Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Brandon Lopez6 said:The worst part is that it’s family. Extended family, sure, but still family.
I really held out hope that one day we’d all just be able to sit down and talk things through, but clearly, that's never happening.

Yeah, obviously not, but honestly, you shouldn't even feel bad because people like that can only mess with your head using their warped logic. It sucks because we're out here fighting battles with illnesses that are still so heavily stigmatized and just completely misunderstood by everyone else. It’s pretty pathetic, really, especially when you think we're supposedly living in the 21st century. I've already reached the point where I've accepted that some people just shouldn't know anything about my condition—it's better for me that way. I have zero interest in dealing with those condescending looks or all that "well-meaning" advice they try to shove down your throat.

shadowbear9 said:And I am actually trying to find ways to get more Seroquel because I can't seem to fall asleep otherwise. I did ask her to put in a prescription for Misar and Sanval just in case, though... and she wrote down alprazolam instead. I told her, "No way, please just write Xanax," but she wouldn't budge. It was the same thing when I was in the hospital and they wouldn't prescribe Seroquel; they just kept giving me Loquem. They are so stubborn about sticking to their preferred brands.

Look, go ahead and request whatever dosage you need for sleep; I am certain she won't authorize more than what is medically appropriate for you.
Regarding the specific brands, I don't mind much when they substitute with domestic alternatives, as I assume there isn't much difference with most medications. However, reading through this forum, I have begun to realize that people truly can sense a distinction between the brand-name Seroquel and its generics.
How exactly did you manage to get that Seroquel approved through your insurance? Was it by adjusting the diagnosis? I don't personally need it, but I am curious if this is standard practice for everyone. On a side note, I heard Varga bought an office desk for over eight thousand dollars, while people are being denied coverage for life-critical medications. We would end up paying out of pocket just to survive.

Skickas FR

restlesstrucker15 said:Look, go ahead and request whatever dosage you need for sleep; I am certain she won't authorize more than what is medically appropriate for you.
Regarding the specific brands, I don't mind much when they substitute with domestic alternatives, as I assume there isn't much difference with most medications. However, reading through this forum, I have begun to realize that people truly can sense a distinction between the brand-name Seroquel and its generics.
How exactly did you manage to get that Seroquel approved through your insurance? Was it by adjusting the diagnosis? I don't personally need it, but I am curious if this is standard practice for everyone. On a side note, I heard Varga bought an office desk for over eight thousand dollars, while people are being denied coverage for life-critical medications. We would end up paying out of pocket just to survive.

Skickas FR

She gave me Loquen 25 mg twice on a private prescription, and man, that cost me $33 per box. Later, I told my psychiatrist to write down the specific diagnosis, but even that wasn't enough because the paperwork didn't explicitly state I had those symptoms; the doctor had to emphasize it later on 🙄 and they gave me Seroquel while I was in the hospital, and yeah, you can definitely tell the difference... I'm just glad she isn't forcing the generic stuff on me anymore, though she still won't give me Xanax, just Helex or Misar...

shadowbear9 said:Hey everyone, how are you all doing? I was wondering what kind of treatment plans you're on and how you're actually managing them?

As for me, things have finally started to settle down a bit now that I'm on 60mg of Cymbalta in the morning and 600mg of Seroquel XR before bed. I can honestly say that since I started taking quetiapine—it’s been about three months now—I’ve actually been sleeping. I think I’ve maybe had five nights where I couldn't drift off, but even then, I usually just help myself out with some Sanval.🎉

The only real issue is that I've put on about 20 pounds, so I basically have nothing to wear anymore except for sweatpants.🕺 I guess I've tried cutting back on my meals, but at this rate, I feel like I'm just going to snap, haha.

For me, Cymbalta actually flipped me right out of depression and straight into a severe manic episode, so my psychiatrist had to pull the plug on the Cymbalta immediately and bump up my antipsychotic dosage instead. See, I have bipolar disorder, and I react negatively to pretty much any antidepressant—basically, they just trigger mania for me, and that’s already happened three times now. So, definitely be careful with Cymbalta if you're dealing with bipolar; you really need to stay on top of your check-ups so your doctor can keep a close eye on you.

Right now, I'm taking Lamictal for the depression—it's an anticonvulsant that has antidepressant effects—though I can't quite say it's done much for me yet. Then again, I've only been on it for two weeks at a super low dose, just 25 mg in the morning and evening. I'm expecting my doctor to gradually increase the dosage over time so I can start feeling better, especially since I struggle with hypersomnia and just can't seem to get enough sleep. Aside from that, I'm still on Zyprexa and Tegretol. My mood has been relatively stable for the last few months, but I'm always a little nervous that mania might strike again. I'm hoping it won't, though, because I'm done with antidepressants that trigger those episodes.

