Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Jeffrey Sanchez7 said:Does anyone know where I can find some solid studies on the success rates of psychotropic medications? A close friend of mine actually managed to pull himself back from the brink after spending a few months at a psychiatric facility; he decided to check himself in because he realized he just couldn't handle things on his own anymore. To be honest, I was pretty skeptical about the whole thing at first, but seeing him recover like that really changed my perspective. It made me realize that this isn't just some fringe pseudoscience, so I want to try being a bit more objective about it. If anyone has any links to actual statistical data or clinical research, I’d really appreciate it.

He was also doing daily psychotherapy alongside the medication...

Yeah, I hear you. But what made you think I was suggesting we go without medication, when the entire topic is literally titled "psychotropic drugs" ...?

Jeffrey Sanchez7 said:Yeah, I hear you. But what made you think I was suggesting we go without medication, when the entire topic is literally titled "psychotropic drugs" ...?

You've got it wrong. What gave you the impression that hospitals only deal with medication? And, just so we're clear, I'm a woman too.😁>

Jeffrey Sanchez7 said:Yeah, I hear you. But what made you think I was suggesting we go without medication, when the entire topic is literally titled "psychotropic drugs" ...?

Rejoflait is female.

Hey everyone... finally feeling like myself again. It’s been a long two years of navigating the psychiatric system, but I think—and I really mean this—that we've finally hit on the right therapeutic balance. Thank God, I managed to get off the Zyprexa. Now, my daily regimen looks like this: 60 mg of Paxil, 60 mg of Prozac, then 2x200 mg of Sulpiride, plus 20 mg of Norvasc and 1 mg of Xanax about an hour before bed, and just before sleep, 20 mg of Ambien. Yeah, yeah, I know... it sounds like quite the cocktail. A lot of pills, I realize. But for the first time in forever, I actually feel great. I truly hope you all are doing well too. :-)

Timothy Wood38 said:Hey everyone... finally feeling like myself again. It’s been a long two years of navigating the psychiatric system, but I think—and I really mean this—that we've finally hit on the right therapeutic balance. Thank God, I managed to get off the Zyprexa. Now, my daily regimen looks like this: 60 mg of Paxil, 60 mg of Prozac, then 2x200 mg of Sulpiride, plus 20 mg of Norvasc and 1 mg of Xanax about an hour before bed, and just before sleep, 20 mg of Ambien. Yeah, yeah, I know... it sounds like quite the cocktail. A lot of pills, I realize. But for the first time in forever, I actually feel great. I truly hope you all are doing well too. :-)

My dear Timothy Wood38, I got some Klonopin and had the exact same experience! Let's dance, babe! http://seemynycnow.com/pics/Dance/da...ertygarden.jpg

fadedbear92 said:My dear Timothy Wood38, I got some Klonopin and had the exact same experience! Let's dance, babe! http://seemynycnow.com/pics/Dance/da...ertygarden.jpg

Awesome :-), really happy for you. Hopefully that 1mg dose hits the spot—it seems like nobody's even talking about it on here lately. By the way, how's the Klonopin treating you? If I remember correctly, that's clonazepam, right? Does it give you that heavy sedative or hypnotic feeling?

Timothy Wood38 said:Awesome :-), really happy for you. Hopefully that 1mg dose hits the spot—it seems like nobody's even talking about it on here lately. By the way, how's the Klonopin treating you? If I remember correctly, that's clonazepam, right? Does it give you that heavy sedative or hypnotic feeling?

It definitely does—it acts as both a stabilizer and a heavy sedative...

The mg dosage and I have drifted apart a bit lately—we probably both just went through a rough patch... I really hope things turn out well and you can move past some of this stuff...

fadedbear92 said:You've got it wrong. What gave you the impression that hospitals only deal with medication? And, just so we're clear, I'm a woman too.😁>

Where did I ever say it was *only* about the medication? Honestly, if you guys can't actually answer the question I asked, then don't waste my time.

