Psychotropic medication discussion thread

So, I suppose that settles it. It’s going to cost us. $50I have the prescription in hand, but I’m a bit stuck on the specifics regarding the pricing—it seems quite steep without any discounts applied. I am just trying to figure out exactly how many milligrams and how many pills are included in that single $150 pack. If anyone could clarify that for me, I would truly appreciate it. On a related note, I went through a rough patch with panic attacks about two years ago. My doctor prescribed me Prozac and was very explicit about the protocol: he insisted I shouldn't stop taking it even when I started feeling better, noting that I might potentially need it long-term because panic attacks have a frustrating tendency to resurface. Well, I didn't listen. I decided I was fine and stopped the medication as soon as the symptoms cleared. Predictably, about a year and a half later, the attacks returned, and they were significantly more intense than before. I've since gone back on the Prozac, and thank God, it hasn't even been a month and I already feel like myself again. No panic, no anxiety. Honestly, I'm so grateful for this medication.

I've been on Prozac for about a year now, and honestly, thank God, I haven't dealt with any side effects at all...🙂

Eric Jackson11 said:It seems like you’re letting a single little comment get under your skin.
I know how it is... it’s never easy to just step back and say, "Okay, my bad, let's move on."
Good luck to you, though...👋

From what I can see, you haven't actually shared any advice here. For someone talking so much about contributing, there isn't much substance...
Honestly, this conversation could probably keep moving along just fine without your input.
I'm sure there are plenty of other people here who actually know a thing or two about these medications...

I sent you a private message, but since you seem to be enjoying this little debate so much, I'll just put my response from the PM right here for everyone to see.

Pharmacotherapy is a highly specialized science—one that even the most "highly educated" psychiatrists in the country tend to ignore.

In reality, about 90% of patients dealing with psychotic or schizophrenic symptoms aren't just on antipsychotics; they're also being cycled through antidepressants, Xanax, and so on.

Most "experts" mismanage "excessive restlessness" by throwing benzodiazepines at it, when I'm telling you—quite clearly, I might add—that the real solution is often stopping the SSRIs, which are the primary culprits behind akathisia.

Antipsychotics deplete dopamine, they don't boost serotonin, and I would love—truly, I would—for one of your precious psychiatrists to explain to me why people feel so incredibly agitated.

The issue lies in serotonin syndrome, which will eventually resolve "on its own" once those heavy-duty SSRIs are discontinued.

...so, no, I have absolutely nothing to apologize for.

Honestly, give yourself a pat on the back for being so brilliant that having a conversation with you is basically impossible.
Just go ahead and Google "antipsychotics," "akathisia," and "side effects."
Then you can keep acting like an expert until then, but maybe try changing your tone a bit.

http://www.pfizer.com/Default.aspx?si...Printable.ascx

Take a look at the side effects listed here.
Vraylar is an atypical antipsychotic.
While that specific side effect is more common with those "old school" classic antipsychotics.
I really don't have any desire to keep arguing with someone who just refuses to see what's right in front of them.

Check out post #15
http://www.reddit.com/r/psychiatry/showthread.php?t=410434

crimsonhound80 said:I sent you a private message, but since you seem to be enjoying this little debate so much, I'll just put my response from the PM right here for everyone to see.

Pharmacotherapy is a highly specialized science—one that even the most "highly educated" psychiatrists in the country tend to ignore.

In reality, about 90% of patients dealing with psychotic or schizophrenic symptoms aren't just on antipsychotics; they're also being cycled through antidepressants, Xanax, and so on.

Most "experts" mismanage "excessive restlessness" by throwing benzodiazepines at it, when I'm telling you—quite clearly, I might add—that the real solution is often stopping the SSRIs, which are the primary culprits behind akathisia.

Antipsychotics deplete dopamine, they don't boost serotonin, and I would love—truly, I would—for one of your precious psychiatrists to explain to me why people feel so incredibly agitated.

The issue lies in serotonin syndrome, which will eventually resolve "on its own" once those heavy-duty SSRIs are discontinued.

...so, no, I have absolutely nothing to apologize for.

---crimsonhound80, could you clarify exactly what you meant by that?
Are you asserting that extreme restlessness—this sense of agitation—is directly caused by SSRIs? In other words, is it your position that the fault lies with the medication and that elevated serotonin levels are what trigger this state?

And does this apply specifically to individuals who were previously calm but became agitated only after starting an antidepressant?

crimsonhound80 and Eric Jackson11, this back-and-forth is starting to feel less like a debate and more like straight-up insults. You've both been decent members up until now, so let's try to keep it that way...

Maybe sulpiride could work since it targets dopamine. How does sulpiride actually impact mood and productivity?

Hey everyone!
So, here’s my current setup: I’m taking one Depakote Chrono (300mg) a day, plus three Prozacs (50mg each).
My diagnosis is anxiety. I’ve been wondering lately why I need to be on an anticonvulsant alongside my antidepressants. I know, I know—I really should just ask my doctor, but honestly, I keep forgetting because these meds actually work. I feel so much better that I haven't even given much thought to why the Depakote is even part of the equation...
If there's anyone here with some medical expertise who can shed some light on this, I’d really appreciate it.😍

Does anyone actually know if Fevarin and Prozac are the exact same thing, or am I just tripping?

