Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Charles Wright said:It feels like at least half the country is on antidepressants these days. Honestly, I can see why. For me, mixing Effexor with Prozac isn't doing much either, so I’m thinking about just giving up on it altogether.
Is anyone here taking Anafranil? It seems like doctors rarely prescribe it lately, probably because it's cheap and doesn't line the pockets of the big pharma giants, but I've read it's actually incredibly effective.

Effexor works wonders for me; it really gives my norepinephrine that necessary boost. How long have you been on it, and what dose are you taking?

fadedbear92 said:Effexor works wonders for me; it really gives my norepinephrine that necessary boost. How long have you been on it, and what dose are you taking?

I'm taking 4mg once a day along with Prozac once a day. It was supposed to be a sort of first aid to pull me out of this depressive episode I've been stuck in lately. I've been at it for three weeks now, but I'm not noticing any major improvement. Aside from feeling pretty numb, which makes things less upsetting than usual, there are just too many side effects still going on to even list them. I'm worried I might need to look into other antidepressant options soon.

Here I go again (dayria). Banned until four months from now. Things have been hitting rock bottom lately, so I figured I’d share what the last few weeks have looked like. Ended up back in the hospital—this time at a facility in Memphis. I felt half-dead, just waiting to sign the discharge papers so I could get out of there. Since then, everything has been dark. Suicidal thoughts won't leave me alone. I told my psychiatrist today, but of course, my idiot father had to barge into the office and turn it into a massive drama. Now I’m stuck on Prozac, they left me Seroquel, and xanax. To make matters worse, my doctor snatched 😠 right out from under me. On Tuesday the 24th, I was just sitting at my laptop when suddenly I was surrounded by EMTs. My heart rate shot up to 150 beats per minute 😲. Apparently, I collapsed, started shaking, and hit my head on a radiator. Long story short, after all the tests, they think I might have epilepsy 🙂. Just what I needed. Now the psychiatrist is pushing for me and my old man to check into the hospital for two weeks of injections. Absolutely not happening. I barely survived those 14 days last time. Waking up at 6 AM, forced exercises when you'd rather gouge your eyes out, food that tastes like sludge, people who don't even shower, others who just pass gas... no chance. Unless they can arrange for me to get my shots locally here in Nashville, I'm not going. And yeah, they gave me some brutal anti-epileptic med that gives me splitting headaches. I'm exhausted. Maybe third time's the charm if I can finally manage to end it. I need to find a new way. They hid my ☕

I am uncertain what you are referring to by "Berigoj." If this is a specific term or a name I have missed, please provide more context so that I may address your inquiry with the appropriate level of detail and precision. restlesstrucker15 says:
It feels as though at least half the country is currently on antidepressants. Honestly, I can't say I find that surprising. In my own experience, adding Effexor to my Prozac hasn't yielded the desired results, and I am reaching a point where I intend to discontinue its use.

Does anyone here take Prozac? It seems like doctors rarely prescribe it these days, supposedly because it’s inexpensive—which I suspect doesn't sit well with the big pharmaceutical giants. That being said, I’ve read quite a bit about how exceptionally effective it actually is.

I would suggest consulting with your psychiatrist regarding Prozac. Generally speaking, the older generations of these medications can be quite taxing on the body due to their more intense side effects—not just during the initial adjustment period, but in terms of long-term physiological impact. That said, I am aware there are certain individuals for whom that specific medication was the only effective option. It is concerning to see how market shifts dictate availability; for instance, when major manufacturers pull a product because it’s no longer profitable to produce, patients are left stranded. I have read reports that Lexapro might face similar commercial discontinuation issues soon. We saw this happen previously with Trazodone, and even with Flexeril, which many rely on for muscle relaxation only to find it leaves them feeling completely sluggish. Now, they are pivoting toward alternatives like Normabel, but it feels incredibly disorganized. I honestly struggle to understand how the pharmaceutical landscape in America allows for the sudden withdrawal of a single essential medication without ensuring seamless transitions. It seems inefficient; while companies churn out endless generics for things like Lexapro, Zoloft, or Seroquel, there is absolutely no guarantee that your doctor will be able to prescribe the exact brand or formulation you actually need.
I find myself wondering about the implications for those currently relying on Lexapro. It seems they will be forced to resort to ordering their prescriptions from overseas at a significantly higher premium.

