Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Roger Brown55 said:I’m terrible about meds too. Now that I’ve been prescribed Eli Lilly, I can’t even bring myself to take it, especially after reading that it can cause heart issues and that people with a racing heart shouldn't use it. My pulse has been sitting around 100 lately.😢

Actually, Paxil doesn't really impact the cardiovascular system. In fact, I think Paxil has this pretty significant anxiolytic effect... it basically calms down the HPA axis—that's the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, you know? That's the whole system responsible for stress response.

So, if anything, Paxil should actually reduce the strain on your cardiovascular system.

Long-term, Paxil has shown it can actually reverse some of those lasting changes in neuronal mapping caused by chronic stress, which I guess should also help lighten the load on that HPA axis thing.

Anyway, Paxil is kind of a very mild stimulant, but unlike other stimulants out there, it actually has an anxiolytic effect.

It's technically in the SSRI category, but honestly, everything you think you know about SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants... it just doesn't apply to Paxil. It has a mechanism of action that's almost the complete opposite of both those groups.

Paxil is used quite successfully to block panic attacks—and man, that wouldn't be possible at all if Paxil was putting stress on the cardiovascular system.

In my opinion, Paxil should probably be one of the first antidepressants doctors offer people. It seems absolutely the safest, both when it comes to the side effect profile and how you titrate the dosage.

The only real headache with Paxil is that it only lasts maybe 2 to 3 hours. So, you're constantly having to take pills, and I think a lot of people feel that up-and-down fluctuation in blood concentration every few hours, and that's what bothers them...

My current regimen includes Lexapro, Lamictal, and a 1 mg dose of Risperdal, plus some Ativan whenever things get a bit too much.
The meds seem to be doing the job just fine enough.

Roger Brown55 said:I’m terrible about meds too. Now that I’ve been prescribed Eli Lilly, I can’t even bring myself to take it, especially after reading that it can cause heart issues and that people with a racing heart shouldn't use it. My pulse has been sitting around 100 lately.😢

Taking the meds isn't the issue. It's the side effects that always hit me, while everyone else seems fine or barely feels anything. Take Paxil, for example. Last week, my legs felt like boiled hot dogs—just zero muscle control. I skipped it today since you all encouraged me that I could taper off, and honestly, the leg issue is gone. I am more anxious now, though. Paxil actually helped with the nerves, but what’s the point if I can barely walk? After three failed attempts at finding the right antidepressant—even though I know some people spend years searching—I’m just feeling more miserable and on edge. Thanks for the advice and the input, everyone.

Kevin Bailey2 said:Maybe try starting with something milder... like Lexapro or Paxil...

I've been taking the "mild" stuff for months. Sometimes I mix in Lexapro because it's the only thing that actually keeps me level. But the light stuff doesn't cut it. If I could just rely on Ativan or Xanax to get by, I wouldn't be stuck on this forum or seeing a doctor. When you're too terrified to go to work or even leave the house, those mild options won't stop the anxiety from breaking through—and then you end up needing an SSRI anyway. Now I'm just stuck being dependent on both, and my health hasn't improved at all.

Jessica Fowler4 said:Actually, Paxil doesn't really impact the cardiovascular system. In fact, I think Paxil has this pretty significant anxiolytic effect... it basically calms down the HPA axis—that's the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, you know? That's the whole system responsible for stress response.

So, if anything, Paxil should actually reduce the strain on your cardiovascular system.

Long-term, Paxil has shown it can actually reverse some of those lasting changes in neuronal mapping caused by chronic stress, which I guess should also help lighten the load on that HPA axis thing.

Anyway, Paxil is kind of a very mild stimulant, but unlike other stimulants out there, it actually has an anxiolytic effect.

It's technically in the SSRI category, but honestly, everything you think you know about SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants... it just doesn't apply to Paxil. It has a mechanism of action that's almost the complete opposite of both those groups.

Paxil is used quite successfully to block panic attacks—and man, that wouldn't be possible at all if Paxil was putting stress on the cardiovascular system.

In my opinion, Paxil should probably be one of the first antidepressants doctors offer people. It seems absolutely the safest, both when it comes to the side effect profile and how you titrate the dosage.

The only real headache with Paxil is that it only lasts maybe 2 to 3 hours. So, you're constantly having to take pills, and I think a lot of people feel that up-and-down fluctuation in blood concentration every few hours, and that's what bothers them...

What you wrote was about Paxil, but I was prescribed either Eli Lilly or Lexapro. I took Lexapro back around 2008, and I notice the side effects listed on the label have increased significantly. Back then, things like rapid heart rate or changes in heart rhythm (QT prolongation) weren't definitely listed as side effects.

For me, combining Effexor with Zoloft has honestly been the winning formula.🙂

Roger Brown55 said:What you wrote was about Paxil, but I was prescribed either Eli Lilly or Lexapro. I took Lexapro back around 2008, and I notice the side effects listed on the label have increased significantly. Back then, things like rapid heart rate or changes in heart rhythm (QT prolongation) weren't definitely listed as side effects.

