Psychotropic medication discussion thread

fadedbear92 said:I get it.
A long time ago, I liked Xanax way too much myself, so I had to go through the process of getting off it.😉😛

Personally, I could never build a tolerance to stuff like Xanax, Normabest, or Praxiten—they just stopped working almost immediately.
By the fifth day on Normabest, I felt like I could take 50 or 100 milligrams and not feel a single thing.
My psychiatrist put me on 5 milligrams at night, but honestly, I just keep it tucked away with my other meds like it isn't even there. It’s useless to me.
I mean... why bother when I've already got Seroquel? 😁

Jason Vaughn482 said:I'm hardly a reliable source for advice because I have absolutely no desire to touch antipsychotics... but as I've said before, never say never. If I ever reached the stage you're at, I'd probably cave, too, but I still wouldn't feel right about it if the condition for my stability was a complete lie.

So, if you don't mind me asking, why are you so against antipsychotics?

jadehawk8 said:I feel totally fine all day, but then as soon as I drift off at night, it hits me... and after that, I’m just restless and can't sleep, just tossing and turning.

I have this theory that sometimes we subconsciously reject a medication, and that’s when the panic kicks in.

I usually wait until my kid is down for the night before I take my Seroquel. Everything goes smoothly... it calms me down, makes me a little drowsy, works up an appetite so I can grab a snack, and then I'm out.

But I remember one time I took it while my little one was still awake, and man, I started feeling this intense shortness of breath and heart palpitations. I was just like... omg... wtf?
I think it happened because I was anxious about the baby being up. I was probably terrified that the meds would knock me out too hard while he was still awake.
So the whole thing didn't even work; I just stayed wired and agitated until the kid finally fell asleep.

The mind is a powerful thing—way more powerful than any psychotropic drug. Our attitude toward our meds really dictates how they actually work.

Kevin Bailey2 said:I have this theory that sometimes we subconsciously reject a medication, and that’s when the panic kicks in.

I usually wait until my kid is down for the night before I take my Seroquel. Everything goes smoothly... it calms me down, makes me a little drowsy, works up an appetite so I can grab a snack, and then I'm out.

But I remember one time I took it while my little one was still awake, and man, I started feeling this intense shortness of breath and heart palpitations. I was just like... omg... wtf?
I think it happened because I was anxious about the baby being up. I was probably terrified that the meds would knock me out too hard while he was still awake.
So the whole thing didn't even work; I just stayed wired and agitated until the kid finally fell asleep.

The mind is a powerful thing—way more powerful than any psychotropic drug. Our attitude toward our meds really dictates how they actually work.

I totally agree with you, 👍

That’s exactly how it felt when I first started taking Luvox. I was scared half to death about what it might do to me. I’d obsessively track every single side effect, and with this massive knot in my stomach, I’d swallow my pill every night just waiting for something terrible to happen.

Looking back now, I have to laugh at myself. I realize I was basically self-sabotaging my own progress by subconsciously fighting the reality that I was in a position where I actually needed an antidepressant.

It wasn't until I finally made peace with it that I started noticing real improvements. They probably would've shown up sooner if I hadn't been busy subconsciously fighting the pharmacy.

Maria Price3 said:😲

God, give me that Clonazepam needs to be outlawed by federal law at this point. Honestly, I’d love to sue the doctor who put me on it. It didn't take long at all to go from half a pill to five, just because I got addicted to that weird sensation where it feels like my blood is turning into water. But once I realized where that road leads, I quit—though I still have one tucked away in a bottle, and there isn't a day goes by where I don't find myself holding it. I think about that damn Clonazepam several times every single day; I can't even believe it, considering it's been over a month since my last dose. At the end of the day, the drug is total garbage, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone if there's any other option out there.

Why are you so against Clonazepam? Please elaborate a bit. I personally haven't heard that it is as bad regarding withdrawal as Xanax is. I took it for a very short period at 0.5 mg based on a neurologist's advice for a different non-psychiatric issue, but it didn't work (she told me higher doses wouldn't help either), and I admit I wasn't even particularly anxious at the time. Still, I am glad I stopped because I realized it is actually a very effective medication for anxiety, provided it is used 🙂
I ask because I wonder about the poor people who have to take it for epilepsy, including children, often in much higher doses. How are they supposed to manage?

