I’ve been lurking in this [sub]reddit for quite a while now, just watching from the sidelines, but I didn't really feel the need to jump in and say anything until just now. So, here's the deal: I recently had a session with my psychiatrist, and they put me on Lexapro at 100 mg. The plan was to start off with just half a pill every night for the first ten days or so, and then eventually move up to the full dose daily. Well, fast forward to now, and man, the side effects are hitting me like a freight train. Every time I take it, my head starts spinning, my heart begins racing, and I just feel incredibly sluggish. These pills knock me out completely. By the second morning, I honestly feel like I've been run over by a semi-truck; it’s just so hard to shake that heavy, groggy feeling and actually function. I guess I'm wondering, is this kind of thing somewhat expected when you're starting out, or am I being hit way harder than the average person?
P.S. Just taking the Lexapro for now.
Don't sweat it too much, it'll pass. I went through the exact same thing when I first started, but now I can take two and talk normally without any issues, other than feeling a little drowsy. Try not to dwell on it; just take your pill and carry on with your day as if nothing happened. If you go lie down, though... well, you're definitely going to drift off.
Man, that Persen... I actually tried swapping it out for some Ativan once, but it was a lost cause. Persen is just way too weak for anything meaningful.
As for Zyprexa, look, I’ll admit I have a bit of an addiction problem, and sucking on those tablets feels alright, but anyone I know who takes them ends up putting on a massive amount of weight. Instead of Zyprexa, they put me on Seroquel, though I didn't stick with it for very long.
But honestly, the "Apaches"—that's what we call Valium on the street—they're the gold standard. Don't you agree, Kenneth Scott41?😉
I've been through the ringer—running away from psychiatric wards, trying every pill and every street drug under the sun... and if you want my honest opinion, the Apaches are the best. You might want to try asking your doctor for apaurin instead of things like Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin. In my experience, most of those other options feel like half-measures that just end up doing more harm than good. Diazepam actually works, and it’s even used to treat epilepsy, which says something about its effectiveness.
I suppose I should probably mention that there isn't much left to say about this particular situation. It feels like we've all just been circling the same drain for a while now, hasn't it? I guess it’s just one of those things where you realize how little actually changes, no matter how much we talk about it. Maybe it's just me, but it feels like we're all just waiting for the next inevitable disappointment to roll around. kaže: I found that Velafex really killed my appetite; I could barely bring myself to eat anything unless I took some Lorazepam or another anti-anxiety med. Especially during those first few weeks of treatment, I felt constantly nauseous and most food just seemed completely unappealing. Everyone around me kept commenting on how much weight I’d lost. Back then, I mostly just survived on coffee and cigarettes. Currently, I've transitioned over to Wellbutrin, which is fine in terms of side effects, though I feel like it makes me significantly more sensitive. Everything seems to get under my skin lately, and I find myself feeling unexpectedly aggressive. My doctor might switch me over to Cymalta soon—maybe that will be the right fit for me, assuming I don't end up having to go back to Velafax.😍
I was on Wellbutrin myself, though I only lasted about two days before calling it quits. It made me feel incredibly jittery and on edge, which is exactly the kind of sensation I can't stand. I guess the only redeeming quality was that it didn't cause any weight gain, but honestly, that wasn't enough to make it worth the agitation.
Lisa Myers said:I’m curious if there’s any psychotropic medication out there that actually causes weight loss 🤣? I’m being serious here—is there anything that genuinely suppresses appetite? I read somewhere that Zoloft works that way initially, but then the effect reverses... so, does such a thing exist? If that's the case, what do doctors prescribe for patients who are already struggling with weight issues? It seems counterproductive to give someone medication when we know it might just make them gain more weight 🤔
What you're looking for might be Cymbalta. If you look at the prescribing information, it actually mentions weight loss and the potential for anorexia as possible effects.
