Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Brandon Thomas89,

Thanks so much for breaking that down for me! I’ve been on Lexapro for about five months now, and honestly? I'm doing great—like, there's a massive improvement in pretty much every area of my life. Plus, my doctor actually told me things are only going to get better from here. When you mentioned feeling awesome after eight months, it really gave me hope—it makes me think maybe there’s still more of an upward climb ahead of me and this isn't just the peak. 😁
If things actually get even better than this... man, that would be absolutely incredible!

Oh, and that thing you said about emotions? I totally feel you on that. It's hard to put into words, though... maybe it's just that we anxiety-prone types are always so wound up and overstimulated by everything, so now, everything finally feels like it's just... settling down.

So, I've been on this for about a month and a half now, and honestly, the anxiety isn't really letting up—if anything, these bouts of uncontrollable laughter seem to be getting more frequent. It’s not a great feeling. I can't help but wonder if Prozac was actually working better for me; I'm just not entirely sure why my doctor decided to make this switch.

I can't really speak to Prozac, since Lexapro is a newer generation and generally carries fewer side effects.

ironbadger5, just hang in there—you'll hit a plateau eventually, and once you reach that peak, things mostly level out.
As for the emotional numbness—it's hard to say if that's a feature or a bug. Most people I know are actually surprised by how calm and unshakeable I've become. It’s like my worldview shifted toward being brutally realistic. (Which isn't exactly a superpower when you're the one delivering bad news). 🤷

Brandon Thomas89 said:I can't really speak to Prozac, since Lexapro is a newer generation and generally carries fewer side effects.

ironbadger5, just hang in there—you'll hit a plateau eventually, and once you reach that peak, things mostly level out.
As for the emotional numbness—it's hard to say if that's a feature or a bug. Most people I know are actually surprised by how calm and unshakeable I've become. It’s like my worldview shifted toward being brutally realistic. (Which isn't exactly a superpower when you're the one delivering bad news). 🤷

I definitely feel more grounded. Maybe not "pathologically" realistic, but I'm certainly way more composed and able to look at things with a clear head. It's easier to just cut through the noise instead of overcomplicating everything, and I can tell what actually matters from what doesn't.

I have a question, and I would be truly grateful if anyone with some knowledge could help me out. What kind of antidepressant is Lexapro? I am currently taking it, but I’ve been having some digestive issues lately, so my doctor prescribed some Reglan. Looking at the instructions for the Reglan, it mentions that it shouldn't be used alongside tricyclic antidepressants. This has left me feeling a bit uncertain because I don't really understand how these different medications work. Is Lexapro considered a tricyclic antidepressant or not? Thank you all so much in advance for your help.

..why isn't it working for you yet? Just pull yourself together and wait—it’s not... you really need to shed everything off first—and then you'll see—you can try breathing in pure air, deeply, ten times more intensely than before

..on foot

David Bishop4 said:I have a question, and I would be truly grateful if anyone with some knowledge could help me out. What kind of antidepressant is Lexapro? I am currently taking it, but I’ve been having some digestive issues lately, so my doctor prescribed some Reglan. Looking at the instructions for the Reglan, it mentions that it shouldn't be used alongside tricyclic antidepressants. This has left me feeling a bit uncertain because I don't really understand how these different medications work. Is Lexapro considered a tricyclic antidepressant or not? Thank you all so much in advance for your help.

It isn't; it's actually an SSRI. You can find a great breakdown of how those work right here:
http://www.farmakologija.com/materia/n_c_ad.htm

Thanks so much. I actually already managed to track down what I was looking for online, but I really appreciate you checking anyway.

I was wondering if anyone here takes Wellbutrin for anxiety and depression, and how long it typically takes before you start noticing a real difference? I'd love to hear about your experiences—what things were like for you beforehand, what led you to start the medication, and how it eventually changed things for you.

Wellbutrin should kick in after about 2 or 3 weeks. If you've passed that mark and still feel like crap, it’s time to switch things up.
Google says so.

Most medication leaflets claim you'll start feeling the effects within two weeks, but in reality, it rarely works quite like that. For instance, I’ve been on my current dose for exactly three weeks now and I feel like absolute crap today. It’s hard to tell if there's any actual progress because I'm dealing with both emotional lows and intimacy issues, which makes everything feel much heavier. If anything, I just feel slightly more muted, but I can't really say if that's the medicine working or just me feeling numb.
I was hoping to hear from someone who has personally used Wellbutrin and could share their own experience.
Anyone?

