psychiatrist and tell them exactly how it's going.

Richard Wells said:Just because everyone around you thinks it’s fine doesn't mean it actually is. Mature people lean on communication, empathy, giving each other breathing room, and growing as individuals—while still finding stuff to do together. Basically, you work on building a healthy vibe where both people feel happy and fulfilled. Forcing things or asking annoying questions like, "Why haven't you texted me back yet?" just isn't it. That behavior only screams insecurity or shows someone has absolutely nothing better to do with their life. I dealt with one guy who tried that once, and I kicked him to the curb within five minutes.

See? That’s how a well-placed foot can be such an incredibly effective tool against a manipulator. Honestly, shouldn't we be discussing "foot-based manipulation" instead?😁 Leg-based maneuvering...🙂
There’s really no such thing as a "manipulator." We just invent all these fancy definitions to fit ourselves into certain patterns, regardless of whether we actually have a valid excuse or not.
Whenever I think of someone who might be acting like a manipulator (even if I refuse to admit it!), what I'm actually doing is looking at where I failed or missed something in the conversation.
Most likely, I simply didn't account for all the different ways they could approach me—I overlooked the expected behavior.
And then, immediately, I end up feeling like a total fool.😵
People are naturally predictable, mostly on an unconscious level, which is why these situations keep repeating themselves.
Once we become aware of that—once we can actually anticipate it—we significantly reduce the possibility of being manipulated.

Arthur Scott5 said:My official diagnosis is this: Catatonic Schizophrenia - F 20.2
I must admit, I am somewhat out of my depth here. I am currently on a heavy regimen of medications, though, if I am being perfectly honest, they tend to leave me feeling quite wretched—to the point where I sometimes find myself wishing I weren't around at all. Furthermore, I have been plagued by these intrusive auditory hallucinations, almost as if there is a compulsion to kill someone and consume them alive. That said, perhaps it is merely my perception, but the intensity seems to have diminished somewhat since I left my house; being here, in this facility, feels slightly more manageable. I suppose I am curious as to what your collective thoughts might be regarding this particular diagnosis?

It's a rare subtype of schizophrenia.
But honestly? The prognosis is actually better than most other subtypes out there. That’s probably why we don't run into catatonic cases nearly as often as others.
There are certain nuances, sure, but if you follow the treatment plan—specifically staying on top of your medication—you can really maintain a high quality of life.
However, because of those commanding auditory hallucinations, there is an inherent risk of hurting yourself or others, which sounds like what you might be dealing with right now.
I'm not entirely sure though... are you also experiencing bouts of stupor or periods of extreme agitation?

Michelle Evans said:Hmm. Even if someone genuinely forgets, or chooses to "forget," it won't matter much to the family doctor signing the paperwork. Without that clearance, you can't prove psychological fitness to pass the driving test or get a license. I don't remember exactly how things used to be since I took my test ages ago, but nowadays, the system if nobody catches it, then you're good to go isn't really reliable. At least not here in the States.

Having a condition involving psychosis doesn't mean you're automatically barred from driving or lose your license. However, Alexiss should be aware that it could become an obstacle or lead to certain restrictions...

Wait, isn't the deadline actually 2033?😕
For a Class C license, you have to pass medical exams every five years.
Back when I first got mine—man, that was back in the old days, before everything changed😢—nobody ever asked me for another single checkup. Ever!
And look at me now! I’m out here driving with significant vision issues, not to mention my mental state... can you even imagine?🙄

casualridge8 said:I’ve been scrolling through this thread, and honestly, some of the things people are saying here really bother me—especially all this intense pushback against using birth control to manage PCOS. I just can't get behind that logic. I think it's fundamentally flawed. For many women, hormonal contraceptives are actually an incredibly effective solution for PCOS, provided you find the specific brand and dosage that works for your unique body and doesn't cause debilitating side effects.

And as for these claims about endometrial thickness affecting pregnancy? It’s just nonsense. Pure nonsense. The lining of the uterus starts thickening precisely because you're already pregnant! The points made by casualridge8 were, quite frankly, ridiculous. In fact, having a thick endometrial lining without being pregnant is a major red flag—it often signals something much more serious, like cancer.

