Psychotropic medication discussion thread

George Allen71 said:God...how long does it actually take when you're switching from one antidepressant to another....how much longer do I have to wait??????

It’s day nine on trintellix...and I just can't do this anymore. Okay, I'm taking Lamal along with it to help stabilize my mood...On top of BPD, now I've got F33.2, severe recurrent depression without psychosis...it's all just such a heavy state and I don't know how to get out
but the headaches...it feels like my brain is being squeezed inside my skull...like something is sloshing around in there...emotionally...swinging from rage and irritation...into terrible sadness...then back to anger again...if I turn my head too fast, I have to grab my head with my hands because it feels so nauseous immediately
The anxiety is so intense that even though I'm hungry, if I eat, I vomit everything right back up...and it starts happening while I'm still eating...My shoulders and upper arms ache constantly...like I've been working out all night...but it's just pure tension and cramping

Okay, how much longer....hopefully there will come a day where I wake up and things will be...well...today is a little bit better

The instructions say that you should see improvement from trintellix after just the first week...unlike three weeks with other antidepressants....okay, great...but I just need these adjustment side effects to vanish....I feel like I'm losing my mind completely...
I've been thinking about checking into a hospital until things improve...the people around me are acting crazy...and those few people who at least partially understand what I'm going through...everyone is running away because they can't handle me like this
Oh God...when will that cheerful, happy person come back...the person everyone used to run toward and call for everything because they loved my company...that strong person everyone always turned to for help and support....
Oh God...where did I go???????????

Look, you're sick just like most of us on here. Illness doesn't pick favorites. It might sound harsh, but you're spending far too much time weeping over your own situation, and that isn't going to get you anywhere.
I respect that you're ill and I know it's hard, but wallowing in self-pity brings nothing good to the table—and I'm telling you that from my own life experience.
Sorry, but I had to say it, because whenever I read your posts, it's just constant complaining and self-pity.

Larry Lewis said:Look, you're sick just like most of us on here. Illness doesn't pick favorites. It might sound harsh, but you're spending far too much time weeping over your own situation, and that isn't going to get you anywhere.
I respect that you're ill and I know it's hard, but wallowing in self-pity brings nothing good to the table—and I'm telling you that from my own life experience.
Sorry, but I had to say it, because whenever I read your posts, it's just constant complaining and self-pity.

Larry, come on, let's be real—how many times have you fallen into that trap of self-pity when things got dark? I know I have. It shouldn't be a habit, obviously, but sometimes it's just our way of letting off steam, right?

Kenneth Scott41 said:I suppose if you're looking for the heavy hitters, vicodin and methadone are probably the most effective options out there 😁

I know what methadone is, but vicodin?🙄Right now I'm sticking with Lorazepam and Effexor, though I'm thinking about switching over to Wellbutrin soon. It seems like a lot of people are using that specific pairing together.☕

wiredmason56 said:I know what methadone is, but vicodin?🙄Right now I'm sticking with Lorazepam and Effexor, though I'm thinking about switching over to Wellbutrin soon. It seems like a lot of people are using that specific pairing together.☕

Vicodin is basically whatever Dr. House uses to get high. 😁

Sure, you could argue that heroin is the ultimate antidepressant, but does that actually make it a recommended treatment?🤣

http://wtfcontent.com/img/130192277974.jpg

fadedbear92 said:Larry, come on, let's be real—how many times have you fallen into that trap of self-pity when things got dark? I know I have. It shouldn't be a habit, obviously, but sometimes it's just our way of letting off steam, right?

And you've got a point there. Honestly, I owe George Allen71 an apology. It wasn't my intention to be malicious—I was simply trying to argue that progress is possible if you actually put in the work. Besides, if I'm being completely candid, I sometimes find it incredibly difficult to sit through someone else's misery; when people are truly suffering, it triggers this irrational flash of anger in me. My bad.

Larry Lewis said:And you've got a point there. Honestly, I owe George Allen71 an apology. It wasn't my intention to be malicious—I was simply trying to argue that progress is possible if you actually put in the work. Besides, if I'm being completely candid, I sometimes find it incredibly difficult to sit through someone else's misery; when people are truly suffering, it triggers this irrational flash of anger in me. My bad.

Larry, you're a good guy, really. Where's that sense of humor hiding? I could definitely use a laugh today.

fadedbear92 said:Larry, you're a good guy, really. Where's that sense of humor hiding? I could definitely use a laugh today.

