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Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Started by Robin Myers91 · · 👁 537 views · 10K replies

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Participants Robin Myers91Eric Wood7Maria Gomez6crimsonhound80Tyler Ortiz6dustyscout41Andrew Stewart2George Ramos64Morgan Long49Jason Sanchez3briskgull27Charles Edwards8Brenda Allen2hollowtinker8bluecyclist28electricorca13David Kern14Ashley Morganwanderingscout13Sam Hall15coppergardenerCarl Thompson4Mark Stewartanalognomad762 …
Gregory Fox53 Gregory Fox53 Member
10 messages
joined Feb 2014
#7161 ·
restlesstrucker15 said:Welcome aboard. 🙂

It is my belief that while certain symptoms may resurface upon discontinuation, one generally finds a much swifter path to recovery once they are gone. 🙂

Let me reassure you right away: based on those symptoms, you aren't facing anything life-threatening. Personally, I suspect this isn't actually being triggered by the Xanax; it feels much more like a manifestation of your underlying anxiety and depression. This will pass. 🙂 How many more weeks on Zoloft will it take before these symptoms finally subside? 🙂 Stay brave.

Skickas FR

And maybe some psychotherapy at the start would help, if you can manage to find someone or afford it.
fadedbear92 said:pure depression symptoms

Thanks for getting back to me and for the reassuring words about not having anything life-threatening... the hypochondriac in me has already spun out a dozen different worst-case scenarios. 🙂

As for therapy, I started seeing someone again about once every couple of weeks, and I definitely think I need to stick with that.

I've never really dealt with this kind of exhaustion or drowsiness before; it seemed to kick in right when I started the Xanax and then about a week after I began taking the Zoloft.
The lack of motivation actually lifted after three weeks on the Zoloft, and I feel way more driven than I did back in December, so these current symptoms are throwing me for a loop....
David Vaughn75 David Vaughn75 Regular
626 messages
joined Sep 2015
#7162 ·
redranger2 said:I’ve been on Vair and Zyprexa, and I have managed to pack on sixteen pounds. 😁
The medication is actually working quite well for me; my concentration has become remarkably sharp since I started taking it, and I haven't felt this focused in a very long time.
Sedation was truly my lifeline, saving me from those crushing depressive episodes and the endless, hollow nights of insomnia.

Is it even worth complaining about it? Honestly, I hadn't realized that was an option. 😍

Zyprexa (olanzapine) can spike your blood sugar, so you should probably get your labs checked.

But let's be real—the meds aren't what makes you fat, it's the food; the drugs just turn your appetite up to eleven. Back when I was on Zyprexa, I hit the gym like crazy and ended up dropping 37 pounds, so yeah, it's totally doable if you put in the work.
shadowfox75 shadowfox75 Active Member
106 messages
joined Oct 2006
#7163 ·
David Vaughn75 said:Zyprexa (olanzapine) can spike your blood sugar, so you should probably get your labs checked.

But let's be real—the meds aren't what makes you fat, it's the food; the drugs just turn your appetite up to eleven. Back when I was on Zyprexa, I hit the gym like crazy and ended up dropping 37 pounds, so yeah, it's totally doable if you put in the work.

Antidepressants can certainly act as a trigger for weight gain by increasing appetite.
While taking Paxil, I gained 33 pounds over a few years because I was overeating and stuck in a negative headspace. Eventually, I committed to a fitness routine and improved my diet, which allowed me to lose those 33 pounds within two years. I am now healthy and fit. It is simply a matter of channeling your energy into productive habits.
Michelle Kelly4 Michelle Kelly4 Active Member
68 messages
joined Jan 2014
#7164 ·
Great tip, shadowfox75!!! That’s how you do it... unlike me, currently sitting here with 20 extra pounds on the scale
Paul Newman5 Paul Newman5 Regular
251 messages
joined Oct 2012
#7165 ·
restlesstrucker15 Quote:
Not me. 🙂
I think we’re talking about people using it as their primary medication for different diagnoses—those high doses over 200.
Great. No side effects. 🙂 Yeah.

That’s what I thought too. Didn't really look into whether people actually gain weight on sulpiride, but hey, we'll see.
And here come the side effects. Just two days on Sulpiride and four on an increased dose of Effexor. If that Sulpiride actually kicks in, we can all howl together. I’ll be doing it for days if I have to.
restlesstrucker15 restlesstrucker15 Regular
374 messages
joined Sep 2011
#7166 ·
Paul Newman5 said:
restlesstrucker15 Quote:
Not me. 🙂
I think we’re talking about people using it as their primary medication for different diagnoses—those high doses over 200.
Great. No side effects. 🙂 Yeah.

That’s what I thought too. Didn't really look into whether people actually gain weight on sulpiride, but hey, we'll see.
And here come the side effects. Just two days on Sulpiride and four on an increased dose of Effexor. If that Sulpiride actually kicks in, we can all howl together. I’ll be doing it for days if I have to.

