Posts by boldpilot2

Hello, I have a concerning issue. Up until about a month ago, I was dealing with erectile dysfunction caused by being on Risperdal. I was subsequently switched to Zyprexa (injection) and Lamictal. Everything seemed fine until yesterday, when I experienced a sudden, drastic decline in potency—it’s practically at zero. Since these specific medications aren't the ones known for causing impotence, I am starting to panic. 🙂 It is also worth noting that occasionally (though not daily), I feel pains similar to being hit in the testicles. Today, those pains were even more intense. What is happening? This sudden shift in sexual function is quite shocking. What should my next steps be?

Honestly, I don’t understand how those pieces of garbage in psychiatry lack any empathy. How can they live with themselves doing this to young people? They deserve nothing but the gutter. And then the psychiatrist acts shocked when a patient is constantly suicidal. 🙂 With trash like that? Who wouldn't be! Let them give me an extra $417 per $100 month for Cialis and whatever else. They should truly be ashamed of what they do to people suffering from chronic illness. I feel the same way whether I'm on meds or not (and I know because I haven't been taking them), yet they insist I have to take them (nothing is mandatory) while they ignore the reality of the disease. SHAME ON THE DOCTORS, THE PSYCHIATRISTS, AND ALL OF MEDICINE. DISGRACEFUL! TO ALL YOU MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS READING THIS: SHAME ON YOU! YOU HAVE NO SOUL AND NO HEART.

Timothy Wood38 said:You're all talking in hypotheticals here; it sounds like you just need a little more self-confidence. Maybe try to relax a bit and stop obsessing over every "what if," and just let things happen naturally. Life isn't solely about satisfying sexual urges. Besides, what you're looking for doesn't exist—there is no magic aphrodisiac pill, at least not yet, though who knows about the future. I get the impression you're still stuck in a teenage mindset. Just chill out and try to stay positive, because there is always a chance your libido will come back.

It exists, or perhaps it won't. Fine, it's not the meaning of life. But being a stone isn't exactly pleasant either. I am not in puberty XD having 22. I just haven't been in a relationship or had sex.

Question for everyone:

I read some things about Laurasidon (Latuda). Has anyone tried it? It seems like a solid option. It's even relatively new (late 2010). Seems like a decent antipsychotic, mostly due to the safety profile. Meaning, milder side effects. It doesn't "blunt" you like Risperdal, Olanzapine, or Quetiapine... It's from Japan XD. Regardless, I want to know if anyone here has experience with Latuda?

Edit: Don't just tell me no one has used it!!!

Kenneth Scott41 said:It's good that someone finally brought this up. I'm actually dealing with the exact same issue, which is becoming a massive headache, to be honest. My libido is basically non-existent; I just don't feel like it, or maybe I just can't. I am in a relationship, I should mention that, and naturally, my partner is feeling the effects too... and I think the older folks here understand exactly how much of a struggle that can be.🙂
I've been weighing the idea of just buying some Epimen capsules myself rather than going to the doctor for it... I don't know...🤷

Terrible. I would kill for a fix. I have no desire and no capability. Yet, the urge is there. That is what destroys your mental state. It is like seeing a delicious meal on the table and wanting it, but being unable to eat. Regarding $83 Timothy Wood38, if we are being honest, four pills might work for a quick burst, but that does nothing for daily life. For instance, when you are bored browsing adult sites and nothing happens, or when you are with your girlfriend and feel cold as ice. I truly believe—and I know it to be true—that you need to feel some heat even just while kissing. Right now, everything feels weak. I am looking for an online Cialis meant for daily use. Something like a 30-count pack, $100. But compared to those 4 pills, $83 I suspect that won't cut it either. You mentioned brands like Pfizer or Merck? As I said, I need something for every day. It isn't like the old days where you take one and you're set for four hours XD. You need that erotic stimulation. I will talk to doctors. Whatever. This is just life. It is a disaster. Honestly, it would be better to have zero drive at all, like being castrated, rather than this halfway state. It is maddening. Truly, they don't make better antipsychotics. One makes you gain weight and sedates you, another does this, and a third does that...

@Timothy Wood38

Fine, let's assume it’s more about the potency. You claim it helped you quite a bit. I'm asking because the retail price for Cialis online is ridiculous; if I could get it via prescription, would the cost be roughly the same?$117I used to get Zyprexa for free back when I was on it. How is the experience with Cialis? And do I really... ugh... have to deal with that idiot GP? 🙂He is. Family matters. I'm worried my doctor is going to spend more time philosophizing than actually treating me. He can't just show up and say:
Doctor, I need a prescription for Cialis. I am experiencing sexual dysfunction caused by Risperdal.
Can I?
I'm saying this at 55, but I'd say it even more so if I were only 22. 😲Fine. I'd swallow that too. If. It works, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Listening to the comments...

