Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Mark Nelson said:I can't believe we’re dealing with the exact same symptom. I honestly thought that weird "eyes rolling upward" thing was just happening to me. Maybe I'm not going crazy after all.
I was on Cogentin myself once... honestly, I didn't deal with any side effects from it. That weird upward eye roll thing? Yeah, I had that too, right when the panic attacks and those intrusive thoughts really started hitting me.

I’m sleeping great. Honestly, maybe even too much. I haven't even touched any sleep aids, which is wild considering I'm still taking two antipsychotics.
Man, Sanval really did a number on my mom when she was taking it. It was pretty rough. I guess it’s just great that you finally managed to get rid of it. 🙂

Yeah, those are classic antipsychotic side effects. I only took Sanval for a little while at the very start of my treatment... but the sleep quality was pretty terrible.

restlesstrucker15 said:The three of us are never going to get a decent night's sleep, are we?😁

Don't give me any lip; once I finally drift off, I am out for the count for at least ten hours straight. Whether I’m taking Sanval or about a cup and a half of Cerson, the result is always the same. Honestly, until we start dealing with the issues surrounding AP, things seem relatively manageable. The real headache isn't staying asleep—it's actually getting my brain to shut down in the first place—but even then, once I'm under, it feels like I’m sleeping far too much.
By the way, she’s already sliced her Xanax dosage in half, though if she could just kick the habit entirely, she’d be thrilled. Right now, she’s hovering at 0.25 mg twice a day—sometimes even a third dose—which is quite the leap considering she was pulling 1.5 mg daily for four years straight. Good grief, I am crossing my fingers that this transition stays steady. Just as I'm rooting for her to pull through this, I'm holding you to that promise of helping me with my insomnia, much like I'm counting on you regarding my upcoming surgery.

It appears that my recent foray into using Devidon was somewhat misguided, as I find myself drifting back toward my baseline state once again.

When I first told my doctor I was getting hit with constant panic attacks from Loquen—kind of like something out of a Freddy Kruger movie—she turned pale. 😬 Then you go online and it feels like every other person is dealing with the exact same side effects. But she just looks at me and goes, "I've never heard of that before..." 🙂

redranger2 said:Rashes don't just vanish instantly. I dealt with an allergic reaction from Zoloft myself, and it lingered for several days
before it finally cleared up.

It isn't even the rash itself that has me spiraling... what truly haunts me is the fear that this whole thing might escalate into some kind of respiratory distress or choking sensation, though I suppose by then it would likely be far too late for any intervention... I can only hope. I wonder if there is any chance this could be a reaction to the Xanax... I’m on day eleven now, and surely a side effect like that would have manifested much sooner than this, wouldn't it? It seems unlikely... unless I am mistaken... When you experienced that breakout from the Zoloft, did it happen instantly, or did it take its time to surface like this?

I find myself once again contemplating the sheer, exhausting weight of these discussions... It seems we often circle the same drain, much like a slow leak in an old basement in Chicago that you simply cannot quite get around to fixing... One wonders if any real progress is ever made, or if we are all just spinning our wheels in the mud...

restlesstrucker15 said:I couldn't say for certain, though redranger2 mentioned it could be a possibility. When you speak of trembling, do you mean you are fearful of undergoing a new therapy, or is it more of an apprehension about simply leaving the house?

I felt so incredibly unwell that I was actually terrified to step foot outside... it was truly dreadful...

Chris Robinson25 said:When I first told my doctor I was getting hit with constant panic attacks from Loquen—kind of like something out of a Freddy Kruger movie—she turned pale. 😬 Then you go online and it feels like every other person is dealing with the exact same side effects. But she just looks at me and goes, "I've never heard of that before..." 🙂

She definitely heard it; she just doesn't want to admit it. It’s the same story with mine whenever I bring up a side effect—it’s always, "Oh, that couldn't be from the medication." But it absolutely is. Honestly, it’s starting to get on my last nerve. Just... ugh. 🙂

Jason Vaughn482 said:Don't give me any lip; once I finally drift off, I am out for the count for at least ten hours straight. Whether I’m taking Sanval or about a cup and a half of Cerson, the result is always the same. Honestly, until we start dealing with the issues surrounding AP, things seem relatively manageable. The real headache isn't staying asleep—it's actually getting my brain to shut down in the first place—but even then, once I'm under, it feels like I’m sleeping far too much.
By the way, she’s already sliced her Xanax dosage in half, though if she could just kick the habit entirely, she’d be thrilled. Right now, she’s hovering at 0.25 mg twice a day—sometimes even a third dose—which is quite the leap considering she was pulling 1.5 mg daily for four years straight. Good grief, I am crossing my fingers that this transition stays steady. Just as I'm rooting for her to pull through this, I'm holding you to that promise of helping me with my insomnia, much like I'm counting on you regarding my upcoming surgery.