Skickas fr

shadowfox75 said:I suspect the Lexapro isn't doing much for me.
It helped settle my dizziness, but I've been dealing with this restless feeling for five days now; some days feel fine, but then they don't...
On top of that, my appetite is just as inconsistent, swinging wildly every few days. Any time a negative thought crosses my mind, everything just takes a turn for the worse.
I think I'll tell my doctor on Tuesday that I'm done with the Lexapro. I just need to know what the next steps are. Zoloft didn't work, and it feels like Lexapro is no different...
Honestly, I just can't catch a break. I’ll give it a little more thought, but I’m leaning toward giving up on antidepressant therapy altogether.
Psychotherapy is helpful, but I doubt I can manage without medication. Then again, I don't see the point in all this suffering—constantly waiting to see if things will finally click or if I'll just be stuck in this cycle. It's been six weeks of this mess...
What the hell is happening to me? 🤦

Hang in there and try to stick with it a bit longer; having five good days out of seven is actually a decent sign. I'm not sure what they would even switch you to if you're dealing with anxiety-depression rather than just pure anxiety, if I understood you correctly. Prozac is very similar to Zoloft, maybe even Paxil, though the side effects can be a real pain.
I have no idea... Let me know how it goes, I'm genuinely curious.

Best, fr

brightviper22 said:Here I go again (dayria). Banned until four months from now. Things have been hitting rock bottom lately, so I figured I’d share what the last few weeks have looked like. Ended up back in the hospital—this time at a facility in Memphis. I felt half-dead, just waiting to sign the discharge papers so I could get out of there. Since then, everything has been dark. Suicidal thoughts won't leave me alone. I told my psychiatrist today, but of course, my idiot father had to barge into the office and turn it into a massive drama. Now I’m stuck on Prozac, they left me Seroquel, and xanax. To make matters worse, my doctor snatched 😠 right out from under me. On Tuesday the 24th, I was just sitting at my laptop when suddenly I was surrounded by EMTs. My heart rate shot up to 150 beats per minute 😲. Apparently, I collapsed, started shaking, and hit my head on a radiator. Long story short, after all the tests, they think I might have epilepsy 🙂. Just what I needed. Now the psychiatrist is pushing for me and my old man to check into the hospital for two weeks of injections. Absolutely not happening. I barely survived those 14 days last time. Waking up at 6 AM, forced exercises when you'd rather gouge your eyes out, food that tastes like sludge, people who don't even shower, others who just pass gas... no chance. Unless they can arrange for me to get my shots locally here in Nashville, I'm not going. And yeah, they gave me some brutal anti-epileptic med that gives me splitting headaches. I'm exhausted. Maybe third time's the charm if I can finally manage to end it. I need to find a new way. They hid my ☕

Dayri, I am so sorry that you are struggling so much and being shuffled through various psychiatrists.
Please don't kill yourself; it isn't worth it. However, it is possible that you do have epilepsy, which would explain why they are treating you this way.
I see that your parents are worried about you, and while I know that gets on your nerves, it is actually a good thing. If they had the money for private psychotherapy, that would be ideal. Or, at the very least, if they could get you to a specialist who truly understands pharmacology, someone you can be completely honest with regarding everything you've taken, both legally and otherwise. There has to be someone.

Best regards,

I find myself returning to this question: is anyone here currently taking Lyrica? It’s typically prescribed in lower doses for generalized anxiety or neuropathy. I was on it quite some time ago to deal with nerve damage following spinal surgery, but I only managed to tolerate it for about two months. While it worked wonders for my anxiety, it left me feeling wired—almost like I was on speed—which made sleep impossible. As for the neuropathy, you really need a higher dose and longer-term use to see results, so the pain persisted regardless. I am curious to hear if anyone else is using it and how you are managing.
Also, I know Amyl is sometimes prescribed in small amounts, though I will need to consult with my neurosurgeon and coordinate that with my psychiatrist.
If you are struggling with anxiety, feel free to ask about Lyrica, though unfortunately, it can be quite expensive. Just keep in mind it isn't indicated for epilepsy.

