Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Justin Rogers5 said:I think I’ll just stick to private clinics. At the Mayo Clinic in Cleveland, it’s $55 for an exam, plus maybe another $600 if they need to do a gastro endoscopy. Once, at a different place, they tried to do a throat swab—they shoved a swab down my throat and I started choking, my whole throat just tightened up. Then the nurse had the nerve to tell me I was being dramatic. I told her exactly where she could shove that swab.😉So I went to a private specialist instead. They actually kept me calm, and the whole thing was over in a heartbeat.😍

Don't go telling me I'm being an alarmist, BUT, you're only going to get real, accurate results by getting an esophagogastroduodenoscopy: an endoscopic exam of the esophagus, stomach, and the start of the duodenum. You have to show up fasting for this. During the procedure, they can perform a biopsy of the stomach lining, and they can even do therapeutic work—like sclerotherapy for bleeding vessels/ulcers, esophageal or stomach varices, and/or a polypectomy.

If you're already prepared to drop a grand, you might as well save yourself the hassle and just do it under general anesthesia😉

fadedbear92 said:Don't go telling me I'm being an alarmist, BUT, you're only going to get real, accurate results by getting an esophagogastroduodenoscopy: an endoscopic exam of the esophagus, stomach, and the start of the duodenum. You have to show up fasting for this. During the procedure, they can perform a biopsy of the stomach lining, and they can even do therapeutic work—like sclerotherapy for bleeding vessels/ulcers, esophageal or stomach varices, and/or a polypectomy.

If you're already prepared to drop a grand, you might as well save yourself the hassle and just do it under general anesthesia😉

We'll see how this exam goes. If it turns out to be a nightmare, I'll just say "no thanks" and head to a private clinic.
🤷

Justin Rogers5 said:I think I’ll just stick to private clinics. At the Mayo Clinic in Cleveland, it’s $55 for an exam, plus maybe another $600 if they need to do a gastro endoscopy. Once, at a different place, they tried to do a throat swab—they shoved a swab down my throat and I started choking, my whole throat just tightened up. Then the nurse had the nerve to tell me I was being dramatic. I told her exactly where she could shove that swab.😉So I went to a private specialist instead. They actually kept me calm, and the whole thing was over in a heartbeat.😍

But why on earth would you pay $183 just for an exam? You could easily get that done at a major hospital, and then if you actually need the gastroscopy, you can schedule it through a specialized Medical Center or perhaps somewhere in Chicago under sedation. Because what you're describing here, $200 sounds like it's being done without anesthesia—at least, that's my impression, you should really double-check... a friend of mine had hers done in Chicago in Tagora with Dr. Mavrinac, and it was all done under anesthesia... 1 $167...who is your gastroenterologist in Cleveland?

Hannah Foster6 said:What do you guys think about tapering off Sanval? I’ve been on 5 mg for quite a while now—I actually started out at 10 mg before dropping down to this dose—but honestly, if I don't take it, I just can't catch any sleep at all. Does anyone know of a good alternative medication that might work better than Sanval? Usually, the way to wean yourself off is by slowly lowering the dose, but I'm feeling pretty stuck and I'm just not sure how much lower I can actually go without losing my mind. 🙂

I find myself in a similar predicament, actually. I’m currently taking 10 mg of Sanval, and frankly, the side effects are exhausting; there’s this relentless midnight snacking where you wake up with crumbs everywhere but absolutely zero memory of ever leaving the bed. It’s like living through a black hole. I haven't found a suitable replacement either—neither Cerson nor Fluzepam seems capable of actually knocking me out. If I could just transition back to a 5 mg dose, I’d be thrilled, but I’m stuck. Plus, the morning grogginess is brutal; I end up sleeping until 10:00 AM like I'm under heavy sedation.

Justin Rogers5 said:We'll see how this exam goes. If it turns out to be a nightmare, I'll just say "no thanks" and head to a private clinic.
🤷

It isn't actually as terrifying as one might imagine, believe me, but much like what I mentioned before, I find myself gripped by apprehension nonetheless. I remember boasting to anyone who would listen about how I breezed through my gastroscopy without a single hitch, claiming it was nothing to fear—and while that’s true, it doesn't change the reality of other procedures. For instance, I wouldn't even dream of attempting a colonoscopy while fully conscious; I had to have mine done under general anesthesia two years ago just to get through it.

