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Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Started by Robin Myers91 · · 👁 378 views · 10K replies

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Participants Robin Myers91Eric Wood7Maria Gomez6crimsonhound80Tyler Ortiz6dustyscout41Andrew Stewart2George Ramos64Morgan Long49Jason Sanchez3briskgull27Charles Edwards8Brenda Allen2hollowtinker8bluecyclist28electricorca13David Kern14Ashley Morganwanderingscout13Sam Hall15coppergardenerCarl Thompson4Mark Stewartanalognomad762 …
Douglas Ramos2 Douglas Ramos2 Active Member
79 messages
joined Jan 2011
#2101 ·
placiddrifter74 said:Douglas Ramos2, thanks for the reply. I’ve got a few more questions on my mind. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their personal experience with beta-blockers—specifically why you were prescribed them, how they actually make you feel, and whether you've found them to be effective or not. Thanks!

Well, I can tell you about my own experience:
So, I'm on 5g of metoprolol, which is basically 50mg every 12 hours—though that's probably wrong since they're usually taken once every 24 hours; I think there was a bit of a mix-up there🤷, but it doesn't really matter🤣. Doctors are only human, after all😉... anyway, I was prescribed them for arrhythmias, which were likely just a reaction to stress, anxiety, or something along those lines. Usually, people take them to lower blood pressure... so, what are you taking them for? I'm genuinely curious😕
Personally, I don't notice any changes in my mood or anything like that from them, so I'm not quite sure why they'd want to give you that specifically... hmm... maybe they're pairing it with something else, I guess. If you're dealing with tachycardia, high blood pressure, or things like that, it should definitely help control it. But as far as having an impact on your mental state? Honestly, I haven't noticed anything at all... well, actually, except when combined with alcohol🤣, but that's beside the point
placiddrifter74 placiddrifter74 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jan 2011
#2102 ·
I’m not actually on beta-blockers myself—I’m just curious to hear about your experiences with them. I started some therapy about 3 or 4 months ago after being diagnosed with anxiety and phobic disorder. To be honest, I’ve always struggled with depression, constant anxiety, and phobias since I was a kid. Lately, I’ve been feeling pretty unmotivated, lazy, disinterested, and just generally antisocial... It’s a lot. Currently, I’m taking Zoloft (I was on Fevarin for a little over a month before that) and Misar 0,25 mg as needed. So, figured I’d share where I'm at with you all... I'm asking about beta-blockers because I've heard they're frequently used to help manage panic attacks and anxiety. Since my anxiety can get pretty intense—sometimes even leading to what I can only call full-blown "attacks" in certain places or situations—it's really messed with my life. I ended up avoiding those spots entirely, which just made everything worse. Does anyone here have experience with them, or would a situation like mine typically qualify for a prescription? Sorry for the long post...😢
Douglas Ramos2 Douglas Ramos2 Active Member
79 messages
joined Jan 2011
#2103 ·
placiddrifter74 said:I’m not actually on beta-blockers myself—I’m just curious to hear about your experiences with them. I started some therapy about 3 or 4 months ago after being diagnosed with anxiety and phobic disorder. To be honest, I’ve always struggled with depression, constant anxiety, and phobias since I was a kid. Lately, I’ve been feeling pretty unmotivated, lazy, disinterested, and just generally antisocial... It’s a lot. Currently, I’m taking Zoloft (I was on Fevarin for a little over a month before that) and Misar 0,25 mg as needed. So, figured I’d share where I'm at with you all... I'm asking about beta-blockers because I've heard they're frequently used to help manage panic attacks and anxiety. Since my anxiety can get pretty intense—sometimes even leading to what I can only call full-blown "attacks" in certain places or situations—it's really messed with my life. I ended up avoiding those spots entirely, which just made everything worse. Does anyone here have experience with them, or would a situation like mine typically qualify for a prescription? Sorry for the long post...😢

