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Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Started by Robin Myers91 · · 👁 488 views · 10K replies

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Participants Robin Myers91Eric Wood7Maria Gomez6crimsonhound80Tyler Ortiz6dustyscout41Andrew Stewart2George Ramos64Morgan Long49Jason Sanchez3briskgull27Charles Edwards8Brenda Allen2hollowtinker8bluecyclist28electricorca13David Kern14Ashley Morganwanderingscout13Sam Hall15coppergardenerCarl Thompson4Mark Stewartanalognomad762 …
Jason Vaughn482 Jason Vaughn482 Regular
488 messages
joined Jul 2012
#7561 ·
fadedbear92 said:Exactly—(by the way, what's that "sketching the forum" bit in your signature supposed to mean?)

Jason Vaughn482

Seriously, please try to stop reading through all those side effects—I learned that the hard way during my own early struggles with depression and anxiety.😉

For the time being, I’ve managed to curb my habit of Googling every single symptom and potential illness—a compulsion that used to leave me feeling absolutely wretched—but I must admit, I haven't quite broken the cycle of checking side effects yet. It's a stubborn habit to kick, especially when you're already juggling concerns like high blood pressure and liver function issues.
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#7562 ·
Michelle Kelly4 said:fadedbear92, you dealing with anxiety or depression too?

Yeah—it runs in the family.
Let's just call it GAD (generalized anxiety disorder)😛
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#7563 ·
Larry Barnes10 said:This is easily the most intense group when it comes to preaching about how "dangerous" pills are. Like, sure, let's all just sit here and suffer in agony instead...

Exactly🙄
Maria Smith6 Maria Smith6 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Apr 2014
#7564 ·
Michelle Kelly4 said:I’m really hoping this works because I feel like I'm losing my mind... they have me on Zoloft 50mg, starting with half a pill for the first 6 days, then moving to the full dose. We're going to check in over the phone, and if things aren't looking better, we'll talk about adding a second one. They also bumped my Lexapro from 0.25 to 0.5, and right now I'm taking that three times a day


I did the same thing, though I ended up staying at 50.
That Xanax should basically be for when you need it—like when the anxiety hits so hard you just can't deal. Honestly, don't freak out if your anxiety spikes or you get other side effects, especially after changing your dosage. I had dilated pupils, insomnia, diarrhea, tingling in my hands, and such intense anxiety that I was pacing around my apartment like a lunatic.
It feels a lot like coming down from ecstasy; it’s pretty much the same sensation because your brain is doing the exact same thing, dropping serotonin levels because of that sudden massive surge between neurons.

Usually, it lasts about a week or two, and then you start feeling normal again once your brain stops trying to compensate and begins to recover.

Good luck!
restlesstrucker15 restlesstrucker15 Regular
374 messages
joined Sep 2011
#7565 ·
Jason Vaughn482 said:I don't know, I've been relying on benzos and Tylenol for four years now... and this constant, gnawing fear of cancer is just exhausting.
Look, I am intimately familiar with the risks of morphine, Advil, and pretty much everything else on the pharmacy shelf; I will read those side effect warnings a hundred times over if it means getting through the day.

I haven't heard of anyone actually developing cancer from taking pills, regardless of the type.
It is a lottery, unfortunately; you either face it or you don't.
On the other hand, certain other illnesses are directly linked to extreme stress, which makes taking these medications a much better option in those cases.
Furthermore, if a drug truly had a specific negative impact on your health, your doctor would be sending you for regular blood work to monitor it. From what I can gather, your prescriptions do not fall into that category. While some medications might lower blood pressure—mostly more aggressive ones reported by the Associated Press—your psychiatrist is the one who manages all of that for you.
Please, truly, try not to worry. Every time I go in for a physical, my internists ask me what medications I am currently taking. They never seem concerned about antidepressants or similar drugs; they simply want to confirm whether they were prescribed by my primary care physician or a psychiatrist.

Skickas FR ovaj
restlesstrucker15 restlesstrucker15 Regular
374 messages
joined Sep 2011
#7566 ·
fadedbear92;50068326 said:exactly (what does sketching on the forum mean in your signature?)

Ahaha, I'm just browsing through the forum.
It isn't actually "sent from," but my phone is a Swedish model.

