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…

bluedrifter49 Newcomer

1 message
joined Jul 2009

#621 · Jul 11, 2009

Today marks my sixth day on Lexapro. Honestly, I feel absolutely terrible, and I’m starting to wonder if I can even stomach these side effects much longer. It feels like everything hit me at once—headaches, tremors, insomnia, night sweats, a clenched jaw... I know, I know, everyone says this phase is supposed to pass, but right now, it feels like it’s never going to end. I have a trip to the coast planned in two weeks, and looking at how I feel, I have no idea how I'm supposed to manage that...
I just get hit by this wave of pure dread about being in this state... it's exhausting... when is this finally going to let up...

Kenneth Scott41 Regular

457 messages
joined May 2009

#622 · Jul 14, 2009

Finally switched up my treatment plan. I swapped out the Faverin for Zoloft, and honestly, I feel better after just one day—mostly because those ridiculous side effects I had on the old stuff seem to have vanished. 🙂
It feels somewhat "lighter" than the previous option, though I've seen some people here mentioning that Faverin can be pretty intense. Regarding the Rejoflajt situation—well, I actually used to be dependent on Xanax myself... it took me about six months to finally get clean from it. So, while I’m taking the antidepressant, I’m not adding anything else to the mix, even if it seems like everyone else is pairing their meds with some kind of anxiolytic. But, I suppose it is what it is.

crimsonhound80 Active Member

175 messages
joined Mar 2008

#623 · Jul 15, 2009

velvetsailor26 said:Do antidepressants actually do anything? I’ve been on Paxil for about six weeks now and honestly, I’m feeling absolutely nothing—not even a tiny bit of progress. For the first month, I was sticking to 50 mg, but I’ve bumped it up to 100 mg recently. For those of you who are currently on these meds, how long did it actually take before you started feeling some kind of shift?

It’s highly likely that Faverin just isn't the right fit for your chemistry.

You really ought to tell your psychiatrist—they'll probably want to switch your prescription entirely.

Because, let's be real, it's not always just about cranking up the dosage.

velvetsailor26 Active Member

144 messages
joined Feb 2009

#624 · Jul 15, 2009

I’ve cycled through three different types of ADHD meds now... and honestly, I’m about ready to ditch the whole idea of pills altogether. They didn't do much more for me than taking some Advil or a basic over-the-counter supplement would have. It’s just not worth the hassle if you aren't seeing a real difference.

fadedbear92 Veteran

1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008

#625 · Jul 15, 2009

velvetsailor26 said:I’ve cycled through three different types of ADHD meds now... and honestly, I’m about ready to ditch the whole idea of pills altogether. They didn't do much more for me than taking some Advil or a basic over-the-counter supplement would have. It’s just not worth the hassle if you aren't seeing a real difference.

How long were you actually on those specific meds?

velvetsailor26 Active Member

144 messages
joined Feb 2009

#626 · Jul 15, 2009

I’ve been at this long enough to know when something just isn't cutting it—first month, then three months, then another three... you guys are lucky if any of this actually reaches your brain, because it certainly hasn't worked for me. The only thing that provides even a shred of relief is Lexapro, and honestly, I'll take it, since my anxiety tends to keep me on edge most of the time.

fadedbear92 Veteran

1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008

#627 · Jul 15, 2009

velvetsailor26 said:I’ve been at this long enough to know when something just isn't cutting it—first month, then three months, then another three... you guys are lucky if any of this actually reaches your brain, because it certainly hasn't worked for me. The only thing that provides even a shred of relief is Lexapro, and honestly, I'll take it, since my anxiety tends to keep me on edge most of the time.

So, have you tried actual psychotherapy?http://www.pic4ever.com/images/164.gif

granitefalcon26 Active Member

193 messages
joined Jan 2015

#628 · Jul 16, 2009

Is anyone here taking Lexapro? If you are, I wanted to point out something important. There’s a drug called Citadel that some doctors prescribe as a substitute for Lexapro. With Citadel, you don't have to pay an extra copay, whereas Lexapro can run you about $17 extra per box. But here's the catch: they aren't actually the same thing. Citadel uses the generic name (citalopram), while Lexapro is escitalopram. So, there really is a distinct difference between the two.
As for how well they work—honestly, I was being a bit cheap and switched over to Citadel. Big mistake. My anxiety and panic attacks actually got worse. I've since moved back to Lexapro, and I'm feeling much better now.👍