Please don't apologize😉...I actually had a panic attack once even while I was on beta-blockers...the thing is, they might help dull the physical stuff—like the racing heart or the shaking—but honestly, when a panic attack hits, it just hits you...that’s just how it felt for me...but whether it actually stops the attack itself? hm...I doubt it...maybe just a placebo effect...I’m totally out of my depth here, though...but just think carefully about whether you really want to add another medication to the mix, especially one that can cause serious physical dependency. You know those beta receptors that bind with adrenaline? These pills basically block them so the adrenaline doesn't hit as hard, but the side effect is that your body ends up producing more of those receptors. That means you absolutely cannot stop taking them cold turkey, because suddenly all those extra receptors are wide open to the adrenaline, and that feels terrible...so then you're left wondering how long you'll need them. For life? Who decides when it's finally time to taper off? Those are the exact questions keeping me up at night...I really believe there has to be another way, maybe a different medication that fits your specific situation better...definitely talk it over with your doctor; I highly doubt they'd want to put you on them unless necessary...it honestly breaks my heart seeing so many young people going through this kind of struggle😢...it's just awful😠
Charles Miller8 Charles Miller8 Newcomer
1 message
joined Jan 2011
#2104 ·
Anyone else here on Sulpirid? I've been taking it for about a month now and my dreams have gotten absolutely bizarre... I wake up in the morning totally lost, unable to tell if what happened was actually a dream or just reality! Anyone else going through this?
Michael Williams29 Michael Williams29 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Feb 2011
#2105 ·
I was seeing a therapist, and they pointed me toward this sub😁

So, I have a few questions, or rather, I just want to hear what you guys think...

Long story short: I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist because I’m dealing with anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder. For treatment, I was prescribed Cipralex and Xanax... Basically, I mentioned here before that I really don't want to rely on medication. I told my doctor the same thing, and she said I didn't *have* to take them, so I told her I might try it and see.
I bought them, and now I’ve just been staring at them for days😁
I couldn't get any peace of mind, so I had to do some "research" on these drugs, and now I realize I truly, deeply do not want to take them.
First off, this stuff causes addiction, and let's be real—I’d probably be the first person to become dependent on it. Why would I even do that to myself? Look, I know I'm being difficult, but I refuse to get hooked on something only to end up worse off. I couldn't live with that thought.
Then there's the Cipralex... it increases appetite. Okay... but with all my issues, I can barely keep anything down. It feels pointless to swallow pills when everything just ends up coming right back out of me anyway. I wouldn't say I'm a "classic" bulimic; I eat very little, and whatever I do eat, I throw up because just thinking about my problems makes me feel sick to my stomach.

Maybe I'm just panicking again and worrying over nothing... but honestly, I have no idea what to do...

The real reason I'm resisting the pills is that I'm still traumatized by my own illness. Back when I was taking 30 pills at a time, things were dark, and now I have a massive aversion to them. I also have this nagging feeling that if I use medication, I'll just feel "happier" in a fake way—like I won't care about solving my actual problems anymore. It feels like a delusion. I don't know. Even without the meds, I'm already struggling.😁
Kenneth Scott41 Kenneth Scott41 Regular
457 messages
joined May 2009
#2106 ·
Michael Williams29 said:I was seeing a therapist, and they pointed me toward this sub😁

So, I have a few questions, or rather, I just want to hear what you guys think...

Long story short: I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist because I’m dealing with anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder. For treatment, I was prescribed Cipralex and Xanax... Basically, I mentioned here before that I really don't want to rely on medication. I told my doctor the same thing, and she said I didn't *have* to take them, so I told her I might try it and see.
I bought them, and now I’ve just been staring at them for days😁
I couldn't get any peace of mind, so I had to do some "research" on these drugs, and now I realize I truly, deeply do not want to take them.
First off, this stuff causes addiction, and let's be real—I’d probably be the first person to become dependent on it. Why would I even do that to myself? Look, I know I'm being difficult, but I refuse to get hooked on something only to end up worse off. I couldn't live with that thought.
Then there's the Cipralex... it increases appetite. Okay... but with all my issues, I can barely keep anything down. It feels pointless to swallow pills when everything just ends up coming right back out of me anyway. I wouldn't say I'm a "classic" bulimic; I eat very little, and whatever I do eat, I throw up because just thinking about my problems makes me feel sick to my stomach.

