Psychotropic medication discussion thread

So, here’s the deal—I’ve been dealing with OCD since back in 2007 or 2008, I can't quite recall the exact year. But honestly? The last two years have been a total train wreck. My OCD symptoms have mostly chilled out, but now I’m stuck in this manic-depressive loop. It feels like I’m hitting manic depression with psychosis, but my doctor is dragging her feet because she thinks I’m too young for that specific diagnosis... you know how it is, they don't want to rush things. Right now, my cocktail consists of Zyprexa 25mg in the morning, then another 50mg at night, Xanax 0.25mg twice a day, and 20mg of Elice in the morning... My memory is pretty shot, I have zero patience for anything, and the mania hits me like a freight train. I’ll blow through every cent I have in a heartbeat, and then—boom—the depression crashes down. It’s just a constant cycle, mania, depression, mania, depression... over and over. I end up doing stuff I’d never dream of doing otherwise, and when the depression kicks in, I realize what an idiot I was, but when I'm manic? Everything feels perfect. Nothing is wrong. I flip-flop on my opinions in a split second—whether it's about people or myself. And the panic attacks? They hit me out of nowhere; I can literally feel my heart pounding like it’s about to explode out of my chest. I smoke like a chimney and I drink way too much—to the point where I'm basically killing myself with alcohol, and I'm only 18. I know, I know—everyone is going to jump down my throat about being irresponsible and mixing meds with booze, but believe me, it’s stronger than me. I want to change it so bad, but I just can't. I really can't! I don't have anyone to actually talk to about this, so I figured I'd come to this forum to find some kind of solace. I spend most of my life pretending to be someone I'm not, just being a huge hypocrite... I don't know, I want to change, but I feel stuck... I’m writing this right now with a relatively clear head, but tomorrow? Tomorrow I'll probably read this and have a completely different take. I'll think I'm stronger than all this, and I'll probably just laugh at everything I wrote here... I hurt people constantly—people I don't actually want to hurt—but the thing is, I rarely even feel guilty about it... I've cycled through so many medications by now: Haldol, Prazin, Elice, Cipralex, Faverin, Depakine Chrono, Zyprexa, Valium, Xanax, Normabel, Sanval, etc... I’m at a loss, I don't know what else to do. This isn't sustainable... I'm basically destroying myself. I have suicidal thoughts quite often, though I know deep down I won't actually go through with it... If there's any professional out there who actually understands this stuff, please, give me some advice... WHAT DO I DO? I go to the psychiatrist, they talk to me for ten minutes, hand me a prescription, and say goodbye... I don't have the cash for a private specialist, and I just feel like I'm drowning... Help!

Robin Gonzalez3 said:So, here’s the deal—I’ve been dealing with OCD since back in 2007 or 2008, I can't quite recall the exact year. But honestly? The last two years have been a total train wreck. My OCD symptoms have mostly chilled out, but now I’m stuck in this manic-depressive loop. It feels like I’m hitting manic depression with psychosis, but my doctor is dragging her feet because she thinks I’m too young for that specific diagnosis... you know how it is, they don't want to rush things. Right now, my cocktail consists of Zyprexa 25mg in the morning, then another 50mg at night, Xanax 0.25mg twice a day, and 20mg of Elice in the morning... My memory is pretty shot, I have zero patience for anything, and the mania hits me like a freight train. I’ll blow through every cent I have in a heartbeat, and then—boom—the depression crashes down. It’s just a constant cycle, mania, depression, mania, depression... over and over. I end up doing stuff I’d never dream of doing otherwise, and when the depression kicks in, I realize what an idiot I was, but when I'm manic? Everything feels perfect. Nothing is wrong. I flip-flop on my opinions in a split second—whether it's about people or myself. And the panic attacks? They hit me out of nowhere; I can literally feel my heart pounding like it’s about to explode out of my chest. I smoke like a chimney and I drink way too much—to the point where I'm basically killing myself with alcohol, and I'm only 18. I know, I know—everyone is going to jump down my throat about being irresponsible and mixing meds with booze, but believe me, it’s stronger than me. I want to change it so bad, but I just can't. I really can't! I don't have anyone to actually talk to about this, so I figured I'd come to this forum to find some kind of solace. I spend most of my life pretending to be someone I'm not, just being a huge hypocrite... I don't know, I want to change, but I feel stuck... I’m writing this right now with a relatively clear head, but tomorrow? Tomorrow I'll probably read this and have a completely different take. I'll think I'm stronger than all this, and I'll probably just laugh at everything I wrote here... I hurt people constantly—people I don't actually want to hurt—but the thing is, I rarely even feel guilty about it... I've cycled through so many medications by now: Haldol, Prazin, Elice, Cipralex, Faverin, Depakine Chrono, Zyprexa, Valium, Xanax, Normabel, Sanval, etc... I’m at a loss, I don't know what else to do. This isn't sustainable... I'm basically destroying myself. I have suicidal thoughts quite often, though I know deep down I won't actually go through with it... If there's any professional out there who actually understands this stuff, please, give me some advice... WHAT DO I DO? I go to the psychiatrist, they talk to me for ten minutes, hand me a prescription, and say goodbye... I don't have the cash for a private specialist, and I just feel like I'm drowning... Help!