I am currently in my fourth week of taking it.
My doctor insisted that I shouldn't anticipate any significant shifts for at least six weeks.

However, what many people fail to grasp is the reality that improvement isn't solely the result of a pill; it requires a relentless, ongoing commitment to personal growth and mental discipline.

As for my own experience—if you must know—it has been quite a journey.
During the first week, I was in a state of perpetual weeping. By the second week, I had stabilized somewhat and felt a sense of equilibrium. Midway through that second week, my libido actually returned to its former levels, which I found immensely gratifying. By the third week, however, I realized that I could no longer cry if I wanted to. I can force myself to squeeze out perhaps three tears, but that is the extent of it... there is no catharsis, no emotional release whatsoever. I cannot determine whether this is a profound numbness caused by my circumstances or simply the physiological effect of the medication.

Oh, and one more thing: the dry mouth is absolutely unbearable.

It’s honestly tough to hear. Since you’re about a week ahead of me, I’ll be watching your progress to see how things unfold so we can compare notes... For example, during my first week, I dealt with dizziness, then felt like I was actually improving in the second week, but now, in this third week, the anxiety has hit me hard—I was practically sobbing all day today! It feels as though my external reactions to stress are becoming shorter or more superficial, yet that underlying tension remains just as heavy on the inside.

Self-improvement is a given, but I was actually referring to how these tablets work. It seems like there aren't many people online using them lately... so, what made you decide to get them?

How many of those do you take daily? And do you pair them with anything else?
I usually take half a 0.5 mg Xanax tablet in the evening.

My doctor prescribed me more Xanax, fully expecting my anxiety to flare up, though I’ve been trying my best to avoid taking them. In truth, I didn't touch them at all until my shoulder started acting up again—because, as luck would have it, my anxiety always manifests physically—but even then, they provided absolutely no relief. I think I’ve taken maybe five pills total.

I spent years attempting to tackle my depression entirely on my own; it’s been a nearly five-year struggle defined by constant peaks and valleys, but I finally hit a wall of absolute lethargy, escalating panic attacks, and relentless nightmares. I simply couldn't endure it anymore, so I sought out a physician to get a prescription for anti-anxiety medication.
Now I am looking into starting therapy, though finding the right fit is a challenge. Since I am currently studying psychology, it feels particularly complicated because everywhere I turn, Professor 😁

As for the regimen, I am taking three a day now, though it was just two during the first week. That seems to be the standard dosage; I suspect the dose for something like Lexapro remains relatively consistent regardless of the individual.

Oh, and I should mention that during those first two days after starting the medication, I dealt with bouts of dizziness, which also occurred when I increased my dosage. Fortunately, that sensation didn't last long.

I’ve been digging through some research on Coaxil, and apparently, doses can be bumped up to 200 mg daily. Honestly, everything I’ve managed to find about this medication feels a bit sparse; it’s such an unusual drug, and the way it actually works is almost the reverse of what you'd expect, which I find quite fascinating. I’m currently taking it three times a day as well... As for that part about fighting this battle alone for five years—I relate to that completely, though in my case, I’d add another three years to the tally 😁

It’s also about how symptoms manifest physically. It becomes this constant cycle of catastrophe—headaches, bladder issues, back pain, shortness of breath, or just random sharp pains. I’m perpetually tense, and eventually, all that strain just drags me straight into depression.

Working on myself... well, I understand the theory behind it all, but applying it is a different story when you're being overwhelmed by physical sensations. My primary focus is just trying to get rid of the symptoms themselves. By the time I deal with that, I have zero energy left to actually function, especially when I need to be out in public.
I don't quite follow that part; I used to be quite the social butterfly, and honestly, I think I still am at heart, but this constant tension makes being around people feel incredibly uncomfortable.

I feel a sense of regret that I didn't overcome this sooner. It has reached a point where it feels like a permanent way of life; I’ve carried this anxiety within me for far too long. It has fundamentally altered who I am, shifting my entire self-perception. My confidence has hit rock bottom, and while I truly want to rebuild it, the process feels incredibly difficult and exhausting.

I also dealt with some pretty intense dizziness for about two or three days, but that seems to have cleared up now. For a few mornings, I actually felt great—almost a sense of light euphoria—but lately, it feels like things have just plateaued for the past week. It’s just been a steady climb from there. I'm hoping this is just the lull before the medication finally kicks in for real.
I honestly don't care; I could take these medications for the rest of my life if I have to. It’s nothing compared to the actual suffering I've endured. You only get one shot at this life, and after realizing I wasted eight of my best years trapped in that hell, I refuse to let it happen again.