Skickas fr

brightviper22 said:Here I go again (dayria). Banned until four months from now. Things have been hitting rock bottom lately, so I figured I’d share what the last few weeks have looked like. Ended up back in the hospital—this time at a facility in Memphis. I felt half-dead, just waiting to sign the discharge papers so I could get out of there. Since then, everything has been dark. Suicidal thoughts won't leave me alone. I told my psychiatrist today, but of course, my idiot father had to barge into the office and turn it into a massive drama. Now I’m stuck on Prozac, they left me Seroquel, and xanax. To make matters worse, my doctor snatched 😠 right out from under me. On Tuesday the 24th, I was just sitting at my laptop when suddenly I was surrounded by EMTs. My heart rate shot up to 150 beats per minute 😲. Apparently, I collapsed, started shaking, and hit my head on a radiator. Long story short, after all the tests, they think I might have epilepsy 🙂. Just what I needed. Now the psychiatrist is pushing for me and my old man to check into the hospital for two weeks of injections. Absolutely not happening. I barely survived those 14 days last time. Waking up at 6 AM, forced exercises when you'd rather gouge your eyes out, food that tastes like sludge, people who don't even shower, others who just pass gas... no chance. Unless they can arrange for me to get my shots locally here in Nashville, I'm not going. And yeah, they gave me some brutal anti-epileptic med that gives me splitting headaches. I'm exhausted. Maybe third time's the charm if I can finally manage to end it. I need to find a new way. They hid my ☕

Not sure which anti-epileptic you were prescribed, but those often act as mood stabilizers too, so if you're dealing with epilepsy (like me), it's a win win.
Personally, I didn't deal with any side effects when I started the anti-epileptic.

restlesstrucker15 said:I find myself returning to this question: is anyone here currently taking Lyrica? It’s typically prescribed in lower doses for generalized anxiety or neuropathy. I was on it quite some time ago to deal with nerve damage following spinal surgery, but I only managed to tolerate it for about two months. While it worked wonders for my anxiety, it left me feeling wired—almost like I was on speed—which made sleep impossible. As for the neuropathy, you really need a higher dose and longer-term use to see results, so the pain persisted regardless. I am curious to hear if anyone else is using it and how you are managing.
Also, I know Amyl is sometimes prescribed in small amounts, though I will need to consult with my neurosurgeon and coordinate that with my psychiatrist.
If you are struggling with anxiety, feel free to ask about Lyrica, though unfortunately, it can be quite expensive. Just keep in mind it isn't indicated for epilepsy.

Skickas fr

What specifically do you want to know about Amyzol? I've been on 10mg four times a day for almost a year now. 🙂

Brandon Lopez6 said:Not sure which anti-epileptic you were prescribed, but those often act as mood stabilizers too, so if you're dealing with epilepsy (like me), it's a win win.
Personally, I didn't deal with any side effects when I started the anti-epileptic.

What specifically do you want to know about Amyzol? I've been on 10mg four times a day for almost a year now. 🙂

I take Depakote Chrono 300mg before bed, then 600mg plus 800mg of Seroquel; they've pretty much stripped everything else away... my dad keeps suggesting Xanax, but honestly, I have no idea how to get hold of anything without risking another overdose. My first question to the neurologist was how that antiepileptic would affect my sleep 🤣 I'm terrified of being wide awake all night. The psychiatrist suggested some kind of injections, but from what I gather, that means staying in the hospital. I need to find out if I can just get those at the local clinic in my small town instead of lying in a hospital bed wasting what little life I have left surrounded by old ladies.

Amyzal 👍

The thing is, my MRI, CT, and EEG don't actually show classic epilepsy—just "brain waves." Supposedly my brain is just burnt out from everything, which caused the seizure, or whatever...

brightviper22 said:I take Depakote Chrono 300mg before bed, then 600mg plus 800mg of Seroquel; they've pretty much stripped everything else away... my dad keeps suggesting Xanax, but honestly, I have no idea how to get hold of anything without risking another overdose. My first question to the neurologist was how that antiepileptic would affect my sleep 🤣 I'm terrified of being wide awake all night. The psychiatrist suggested some kind of injections, but from what I gather, that means staying in the hospital. I need to find out if I can just get those at the local clinic in my small town instead of lying in a hospital bed wasting what little life I have left surrounded by old ladies.

Amyzal 👍

The thing is, my MRI, CT, and EEG don't actually show classic epilepsy—just "brain waves." Supposedly my brain is just burnt out from everything, which caused the seizure, or whatever...

My CT scan came back clean, and the EEG is fine too, except for one tiny detail, which is why I get these "awake seizures." I don't pass out or convulse, I just get hit with these massive episodes that feel a lot like derealization.

