Posts by driftinggull21

bluehound81 said:Greetings everyone... I decided to finally go through the trouble of registering on this forum, hoping that someone might be able to shed some light on a situation I'm dealing with... My brother is 50 years old now, and back when he was 26, he was diagnosed with sociopathic personality disorder (301.7), which is why he never served in the military. However, given how much time has passed and the fact that he's hit his fifties, I'm wondering if anyone can explain whether this is considered a severe clinical condition... His mental state seems significantly worse lately, if anything... Also, does he have any right to social security benefits or perhaps some kind of assisted care due to this diagnosis? He currently has absolutely no means of supporting himself... I would truly appreciate an answer from someone who actually knows how these things work... Thanks in advance...

If he lacks the means to live, he should contact NASA based on his place of residence. If his mental condition has deteriorated, he needs medical treatment.

Roger Peterson4 said:Does Prozac have any impact on testosterone levels in men? Does it drive them down, boost them, or does it just not affect things at all?
Good grief, am I really being ignored by everyone here?

We aren't ignoring you.
As far as current knowledge goes, it doesn't impact testosterone. It primarily affects estrogen and prolactin, though even that is rare.
More common side effects include sexual dysfunction, specifically delayed or difficult ejaculation.
A certain number of patients report a drop in libido, but that isn't necessarily caused by Prozac; it's often a result of their mental state or general life stressors.

Justin Rogers5 said:But I asked her if I could use insurance and she said no. She knows damn well I don't have any $100 money left—spent it all this summer, and honestly, she made a killing off me over the last few years. 🙂Then she has the nerve to act insulted because I didn't call to cancel. Like, sorry, I forgot, she works 15 hours a day. I know this is the wrong thread. OT: What's Lexapro? People say taking it at night helps with sleep.

She likely performs check-ups under insurance while charging privately for psychotherapy.
Regarding Lexapro, it is an SSRI, an older antidepressant also used for OCD. It helps regulate sleep, so many people use it to get off hypnotics.

Justin Rogers5 said:So, I went to my primary care doctor today to get a referral for a psychiatrist, just in case this stomach issue is actually all in my head. She told me that the psychiatrist I called a couple of weeks ago—the one who wanted to charge me $100 for an hour session—is actually working under a referral. Which means I shouldn't have to pay $100 out of pocket. Honestly, she should've mentioned that when I asked. Since her office is at the local community health center and she’s contracted with them to handle outpatient cases, they basically cover her just for seeing 20 patients a day.

Psychotherapy can still be sought privately after work hours.

Roger Sanders said:...
BTW, if I travel to Canada, will my American health insurance be recognized there? (I see many people from Canada come to hospitals here in the US; even hospitals in places like Little Rock send patients here for more complex cases). Do I need to purchase additional coverage for Canada, or is my domestic insurance valid there?

Of course it isn't recognized.😕
They are different countries.
If a hospital in Little Rock refers a patient here, they must have confirmation from their local health department that they will cover the costs, otherwise, the patient pays out of pocket.
The same applies in reverse.

George Allen71 said:I don't actually have any trouble sleeping. When my psychiatrist asked if I had issues with my sleep patterns, I told her no, because I sleep quite regularly. However, she prescribed it to me yesterday due to severe depression. She noted in my chart that I'm dealing with oscillatory mood, decreased willpower and drive, along with projectivity and interpretativity.
What does all that last part even mean?
She also mentioned my weight and said this might help with that, too.
I can't remember every single detail of what was said because I was at the psychiatric ER yesterday in a really terrible state. She decided to take me off the medication I've been on for a year and a half since the depression just isn't lifting.
Thank you so much for your answers. They really mean a lot to me.

It is difficult to say for certain right now; perhaps you are projecting and interpreting reality through those very projections. 🤷

George Allen71 said:One more thing... I was reading up on it and how it relates to melatonin and the pineal gland... I don't quite grasp the mechanism behind the melatonin part. Do you know how it affects mood, specifically regarding my diagnosis of F60.3 and F33.2?
I get how the other ADs work by targeting serotonin and dopamine... but this whole melatonin connection... would it be like that feeling you get after a session at a tanning salon? Like you just feel slightly better somehow... it's a silly comparison, but I'm trying to wrap my head around the logic. Thanks.

Melatonin is intended to help regulate sleep cycles, regardless of a specific diagnosis.

George Allen71 said:Thanks, Scarlett. I really wish I could hear from someone who is actually taking it. I know it's rare... but I was holding out hope. I also realize how individualistic things are with ADs... I honestly don't know what to expect. But anyway, I'll post an update later so you all know how it affects me... who knows, maybe it'll help someone else too.
Why does everyone get so skinny on Prozac?
If only it could help me drop these pounds I put on from Zyprexa...

Be sure to update us on your experience with Valdoxan. I don't believe anyone has posted about it yet.

The pills themselves don't cause weight gain or loss; side effects can manifest as either an increased or decreased appetite. Regardless of whether you are still on Zyprexa, you should begin a structured diet and exercise routine. (Your body will thank you.)😉

George Allen71 said:Alright everyone, has anyone actually tried Valdoxan before? Is it just me, or am I the only one who ended up being prescribed this?

There aren't many patients on Valdoxan yet. It’s still on the supplemental list, meaning you have to pay a significant portion out of pocket because Medicare doesn't cover the full cost. That said, it belongs to a newer generation of ADs and should theoretically work faster with fewer side effects than traditional ADs. Hopefully, it works for you.