It appears that my recent foray into using Devidon was somewhat misguided, as I find myself drifting back toward my baseline state once again.

Yes, we are both struggling with insomnia.🙂
I am attempting to distance myself from Sanval. Yesterday and the day before, I took two melatonin tablets and two Apaurin 5mg pills and managed to fall asleep, 🙂but most nights, I simply can't. It really depends on whatever is racing through my mind. I remember how I used to fall asleep during evening drives when someone else was behind the wheel, yet the moment I see a bed, it's as if I haven't been tired for an eternity.

Kudos to you for the Xanax progress; what you are taking now is truly a minimal amount considering your previous dosage. Yes, it's a good thing you stopped taking that Devidon, but at least now you know it isn't right for you.

Thank you for the well wishes; I just hope I don't lose my mind after the surgery. 🙂I have to maintain strict bed rest for at least two months.

electrichound3 said:Yeah, those are classic antipsychotic side effects. I only took Sanval for a little while at the very start of my treatment... but the sleep quality was pretty terrible.

For me, that went away once my doctor bumped up my dose of Leponex. Since then, my gaze feels normal again.
The fact that your sleep is finally improving suggests you might be heading in the right direction. 🙂
All I know is that beating anxiety is a brutal fight. Lately, though, things have been feeling a little easier for me on that front..

Mark Nelson said:For me, that went away once my doctor bumped up my dose of Leponex. Since then, my gaze feels normal again.
The fact that your sleep is finally improving suggests you might be heading in the right direction. 🙂
All I know is that beating anxiety is a brutal fight. Lately, though, things have been feeling a little easier for me on that front..

Yeah, it’s a hell of a struggle... regardless of what meds I'm on, it still catches me off guard now and then. Even something as simple as having a cup of Nespresso can trigger an immediate wave of anxiety. It wasn't like this before I started any medication. Ideally, I should just quit caffeine altogether, but I refuse—it's one of my few little pleasures. Honestly, I even get the feeling that my Valfax might be spiking my anxiety levels... I swear, I just can't catch a break with these psychotropic drugs. It's enough to drive you insane.🙂

electrichound3 said:She definitely heard it; she just doesn't want to admit it. It’s the same story with mine whenever I bring up a side effect—it’s always, "Oh, that couldn't be from the medication." But it absolutely is. Honestly, it’s starting to get on my last nerve. Just... ugh. 🙂

Heh. 😁 Look, the doctor is fine, everything will turn out okay. We'll get through this. 🙂

electrichound3 said:Yeah, it’s a hell of a struggle... regardless of what meds I'm on, it still catches me off guard now and then. Even something as simple as having a cup of Nespresso can trigger an immediate wave of anxiety. It wasn't like this before I started any medication. Ideally, I should just quit caffeine altogether, but I refuse—it's one of my few little pleasures. Honestly, I even get the feeling that my Valfax might be spiking my anxiety levels... I swear, I just can't catch a break with these psychotropic drugs. It's enough to drive you insane.🙂

It is entirely plausible that Velafax is driving your anxiety upward, given that its primary mechanism involves targeting norepinephrine receptors.
As for black coffee, I personally found it could trigger full-blown panic attacks. You should try supplementing with B vitamins and magnesium.

redranger2 said:It is entirely plausible that Velafax is driving your anxiety upward, given that its primary mechanism involves targeting norepinephrine receptors.
As for black coffee, I personally found it could trigger full-blown panic attacks. You should try supplementing with B vitamins and magnesium.

No, that isn't quite right. Velafax doesn't target anxiety directly; rather, it works to lift your overall mood, which is its fundamental purpose—it serves as a way to climb out of, or perhaps more accurately, to exist outside of, depression.
Furthermore, there is absolutely no mention here regarding what specific dosage is being discussed.
Velafax generally carries few side effects, though "upset stomach" can happen relatively quickly. This is precisely why psychiatrists prescribe it so readily.😁

Kevin Nguyen3 said:No, that isn't quite right. Velafax doesn't target anxiety directly; rather, it works to lift your overall mood, which is its fundamental purpose—it serves as a way to climb out of, or perhaps more accurately, to exist outside of, depression.
Furthermore, there is absolutely no mention here regarding what specific dosage is being discussed.
Velafax generally carries few side effects, though "upset stomach" can happen relatively quickly. This is precisely why psychiatrists prescribe it so readily.😁

In my experience, Effexor pushed me straight into states of restlessness and intense anxiety, which is precisely why I had to stop taking it.
My psychiatrist later explained that my system clearly doesn't respond well to antidepressants that act on
norepinephrine receptors. While it’s true that Effexor is prescribed for depression and works well for that purpose, it isn't necessarily the right tool for treating anxiety.