See you later

Joseph Jackson9 said:She didn't actually explain anything to you—she just started rambling some vague nonsense to dodge the point and leave everything up in the air.

I wouldn't go that far, though my doctor mentioned similar things. They aren't exactly thrilled when you need them for insomnia, but the general consensus is that you shouldn't have to keep increasing the dosage, which makes getting off them easier. That said, they are certainly more habit-forming than standard antidepressants.

Skickas fr

restlesstrucker15 said:I wouldn't go that far, though my doctor mentioned similar things. They aren't exactly thrilled when you need them for insomnia, but the general consensus is that you shouldn't have to keep increasing the dosage, which makes getting off them easier. That said, they are certainly more habit-forming than standard antidepressants.

Skickas fr

Driving sleep-deprived is actually more dangerous than driving drunk. It’s a scary thought, but it's true.

A few days without sleep ruins everything. It completely wrecks your system. If you think that's bad, imagine dealing with insomnia that drags on for months. Honestly, I don't think people realize just how vital quality sleep is to staying functional. When things get that heavy, I'm pretty sure any decent psychiatrist is going to prescribe an AP rather than something like Sanval.

If I were dealing with chronic insomnia, I’d be looking into antipsychotics in a heartbeat. Honestly, I’d fight tooth and nail for them. If you haven't spent nights staring at the ceiling wide awake, you have no idea what I'm talking about.

Kevin Bailey2 said:Driving sleep-deprived is actually more dangerous than driving drunk. It’s a scary thought, but it's true.

A few days without sleep ruins everything. It completely wrecks your system. If you think that's bad, imagine dealing with insomnia that drags on for months. Honestly, I don't think people realize just how vital quality sleep is to staying functional. When things get that heavy, I'm pretty sure any decent psychiatrist is going to prescribe an AP rather than something like Sanval.

If I were dealing with chronic insomnia, I’d be looking into antipsychotics in a heartbeat. Honestly, I’d fight tooth and nail for them. If you haven't spent nights staring at the ceiling wide awake, you have no idea what I'm talking about.

I completely agree. I’d wish insomnia on my worst enemy; the way it makes your body deteriorate day after day is pure torture. That's why I was willing to accept whatever diagnosis they gave me, just so I could finally get some sleep.

Michael Hill2 said:Man, Xanax.
😍

The absolute best legal drug you can get with a prescription.

Honestly, I’m glad it’s out of my system, but man, I still remember that incredible feeling. 👏

I’ve been sitting here wading through all these comments—some people swear by this, some find that boring, some hate this, some love that... it's the usual endless debate. Personally, I’ve been on xanax for four years now. It doesn't send me into some euphoric high; its sole purpose is to quiet the panic and settle the terror. It isn't a sleeping pill for me. Over these last four years, my dosage has fluctuated quite a bit, ranging from a mere 0.5 mg a day up to a maximum of 1.5 mg. And sure, call it a drug if you want—fine, go ahead—but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking antipsychotics are as harmless as a glass of milk. A 400 mg dose is meant for psychosis, not for catching some Z's, and we really need to be careful, especially with young people who might end up tethered to psychotropic meds for the rest of their lives. At the end of the day, everything mentioned here falls under the umbrella of legal drugs: xanax, Klonopin, antidepressants, antipsychotics... it all just depends on what a specific individual needs. My philosophy is simple: I try my hardest not to overdo it with any of them.

jadehawk8 said:Around 3 AM—I wake up after maybe an hour or two of sleep feeling just terrible. Everything starts spinning, like I can’t catch my breath, and when I try to sit up, I feel like I’m going to pass out. It really scared me tonight; I tried to get up to go to the bathroom and just got so dizzy. Has anyone else dealt with this on AP? It feels weird that I'm fine during the day, but then this hits me at night. My heart also started racing around 9:30 PM and didn't settle down for an hour. That's the first time I've felt an arrhythmia while taking this medication... I guess I'm just having bad luck with AP😢(((((

Yeah, it sounds like your blood pressure is bottoming out. Last Božic, I actually blacked out right in the middle of the bathroom in the dead of night.

Kevin Bailey2 said:So, if you don't mind me asking, why are you so against antipsychotics?

