Psychotropic medication discussion thread

silentmarlin76 said:I don't even know where to start with this one, honestly, because there’s just so much to unpack from what was said, but I guess I'll dive in anyway since my brain won't let me settle down until I've chewed on it for a bit. It's funny how certain things just stick in your head, isn't it? You're just going about your day, maybe grabbing a coffee in Seattle or something, and suddenly you're spiraling over a conversation you had three days ago. Anyway, regarding what was mentioned...

Lyrica is some heavy-duty stuff... Honestly, you can notice it with pretty much any medication they put you on, that whole water retention thing. It doesn't have to be a huge deal if you’re just feeling a bit bloated around the stomach—that’s kind of par for the course—but you really ought to get your liver checked out, especially if you start noticing swelling in your legs. If you don't mind me asking, what are they even having you take it for? Not trying to pry or anything, just curious.

I don't really know how else to put this, but I've been sitting here staring at my screen for what feels like an eternity just trying to find the right way to respond to everything that’s been said, because honestly, there's so much to unpack and my brain is feeling a little bit like scrambled eggs today. It’s funny, isn't it, how we all end up in these digital spaces just drifting along, hoping someone actually gets what we're trying to say, even when we're being a total mess about it? Anyway, I was looking back at what was mentioned earlier, and it really got me thinking about how much stuff changes depending on who you ask, which is kind of wild if you stop to dwell on it for more than a second. I guess I'm just rambling now, sorry, I tend to go off on these little side quests in my own head sometimes, but I just felt like I had to share those thoughts before they drifted away entirely.

I guess I’m just sitting here thinking about things again, probably overthinking them more than I should, which is kind of my specialty, I suppose. You know how it goes when you start spiraling down one of those mental rabbit holes where everything feels a little too heavy and you can't quite shake that sense of unease. It’s like being stuck in a fog where you’re trying to find your footing but the ground just feels a bit too soft, if that makes any sense? Anyway, I was just reflecting on how much easier life might feel if we could just flip a switch and turn off all that background noise in our heads, though I know deep down that it isn't actually that simple, no matter how much we wish it were. Just one of those days where my brain is doing its own thing and I'm just along for the ride, trying to make sense of it all while sipping on some coffee and hoping the clouds clear up soon. kaže: I honestly feel like we should be sending everyone struggling with mental health issues in for a full checkup once a year, you know? Like, just a regular, comprehensive deep dive to see where things stand. It feels like we just sort of drift along until something hits the fan, but if we actually had a system for annual screenings, maybe we could catch the downward spirals before they turn into total freefalls. Just a thought, I guess—maybe I’m just overthinking it again, but it seems like it would make so much more sense. Just thinking about everyone out there who’s currently navigating life on a mix of AD and AP... you know, those of us just trying to keep our heads above water with the daily meds and the anti-anxiety stuff.

Man, what they actually ought to be doing is lightyears away from how they’re actually running things... I know, I know, there's supposed to be a rule for this kind of stuff, but honestly, hardly anyone ever bothers to post about it, and from what I can tell, nobody even considers it essential documentation for anything, so everyone just skips right over it.

Sometimes my stomach looks like I’m freaking pregnant.
I’m taking it for anxiety tied to my OCD. I also struggle with some pre-psychotic symptoms.
This time around they switched me over to an anti-epileptic because, honestly, every other antipsychotic makes me put on at least 50 pounds.

I feel like Lyrica bumps up my appetite on Yelp just a little bit, nothing crazy though.

Jason Vaughn482 said:That sounds like a plan; I'll check them out since I'm already feeling way too reliant on laxatives. Thanks.

The wheat bran stuff you're looking for—look for "wheat bran fiber." You can find those red boxes over at Whole Foods. It's about $2.00 bucks for a 250g bag.
Best way is to take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with some warm water. If that tastes like total garbage to you, just mix it with milk or something.

Just grab two of them, you'll need it.

silentmarlin76 said:Look, if you take Ambien, you really have to head straight to bed immediately... otherwise, you might just push right through it and feel like you didn't even take anything at all. You can basically bypass the whole effect in half an hour and then it's over, nothing left. I'm not sure if your doctor warned you about that part?

If you're looking for sleep, Praxiten would probably be the best bet, but man, that stuff is a total trap. Just a heads-up, you can expect a nasty withdrawal crisis once you try to stop taking it after about a month.