Have you submitted your scholarship application yet? I agree that living in student housing would be more practical; you could save on commuting costs and find a part-time job through the university career center that fits your class schedule.

slybison45 said:reading some posts here and I honestly can't believe what people are saying 🙄 seriously though, has anyone ever considered that life might actually be possible without all those pills? once you start thinking a specific medication helped you, you just build this mental image that they're necessary... that's exactly what psychiatrists want, to get you to accept being "sick" and fall in love with your meds, while ignoring how much damage they're actually doing to your body

I have a buddy who works in pharma, and he gave me the real scoop on how the industry works. Honestly, psychiatrists couldn't care less if you actually get better or not. Their job is just to write the script because they're basically just agents for big pharma lobbyists...

quick question—what's the actual liability for a psychiatrist if they keep forcing certain drugs on a patient, causing real physical harm even after the patient tries explaining how bad it feels? what happens next? say the patient refuses the pills because they're genuinely endangering their health, but the doctor won't listen and threatens to call the cops to have them forcibly committed for "non-compliance"🙄🙄🙄
are psychiatrists protected by the law even if their "treatment" methods end up seriously damaging a patient's health or, in the worst case, causing death? looking for an expert answer here, because it feels like they won't be happy until they've killed the patient🙄🙄🙄

how low did we sink as a society, letting a literal cult be recognized as doctors for mental illness? if they were real doctors, they could prove everything empirically like everyone else, but they never will. any diagnosis a psychiatrist makes could be challenged if there were different standards in society. like, why aren't hagiotherapists more respected than psychiatrists? would love a real, complete answer to that one, since it ties into so many different interests and things

This thread is intended for sharing experiences regarding psychotropic medication; therefore, most of your post is off-topic.
Regarding your bolded point, I would ask that you refrain from trolling. If a mentally ill person does not wish to take medication, they don't have to. If they do not wish to undergo treatment, they don't have to.
No one is forcing them.
The second option is used only if a person's behavior poses a direct threat to their own life or the lives of others. In those cases, forced treatment is permitted under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It is a tragedy that the teacher from Pittsburgh was not forcibly hospitalized in time. Perhaps then the little girl would have had a better chance at survival.😢

Please continue, but let us stay on topic.

Dana Hayes3 said:Look, I’m not exactly looking to walk into a doctor's office and have them start questioning my sanity, you know? I’d rather avoid that whole conversation if possible. I was just wondering how any of the options listed actually work—does anyone happen to have some insight on that?

Good grief, these are psychiatric medications. You need a prescription from an authorized medical professional. Once you have that, you receive a diagnosis, which does not mean you are "crazy."

Dana Hayes3 said:Hey everyone, I’m looking for some insight on which of these options actually works best without completely wiping you out. I don't want to end up feeling like a total zombie or looking like some spaced-out idiot; I just want to feel steady, relaxed, and actually happy. My main issue is aggression, especially after I've had a few drinks. To make matters worse, I’m currently on probation, so I really need to get this under control. I’m avoiding the doctor because I don't want them flagging me for a psychiatric disorder or trying to slap some heavy diagnosis on my record. These are the meds I have access to right now: Quincy 100mg, Depakote 500mg, Prozac 50mg, and Sarafem 200mg. Honestly, I don't understand how any of this stuff works, but I'm certainly not going to start playing chemist with my own head.

Medication is prescribed by a physician, not by people on an internet forum. Effects vary by individual; what works for one person may not work for you, and vice versa. Effective treatment requires a personalized approach, a partnership between doctor and patient, and, naturally, trust in your physician.
Furthermore, you stated:

...I don't understand how any of these work, but I won't take anything on my own without guidance...

copperraven53 said:Not in hospitals, but I believe they offer it at Mayo Clinic if you opt for a high-end spinal anesthesia. 😁

You wrote on the Pregnancy forum that it was permitted.😉 And why not, given that you're already paying thirty bucks?😁

Arthur Vaughn2 said:It's 34, if my math isn't totally off. I was already on the heavier side before starting the Zyprexa, but honestly, this is just getting ridiculous. And the worst part? I'm still gaining weight...

A BMI of 34 is significant. You need to find an alternative medication, adjust your diet, and increase physical activity.

Arthur Vaughn2 said:I honestly didn't believe the warnings about how much weight Zyprexa can cause you to put on. Then my doctor put me on it, and sure enough, I’m up 65 pounds in just a few months. The weird part is, the medication itself actually works... So, does it even make sense to ask my doctor to switch things up just because of the weight gain?

What is your BMI?

Robert Gomez26 said:We’re dealing with a schizophrenia diagnosis in our family right now. The main struggle is that she’s experiencing constant auditory hallucinations—hearing people whispering about her or talking behind her back all day and night, even when we’re sitting right there with her... It’s incredibly distressing for everyone involved. We actually saw a psychiatrist a few days ago, and she was prescribed some medication intended to help ease those fears and quiet the voices. I was wondering if anyone here has gone through something similar, or if you might know how long this process typically takes and whether recovery is truly possible...

With the right medication regimen, those specific symptoms should subside.
Schizophrenia itself is a chronic condition, meaning medication typically needs to be taken indefinitely to prevent a relapse.

Melissa Campbell3 said:Does Zyprexa (olanzapine from a different manufacturer) cause weight gain regardless of what you eat? Like, will you put on pounds even if you aren't eating anything?😲 I’m honestly lost here since I just started taking these yesterday. It’s a huge concern for me because I struggle with bulimia, and gaining more weight feels like it would just push me completely over the edge.😢 I'm just feeling really overwhelmed by everything right now.

Olanzapine is indeed the generic version of Zyprexa. The pill itself contains minimal calories and does not cause weight gain directly. However, increased appetite is a documented side effect for many patients on Olanzapine, so dietary management and exercise are typically recommended. In most female patients prescribed Olanzapine for eating disorders, an increase in appetite has not been observed.😁

I find it surprising that they prescribed you Zyprexa as an antipsychotic for an eating disorder.

Why?🤷
Without intensive therapy, nothing works. Medication alone is ineffective.