I was on Lexapro and didn't deal with the racing heart, but I couldn't stand it for other reasons. Just wanted to mention that when this all started for me about a year ago, my heart was pounding constantly—hitting 125 bpm. My cardiologist prescribed Valium, half of a 25mg dose every morning. He basically said why should I suffer through that when he already suspected it was psychological. I saw him before I realized everything was coming from my head. Ever since I've been taking that little bit of Valium every morning, the palpitations have stopped completely, and I've taken it alongside my antidepressants without any issues; my psychiatrist said it wasn't a problem. If you have actual heart disease, I don't know, but my cardiac exams always come back clean.

Paul Newman5 said:I was on Lexapro and didn't deal with the racing heart, but I couldn't stand it for other reasons. Just wanted to mention that when this all started for me about a year ago, my heart was pounding constantly—hitting 125 bpm. My cardiologist prescribed Valium, half of a 25mg dose every morning. He basically said why should I suffer through that when he already suspected it was psychological. I saw him before I realized everything was coming from my head. Ever since I've been taking that little bit of Valium every morning, the palpitations have stopped completely, and I've taken it alongside my antidepressants without any issues; my psychiatrist said it wasn't a problem. If you have actual heart disease, I don't know, but my cardiac exams always come back clean.

My EKG came back normal—they told me my heart rate was fast but steady. I haven't gone for any more testing beyond that. Honestly, I'm convinced it's anxiety rather than actual heart disease; if it were my heart, I would've kicked the bucket years ago after dealing with panic attacks for eight years now.
But then again, being a hypochondriac...

Roger Brown55 said:My EKG came back normal—they told me my heart rate was fast but steady. I haven't gone for any more testing beyond that. Honestly, I'm convinced it's anxiety rather than actual heart disease; if it were my heart, I would've kicked the bucket years ago after dealing with panic attacks for eight years now.
But then again, being a hypochondriac...

Since I assumed your racing heart was just the anxiety or panic, I suggested checking out something like Ativan, but clearly you're worried about whether Lexapro might mess with your heart. I honestly don't know if it can. It didn't do that to me, but it made me feel incredibly jittery and restless. Even a handful of anti-anxiety meds couldn't settle me down, so eventually, my own head told me to just stop.

Honestly, at this point, I’m even getting nervous about taking my Xanax 😢

Roger Brown55 said:Honestly, at this point, I’m even getting nervous about taking my Xanax 😢

I'm not a fan of medication either. It feels suffocating having to take anything when, until a year ago, I never touched a single sedative. I used to work non-stop and honestly wondered how people dealt with life without just popping pills to cope. Now, here I am, right in the middle of it. I’m terrified of having a total breakdown in public—especially at work—and losing my job because of it. And we still can't get a hold of any Adidas. On top of that, I spent from December through March trying psychotherapy and bioenergy, which felt like a massive waste of precious time when I should have been looking for an antidepressant. People who don't deal with this stuff are lucky. There are plenty of other ways to suffer, sure, but this constant dread before heading into the office? I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Yes, I clearly got my wires crossed somewhere, but I did a bit of digging just now and apparently, it’s categorized as being most similar to tricyclic antidepressants, which is why I assumed it fell under that umbrella... but regardless of the technicalities, if it works for someone else, fine by me. I was searching for an alternative again, though I won't be asking about that specific one; lately, I’ve been feeling utterly exhausted, as if I'm dragging myself through sludge. Even when I manage to drag myself out of bed at 9:00 AM, I feel like I could sleep for another eternity, and the fatigue just clings to me all day long. Yesterday, I took a dose of Prozac, and honestly, it felt like it made everything even worse—I truly have no idea what is happening to my body. Today, I went out and picked up some B-complex

Is anyone here currently taking Paxil and/or Lamictal?

I am feeling completely drained.
My sleep quality at night is poor, and during the day, I feel like I could just lie down and sleep constantly (if I were able to).
My appetite is non-existent.

Angela Reyes4 said:Is anyone here currently taking Paxil and/or Lamictal?

I am feeling completely drained.
My sleep quality at night is poor, and during the day, I feel like I could just lie down and sleep constantly (if I were able to).
My appetite is non-existent.

Well, I've been on Paxil for about five months now. For me, my appetite stayed pretty much the same, though I did end up losing a few pounds right at the beginning—looking back, I can see that was definitely the medication's doing, but things have leveled out since then. As for the sleep issues, I dealt with similar struggles early on, but nowadays, it actually helps me drift off quite easily.

Zoloft, Xanax, and Lamictal... it’s not exactly a standard combo, but I haven't dealt with any side effects so far. Zoloft works well, though I don't really feel its effects anymore; it keeps my mood up, but now I just get anxious if I miss a dose. Everyone knows how Xanax hits. As for the Lamictal, it makes me sleepy, and the same goes for the calming effect.

Angela Reyes4 said:Is anyone here currently taking Paxil and/or Lamictal?

I am feeling completely drained.
My sleep quality at night is poor, and during the day, I feel like I could just lie down and sleep constantly (if I were able to).
My appetite is non-existent.