I honestly don't know where he went—it feels strange even to me—but I've become entirely too serious lately. There's this looming possibility that I might actually land a solid gig at a decent company, so now I'm just sitting here spiraling, wondering if my health will hold up long enough, or if anyone at the office will notice I'm... well, off. It's all very unsettling.

Oh, and I took my first dose of Lorazepam today, and man, those pills are the real deal—they've actually managed to dull those intrusive thoughts that usually claw at my brain. I'm on 2.5mg, three times a day.

Those sudden mental crashes are the absolute worst part, especially when you're the "new guy" at a job; people aren't exactly patient with that kind of thing.

Then again, I can always go back to manual labor or digging ditches—maybe I wasn't cut out for anything else anyway.🙂

hey guys... quick question—what's actually better? should I just knock back 10-15 mg of Sanval on its own, OR go with a tiny dose of Normabel, Lorazepam, or Xanax just to take the edge off, then follow it up with a little 5 mg hit of Sanval to actually crash?

Larry Lewis said:Look, you're sick just like most of us on here. Illness doesn't pick favorites. It might sound harsh, but you're spending far too much time weeping over your own situation, and that isn't going to get you anywhere.
I respect that you're ill and I know it's hard, but wallowing in self-pity brings nothing good to the table—and I'm telling you that from my own life experience.
Sorry, but I had to say it, because whenever I read your posts, it's just constant complaining and self-pity.

blah blah blah before the mod nukes this post too

Larry Lewis said:Screw all those fake, two-faced people—honestly, they can go straight to hell. Just try living one day in my shoes and then come talk to me. I'm done with everyone in this world, and frankly, I don't feel sorry for anyone, including myself.

Larry, cut the crap while you're busy crying like a child yourself

Sedatival: Day Ten

My darlings... this stuff actually works! These last nine days have been absolute madness... you could tell just by looking at my posts.

Today... I feel calmer.... okay, my head still aches a little... it feels like there's some strange fluid inside my skull instead of a brain, everything is just kind of swirling around... but the feeling... I am calm.

After I don't even know how many months, today is the first day without crying!!!!

I'm not quite back to my old self yet, but I can feel things improving. I've actually started dreaming again after going an entire year and a half without a single dream... my body isn't shaking nearly as much as it has been lately... I know, I know, you'll all say these are just small steps... but to me, they are massive.

The only thing is, I can't look at any light after I take my dose in the evening. It's like it's forbidden; I have to keep my eyes shut... now I can't even try anymore (okay, fine, I tried watching a show from bed... it just didn't work)

For now, I am absolutely thrilled with these initial signs.... if I start seeing progress in my motivation too... oh man, no one will be happier than me... and it will happen... I truly believe it will.

I’m feeling uncharacteristically upbeat today—truly, almost unnervingly optimistic—so perhaps I won't spend the entire night weeping like a total wreck🙂

A friend of mine was just prescribed a combo of Lorazepam 1 x 1 mg and Effexor 37.5 mg for a moderate depressive episode. I'm curious if anyone here has experience with this specific pairing and what kind of side effects we should be looking out for.

She was told that the Effexor might cause some nausea, but apparently, that should taper off after three or four days. 🤷 Has anyone else dealt with something similar?

Supposedly, if the nausea gets too intense, the treatment is stopped. Does that usually mean actual vomiting, or just an overwhelming sense of being sick?

On top of that, she was warned not to try getting pregnant right now—which is frustrating, because she was actually right in the middle of trying. 😢

hollowdrifter5 said:A friend of mine was just prescribed a combo of Lorazepam 1 x 1 mg and Effexor 37.5 mg for a moderate depressive episode. I'm curious if anyone here has experience with this specific pairing and what kind of side effects we should be looking out for.

She was told that the Effexor might cause some nausea, but apparently, that should taper off after three or four days. 🤷 Has anyone else dealt with something similar?

Supposedly, if the nausea gets too intense, the treatment is stopped. Does that usually mean actual vomiting, or just an overwhelming sense of being sick?