It would be such a kindness if people on this forum would refrain from weighing in on medical topics when they clearly don't have the expertise. It would prevent a lot of unnecessary misinformation and harm.

And what exactly was so "rubbish" about what I wrote?🤷

fadedlynx96 said:It isn't a matter of opinion; I know you understand the distinction just as well as most people on this board does, despite the overlapping medication profiles for both conditions.

I was simply commenting on a memory of Sch patients hanging out together, finding common ground in the fact that they aren't bipolar, since there's this running joke that we're functional while the bipolar group represents lost causes. It works the same way for the bipolar crowd, where we're the stable ones and the Sch patients are seen as hopeless.

If you start treating both groups as identical, you strip away whatever hope either side has left. It might not be strictly logical, but when you're dealing with patients living with Sch and bipolar, expecting pure rationality is a stretch.

My diagnosis is Bipolar I—pure mania, no depression. I constantly ask my doctor if I'm slipping into a depressive state, but he always insists that, by definition, it's impossible for me.

And I wouldn't describe myself as euphoric or manic; I'm mostly just normal.

I fail to see why this entire forum doesn't just pivot toward actual health or medical expertise.

That's great.😁
Nothing makes me happier than hearing someone feels better than what a clinical diagnosis would suggest.😉
Since this PDF focuses on mental states and various disorders, it naturally includes people living with Sch.
There really isn't much else to be said.☕

fadedlynx96 said:Don't go equating bipolar disorder with schizophrenia. In my experience, most people living with bipolar are just relieved they don't have schizophrenia, much like most people with schizophrenia feel a sense of relief that they aren't dealing with bipolar. I can't quite put my finger on why, but for me, the latter has always felt significantly more grueling, though I suppose there’s a certain hollow comfort in telling yourself the alternative isn't quite as devastating. You see it in the hospital wards all the time, where patients claim having schizophrenia is actually fine, simply because they've convinced themselves it isn't something worse. It's almost as if they treat schizophrenia like a common cold—something easily managed or brushed off—and I am fairly certain I heard the head psychiatrist at the clinic say something to that exact effect, a sentiment several witnesses apparently confirmed, though nobody tends to believe me anyway.

I recall that when staff at the hospital would call out different names, it was usually the nurses or technicians doing the calling, whereas I don't quite remember the doctors using anything beyond my actual first and last name. The rest of the crew seemed to find plenty of amusement in it, though perhaps I gave them enough ammunition to start playing around with various nicknames. Eventually, once the whole thing became tiresome, I simply stopped responding—which actually happened toward the end of my stay. My only real issue with the joking was the realization that the doctor might eventually weaponize it against me, since I had essentially come up with most of those ridiculous titles and nicknames myself just to join in on the fun.

It happens constantly, this cycle where they bring in some psychotic individual who lacks any prior history of mental illness, often through involuntary commitment when the person isn't cooperating, only to run them through a battery of tests. Who’s to say the patient isn't simply performing? I spent my entire life feigning insanity just to see if everyone would buy into the act, yet now that I am putting on the performance of being perfectly sane, absolutely no one believes me. It all comes down to perception, though truth remains an elusive thing—not that I can help myself from making such a joke.

My psychotherapist actually told me that posting on this forum was off-limits, so naturally, I’m following orders to the letter. At least I'm staying consistent with my medication, or at least the specific pills I feel like taking, which is enough to maintain the illusion that I am perfectly normal, despite how often I find myself having to insist upon it.

The forum is easily my biggest headache.

No. You completely missed the context of what was written here.
The user @lakot previously mentioned having a brother struggling with an illness and was seeking advice.
My response was directed toward that specific post.
Do you honestly think I would ever equate Sch and Bipolar?

Furthermore, you failed to grasp the subsequent part regarding seizure activity—specifically the brief loss of consciousness related to maintaining alertness, emotional regulation, perception, and so on.
I was recounting a specific incident at the doctor's office, which you have somehow linked to... well, I don't even know what.
So... are you even aware of the paranoia currently consuming you? Your Bipolar disorder used to be classified as manic depression. In your specific case, it is an affective disorder without psychosis.
Therefore, I am acutely aware that your current state of euphoria could pivot into a depressive episode in a very short amount of time.
But it won't, will it?...😍

Kenneth Howard7 said:You really shouldn't start hormone therapy without getting blood work done first. Those things aren't exactly harmless...
You should also take a break from them for at least six months every couple of years.