I've been on Paxil for about three and a half weeks now. At first, I was dealing with the exact same thing—couldn't sleep at night, so I'd try to catch up during the day. Now, I just feel incredibly drowsy all the time, both day and night. I'm sleeping way too much.
Honestly, it feels excessive; no amount of sleep ever seems to be enough. 🙄

In the beginning, my appetite was practically non-existent. Since I'm naturally on the thinner side, I ended up losing even more weight initially. Things are starting to stabilize now, though; I've stopped losing weight and things seem to be returning to my baseline.

copperheron18 said:I've been on Paxil for about three and a half weeks now. At first, I was dealing with the exact same thing—couldn't sleep at night, so I'd try to catch up during the day. Now, I just feel incredibly drowsy all the time, both day and night. I'm sleeping way too much.
Honestly, it feels excessive; no amount of sleep ever seems to be enough. 🙄

In the beginning, my appetite was practically non-existent. Since I'm naturally on the thinner side, I ended up losing even more weight initially. Things are starting to stabilize now, though; I've stopped losing weight and things seem to be returning to my baseline.

Yeah, honestly, I experience the exact same thing when I take it, so I wouldn't hold my breath expecting that to change anytime soon. 😬

Benjamin Martin65 said:Yeah, honestly, I experience the exact same thing when I take it, so I wouldn't hold my breath expecting that to change anytime soon. 😬

Honestly, in a way, this isn't even a bad trade-off. Before, aside from those first couple of hours, I’d be tossing and turning all night. My sleep was incredibly shallow, leaving me completely drained. I’d wake up in the middle of the night just staring at the ceiling, waiting for morning so I could finally get to work. My mind would race with a hundred different thoughts; everything felt high-stakes and stressful, which just fed back into the insomnia loop. So, truthfully? I'm actually relieved that I'm having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning again. That constant cycle of lying there awake from 4:00 AM onwards was absolutely exhausting. 🙄
But let me tell you—it’s too much. It's just excessive. When I work morning shifts, I'm so wiped out that I end up crashing for nearly three hours in the afternoon and still struggle to function. On my afternoon shifts, I'll sleep for ten hours straight. This past weekend was the same story; even after sleeping that long, I still needed a one- or two-hour nap during the day. 😁, and despite all that sleep, I’m constantly yawning and feeling lethargic at work. Still, I suppose it beats the alternative—being perpetually tense, restless, and paralyzed by panic.

The exhaustion I’m dealing with is absolutely brutal.
Basically, ever since I started taking Paxil, my sleep schedule has been a total wreck.
I keep waking up multiple times throughout the night, and once I'm up, I can't get back to sleep, which leaves me completely drained during the day.
It’s hard to even describe: I feel exhausted, yet I can't manage to sleep for more than two hours at a time without waking up.
And of course, I have an exam I actually need to study for.

Both copperheron18 and I are naturally thin, but lately, it’s been a nightmare.
Whenever I try to eat, it feels like I’m just chewing on cardboard.

I guess I’m trying to stay positive by telling myself things will improve soon, since I only started these meds two weeks ago.

The other medication I’m on is Lamictal.
I noticed nobody seems to be mentioning it here.
Every time I search online, all I see is Lamictal.
Is it the exact same thing?

Angela Reyes4 said:The exhaustion I’m dealing with is absolutely brutal.
Basically, ever since I started taking Paxil, my sleep schedule has been a total wreck.
I keep waking up multiple times throughout the night, and once I'm up, I can't get back to sleep, which leaves me completely drained during the day.
It’s hard to even describe: I feel exhausted, yet I can't manage to sleep for more than two hours at a time without waking up.
And of course, I have an exam I actually need to study for.

Both copperheron18 and I are naturally thin, but lately, it’s been a nightmare.
Whenever I try to eat, it feels like I’m just chewing on cardboard.

I guess I’m trying to stay positive by telling myself things will improve soon, since I only started these meds two weeks ago.

The other medication I’m on is Lamictal.
I noticed nobody seems to be mentioning it here.
Every time I search online, all I see is Lamictal.
Is it the exact same thing?

I suspect you're still in that adjustment phase with the Paxil, which explains why you're feeling this way. I went through a similar stretch at the start where the side effects were intense; I actually posted about it on this forum once—everything from a restless, internal jitteriness to suicidal ideation. For me, the nausea lasted the longest, and even now, it hits me out of nowhere; it really doesn't sit well with my stomach. But all those other issues eventually cleared up, and looking back, the worst of it was actually quite brief.
Then again, we're all built differently, so side effects and adjustment periods vary from person to person—hopefully, there's some comfort in knowing I made it through.
To be honest, I don't know how you'll manage studying for an exam in this state; my first two weeks were pure mental chaos and brain fog. It was nearly impossible to focus on anything, even the simplest tasks, but perhaps you'll pull through—fingers crossed for you!
Lamictal and Lamictal contain the active ingredient lamotrigine, so they are chemically identical; it's simply a matter of different manufacturers.