Matthew White4 said:Look, redcrane22, just because I had a rough time doesn't mean you're headed for the same disaster. Honestly, I went through about 10 to 15 different antidepressants before I finally found "the one" that actually worked for me. For me, the combo of Effexor XR 150 mg and Dogmatil 200 is absolute perfection. I personally know people who swear by Calixta, too. At the end of the day, you just have to hunt until you find the right fit. Don't sweat it...
You explained that really well, actually. Like I mentioned before, Effexor was the standout for me. But I suppose I went through maybe eight other options before I landed there.
Matthew Castillo5 said:Look, Seroquel is an antipsychotic, not an antidepressant. That said, it does get prescribed occasionally to people dealing with severe depression if standard antidepressants just aren't cutting it.
@Matthew Castillo5, you hit the nail on the head regarding Seroquel. That’s actually what was prescribed to me, since my own depression is on the heavier side. I have to say, it feels quite potent; I'm taking 100mg, and in the beginning, my eyes would practically slam shut, but now, three weeks in, I can take two tablets without any issues—no drowsiness or any other annoying side effects. It really seems to be helping, even though I'm on a different brand; the generic version is essentially the same thing. I'm not entirely sure what to say about the antidepressants, though... I tried skipping mine for just one day (I'm on Effexor 150 XL) and it was a total downward spiral... it felt like being dropped straight into Silent Hill... What I'm trying to say is, I don't think I can function without my Effexor🙂. I hadn't fully realized just how much that medication was doing for me, or rather, how vital it is when you're battling depression. So, if it turns out I have to stay on it for the rest of my life, I guess I wouldn't see that as such a problem.☕
Maybe five years ago, you could actually pick up something like Ativan or Normabal without a prescription, provided you were lucky enough to stumble into a pharmacy where the pharmacist wasn't being particularly strict. Personally, I used to be able to get my hands on Xanax or Ativan just like that. But nowadays? There isn't a prayer of it.🙂 The other day, I realized I was running low on my Normabal, so I gave my doctor's office a call to see if they could call in a refill. Out of nowhere, the nurse tells me she can't do it because there should still be some left in my bottle—which, to be fair, is true since I might have taken an extra one the other day, a slip-up that happens to anyone I suppose—and then she adds this little kicker: "From now on, we’re counting every single pill."
And there you have it... the cold reality of strict Western capitalism. I guess all that's missing is for Medicare to start acting like it does in the States, where if you're actually sick, you just better be ready to pay up in cash!🙂
I stopped by my doctor's office earlier today, and she didn't even hesitate to tell me I need to see a psychiatrist just to get my dosage bumped up. Apparently, it’s because they won't be able to just authorize it on their own anymore; soon enough, Medicare is going to be tracking every single pill I take. I swear, this whole push for modernization is just a headache—everything is getting more expensive and the rules are becoming impossibly strict. As for joining the European Union? I don't see that ever happening, if I'm being honest.
Honestly, everyone, you really ought to take a look at these recent studies regarding that particular antidepressant. I’m referring to Cymbalta. I tried it myself once—well, technically I took it three times—and it was an absolute nightmare,🙂 a complete horror show, really. I spent the entire time just praying for the effects to wear off. I can say with certainty that I am never putting Cymbalta in my mouth ever again, and if anything, these new findings have only reinforced my conviction that
I can't help but wonder what the deal is with all this quetiapine lately. It feels like first there was Seroquel, which seemed to be prescribed to everyone under the sun, and then we had that specific version from Pfizer, followed by Zyprexa, and even that one from the local generic manufacturer—which my doctor actually warned me about personally, mentioning that recent studies suggest it might be harmful, so now everyone is just pivoting to Seroquel under a different name.
But now, my psychiatrist is suggesting I try something else besides the standard Seroquel that you can find sitting on the shelf of every single pharmacy in town, including that Pfizer version. She actually wrote me a script for Generic Medication 300mg?! I walked into the first drugstore I could find to ask for it, and the pharmacist just told me they didn't carry it.🤷
To make matters weirder, when I search for this specific medication on Google, the top results are all these massive American sites like drugs.com... which feels a little strange to me given the context.🙄
Is anyone else actually taking this Generic Medication?