On top of that, she was warned not to try getting pregnant right now—which is frustrating, because she was actually right in the middle of trying. 😢

Side effects are pretty much a standard part of taking any medication, I suppose.
Effexor generally plays well with other drugs, so from that perspective, there shouldn't be much of an issue. She just shouldn't take it on an empty stomach; taking it after a meal should help mitigate the nausea. It’s probably best to take the Effexor in the morning so it doesn't interfere with sleep, while the Lorazepam tends to have a sedative effect—at least from what I understand, though I haven't personally used it—so she should save that for the evening.
Feeling nauseous or a bit lightheaded is fairly common.

During those first few days on Effexor, you can feel somewhat drugged or just a little lost, but that usually passes quite quickly.
As for the pregnancy, she’ll definitely have to wait if she's starting this regimen.

I guess I'm just a bit puzzled as to how she received this specific therapy for just a single depressive episode. 😕

unnamed

Bryan Rodriguez7 said:Side effects are pretty much a standard part of taking any medication, I suppose.
Effexor generally plays well with other drugs, so from that perspective, there shouldn't be much of an issue. She just shouldn't take it on an empty stomach; taking it after a meal should help mitigate the nausea. It’s probably best to take the Effexor in the morning so it doesn't interfere with sleep, while the Lorazepam tends to have a sedative effect—at least from what I understand, though I haven't personally used it—so she should save that for the evening.
Feeling nauseous or a bit lightheaded is fairly common.

During those first few days on Effexor, you can feel somewhat drugged or just a little lost, but that usually passes quite quickly.
As for the pregnancy, she’ll definitely have to wait if she's starting this regimen.

I guess I'm just a bit puzzled as to how she received this specific therapy for just a single depressive episode. 😕

From what I can gather, unnamed takes hers first thing when she wakes up, and unnamed follows after breakfast.
unnamed

Nausea and mild dizziness are pretty standard.

Alright, that sounds manageable.

unnamed

If this treatment is what triggered it, trying to get pregnant will have to wait.

That’s expected, really. But the hardest part is that the depression itself stems from spending a year struggling to conceive. 😢
unnamed

I just don't get how she ended up on medication for nothing more than a depressive episode. 😕

How so? Are you thinking there might be something else besides meds, like psychotherapy or something similar? 😕

She’s incredibly guarded. She didn't even tell her parents she saw a psychiatrist, just her husband and me. She’s also dealing with a lot of insecurity and general anxiety about everything. That’s why I promised I’d look into other people's experiences for her. Right now, she's terrified of the side effects and how the drugs will hit her. 🤷

I just hope the treatment does the trick. Tell me, if you happen to know, how long do people typically stay on this kind of regimen?

hollowdrifter5 said:unnamed

From what I can gather, unnamed takes hers first thing when she wakes up, and unnamed follows after breakfast.
unnamed

Nausea and mild dizziness are pretty standard.

Alright, that sounds manageable.

unnamed

If this treatment is what triggered it, trying to get pregnant will have to wait.

That’s expected, really. But the hardest part is that the depression itself stems from spending a year struggling to conceive. 😢
unnamed

I just don't get how she ended up on medication for nothing more than a depressive episode. 😕

How so? Are you thinking there might be something else besides meds, like psychotherapy or something similar? 😕

She’s incredibly guarded. She didn't even tell her parents she saw a psychiatrist, just her husband and me. She’s also dealing with a lot of insecurity and general anxiety about everything. That’s why I promised I’d look into other people's experiences for her. Right now, she's terrified of the side effects and how the drugs will hit her. 🤷

I just hope the treatment does the trick. Tell me, if you happen to know, how long do people typically stay on this kind of regimen?

I see, that makes more sense now. This isn't just a passing phase; she’s in a depressive state, and it has likely been going on for quite some time. I suppose everyone deals with depressive episodes occasionally, and they tend to pass on their own, but clinical depression is a legitimate illness just like any other, and it needs to be taken very seriously. Plus, from what I can tell, she’s dealing with anxiety too, which is why she's using unnamed. You might want to look into social phobia as well.

The medication will definitely help her, that much is certain, but she also has to put in the work herself. Medication is really just a crutch; she’s the one who has to do the healing through a combination of therapy and medicine.

As for the duration, it really depends on the patient's condition. It could range anywhere from three months to three years—and I’m referring specifically to the unnamed that I take myself. I wouldn't dare speculate on the other one since I haven't used it. But honestly, there is plenty of information online; if you Google it, you should be able to find quite a bit regarding specific drugs and the illness itself.

