Psychotropic medication discussion thread

I have also started on Fevarion. Rejica and I have discussed this medication previously, though it seems relatively uncommon among my peers. To provide some context, I found that Elicea (Lexapro) was losing its efficacy. I transitioned to Effexor for the last three and a half weeks, but the experience was harrowing; I felt a sensation akin to being on ecstasy, and Calixta would leave me feeling completely crashed and lethargic. Now, I have been prescribed Fevarin. It is worth noting that yesterday was only my second time taking a half-dose (50 mg) in the evening. However, I am struggling significantly because that same ecstasy-like sensation returns after ingestion, making it impossible to sleep soundly even with the aid of hypnotics—much like what occurred with the Effexor. While this might simply be a side effect, it feels counterintuitive that I was prescribed Fevarin specifically to avoid such sensations, yet here I am taking it at night only to feel wired and sleep-deprived during the day. I am quite uncertain. Has anyone else experienced this heightened state on Fevarin only to have it subside? I honestly don't have the mental fortitude left to switch ADs again. It seems as though other options, like Zoloft or Prozac, might actually be more stimulating, leaving me wondering what is left to try.

restlesstrucker15 said:I have also started on Fevarion. Rejica and I have discussed this medication previously, though it seems relatively uncommon among my peers. To provide some context, I found that Elicea (Lexapro) was losing its efficacy. I transitioned to Effexor for the last three and a half weeks, but the experience was harrowing; I felt a sensation akin to being on ecstasy, and Calixta would leave me feeling completely crashed and lethargic. Now, I have been prescribed Fevarin. It is worth noting that yesterday was only my second time taking a half-dose (50 mg) in the evening. However, I am struggling significantly because that same ecstasy-like sensation returns after ingestion, making it impossible to sleep soundly even with the aid of hypnotics—much like what occurred with the Effexor. While this might simply be a side effect, it feels counterintuitive that I was prescribed Fevarin specifically to avoid such sensations, yet here I am taking it at night only to feel wired and sleep-deprived during the day. I am quite uncertain. Has anyone else experienced this heightened state on Fevarin only to have it subside? I honestly don't have the mental fortitude left to switch ADs again. It seems as though other options, like Zoloft or Prozac, might actually be more stimulating, leaving me wondering what is left to try.

Oh, and for clarity, I don't necessarily suffer from clinical depression—perhaps just a slight amount—but I definitely deal with anxiety.

Ronald Chavez9 said:A few weeks back, I was watching this documentary series on DOQ when they featured some big-name celebrities opening up about their struggles with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder—specifically their experiences with AD. They brought in university professors and psychiatrists to weigh in, too. The doctors made a really interesting point: staying in a dark, depressive state without treatment actually causes your neurotransmitters to die off, creating this hollowed-out void in your brain—sort of like a network full of holes. On the flip side, for those who were consistently on AD, the neurotransmitters stayed active and didn't degrade.
I wanted to share this for anyone out there worried that taking AD long-term is somehow harmful.
The bottom line? It’s proven to be more than just safe; it's actually beneficial.
Later

thanks so much for sharing this! honestly, I feel a bit better now 😉

Kenneth Scott41 said:thanks so much for sharing this! honestly, I feel a bit better now 😉

Furthermore, this should be considered a significant advantage.🙂

fadedbear92 said:Just look after that kind heart of yours instead!http://dl9.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...hoqm1jf0z1.gif

🙂

Larry Lewis said:Is there anyone out there currently relying on Serdolekt who might be willing to share their honest take on the drug? I’m looking for some actual insight—not just the glossy brochure version—regarding how it actually feels to use it.

I was only on Zoloft for about a week and honestly, I felt like a houseplant just sitting there vegetating.
It made me feel so incredibly sick that I ended up quitting it altogether after talking it over with my psychiatrist.

urbanskipper4 said:I was only on Zoloft for about a week and honestly, I felt like a houseplant just sitting there vegetating.
It made me feel so incredibly sick that I ended up quitting it altogether after talking it over with my psychiatrist.

Well, look, there was one time where a certain dosage—I can't even remember the exact milligrams, honestly—actually calmed me down quite nicely. It got me thinking about maybe checking in with my psychiatrist to see if that might be an option again... though, to be fair, my current regimen is working reasonably well for me. Still, I'm not exactly "over the moon" with it, you know? I put a massive amount of work into managing my own mental health—it’s a full-time job in itself—but you can't help but wonder... you really can't help but ask yourself if there might be a better way out there, especially when things aren't feeling quite perfect.