In my experience, the most effective option—and perhaps the least deceptive one—is Diazepam, specifically brands like Valium... and so on. It’s even used to help people dealing with addiction when they’re going through withdrawal (myself included); I take it because Sakoman prescribed it to me, insisting strictly on Diazepam.
restlesstrucker15 said:My inquiry remains unchanged; I am merely relaying the perspective of my former psychiatrist, who recently relocated from the US, leaving me with her advice via email. To my surprise, she actually suggested using two different SSRIs, which runs contrary to my own initial assumptions:🤷, contradicting my own conclusions:
Quoting the psychiatrist:
Dear xxx, long time no see. In my opinion, Escitalopram (Elicea) would be a more effective option for you than venlafaxine (Velafax), which typically requires a dose of at least 150 mg for a month before showing results, and even then, results vary. I would recommend pairing 10 mg of Elice with 20 mg of Seroxat in the morning, as that should provide sufficient relief.
I don't think I've ever heard of a psychiatrist prescribing two SSRIs at once, honestly.
fadedbear92 said:Elon Musk is basically the American version of Xanax, and yeah, it's true they wreck your receptors (ex junkie, 15 g.!!!)
It’s arguably the biggest bait-and-switch in the whole class of anxiolytics—at least, that's my take as a former user, though after five years, I guess you could say I still am.
Is there anything more fascinating than the subtle shifts in our own chemistry? I find myself reflecting on Lola at age 27—is it not a pivotal moment for self-discovery? kaže: Does anyone here have any firsthand experience using Seroqel? My psychiatrist prescribed it to help manage my insomnia and general anxiety, but now that I’ve started looking into the potential side effects, I can't help but wonder: is this really a standard approach? To make matters more complicated, she also put me on Velafax to address what she believes is underlying depression. The thing is, I actually struggle with significant stomach issues, yet she seems convinced those physical symptoms are just a masked form of depression. Is it common for doctors to overlook physical ailments like this in favor of a psychiatric diagnosis?
I felt compelled to write a few thoughts regarding Seroqel after coming across your post! Since you brought up the subject, I thought I would offer some context regarding my own experience. Seroqel? It is truly fascinating, isn't it? My doctor actually pulled this medication straight from her cabinet for me back when it wasn't even readily available at the local pharmacy; she had obtained it through a medical symposium or perhaps a pharmacology seminar. She explained that while it is technically indicated for schizophrenia—a condition I certainly do not have—it works wonders for insomnia and anxiety, much like the issues you mentioned. So, I agreed and began my regimen. However, I soon noticed something peculiar. Other patients in the clinic were being prescribed Seroqel as well, despite having no diagnosis of schizophrenia. After doing a bit of observing and chatting with fellow patients, I realized that Seroqel was being handed out left and right like some kind of new "super drug." I couldn't help but wonder to myself: is something not quite right here? After doing some digging online, I was shocked to discover that Seroqel actually ranks among the top ten most dangerous medications! Furthermore, it simply didn't make sense to me why a drug intended for schizophrenia—a condition affecting less than one percent of the population—was being prescribed so aggressively on such a massive scale. Upon further investigation, I realized this isn't just an isolated occurrence here in America; it is happening everywhere. It seems I am not the only one sensing that something is fundamentally illogical about this situation. I eventually stumbled upon the following text on a website, which I will share with you all shortly!
ever Wonder How an "anti-psychotic" medication transforms into a massive $5.5 billion annual blockbuster? Isn't it fascinating how a single antipsychotic can climb the ranks to become one of the highest-grossing and most lucrative pharmaceuticals on the market in America today? Furthermore, how does a drug specifically engineered to treat a condition affecting less than 1% of the population end up being one of the most frequently prescribed medications across the entire globe?
Have you ever wondered how a medication primarily designed to treat schizophrenia and severe psychosis—conditions that affect less than one percent of the population—could somehow become one of the most frequently prescribed drugs on the planet? This page explores the complexities surrounding Seroqel, and honestly, it is absolutely fascinating reading! Isn't it truly remarkable how such a specific treatment can reach such massive global scale? I highly recommend diving into this; there is so much to uncover!
