Psychotropic medication discussion thread

fadedbear92 said:It started at 3x 0.25 and ended up at 8x 0.5!!!!😲😲😲

Oof, that sounds like quite a lot. Was that other version I mentioned not quite what you were looking for?

Zachary Reed63 said:So, this is my first time posting here, but honestly, after scrolling through so many threads, I’m pretty terrified. About two months ago, I was diagnosed with severe depression... at first, my doctor put me on Celexa and Lexapro, but after about a month, everything just completely fell apart. I ended up overdosing on Lexapro and ended up cutting myself all over. The worst part is that I don't even remember doing it or why I did it. I guess the self-harm wasn't even meant to be a suicide attempt; maybe I just thought if I felt physical pain, I wouldn't have to deal with the emotional side of things. Anyway, that landed me in front of a psychiatrist who switched my meds to Effexor, Lexapro, and Valium, and then sent me off to group therapy. I started the Effexor yesterday, but I am absolutely terrified to touch the Valium because of everything I've read on here. Does it really make you feel like a zombie? I can't sleep to save my life. Lexapro used to help with the insomnia for a while, but not anymore. Is there anyone out there who hasn't had issues with Valium? Also, I'm curious about this group therapy thing. I can't even imagine sitting there talking about my deepest struggles in front of a bunch of strangers, or worse, having to sit there and listen to people with problems even heavier than mine. How is listening to everyone's sad stories actually supposed to help?
Thanks...

Personally, I cannot stand Valium; I find myself hunting for food in the middle of the night, every single night, driven by an insatiable hunger. As for group therapy, it simply isn't my cup of tea either, so I declined the invitation, though I recognize it works for some people.

redranger2 said:The reality of the situation is that Xanax shouldn't be the primary tool in any treatment plan. It’s meant to be a temporary bridge until the antidepressant actually kicks in and starts doing its job, though unfortunately, we often see patients who remain anxious despite the antidepressant, leaving Xanax as their only means of relief.
Benzodiazepines and similar drugs ought to be treated as short-term fixes, much like taking ibuprofen for a toothache; you use it while the pain persists, but once the dentist fixes the underlying issue, the medication becomes unnecessary. That is how all anxiolytics should ideally be managed.
My psychiatrist is staunchly opposed to using Xanax, Mirtazapine, or other anxiolytics because he argues they depress the central nervous system and ultimately damage the nerves themselves. Similarly, he refuses to prescribe hypnotics like Valium, Zan, or Ambien for insomnia, citing the inevitable development of tolerance and the risk of exacerbating an existing depression. Consequently, I take antipsychotics to manage my sleep issues instead.

Yes, I am aware of that, but I haven't cycled through many different antidepressants yet. I intend to bring it up during my next appointment, though last time she was quite hesitant to prescribe Prozac... and while I have no desire to deal with Valium either, reading about the side effects of antipsychotics sends me into a complete tailspin of panic. Specifically, that mention of stroke is terrifying, especially since I already struggle with high blood pressure. My only thought is to take the absolute minimum dose possible, though I honestly don't even know which one to ask for.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Yes, I am aware of that, but I haven't cycled through many different antidepressants yet. I intend to bring it up during my next appointment, though last time she was quite hesitant to prescribe Prozac... and while I have no desire to deal with Valium either, reading about the side effects of antipsychotics sends me into a complete tailspin of panic. Specifically, that mention of stroke is terrifying, especially since I already struggle with high blood pressure. My only thought is to take the absolute minimum dose possible, though I honestly don't even know which one to ask for.

Q—you can take it in minimal doses starting at 25 mg, though it usually comes in 100 or 200 mg increments. Honestly, I’ve reached a point where I no longer care about the side effects; once you hit the stage where nothing matters anymore, you realize just how desperate your situation truly is.

I just realized I've finished my very last pill of Effexor, and I was honestly under the impression I still had quite a few left in the bottle... it’s such a frustrating realization. My doctor isn't available at all over the weekend, so I can't exactly call in a refill, and even when Monday rolls around, I have this nagging doubt about whether they'll actually squeeze me into their schedule... hmm, what on earth am I going to do now? Do you think if I went down to the local CVS with my old prescription printout they might just give me a small emergency supply, though I suspect they probably won't, and I feel so incredibly foolish for letting this happen. Oh dear

Man, you really gotta give them your whole medical history first. I learned that the hard way back in July when my doctor wouldn't even bother prescribing my heart meds properly.