The truth is, I’m genuinely apprehensive about the side effects. I’m certainly not exactly a spring chicken, and dealing with high blood pressure and cholesterol is already enough of a headache; when you factor in my family history—both my grandmother and great-grandmother passed away from strokes, which is a warning printed on nearly every antipsychotic label—it feels like walking into a minefield. I’ve also read quite a bit about how psychiatric medications can be some of the most taxing and damaging drugs out there. It’s not that I’m categorically refusing them forever, but rather that I’m trying to navigate this moment. Last night was a struggle; I didn't drift off until 3:00 AM because I was gripped by such intense anxiety that my own thoughts simply refused to let me rest. Sometimes sleep comes more easily, but given how things have been lately... well, we shall see.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Yeah, it sounds like your blood pressure is bottoming out. Last Božic, I actually blacked out right in the middle of the bathroom in the dead of night.

Did you end up staying on it, or what? I'm going to see how I feel tonight.:/

Xanax was absolutely terrible for me too. I felt as unsteady as if I were drunk, and the dizziness was so bad that I just had to quit.

I ended up getting most hooked on Misar and Normabel; I used to take 30 mg of Normabel and 1.5 mg of Misar just to get some sleep.

jadehawk8 said:Did you end up staying on it, or what? I'm going to see how I feel tonight.:/

Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue what triggered this collapse. I find it hard to believe it was just the Xanax, considering I take such a negligible dose—it's almost insignificant. Rather, I suspect the cocktail of various medications I've been running has likely sent my blood pressure into a tailspin. To make matters worse, I've been battling a nasty virus, so I've been popping painkillers for the headaches on top of everything else. At this point, the true culprit remains a total mystery to me.

I just took two Xanax because I can't get a wink of sleep from the Deprozel; I’m just tossing and turning all night long. Last night, I took half of that 15 mg Calixta, and within thirty minutes, I felt totally buzzed—stumbling around and mumbling. It knocked me out cold, though, and I’m still feeling pretty drowsy today. Will this grogginess ever go away, or am I going to feel drugged every night and all day? Honestly, I feel great otherwise; the meds seem to be working since I don't feel as overwhelmed as I used to.🎉,I’m not crying and everything... there’s some progress, even if it’s small, and it feels amazing!

Jason Vaughn482 said:I’ve been sitting here wading through all these comments—some people swear by this, some find that boring, some hate this, some love that... it's the usual endless debate. Personally, I’ve been on xanax for four years now. It doesn't send me into some euphoric high; its sole purpose is to quiet the panic and settle the terror. It isn't a sleeping pill for me. Over these last four years, my dosage has fluctuated quite a bit, ranging from a mere 0.5 mg a day up to a maximum of 1.5 mg. And sure, call it a drug if you want—fine, go ahead—but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking antipsychotics are as harmless as a glass of milk. A 400 mg dose is meant for psychosis, not for catching some Z's, and we really need to be careful, especially with young people who might end up tethered to psychotropic meds for the rest of their lives. At the end of the day, everything mentioned here falls under the umbrella of legal drugs: xanax, Klonopin, antidepressants, antipsychotics... it all just depends on what a specific individual needs. My philosophy is simple: I try my hardest not to overdo it with any of them.

Jason Vaughn482, I think you and I are pretty similar when it comes to Helex and Xanax. I second everything you said.
For me, Helex doesn't cause any kind of euphoria. Honestly, I’ve never actually done drugs, so I can't really compare, but man, isn't a drug supposed to make you feel something? Not just kill off a panic attack? Like, anything. Some special feeling. That urge to take more, stronger, faster? Thinking about how to get more, or feeling amazing right after you take it? My experience with drugs is mostly just stuff I've seen or read about, nothing firsthand, so maybe I'm not the best judge, but I don't get any "special" feeling from Helex other than just feeling okay. Or better yet, feeling normal. I function like everyone else who doesn't have my issues and isn't popping pills. I just feel like I used to feel back when I was healthy.

jadehawk8 said:I just took two Xanax because I can't get a wink of sleep from the Deprozel; I’m just tossing and turning all night long. Last night, I took half of that 15 mg Calixta, and within thirty minutes, I felt totally buzzed—stumbling around and mumbling. It knocked me out cold, though, and I’m still feeling pretty drowsy today. Will this grogginess ever go away, or am I going to feel drugged every night and all day? Honestly, I feel great otherwise; the meds seem to be working since I don't feel as overwhelmed as I used to.🎉,I’m not crying and everything... there’s some progress, even if it’s small, and it feels amazing!