Maybe I'm just panicking again and worrying over nothing... but honestly, I have no idea what to do...

The real reason I'm resisting the pills is that I'm still traumatized by my own illness. Back when I was taking 30 pills at a time, things were dark, and now I have a massive aversion to them. I also have this nagging feeling that if I use medication, I'll just feel "happier" in a fake way—like I won't care about solving my actual problems anymore. It feels like a delusion. I don't know. Even without the meds, I'm already struggling.😁


Xanax is a decent medication, but it’s a massive trap, and I know that firsthand because I was addicted to it once. Getting off of it took six months, and those six months were pure hell. So, you have to decide for yourself... there are other options for anxiety—I'd suggest things like Valium or Ativan. Those types of benzodiazepines are often considered better, and patients don't seem to face the same level of addiction as they do with Xanax.
I've been on Cipralex for nearly half a year, along with 10mg of Ativan, and I feel perfectly fine.
And you hit the nail on the head... that's exactly how you'll feel on Xanax—happy, but in a way where you just won't give a damn about the bullshit that usually weighs you down.
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#2107 ·
Kenneth Scott41 said:Xanax is a decent medication, but it’s a massive trap, and I know that firsthand because I was addicted to it once. Getting off of it took six months, and those six months were pure hell. So, you have to decide for yourself... there are other options for anxiety—I'd suggest things like Valium or Ativan. Those types of benzodiazepines are often considered better, and patients don't seem to face the same level of addiction as they do with Xanax.
I've been on Cipralex for nearly half a year, along with 10mg of Ativan, and I feel perfectly fine.
And you hit the nail on the head... that's exactly how you'll feel on Xanax—happy, but in a way where you just won't give a damn about the bullshit that usually weighs you down.

I was addicted to Xanax for 14 years before switching over to Normabest; my withdrawal symptoms lasted only two days—which was surprisingly short, actually incredible!
Though, if you're looking for the ultimate numbing agent, that's it. But it really wreaks havoc on your brain receptors and stops you from actually processing your emotions, no matter how uncomfortable they might be.
It's your call.👍
Michael Williams29 Michael Williams29 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Feb 2011
#2108 ·
Yeah, thanks for the advice, everyone...
Here’s the deal though... I’ve done my homework on these meds and read through plenty of posts on this thread, and honestly, the more I dig, the less I actually want to touch them. 😁
Right now, I’m right in the middle of finals week, and I seriously don't think this is the time to start. I have a feeling the "adjustment period" isn't exactly a walk in the park, even if everyone reacts differently.
But seriously, I just don't think I'm going to take them... I think the real issue is that back when I was getting treatment, I was on morphine because the pain was so intense. After the whole illness passed, I went through a full-blown withdrawal crisis... and I am absolutely not looking to relive anything even remotely close to that.
Is it possible I'm doing this because I’ve grown used to my problems? Like, I don't even know who I am without them? I desperately want to move past all this, but at the same time, I feel like I won't actually achieve anything if I rely on pills to get me there. It’s just total chaos in my head... it's awful. 😢
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#2109 ·
Michael Williams29;31601782 said:Yeah, thanks for all the advice...
The thing is—I’ve done my homework on these meds and read through plenty of posts here about them, but honestly, the more I read, the less likely I am to actually take them. 😁
Right now, I'm right in the middle of finals week, and I just don't think it's the best time to start—especially since the "adjustment period" can be such a rollercoaster, even if everyone reacts differently.
But seriously, I really don't think I'll go through with it... I suspect the issue might stem from when I was being treated before, back when I was