By the way, does anyone here have experience using Lamictal for bipolar? I asked in the bipolar thread too, but I think I got ignored there. Any info at all would be great. Thanks!☕

shadowbear9 said:She gave me Loquen 25 mg twice on a private prescription, and man, that cost me $33 per box. Later, I told my psychiatrist to write down the specific diagnosis, but even that wasn't enough because the paperwork didn't explicitly state I had those symptoms; the doctor had to emphasize it later on 🙄 and they gave me Seroquel while I was in the hospital, and yeah, you can definitely tell the difference... I'm just glad she isn't forcing the generic stuff on me anymore, though she still won't give me Xanax, just Helex or Misar...

I'm reading through all this and honestly, my experience is the complete opposite. It’s wild how much this stuff varies from person to person. Xanax does absolutely nothing for me except make me act totally hysterical. I’ve never had that happen with Helex, so if it’s a choice between those three, I’m picking Helex every single time. When I take Xanax, I feel like a squirrel on amphetamines. It’s a terrible feeling, especially since it's supposed to actually calm a person down.

My primary care doctor always prescribes me the exact same thing my buddy mentioned. Heck, I’ve even had pharmacists ask me which one of those three I want—like, if they're low on Helex, they'll politely ask if I want Xanax or Misar. And I always give them the same answer: "No thanks, I'll just go to the next pharmacy."

George Sullivan7 said:I'm reading through all this and honestly, my experience is the complete opposite. It’s wild how much this stuff varies from person to person. Xanax does absolutely nothing for me except make me act totally hysterical. I’ve never had that happen with Helex, so if it’s a choice between those three, I’m picking Helex every single time. When I take Xanax, I feel like a squirrel on amphetamines. It’s a terrible feeling, especially since it's supposed to actually calm a person down.

My primary care doctor always prescribes me the exact same thing my buddy mentioned. Heck, I’ve even had pharmacists ask me which one of those three I want—like, if they're low on Helex, they'll politely ask if I want Xanax or Misar. And I always give them the same answer: "No thanks, I'll just go to the next pharmacy."

Yeah, it's true—everything is highly individual. There were times when Xanax was the absolute gold standard for my anxiety and panic attacks, whereas during those periods when Xanax was scarce in the US, Helex would sedate me way too fast and way too hard.
As for doctors, it really depends on the physician. Thank God I don't have any issues—mine writes the prescription exactly as my therapist instructs—but then there are some who just won't budge. Is it because they're scared? (According to insurance guidelines, they should probably be prescribing generics rather than name brands since they're cheaper), or maybe they've made a deal with some big pharma company to push one specific brand? Who knows... unfortunately, anything goes.

fadedbear92 said:Yeah, it's true—everything is highly individual. There were times when Xanax was the absolute gold standard for my anxiety and panic attacks, whereas during those periods when Xanax was scarce in the US, Helex would sedate me way too fast and way too hard.
As for doctors, it really depends on the physician. Thank God I don't have any issues—mine writes the prescription exactly as my therapist instructs—but then there are some who just won't budge. Is it because they're scared? (According to insurance guidelines, they should probably be prescribing generics rather than name brands since they're cheaper), or maybe they've made a deal with some big pharma company to push one specific brand? Who knows... unfortunately, anything goes.

My doctor has seen me through all sorts of phases—I mean, different mental states—so she doesn't even make a big deal out of anything anymore. She knows I'm not playing games regardless of where I'm at. Like, if her notes say Ativan for my liver stuff but my back is killing me (since I deal with that too) and I ask for something like Klonopin or Ativan instead to help relax the muscles, she just writes it. It's really down to the doctor, though, and also us patients. If you can actually communicate like a normal human being, it works, but let's face it, sometimes we patients are just totally stuck in our own heads.

Anyway, Rejo, how long have you been on Qapin? And are you taking a stabilizer with it, or just the antidepressant plus that? Not trying to pry or anything! But like I said, I'm right on the edge of changing my whole regimen, and I refuse to give up my eglonyl, even if I never sleep again🤣. I just wish I could talk to my doctor properly and actually argue my case for why I want or don't want certain things. This Fluzepam thing she gave me is basically useless when combined with the Depakote Chrono she prescribed last week for stabilization and sleep. I've got another appointment next week.

Look, I’m struggling to wrap my head around something here. If I was originally prescribed oxazepam for my insomnia through my primary care doctor—on his own initiative—but now that a new physician has taken over, he refuses to refill it without a sign-off from a specialist I haven't been able to see for two months... where is the damn logic in that?