After everything you've been through, you truly deserve this.
For me, side effects usually kick in on the second day. After that, they either taper off or they don't show up at all.
So, if you've gone two days without any issues, that's a really great sign.
As for the sulpiride, it almost seems to start working immediately. You should hopefully notice a reduction in your anxiety within a few days.🙂

Skickas FR
Brandon Lopez6 Brandon Lopez6 Regular
656 messages
joined Feb 2010
#7167 ·
Paul Newman5 said:
restlesstrucker15 Quote:
Not me. 🙂
I think we’re talking about people using it as their primary medication for different diagnoses—those high doses over 200.
Great. No side effects. 🙂 Yeah.

That’s what I thought too. Didn't really look into whether people actually gain weight on sulpiride, but hey, we'll see.
And here come the side effects. Just two days on Sulpiride and four on an increased dose of Effexor. If that Sulpiride actually kicks in, we can all howl together. I’ll be doing it for days if I have to.

I was on it for about a year and didn't put on a single pound during that whole stretch. Every other antidepressant I've tried gave me at least a few extra pounds, but Wellbutrin didn't affect my weight at all.
I mentioned before that I was dealing with nausea back then, and this stuff actually helped tone it down. Which basically means I ended up eating more than I did before I started taking it because, let's be real, it's hard to eat anything when you feel like you're gonna puke.
Honestly, I don't think you need to stress too much about the scale when it comes to Wellbutrin.🙂
Timothy Wood38 Timothy Wood38 Active Member
197 messages
joined Feb 2011
#7168 ·
Does anyone happen to know how the whole process works for getting a driver's license if you're currently on psych meds? Now that everything is standardized here in the States, I've been looking at the regulations, and it seems like a massive list of currently common psychiatric diagnoses are flagged as disqualifying factors for getting behind the wheel.
shadowfox75 shadowfox75 Active Member
106 messages
joined Oct 2006
#7169 ·
Timothy Wood38 said:Does anyone happen to know how the whole process works for getting a driver's license if you're currently on psych meds? Now that everything is standardized here in the States, I've been looking at the regulations, and it seems like a massive list of currently common psychiatric diagnoses are flagged as disqualifying factors for getting behind the wheel.


That is an interesting question. At my job, I undergo medical screenings every single year because of my Lamal treatment, whereas my colleagues only have to do it every two years. Even with my profession requiring high levels of psychomotor coordination, I am cleared. If I can pass, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to get your license too; it might just involve more frequent check-ins. You should consult your primary care physician.
Timothy Wood38 Timothy Wood38 Active Member
197 messages
joined Feb 2011
#7170 ·
shadowfox75 said:That is an interesting question. At my job, I undergo medical screenings every single year because of my Lamal treatment, whereas my colleagues only have to do it every two years. Even with my profession requiring high levels of psychomotor coordination, I am cleared. If I can pass, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to get your license too; it might just involve more frequent check-ins. You should consult your primary care physician.


Thanks for the reply. Though, I suspect the criteria for being fit for work versus being fit to drive are a bit different. I’ve been driving for over five years now, but I’m facing a medical exam to renew my license due to my vision issues—plus, I'm currently on antidepressants and occasionally use hypnotics. On top of that, my diagnosis falls under F60.9, which classifies as a personality disorder. Under US law, those types of diagnoses can sometimes disqualify you from driving entirely, regardless of the fact that I'm currently in remission. And the thing is... I really need that license for my job.
shadowfox75 shadowfox75 Active Member
106 messages
joined Oct 2006
#7171 ·
That falls a bit outside my own experience. Let me know how it turns out.
silenttinker16 silenttinker16 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jun 2014
#7172 ·
Hey everyone!

Quick question—how did you guys feel once you finally stopped taking Zyprexa? Specifically, when your psychiatrist started tapering you off. Did you notice an increase in energy, drive, or just general willpower? I’m asking because I’m currently on 10mg of Zyprexa and I feel totally sluggish and numb—it's rough. I guess I'm wondering if these side effects actually go away once you're off the meds.

Thanks in advance!
Paul Newman5 Paul Newman5 Regular
251 messages
joined Oct 2012
#7173 ·
restlesstrucker15 said:After everything you've been through, you truly deserve this.
For me, side effects usually kick in on the second day. After that, they either taper off or they don't show up at all.
So, if you've gone two days without any issues, that's a really great sign.
As for the sulpiride, it almost seems to start working immediately. You should hopefully notice a reduction in your anxiety within a few days.🙂

Skickas FR

Thanks for the support, those words really meant a lot.
I'm hoping too, but based on past experience, I'll wait a few more days. You know how it is—once you get burned, you're careful with everything.
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#7174 ·
restlesstrucker15 said:After everything you've been through, you truly deserve this.
For me, side effects usually kick in on the second day. After that, they either taper off or they don't show up at all.
So, if you've gone two days without any issues, that's a really great sign.
As for the sulpiride, it almost seems to start working immediately. You should hopefully notice a reduction in your anxiety within a few days.🙂