If your OB-GYN won't order the blood tests, honestly, it might be time to find a new doctor.
Prescribing medication blindly without checking your hormone levels is just wrong.
Plus, leaving amenorrhea untreated isn't good for you either.

You're young... there's no reason to cause unnecessary damage when you can avoid it.

Unfortunately, in most instances, amenorrhea isn't something you can just fix. If someone actually discovers a cure for it, they’ll likely be looking at a Nobel Prize.
I have been reading stories online about women who managed to overcome PCOS, but it wasn't through medication—rather, through incredibly strict diets and total lifestyle overhauls, which strikes me as such a restrictive way to live.

It really feels like endocrinology is a dark corner of the medical field.😢
But see, amenorrhea isn't the actual disease itself, is it? It's merely a symptom—a signal! A signpost telling us that something is fundamentally wrong deep inside.
More often than not, we are talking about a cyst, or perhaps a tumor...
Yes, that second part is absolutely correct; it is indeed a dark chapter of medical science.😢

Brandon Lopez6 said:You really have to do your own research. You truly do. I mean, look, I get it—humor is fine, but let’s be honest, a joke isn't exactly a solid foundation for motivation, is it? It just isn't. These aren't matters you can simply brush aside or decide to walk away from when things get difficult. No, no, no. This is serious. We're talking about something deeply significant here, and we cannot afford to be cavalier about it. Seriously.
Amenorrhea isn't the actual disease—it’s just a symptom! It’s a signal! A red flag! Does that make sense? If the cycle stops, it means there is an underlying cause lurking somewhere deep within the system. Something is triggering it. There has to be a root cause behind the entire situation, right?
Isn't it just... strange? Truly baffling, if you think about it? I mean, how is it that you haven't tackled this yet? You know, through something like a laparoscopy or even a full laparotomy? Why wait this long? It really makes one wonder!
Which pills are you on, Yaz?!
Should I be checking my thyroid levels? Or perhaps my prolactin? And what about an MRI of the pituitary gland? There really is so much more to consider... sugar levels, too... and honestly, where does it end? Is there anything else I might be missing?

Perhaps it would be best to move this discussion over to the women's health forum? I mean, wouldn't that make more sense? I suspect the folks over there possess much deeper knowledge on the subject... and surely, they have far more firsthand experience to share, don't they?😉

I mean, yeah, I joke about it, but I don't actually care any less. It's like back when I couldn't be alone and would insist I didn't have a babysitter—people just saw a little joke, but underneath it was just pure panic and anxiety. Everyone else is just like, "Okay, moving on," while I'm spiraling.😁.

I've cycled through five or six different birth control brands by now and none of them hit right. Currently on Loestrin, and honestly, it’s a miracle because I have zero side effects. Usually, these things wreck my mood, but I actually feel okay on this one, which is a double miracle.

As for the thyroid, my mental state basically forced me to go in for checkups, so I'm on top of that. My blood sugar was a bit low at my last lab work, but my doctor says it's nothing to freak out about (even though I occasionally wake up feeling like my sugar has bottomed out and I'm about to pass out unless I eat something immediately).

It's probably better to post this in the women's health section; I assume people there have more experience with this kind of thing.😉