Jeffrey Sanchez7 said:Does anyone know where I can find some solid studies on the success rates of psychotropic medications? A close friend of mine actually managed to pull himself back from the brink after spending a few months at a psychiatric facility; he decided to check himself in because he realized he just couldn't handle things on his own anymore. To be honest, I was pretty skeptical about the whole thing at first, but seeing him recover like that really changed my perspective. It made me realize that this isn't just some fringe pseudoscience, so I want to try being a bit more objective about it. If anyone has any links to actual statistical data or clinical research, I’d really appreciate it.

I don't think those exist because it's all so individual. I spent five months in Boise (if you look at my previous posts), and I'm doing okay now, but I know plenty of people who stayed much longer only to end up right back where they started. I'll go in for a follow-up and half the room is filled with them! When I ask what went wrong, some weren't taking their meds, while others tried to "mix" their prescriptions with weed or alcohol, which is a really dangerous combination, and that's why they're back at square one. I went once, and I don't plan on ever going back. I take grams and 200 milligrams of medication daily and everything is truly fine; I'm a different person now, full of optimism, working, in a relationship...

It always comes back to the human element, doesn't it? That's what really makes or breaks everything. Thanks for weighing in.

My doctor put me on Empty at 100 mg today—just one dose at night before I turn in. Has anyone here actually dealt with this medication? I'm wondering how it feels... does it really provide that anxiolytic effect people talk about, or help with sleep?

I used to take Ambien all the time. For as long as I can remember, you pop one and within thirty minutes you're out cold—like hitting a brick wall. No dreams, nothing. You just close your eyes and suddenly ten hours have passed. You sleep like a log, and honestly, you wake up feeling way too rested. But because I took them for such a long stretch, I eventually built up a tolerance. After a while, no matter how exhausted I was, I couldn't even drift off without them. Better not get hooked for too long.

Timothy Wood38 said:My doctor put me on Empty at 100 mg today—just one dose at night before I turn in. Has anyone here actually dealt with this medication? I'm wondering how it feels... does it really provide that anxiolytic effect people talk about, or help with sleep?

Oh, yeah!

A buddy of mine even takes them in the morning!!! Personally, if I took that much, I’d be out like a light all day long!!

quietgull75 said:I used to take Ambien all the time. For as long as I can remember, you pop one and within thirty minutes you're out cold—like hitting a brick wall. No dreams, nothing. You just close your eyes and suddenly ten hours have passed. You sleep like a log, and honestly, you wake up feeling way too rested. But because I took them for such a long stretch, I eventually built up a tolerance. After a while, no matter how exhausted I was, I couldn't even drift off without them. Better not get hooked for too long.

It's true. I took some Prazin last night around 10 PM, and within twenty minutes or so, I was in such a deep, heavy stupor that I didn't hear a thing—not my phone, not the doorbell, nothing. And I actually had to let my sister into the apartment. Honestly, it's the strongest hypnotic I've ever tried, but I am definitely done with it. I didn't crawl out of bed until about 10:30 AM, and I felt so incredibly groggy. I called my doctor, and we agreed that I should stop the Prazin and slowly taper off all benzodiazepines altogether. The plan is to start waking up at 6 AM, get a bit more physical activity during the day, and maybe read a book in the evening... I think I'll be able to sleep just fine without the meds. I'm pretty fed up with this 120 mg daily dose of SSRI combined with 2x200 mg of Sulpiride. Anyway, the main thing is that I'm feeling good, and I'm gradually scaling back on the psychotropic drugs while staying consistent with my psychotherapy sessions. Cheers everyone (especially fadedbear92), and take care. Things will get better, even when it doesn't feel that way.👋

