Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Richard Diaz50 said:That is the absolute minimum dose... so I really shouldn't say how much I'm taking 😢
but honestly, everyone, what is the deal with this mental anguish? It's starting to get under my skin... without meds, I feel like a shell of a person, yet with them, I don't even feel like myself. What's the point of any of this?

I'm asking the same thing. They work okay for my social anxiety and they calm me down, but I'm just groggy all day. There's no adrenaline left. I'm just not myself😁 I really miss the old me.😒
Whatever. If people love me, they love me. If they don't, they're wasting their breath.😁
Anyway, switching to something worse just to end up addicted to Normabel or Xanax isn't the answer... and good luck being "smart" about that.🍿
I have a feeling that maybe CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy, if I remember right 🤣) is the only thing that would actually work, and frankly, I'd rather tell everyone to go jump in a lake.🙂

Has anyone experienced tinnitus as a side effect while taking something like Alice or Lexapro?

Brandon Lopez6 said:It’s not exactly insomnia, but my sleep quality is clearly trashed, so I’m wondering if there’s a way to fix this with meds.
Basically, I’m getting at least 8 hours of shut-eye a night (not even counting those afternoon naps I take way too often), yet I wake up feeling absolutely exhausted every single morning. It doesn't matter if I slept 8 to 10 hours or just 4—it’s always the same story. I can’t shake the fog, and waking up feels impossible. Honestly, I’m so over it; I have to set a million alarms just to have a fighting chance at actually getting out of bed on time.

We share so many similarities... I need at least eight hours of shut-eye myself... but regardless of how much I sleep, I wake up feeling completely drained and find it nearly impossible to stir myself awake... I'm not quite sure what advice I could offer you, though, because I take Ambien and half a glass of wine, so perhaps that's just leaving me feeling drugged and heavy in the morning while I struggle to drift off at night.

restlesstiger49 said:Has anyone else on venlafaxine experienced that heavy morning fatigue, even after getting a solid 7 or 8 hours of sleep? I can't shake the feeling that this medication is making my sleep restless. Every morning, I wake up with this muscle lethargy and a slight wave of anxiety that usually clears up after about 40 minutes. I’m currently taking 37.5mg in the morning.

I’m on the same dose—37.5mg in the morning—and I've been at it for a year now. In the beginning, the exhaustion was brutal. Sleep was hit-or-miss, I kept waking up in the middle of the night, and my dreams were straight out of a horror movie. As for that anxiety, I still deal with it every morning right after I wake up, though it usually clears out after an hour or so. The heavy fatigue isn't there anymore, though; my energy levels stay pretty high all day. It's a massive improvement over when I was on Fevarin; back then, I could barely crawl out of bed for the entire day.😵

Richard Diaz50 said:If you wouldn't mind sharing a few thoughts with me 🙄
Has anyone here experienced any memory gaps while taking antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds???

With antidepressants, the gaps are less frequent... mostly just when you first start them up. But trying to recall specific information? That’s a total nightmare, especially on higher doses. As for antipsychotics—honestly, if I were still on those, I wouldn't be able to pass a single exam. I wouldn't even know my own name, let alone memorize a mountain of data. Mad respect to anyone actually pulling it off.👍

electrichound3 said:With antidepressants, the gaps are less frequent... mostly just when you first start them up. But trying to recall specific information? That’s a total nightmare, especially on higher doses. As for antipsychotics—honestly, if I were still on those, I wouldn't be able to pass a single exam. I wouldn't even know my own name, let alone memorize a mountain of data. Mad respect to anyone actually pulling it off.👍