ruggedlynx30 Newcomer

7 messages
joined Jul 2009

#629 · Jul 16, 2009

I wanted to start a thread for anyone here who actually knows their way around antipsychotics—or better yet, anyone currently navigating life on them.
So, here’s my situation: I’ve been in treatment for over six months now. Basically, after hitting a massive wall of stress and depression, I spiraled into psychosis—specifically an acute transient psychotic disorder (F23). It was pretty intense. First, I couldn't sleep for days, then things got blurry with some delirium, followed by paranoia, sensory issues, hallucinations, and illusions... basically, I ended up in a psychiatrist's office pretty quickly.
My current regimen consists of Saphris and Abilify.
For the first three months, man, I was just... out of it. Totally slowed down, zero motivation, feeling incredibly foggy and numb—just a shell of myself. Then came three months of heavy depression, but finally, after more than half a year, I’m actually starting to feel like myself again.
What I’m really wrestling with is the long game. Am I looking at taking these meds for the rest of my life? Can you actually "cure" a disorder like this, or is it more about management? And honestly, what are the chances of a relapse? It took me a long time—and a lot of mental gymnastics—to finally admit to myself that I was dealing with something real, but once I embraced the treatment and started following my doctor's orders to the letter, things finally began to stabilize.
I'll be honest, there was a period where I was mixing marijuana with my meds, but I realized pretty fast that it was just making my depression worse. I quit, and honestly, I feel way better for it. If anyone else has gone through something similar, or if you're currently on antipsychotics, please jump in... I'd love to hear your perspectives.
I’m especially curious about the science side of things—like, how exactly do these drugs go about rebalancing dopamine levels in the brain? And for those who have done it, what does the tapering process actually look like?

wiredharbor18 Member

31 messages
joined Jul 2009

#630 · Jul 16, 2009

granitefalcon26 said:Is anyone here taking Lexapro? If you are, I wanted to point out something important. There’s a drug called Citadel that some doctors prescribe as a substitute for Lexapro. With Citadel, you don't have to pay an extra copay, whereas Lexapro can run you about $17 extra per box. But here's the catch: they aren't actually the same thing. Citadel uses the generic name (citalopram), while Lexapro is escitalopram. So, there really is a distinct difference between the two.
As for how well they work—honestly, I was being a bit cheap and switched over to Citadel. Big mistake. My anxiety and panic attacks actually got worse. I've since moved back to Lexapro, and I'm feeling much better now.👍

To look at the chemical difference: Escitalopram is the active isomer of citalopram.
The manufacturer claims that escitalopram is more effective than citalopram, and clinically speaking, that's actually been proven. However, the boost in efficacy isn't quite significant enough to justify those high price tags.
Because of that, many people just opt for a slightly higher dose of citalopram instead.
It’s a lot like when you go to a pharmacy and grab Advil instead of something like Bayer Aspirin, which shares the same generic name. In principle, you're mostly paying for the "brand name."

Generally speaking, my professional😁 opinion is that the most effective antidepressants belong to the Dual class of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. The prime representative here is VENLAFAKSIN, as it has demonstrated numerous advantages over SIPPS.
My wonderful psychiatrist has me on Citalon (previously I was on Cipralex)—and hey, she probably knows best 🤷—so if anyone here has experience with DIPPSN, please do reach out. ☕

wiredharbor18 Member

31 messages
joined Jul 2009

#631 · Jul 16, 2009

ruggedlynx30 said:I wanted to start a thread for anyone here who actually knows their way around antipsychotics—or better yet, anyone currently navigating life on them.
So, here’s my situation: I’ve been in treatment for over six months now. Basically, after hitting a massive wall of stress and depression, I spiraled into psychosis—specifically an acute transient psychotic disorder (F23). It was pretty intense. First, I couldn't sleep for days, then things got blurry with some delirium, followed by paranoia, sensory issues, hallucinations, and illusions... basically, I ended up in a psychiatrist's office pretty quickly.
My current regimen consists of Saphris and Abilify.
For the first three months, man, I was just... out of it. Totally slowed down, zero motivation, feeling incredibly foggy and numb—just a shell of myself. Then came three months of heavy depression, but finally, after more than half a year, I’m actually starting to feel like myself again.
What I’m really wrestling with is the long game. Am I looking at taking these meds for the rest of my life? Can you actually "cure" a disorder like this, or is it more about management? And honestly, what are the chances of a relapse? It took me a long time—and a lot of mental gymnastics—to finally admit to myself that I was dealing with something real, but once I embraced the treatment and started following my doctor's orders to the letter, things finally began to stabilize.
I'll be honest, there was a period where I was mixing marijuana with my meds, but I realized pretty fast that it was just making my depression worse. I quit, and honestly, I feel way better for it. If anyone else has gone through something similar, or if you're currently on antipsychotics, please jump in... I'd love to hear your perspectives.
I’m especially curious about the science side of things—like, how exactly do these drugs go about rebalancing dopamine levels in the brain? And for those who have done it, what does the tapering process actually look like?

The brain is essentially made up of billions of neurons, all separated by tiny gaps known as synapses. Neurotransmitters—chemical messengers like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine—bridge these synapses by being released from one neuron's terminals, crossing that gap, and latching onto receptors on the neighboring cell.
That's how those neural impulses get transmitted.
When dealing with depression, this transmission process gets disrupted. Antidepressants (depending on the specific receptor mechanism involved, though generally speaking😉) work by inhibiting the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters, which effectively increases their concentration within the synaptic cleft.

