Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Robin Myers91 · 2006-07-02T21:58:17+00:00

Has anyone here tried that new schizophrenia med that hit the US market about two months ago? I finally managed to get my psychiatrist to prescribe it—had to f…

Kenneth Scott41 Regular

457 messages
joined May 2009

#601 · Jun 29, 2009

Rebecca Bennett41 said:What kind of trouble am I looking at if I decide to drink alcohol while I'm on Prozac?

I occasionally have a beer while on the medication, though I suppose the main issue is just that I can't really get drunk anymore... but I've been on this for almost three months now, and honestly, my desire for alcohol has just vanished, which seems to be a good thing. Most of the side effects have pretty much faded away, except for some lingering sleep issues, and interestingly enough, my libido has actually increased🙂

Rachel Palmer21 Newcomer

8 messages
joined Jun 2009

#602 · Jun 29, 2009

I find myself wondering about the various ways people might go about misusing beta blockers, as they seem to be such versatile little tools in the medical kit.

Jonathan Perez10 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Jun 2009

#603 · Jun 29, 2009

Just wondering if anyone here takes both of these meds—any issues? I’m supposed to start Prozac, but since I deal with occasional heart palpitations and take Atenolol for that, I'm a bit worried. Can combining Prozac with my current stuff trigger more arrhythmias or make them worse?

stormywalker17 Newcomer

1 message
joined Jun 2009

#604 · Jun 30, 2009

I have been struggling with depression for quite some time now, and honestly, it’s been an exhausting journey. I’ve been admitted to psychiatric wards on a few different occasions, but the treatments they prescribed just didn't seem to touch the surface; if anything, I often felt even worse after being on them. When I was last discharged from the facility, a close friend of mine suggested I try some 2mg Subutex for my depression, and I have to admit, it actually provides some relief. However, there is a catch—whenever I try to stop taking it, I become incredibly irritable and deal with this pervasive physical pain that just won't quit. I was wondering if anyone here might have a recommendation for a medication that works in a similar fashion but without such harsh side effects.

Thanks in advance

Jason Hughes51 Member

23 messages
joined Mar 2009

#605 · Jun 30, 2009

Matthew Castillo5 said:Nothing good. You’re probably just making the side effects from the antidepressant way worse, and since alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, you're essentially neutralizing the medication's effectiveness at the same time.

Does your psychiatrist actually know you're drinking while on Prozac, or are you too nervous to tell them?

I know things are incredibly heavy for you right now with everything going on with your family, but please don't make life even harder on yourself with this kind of self-destructive behavior. Seriously.

I suppose it depends on what one considers "too much." I mean, would something like a single beer a day be considered acceptable, or is that also off-limits?

Rebecca Bennett41 Active Member

58 messages
joined Jun 2009

#606 · Jun 30, 2009

To be perfectly honest, I consume quite a lot, so I wouldn't say anything is particularly bothering me at the moment.

Matthew Castillo5 Regular

264 messages
joined Apr 2013

#607 · Jun 30, 2009

Rebecca Bennett41 said:To be perfectly honest, I consume quite a lot, so I wouldn't say anything is particularly bothering me at the moment.

Nothing's wrong, you say? Okay, then maybe you recognize this part:

So, I was wondering if anyone has experience with Anafranil?
I've been on it for about a month and a half now, but all it seems to do is make me sleepier. I can't fall asleep, but once I finally do, I'm out for ages, and then I wake up feeling absolutely exhausted. My hands start shaking, and I just get this general sense of tremors taking over.

