Psychotropic medication discussion thread

fadedbear92 said:It’s becoming much more common nowadays to combine two different antidepressants. Personally, I take Effexor, which
keeps me alert during the day, paired with Paxil to help me wind down at night... You should definitely ask your doctor if combining two meds might be a better move if you aren't feeling 100% satisfied with just one... they really need to be careful about which specific types can be safely mixed...

Yeah, that's spot on. For the longest time, I was taking Prozac and Paxil together, and frankly, that combo was my saving grace. Usually, Wellbutrin is also prescribed alongside an SSRI. See, the thing about Wellbutrin is that it isn't exactly a "cure" for depression on its own; it's more like it masks the symptoms by boosting your drive—basically giving you back your motivation—so it's most often used as an add-on medication.

I’m currently juggling five different medications, and honestly, I’m starting to wonder if my brain even understands how they’re all interacting... I’ve read somewhere that certain psych meds shouldn't be mixed, yet my doctor keeps tossing new ones into the rotation.

I just started taking Callista. What has your experience been like with this one?

wiredmason56 said:Oh, I forgot to mention Fluoxetine. I was on that last summer, but honestly, it felt like nothing happened. Even my current psychiatrist mentioned it—he actually got it prescribed by my previous doctor. He said Fluoxetine is usually given to older ladies dealing with very mild depression, almost like they're just taking something just to say they're taking something.😂 In other words, it’s a pretty weak antidepressant. I wanted to ask, how was the Lexapro for you? I've never tried it, but I've heard it's actually a really solid option.

I suppose Lexapro or Elise are in the same boat as Wellbutrin, really just meant for those milder cases of depression. Personally, I find them quite effective, though.

I suppose I’ve started doubling up on antidepressants on my own initiative. I find myself needing something to take the edge off at night, so I’ll reach for some Effexor. My current routine involves taking Wellbutrin in the morning and then following it up with Effexor when evening rolls around. I happened to read somewhere that this specific combination is actually quite effective and even standard practice here in the States. I can't help but wonder what my psychiatrist is going to have to say about that 😁

Hi,

I managed to get my hands on some propranolol. I’d only plan on using it occasionally—maybe once a month—right before those high-pressure moments where the adrenaline kicks in and my heart starts racing or I start sweating uncontrollably (like big meetings or presentations).

From what I've gathered, propranolol is pretty well-known for taking the edge off the physical symptoms of anxiety and panic, and plenty of people swear by it before public speaking:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/20/ar...pagewanted=all

http://www.violinist.com/discussion/...se.cfm?ID=4816

Has anyone here actually tried this? I'm wondering what kind of dose would be effective, and if taking it about thirty minutes before the "stressful" event is enough time for it to kick in.

Bradley Rivera3 said:Hi,

I managed to get my hands on some propranolol. I’d only plan on using it occasionally—maybe once a month—right before those high-pressure moments where the adrenaline kicks in and my heart starts racing or I start sweating uncontrollably (like big meetings or presentations).

From what I've gathered, propranolol is pretty well-known for taking the edge off the physical symptoms of anxiety and panic, and plenty of people swear by it before public speaking:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/20/ar...pagewanted=all

http://www.violinist.com/discussion/...se.cfm?ID=4816

Has anyone here actually tried this? I'm wondering what kind of dose would be effective, and if taking it about thirty minutes before the "stressful" event is enough time for it to kick in.

If this hasn't been prescribed by a doctor, do not take it on your own.
You should consult at least your primary care physician to get a prescription for psychotropic medication that will actually help you focus and perform your job.

Timothy Wood38 said:Yeah, that's spot on. For the longest time, I was taking Prozac and Paxil together, and frankly, that combo was my saving grace. Usually, Wellbutrin is also prescribed alongside an SSRI. See, the thing about Wellbutrin is that it isn't exactly a "cure" for depression on its own; it's more like it masks the symptoms by boosting your drive—basically giving you back your motivation—so it's most often used as an add-on medication.

What you mentioned about Wellbutrin is exactly what I experience. It just speeds me up and forces me to be productive, but I don't actually feel any better emotionally.

Kenneth Scott41 said:What you mentioned about Wellbutrin is exactly what I experience. It just speeds me up and forces me to be productive, but I don't actually feel any better emotionally.

I mean, that's pretty much common knowledge regarding Wellbutrin. Any psychiatrist worth their salt should be well aware of that side effect profile.