Timothy Wood38, I haven't gotten back to you yet, but that recommendation is fine. Still, I think there's room for improvement. So, a question for the group:

Risperdal and Wellbutrin? Are they compatible? Does Wellbutrin help with the sexual dysfunction caused by Risperdal? Anyone have experience here? Well, well... I just need a slight edge. Everything else is a solid 5. It's not that I'm high, but I can tell things could be better. And I know they can. So... should I ask my doctor to add Wellbutrin to the mix?

Timothy Wood38 said:What you're actually hunting for is an aphrodisiac, and honestly, that's a deeply individual thing. There isn't really one "magic pill" for libido. For some people, Wellbutrin helps—it's actually an antidepressant, but it can have that effect. You should definitely talk to your doctor about Wellbutrin; just be upfront and tell them you're dealing with low libido. As for those supplements you see advertised everywhere—newspapers, the internet, whatever—I don't know, I've never tried them, but I'm pretty skeptical myself. Now, regarding actual potency, the big names on the market are Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. Personally, I'd suggest Cialis because it tends to stay effective longer than the others. Just a heads-up though: those drugs are specifically for treating erectile dysfunction. They might help with the mechanics and potentially help you reach climax, but they won't fix your drive. Taking them is pretty much pointless if you don't have the actual desire or stimulation to begin with, which brings us back to libido. I hope that clears things up a bit. Also, there's a chance your drive will come back on its own; for some, this is just a temporary side effect of the medication, while for others, it lingers. I get it, believe me. I'm in my early 20s too and dealing with similar issues.

Thanks, Timothy Wood38. Fine. (Addressing driftinggull21 as well) Wouldn't Vitaseng work at least a little? Why wouldn't I take it as a supplement, like taking vitamins? It isn't a matter of desire. 😁 The issue is that everything feels weak. It shouldn't be a major problem regarding the need for Cialis and such. I am saying it just feels "weak," you know 😁? Maybe it will pass. Still, I don't see any harm in taking a supplement. I see nothing wrong with Vitaseng, or that other one I mentioned before (though I forget the name 🙂). Why not give it a shot? My dad used to take stuff like that too. And is a psychiatrist really necessary for this? Can't my primary care physician handle it?

I need some advice. I’m currently on Risperdal. It isn't even a high dose, just 2 mg, but it has significantly tanked my libido and performance. For someone in their early 20s, this is a major issue. Does anyone know if there are specific pills available to boost libido? I saw some advertisements at my doctor's office for something meant to increase desire and delay climax. They looked like over-the-counter supplements—small boxes, fairly cheap. I assume they are herbal or some kind of "bio" supplement, though I'm not certain. If anyone knows anything about them, let me know. I am looking for something to take daily to improve overall drive, rather than just something used right before sex. Thanks.

Well, here we go... Got some Xanax. It's for anxiety, 0.25mg three times a day. We'll see how it plays out. Could be useless, could work fine. No clue about sleep, but for these heart palpitations and the rest of this anxiety bullshit... hopefully it helps. If not, I'll need a pacemaker. Just kidding, it hasn't come to that yet... 😁

fadedbear92 is teaching us all 😁

edit: regarding the diagnosis, the substitute doctor told me not to sweat it—said they had to label something just to get the meds approved. And if you look closely, he's right... He tosses around terms like schizophrenia or whatever. To laypeople, it's all the same. Everyone is a psycho, a killer, or whatever else...

unspecified

Kenneth Scott41 said:Someone already suggested you might be a hypochondriac... and it doesn't make sense to me why a psychiatrist would diagnose you with schizophrenia involving visual and auditory hallucinations if you're claiming you don't have them. Why didn't you tell him during your check-up? Just tell him you don't have hallucinations! Otherwise, you might end up with a doctor who gets frustrated with you for not being honest, because it'll look like he's treating you with the wrong meds for schizophrenia with hallucinations when you don't even have those! You know?
I've seen cases where a doctor just gives up on a patient and tells them to find someone else.