on morphine because of intense pain

Was that due to an underlying medical condition?
Kenneth Scott41 Kenneth Scott41 Regular
457 messages
joined May 2009
#2110 ·
Michael Williams29 said:Yeah, thanks for the advice, everyone...
Here’s the deal though... I’ve done my homework on these meds and read through plenty of posts on this thread, and honestly, the more I dig, the less I actually want to touch them. 😁
Right now, I’m right in the middle of finals week, and I seriously don't think this is the time to start. I have a feeling the "adjustment period" isn't exactly a walk in the park, even if everyone reacts differently.
But seriously, I just don't think I'm going to take them... I think the real issue is that back when I was getting treatment, I was on morphine because the pain was so intense. After the whole illness passed, I went through a full-blown withdrawal crisis... and I am absolutely not looking to relive anything even remotely close to that.
Is it possible I'm doing this because I’ve grown used to my problems? Like, I don't even know who I am without them? I desperately want to move past all this, but at the same time, I feel like I won't actually achieve anything if I rely on pills to get me there. It’s just total chaos in my head... it's awful. 😢


I hear you. I'm also dealing with finals right now, so I imagine you're worried about whether you'll still be able to study the way you used to—you know, "normally." If you're really that concerned, maybe just wait until exams are over before you decide anything.
Also, I was wondering where the morphine came from? Were you taking MST?
Sophia Hughes3 Sophia Hughes3 Newcomer
1 message
joined Feb 2011
#2111 ·
I’ve been on Oxazepam for two weeks now. I know, I know—dependency is a thing, but honestly, I don't care right now because my anxiety has plummeted. No tension, better sleep... the works. I did try starting Calista—an antidepressant—a few days ago, but I only lasted two nights before calling it quits. I ended up taking them back to my doctor because they made me feel completely drugged and sluggish; I was so clumsy I could barely hold anything. So, it's just Oxazepam again for me. I'll see how the second week goes. My doctor actually told me, "Look, if you get hooked, at least you'll be functional since you're feeling better now." And she's right. I feel much better, haha.
Michael Williams29 Michael Williams29 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Feb 2011
#2112 ·
Malignant cancer... basically, whenever I went through chemo, I’d crash straight into sepsis. It left me completely bedridden, and my heart was struggling to pump what little blood I had left in my system. My legs were essentially dying, so they were pumping morphine directly into me via IV. I’d love to tell you if I ever took MST, since I know those are morphine-based, but honestly, I have no clue if I moved on to those pills later. When you're popping 20 or more tablets at a single time, things get blurry... it’s just a permanent mystery to me. 😁
Angela Green6 Angela Green6 Newcomer
1 message
joined Feb 2011
#2113 ·
Charles Miller8 said:Anyone else here on Sulpirid? I've been taking it for about a month now and my dreams have gotten absolutely bizarre... I wake up in the morning totally lost, unable to tell if what happened was actually a dream or just reality! Anyone else going through this?

Hi everyone! So, just a bit of context—Dogmatil is an older-generation antidepressant that’s been around for maybe thirty years or so. It’s somewhat unique because it doesn't typically cause drowsiness, which makes it a decent option if you have to drive or work in environments where you need to stay sharp. Another interesting thing about this medication is its dosage profile: at lower doses (around 50–100 mg), it acts as an antidepressant, but once you hit those higher doses (over 400 mg), it shifts toward being an antipsychotic. Of course, at those higher levels, you might start feeling sleepy or sluggish... as you might expect. Like pretty much any medication, Dogmatil doesn't always work quite the way we'd hope; sometimes it just doesn't improve the symptoms we're actually treating. And occasionally, the side effects can be so intense that you end up needing to switch to a different antidepressant altogether. As for those vivid, realistic dreams you mentioned—that's actually a known effect of how the drug works. As the symptoms of depression or anxiety begin to lift, your sleep quality tends to improve, giving your brain more "uptime" to process things. Dreams essentially serve as a way for the brain to clear out the accumulated mental "clutter." When you get into a deeper, better quality of sleep, those dreams naturally become more intense and lifelike. Now, I should mention that the actual content of the dreams doesn't necessarily have anything to do with what's happening in your real life. However, with Dogmatil, people do sometimes report experiencing violent dreams (this is actually quite common among women who have been on it for an extended period). If that happens, I guess it’s really important to talk to your psychiatrist about potentially adjusting the dose or switching medications.