Sent via
restlesstrucker15 restlesstrucker15 Regular
374 messages
joined Sep 2011
#7567 ·
Regarding side effects, I’m struggling with insomnia due to the Cymbalta, though truthfully, I can't seem to sleep regardless. It's a bit of a shame because, otherwise, I don't feel too bad on it. If I take some Tylenol, I can manage to catch about two hours of sleep. I also feel a bit wired during the day. That actually works for me at the moment given everything else going on; my doctor suggested we keep things as they are for a while so I don't hit rock bottom, which is an opinion I share.

Sent from my
Michelle Kelly4 Michelle Kelly4 Active Member
68 messages
joined Jan 2014
#7568 ·
Thanks for the reply
Casey Vaughn2 Casey Vaughn2 Newcomer
1 message
joined May 2014
#7569 ·
Hi there!

I’m new to this forum, and while my writing might be a little unpolished, I’m really hoping to get some insight from you all.

About two months ago, I was diagnosed with cyclothymia. I’ve been on a daily dose of 100mg of Lamictal, which is my prescribed amount. I’ve been at this specific dosage for about 17 days now.

I was wondering if anyone here has experience with this medication—specifically, how long it typically takes to reach its full effect? I’ve heard nothing but good things about Lamictal, and I do feel like my condition is starting to improve, though I’m definitely not back to my old self just yet.

Thanks, and take care!
Brian Young5 Brian Young5 Member
28 messages
joined Oct 2015
#7570 ·
Hey everyone. I’m currently on a cocktail of Depakote, Norvasc, and Seroquel for BPD (most symptoms have cleared up, so I’m basically a reborn person now) and a mild Bipolar II variant—mostly just two brief hypomanic episodes a year lasting less than two weeks, characterized mainly by benign anxiety. For years, this heavy nightly mix used to knock me out completely; I’d feel pleasantly sedated, drift off, and sleep like a log for ten to twelve hours straight. Then, suddenly, at the beginning of May, everything went south overnight. Now, I’m waking up after only four or five hours, tossing and turning like a fish out of water, stuck in this cycle of broken, non-restorative sleep and shallow naps that barely feel like sleeping at all. I take 100 mg of Seroquel before bed, but over the last six months or so, I’ve started adding a bit more Norvasc because I got used to it, even though my brain tells me otherwise. I’ve combed through every possible cause—stress, worries, grievances—and concluded there’s nothing new; life is just its usual frustrating self (I still wish I were more successful, thinner, wealthier, more loved, with deeper friendships, more travel, more experiences, and way less crippling perfectionism). Plus, during the day, there’s zero sign of hypomania. I’m not sped up, talkative, or more productive than usual; no racing thoughts, no increased libido, nothing at all.Is it actually possible for Seroquel to just stop working, and all of a sudden? 😕
I called my shrink, and his solution wasn't to bump up the Seroquel, but rather to just add more Norvasc if I can't fall asleep, or even another pill if I wake up before dawn—way before my usual alarm. But that only works if I take three total, which feels like a fast track to benzodiazepine addiction, not to mention the massive headache I get upon waking. I also really don't want to increase the Seroquel dose. What’s the point of swallowing these damn pills if you just have to keep cranking up the dosage because of tolerance, especially when quality of life is actually high and I’m finally stabilized with my past demons laid to rest? Any advice or similar experiences?
Brian Young5 Brian Young5 Member
28 messages
joined Oct 2015
#7571 ·
I’ve noticed I’m struggling to rediscover my intrinsic motivation. When I first started therapy, things felt lighter—I was finally shaking off the darkness, and those old symptoms just seemed to peel away. Being out of the trenches of illness and actually feeling in control of my thoughts and emotions made me feel incredibly grateful and genuinely bright. But now? It feels like I’ve hit a plateau. I’m starting to get bogged down by existential dread and the whole "what's the point" question. I'm trying to learn how to view life as a process—maybe even a game—rather than this rigid, linear, pathologically ambitious grind toward goals that might not even be real. I’m fully aware of all this, too, which makes it worse. Maybe I’ve finally hit the core of the issue. Is it possible that because my medication dosage has tapered off, my brain and subconscious are essentially telling me it's time to rely on my own strength since I've grown more resilient? If that's the case, how am I supposed to continue this healing mission when my most basic biological function is shot? Sleep is everything; without deep, restorative sleep, I can't function. It's what resets me and clears out the previous day's anxiety. How do I stabilize my sleep using nothing but willpower? I’ve been drinking chamomile tea to calm down, but it’s doing absolutely nothing to stop this sudden, unwelcome insomnia.
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#7572 ·
Brian Young5 said:I’ve noticed I’m struggling to rediscover my intrinsic motivation. When I first started therapy, things felt lighter—I was finally shaking off the darkness, and those old symptoms just seemed to peel away. Being out of the trenches of illness and actually feeling in control of my thoughts and emotions made me feel incredibly grateful and genuinely bright. But now? It feels like I’ve hit a plateau. I’m starting to get bogged down by existential dread and the whole "what's the point" question. I'm trying to learn how to view life as a process—maybe even a game—rather than this rigid, linear, pathologically ambitious grind toward goals that might not even be real. I’m fully aware of all this, too, which makes it worse. Maybe I’ve finally hit the core of the issue. Is it possible that because my medication dosage has tapered off, my brain and subconscious are essentially telling me it's time to rely on my own strength since I've grown more resilient? If that's the case, how am I supposed to continue this healing mission when my most basic biological function is shot? Sleep is everything; without deep, restorative sleep, I can't function. It's what resets me and clears out the previous day's anxiety. How do I stabilize my sleep using nothing but willpower? I’ve been drinking chamomile tea to calm down, but it’s doing absolutely nothing to stop this sudden, unwelcome insomnia.