To be honest, I'm no expert, but Velafax actually worked wonders for my anxiety. I could literally feel that tightness lifting, replaced by what I assume is just a normal mood—you know, the kind of steady headspace most people probably take for granted since they don't struggle with mental health issues like I do.

redranger2 said:In my experience, Effexor pushed me straight into states of restlessness and intense anxiety, which is precisely why I had to stop taking it.
My psychiatrist later explained that my system clearly doesn't respond well to antidepressants that act on
norepinephrine receptors. While it’s true that Effexor is prescribed for depression and works well for that purpose, it isn't necessarily the right tool for treating anxiety.

I feel like I’m going through the exact same thing with Feverina. Honestly, I’ve been seriously considering giving Velafax another shot. It feels like my system might actually respond better to medications that target norepinephrine.

*The question naturally arises: why did I even quit in the first place? I pushed through two weeks of constant nausea, which was manageable enough. But then, that "expert" decided to cut me off cold turkey without warning, and things went south fast. Honestly, I’m a little worried that even if I try a gradual taper this time, the whole process is going to be pretty unpleasant.

restlesstiger49 said:To be honest, I'm no expert, but Velafax actually worked wonders for my anxiety. I could literally feel that tightness lifting, replaced by what I assume is just a normal mood—you know, the kind of steady headspace most people probably take for granted since they don't struggle with mental health issues like I do.

I feel like I’m going through the exact same thing with Feverina. Honestly, I’ve been seriously considering giving Velafax another shot. It feels like my system might actually respond better to medications that target norepinephrine.

*The question naturally arises: why did I even quit in the first place? I pushed through two weeks of constant nausea, which was manageable enough. But then, that "expert" decided to cut me off cold turkey without warning, and things went south fast. Honestly, I’m a little worried that even if I try a gradual taper this time, the whole process is going to be pretty unpleasant.

No, no—there really shouldn't be any issues if you're tapering off gradually. And by "gradually," I don't mean some reckless three-day sprint to the finish line! I'm talking about a month-long process, at least. Honestly, isn't it all dependent on how long you've actually been on the medication? It really comes down to that.

Listen, let me tell you—Effexor at just 37.5 mg is actually such a tiny dose, isn't it? It seems almost negligible, doesn't it? But honestly, it can actually help. It really can!
I am certainly not suggesting that you should just go ahead and start adjusting things on your own—heaven forbid! But please, I implore you, have a serious conversation with your doctor. Is it really worth the risk? It simply isn't wise to navigate this without professional guidance.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:No, no—there really shouldn't be any issues if you're tapering off gradually. And by "gradually," I don't mean some reckless three-day sprint to the finish line! I'm talking about a month-long process, at least. Honestly, isn't it all dependent on how long you've actually been on the medication? It really comes down to that.

Listen, let me tell you—Effexor at just 37.5 mg is actually such a tiny dose, isn't it? It seems almost negligible, doesn't it? But honestly, it can actually help. It really can!
I am certainly not suggesting that you should just go ahead and start adjusting things on your own—heaven forbid! But please, I implore you, have a serious conversation with your doctor. Is it really worth the risk? It simply isn't wise to navigate this without professional guidance.

Honestly, that is exactly what you should discuss with your physician. In my opinion, the month and a half I've spent on Paxil—including the last ten days where they bumped me from 50 to 100mg, which honestly just made the restlessness and tension kick my ass—is a perfectly reasonable timeframe to determine if an antidepressant is actually working or not. I remember taking Wellbutrin for a while too (which, from what I understand, isn't an SSRI), and that actually helped dial down my anxiety and gave me the push I needed to get moving. It worked for a bit, though I eventually stopped. At any rate, it seems like SSRIs might not be the magic fix for my specific situation.

redranger2 said:In my experience, Effexor pushed me straight into states of restlessness and intense anxiety, which is precisely why I had to stop taking it.
My psychiatrist later explained that my system clearly doesn't respond well to antidepressants that act on
norepinephrine receptors. While it’s true that Effexor is prescribed for depression and works well for that purpose, it isn't necessarily the right tool for treating anxiety.