I’m being incredibly careful about my weight, really watching what I eat, yet I seem to be gaining pounds regardless. It’s been happening ever since I started taking Seroquel, and the packaging explicitly lists weight gain as a side effect.🙂
It feels like I’m forced to go out for a run every single day just to maintain my current weight rather than actually losing anything at all.
It’s honestly exhausting.

Hannah Foster6 said:What do you guys think about tapering off Sanval? I’ve been on 5 mg for quite a while now—I actually started out at 10 mg before dropping down to this dose—but honestly, if I don't take it, I just can't catch any sleep at all. Does anyone know of a good alternative medication that might work better than Sanval? Usually, the way to wean yourself off is by slowly lowering the dose, but I'm feeling pretty stuck and I'm just not sure how much lower I can actually go without losing my mind. 🙂

Maybe try splitting the pill in half to lower the dosage gradually. Eventually, you can phase it out entirely...
Since everyone reacts differently, 5 mg shouldn't be a massive dose, especially if you've been taking it for quite some time. It might even be partly psychological—once you take it, you feel ready to sleep, and without it, the anxiety kicks in...
I've known people whose psychiatrists suggested breaking the pills into smaller pieces just to ease the transition, even if it wasn't strictly necessary. For them, that extra sense of security was vital to finally letting go of the medication. It might be worth seeing if that works for you too...

Hi everyone, I'm new here and noticed there's already quite a bit of debate going on about just about everything. It got me wondering—has anyone here experimented with 5-HTP? It’s marketed as a natural alternative to an SSRI. I picked some up while I was traveling in the USA and just took my first 100mg dose today.

Kenneth Scott41 said:I’m being incredibly careful about my weight, really watching what I eat, yet I seem to be gaining pounds regardless. It’s been happening ever since I started taking Seroquel, and the packaging explicitly lists weight gain as a side effect.🙂
It feels like I’m forced to go out for a run every single day just to maintain my current weight rather than actually losing anything at all.
It’s honestly exhausting.

What on earth are you talking about? Since I started on Seroquel, I've actually dropped over 15 pounds—though, admittedly, I've been running quite a bit. For me, it was Zeldox that absolutely wrecked my stomach.

Jason Vaughn482 said:But why on earth would you pay $183 just for an exam? You could easily get that done at a major hospital, and then if you actually need the gastroscopy, you can schedule it through a specialized Medical Center or perhaps somewhere in Chicago under sedation. Because what you're describing here, $200 sounds like it's being done without anesthesia—at least, that's my impression, you should really double-check... a friend of mine had hers done in Chicago in Tagora with Dr. Mavrinac, and it was all done under anesthesia... 1 $167...who is your gastroenterologist in Cleveland?

I don't have one. I went to the Mayo Clinic because they're the only ones I know with a specialist. I called Sun City, but they don't do it, and the Mayo Clinic is pricey. I just assumed $200 included sedation.🤷So you mean just the endoscopy $500 under anesthesia? Dammit.

Larry Lewis said:What on earth are you talking about? Since I started on Seroquel, I've actually dropped over 15 pounds—though, admittedly, I've been running quite a bit. For me, it was Zeldox that absolutely wrecked my stomach.

I'm mentally gearing up (in my head, at least😁) to start running—I am just so done with this sluggishness and the extra weight...🙂🙂🙂

fadedbear92 said:I'm mentally gearing up (in my head, at least😁) to start running—I am just so done with this sluggishness and the extra weight...🙂🙂🙂

That’s a good move. Honestly, that post-run high is unbeatable—though, let’s be real, it doesn't last nearly long enough. For me, it’s just become part of the routine now. My advice? Take it easy at first—don't go out there trying to break any records right away or you'll regret it.

Justin Rogers5 said:I don't have one. I went to the Mayo Clinic because they're the only ones I know with a specialist. I called Sun City, but they don't do it, and the Mayo Clinic is pricey. I just assumed $200 included sedation.🤷So you mean just the endoscopy $500 under anesthesia? Dammit.

That’s precisely why I’m suggesting you go to the Cleveland Clinic for the initial consultation first, and then if you decide you want the actual gastroscopy done privately... but wait, who even referred you for a gastroscopy if you haven't even had an exam yet? Just get a referral from your doctor and book an appointment at the hospital; paying $75 for a basic checkup is an absolute rip-off...