Why don't you just bring this up with your therapist during your next session?
Sleep is everything to me too, but man, my insomnia is brutal—I actually take a little Qpin to get through it. That Seroquel you're on is the real deal, though; maybe you should talk to your doctor about bumping up the dose if you're specifically using it to sleep. Definitely check in with your physician.
Brian Young5 Brian Young5 Member
28 messages
joined Oct 2015
#7573 ·
fadedbear92 said:Why don't you just bring this up with your therapist during your next session?
Sleep is everything to me too, but man, my insomnia is brutal—I actually take a little Qpin to get through it. That Seroquel you're on is the real deal, though; maybe you should talk to your doctor about bumping up the dose if you're specifically using it to sleep. Definitely check in with your physician.

It’s an awkward setup. I have one shrink for my meds and a separate therapist for psychotherapy, and unfortunately, they aren't exactly on speaking terms these days. My doctor monitors my status and I give him the high-level summary of how things are going, while I dive into the gritty details with my therapist. The catch is she doesn't know anything about pharmacology, which is starting to feel like a massive blind spot. She thinks my insomnia is being triggered by some recent stress or a specific event, so we've been digging into that. But when I pass her theories along to my psychiatrist (as I always do), he just mumbles something and asks why I haven't discussed it with her directly—which, fine, he has a point. The real issue is determining whether this insomnia is actually caused by anxiety (I have a few worries, though nothing catastrophic, and I'm still working through them with my therapist) or if it's just drug tolerance. To make matters worse, my doctor refuses to acknowledge tolerance exists. According to his theory, you can't develop a tolerance to Norvasc or Seroquel. I can't exactly call him out on his flawed logic since he's "the expert" and obviously knows better than I do. I've swapped out several psychiatrists who prescribed my meds over the years, but they all function the same way and hold identical, copycat opinions, so I doubt changing doctors would change much. And if I increase the Seroquel to 200mg now, I'll be at 300mg next year, and eventually, I'll be hitting 1,000mg. For what? To end up with a trashed liver and a body shaped like a keg? Because if tolerance to every medication progressively increases over time, then pill-dependency is inevitable—not just for me, but for most people relying on psychiatric services.
I'd also love to hear from any "pill munchers" here who have actually managed to stay on the exact same dosage for years.
Brian Young5 Brian Young5 Member
28 messages
joined Oct 2015
#7574 ·
fadedbear92 said:Why don't you just bring this up with your therapist during your next session?
Sleep is everything to me too, but man, my insomnia is brutal—I actually take a little Qpin to get through it. That Seroquel you're on is the real deal, though; maybe you should talk to your doctor about bumping up the dose if you're specifically using it to sleep. Definitely check in with your physician.