I really have to hand it to you—managing to pull this off without them is truly impressive. 🙏 I can’t even wrap my head around an exam without them—honestly. When I try to study, my thoughts start buzzing like a swarm of bees in a hive—it's total chaos—and they just ground me back to reality. An oral exam is a whole different beast, though. Without Xanax, there's no way I'd stand before a professor with the confidence of a mountain range, talking away as if I’ve mastered all the wisdom in the world. Last time, I actually talked my way into a higher grade—apparently, I was just debating the validity of certain theorems! 🤣
To be honest—if I wasn't on my medication—I wouldn't even have the courage to show up for my exam... the thoughts are just too overwhelming. It’s like trying to navigate a storm without an anchor; only someone living through it truly understands. 🙂🙂

Laura Castillo6 said:I haven't used those specific ones, but I was on antipsychotics and had the exact same issue. It’s that feeling where entire days just vanish from my head—mostly the stretches I spent in the hospital. After four months on that treatment, I finally decided to get myself off of it. I've been free from that crap for about ten days now.

Wait—you were actually hospitalized? You mean at a psychiatric ward?? 😢

☕

Richard Diaz50 said:I really have to hand it to you—managing to pull this off without them is truly impressive. 🙏 I can’t even wrap my head around an exam without them—honestly. When I try to study, my thoughts start buzzing like a swarm of bees in a hive—it's total chaos—and they just ground me back to reality. An oral exam is a whole different beast, though. Without Xanax, there's no way I'd stand before a professor with the confidence of a mountain range, talking away as if I’ve mastered all the wisdom in the world. Last time, I actually talked my way into a higher grade—apparently, I was just debating the validity of certain theorems! 🤣
To be honest—if I wasn't on my medication—I wouldn't even have the courage to show up for my exam... the thoughts are just too overwhelming. It’s like trying to navigate a storm without an anchor; only someone living through it truly understands. 🙂🙂

Wait—you were actually hospitalized? You mean at a psychiatric ward?? 😢

Psychiatry, though honestly, it basically amounts to the same thing these days... I truly believe we'll reach a point soon where all of this isn't labeled as "illness" anymore, but just seen as a mental state. I'm rooting for you and hoping you feel like yourself again very soon.

Laura Castillo6 said:☕

Psychiatry, though honestly, it basically amounts to the same thing these days... I truly believe we'll reach a point soon where all of this isn't labeled as "illness" anymore, but just seen as a mental state. I'm rooting for you and hoping you feel like yourself again very soon.

Hang in there, little guy—but how much longer? Honestly, I can't stop picturing being stuck in a hospital ward; my biggest fear is just losing control of myself.😲
Was there an actual reason for it—like some sort of incident or was it voluntary admission?
Sending big hugs—just keep moving forward.😘

electrichound3 said:I’m on the same dose—37.5mg in the morning—and I've been at it for a year now. In the beginning, the exhaustion was brutal. Sleep was hit-or-miss, I kept waking up in the middle of the night, and my dreams were straight out of a horror movie. As for that anxiety, I still deal with it every morning right after I wake up, though it usually clears out after an hour or so. The heavy fatigue isn't there anymore, though; my energy levels stay pretty high all day. It's a massive improvement over when I was on Fevarin; back then, I could barely crawl out of bed for the entire day.😵

Well, Effexor is a real powerhouse, whereas Fever falls more into the anxiolytic category. For me, switching worked wonders because Effexor absolutely wrecked my sleep. After three weeks, I managed to taper off—it was just too intense for my system. It's different from Zoloft; even though Zoloft can be a bit of a stimulant too, it isn't nearly as aggressive and actually kept my energy steady throughout the day.

redpilot37 said:I'm asking the same thing. They work okay for my social anxiety and they calm me down, but I'm just groggy all day. There's no adrenaline left. I'm just not myself😁 I really miss the old me.😒
Whatever. If people love me, they love me. If they don't, they're wasting their breath.😁
Anyway, switching to something worse just to end up addicted to Normabel or Xanax isn't the answer... and good luck being "smart" about that.🍿
I have a feeling that maybe CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy, if I remember right 🤣) is the only thing that would actually work, and frankly, I'd rather tell everyone to go jump in a lake.🙂

