fadedbear92 said:They basically work the same way, but one has way fewer side effects.
Seroquel is the real deal (ranging from 25-300 mg doses), whereas Q-pin is just the generic version—my doctor actually explained it to me by using an analogy, like how Xanax is the brand name while something like generic Alprazolam is the alternative.
I suppose that's true. Though, if I'm being honest, I think there's a noticeable difference when you're actually taking the branded Seroquel versus something like Loquen. Personally, I feel the impact more significantly with the name brand; it seems to hit harder and the effects tend to linger much longer... I guess you could say the tablet itself is higher quality. If you really want to test it, try taking a 100mg Seroquel tonight, then take a 100mg Loquen at the exact same time tomorrow, and you'll see... or rather, you'll definitely feel the difference. ☕
Jason Vaughn482 said:That’s nothing compared to my experience last month, when I actually had to pay out of pocket for my Concor—something that was never supposed to require a co-pay$3.25 just because I picked up a 50-count bottle; meanwhile, all my other prescriptions are covered for free. Since I was already standing there at the CVS pharmacy, I figured I might as well pay it, but it’s pure madness. It’s the same ridiculous logic with Sanval: if you get 20 pills, you pay, but if you get 30, it’s covered? Who in their right mind designed a system this nonsensical?
I suppose I'm in the same boat, having been forced to pay the entire retail price for my medication, roughly $10 for just 10 pills!!! It feels like I'm paying $1.00🙂🙂 per pill, almost as if they were treating it like pure cocaine🤣 And this is just for a sleep aid—Dormicum.
Arthur Vaughn2 said:Yeah, it definitely isn't free. It's going to run me about $15 or so out of pocket. Way too much.
I seem to remember when I first started taking Lexapro; things felt a bit better, though I didn't really deal with any nasty side effects, just some dry mouth. It can be a decent option if you're dealing with mild depression or maybe a little anxiety. But then again, my situation is probably a bit more complicated than that, so I'm actually on one of the stronger medications, HP LaserJet.
The updated drug formulary just dropped, and it’s honestly a bit of a mess. Even though I pay for supplemental coverage every $27 month, I’m still stuck footing the entire bill for Normabel $0.83 🙂
I actually gave up drinking about six months ago. It wasn't some massive life overhaul or anything, it just sort of happened... I think I eventually just got tired of it, and lately, even the smell of alcohol has started to turn my stomach.
So, I definitely wouldn't recommend mixing booze with medication! Every once in a while, I might have a Radley that's only around 2%, but when I take it alongside my prescription pills, it hits me like I’ve had a full-strength beer... people might laugh at me for saying that, I guess, but even that little bit of Radley makes my head start spinning.😁
Kevin Bailey2 said:Well, I found myself, and even Jesus Christ couldn't force me to accept who I am. I'm terrified of everything. From ants to the dark.
All that fear eventually turned into a defense mechanism where I became an aggressive person. Not physically, just my whole vibe... loud, pushy... always fighting windmills. Anything to mask the fear.
Medication cleared all that away. It wasn't instant, and the start was rough. It took me a year of cycling through a billion different phases before I finally learned how to actually manage myself while on meds. Bottom line... the pills didn't do the work by themselves. But did they help me tackle things? Oh yeah... absolutely. Meds plus self-work... that’s the winning combo. Just letting the drugs manipulate you and do whatever they want? That's not a solution, and it's definitely not high-quality therapy. I know plenty of people who take handfuls of pills every single day for years... for nothing. They choke them down, and then what? I don't get it. They still have their own issues. They expect the meds to solve their problems automatically? Funny. Not really funny. It's tragic. If you're going to poison your body anyway, you might as well do it for a purpose. Don't just spin your wheels. Move forward.
Just because you're on medication doesn't mean you can stop working on yourself every day or stop questioning your own actions.
It's just... being self-critical is easier when you're medicated than when you aren't. Makes you more productive in every aspect of life.