Jason Vaughn482 said:That’s precisely why I’m suggesting you go to the Cleveland Clinic for the initial consultation first, and then if you decide you want the actual gastroscopy done privately... but wait, who even referred you for a gastroscopy if you haven't even had an exam yet? Just get a referral from your doctor and book an appointment at the hospital; paying $75 for a basic checkup is an absolute rip-off...

I'm heading to the appointment; my doctor gave me a referral, but honestly, I'll probably just end up getting the endoscopy anyway. We're pretty far off right now and I really don't want another medical file on my record.🤣

Justin Rogers5 said:I'm heading to the appointment; my doctor gave me a referral, but honestly, I'll probably just end up getting the endoscopy anyway. We're pretty far off right now and I really don't want another medical file on my record.🤣

Just get it done at the hospital; book an appointment with Dr. Mavrinac. He’s absolutely top-tier, but if you truly can't stomach the idea of going under without anesthesia, then go see him over at Tagora.

I’ve been sitting here thinking about why people struggling with insomnia get so incredibly worked up about trying newer sleep aids, like Sanval, or even the classic calming meds like Normabel... I mean, isn't the constant tossing and turning way more brutal on your nerves and your mental health than just taking a pill if you aren't feeling any side effects?
I really wonder if addiction is the "only" thing making people hesitant, or if there's actually some underlying danger when you're using these kinds of medications over a long period of time.

Hannah Foster6 said:I’ve been sitting here thinking about why people struggling with insomnia get so incredibly worked up about trying newer sleep aids, like Sanval, or even the classic calming meds like Normabel... I mean, isn't the constant tossing and turning way more brutal on your nerves and your mental health than just taking a pill if you aren't feeling any side effects?
I really wonder if addiction is the "only" thing making people hesitant, or if there's actually some underlying danger when you're using these kinds of medications over a long period of time.

Did you actually read the side effects for Sanval or Praxiten ???! I've told you before—the midnight wandering, people ending up in doghouses, some guy walking straight through a door, or my friend who thought she was part of an African tribe and tried to dance on a third-story balcony railing. These things are dangerous because if you leave them within reach and wake up in the middle of the night, you're going for another hit (maybe in a doghouse). That stuff should only be handled by a doctor or a responsible adult, which clearly I'm not, nor am I half the people on this subforum.☕Addiction is a separate issue. You're asking how you'd even fall asleep on a half dose? You wouldn't.☕

Justin Rogers5 said:Did you actually read the side effects for Sanval or Praxiten ???! I've told you before—the midnight wandering, people ending up in doghouses, some guy walking straight through a door, or my friend who thought she was part of an African tribe and tried to dance on a third-story balcony railing. These things are dangerous because if you leave them within reach and wake up in the middle of the night, you're going for another hit (maybe in a doghouse). That stuff should only be handled by a doctor or a responsible adult, which clearly I'm not, nor am I half the people on this subforum.☕Addiction is a separate issue. You're asking how you'd even fall asleep on a half dose? You wouldn't.☕

Look, my experience with Sanval hasn't been quite that cinematic or terrifying, though I suppose the most intense part is when the effects actually kick in. I'll suddenly find myself stumbling into the kitchen, searching for anything to eat; I'll even go as far as whipping up a batch of pancakes, something I wouldn't dream of doing during the day because I simply can't be bothered. And yes, that's exactly why I want to kick the habit, but the problem remains: I don't have a single alternative to turn to.🤷

Jason Vaughn482 said:Look, my experience with Sanval hasn't been quite that cinematic or terrifying, though I suppose the most intense part is when the effects actually kick in. I'll suddenly find myself stumbling into the kitchen, searching for anything to eat; I'll even go as far as whipping up a batch of pancakes, something I wouldn't dream of doing during the day because I simply can't be bothered. And yes, that's exactly why I want to kick the habit, but the problem remains: I don't have a single alternative to turn to.🤷

You think that's normal? Sanval is supposed to knock you out, not leave you running around like a manic squirrel.🤷That drug is basically designed for someone to slip it to you and walk away. If you're flipping pancakes, you could probably burn the whole house down for all you know. Better to stick with Normabell or Xanax. Even then, it's hit or miss. Personally, I'd rather stay up half the night watching Edward Westwick in every movie possible than have my neighbor asking me why I look like a total wreck the next morning.🤣And the dog is inside.🤣