I tried going without medication once, but I just ended up looking like a naive little kid—I definitely overestimated myself.😵
Now I've made a different choice; once you exhaust every possible alternative only to be met with disappointment, you'll accept whatever comes your way.☕ 😁
If only there were more understanding out there... sigh.🍿

Richard Diaz50 said:I tried going without medication once, but I just ended up looking like a naive little kid—I definitely overestimated myself.😵
Now I've made a different choice; once you exhaust every possible alternative only to be met with disappointment, you'll accept whatever comes your way.☕ 😁
If only there were more understanding out there... sigh.🍿

Exactly. You eventually realize it’s time to reset and let go of the stress, the anxiety, all of it. There isn't some perfect fix. We’re always questioning ourselves, but maybe that’s just baked into who we are. That tendency toward anxiety, depression, sensitivity, guilt—maybe the only thing left to do is accept it. You have to love yourself most of all.
I live in a small town where psychotherapy isn't really an option unless you pay out of pocket, which is expensive. Since I'm already paying a specialist privately, adding more costs would be too much, especially since I'm home right now and not working.
Basically, self-love and acceptance. That's the key.

Richard Diaz50 said:Hang in there, little guy—but how much longer? Honestly, I can't stop picturing being stuck in a hospital ward; my biggest fear is just losing control of myself.😲
Was there an actual reason for it—like some sort of incident or was it voluntary admission?
Sending big hugs—just keep moving forward.😘

There are some things in life you just can't control, kind of like how you can't stop the rotation of the Earth or anything. It’s just the way the world turns. I was actually stuck in the hospital for about ten days recently, and they ended up discharging me without even realizing that I wasn't really "there" yet. I didn't know where I stood with myself. It felt like losing consciousness—that heavy, terrifying sensation of being right on the edge of death. Honestly, if I didn't have my parents looking out for me, who knows where I would've ended up.

I was wondering, was there actually a legitimate reason behind it? Like, was it some kind of specific incident or just someone deciding to go into rehab on their own terms?
Sending big hugs, just keep moving forward! 😘

That’s exactly where the issue lies. It wasn't some voluntary decision to seek help. In situations like this, people around you just panic—they get scared and end up calling the police or an ambulance, and before you know it, you're being forcibly taken to a hospital for treatment. 🤔

Richard Diaz50 said:I really have to hand it to you—managing to pull this off without them is truly impressive. 🙏 I can’t even wrap my head around an exam without them—honestly. When I try to study, my thoughts start buzzing like a swarm of bees in a hive—it's total chaos—and they just ground me back to reality. An oral exam is a whole different beast, though. Without Xanax, there's no way I'd stand before a professor with the confidence of a mountain range, talking away as if I’ve mastered all the wisdom in the world. Last time, I actually talked my way into a higher grade—apparently, I was just debating the validity of certain theorems! 🤣
To be honest—if I wasn't on my medication—I wouldn't even have the courage to show up for my exam... the thoughts are just too overwhelming. It’s like trying to navigate a storm without an anchor; only someone living through it truly understands. 🙂🙂

Wait—you were actually hospitalized? You mean at a psychiatric ward?? 😢

I honestly respect that you can handle exams while on them. 👍 Personally, my anxiety hits such a peak before tests that my body just loses it. Headaches, nausea... it's horrific. I know nothing life-threatening is actually happening, but I can't fight it. It's stronger than me. I made a mistake once; instead of taking some Normabel to level me out before an exam, I took nothing, and my nerves just went through the roof. I'm not making that mistake again. So, does your memory actually stay sharp while you're on Xanax?