I already asked over there, but believe it or not, you gave the most expert answer to my question.😁.
Plus, nobody seems to grasp the mental health connection, which is why I started this thread here.
Any kind of hormonal imbalance will inevitably manifest as psychological distress. Isn't that just how the body works?
Fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen levels are the classic culprits behind PMS.
Those hormone levels drop roughly 7 to 10 days before your period arrives, and that’s when those pesky PMS symptoms begin to kick in.
But wait—those same hormones also regulate the release of serotonin, that so-called "happy hormone," and when that drops, depression follows closely behind.
It is all interconnected; there are no coincidences in biology!
The way your nerve cells function directly impacts the activity of your endocrine glands. It's a direct line!
Actually, it is quite well-documented that people struggling with depression often experience disruptions in their menstrual cycles.
And in your specific case, we have to account for the cysts and the thickness of the uterine lining as well.
Now, those cysts... oh, they can have a million different causes, really.
For younger women—like yourself, for instance—cysts can sometimes be managed with birth control pills to prevent ovulation and essentially let the ovaries rest.
As for the endometrial thickness, that is a vital requirement for pregnancy. As long as that thickness stays below 6 or 7 mm—and I mean millimeters, young lady, not centimeters!...—it can be difficult to conceive, though it isn't an absolute rule.
Conception can happen once you hit at least 4 mm, but ideally, you'd want to see something around 10 mm.
If no pregnancy occurs by the 28th day, the lining—the endometrium—sheds itself, assuming the thickness was generally around 10 to 16 mm.
And then the whole cycle starts all over again.😁
With conditions like schizophrenia, hormonal secretion issues are often very pronounced and visible, but even with depression, it is a major factor.

I hope this little bit of information helps.😉

Brandon Lopez6 said:I’m basically just a walking, talking bundle of medical issues. 😬As far as the female stuff goes, I’m mostly just dealing with cysts and this super thin endometrium. I think my OBGYN mentioned last time that it’s sitting at about 0.8 inches, but it really needs to be closer to 2.5 inches or more before my period actually kicks in. The weird thing is, every single time I go in for an exam, it stays exactly the same—stuck right around that 0.8 to 1.2-inch mark.

Weight... my gynecologist used to cling to that like a drunk on a street corner. She was always blaming my missed periods on me being too thin back in middle school—I was barely 100 pounds at 5'4" since I stopped growing early and just stayed that way. But here's the kicker: the periods didn't come back even after I gained weight. Now I’m sitting at around 120 pounds and I honestly hate every single extra ounce. 😬.

Anyway, I’m not—and never have been—into guys. It feels kind of stupid even typing that out. 🙈Alright, look, I’ve got a womanly body—curves and all that jazz. It's not like I was some scrawny dude growing up.

I'm on the pill right now—it’s pretty much the only thing my OBGYN prescribes. Other doctors I've seen, like my specialists, suggested I should probably get some specific tests done, but since they don't write the referrals for that stuff, I'll just have to pay out of pocket.

You really have to do your own research. You truly do. I mean, look, I get it—humor is fine, but let’s be honest, a joke isn't exactly a solid foundation for motivation, is it? It just isn't. These aren't matters you can simply brush aside or decide to walk away from when things get difficult. No, no, no. This is serious. We're talking about something deeply significant here, and we cannot afford to be cavalier about it. Seriously.
Amenorrhea isn't the actual disease—it’s just a symptom! It’s a signal! A red flag! Does that make sense? If the cycle stops, it means there is an underlying cause lurking somewhere deep within the system. Something is triggering it. There has to be a root cause behind the entire situation, right?
Isn't it just... strange? Truly baffling, if you think about it? I mean, how is it that you haven't tackled this yet? You know, through something like a laparoscopy or even a full laparotomy? Why wait this long? It really makes one wonder!
Which pills are you on, Yaz?!
Should I be checking my thyroid levels? Or perhaps my prolactin? And what about an MRI of the pituitary gland? There really is so much more to consider... sugar levels, too... and honestly, where does it end? Is there anything else I might be missing?

Perhaps it would be best to move this discussion over to the women's health forum? I mean, wouldn't that make more sense? I suspect the folks over there possess much deeper knowledge on the subject... and surely, they have far more firsthand experience to share, don't they?😉

I’m not entirely sure how much you’ve looked into this, but please, do yourself a favor and Google everything there is to know about amenorrhea. It’s vital.
PCOS... ah, is there anything else on your list?😢
Generally speaking, this tends to be quite a complex psychological issue.
Roughly put—you simply don't want to be a woman.😍
In truth, it’s often suppressed anger toward one's mother, stemming from a deep-seated fear of losing that sense of protection.
From a purely medical standpoint—well, you likely already know all the facts.
As for alternatives—hmm... perhaps light therapy, a clean diet, and, most importantly, managing your body weight.
The core of the problem also involves the flow of emotions.

Are you currently taking any medications for PCOS?