Zachary Reed63 said:So, this is my first time posting here, but honestly, after scrolling through so many threads, I’m pretty terrified. About two months ago, I was diagnosed with severe depression... at first, my doctor put me on Celexa and Lexapro, but after about a month, everything just completely fell apart. I ended up overdosing on Lexapro and ended up cutting myself all over. The worst part is that I don't even remember doing it or why I did it. I guess the self-harm wasn't even meant to be a suicide attempt; maybe I just thought if I felt physical pain, I wouldn't have to deal with the emotional side of things. Anyway, that landed me in front of a psychiatrist who switched my meds to Effexor, Lexapro, and Valium, and then sent me off to group therapy. I started the Effexor yesterday, but I am absolutely terrified to touch the Valium because of everything I've read on here. Does it really make you feel like a zombie? I can't sleep to save my life. Lexapro used to help with the insomnia for a while, but not anymore. Is there anyone out there who hasn't had issues with Valium? Also, I'm curious about this group therapy thing. I can't even imagine sitting there talking about my deepest struggles in front of a bunch of strangers, or worse, having to sit there and listen to people with problems even heavier than mine. How is listening to everyone's sad stories actually supposed to help?
Thanks...

I personally never had any trouble with Sanofi—though I always stuck to 10 mg, since I don't really dare go higher than that. From what I can gather, it seems like the issues mostly happen at higher doses. But then again, everyone reacts differently, I guess...

I’ve posted here a few times before. I’ve cycled through Lexapro, Xanax, and a short stint on Wellbutrin. Honestly, I can't tell which was worse; they all just left me feeling restless and incredibly irritable, which I had to settle down with Advil and Lexapro. I’m still on the meds today—Lexapro at 1.5mg three times a day for about five months, and Xanax at 0.5mg three times a day for about two and a half months. After the New Year, I tried stepping away from antidepressants to focus on alternative stuff—sports, meditation—but the jitters and anxiety never really left. It isn't depression; it's just constant nervousness and being on edge. I work, I take care of my family, but I can't seem to kick the Xanax or the Lexapro, even if some days are easier than others. Since most of you are on medication too, I have a question. Could I combine Xanax with something like Advil to slowly taper off the Xanax over a few months? I heard St. John's Wort can neutralize Xanax and other anxiolytics. If anyone knows anything about this or has actually tried it, I’d appreciate the info. Bioenergy helps me out quite a bit too, though I know this isn't really that kind of forum, so just mentioning it. Thanks for any answers.

Paul Newman5 said:I’ve posted here a few times before. I’ve cycled through Lexapro, Xanax, and a short stint on Wellbutrin. Honestly, I can't tell which was worse; they all just left me feeling restless and incredibly irritable, which I had to settle down with Advil and Lexapro. I’m still on the meds today—Lexapro at 1.5mg three times a day for about five months, and Xanax at 0.5mg three times a day for about two and a half months. After the New Year, I tried stepping away from antidepressants to focus on alternative stuff—sports, meditation—but the jitters and anxiety never really left. It isn't depression; it's just constant nervousness and being on edge. I work, I take care of my family, but I can't seem to kick the Xanax or the Lexapro, even if some days are easier than others. Since most of you are on medication too, I have a question. Could I combine Xanax with something like Advil to slowly taper off the Xanax over a few months? I heard St. John's Wort can neutralize Xanax and other anxiolytics. If anyone knows anything about this or has actually tried it, I’d appreciate the info. Bioenergy helps me out quite a bit too, though I know this isn't really that kind of forum, so just mentioning it. Thanks for any answers.

My dear Paul Newman5,

I am also constantly on edge and hyper-vigilant (just this morning I read about a twelve-year-old boy who collapsed dead),
so how could I possibly remain indifferent to such harrowing news?

I have been clean for nearly two and a half months now.
I used to take Paxil 8mg and Helix 0.25mg as needed.
The withdrawal process was brutal, but trying to actually function in daily life was even worse.
Currently, I am just on Helix 0.25mg as needed.
Some days I take two, other days I don't take any at all.
I work too, and I try my hardest to maintain focus and presence at the office, but I find myself buckling under the pressure quite often. 🙂
Is there truly any viable alternative to antidepressants?