Have you been on that medication since the insomnia first hit, or did you start with something lighter? Also, how long have you been taking Q-pin, and have you had to increase the dose? Sorry if you already covered this earlier; I don't hang out in this thread every day and things are getting a bit intense right now.
redranger2 redranger2 Active Member
248 messages
joined Aug 2008
#7575 ·
Brian Young5 said:Have you been on that medication since the insomnia first hit, or did you start with something lighter? Also, how long have you been taking Q-pin, and have you had to increase the dose? Sorry if you already covered this earlier; I don't hang out in this thread every day and things are getting a bit intense right now.

The fact that your insomnia hasn't subsided is the clearest indicator that you haven't fully stabilized yet. In my experience, insomnia is often the first signal that something is fundamentally wrong with a patient's progress. You really shouldn't worry about developing a tolerance to Quincy; higher doses are quite common, sometimes reaching anywhere from 600 to 800 mg, though you should never adjust your regimen without medical supervision. Even if you eventually need to bump up to something like 300 mg, your psychiatrist will always have other options available, such as Vera or Prizena, to help you sleep. Once things settle, you can always transition back to Quincy. The priority is fixing the sleep cycle, because once that stabilizes, your overall sense of well-being will follow naturally. Additionally, I'd suggest looking into B vitamins, as they are essential for proper nervous system function.🙂 B-12 is particularly vital.
Jason Vaughn482 Jason Vaughn482 Regular
488 messages
joined Jul 2012
#7576 ·
restlesstrucker15 said:I haven't heard of anyone actually developing cancer from taking pills, regardless of the type.
It is a lottery, unfortunately; you either face it or you don't.
On the other hand, certain other illnesses are directly linked to extreme stress, which makes taking these medications a much better option in those cases.
Furthermore, if a drug truly had a specific negative impact on your health, your doctor would be sending you for regular blood work to monitor it. From what I can gather, your prescriptions do not fall into that category. While some medications might lower blood pressure—mostly more aggressive ones reported by the Associated Press—your psychiatrist is the one who manages all of that for you.
Please, truly, try not to worry. Every time I go in for a physical, my internists ask me what medications I am currently taking. They never seem concerned about antidepressants or similar drugs; they simply want to confirm whether they were prescribed by my primary care physician or a psychiatrist.

Skickas FR ovaj

Are you truly wide awake at three-thirty in the morning? It feels as though the entire world has surrendered to sleep, leaving only the restless and the weary to wander through the silent, hollow hours.
Jason Vaughn482 Jason Vaughn482 Regular
488 messages
joined Jul 2012
#7577 ·
Brian Young5 said:It’s an awkward setup. I have one shrink for my meds and a separate therapist for psychotherapy, and unfortunately, they aren't exactly on speaking terms these days. My doctor monitors my status and I give him the high-level summary of how things are going, while I dive into the gritty details with my therapist. The catch is she doesn't know anything about pharmacology, which is starting to feel like a massive blind spot. She thinks my insomnia is being triggered by some recent stress or a specific event, so we've been digging into that. But when I pass her theories along to my psychiatrist (as I always do), he just mumbles something and asks why I haven't discussed it with her directly—which, fine, he has a point. The real issue is determining whether this insomnia is actually caused by anxiety (I have a few worries, though nothing catastrophic, and I'm still working through them with my therapist) or if it's just drug tolerance. To make matters worse, my doctor refuses to acknowledge tolerance exists. According to his theory, you can't develop a tolerance to Norvasc or Seroquel. I can't exactly call him out on his flawed logic since he's "the expert" and obviously knows better than I do. I've swapped out several psychiatrists who prescribed my meds over the years, but they all function the same way and hold identical, copycat opinions, so I doubt changing doctors would change much. And if I increase the Seroquel to 200mg now, I'll be at 300mg next year, and eventually, I'll be hitting 1,000mg. For what? To end up with a trashed liver and a body shaped like a keg? Because if tolerance to every medication progressively increases over time, then pill-dependency is inevitable—not just for me, but for most people relying on psychiatric services.
I'd also love to hear from any "pill munchers" here who have actually managed to stay on the exact same dosage for years.