Regarding Ventia or Seroquel... seriously, if it was prescribed to you, don't let fear stop you from trying it. Just start small—maybe 25 mg—and go from there. The main thing with those is that your tolerance builds up fast and you end up feeling super hungry, by the way. But hey, it doesn't cause addiction, so if it doesn't work for you, you can just quit without any drama. Don't let those intense warning labels scare you off; your doctor wouldn't have written them down unless there was a real reason. (I mean, every single medication comes with a massive list of warnings, contraindications, and side effects, right?) Give it a shot... you might just feel a little groggy at first.

exactly

Jason Vaughn482 said:I took some Ambien last night which I don't usually use, and it was a struggle just to drift off; honestly, I fall asleep easier than I do with those OTC stuff... My doctor prescribed me Ventia to help with sleep since I told him I was struggling, but after reading through everything online, I think I'm giving up on the AP I was assigned for my insomnia yet again. I haven't actually tried a single pill from the prescription yet... I don't know, maybe I should try a 25 mg dose, but reading all these horror stories gives me the chills.

I've been using Q-pin for sleep for about two years now and it works wonders for me, plus my doctor assured me that you don't get addicted to these types of meds.👍

fadedbear92 said:exactly

I've been using Q-pin for sleep for about two years now and it works wonders for me, plus my doctor assured me that you don't get addicted to these types of meds.👍

Addicted? Please. But listen, I decided to run my own little experiment last week by cutting out my Xanax cold turkey, and man, what a disaster. I was staring at the ceiling from 5 AM until 7 AM every single night. I kept telling myself, "Hey, once the chemicals clear out of your system, you'll sleep like a baby," but that was total BS. It didn't help one damn bit. Still tossing and turning like crazy.

Kimberly Morris said:Besides Zoloft, you've got Luxe, Celexa, and Haleu. They're all sertraline, just different manufacturers...
I've been on 0.25mg of Zoloft for over 3 weeks now, and for the last 3 days, I bumped it up by another quarter of 0.25... Still feeling absolutely nothing.

Thanks. 🙂
Maybe you just need more time before you start feeling better? Or maybe it’s the dosage. 🤷
I think your mindset matters a lot here. I’m staying positive, but I'm not expecting a miracle overnight.
And obviously, I'd be doing psychotherapy alongside it.

urbanskipper4 said:The wheat bran stuff you're looking for—look for "wheat bran fiber." You can find those red boxes over at Whole Foods. It's about $2.00 bucks for a 250g bag.
Best way is to take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with some warm water. If that tastes like total garbage to you, just mix it with milk or something.

Just grab two of them, you'll need it.

Well, fine then. I was already waiting, so I went ahead and grabbed a different red box—some Fit Vital premium wheat germ. It shouldn't matter much; I'll just finish this one first and then pick up the specific bran you mentioned later. I think I got mixed up because you mentioned wheat bran and I instinctively connected it to what I saw on the shelf... even though this one also claims high fiber content and calls itself premium wheat germ.
Thanks, 🙂

fadedbear92 said:exactly

I've been using Q-pin for sleep for about two years now and it works wonders for me, plus my doctor assured me that you don't get addicted to these types of meds.👍

What dosage are you currently on? A friend of mine handed me some 100 mg pills he had just sitting in his desk drawer and suggested I simply split them in half. However, looking at the tablet now, there isn't a score mark or any indentation to guide the way, and frankly, I’m paralyzed by the thought of hacking it into three uneven pieces. I haven't taken anything yet; I'm just sitting here staring at this tiny fragment of a pill, feeling a genuine sense of dread about whether I should even attempt it.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Well, fine then. I was already waiting, so I went ahead and grabbed a different red box—some Fit Vital premium wheat germ. It shouldn't matter much; I'll just finish this one first and then pick up the specific bran you mentioned later. I think I got mixed up because you mentioned wheat bran and I instinctively connected it to what I saw on the shelf... even though this one also claims high fiber content and calls itself premium wheat germ.
Thanks, 🙂

Have you tried cutting back on the Xanax?
The meds are making me crave cookies. I am obsessed with cookies, but I'm supposed to be on a diet.