Susan Edwards8 said:Man, you really gotta give them your whole medical history first. I learned that the hard way back in July when my doctor wouldn't even bother prescribing my heart meds properly.

Hey, if you don't mind me asking, what heart medications are you taking and what kind of doctor are you seeing?

Sophia Moore38 said:My dear Paul Newman5,

I am also constantly on edge and hyper-vigilant (just this morning I read about a twelve-year-old boy who collapsed dead),
so how could I possibly remain indifferent to such harrowing news?

I have been clean for nearly two and a half months now.
I used to take Paxil 8mg and Helix 0.25mg as needed.
The withdrawal process was brutal, but trying to actually function in daily life was even worse.
Currently, I am just on Helix 0.25mg as needed.
Some days I take two, other days I don't take any at all.
I work too, and I try my hardest to maintain focus and presence at the office, but I find myself buckling under the pressure quite often. 🙂
Is there truly any viable alternative to antidepressants?

Hey, if you don't mind me asking, what heart medications are you taking and what kind of doctor are you seeing?

Asked at the health clinic and they said Activin H doesn't interfere with Unknown, so it shouldn't neutralize it. Might try it to see if weaning off the Unknown goes smoother. Besides that, I'm doing therapy, meditating, Kundalini bioenergy, crystal healing... basically convincing myself everything will be fine. Doesn't mean it will, but I'll try it all before I head back to the psychiatrist for more meds. Not that I'll have a choice. It's not the drugs I'm afraid of—it's reading these forums and talking to people. I rarely hear about anyone being on them for a year and actually standing on their own two feet. Most people are on them for years, plus taking various antipsychotics just to sleep. Maybe I'm wrong, but I haven't seen many stories where the meds actually "cured" someone long-term. So I'll try everything first. I'm not claiming I won't end up back on them eventually. Who knows. My only mistake was going to the doctor first. I should have tried all this stuff before she put me on those meds that made me feel like a total wreck. Now I'm stuck with the Unknown. Whatever. I'm fighting it. We'll see. Are you scared to go to work? That's my only real fear. I'm terrified something will happen while I'm there and I'll lose my job. Everything else is fine. I drive, I do Pilates, I shop. It's just the mornings. After 11 AM, it's like I become a different person.

Hey, bug, I’m taking Concor 1.25 mg because my heart keeps skipping beats. I was already on it even before starting the antidepressant.

Paul Newman5 said:Asked at the health clinic and they said Activin H doesn't interfere with Unknown, so it shouldn't neutralize it. Might try it to see if weaning off the Unknown goes smoother. Besides that, I'm doing therapy, meditating, Kundalini bioenergy, crystal healing... basically convincing myself everything will be fine. Doesn't mean it will, but I'll try it all before I head back to the psychiatrist for more meds. Not that I'll have a choice. It's not the drugs I'm afraid of—it's reading these forums and talking to people. I rarely hear about anyone being on them for a year and actually standing on their own two feet. Most people are on them for years, plus taking various antipsychotics just to sleep. Maybe I'm wrong, but I haven't seen many stories where the meds actually "cured" someone long-term. So I'll try everything first. I'm not claiming I won't end up back on them eventually. Who knows. My only mistake was going to the doctor first. I should have tried all this stuff before she put me on those meds that made me feel like a total wreck. Now I'm stuck with the Unknown. Whatever. I'm fighting it. We'll see. Are you scared to go to work? That's my only real fear. I'm terrified something will happen while I'm there and I'll lose my job. Everything else is fine. I drive, I do Pilates, I shop. It's just the mornings. After 11 AM, it's like I become a different person.

Why are you taking both Unknown and Lexapro when they belong to essentially the same class of anxiolytics? I struggle with intense anxiety as well, though mine manifests as a constant, obsessive fear of illness; I am perpetually studying symptoms and hyper-analyzing every sensation in my body. In my experience, Prozac worked quite well for me, and I didn't require Xanax except for those initial three weeks to manage the side effects you mentioned—perhaps your course was simply too brief? Ultimately, I stopped taking it after four months. Like you, my mornings are the most grueling part of the day; it seems to be a hallmark characteristic of those of us living with anxiety.

Roger Bennett62 said:Psych meds are a total trip, man. They’re legal and they look fine on paper, but honestly? Most of the time they just don't quite fill that void inside us. Sure, you can get pretty faded off some of these "helpers," but it's just not the same high... Everyone’s basically playing the same game—block this receptor, tweak that one, toss in a little bit of this...