Olivia Rivera77 said:Hey everyone!
So, here’s my current setup: I’m taking one Depakote Chrono (300mg) a day, plus three Prozacs (50mg each).
My diagnosis is anxiety. I’ve been wondering lately why I need to be on an anticonvulsant alongside my antidepressants. I know, I know—I really should just ask my doctor, but honestly, I keep forgetting because these meds actually work. I feel so much better that I haven't even given much thought to why the Depakote is even part of the equation...
If there's anyone here with some medical expertise who can shed some light on this, I’d really appreciate it.😍

I cannot say for certain why you have been prescribed those, but I once spent time taking Tegretol despite not being an epileptic. My diagnosis involved adjustment disorders and depressive syndrome. Thank God both have since been resolved.

In addition to the Tegretol, I was also using Ambien and Xanax.

I was truly drowning in those pills. Today, thank God, it has been a very, very long time since I have taken a single sedative. (knock on wood)

It’s some kind of stabilizer, or something like that.

velvetsailor26 said:Does anyone actually know if Fevarin and Prozac are the exact same thing, or am I just tripping?

Faverin is chemically known as fluvoxamine.
Prozac is chemically classified as fluoxetine (assuming my memory serves me correctly). What would we call it if two medications were quite similar in nature, yet fundamentally distinct from one another?

In any case, I would suggest searching for "Faverin wiki" and "Prozac wiki." Be sure to set your Google search settings to English; you will certainly find much more detailed information that way.

Thomas Howard93 said:It’s some kind of stabilizer, or something like that.

I don't personally draw a line between sedatives and stabilizers. I have always operated under the assumption that stabilizers possess a certain potency exceeding that of sedatives, yet they remain somewhat less intense than antidepressants or antipsychotics.

Does anyone here possess more clinical insight? I would be most grateful if someone could clarify whether my understanding is fundamentally flawed.

Thomas Howard93 said:It’s some kind of stabilizer, or something like that.

I don't personally draw a line between sedatives and stabilizers. Is it possible that I am mistaken in thinking that stabilizers act more powerfully than sedatives, yet remain less potent than antidepressants or antipsychotics?

Does anyone here possess more expertise on the matter who might enlighten me as to whether my understanding is flawed?

I am struggling to find the correct English term for "psychostabilizer." I have searched through several online dictionaries, yet the specific term remains elusive.

Nicole Barrett76 said:I cannot say for certain why you have been prescribed those, but I once spent time taking Tegretol despite not being an epileptic. My diagnosis involved adjustment disorders and depressive syndrome. Thank God both have since been resolved.

In addition to the Tegretol, I was also using Ambien and Xanax.

I was truly drowning in those pills. Today, thank God, it has been a very, very long time since I have taken a single sedative. (knock on wood)

So, my diagnosis is anxiety—specifically those intrusive, dark thoughts... man, I really hope I can stop taking these soon too...

Nicole Barrett76 said:I don't personally draw a line between sedatives and stabilizers. Is it possible that I am mistaken in thinking that stabilizers act more powerfully than sedatives, yet remain less potent than antidepressants or antipsychotics?

Does anyone here possess more expertise on the matter who might enlighten me as to whether my understanding is flawed?

I am struggling to find the correct English term for "psychostabilizer." I have searched through several online dictionaries, yet the specific term remains elusive.

You could go with "psycho-stabilizer," though most people just say "mood stabilizers." That's what I gathered from a quick search.

Hey everyone, I could really use some advice here....
I just saw a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with anxiety and depression, specifically involving intrusive thoughts. She’s actually great—we spent nearly two hours just talking through everything that's been eating at me. She put me on 10 mg of Lexapro, starting with half a pill in the morning for the first six days, plus 2 mg of Ativan twice a day, eventually tapering down to once daily. Does anyone have experience with this antidepressant? To be honest, I’m terrified of pills, especially antidepressants, but I can't keep living like this.
If you've dealt with anything similar, please reach out. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to heavy medication...
Thanks 🙂

I had such a wonderful experience with Cipralex; I was on it for about ten months last year, and honestly, tapering off was a breeze. It’s considered one of those newer, more modern antidepressants, and from what I understand, most people tend to tolerate it quite well compared to the older stuff.

You just have to exercise a bit of patience during those first couple of weeks while it fully settles into your system. That’s really the only way you'll get a true sense of how much it’s actually helping you. For me, there weren't any major side effects, though those initial weeks can bring on a little jitteriness or maybe some drowsiness—just minor little hiccups, nothing too crazy. If you feel a bit of anxiety creeping in at the very start, you could always take some Valium to take the edge off, but once things stabilize and level out, you likely won't need it, or at least certainly won't need it often.

Please, don't feel like you have to suffer through this alone; as you put it, it truly is an ordeal, and there is absolutely no reason to endure that kind of misery when help is available. Wishing you all the best!

I’ve had really great results with Cipralex. The only thing was that it made me a little extra sleepy, so I ended up taking a nap during the day. Other than that, I didn't notice any other side effects.
When it comes to benzos, I think valium at 0.25 is better than Ativan. It actually does a better job of calming me down.👍 Ativan just knocks me out completely.

Lexapro works wonders for me...
The only real downsides were a bit of nausea and a lack of appetite during that first week...

It took nearly three months before I actually felt the effects kicking in... but looking back, the wait was definitely worth it...🙂