Brandon Lopez6 said:My CT scan came back clean, and the EEG is fine too, except for one tiny detail, which is why I get these "awake seizures." I don't pass out or convulse, I just get hit with these massive episodes that feel a lot like derealization.

Can you describe those episodes? I had two in two years, both for good reason. The first was after a breakup—I hadn't eaten or slept for weeks, just cried constantly. My entire routine was trashed, and then I went to take three finals in one day😲. Naturally, I didn't pass the first one because I blacked out and started seizing. Ended up in the ER on an IV, got brain scans, and then sent home. Then there was the second time; I hadn't slept, and I ended up taking eight 400mg Seroquel pills—that's 3200mg. Instead of passing out, my grandma woke me up and I was just completely drained. Total shutdown. One minute I'm at the emergency room, the next I've got knots on my head from hitting the radiator and my heart racing at 150 BPM. Honestly, it doesn't even feel like epilepsy to me. More like a total brain power-down. I tend to push my body past its limit, so maybe that's just how it shuts off. My labs aren't great either, but I can say the anti-epileptic helps. It calms me down and helps me sleep better. Starting tomorrow, I'll be taking two 🙂
And then there's the other thing. Every once in a while, when I'm exhausted, I get these tremors. Like a bolt of lightning hits me. I'll be walking on flat ground and almost collapse because everything flashes white for a split second🤷

Brandon Lopez6 said:Not sure which anti-epileptic you were prescribed, but those often act as mood stabilizers too, so if you're dealing with epilepsy (like me), it's a win win.
Personally, I didn't deal with any side effects when I started the anti-epileptic.

What specifically do you want to know about Amyzol? I've been on 10mg four times a day for almost a year now. 🙂

I was wondering, if I'm prescribed this for those other issues, does it cause heavy sedation by the second day? For my current condition, they suggest taking 10 or 25 before bed. The problem is that by the next day, I struggle with anything that causes drowsiness; I just couldn't adjust to it with things like Xanax or Seroquel. If it does cause sedation, does that eventually wear off after a while?

Man, 😢 I wasn't aware you both dealt with epilepsy. It isn't easy, though it seems you both have things under control. 😉

Skickas FR

restlesstrucker15 said:I was wondering, if I'm prescribed this for those other issues, does it cause heavy sedation by the second day? For my current condition, they suggest taking 10 or 25 before bed. The problem is that by the next day, I struggle with anything that causes drowsiness; I just couldn't adjust to it with things like Xanax or Seroquel. If it does cause sedation, does that eventually wear off after a while?

Man, 😢 I wasn't aware you both dealt with epilepsy. It isn't easy, though it seems you both have things under control. 😉

Skickas FR

I've only been at this for a week, and I hate it. What happens if I just collapse in public? Or what if it spirals into something worse? My parents and my therapist have been drilling it into me—if I don't follow the treatment perfectly, things go south fast. They’re constantly trying to push me toward inpatient care. I have to call tomorrow and see if I can just get my injections here in my small town instead of driving all the way to Chicago or being stuck in a hospital ward. 😢 Honestly, I'm not doing well. This is too much. At least the truth is out there now, but I've been bouncing between clinics since I was fifteen because of insomnia. Eventually, I'll end up with every mental health issue on the books.

It is perfectly natural that you’re feeling anxious right now; honestly, I would be too. Dealing with aging and mental health struggles can be intimidating, but please know that these issues are very manageable today, and you won't be stuck in this state forever. It seems like you've been getting some inconsistent guidance from previous doctors, so my advice is to find a highly reputable neurologist in Chicago to get a proper home prescription. If they do decide on a brief hospital stay, remember that it's only for a few days so they can monitor how you respond to the medication—it isn't a permanent situation 🙂 just stay strong

How long does it take for tolerance to actually kick in with Adderall? Specifically, I’m wondering if the body starts craving a higher dose just to feel the same thing—say, if someone were taking it daily or even just two or three times a week? I already know all about the tapering process, so don't worry, I get that part. It's not the coming down that's on my mind; it's the need to bump up the dosage because of resistance. Anyone here dealt with this before?
Adderall works wonders for me, but I'm a little worried that it won't be a long-term fix once my tolerance hits.

neontiger4 said:How long does it take for tolerance to actually kick in with Adderall? Specifically, I’m wondering if the body starts craving a higher dose just to feel the same thing—say, if someone were taking it daily or even just two or three times a week? I already know all about the tapering process, so don't worry, I get that part. It's not the coming down that's on my mind; it's the need to bump up the dosage because of resistance. Anyone here dealt with this before?
Adderall works wonders for me, but I'm a little worried that it won't be a long-term fix once my tolerance hits.