My therapist says there’s no such thing as treating anxiety without benzos, or tackling depression without an antidepressant. Honestly, sometimes a benzo will pull a person out of a depressive funk way faster than an antidepressant ever could. If you actually look at the side effects for both—I mean, really look—it’s pretty obvious which one is easier to deal with.

I haven't met anyone who took Xanax, Clonazepam, or Lorazepam and ended up shaking uncontrollably or puking or being unable to, you know, function... But antidepressants? The side effects from those are absolutely insane. 😁

This is a super old thread, but while I was looking into this new Clonazepam my doctor just put me on, I stumbled across this and I have to agree;

- The SSRIs helped me loosen up socially and cut down on the crying spells and those massive breakdowns, plus I don't feel so fragile around people anymore, but that heavy emptiness is still sitting right there. It feels like trying to cure melancholy with more melancholy, just like Robert Burton argued way back when... Who knows.
- I honestly feel like Helix has done way more for me during these months of treatment than the SSRIs did; it really lifted my spirits and gave me the confidence that I’d be able to unwind and actually fall asleep every night. But now, we have to start tapering off slowly. 🤷

* As for me, I didn't deal with any side effects from the SSRIs (Escitalopram), and my libido is totally fine even on a full dose of both the SSRIs and the benzos. 😁

Has anyone else tried switching from Helix/Xanax Clonazepam? I'm reading some pretty good stuff about it.

Susan Edwards8 said:Hey, bug, I’m taking Concor 1.25 mg because my heart keeps skipping beats. I was already on it even before starting the antidepressant.

I had the exact same thing happen—they found those same extra beats in my heart, too—but my doctor didn't bother prescribing me a single thing.
He just brushed it off, claiming it's perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

Roughly how long does it take for an AD dose increase to actually kick in?

I've got some kind of buildup on my tonsils, so that's why... they aren't exactly dangerous, they just drive me absolutely nuts.😠

I wanted to reach out to everyone here who takes Valium, as I’m currently on it myself. Does anyone find that it actually helps settle things down for you? I usually take a pill whenever my anxiety starts to peak and the panic sets in, but honestly, I can't say it provides any massive relief. Do you all find yourselves taking it on a daily basis, or is it more of an as-needed thing for you?

Jason Vaughn482 said:Why are you taking both Unknown and Lexapro when they belong to essentially the same class of anxiolytics? I struggle with intense anxiety as well, though mine manifests as a constant, obsessive fear of illness; I am perpetually studying symptoms and hyper-analyzing every sensation in my body. In my experience, Prozac worked quite well for me, and I didn't require Xanax except for those initial three weeks to manage the side effects you mentioned—perhaps your course was simply too brief? Ultimately, I stopped taking it after four months. Like you, my mornings are the most grueling part of the day; it seems to be a hallmark characteristic of those of us living with anxiety.

Believe it or not, the combo actually works for me. Or maybe I'm just used to it. Started on Lexapro, then added the Ativan. I was on Luvox for 4 weeks and the restlessness was insane; even 10mg of Lexapro with Normabest couldn't touch it. Ended up in the ER twice because of the agitation during those 4 weeks. My psychiatrist actually told me to stop because side effects shouldn't last that long. Then she suggested Wellbutrin, which makes zero sense for someone as anxious and jittery as me. I haven't even tried it; it's meant for pure depression, according to the label. Anyway, I decided if I ever have to see that old shrink again, I won't. For now, I'm tapering off the Ativan. Managed to cut my afternoon dose by 0.25, and today I took 0.25 less at noon. We'll see.

Mark Nelson said:Roughly how long does it take for an AD dose increase to actually kick in?

I'm wondering the same thing, so if anyone has any insight......

Susan Edwards8 said:I've got some kind of buildup on my tonsils, so that's why... they aren't exactly dangerous, they just drive me absolutely nuts.😠

I’m sorry, how on earth did you manage to figure that out?
Are we seriously just going to sit around and rely on the standard routine—just a basic EKG and an ultrasound—and call it a day? It feels like trying to fix a leaking jet engine by checking if the dashboard lights are blinking. You can run all the surface-level tests you want, but if you aren't digging deeper into the actual mechanics of what's happening under the hood, you're basically just guessing with expensive equipment.

Pardon me for veering off topic.