restlesstrucker15 said:I have also started on Fevarion. Rejica and I have discussed this medication previously, though it seems relatively uncommon among my peers. To provide some context, I found that Elicea (Lexapro) was losing its efficacy. I transitioned to Effexor for the last three and a half weeks, but the experience was harrowing; I felt a sensation akin to being on ecstasy, and Calixta would leave me feeling completely crashed and lethargic. Now, I have been prescribed Fevarin. It is worth noting that yesterday was only my second time taking a half-dose (50 mg) in the evening. However, I am struggling significantly because that same ecstasy-like sensation returns after ingestion, making it impossible to sleep soundly even with the aid of hypnotics—much like what occurred with the Effexor. While this might simply be a side effect, it feels counterintuitive that I was prescribed Fevarin specifically to avoid such sensations, yet here I am taking it at night only to feel wired and sleep-deprived during the day. I am quite uncertain. Has anyone else experienced this heightened state on Fevarin only to have it subside? I honestly don't have the mental fortitude left to switch ADs again. It seems as though other options, like Zoloft or Prozac, might actually be more stimulating, leaving me wondering what is left to try.

I see Effexor mentioned, but lately, I haven't seen anyone using it in combination with Ritalin. If anyone has had similar experiences, I would appreciate an answer. My sister (50+) was taking Ritalin and Effexor together for over a year and a half. Her psychiatrist began tapering her off the Ritalin three months ago until she stopped completely. She felt good, though she was sluggish in the mornings. She continued on just the Effexor and her blood pressure medication (she felt fine and was happy to stop the Ritalin since it caused weight gain). Now, she’s experiencing muscle twitches in her sleep that are strong enough to wake her up, and her blood pressure has also risen—likely due to the panic of everything returning. She called her psychiatrist, who told her to resume the Ritalin until she can come in with a referral next week. I notice many people use psychotherapy alongside their medication, which her doctor never suggested (her issues started three years ago with anxiety and panic attacks). If anyone has dealt with similar struggles, please comment or offer advice. Best regards.

restlesstrucker15 said:I have also started on Fevarion. Rejica and I have discussed this medication previously, though it seems relatively uncommon among my peers. To provide some context, I found that Elicea (Lexapro) was losing its efficacy. I transitioned to Effexor for the last three and a half weeks, but the experience was harrowing; I felt a sensation akin to being on ecstasy, and Calixta would leave me feeling completely crashed and lethargic. Now, I have been prescribed Fevarin. It is worth noting that yesterday was only my second time taking a half-dose (50 mg) in the evening. However, I am struggling significantly because that same ecstasy-like sensation returns after ingestion, making it impossible to sleep soundly even with the aid of hypnotics—much like what occurred with the Effexor. While this might simply be a side effect, it feels counterintuitive that I was prescribed Fevarin specifically to avoid such sensations, yet here I am taking it at night only to feel wired and sleep-deprived during the day. I am quite uncertain. Has anyone else experienced this heightened state on Fevarin only to have it subside? I honestly don't have the mental fortitude left to switch ADs again. It seems as though other options, like Zoloft or Prozac, might actually be more stimulating, leaving me wondering what is left to try.

Hmm, I was only on Effexor for a week. I didn't close my eyes once at night. Total insomnia, it was awful.
I took Zoloft for a week and felt absolutely nothing, it was like drinking water.
I was on Prozac for a month. It made me so wired, I was nervous and hypomanic, so they cut me off.

To make you feel better, hitting the right therapy right away is damn near impossible.
I've cycled through almost every antidepressant in the SSRI group.
I've even done small doses of antipsychotics.
Right now I'm on Anafranil, Aurora, and Seroquel. That combo mostly keeps me calm. Seroquel was working pretty well for me, but lately things have taken a bit of a turn for the worse.
I can function at work, but at home, I'm a total wreck.

Questions for anyone on Seroquel;

Did any of you deal with particularly brutal side effects? Like, what actually happened to you?

And for those who managed to get off it—how much of a nightmare was the tapering process? Any lasting fallout I should be worried about?

boldowl88 said:I see Effexor mentioned, but lately, I haven't seen anyone using it in combination with Ritalin. If anyone has had similar experiences, I would appreciate an answer. My sister (50+) was taking Ritalin and Effexor together for over a year and a half. Her psychiatrist began tapering her off the Ritalin three months ago until she stopped completely. She felt good, though she was sluggish in the mornings. She continued on just the Effexor and her blood pressure medication (she felt fine and was happy to stop the Ritalin since it caused weight gain). Now, she’s experiencing muscle twitches in her sleep that are strong enough to wake her up, and her blood pressure has also risen—likely due to the panic of everything returning. She called her psychiatrist, who told her to resume the Ritalin until she can come in with a referral next week. I notice many people use psychotherapy alongside their medication, which her doctor never suggested (her issues started three years ago with anxiety and panic attacks). If anyone has dealt with similar struggles, please comment or offer advice. Best regards.

http://www.depresija.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=2475

There's truth to that...

Psychotherapy is a must—medication is just a crutch...

urbanskipper4 said:Hmm, I was only on Effexor for a week. I didn't close my eyes once at night. Total insomnia, it was awful.
I took Zoloft for a week and felt absolutely nothing, it was like drinking water.
I was on Prozac for a month. It made me so wired, I was nervous and hypomanic, so they cut me off.