Timothy Wood38 said:I mean, that's pretty much common knowledge regarding Wellbutrin. Any psychiatrist worth their salt should be well aware of that side effect profile.

It feels like my psychiatrist was actually trying to put me on some sort of diet plan, hoping I’d lose weight from the Wellbutrin 🙂

I mean, I guess... why even prescribe it if she knew it mostly just kicks you into gear physically without actually providing much psychological relief in the true sense of the word? 🙂

Well, here I am again, posting about yet another new prescription. 😁 I've been switched over to Cymbalta now; apparently, it’s some newer medication coming out of Spain, which I suppose explains why they're charging me such an arm and a leg $13 per box!
This is genuinely the last time, though—the absolute final time I'm going to trial a new medication. If this doesn't actually do the trick, I'm just going back to my old stuff, even if it leaves me feeling completely asexual. 🙂

Kenneth Scott41 said:Well, here I am again, posting about yet another new prescription. 😁 I've been switched over to Cymbalta now; apparently, it’s some newer medication coming out of Spain, which I suppose explains why they're charging me such an arm and a leg $13 per box!
This is genuinely the last time, though—the absolute final time I'm going to trial a new medication. If this doesn't actually do the trick, I'm just going back to my old stuff, even if it leaves me feeling completely asexual. 🙂

Man, I have to hand it to you—it takes some serious guts to go through all that trial and error.

Kenneth Scott41 said:Well, here I am again, posting about yet another new prescription. 😁 I've been switched over to Cymbalta now; apparently, it’s some newer medication coming out of Spain, which I suppose explains why they're charging me such an arm and a leg $13 per box!
This is genuinely the last time, though—the absolute final time I'm going to trial a new medication. If this doesn't actually do the trick, I'm just going back to my old stuff, even if it leaves me feeling completely asexual. 🙂

Where exactly does it say that?😕
Cymbalta is produced by Eli Lilly, so they're Americans.😁

driftinggull21 said:Where exactly does it say that?😕
Cymbalta is produced by Eli Lilly, so they're Americans.😁

It’s right there in the medication pamphlet, which I suspect you might have skipped over.😁

Kenneth Scott41 said:It’s right there in the medication pamphlet, which I suspect you might have skipped over.😁

😁
Cymbalta is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly USA.
That facility is likely just a manufacturing plant located in Spain. The drug itself comes from Eli Lilly USA, which is an American pharmaceutical company.

I have read the medication instructions.😁I am well aware of when Eli Lilly USA held the presentation for Cymbalta.

driftinggull21 said:😁
Cymbalta is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly USA.
That facility is likely just a manufacturing plant located in Spain. The drug itself comes from Eli Lilly USA, which is an American pharmaceutical company.

I have read the medication instructions.😁I am well aware of when Eli Lilly USA held the presentation for Cymbalta.

aha, so you work for them? 😁

Kenneth Scott41 said:aha, so you work for them? 😁

I don't work for them; I just know some of their employees.😁

Kenneth Scott41 said:aha, so you work for them? 😁

Well, someone has to hold a job. It is simply impossible for every single person on this planet to operate as their own independent corporation.

Can you even begin to imagine if there were seven billion separate companies out there???!!!

Nicole Barrett76 said:Well, someone has to hold a job. It is simply impossible for every single person on this planet to operate as their own independent corporation.

Can you even begin to imagine if there were seven billion separate companies out there???!!!

Oh, wow. Maybe you're looking for a job offer—you know, a little salvation?

I feel like I really need to get this off my chest. So, there I was, just sitting there waiting for my turn to be called in, when finally I stood up and reached for the door handle. Just as I’m about to step inside, I see some woman coming in through another entrance, and the doctor immediately tells me, "Hold on a second, I have a pharmaceutical rep here."
Ugh, so I ended up sitting back down outside, just sitting there wondering how much of a waste of time this was going to be while she stood in there pitching products from Pfizer, Merck, or Johnson & Johnson—who knows which big pharma giant was visiting today. About twenty minutes passed before I finally got ushered into the office... and as soon as I sat down, I couldn't help myself; I sort of casually asked, "So, what did the sales reps have to say?" She didn't even look at me, let alone give me an answer; she just immediately pivoted to a completely different topic. 🤣

What kind of painkillers can I take while on Lexapro?
My head is absolutely killing me today—it's just pounding. I guess maybe Advil is okay? I don't have the packaging handy since I tossed the instructions...