As for sleeping, nothing worked for me except Dormicum! 😁
Ambien and all that other junk were too weak for me; I just couldn't drift off. With this, you get a really solid night's sleep, and most importantly, you don't wake up feeling groggy like you do with Ambien; your head feels completely clear.☕

I am not, but I will be. I'm going to pick something up this morning for sleep and some mild anxiety. Thanks for the advice on Dormicum... though I got a little spooked seeing that it's given exclusively to people before surgery. It's just some substitute psychiatrist for my regular doctor. I'll ask him a few things first, then see my actual doctor in about a month. Still, maybe a second opinion is good? How long can you take Dormicum before it turns into useless candy? Meaning, when do you develop dependency or tolerance? I need something that knocks me out in about 30 minutes so I can sleep.

unspecified

Nicole Barrett76 said:unspecified

Is it not possible that boldpilot2 simply struggled to articulate his thoughts clearly during the psychiatric session? Could it be that boldpilot2 is actually struggling with intense intrusive thoughts, and perhaps, instead of saying "these intrusive thoughts drive me to do this or that," he said "voices are driving me to do this or that," using the word "voices" metaphorically rather than literally? However, once a psychiatrist hears such a statement, they are professionally obligated to record the patient's words exactly as spoken, and unfortunately, a medical chart can show nothing but ink on paper. It cannot convey the tone, the pitch of the voice, or the specific gestures used when the patient spoke.

Well, damn it, Nicole Barrett76, that's basically how it went. When I was 16 or 17, could I really have known the difference between intrusive thoughts and actual voices? And the old folks "educated" me plenty. Psychiatry and psychology were taboo topics in my family. Sexuality too. In OCD, there were intrusive thoughts. I just told my mother as a child, comparing them to things I was saying to myself—like battles or wars in my head—and eventually, it turned into voices. Now they've finally arrived and believe it like Moses crossing the Red Sea! Idiots... they believe a child experiencing it for the first time. They believe every single thing I say!

Timothy Wood38 said:What can I tell you? Go get a second opinion. I've cycled through more than five different psychiatrists, and almost every single one tried to write me a new diagnosis or tack on another one. At the end of the day, they're just people, and unfortunately, sometimes they're too limited by their own experiences. I'm no expert, but my take is that you don't have schizophrenia. If insomnia is the real issue, ask for a hypnotic: zolpidem, flurazepam, midazolam; or maybe something from a different class with strong sedative effects. For instance, I handle my insomnia with 300 mg of prazosin and 20 mg of Sanval. Some people sleep fine on just 25 mg of prazosin; I don't think there's a hard rule for it. Just don't give up. Keep seeking treatment, switch doctors if you have to, and eventually, you'll find a solution.

I agree. But where does one go for a second opinion? Right now I'm in Queens, seeing a younger doctor on ward X. I don't think Brooklyn is anything to boast about either. So where else? A private practitioner would likely be best. But which one? At least I need to see what they suggest. Any recommendations? Or anyone else? I am certain that one must either stick to the therapy, change doctors, or adjust things significantly until the right treatment and psychiatrist are found. If nothing else, I want to see some alternative thoughts. From someone... better? If that is even possible.

Edit: In the city, I only found this.

First, it was listed as F20.6, simple schizophrenia. Now it just says F20. That’s what scarlet mentioned regarding the requirement for paranoia. Honestly, I don't understand how they switched to paranoid without any history of speech issues. It's absurd to me because that diagnosis implies hallucinations and such. I read extensively on schizophrenia and can swear I have zero auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory, or gustatory hallucinations. Seriously. I'm done being spooked by movies like *A Beautiful Mind* or clips on YouTube. That isn't how I act. Even if I did hear voices or experience delusions, I would end myself. I certainly wouldn't claim it's "normal." I am afraid of things that aren't there. Besides, neither my family nor anyone else has noticed any hallucinations. The only thing is humming or complaining when the computer acts up 🤣. If I talk to myself internally, it's just me. Not Hitler or some voice. And I consider constructive thought to be a form of conversation. (For example, if I placed object A on board B, what would the pressure force be? I'd guess 2N. But that's irrelevant...) You get the point; it's a poor example, but that's the gist. These are the "official" symptoms, but I will highlight the ones I actually feel and those others have noted:

The DSM states the following characteristic symptoms:

a) Thought insertion or withdrawal, thought echoing or broadcasting; -none of that transmission stuff here. I had OCD previously, so there were compulsions related to that, like washing hands or dying!
b) Delusions of control, influence, or passivity relating to:
- body or bodily movements, -no 😲
- specific thoughts, actions, or sensations, -what specific ones? I wouldn't say any...
- delusional perceptions; -no 😲
c) Hallucinatory voices that: -no 😲
- comment on the patient's behavior,
- discuss the patient among themselves,
- various forms of hallucinatory voices emanating from a body part; -from where? Those things?
d) Persistent bizarre delusions that are impossible or inconsistent with the patient's culture and intellect: -haha, interesting, but I'm not an alien or anything
- impossible political, scientific, or religious identities,
- superhuman abilities or powers, e.g., controlling time,
- communication with extraterrestrials, etc.;
e) Persistent hallucinations of any modality when accompanied by transient delusions without emotional content, or persistent overvalued ideas, or when hallucinations are persistently present for weeks or months; -as I said, no!
f) Disorganized thinking, irrelevant and disorganized speech, neologisms (creating new meaningless words); -I wouldn't say that. My speech is perfectly normal. Except I am quite anxious about almost every word. Due to shame and fear.
g) Catatonic behavior - marked rigidity or maintaining unnatural postures, or extreme agitation; -no!
h) Negative symptoms such as apathy, poverty of speech, blunted affect, or inappropriate emotional response, which typically lead to social withdrawal and decline in social functioning. -that happened at the beginning, alongside the OCD. Perhaps my responses are inadequate?
i) Significant and persistent changes in behavior in terms of loss of interest, aimlessness, preoccupation with self, and social withdrawal. -this is the most prominent.

So, basically... I am certain I have no illusions, delusions, or hallucinations... Tinnitus? No, that isn't it.

The F20 diagnosis stands. If that's classified as paranoid, then the hallucinations aren't there. You would notice them in a house with four people constantly present. I dealt with intense suicidal ideation and increased aggression. What else? Perhaps grandiose, unrealistic plans? Or constant shifts in interests—gaming one day, sports the next. Given what exists:

In clinical studies, we distinguish several types of schizophrenia based on the dominant symptom groups.

The paranoid type is characterized by pronounced delusions and hallucinations. Most commonly, these involve persecutory delusions.
Disorganized or hebephrenic schizophrenia is dominated by symptoms of incoherent, disconnected, or illogical speech and disorganized behavior.
The catatonic type is quite rare today; it involves impaired posture, extreme purposeless motor agitation, or complete physical rigidity known as stupor.
If no specific symptoms predominate, it is referred to as undifferentiated schizophrenia.
Residual schizophrenia is characterized by an absence of prominent delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech/behavior, though evidence of the disorder remains through negative symptoms, odd beliefs, or unusual sensory experiences.

I don't fit into any of those categories. Honestly, I am unsure where I land. I don't feel better or worse without medication. For the last six months, it has just been insomnia and certain anxieties. Presumably, the psychiatrists know best. They likely "hit" the mark somehow, even if I don't recognize these primary symptoms.

Timothy Wood38 said:What are you almost certain you have? Maybe generalized anxiety disorder or something similar, but have you seen a psychiatrist yet? In my opinion, only a professional can actually give you a diagnosis. That stuff you mentioned is essentially just Diazepam. If you are looking for an anxiolytic with strong hypnotic effects, I might suggest Midazolam—which is known as Dormicum in our market—or perhaps Flurazepam. Though, honestly, I have no idea how any specific medication will affect someone, given how much metabolism varies. You're probably best off seeking professional medical help.

I saw a psych. But I didn't realize it was this significant of an issue until now. Clearly, it is. It's more pressing than the schizophrenia. This is my number one concern right now. My follow-up is at the beginning of December. I will ask her, obviously. Dealing with this insomnia and all that... it isn't pleasant. I actually panicked when my pulse hit 85. I thought it was a heart issue, but then I noticed I have these frequent physical symptoms:

Psychological symptoms of anxiety include excessive fearfulness and apprehension, a sense of internal tension or restlessness, impaired concentration, irritability, increased sensitivity to noise, sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking during the night, nightmares), impaired memory due to poor attention and focus. Physical symptoms of anxiety include palpitations or skipped heartbeats, shortness of breath or labored breathing, chest tightness, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, stomach discomfort, bloating, frequent urination, decreased libido, tinnitus, feelings of loneliness, numbness in the limbs, and hand tremors.

I realized it had to be anxiety. However, I am wary of aggressive medications, especially if they require long-term use 🙂. I just switched from Zyprexa and Faverin to Risperdal and Depakote. There haven't been any major side effects. But adding an anxiolytic now? Like Zoloft 🙂? What is that going to do to me? Is it really going to crush me 😢?

Edit: If it's only dangerous regarding dependency (later on), then it's fine :P
This is a non-starter for me! Frequently, doctors prescribe SSRIs (fluoxetine - Prozac, paroxetine - Paxil, sertraline - Zoloft......) and, during the initial stages of treatment, benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax....).