Timothy Wood38 said:Hey everyone... finally feeling like myself again. It’s been a long two years of navigating the psychiatric system, but I think—and I really mean this—that we've finally hit on the right therapeutic balance. Thank God, I managed to get off the Zyprexa. Now, my daily regimen looks like this: 60 mg of Paxil, 60 mg of Prozac, then 2x200 mg of Sulpiride, plus 20 mg of Norvasc and 1 mg of Xanax about an hour before bed, and just before sleep, 20 mg of Ambien. Yeah, yeah, I know... it sounds like quite the cocktail. A lot of pills, I realize. But for the first time in forever, I actually feel great. I truly hope you all are doing well too. :-)

Glad you're feeling better and managed to ditch the Zyprexa.
I was on Zyprexa a few different times back in the day, and honestly, it didn't do much for me besides making me gain 45 pounds, which was a total nightmare to lose later.
And man, when I was on Prozac, I was acting like a total maniac—just like Bertha. I felt wired, hyperactive, hypomanic, just super jittery... I used to walk so fast down the street I felt like I was sprinting.🙂I went from zero to sixty in ten seconds flat, not even mentioning those random bursts of loud, uncontrollable laughing fits.😂I was a completely different person, just a total freaking weirdo.
🙂
Anyway, I finally found the right combo after eight long years of trial and error with different prescriptions.
I'm on Seroquel for my OCD and two other mood stabilizers. Now I actually feel normal, without those crazy hypomanic episodes shooting out of nowhere.
Plus, living with OCD is way more manageable now.

urbanskipper4 said:Glad you're feeling better and managed to ditch the Zyprexa.
I was on Zyprexa a few different times back in the day, and honestly, it didn't do much for me besides making me gain 45 pounds, which was a total nightmare to lose later.
And man, when I was on Prozac, I was acting like a total maniac—just like Bertha. I felt wired, hyperactive, hypomanic, just super jittery... I used to walk so fast down the street I felt like I was sprinting.🙂I went from zero to sixty in ten seconds flat, not even mentioning those random bursts of loud, uncontrollable laughing fits.😂I was a completely different person, just a total freaking weirdo.
🙂
Anyway, I finally found the right combo after eight long years of trial and error with different prescriptions.
I'm on Seroquel for my OCD and two other mood stabilizers. Now I actually feel normal, without those crazy hypomanic episodes shooting out of nowhere.
Plus, living with OCD is way more manageable now.

Well, if you ask me, Zyprexa was actually one of my favorites because it acted as an anti-anxiety and antidepressant all in one, which nothing else seemed to do. Now that my treatment plan is actually working, I don't need the Zyprexa anymore. It’s true it makes you gain weight—I put on a few pounds myself while I was on it—but it wasn't a huge deal since I watched what I ate. If you don't mind me asking, what mood stabilizers are you on?

Timothy Wood38 said:Well, if you ask me, Zyprexa was actually one of my favorites because it acted as an anti-anxiety and antidepressant all in one, which nothing else seemed to do. Now that my treatment plan is actually working, I don't need the Zyprexa anymore. It’s true it makes you gain weight—I put on a few pounds myself while I was on it—but it wasn't a huge deal since I watched what I ate. If you don't mind me asking, what mood stabilizers are you on?

I'm on Prozac and Anafranil for my mood. And Sanval to sleep.
The thing is, I've been taking it for two months now and I can't even fall asleep without a Sanval anymore. I'm hooked. But what am I supposed to do if I can't get any rest?
I figure it's better to just take the Sanval and actually get some shut-eye than to toss and turn all night long and try to show up to work totally exhausted.
All told, I'm popping about 10 pills a day.
It's a lot, sure, but hey, it works.
I've pretty much cycled through almost every SSRI out there.
And a few antipsychotics too, which actually act like antidepressants when you're on low doses.

I asked my doctor today what q-pin was actually for—she told me it's basically just like Seroquel, just from a different manufacturer...

Is it just me, or is the taste of Prozac absolutely revolting when it starts dissolving in your mouth? It feels like it just melts away the second it touches your tongue, and honestly, it’s disgusting.