George Sullivan7 said:My doctor has seen me through all sorts of phases—I mean, different mental states—so she doesn't even make a big deal out of anything anymore. She knows I'm not playing games regardless of where I'm at. Like, if her notes say Ativan for my liver stuff but my back is killing me (since I deal with that too) and I ask for something like Klonopin or Ativan instead to help relax the muscles, she just writes it. It's really down to the doctor, though, and also us patients. If you can actually communicate like a normal human being, it works, but let's face it, sometimes we patients are just totally stuck in our own heads.

Anyway, Rejo, how long have you been on Qapin? And are you taking a stabilizer with it, or just the antidepressant plus that? Not trying to pry or anything! But like I said, I'm right on the edge of changing my whole regimen, and I refuse to give up my eglonyl, even if I never sleep again🤣. I just wish I could talk to my doctor properly and actually argue my case for why I want or don't want certain things. This Fluzepam thing she gave me is basically useless when combined with the Depakote Chrono she prescribed last week for stabilization and sleep. I've got another appointment next week.

For me, eglonyl worked quite well, I suppose; they gave it to me as a sort of supplement, but then they switched me to something else and took it away :/ It's the same with my doctor; sometimes I ask for things and I don't even know myself. My Sanval has been discontinued and then reinstated countless times, just like my Misop or Xanax, and there's a million different antidepressants too. Sometimes I end up driving around or ordering them early instead of waiting for my scheduled refill if I don't have an appointment, and I almost never take them consistently enough for them to actually last until my next date...

restlesstiger49 said:Look, I’m struggling to wrap my head around something here. If I was originally prescribed oxazepam for my insomnia through my primary care doctor—on his own initiative—but now that a new physician has taken over, he refuses to refill it without a sign-off from a specialist I haven't been able to see for two months... where is the damn logic in that?

There isn't any logic, honestly. A GP can easily prescribe both SSRIs and benzos without sending you to a specialist at all, and Oxazepam falls right into that category. Plus, once they do refer you out, they might decide to stick strictly to the psychiatrist's orders because you're already on other meds, though I don't see why he wouldn't just give you some Paxil or Oxazepam. Usually, the GP stays out of the mental health treatment plan once the specialist takes over, but those rules are pretty "flexible" depending on the doctor.

Maybe try actually talking to him. Just tell him straight up that you need something for sleep and let him decide what to give you since you can't get to your psychiatrist. If that doesn't work, you could always head to the ER. Tell them you haven't slept in days and your doctor won't help you with anything for insomnia. That should light a fire under them. No point in suffering through this for nothing.

restlesstiger49 said:Look, I’m struggling to wrap my head around something here. If I was originally prescribed oxazepam for my insomnia through my primary care doctor—on his own initiative—but now that a new physician has taken over, he refuses to refill it without a sign-off from a specialist I haven't been able to see for two months... where is the damn logic in that?

There’s zero logic in it, so why don't you just switch doctors?

I honestly can't believe we're still having this debate. It feels like every time I log on, someone is trying to reinvent the wheel or argue against common sense. At this point, if you aren't keeping up with the basic standards of the community, you're just making extra work for everyone else. It’s frustrating, frankly. kaže:
It honestly makes zero sense. The VA has enough authority to prescribe things like antidepressants or benzodiazepines on their own without even involving a psychiatrist—and Oxazepam falls right into that category. Plus, once they do send you to a specialist, there’s always that chance they’ll decide to stick strictly to the psychiatrist's orders, regardless of any other treatments you're already undergoing. I don't see any logical reason why they wouldn't just prescribe Paxil instead. Usually, the standard practice is for the VA to stay out of the medication management once a psychiatrist takes over, but let's be real: those rules are incredibly flexible when they feel like it.

From what I've gathered, it turns out that primary care physicians aren't actually authorized to prescribe psychotropic medications on their own. It's a bit of a letdown, unfortunately.

Maybe you should try talking to him directly. Just tell him you're desperate for something to help with the insomnia and let him decide what he thinks is best for you. Since you can't get an appointment with your psychiatrist right now, that’s your best bet. If that doesn't work, you can always head to the ER. Tell them you haven't slept in days and that your PTSD is making it impossible to even close your eyes. They really ought to take you seriously. There is absolutely no reason for you to be suffering like this.

I laid everything out for them, explaining how much that Oxazepam helps—which, by the way, was originally prescribed to me by my old military doctor rather than a psychiatrist—but I still got nowhere. It’s frustrating. Honestly, it feels like you practically have to stage a complete mental breakdown just to get taken seriously at the ER, doesn't it?

David Jackson22 said:There’s zero logic in it, so why don't you just switch doctors?

Man, I really don't have the energy to deal with changing my firearms permit now. It’s such a headache... Who knows who I might end up running into if I'm not careful.