Apologies for the double post; editing is unavailable. I have a question for the group: is there a reliable anxiolytic out there? I am not guessing; I am certain I have this condition. I check almost every box. The worst parts are the inability to fall asleep quickly and the sensation that my heart is racing at a thousand miles per hour. I relied heavily on Xanax to try and calm down or sleep, but it isn't working... likely because I overused it. What else is available? Valium? Some reports mention hallucinations. I have no desire to experience that. It was mentioned regarding Smith, but nothing occurred, and it wasn't particularly effective either. And does everything cause dependency? It certainly won't resolve itself in three days. This irrational fear and constant dread are exhausting. Is there anything effective, and can a primary care physician prescribe it rather than a psychiatrist? What are your experiences? Any suggestions for sleep? Falling asleep takes about three hours.

Anthony Lopez8 said:I think I follow what you're getting at, but I have to ask: what on earth does an IMDb database have to do with the actual point being made here? 😕 😬

John Doe... Fine. Whether it's the WHO or whatever 😂 I might have made the connection because I was actually looking up RE/MAX right before I started typing this. 😁

Jane Doe, thanks to you and everyone else too. 🙂

Who knows... maybe they find some miracle cure? Personally, I don't know what I am, especially since I don't see much difference between "normal" people (always questionable, and he constantly puts that in quotes) and us "abnormals." Obviously, it's not quite ten pills a day. I just hope things stay as they are. That nothing flips into something worse. Or worse. Or worse still.

All in all, it's not all bad. That's my outlook. Everyone hits a dark patch in old age eventually. First comes the lack of money, then fatigue, then actual illness. Etc.

Yes, we are all clearly chronic and lifelong cases. Given what I’m currently taking, I can manage a few days at a time. So far, I haven't noticed anything unusual regarding side effects. It isn't even particularly like chemical castration 🤣. Honestly, I feel fine and lucky. Mostly just business as usual. I won't sit here and wallow anymore. It is actually a blessing I was diagnosed BEFORE age 18 rather than after. If it had been later, it would be a hundred times harder. This way, I've already secured my "retirement." Others will likely face their own decline through sudden death or some malignant physical illness. It all ends the same way. For me, less is more. I wouldn't change much. Either perfect health—provided I work like a dog until I'm 65 or 70—or illness, provided it happens before 18, allowing me to do whatever I want (meaning normal things, not the stuff people associate with murder lol). Everything has pros and cons. Health and sickness alike. We make up about 1% of the world with our F20.x diagnoses. There are probably a good billion of us in the "F" section or the V category on IMDb, so it isn't exactly rare. Still, I believe certain issues could be minimized over the next 50 years, if not eliminated entirely. Primarily the antipsychotics, which are incredibly dangerous for the elderly. That's it. I'm done asking questions. It is what it is. It's fine.

quietgull75 said:To each their own—Zyprexa never really worked for me, but I was doing alright on Risperidone

Glad to hear some positive feedback. It’s only 2 mg for now, though. No side effects yet, aside from feeling completely chemically castrated XD

True... But you’re always just choosing between different palettes of garbage side effects. With Zyprexa, I'm sleeping for 16 hours and still can't wake up, plus there's the constant hunger. You feel like you could eat an entire buffet. Then there's this one that numbs you so much you don't even care about a live & direct broadcast XD. Honestly, I don't know. There isn't really a "truth" to find here. I read something about some third-generation Abilify from Japan... nothing better. To be honest, no medication... from Adderall to aspirin to this crap... has ever actually worked wonders for me. It's all just chemistry, which I dislike. Sleeping 3/4 of the time? Gaining weight? Sexual dysfunction? You just pick your poison. Whatever your heart desires.

Edit: Man, when I remember being on typical Fluphenazine, I realize I survived everything.

Risperidone? Thoughts or experiences? I just started taking it. Previously, I was on 5mg Zyprexa. Now it's 2mg Risperidone. What should I expect, specifically regarding male side effects? I’m already noticing certain things 😁. Or rather, I’m NOT noticing them 😉.

By the way, all antipsychotics are garbage; none of them are better than the others. Let's get that cleared up right away. But at 22 years old... how long will it take to get off antipsychotics entirely? Even if I stay on mood stabilizers? Is there any actual future ahead of me? Also, my diagnosis shifted from F20.6 to just F20. What does that imply? F20.6 was hard enough, but this feels even more complicated. It’s as if they couldn't "decide" where I fit. At times it was BPD, then Bipolar, now I don't even know what anymore.

Edit: Don't start with that neuro-fatalist nonsense... I've already read everything on Wikipedia.