I hope you don't mind the long-winded response. If I can help out with any other questions, I'd be more than happy to.
Michael Reed45 Michael Reed45 Member
45 messages
joined Feb 2010
#2114 ·
Can you give me a similar breakdown for Effexor if you know it?

I have my next psychiatrist appointment on March 5th. 🙄

I am honestly just sick of all of this. It feels completely pointless. 😢

Nobody even bothers to ask how you’re doing. Not once in a year and a half. Absolutely nothing.

My friend is a much better therapist. A million times better.

And I can't afford private care anymore, though I really want to go. Honestly, I'm fed up with the constant cycle of pills—taking them when I wake up, then again at night, then before bed, worrying if I packed enough for a trip, checking if I have enough for the flight, paying for prescriptions, making sure I have the right referral for March 5th... fuck it! :2up:

I feel like such an idiot for ever letting someone else influence me enough to do this to myself and my body. Nuclear love. 🙄 I haven't even dared to get liver function tests done in months. I've had enough.
Adam Bennett2 Adam Bennett2 Newcomer
1 message
joined Feb 2011
#2115 ·
I struggle with anxiety, and I’m assuming my doctor is going to put me on an antidepressant.
The thing is, I don't actually have any depressive symptoms—I sleep like a baby, my appetite is totally fine, and during the day, I feel pretty cheerful and normal. It’s just that around 5 or 6 in the evening, this wave of fear and dread hits me, which I guess is the anxiety (though, honestly, I can't quite wrap my head around why I've suddenly developed this fear of the dark).
The only time I really cry or feel down is because I'm overwhelmed by the fact that this is happening to me at all, and that I have to deal with it.
So, I'm wondering—what's the point of taking antidepressants if you aren't even depressed? I assume they might help with the panic attacks and the general anxiety, but what happens once I STOP taking them?
Will my mood and my sleep patterns just fall apart again, since it feels like I'd be "inviting" those issues back by using medication meant for insomnia and depression in the first place?
It kind of reminds me of washing healthy hair with anti-dandruff shampoo, only to have the dandruff show up right after, almost like it was "triggered" by the wash itself.
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#2116 ·
Michael Reed45;31793020 said:

Could you give me a breakdown of Effexor too, if you know it?

I personally couldn't sleep a wink on it—though most people seem to handle it just fine. It’s all so incredibly individual, isn't it?

Nobody fucking asks how you're doing. It's been a year and a half. Absolutely nothing.

This is just insane. Medication is meant to help you function enough to get by—but psychotherapy is where the real work happens.

And I can't even afford private sessions anymore; I really want to go.

It's such a shame that this terrible experience has pushed you toward such a negative outlook—honestly, you're only hurting yourself at this point.

I haven't dared to get liver tests done for months now.

Don't be scared—I'm on much more intense therapy than you are, and I've been at it way longer, and I still get checked out.
When the rage becomes too much, just use your insurance referral and 🙂 get some bloodwork done.
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#2117 ·
Kenneth Scott41 said:Effexor is garbage! I've been there!

Look, I've tried it too—but I won't make sweeping generalizations here. We all know how these meds work; everyone reacts differently. I really hope we eventually get testing that can pinpoint exactly which hormone is missing from our brains. Right now, it’s just guesswork—basically trial and error until someone finds what works. It feels like we're just lab rats, but I guess that's the reality for us. I wonder how things work over in the States regarding research and all that...🤷
Michael Reed45 Michael Reed45 Member
45 messages
joined Feb 2010
#2118 ·
fadedbear92 said:This is absurd. Medication is meant to help you function just enough, while psychotherapy handles the actual core issues.