Jason Vaughn482 said:What dosage are you currently on? A friend of mine handed me some 100 mg pills he had just sitting in his desk drawer and suggested I simply split them in half. However, looking at the tablet now, there isn't a score mark or any indentation to guide the way, and frankly, I’m paralyzed by the thought of hacking it into three uneven pieces. I haven't taken anything yet; I'm just sitting here staring at this tiny fragment of a pill, feeling a genuine sense of dread about whether I should even attempt it.

Just use a knife to split it. I remember back when I was on Seroquel, I used to split mine all the time. Even at the hospital, they’d use those little pill cutters to slice everything up.

They even go as far as crushing tablets into fine powder for patients who refuse to swallow them.

Jason Vaughn482 said:What dosage are you currently on? A friend of mine handed me some 100 mg pills he had just sitting in his desk drawer and suggested I simply split them in half. However, looking at the tablet now, there isn't a score mark or any indentation to guide the way, and frankly, I’m paralyzed by the thought of hacking it into three uneven pieces. I haven't taken anything yet; I'm just sitting here staring at this tiny fragment of a pill, feeling a genuine sense of dread about whether I should even attempt it.

I take 25 mg daily for anxiety, and then 100 mg for insomnia.
I know you always get these nerves regarding medication—try not to let the fear take over too much. I get it, truly, I know how much anxiety can paralyze you, but you don't have much of a choice if you want to stop suffering through sleepless nights.
Personally, I manage to sleep seven hours straight, which is plenty for me to function.
Good luck! 😉

Jason Vaughn482 said:What dosage are you currently on? A friend of mine handed me some 100 mg pills he had just sitting in his desk drawer and suggested I simply split them in half. However, looking at the tablet now, there isn't a score mark or any indentation to guide the way, and frankly, I’m paralyzed by the thought of hacking it into three uneven pieces. I haven't taken anything yet; I'm just sitting here staring at this tiny fragment of a pill, feeling a genuine sense of dread about whether I should even attempt it.

Based on how you're describing it, if they gave you stuff like Seroquel, Quetiapine, or an SSRI, then yeah, just break it up... you can even crush it if you really have to. Just tear off a quarter of it and swallow it down, but hey, if Paxil used to make you feel all groggy and out of it, this might do the same thing to you... Don't sweat it too much though, it's not like it's super intense. Honestly, just nibble off a tiny bit of the pill and go catch some Z's, then see how you feel after...

I honestly can't even begin to tell you how much I’ve been overthinking this whole situation lately, like, my brain just won't shut up about it, you know? I was sitting there just staring at my screen, probably looking like a total space cadet, thinking back to what urbanskipper4 said earlier, and it really hit me how much we all just struggle with the same weird stuff. It’s kind of wild when you think about it, isn't it? We're all just out here doing our best, trying to navigate life without losing our minds, and sometimes it feels like we're just spinning our wheels in some massive suburban parking lot in Ohio or something. Anyway, I don't mean to ramble on forever—though I know I totally do—but I just felt like I had to share that little thought because it felt important in that weird, late-night sort of way. Just one of those things, I guess!

urbanskipper4 said:Sometimes my stomach looks like I’m freaking pregnant.
I’m taking it for anxiety tied to my OCD. I also struggle with some pre-psychotic symptoms.
This time around they switched me over to an anti-epileptic because, honestly, every other antipsychotic makes me put on at least 50 pounds.

I feel like Lyrica bumps up my appetite on Yelp just a little bit, nothing crazy though.

Yeah, honestly, if you're eating everything in sight, then yeah, the Paxil will definitely make you pack on the pounds—but you don't actually have to eat like that, you know? It’s all about how you handle it. I don't think Lyrica makes you gain weight per se, but man, almost every single one of these meds makes you feel super bloated and puffy. It's just one of those things. Anyway, regardless of what anyone else says, you should probably go get some liver function tests done, just to be safe and make sure you aren't running yourself ragged. 😉

I was just sitting here thinking about everything we’ve been discussing lately, and honestly, my head is kind of spinning from all the different perspectives flying around this thread. It feels like everyone has such a unique take on how things are going, which I guess is why I spend so much time lurking here, even when I don't have much to add myself. Sometimes I feel like I'm just drifting through these conversations, trying to make sense of the chaos, you know? Anyway, I'm just hanging out, processing it all, and hoping that eventually, some of this stuff starts to click for me. Just one of those days where I'm feeling a little extra reflective, I suppose. kaže:
So, look, there’s no actual addiction issue here or anything like that, but I decided to run a little experiment on myself this week by tapering off my Zyprexa. Honestly? Total disaster. I was pulling these insane all-nighters where I wouldn't even hit the pillow until 5:00 AM, only to be jolted awake by my alarm at 7:00. I really went into this thinking that once the medication cleared out of my system, my sleep cycle would finally stabilize and things would actually feel better—you know, like I'd finally get some decent rest. But nope, absolutely nothing. My sleep is still non-existent, and honestly, everything else feels pretty crappy too.