Skickas FR

My sister actually told me about this patient she had back when she was working at a clinic—this woman walked in and straight up said she was going to jump in front of a subway train the second she left the office. My doctor was absolutely terrified—I mean, she nearly lost it—so she immediately handed her 50 mg of Eglonyl right then and there, if I remember correctly, specifically because it works so fast—thankfully, the woman didn't end up jumping.🙏
Paul Miller36 Paul Miller36 Newcomer
1 message
joined Feb 2014
#7175 ·
Hey everyone. How are you all dealing with physical symptoms... specifically pain? I feel like something is constantly hurting, and it just triggers these massive panic attacks. I’ve had every test under the sun done, and everything comes back perfectly fine. It’s endless—one month it’s my jaw, then it moves to my chest, then my legs, then my stomach, just circling around in this loop.
graniteorca62 graniteorca62 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jun 2015
#7176 ·
silenttinker16 said:Hey everyone!

Quick question—how did you guys feel once you finally stopped taking Zyprexa? Specifically, when your psychiatrist started tapering you off. Did you notice an increase in energy, drive, or just general willpower? I’m asking because I’m currently on 10mg of Zyprexa and I feel totally sluggish and numb—it's rough. I guess I'm wondering if these side effects actually go away once you're off the meds.

Thanks in advance!

Look, I was on 10 mg of Zyprexa too, and yeah, that total brain fog was real. Now I’m down to 6.5 mg and honestly... I still don't feel 100% sharp or sober, so it's pretty obvious that this is just part of the deal with this medication. We just have to grit our teeth and push through it.🙂
silenttinker16 silenttinker16 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jun 2014
#7177 ·
graniteorca62 said:Look, I was on 10 mg of Zyprexa too, and yeah, that total brain fog was real. Now I’m down to 6.5 mg and honestly... I still don't feel 100% sharp or sober, so it's pretty obvious that this is just part of the deal with this medication. We just have to grit our teeth and push through it.🙂

We will. 😉But tell me—are you feeling totally unmotivated?
Jason Vaughn482 Jason Vaughn482 Regular
488 messages
joined Jul 2012
#7178 ·
One should never, under any circumstances, dismiss potential side effects as mere trifles—a mistake I have made far too often in the past. You must read the fine print and listen intently to what your body is trying to tell you. My daughter is currently hospitalized because she ignored a warning sign from an antiviral medication prescribed by her dermatologist for a facial herpes outbreak. Even though she noticed some slight swelling after just two days, when she sought medical attention at the hospital, the specialist was incredibly dismissive, rudely telling her to stop worrying about the side effects and just keep taking the pills. Well, the consequences were swift and severe: within forty-eight hours, the swelling surged to the other side of her face with terrifying intensity. They admitted her immediately, and now, on her third day in the ward, she is being treated with heavy-duty antibiotics and allergy injections. It looks like she’ll be stuck there for at least a week, if not three full weeks. I am absolutely devastated; I can't stop weeping, and my entire world feels like it's collapsing. This nightmare has served as a grim, painful lesson: I will be infinitely more vigilant with medications from here on out.
David Vaughn75 David Vaughn75 Regular
626 messages
joined Sep 2015
#7179 ·
Jason Vaughn482 said:One should never, under any circumstances, dismiss potential side effects as mere trifles—a mistake I have made far too often in the past. You must read the fine print and listen intently to what your body is trying to tell you. My daughter is currently hospitalized because she ignored a warning sign from an antiviral medication prescribed by her dermatologist for a facial herpes outbreak. Even though she noticed some slight swelling after just two days, when she sought medical attention at the hospital, the specialist was incredibly dismissive, rudely telling her to stop worrying about the side effects and just keep taking the pills. Well, the consequences were swift and severe: within forty-eight hours, the swelling surged to the other side of her face with terrifying intensity. They admitted her immediately, and now, on her third day in the ward, she is being treated with heavy-duty antibiotics and allergy injections. It looks like she’ll be stuck there for at least a week, if not three full weeks. I am absolutely devastated; I can't stop weeping, and my entire world feels like it's collapsing. This nightmare has served as a grim, painful lesson: I will be infinitely more vigilant with medications from here on out.

There are tons of similar drugs out there these days, so if one messes you up, you can always just switch to something else.

For instance, I took some Risperdal once and felt like my head was spinning 180 degrees—just completely lost it. My doctor ended up putting me on Zyprexa instead, and honestly? I feel great now.
Jason Vaughn482 Jason Vaughn482 Regular
488 messages
joined Jul 2012
#7180 ·
David Vaughn75 said:There are tons of similar drugs out there these days, so if one messes you up, you can always just switch to something else.

For instance, I took some Risperdal once and felt like my head was spinning 180 degrees—just completely lost it. My doctor ended up putting me on Zyprexa instead, and honestly? I feel great now.

That is true in theory, of course, but she failed to actually make that change, all while preaching about how much "trust" we ought to place in our medical professionals.

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