Personally, I feel like that Calixta leaves me in a state of constant dizziness and lethargy too; ever since I started it, I can never seem to wake up at a decent hour. I’m stuck in this catch-22 where I take it just to get some rest, but then I’m completely useless the following day. For instance, I have an appointment scheduled for a stomach X-ray that can only be done at 8:00 AM, and there is absolutely no way I’m making it there when I'm sleeping through until 10:00

Brandon Lopez6 said:Jason Vaughn482, I think you and I are pretty similar when it comes to Helex and Xanax. I second everything you said.
For me, Helex doesn't cause any kind of euphoria. Honestly, I’ve never actually done drugs, so I can't really compare, but man, isn't a drug supposed to make you feel something? Not just kill off a panic attack? Like, anything. Some special feeling. That urge to take more, stronger, faster? Thinking about how to get more, or feeling amazing right after you take it? My experience with drugs is mostly just stuff I've seen or read about, nothing firsthand, so maybe I'm not the best judge, but I don't get any "special" feeling from Helex other than just feeling okay. Or better yet, feeling normal. I function like everyone else who doesn't have my issues and isn't popping pills. I just feel like I used to feel back when I was healthy.

Yeah, I'm right there with you. I get gripped by this sudden wave of terror and panic, and then I feel this desperate urge to pop a Xanax just to settle my nerves within twenty minutes... and that's the extent of it. Since I haven't dabbled in the drug scene, I can't offer a direct comparison, but I can draw an analogy to alcohol. I remember being able to have a few beers and experiencing actual euphoria—everything felt wonderful, my inhibitions vanished, it was pure bliss, and I even slept soundly. Back then, I wasn't touching any of these types of medications; I was just taking something for blood pressure. I don't drink anymore, but if I compare the two eras of my life, it feels ugly to admit, but I felt significantly better with a couple of beers a day than I do with all this stuff I'm on now. Of course, I'm not planning on returning to the beer, but these meds leave me feeling utterly numb, and frankly, I don't feel well at all—I am perpetually exhausted and drained. Either that, or my doctor just can't seem to get the dosage right. My current insurance authorization has run out, and I'm thinking about switching psychiatrists next year.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Yeah, I'm right there with you. I get gripped by this sudden wave of terror and panic, and then I feel this desperate urge to pop a Xanax just to settle my nerves within twenty minutes... and that's the extent of it. Since I haven't dabbled in the drug scene, I can't offer a direct comparison, but I can draw an analogy to alcohol. I remember being able to have a few beers and experiencing actual euphoria—everything felt wonderful, my inhibitions vanished, it was pure bliss, and I even slept soundly. Back then, I wasn't touching any of these types of medications; I was just taking something for blood pressure. I don't drink anymore, but if I compare the two eras of my life, it feels ugly to admit, but I felt significantly better with a couple of beers a day than I do with all this stuff I'm on now. Of course, I'm not planning on returning to the beer, but these meds leave me feeling utterly numb, and frankly, I don't feel well at all—I am perpetually exhausted and drained. Either that, or my doctor just can't seem to get the dosage right. My current insurance authorization has run out, and I'm thinking about switching psychiatrists next year.

I used to drink too (wasn't really on any pills back then), and honestly, getting pretty trashed is a totally different vibe than taking Helex. When I was drinking, I was down for anything—dancing, singing, just messing around... now, I take Helex and I just sit here in front of my laptop reading forums. With Helex, I can do normal stuff just like anyone else who isn't medicated, it's just that without it, I find it hard to stay calm.

Brandon Lopez6 said:I used to drink too (wasn't really on any pills back then), and honestly, getting pretty trashed is a totally different vibe than taking Helex. When I was drinking, I was down for anything—dancing, singing, just messing around... now, I take Helex and I just sit here in front of my laptop reading forums. With Helex, I can do normal stuff just like anyone else who isn't medicated, it's just that without it, I find it hard to stay calm.

Honestly, it's the exact same story for me.🙂