To make you feel better, hitting the right therapy right away is damn near impossible.
I've cycled through almost every antidepressant in the SSRI group.
I've even done small doses of antipsychotics.
Right now I'm on Anafranil, Aurora, and Seroquel. That combo mostly keeps me calm. Seroquel was working pretty well for me, but lately things have taken a bit of a turn for the worse.
I can function at work, but at home, I'm a total wreck.

I know, it feels like there is so much left to adjust. I’ve recently started taking Effexor and I am sleeping far too much, though perhaps that is simply because I was losing my mind while on Effexor previously, and now I am overcompensating (especially since Effexor isn't a sedative and people typically struggle with insomnia, so maybe I'm just oversleeping during the day due to anxiety). Honestly, I don't have the energy to change anything else; I've had enough upheaval. I am glad if older generation antidepressants work for you, but I read somewhere that what I am dealing with (mainly depression plus anxiety) is usually resolved with SSRIs.

Mark Nelson said:Questions for anyone on Seroquel;

Did any of you deal with particularly brutal side effects? Like, what actually happened to you?

And for those who managed to get off it—how much of a nightmare was the tapering process? Any lasting fallout I should be worried about?

Honestly, I haven't hit any major issues. Just get these massive sugar cravings, so I’m having a hard time staying thin.
Also, if I try to power up some stairs or go for a quick jog, my legs just lock up with cramps, and sometimes I find myself getting winded way too easily when I'm walking fast.
But hey, the meds definitely keep me level and steady.

urbanskipper4 said:Honestly, I haven't hit any major issues. Just get these massive sugar cravings, so I’m having a hard time staying thin.
Also, if I try to power up some stairs or go for a quick jog, my legs just lock up with cramps, and sometimes I find myself getting winded way too easily when I'm walking fast.
But hey, the meds definitely keep me level and steady.

Yeah, me too. Honestly, I probably should just get off it. I have a feeling I’d still be feeling totally wired even without the Seroquel. 😁

So, about the Seroquel... does it actually knock you out? Because for me, it’s like I'm sleeping way too much. School just started back up, and the workload is already piling on. Honestly, if I keep sleeping this much, I'm never going to get anything done. 😢

Has anyone here ever experimented with Zyprexa (olanzapine)? Is it actually standard to feel this depressed, completely spaced out, and stuck in this perpetual state of morning brain fog where I just can't seem to snap out of it all day long?

Does this kind of heavy sedation eventually taper off after a few days on the medication? Because, quite frankly, I feel significantly worse now than I did before I ever started taking any drugs at all... 🙂

Hey, I’ve already posted about this before—what you’re feeling on Zyprexa is totally normal.

quietgull75 said:Hey, I’ve already posted about this before—what you’re feeling on Zyprexa is totally normal.

Fine, I read what you had to say, but was the experience with Zyprexa consistently miserable for you, or did those side effects eventually start to taper off?
Isn't there a certain level of irony in taking a medication that leaves me feeling depressed, especially considering that depression is the very thing I am trying to treat in the first place? 😵

Mark Nelson said:Yeah, me too. Honestly, I probably should just get off it. I have a feeling I’d still be feeling totally wired even without the Seroquel. 😁

So, about the Seroquel... does it actually knock you out? Because for me, it’s like I'm sleeping way too much. School just started back up, and the workload is already piling on. Honestly, if I keep sleeping this much, I'm never going to get anything done. 😢

I can't sleep at all because of Seroquel. Guess that's just my side effect. If I actually want to pass out for the night, I have to take Ambien. I've kind of gotten hooked on it.

urbanskipper4 said:I can't sleep at all because of Seroquel. Guess that's just my side effect. If I actually want to pass out for the night, I have to take Ambien. I've kind of gotten hooked on it.

I totally get that you can't sleep because of the Seroquel; it's really not meant for that purpose.
I'm just a little confused, though—how is insomnia even a side effect for you?
What kind of effect does it actually have on you?

Anthony Lopez8 said:Has anyone here ever experimented with Zyprexa (olanzapine)? Is it actually standard to feel this depressed, completely spaced out, and stuck in this perpetual state of morning brain fog where I just can't seem to snap out of it all day long?

Does this kind of heavy sedation eventually taper off after a few days on the medication? Because, quite frankly, I feel significantly worse now than I did before I ever started taking any drugs at all... 🙂

I’m currently on it myself; I was prescribed it for severe insomnia and a brutal depressive episode, and it quite literally saved my life.
I definitely dealt with that heavy, drugged feeling at the start, but it passes, and the brain fog eventually clears up. As far as the depression goes, it pulled me out of the trenches incredibly fast—I was feeling functional again within three or four days.
If you find that the depression isn't lifting, you really ought to tell your doctor—they might need to adjust your prescription or switch you to something else.