Anyone here actually used Luxet before?
I started taking half a pill yesterday, and while I haven't hit any other side effects, my heart is absolutely hammering in my chest. It’s unbearable. It’s driving me crazy. I didn't sleep at all last night—maybe five hours tops—and I woke up with my heart racing again. It’s constant. I also feel like I can’t catch my breath. I take Xanax too, which helps momentarily, but once it wears off about five hours later, the palpitations come right back. I originally started this because of panic attacks, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts, but the panic attacks actually stopped a month ago. I might not even need help with those anymore. Now, the only thing messing with me is this nagging feeling that I’m going to lose my mind, though that passes pretty quickly.
College stress has been brutal. During the week, I’d take Xanax 0.25 (sometimes two tablets a day), but by the weekend, I felt totally fine. I wasn't feeling sick at all. However, I lost my appetite, so I went to see my doctor. She told me I was overusing Xanax and suggested trying an antidepressant instead. I wasn't thrilled, but I went along with it. Right before I started this med, I felt completely okay.
Honestly, I regret starting it. I'm thinking about quitting because I don't think I need an antidepressant. I haven't been struggling this long anyway—only about five months—and I'm only 22. I feel way too young to be on this stuff already.
If anyone has experience with this, give me some advice. I have no idea what to do. Should I stick with this antidepressant, try a different one, or just try to manage without meds altogether? 😕🤷

fadedbear92 said:Well, Effexor is a real powerhouse, whereas Fever falls more into the anxiolytic category. For me, switching worked wonders because Effexor absolutely wrecked my sleep. After three weeks, I managed to taper off—it was just too intense for my system. It's different from Zoloft; even though Zoloft can be a bit of a stimulant too, it isn't nearly as aggressive and actually kept my energy steady throughout the day.

It's true, Effexor is a powerhouse. I had major issues with insomnia while on it, though things finally stabilized a few months ago and I can actually sleep through the night now without waking up. But Paxil? Ugh. I have never experienced that kind of total energy depletion with any other psychiatric med. It was a nightmare. I struggled on it for nearly a month... it practically pinned me to my bed. My ability to function like a normal human being was basically zero. Of course, everyone is different—it was prescribed specifically to target my anxiety.

I actually walked into an exam while my Xanax was still kicking in. I have zero clue what kind of nonsense I was rambling about, but I do know one of the toughest professors on campus was absolutely cracking up. He ended up giving me an A.

Kevin Bailey2 said:I actually walked into an exam while my Xanax was still kicking in. I have zero clue what kind of nonsense I was rambling about, but I do know one of the toughest professors on campus was absolutely cracking up. He ended up giving me an A.

I once wrote a philosophy essay for a state competition while high on Misar. I have zero memory of what I actually wrote, but somehow I made it to the regional finals and took first place.🤣
I did the exact same thing during my college entrance exams for philosophy; whenever there was an essay to write, I’d just pop some Misar, and I'd walk away with a decent passing grade.🙂

shadowbear9 said:I once wrote a philosophy essay for a state competition while high on Misar. I have zero memory of what I actually wrote, but somehow I made it to the regional finals and took first place.🤣
I did the exact same thing during my college entrance exams for philosophy; whenever there was an essay to write, I’d just pop some Misar, and I'd walk away with a decent passing grade.🙂

Great... maybe I'll just knock back a Xanax before my exam. Hopefully, that'll kill the nerves once and for all. 🎉

electrichound3 said:Great... maybe I'll just knock back a Xanax before my exam. Hopefully, that'll kill the nerves once and for all. 🎉

Just make sure you don't overdo it to the point where you're practically falling asleep on us...

Robin Myers91 said: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 fight tooth and nail because Zyprexa, Everbio, Risperdal, and Seroquel made me pack on over 90 pounds.
So far, I haven't noticed any side effects other than some mild drowsiness (which I don't even really feel), though apparently, people with heart conditions should stay away from it.
It doesn't cause weight gain at all; in fact, it actually kills my appetite so much that I’ve already dropped 11 pounds in just seven days. I'm still taking Zeldox 120 mg on the side.

Here is what my experience with Abilify has been like:🙏that restless, jittery feeling where I just can't sit still, dry mouth (though not all the time), nasal congestion, dizziness, and a sort of tingling sensation throughout my body whenever I stand up.