If you aren't happy with who you are, then you haven't truly found your real self yet—it's hard to explain. Maybe take a day, go for a walk, and reflect on your life. Take a few hours to just lie in bed and think about your existence... the good parts and the bad ones, and where you see yourself in it all. If you don't have that clear picture yet of where you see yourself in the future—happy and whole—that's okay too... it will come eventually. Or, you could try writing things down: list the positives under one heading and the negatives under another. 🙂
Eventually, you'll find it, or you'll realize, "Yes, this is exactly how I want to live," within your own limits and possibilities, of course. I actually heard about a colleague of a friend who moved to India! He loved it at first and decided to stay there... far away from our country, which feels like it's falling apart, where more and more people are losing their jobs and naturally becoming depressed. I guess when you truly want something, not even a tank could stop you! 😉
I suppose I should just point out that hygiene is probably the most critical factor here, particularly for men, since we always seem to have a bit of lingering moisture left over after using the restroom... if you catch my drift. It’s precisely because things never stay completely dry—always staying somewhat damp—that you’re essentially leaving an open invitation for fungal infections! 😁 It really needs to be kept dry to avoid any issues; otherwise, you're just asking for fungi to move in. 😉
The secret is actually quite simple. You just have to find who you truly are in this life and learn to embrace that version of yourself!😁😁🙂 I think I finally know what my greatest source of happiness will be—though, I suppose, I can only hope it actually comes to fruition in the future—and because of that, I find myself heading out the door every single day with a smile on my face. 🙂
That being said, it certainly doesn't mean I can manage without my AD-ove just yet. No, absolutely not,
Paul Newman5 said:Spill it. What’s your secret for tapering? I’ve only been in this for a few months. Still digging through the info on AD-oves, but nothing's working yet. It’s not that I’m deeply depressed, but this anxiety is killing me. Naturally, everything just feels like one big nervous wreck because of it. Come on, give me some hope with your own story. What actually happened that made you start glowing again? Honestly, good for you.
I suppose I was also at the very beginning, cycling through a mountain of different AD-ove just to find something that wouldn't make me feel like a wreck. Effexor eventually worked for me, and since I started it, the depression has stayed away; I'm currently taking it alongside 50mg of Zoloft in the morning and, of course, my daily dosage of Ativan. That's my current regimen. But before that—🙂😲🤣 I was taking way, way more pills, including massive doses of antipsychotics... it honestly felt like I was walking around like some bloated, drowsy bear 😂. As for the secret behind my sudden happiness and this much brighter outlook on life... I don't think I can really explain it here 🙂. I could send you a private message about it if you're interested? 🙂
I’ve been a part of this community for quite some time now, which is something I actually take a certain amount of pride in. 🙂 I haven't really felt the need to check in on this thread lately because, well, I suppose I’ve finally found a sense of contentment... it’s hard to explain, but something just shifted. People keep telling me I look refreshed, more clear-headed, or just generally happier.
And before anyone asks, no, it wasn't the medication that did it. It was actually the tapering process. I eventually realized I didn't need to rely on such heavy doses anymore, and when my therapist saw me last, she actually remarked that I seemed like a completely different person—that I was practically glowing with happiness. 🙂
I don't have that bloated, medicated look about me anymore, and I've managed to drop about 13 pounds... so, I guess you could say things are looking up. 😁
redranger2 said:Milligram is really the one who pioneered this discussion, so he ought to be the one to officially start a thread about it.😍
Haha, so now you're trying to pass the buck to me. I've always been a pretty direct person—I tend to say what's on my mind, I guess... regardless, I don't see myself opening a whole new topic here because there really isn't a solution to be found. Maybe if you just quit drinking, you wouldn't act like a high-strung engine running at full throttle all the time—you can't even walk through a grocery store without everyone noticing the jittery energy. Just an observation!😉
redranger2 said:You're under the impression that it's easier for women, but it really depends on the individual. There are plenty of women out there who maintain a perfectly healthy libido despite being on both antidepressants and antipsychotics; I know people in that situation personally. On the other hand, there are many of us who drop to absolute zero when it comes to desire, and when you are truly spiraling into depression, sex is the very last thing on your mind. It's a complete void. There is simply no chance of feeling any kind of masculine drive.
My point was more about the technical side of things—which is to say, from a physiological standpoint, it tends to be much harder for men. That seems to be the reality.
Gerald Torres2 said:That’s entirely down to the individual. It’s just like how certain medications make some people gain weight while others actually lose it. You should probably have a chat with your doctor; maybe they’ll throw some Wellbutrin into the mix. It can boost your libido and help curb the urge to smoke at the same time—killing two birds with one stone. Personally, I didn't quit smoking outright, but I managed to cut back significantly without even trying. Besides, depression itself can be a massive libido killer.