George Sullivan7 said:My doctor has seen me through all sorts of phases—I mean, different mental states—so she doesn't even make a big deal out of anything anymore. She knows I'm not playing games regardless of where I'm at. Like, if her notes say Ativan for my liver stuff but my back is killing me (since I deal with that too) and I ask for something like Klonopin or Ativan instead to help relax the muscles, she just writes it. It's really down to the doctor, though, and also us patients. If you can actually communicate like a normal human being, it works, but let's face it, sometimes we patients are just totally stuck in our own heads.

Anyway, Rejo, how long have you been on Qapin? And are you taking a stabilizer with it, or just the antidepressant plus that? Not trying to pry or anything! But like I said, I'm right on the edge of changing my whole regimen, and I refuse to give up my eglonyl, even if I never sleep again🤣. I just wish I could talk to my doctor properly and actually argue my case for why I want or don't want certain things. This Fluzepam thing she gave me is basically useless when combined with the Depakote Chrono she prescribed last week for stabilization and sleep. I've got another appointment next week.

I should probably dig out my medical records, but I think they go back about two years.
Yeah, I'm taking a stabilizer, Klonopin, plus an antidepressant, Effexor.😒😉

I can't even begin to deal with this right now. Just absolute madness. kaže:
I really ought to dig up my medical records, probably going back about two years or so.
Yeah, I'm on the stabilizer combo—Rivotril plus Ad Edronax.😒😉

Dammit! 😢So, I was looking into Edronax, and yeah... definitely a hard pass for me. Between dealing with glaucoma and having low blood pressure, my doctor basically told me that stuff is off the table. Not worth the risk. 🙂The instructions say you can't take them together, and that’s exactly where I run into a wall. It’s a massive headache. I can't touch any of those noradrenergic ADs, or anything else that triggers glaucoma—which pretty much narrows my options down to almost nothing. One time, a doctor put me on Effexor, and my blood pressure shot up to 160/100. In the US, if you hit 180, you're looking at an emergency room visit or worse. Now, the few meds I actually *can* take just don't work for me... grrrrr. 😠

Listen, if this conversation about Rivotril and Q-pin doesn't actually make sense, I’m switching shrinks. Seriously. I've had enough of this guy's nonsense.

A Nurse Practitioner has quite a bit of leeway when it comes to prescribing, though ultimately, the decision to prescribe an Ad remains at the psychiatrist's discretion. They are fully authorized to prescribe various benzodiazepines and hypnotics on their own authority. Honestly, I think that’s appropriate; sometimes people just need immediate relief for a specific situation without having a formal diagnosis on file. If anyone is curious about which medications strictly require a psychiatrist's oversight versus those that don't—even if they are used off-label—you can simply download the A and B drug lists from the Medicare website. It provides a full breakdown alongside the medication names and their respective abbreviations.

Skickas fr

I think my Ad might finally be kicking in 😲
I’m not gonna say I feel "great," because that would imply I’ve been feeling like crap lately, which isn't really the case. But I do feel... more normal. Yeah. That's the word.
I don't know, I just have this feeling that I'm actually myself again. Really hoping this sticks 😍

Zyprexa just stopped working for me. 😢 During that first week on it, my brain went from running at 150% capacity straight down to 20%. It was like being in a total trance. Honestly, felt like someone just flipped a switch and shut off 80% of my head. A real blast, that. 🙂 Too bad I’ve built up a tolerance now, so it doesn't do anything anymore. 😢

Brandon Lopez6 said:I think my Ad might finally be kicking in 😲
I’m not gonna say I feel "great," because that would imply I’ve been feeling like crap lately, which isn't really the case. But I do feel... more normal. Yeah. That's the word.
I don't know, I just have this feeling that I'm actually myself again. Really hoping this sticks 😍

Jeeeeeee!!!🎉🎉🎉
That's awesome! Just don't let it get to you if things dip a little bit here and there, because that's usually how the ride goes—just a bunch of ups and downs until things finally level out completely.

Brandon Lopez6 said:I think my Ad might finally be kicking in 😲
I’m not gonna say I feel "great," because that would imply I’ve been feeling like crap lately, which isn't really the case. But I do feel... more normal. Yeah. That's the word.
I don't know, I just have this feeling that I'm actually myself again. Really hoping this sticks 😍

Finally, some 🙂 closure...

Sent fr

Brandon Lopez6 said:I think my Ad might finally be kicking in 😲
I’m not gonna say I feel "great," because that would imply I’ve been feeling like crap lately, which isn't really the case. But I do feel... more normal. Yeah. That's the word.
I don't know, I just have this feeling that I'm actually myself again. Really hoping this sticks 😍

Girl, just keep those good vibes flowing! 👋👋👋👋