I feel the 😢

I assumed they would only prescribe pills if absolutely necessary—maybe for two or three months to stabilize you before starting therapy. That wasn't the case. I've been on medication for a year and a half. What now? Do I just keep taking them until I die? Or should I follow that logic where they decide you're "fine" a year after you report feeling okay? Is being "okay" just about sleeping and eating properly? Is that all that matters?

How naive was I to think that if I were prescribed anything, it would last maybe two months and then everything would be fine? I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Anyway, I'm back to my original mindset: the whole system is useless. There's no point in seeing them. Private doctors just want to grab your money and rush through appointments so they can pick up their kids from school. As for the ones covered by insurance... forget it.

In any case, I am doing something I wouldn't recommend to anyone else. I can't format this properly on my phone right now. 😁

I am tapering myself off these meds without his permission. And not the slow way—not the gradual reduction by quarter doses over ten days. I'm doing it fast. We'll see how it goes. I'll deal with the fallout of these pills while others... honestly, what others do doesn't matter. What matters is what I'm doing. Maybe you'll notice the change, maybe you won't. Maybe I'll lose it in some local park. Just kidding. 😬 Hopefully. 😁

Bottom line: psychiatrists are useless. 👋

Good luck to everyone. 😘
Jonathan Watson2 Jonathan Watson2 Newcomer
1 message
joined Feb 2011
#2119 ·
I've been on Faverin for a few days now. It was prescribed for anxiety, depression, identity crises, panic attacks, and impulse control issues. Sometimes I just start crying out of nowhere, or I get aggressive and end up breaking things. Crying is fine, but slapping someone for no reason isn't. I spent all of last year on Zoloft. It took about three months to actually kick in. I dealt with some nausea and other side effects, but I stuck with it. By month seven, my doctor said I was doing well, told me to taper down, and planned to stop the meds a month later. But now that the weather's turned gray, here we go again. Since starting the Faverin, I’m sleeping way less than I did before, even though it's supposed to do the opposite. I pass out around 11:00 PM, but by 2:00 or 3:00 AM, I'm wide awake and can't drift back off. I just lie there waiting for dawn. This has been happening since the very first pill. I look like a total zombie. My eyes are bloodshot, and my vision is usually great, but now I can barely see what I'm typing. I'm shaking like I'm stuck in a blizzard, and I have this constant nausea—even water tastes disgusting. I didn't have the energy to read through the thread because my eyes hurt too much.
fadedbear92 fadedbear92 Veteran
1.1K messages
joined Dec 2008
#2120 ·
Jonathan Watson2 said:I've been on Faverin for a few days now. It was prescribed for anxiety, depression, identity crises, panic attacks, and impulse control issues. Sometimes I just start crying out of nowhere, or I get aggressive and end up breaking things. Crying is fine, but slapping someone for no reason isn't. I spent all of last year on Zoloft. It took about three months to actually kick in. I dealt with some nausea and other side effects, but I stuck with it. By month seven, my doctor said I was doing well, told me to taper down, and planned to stop the meds a month later. But now that the weather's turned gray, here we go again. Since starting the Faverin, I’m sleeping way less than I did before, even though it's supposed to do the opposite. I pass out around 11:00 PM, but by 2:00 or 3:00 AM, I'm wide awake and can't drift back off. I just lie there waiting for dawn. This has been happening since the very first pill. I look like a total zombie. My eyes are bloodshot, and my vision is usually great, but now I can barely see what I'm typing. I'm shaking like I'm stuck in a blizzard, and I have this constant nausea—even water tastes disgusting. I didn't have the energy to read through the thread because my eyes hurt too much.

Are you taking any anxiolytics along with the Faverin? Maybe it's just subconscious anxiety about starting a new medication. I've been on it for years and find it quite calming. If things don't improve after two weeks, definitely ask for a change.
But first, tell us your dosage—are you titrating up slowly, like maybe a third of a pill the first week and then increasing it the next? So, what's your dose and how old are you?

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