I agree; my doctors are also cautious about prescribing anything that affects norepinephrine. While the anxiety eventually subsides once you get past the initial side effects, living on such an emotional roller coaster is simply unbearable.
Furthermore, it seems to me that these medications are more effective at lifting depression than they are at fully neutralizing anxiety. I feel fine while on my medication, but that doesn't mean my anxiety has vanished. Dealing with that part of myself is something I have to work through personally, and I am doing my best.

Skickas FR

restlesstiger49 said:Honestly, that is exactly what you should discuss with your physician. In my opinion, the month and a half I've spent on Paxil—including the last ten days where they bumped me from 50 to 100mg, which honestly just made the restlessness and tension kick my ass—is a perfectly reasonable timeframe to determine if an antidepressant is actually working or not. I remember taking Wellbutrin for a while too (which, from what I understand, isn't an SSRI), and that actually helped dial down my anxiety and gave me the push I needed to get moving. It worked for a bit, though I eventually stopped. At any rate, it seems like SSRIs might not be the magic fix for my specific situation.

Your doctor will likely suggest an alternative. If you aren't seeing the same physician, make sure to mention that Wellbutrin didn't sit well with you. Perhaps you're like me; maybe increasing norepinephrine (Effexor, Cymbalta) or dopamine (Wellbutrin) isn't the answer. If the primary issue is anxiety rather than deep depression, focusing on serotonin might be better. There is a wide variety of options available in that category, such as Lexapro, Zoloft, or perhaps Prozac.

Skickas FR

A few days ago, my doctor put me on a regimen consisting of 2 mg of Xanax and 20 mg of Effexor to tackle some depression and anxiety I've been dealing with.
I'm curious if anyone here has experience running both of these at the same time, specifically regarding how risky it is to combine them and what kind of side effects I should actually be bracing for.
Regarding side effects, I did bother to read through the official patient information leaflet that came in the box, but honestly, it mostly lists those rare, one-in-a-million occurrences, not to mention that several things my doctor warned me about weren't even mentioned in the fine print. So, if anyone out there has been on this specific combo, could you tell me which side effects actually pop up most frequently—if they happen at all—because my doctor clearly didn't have the patience to give me a detailed breakdown of how effective these are or what to expect.
Furthermore, is it even necessary for me to be using Xanax? From what I understand, it's a pretty heavy-duty medication typically reserved for the most severe cases, and I feel like I fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. I'm genuinely worried that taking something that potent might end up doing more harm than good.
I also really want to know how much these drugs actually help in terms of treating and managing depression and anxiety in the long run. Does anyone have any real-world experience with how well they work?

Elizabeth Green132 said:A few days ago, my doctor put me on a regimen consisting of 2 mg of Xanax and 20 mg of Effexor to tackle some depression and anxiety I've been dealing with.
I'm curious if anyone here has experience running both of these at the same time, specifically regarding how risky it is to combine them and what kind of side effects I should actually be bracing for.
Regarding side effects, I did bother to read through the official patient information leaflet that came in the box, but honestly, it mostly lists those rare, one-in-a-million occurrences, not to mention that several things my doctor warned me about weren't even mentioned in the fine print. So, if anyone out there has been on this specific combo, could you tell me which side effects actually pop up most frequently—if they happen at all—because my doctor clearly didn't have the patience to give me a detailed breakdown of how effective these are or what to expect.
Furthermore, is it even necessary for me to be using Xanax? From what I understand, it's a pretty heavy-duty medication typically reserved for the most severe cases, and I feel like I fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. I'm genuinely worried that taking something that potent might end up doing more harm than good.
I also really want to know how much these drugs actually help in terms of treating and managing depression and anxiety in the long run. Does anyone have any real-world experience with how well they work?

You've got it a little bit wrong—Xanax is an anxiolytic, so it isn't used for the most extreme cases of depression.
It might be worth doing a little more digging on that.

Please don't attack someone when they're clearly struggling; if they're in a mental fog, they certainly aren't in any position to be conducting deep research.
Seroxat is an antidepressant designed to help alleviate both depression and anxiety, though you should realize it typically takes more than a month to become fully effective. Until then, you might experience some side effects—things like insomnia, nausea, or headaches—but those usually subside within about ten days.
As for the Xanax, it was prescribed to provide immediate relief from your depressive symptoms and anxiety, so please follow your doctor's instructions exactly. There is no need to worry; your physician will gradually taper your Xanax dosage over time. It may also assist you with falling asleep.
There is no harm in taking them together; you won't experience any adverse reactions from the combination. You can evaluate how you feel during your next follow-up appointment.

Skickas FR