If there's anything else you're wondering about, just let me know.☕

Terry Mendoza80 Member

35 messages
joined Dec 2010

#632 · Jul 16, 2009

I’ve been wondering—what does actually stepping off Cipralex look like? I’m nowhere near ready to pull the trigger on that just yet, but I’m curious if anyone here has navigated that particular minefield. Does everything you thought you'd left behind come rushing back? And honestly, how long are we even supposed to be on this stuff—is a year the standard, or what?

fadedbear92 Veteran

1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008

#633 · Jul 17, 2009

Terry Mendoza80 said:I’ve been wondering—what does actually stepping off Cipralex look like? I’m nowhere near ready to pull the trigger on that just yet, but I’m curious if anyone here has navigated that particular minefield. Does everything you thought you'd left behind come rushing back? And honestly, how long are we even supposed to be on this stuff—is a year the standard, or what?

I'm not on Cipralex myself—someone else should probably weigh in on that specific one—but honestly, trying to quit without professional guidance isn't a smart move. In most cases, people who decide to go cold turkey on an antidepressant end up getting hit by depression again shortly after, basically landing right back at square one. Just really think about whether you want to take that risk.

wiredharbor18 Member

31 messages
joined Jul 2009

#634 · Jul 17, 2009

Terry Mendoza80 said:I’ve been wondering—what does actually stepping off Cipralex look like? I’m nowhere near ready to pull the trigger on that just yet, but I’m curious if anyone here has navigated that particular minefield. Does everything you thought you'd left behind come rushing back? And honestly, how long are we even supposed to be on this stuff—is a year the standard, or what?

Tapering off Cipralex (or most antidepressants) usually involves gradually reducing the dosage over several weeks. If you stop cold turkey, you'll likely run into milder withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, anxiety, or nausea...
The duration of treatment really depends on the individual's specific situation; that’s something your psychiatrist will determine. Unfortunately, for some people, it can be a lifelong journey (which I suspect is my case 😢).
Please, don't try to stop the medication on your own. I'm telling you this from personal experience: if you do, those episodes tend to return even more intensely.
In my case, I decided to quit on my own once I started feeling better, thinking I could just power through it with sheer willpower 😂. About two months later, everything came rushing back, and it was honestly unbearable.
I've been on antidepressants for about six years now—specifically Cipralex, which is just Citalon now.
And honestly, I feel fine. I'm functioning perfectly well.

Terry Mendoza80 Member

35 messages
joined Dec 2010

#635 · Jul 17, 2009

Thanks for the replies, but I honestly have no idea why anyone would assume I’d just decide to quit my meds on my own whim—that’s never even crossed my mind. I was simply asking the question I asked, nothing more. For what it's worth, I've been on Lexapro for about two and a half months now and I'm feeling pretty damn good...

wiredharbor18 Member

31 messages
joined Jul 2009

#636 · Jul 17, 2009

Terry Mendoza80 said:Thanks for the replies, but I honestly have no idea why anyone would assume I’d just decide to quit my meds on my own whim—that’s never even crossed my mind. I was simply asking the question I asked, nothing more. For what it's worth, I've been on Lexapro for about two and a half months now and I'm feeling pretty damn good...

I really just wanted to give you a heads-up early on, just so you wouldn't end up making the same silly mistake I did. Just looking out for you, 🙂
.

Terry Mendoza80 Member

35 messages
joined Dec 2010

#637 · Jul 17, 2009

No worries at all, thanks 🙂

Melissa Fox46 Newcomer

1 message
joined Jul 2009

#638 · Jul 17, 2009

Hey everyone... I’ve been on Sonalia for a few months now, but I honestly haven't felt any better. I finally went to vent to the doctor who prescribed the Zoloft, only to realize just now that they're both based on sertraline. The only real difference seems to be that the Zoloft is 50 mg while the other was only 25 mg. I guess I have to wonder if my doctor is just incompetent or if this switch might actually do something. What would you all suggest if the Zoloft doesn't work out? My boyfriend is taking Prozac, and a friend suggested I try Fevarin. Honestly, my doctor is pretty useless. Aside from the obvious advice to find a new physician 🙂 ... could anyone tell me which option is better? Even with everything else, I still have to take Xanax, which I suppose is a sign that nothing is working quite right... so please help me. 😕🙂

Peter Lee6 Newcomer

5 messages
joined Jul 2009

#639 · Jul 17, 2009

Honestly, I feel like these "medications" are nothing more than pure poison; all they really do is make you put on weight, while the big pharma companies and psychiatrists are busy raking in millions. In my opinion, psychiatry hasn't actually cured anyone—people just find their own way to recover on their own.

Peter Lee6 Newcomer

5 messages
joined Jul 2009

#640 · Jul 17, 2009

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=psychiatry+

I guess you guys might want to check out this documentary on psychiatry

Psychotropic medication discussion thread

🔗 Similar threads