To me (just speaking off the top of my head), it looks like there might be a massive connection between knocking back heavy amounts of alcohol while taking Anafranil.

amberdriver85 Member

21 messages
joined May 2009

#608 · Jul 1, 2009

Finally, that Lexapro actually kicked in 🙏
after three whole months
and bumping up to 2.5 tablets for a few days
I've managed to scale back to 2 tablets now😛

Kenneth Scott41 Regular

457 messages
joined May 2009

#609 · Jul 1, 2009

stormywalker17 said:I have been struggling with depression for quite some time now, and honestly, it’s been an exhausting journey. I’ve been admitted to psychiatric wards on a few different occasions, but the treatments they prescribed just didn't seem to touch the surface; if anything, I often felt even worse after being on them. When I was last discharged from the facility, a close friend of mine suggested I try some 2mg Subutex for my depression, and I have to admit, it actually provides some relief. However, there is a catch—whenever I try to stop taking it, I become incredibly irritable and deal with this pervasive physical pain that just won't quit. I was wondering if anyone here might have a recommendation for a medication that works in a similar fashion but without such harsh side effects.

Thanks in advance

Honestly, stormywalker17, I’m a bit confused as to why you’re using Subutex for depression😕 because I know plenty of people who are on Subutex specifically to manage heroin withdrawal. I don't really follow your logic here...

Kenneth Scott41 Regular

457 messages
joined May 2009

#610 · Jul 1, 2009

Matthew Castillo5 said:Nothing's wrong, you say? Okay, then maybe you recognize this part:
So, I was wondering if anyone has experience with Anafranil?
I've been on it for about a month and a half now, but all it seems to do is make me sleepier. I can't fall asleep, but once I finally do, I'm out for ages, and then I wake up feeling absolutely exhausted. My hands start shaking, and I just get this general sense of tremors taking over.

To me (just speaking off the top of my head), it looks like there might be a massive connection between knocking back heavy amounts of alcohol while taking Anafranil.

I have the same experience where I’ll go out with friends, drink quite a bit, and honestly, I feel fine. I don't deal with any of those symptoms you mentioned above; the only thing is, I can actually fall asleep normally... unlike my usual routine of tossing and turning in bed for two hours before finally drifting off.

Kenneth Scott41 Regular

457 messages
joined May 2009

#611 · Jul 1, 2009

Rebecca Bennett41 said:My personal take on the matter is that these pills aren't going to be the silver bullet I need; the issue isn't merely a biological deficit in serotonin production, but rather my fundamental perception of the world itself. I am increasingly convinced that nothing short of intensive psychotherapy will actually move the needle for me.

Everyone perceives reality through their own lens, I suppose. If we go by the standard definition, "normalcy" is just whatever society happens to accept as common ground, which implies you're supposed to view the world exactly like the masses do. By that logic, if society were to suddenly decide that jumping off skyscrapers was a perfectly fine idea, then I guess that would become the "normal" way to live.😂
It seems like there's endless debate to be had here... but I think I follow your drift. I've never really fit the mold myself; I feel somewhat detached from the "majority" simply because I tend to see things through a different filter. So, the question remains—who is actually irrational? Is it the majority, or is it you? It's a difficult thing to settle.

Keith Jones76 Active Member

174 messages
joined Mar 2009

#612 · Jul 1, 2009

A "normal" psychological profile is really just an idealized blueprint—it’s more of an educational benchmark than something you'd actually find in the wild. It basically serves as a way to define a "middle ground." Most people fall somewhere within that broad spectrum, and honestly, that's enough. You don't need to hit the bullseye perfectly. That would be an illusion.

Keith Jones76 Active Member

174 messages
joined Mar 2009

#613 · Jul 1, 2009

stormywalker17 said:I have been struggling with depression for quite some time now, and honestly, it’s been an exhausting journey. I’ve been admitted to psychiatric wards on a few different occasions, but the treatments they prescribed just didn't seem to touch the surface; if anything, I often felt even worse after being on them. When I was last discharged from the facility, a close friend of mine suggested I try some 2mg Subutex for my depression, and I have to admit, it actually provides some relief. However, there is a catch—whenever I try to stop taking it, I become incredibly irritable and deal with this pervasive physical pain that just won't quit. I was wondering if anyone here might have a recommendation for a medication that works in a similar fashion but without such harsh side effects.