Look, man, I actually sat down with my psychiatrist specifically because my libido had completely bottomed out, asking if there was an antidepressant that wouldn't crush my sex drive—ideally, something that does the exact opposite. There is a heavy hitter out there, but honestly, I only managed to stick with it for about a week because the side effects are just brutal. You start acting like you're on some cheap, low-grade speed—if you've ever experienced that—not to mention the heartburn and the tremors... it was easily one of the worst meds I've ever tried. So, where does that leave me? A man really has to weigh his options here, and I think it's a struggle women don't typically face in the same way. I eventually decided to go back to Velafaks, which manages to stabilize my depression entirely and makes me feel decent, but at the cost of having absolutely no sex life. (I guess I can't help but feel a bit envious of women in that regard... because even when they're dealing with depression, they can usually still find their rhythm, whereas we men have to deal with the physical necessity of being able to get aroused and stay hard just to participate.) But I probably shouldn't dwell on that, as it's getting a bit off-topic.
I suppose I should probably weigh in here as well. I haven't actually been active on this forum for very long. Uh... what can I really say? My therapy remains largely the same, though I have scaled back my dosage slightly, which ended up causing some weight loss 😁. Yes, well... who would have guessed, I suppose...🙂 I've been tapering down my intake of Seroquel.
I was actually watching *Drug Inc.* on Max yesterday—one of those shows about the drug trade and all that. It really got me thinking about how the whole of America seems to be pivoting toward these "cleaner" substances lately. We’re seeing this massive surge in people relying on painkillers, Xanax, Valium, or methadone. It feels like a full-blown epidemic at this point, mostly because it’s just so much easier and arguably "safer" to get ahold of them now compared to the old days, when you actually had to track down some sketchy character on a street corner to score.
The thing is, stuff like OxyContin, Vicodin, or Xanax is practically flying off the shelves everywhere...
But what I’m really struggling with is how my psychiatrist could just abruptly pull the plug on the Zoloft I’d been taking for months. I tried going cold turkey, and man, it was devastating... just pure, unadulterated sadness. My depression came rushing right back. I lost interest in everything, even eating. So, I've started taking my Zoloft again in the mornings, and...😁😁😁 honestly, it’s like a relief; I feel happy again, and that old version of myself is finally resurfacing. Because of that, I suppose I’ll have to convince my primary care doctor to let me get back on that 50mg dose of Zoloft.
@zeusxl I’ve run into a bit of a situation... I recently saw my psychiatrist, and out of nowhere, they decided to slash all my dosages and completely cut out the Zoloft and Seroquel I take in the mornings. Anyway, it’s been about three days since I stopped taking the Zoloft in the AM along with the Seroquel, and I have to say, my mood has just cratered. I feel incredibly depressed—not even just "down," but genuinely miserable—and there's this persistent, nagging sensation that something is fundamentally missing from my system... So, this morning, I just went back to my old routine: one Seroquel and one Zoloft, and suddenly I felt somewhat happy and content again 🙂 and now I'm left wondering what to do. I suppose I’d much rather just tell the doctor to put me back on the Zoloft!
I suppose I should probably address what psiho18 was getting at earlier, though I find myself questioning if we’re even discussing the same reality anymore. It feels like we’ve drifted quite far from the point, doesn't it? I guess there is a certain logic to their argument, if one looks at it through a particularly narrow lens, but it strikes me as somewhat shortsighted. Maybe I'm just being overly cautious, or perhaps I've simply seen these cycles play out too many times before to remain optimistic. One tends to develop a certain weariness when you realize that most of these debates follow such predictable, exhausting patterns. It's hard not to feel a bit cynical about the whole situation, really. kaže: I suppose I could offer some perspective here, though I should probably start with the standard disclaimer that I’m certainly no doctor and my experience is just one person's journey through the fog. I've been looking into starting Wellbutrin 150mg XR myself lately, and I find myself wondering what others have gone through when they first stepped onto this particular path. I'm curious about how the effects actually manifest for people—whether it’s a gradual shift in mood or if there's a more immediate sense of clarity, or perhaps just a strange sort of restlessness. If anyone has navigated this specific dosage, I’d be interested to hear about your personal trajectory, provided you don't mind sharing the details of how it felt to settle into that new baseline.😁
I finally gave it a shot, and honestly, I think it’s the worst ADHD medication I’ve ever laid hands on. It’s a bizarre experience; instead of feeling focused, you end up feeling like you just downed a dose of speed combined with a massive headache and terrible heartburn. It doesn't provide that calm, steady focus you get from other brands—in fact, it feels like the exact opposite of what it's supposed to do. It doesn't settle your mind at all; if anything, it just makes everything feel more chaotic.
Honestly, I could probably sleep for twenty-four hours straight if I took enough of this stuff to knock me out. 😢
Oh my god, why on earth would you need that many medications?? Haldol plus Prazine too?! My psychiatrist would basically look at you and see a walking pharmacy.🤣