Do you have parents? How do they view your illness?

Robin Gonzalez3 said:So, here’s the deal—I’ve been dealing with OCD since back in 2007 or 2008, I can't quite recall the exact year. But honestly? The last two years have been a total train wreck. My OCD symptoms have mostly chilled out, but now I’m stuck in this manic-depressive loop. It feels like I’m hitting manic depression with psychosis, but my doctor is dragging her feet because she thinks I’m too young for that specific diagnosis... you know how it is, they don't want to rush things. Right now, my cocktail consists of Zyprexa 25mg in the morning, then another 50mg at night, Xanax 0.25mg twice a day, and 20mg of Elice in the morning... My memory is pretty shot, I have zero patience for anything, and the mania hits me like a freight train. I’ll blow through every cent I have in a heartbeat, and then—boom—the depression crashes down. It’s just a constant cycle, mania, depression, mania, depression... over and over. I end up doing stuff I’d never dream of doing otherwise, and when the depression kicks in, I realize what an idiot I was, but when I'm manic? Everything feels perfect. Nothing is wrong. I flip-flop on my opinions in a split second—whether it's about people or myself. And the panic attacks? They hit me out of nowhere; I can literally feel my heart pounding like it’s about to explode out of my chest. I smoke like a chimney and I drink way too much—to the point where I'm basically killing myself with alcohol, and I'm only 18. I know, I know—everyone is going to jump down my throat about being irresponsible and mixing meds with booze, but believe me, it’s stronger than me. I want to change it so bad, but I just can't. I really can't! I don't have anyone to actually talk to about this, so I figured I'd come to this forum to find some kind of solace. I spend most of my life pretending to be someone I'm not, just being a huge hypocrite... I don't know, I want to change, but I feel stuck... I’m writing this right now with a relatively clear head, but tomorrow? Tomorrow I'll probably read this and have a completely different take. I'll think I'm stronger than all this, and I'll probably just laugh at everything I wrote here... I hurt people constantly—people I don't actually want to hurt—but the thing is, I rarely even feel guilty about it... I've cycled through so many medications by now: Haldol, Prazin, Elice, Cipralex, Faverin, Depakine Chrono, Zyprexa, Valium, Xanax, Normabel, Sanval, etc... I’m at a loss, I don't know what else to do. This isn't sustainable... I'm basically destroying myself. I have suicidal thoughts quite often, though I know deep down I won't actually go through with it... If there's any professional out there who actually understands this stuff, please, give me some advice... WHAT DO I DO? I go to the psychiatrist, they talk to me for ten minutes, hand me a prescription, and say goodbye... I don't have the cash for a private specialist, and I just feel like I'm drowning... Help!

Oh, heavens... please, for starters, try not to mix alcohol with such a heavy cocktail of medication, especially when you are only eighteen... I understand that seeing a private specialist is financially out of reach, but perhaps you could use your insurance to find someone who will actually take the time to deal with your case properly. What city are you in? I am not certain if anyone else can offer more than a psychiatrist, though perhaps your family at home could help... I don't fully grasp your specific diagnosis since I struggle with anxiety, but my heart aches to see someone so young suffering like this. Perhaps you should try switching doctors. For instance, I live in Cleveland; I can't afford private psychotherapy, but I do have a psychiatrist who keeps me in her office for thirty to forty-five minutes. She truly knows my history, and I can even call or text her if a crisis strikes... I only see her for check-ups once every two months. I honestly don't know what else I could tell you...🤷

Please migrate over to the small support group thread on Chatopic; it's a space where people actually offer one another genuine comfort and exchange their lived experiences.