How long has it actually been since you stopped taking Zyprexa? I mean, how many nights have you gone without any real sleep now?

urbanskipper4 said:Have you tried cutting back on the Xanax?
The meds are making me crave cookies. I am obsessed with cookies, but I'm supposed to be on a diet.

Are you kidding me? I can barely catch a wink of sleep even when I take it; drifting off is an uphill battle, and frankly, the whole ordeal is grating on my nerves because it forces me to drag myself out of bed way too late in the morning.

fadedbear92 said:I take 25 mg daily for anxiety, and then 100 mg for insomnia.
I know you always get these nerves regarding medication—try not to let the fear take over too much. I get it, truly, I know how much anxiety can paralyze you, but you don't have much of a choice if you want to stop suffering through sleepless nights.
Personally, I manage to sleep seven hours straight, which is plenty for me to function.
Good luck! 😉

So, you aren't taking anything else alongside it? Fine, I suppose I will give it a shot tonight. To be honest, my fear of pharmaceuticals has always been a point of contention with my previous doctor, so I’ve transitioned to a younger male psychiatrist for a change of pace. He has a private practice outside of the major hospital networks, which feels much more manageable and convenient... thank you, I will report back with my initial reactions. Like you, I do eventually get seven hours of sleep, but my struggle lies in the agonizing hours spent tossing and turning before I finally drift off; if I hit the pillow at 11:00 PM, I won't actually fall asleep until 2:00 AM, which completely wrecks my entire biological rhythm.

P.S. Do you monitor your liver enzymes and blood sugar levels after starting Qviba? I'm wondering if those labs stay within a normal range for you.

silentmarlin76 said:Based on how you're describing it, if they gave you stuff like Seroquel, Quetiapine, or an SSRI, then yeah, just break it up... you can even crush it if you really have to. Just tear off a quarter of it and swallow it down, but hey, if Paxil used to make you feel all groggy and out of it, this might do the same thing to you... Don't sweat it too much though, it's not like it's super intense. Honestly, just nibble off a tiny bit of the pill and go catch some Z's, then see how you feel after...

It's called Quetiapine.

Jason Vaughn482 said:So, you aren't taking anything else alongside it? Fine, I suppose I will give it a shot tonight. To be honest, my fear of pharmaceuticals has always been a point of contention with my previous doctor, so I’ve transitioned to a younger male psychiatrist for a change of pace. He has a private practice outside of the major hospital networks, which feels much more manageable and convenient... thank you, I will report back with my initial reactions. Like you, I do eventually get seven hours of sleep, but my struggle lies in the agonizing hours spent tossing and turning before I finally drift off; if I hit the pillow at 11:00 PM, I won't actually fall asleep until 2:00 AM, which completely wrecks my entire biological rhythm.

P.S. Do you monitor your liver enzymes and blood sugar levels after starting Qviba? I'm wondering if those labs stay within a normal range for you.

Yeah, definitely worth getting those liver numbers checked periodically. Honestly, your doctor should be the one bringing that up first. I’ve been on Xanax since early 2010, took Reglan for maybe 3 or 4 years for my stomach, and I've been on Amyzol and Arvind for about 11 months now. Just had my labs done recently and everything came back clean.
Since you're on way fewer pills than I am, there's really no reason to stress out beforehand. 🙂

*because let's face it, doctors don't always stay on top of everything

Brandon Lopez6 said:Yeah, definitely worth getting those liver numbers checked periodically. Honestly, your doctor should be the one bringing that up first. I’ve been on Xanax since early 2010, took Reglan for maybe 3 or 4 years for my stomach, and I've been on Amyzol and Arvind for about 11 months now. Just had my labs done recently and everything came back clean.
Since you're on way fewer pills than I am, there's really no reason to stress out beforehand. 🙂