Larry Lewis said:I honestly don't know where he went—it feels strange even to me—but I've become entirely too serious lately. There's this looming possibility that I might actually land a solid gig at a decent company, so now I'm just sitting here spiraling, wondering if my health will hold up long enough, or if anyone at the office will notice I'm... well, off. It's all very unsettling.

Oh, and I took my first dose of Lorazepam today, and man, those pills are the real deal—they've actually managed to dull those intrusive thoughts that usually claw at my brain. I'm on 2.5mg, three times a day.

Those sudden mental crashes are the absolute worst part, especially when you're the "new guy" at a job; people aren't exactly patient with that kind of thing.

Then again, I can always go back to manual labor or digging ditches—maybe I wasn't cut out for anything else anyway.🙂

I completely understand where you're coming from regarding that feeling of being limited to certain types of work.
But, goodness, I truly believe we are being incredibly unfair to ourselves by maintaining that mindset.
I struggle with the same fear of reaching for a better, more demanding position; I worry I'll fail, that I'm too sensitive, or that my concentration will simply evaporate when I need it most.
Currently, I'm working a job that is physically grueling—my back is already paying the price—and the environment itself just feeds directly into my depression.
It feels like I'm just spinning my wheels in place.

I had a realization the other day: I possess a good nature and a bright spirit, and I shouldn't feel obligated to hunt for jobs based solely on specific credentials or paperwork.
There are absolutely career paths where someone with my temperament can thrive.

One step at a time. I try to account for my personality traits rather than focusing purely on technical abilities.
I have my limits, mostly because I have a deep-seated aversion to bureaucracy and cramped, indoor spaces.

I know... I've gone off on a bit of a tangent.
But really, there are roles out there specifically suited for the "sensitive" types.

I’ve been on a combination of Prozac and unnamed for nearly a year now. Honestly, I feel more grounded than I ever have before.
I’m not entirely sure how long I’ll be staying on the Prozac. To be perfectly candid, I can’t quite pin down its specific impact because the effects of the unnamed are so much more palpable. It acts like a steady hand guiding me back toward tranquility and reality. I’ve actually grown quite fond of it.
As for the Prozac, I couldn't tell you exactly what it's doing for me, other than the fact that I am doing better🙂. I take it with full confidence; it allows me to function at a decent level.
Mind you, I am a dreamer by nature... practicalities have never really been my forte.
Even so, I manage to do what is required. I work, I sleep well, and I take care of my son.
That said, even the minor stresses can still knock me sideways.
It’s just... I’m exhausted by everything.
Sometimes, while walking home, I find myself wishing I could just collapse onto the grass and drift off—to rest, to sleep, to simply stop thinking... to cease being for a moment.
But then, the feeling passes.
I’m still here.
Just as I am.

unnamed

Bryan Rodriguez7 said:I see, that makes more sense now. This isn't just a passing phase; she’s in a depressive state, and it has likely been going on for quite some time. I suppose everyone deals with depressive episodes occasionally, and they tend to pass on their own, but clinical depression is a legitimate illness just like any other, and it needs to be taken very seriously. Plus, from what I can tell, she’s dealing with anxiety too, which is why she's using unnamed. You might want to look into social phobia as well.

The medication will definitely help her, that much is certain, but she also has to put in the work herself. Medication is really just a crutch; she’s the one who has to do the healing through a combination of therapy and medicine.

As for the duration, it really depends on the patient's condition. It could range anywhere from three months to three years—and I’m referring specifically to the unnamed that I take myself. I wouldn't dare speculate on the other one since I haven't used it. But honestly, there is plenty of information online; if you Google it, you should be able to find quite a bit regarding specific drugs and the illness itself.

I'm with you there. I'm glad your experience with the medication has been positive, and I'm really hoping hers turns out the same way. She actually started her treatment this morning and mentioned she hasn't dealt with any dizziness or nausea yet.

unnamed
:

Everything is available online anyway—just Google it and you'll find plenty of info on every drug and the condition itself.

I've done my fair share of reading, but I was specifically looking for insight into how these two drugs interact. I wanted to hear from someone with actual, hands-on experience with them (or anything else, for that matter). She won't touch the research herself; psychiatric stuff and symptom lists just send her into a spiral. Right now, she's completely fixated on the idea that she's broken and that this is just her life now.