Here is the specific page where you can find additional links regarding AstraZeneca and their production of Seroqel. It provides some fascinating insight into the pharmaceutical industry—an entire sector where billions of dollars are constantly in motion! Isn't it incredible how massive these operations truly are? Did you know there is actually an entire website dedicated solely to the complexities of Seroqel? It serves as a massive hub where people gather specifically to discuss their experiences with the medication. I won't be dropping the link here, though, since we all know how strict the rules are regarding external forum links! My investigation into the miraculous properties of Seroqel is far from complete! Don't you think there might be even deeper motivations behind its massive distribution than just simple profit margins? I see you're also discussing Dormicum, which my doctor prescribed for me as well—perhaps we share the same physician! While this medication is intended to help with sleep, it can trigger retrograde amnesia. This means that once you take it, you really ought to head straight to bed, because you won't remember anything you did between taking the pill and falling asleep. Even though the official instructions warn against using Dormicum for more than two weeks, I ended up taking it for months because my doctor specifically instructed me to do so. Beyond that, isn't it true that Dormicum is also used to induce anesthesia? Currently, I am no longer taking either Dormicum or Seroqel, and people have actually commented that I seem much better! Quite simply, I no longer feel like a "vegetable," which is how I felt whenever I was on Seroqel.
Before I wrap this up, I would like to address the moderators who might find this post objectionable and consider removing it. Please understand that my intention here is purely critical; I am simply sharing my personal experiences and the information I have uncovered. If you are considering deleting this thread, I urge you to ask yourselves one vital question: How does a medication used to treat schizophrenia—a condition affecting roughly 1% of the population—suddenly become one of the most widely prescribed drugs on the planet? Doesn't that single fact speak volumes? Isn't that reason alone sufficient to justify keeping this discussion alive? To be perfectly clear, I am not fundamentally opposed to the use of psychotropic medications. In fact, I truly believe there are individuals for whom Seroqel has been a genuine lifeline in managing schizophrenia and other conditions. However, in this specific instance, it is glaringly OBVIOUS that something is amiss with this particular drug, and I believe people have a fundamental right to know the truth!
It’s essentially the same pattern you had with Prozac, if you recall the whole "Prozac Nation" era. I suppose that antidepressant is just considered old news by now.
Anthony Lopez8 said:If my memory serves me right, I believe I already detailed them all for you somewhere else in this thread. And if I recall correctly, I think I’ve already mentioned that I am female. 🙂 😁
Regardless of what those side effects might be, they are highly subjective and don't manifest the same way in everyone. The specific way my body reacted to Zeldox certainly isn't a universal rule; if it were, nobody would be touching the stuff.
It’s easy for someone to see others' bad experiences and panic, concluding that Zeldox must be inherently dangerous. However, when we are discussing actual harm, the metabolic damage I've seen Zyprexa inflict on fat and sugar processing is, in my opinion, far more concerning.
I am well aware that you're a woman, 😁 but even you admitted yourself that the urge to sleep was so overwhelming that you practically had no choice but to just lie down.🙂
Anthony Lopez8 said:Still, you should give Lipitor a shot. It didn't sit well with me either—in fact, I felt it had a worse effect on me than the milligram—but if it works for your system, it could be an excellent alternative, especially since it is the only one proven not to cause weight gain.
The part about the weight gain is definitely true, but I suppose you could list out all the negative side effects you actually dealt with while on Zeldox?
hiddenwalker30 said:Thanks so much, 😍 I'll make sure to jot down the name of the medication so I can mention it to her. 🙂
No, please, just stay away from Zeldox!! Honestly, after taking it, you're basically useless within half an hour because your eyes start drooping and you just drift off. In my experience, Zeldox is like being hit with a bag of concrete.
Everyone seems to be talking about psychotherapy lately. But honestly, nobody ever mentions how you actually go about finding someone or getting started? All I know for sure is that it's incredibly expensive.