My shrink told me that if I took it every single day, physical dependence—where the body craves more—would set in within six weeks to two months. Personally, though, I think he's exaggerating a bit just to scare patients into compliance.😛

In my opinion, the psychological addiction is way worse. That's the stuff in your head—the feeling that you can't function without an anxiolytic, even if you aren't dealing with any actual physical withdrawal symptoms.

If you're only taking it two or three times a week, I imagine it would take a long time before any kind of dependency develops.

Anyway, if you're using it for anxiety or panic attacks, there are plenty of AT&T medications with anti-anxiety effects that could help you out without the addiction potential, so it's worth looking into.🙂

Michael Hill2 said:My shrink told me that if I took it every single day, physical dependence—where the body craves more—would set in within six weeks to two months. Personally, though, I think he's exaggerating a bit just to scare patients into compliance.😛

In my opinion, the psychological addiction is way worse. That's the stuff in your head—the feeling that you can't function without an anxiolytic, even if you aren't dealing with any actual physical withdrawal symptoms.

If you're only taking it two or three times a week, I imagine it would take a long time before any kind of dependency develops.

Anyway, if you're using it for anxiety or panic attacks, there are plenty of AT&T medications with anti-anxiety effects that could help you out without the addiction potential, so it's worth looking into.🙂

So, I’ve been put on this temporary prescription for about a month—not a long-term thing, just a little bridge for now. The official word was that I could take 0.25 mg twice a day, every single day, for the next 30 days. But honestly? I’ve realized that 0.125 mg once a day is plenty for me. Once the effects wear off, I just go back to feeling a bit anxious like usual and don't bother taking the second dose. I’m also not even taking it every day; it’s more like every third day or so because I really don't want to deal with getting psychologically hooked on something. The plan is to finish this 30-day stretch, head back to my doctor as scheduled, and actually talk about a long-term solution—something that won't cause resistance or dependency. I was secretly hoping she’d jump straight to an antidepressant, but she basically looked at me and decided I’m just going through a particularly rough patch. She suggested starting with Misar as a temporary fix and even told me she thinks I probably won't need anything else after this month is up. To be honest, I have a feeling she only gave me this specific option because she thinks I'm the type who isn't keen on popping pills constantly. It feels less like a "beginning and end" situation and more like she's testing the waters.

neontiger4 said:So, I’ve been put on this temporary prescription for about a month—not a long-term thing, just a little bridge for now. The official word was that I could take 0.25 mg twice a day, every single day, for the next 30 days. But honestly? I’ve realized that 0.125 mg once a day is plenty for me. Once the effects wear off, I just go back to feeling a bit anxious like usual and don't bother taking the second dose. I’m also not even taking it every day; it’s more like every third day or so because I really don't want to deal with getting psychologically hooked on something. The plan is to finish this 30-day stretch, head back to my doctor as scheduled, and actually talk about a long-term solution—something that won't cause resistance or dependency. I was secretly hoping she’d jump straight to an antidepressant, but she basically looked at me and decided I’m just going through a particularly rough patch. She suggested starting with Misar as a temporary fix and even told me she thinks I probably won't need anything else after this month is up. To be honest, I have a feeling she only gave me this specific option because she thinks I'm the type who isn't keen on popping pills constantly. It feels less like a "beginning and end" situation and more like she's testing the waters.

Look, maybe your doctor is onto something and this is just a temporary spike in anxiety. Use the time to figure out what’s actually messy in your life—what’s triggering you and draining your battery. Reorganize your priorities, hit the gym, watch the sugar, get some sleep, and start putting yourself first. I’d also suggest looking into autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation exercises.

If rearranging your life doesn't work after a month, you can always switch to an antidepressant. I don't think your doctor messed up at all. 🙂

I missed my morning dose of Lopressor 100 mg, and now I'm wondering if things might take a turn for the worse.
It’s actually got me a little worried, mostly because I was finally starting to feel pretty decent.

Mark Nelson said:I missed my morning dose of Lopressor 100 mg, and now I'm wondering if things might take a turn for the worse.
It’s actually got me a little worried, mostly because I was finally starting to feel pretty decent.

That’s happened to me before too. Honestly, you shouldn't panic, but just make sure you don't skip your next scheduled dose.😉