*because let's face it, doctors don't always stay on top of everything

I appreciate the sentiment, dear... but I happen to have a medical background, which gives me a certain level of insight—not to mention my penchant for hypochondria and the fact that my liver tumor markers came back elevated, so naturally, the anxiety has set in.🤦
I’ve been taking Calixta for three years, though I strictly stick to half of the minimum prescribed dose; I also take Sanval at 4mg alongside Xanax, so my regimen isn't exactly light. When I decided to add an AP last night—I only took a tiny fragment, maybe 25mg, though the pill is notoriously difficult to split—it didn't do a thing to help me sleep. I ended up taking my usual combination of Sanval and Calixta instead, and I must say, it was a miserable night. Waking up this morning felt like dragging myself through sludge, and I'm just incredibly frustrated with myself; I just want to feel like a functioning human being again.🙂

What kind of stomach issues are you dealing with? I deal with them occasionally myself, usually reaching for some Prilosec, and I use laxatives too if things get backed up during the day... but so far, my liver enzymes have stayed within range. I'm scheduled to go back in two weeks for more bloodwork and to check those markers again. By the way, when are you planning to taper off the Amyzol? How are you feeling—is it bothering you, or are you doing alright?

silentmarlin76 said:I honestly can't even begin to tell you how much I’ve been overthinking this whole situation lately, like, my brain just won't shut up about it, you know? I was sitting there just staring at my screen, probably looking like a total space cadet, thinking back to what urbanskipper4 said earlier, and it really hit me how much we all just struggle with the same weird stuff. It’s kind of wild when you think about it, isn't it? We're all just out here doing our best, trying to navigate life without losing our minds, and sometimes it feels like we're just spinning our wheels in some massive suburban parking lot in Ohio or something. Anyway, I don't mean to ramble on forever—though I know I totally do—but I just felt like I had to share that little thought because it felt important in that weird, late-night sort of way. Just one of those things, I guess!

Yeah, honestly, if you're eating everything in sight, then yeah, the Paxil will definitely make you pack on the pounds—but you don't actually have to eat like that, you know? It’s all about how you handle it. I don't think Lyrica makes you gain weight per se, but man, almost every single one of these meds makes you feel super bloated and puffy. It's just one of those things. Anyway, regardless of what anyone else says, you should probably go get some liver function tests done, just to be safe and make sure you aren't running yourself ragged. 😉

I was just sitting here thinking about everything we’ve been discussing lately, and honestly, my head is kind of spinning from all the different perspectives flying around this thread. It feels like everyone has such a unique take on how things are going, which I guess is why I spend so much time lurking here, even when I don't have much to add myself. Sometimes I feel like I'm just drifting through these conversations, trying to make sense of the chaos, you know? Anyway, I'm just hanging out, processing it all, and hoping that eventually, some of this stuff starts to click for me. Just one of those days where I'm feeling a little extra reflective, I suppose. kaže:
So, look, there’s no actual addiction issue here or anything like that, but I decided to run a little experiment on myself this week by tapering off my Zyprexa. Honestly? Total disaster. I was pulling these insane all-nighters where I wouldn't even hit the pillow until 5:00 AM, only to be jolted awake by my alarm at 7:00. I really went into this thinking that once the medication cleared out of my system, my sleep cycle would finally stabilize and things would actually feel better—you know, like I'd finally get some decent rest. But nope, absolutely nothing. My sleep is still non-existent, and honestly, everything else feels pretty crappy too.

How long has it actually been since you stopped taking Zyprexa? I mean, how many nights have you gone without any real sleep now?

Yeah, well, I went back on the Zyprexa.

I'm probably gonna be popping that crap for the rest of my life, honestly.

I mean, it doesn't have to be some massive, overnight overhaul... you just don't want to go swinging for the fences all at once without having a psychiatrist in your corner to help guide the way, you know? Just take it one tiny step at a time... maybe give that a shot if you haven't already... Good luck, seriously!

Day 27 on Zoloft and honestly? Nothing. It’s actually getting worse. A few days ago I even bumped up to the full 50 mg pill.
I feel like I’m poisoning myself and my kid, and I’m literally praying every single day for some kind of relief, but... nothing. Zip. Zero.
My psychiatrist keeps insisting things will eventually turn a corner... Okay, fine, maybe I just need more time to feel human again, but the fact that I don't feel even a tiny bit better yet is absolutely killing me.