I am, currently on Xanax, four and a half years now at 1.5 mg, though lately I've been down to half that... but as for sleep aids, hmph, even 10 mg doesn't touch it, so I'm looking for something to add. It is incredibly difficult to fall asleep; I wake up at 5 AM, manage to drift off again, and then by 9 AM, I can barely drag myself out of bed...
Brian Young5 Brian Young5 Member
28 messages
joined Oct 2015
#7578 ·
redranger2 said:The fact that your insomnia hasn't subsided is the clearest indicator that you haven't fully stabilized yet. In my experience, insomnia is often the first signal that something is fundamentally wrong with a patient's progress. You really shouldn't worry about developing a tolerance to Quincy; higher doses are quite common, sometimes reaching anywhere from 600 to 800 mg, though you should never adjust your regimen without medical supervision. Even if you eventually need to bump up to something like 300 mg, your psychiatrist will always have other options available, such as Vera or Prizena, to help you sleep. Once things settle, you can always transition back to Quincy. The priority is fixing the sleep cycle, because once that stabilizes, your overall sense of well-being will follow naturally. Additionally, I'd suggest looking into B vitamins, as they are essential for proper nervous system function.🙂 B-12 is particularly vital.

Thanks for the input. 🙂 The issue is that Seroquel seems to be the only antipsychotic that actually works for me (though I haven't tried many—just Risperdal, Zyprexa, and Prazina) and it has minimal side effects. I'm terrified of swapping it out. Honestly, I'd rather just increase the dose than stop it entirely, but if there isn't another option, I guess I'll have to let my doctor decide when we meet face-to-face. Maybe I'm overthinking it; the insomnia has started, but it hasn't hit a breaking point yet. I still manage to fall asleep, though it's usually around 1:30 AM (I'm a night owl, and no pill is going to change that), and then I wake up around 5:00 or 6:00 AM. I try not to look at the clock because seeing the time would just freak me out and kill any chance of drifting back off, so I just judge by how much light is coming through the blinds. I could probably stay up at 6:00, but the problem is I'm getting about a third less sleep than usual. I'm worried this might be a precursor to hypomania, which absolutely terrifies me. Plus, there's the anxiety about the insomnia itself, which feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy. I definitely need to pick up those Vitamin B supplements again; thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Brian Young5 Brian Young5 Member
28 messages
joined Oct 2015
#7579 ·
Jason Vaughn482 said:I am, currently on Xanax, four and a half years now at 1.5 mg, though lately I've been down to half that... but as for sleep aids, hmph, even 10 mg doesn't touch it, so I'm looking for something to add. It is incredibly difficult to fall asleep; I wake up at 5 AM, manage to drift off again, and then by 9 AM, I can barely drag myself out of bed...

I was on Xanax a long time ago, five years straight, and surprisingly, it actually worked without me needing to bump up the dose—at least initially. But I was also on Zoloft, and the combo left me feeling as jittery as a nervous wreck, so I started drinking just to take the edge off. I heard Benadryl is decent for insomnia since it's an antihistamine; apparently, it hits histamine receptors similarly to how Seroquel does, so that might help. 🤔 I'll ask my psychiatrist about it too.
restlesstiger49 restlesstiger49 Regular
271 messages
joined Jul 2012
#7580 ·
Michelle Kelly4 said:Anyone here have experience with Zoloft?

I’ve been on it for about four weeks now. I haven't dealt with any side effects, but honestly, I don't feel like it's doing anything yet—though I suppose it should be helping with my anxiety... The only thing is, I feel pretty wired in the evenings (I take my 50mg dose around lunchtime), which makes falling asleep a real struggle.
A quick question for the group: Along with the Zoloft, I'm also prescribed Zyprexa at night. To be honest, I'm not even sure why. Sometimes it knocks me out, and other times it does nothing at all. But the next morning, I feel even more lethargic than usual—it feels like it just drains whatever dopamine I have left. My diagnosis is F60.3. Does anyone have an idea what that medication is for? I don't experience any psychotic episodes that would require that kind of sedation. I totally forgot to ask my therapist about this during our last session, so maybe someone here has some insight. I'll definitely make sure to bring it up at my next appointment.

Thanks!

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