Thanks in advance

Yeah, I know—go see a doctor! It's not unusual for antidepressants not to work on the first try, but you just switch medications, and the next one might work perfectly fine since there's such a huge variety out there. Looking for "one-size-fits-all" fixes isn't necessary, and frankly, it isn't smart—they aren't really solutions at all. 🙂Not in the long run, anyway. Sorry.
Subutex is substitution therapy for heroin addicts. It probably feels like it's "taking the edge off," and since you're dealing with anxiety, it might seem like it's working. But it is absolutely the wrong tool for this job. You're just inviting new problems, and then things will get seriously difficult. 🧐
Just go to a doctor, no hesitation! 🙂

quietpuma9 Newcomer

5 messages
joined Jul 2009

#614 · Jul 1, 2009

Quick question: I’ve been on a different med cocktail for about six months now. After years of mixing Zoloft and Xanax, my doctor switched me over to Tegretol and Clonazepam—mostly because of some alcohol issues I was having. Honestly, they help me stay away from the stuff that was ruining my life and they do stabilize my mood, but overall, I feel more depressed than before. Maybe it’s because Tegretol is mainly meant to fight mania, even though for me, the depressive episodes are way more intense, longer, and just dominate everything.
How dangerous is it if I go back to Zoloft while staying on these two? It’s tricky because while Zoloft makes me feel amazing, it can also trigger these dark, suicidal thoughts.
I asked my psychiatrist, and he basically said, "Sure, go for it." 😕

With my current meds, I feel sloppier and just totally foggy. My productivity at work is basically zero. (Back when I was on Zoloft, I actually got things done and didn't spend every waking second overanalyzing myself 😁, plus I wasn't nearly as socially anxious)

Is there any way to blunt that specific side effect of Zoloft—you know, those dark, hopeless states that act as the total opposite of that lightning-fast, high-functioning euphoria—by using Clonazepam?

Has anyone here dealt with a combo like this?

Rebecca Bennett41 Active Member

58 messages
joined Jun 2009

#615 · Jul 1, 2009

I have a question of my own—is it possible to experience increased sweating as a side effect of Anafranil? This kind of perspiration has NEVER been an issue for me before.

Jason Hughes51 Member

23 messages
joined Mar 2009

#616 · Jul 4, 2009

Rebecca Bennett41 said:I have a question of my own—is it possible to experience increased sweating as a side effect of Anafranil? This kind of perspiration has NEVER been an issue for me before.

I suppose I can't say for certain, but I personally feel like my body odor has changed strangely since I started taking Celexa.
I eventually found an answer while looking through the patient information leaflet—it mentions that alcohol consumption should be avoided during therapy. 😁
Perhaps one really ought to take the time to read what is written on those little instruction slips occasionally. 🙄
Well, I guess doing what is necessary isn't particularly difficult.

I have made it through four months now! I am feeling quite well. 👋

fadedbear92 Veteran

1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008

#617 · Jul 5, 2009

Kenneth Scott41 said:The insomnia I've been dealing with since starting Zoloft is honestly brutal—but last night, I took a 1mg Xanax and finally, *finally* got some deep sleep! 😛👍

Take the Zoloft in the morning only!!!

amberdriver85 Member

21 messages
joined May 2009

#618 · Jul 6, 2009

It’s finally kicking in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It took nearly three months of waiting before things actually started working properly.😛

Kenneth Scott41 Regular

457 messages
joined May 2009

#619 · Jul 6, 2009

fadedbear92 said:Take the Zoloft in the morning only!!!

I suppose I can't really argue with the treatment plan my psychiatrist laid out for me. It’s set as one dose in the morning and another in the afternoon 🤷

fadedbear92 Veteran

1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008

#620 · Jul 6, 2009

Kenneth Scott41 said:I suppose I can't really argue with the treatment plan my psychiatrist laid out for me. It’s set as one dose in the morning and another in the afternoon 🤷

Just tell your shrink you can't sleep.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread

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