Robin Gonzalez3 said:So, here’s the deal—I’ve been dealing with OCD since back in 2007 or 2008, I can't quite recall the exact year. But honestly? The last two years have been a total train wreck. My OCD symptoms have mostly chilled out, but now I’m stuck in this manic-depressive loop. It feels like I’m hitting manic depression with psychosis, but my doctor is dragging her feet because she thinks I’m too young for that specific diagnosis... you know how it is, they don't want to rush things. Right now, my cocktail consists of Zyprexa 25mg in the morning, then another 50mg at night, Xanax 0.25mg twice a day, and 20mg of Elice in the morning... My memory is pretty shot, I have zero patience for anything, and the mania hits me like a freight train. I’ll blow through every cent I have in a heartbeat, and then—boom—the depression crashes down. It’s just a constant cycle, mania, depression, mania, depression... over and over. I end up doing stuff I’d never dream of doing otherwise, and when the depression kicks in, I realize what an idiot I was, but when I'm manic? Everything feels perfect. Nothing is wrong. I flip-flop on my opinions in a split second—whether it's about people or myself. And the panic attacks? They hit me out of nowhere; I can literally feel my heart pounding like it’s about to explode out of my chest. I smoke like a chimney and I drink way too much—to the point where I'm basically killing myself with alcohol, and I'm only 18. I know, I know—everyone is going to jump down my throat about being irresponsible and mixing meds with booze, but believe me, it’s stronger than me. I want to change it so bad, but I just can't. I really can't! I don't have anyone to actually talk to about this, so I figured I'd come to this forum to find some kind of solace. I spend most of my life pretending to be someone I'm not, just being a huge hypocrite... I don't know, I want to change, but I feel stuck... I’m writing this right now with a relatively clear head, but tomorrow? Tomorrow I'll probably read this and have a completely different take. I'll think I'm stronger than all this, and I'll probably just laugh at everything I wrote here... I hurt people constantly—people I don't actually want to hurt—but the thing is, I rarely even feel guilty about it... I've cycled through so many medications by now: Haldol, Prazin, Elice, Cipralex, Faverin, Depakine Chrono, Zyprexa, Valium, Xanax, Normabel, Sanval, etc... I’m at a loss, I don't know what else to do. This isn't sustainable... I'm basically destroying myself. I have suicidal thoughts quite often, though I know deep down I won't actually go through with it... If there's any professional out there who actually understands this stuff, please, give me some advice... WHAT DO I DO? I go to the psychiatrist, they talk to me for ten minutes, hand me a prescription, and say goodbye... I don't have the cash for a private specialist, and I just feel like I'm drowning... Help!

There are plenty of doctors in Chicago or NYC you can see through your insurance—just do a little digging.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether it's actually safe to take Lexapro and Valium at the same time?

Benjamin Martin65 said:I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether it's actually safe to take Lexapro and Valium at the same time?

Lexapro is oxazepam

Normabel is diazepam

I honestly have no clue

Benjamin Martin65 said:I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether it's actually safe to take Lexapro and Valium at the same time?

That isn't a standard combination.😁
Decide which one works better for you, Ili-Ili. It would be wiser to increase your current dosage instead. Generally speaking, you should aim for the fewest number of medications possible in your regimen.

Thank you so much. 😉

Does anyone have any scientific papers or studies regarding how St. John's Wort affects your mental state? It’s been used as a natural antidepressant since forever, but I'm wondering if there's actual clinical proof behind it.

Jeffrey Sanchez7 said:Does anyone have any scientific papers or studies regarding how St. John's Wort affects your mental state? It’s been used as a natural antidepressant since forever, but I'm wondering if there's actual clinical proof behind it.

Thinking about starting Lexapro. Anyone here dealt with it?

Paul Newman5 said:Thinking about starting Lexapro. Anyone here dealt with it?

That is excellent news! Of course, everyone reacts differently, but on average, people tend to experience fewer side effects with this one. It also generally has the lowest impact on libido compared to other options. Personally, I didn't encounter any side effects at all; usually, nausea is the most common complaint, but since I have a pretty strong stomach, I didn't even deal with that.🙂 Best of luck!

Since Cipralex requires a co-pay, you might want to try asking for Elice instead—it’s the exact same medication, but it’s the generic version produced by Krkino, so there shouldn't be an extra cost.

Also, I hope your doctor advised you to taper up slowly. Typically, the protocol involves taking half a dose for three days, then moving to a full dose for three days, and continuing that gradual progression.

Paul Newman5 said:She prescribed me 10mg right away, first thing in the morning. To be honest, I’m not nearly as worried about the nausea as I am about the side effects; I’ve heard stories of people becoming incredibly aggressive, and the thought of having an outburst like that truly terrifies me. When did you actually start feeling the effects? For me, it feels like it might take a week or two. I’ve been diagnosed with depression, and I struggle with these occasional bouts of anxiety—specifically this overwhelming fear that I’m going to lose my mind. My mornings are completely wasted; I can't get anything done. Thank you.😉

Lexapro doesn't trigger aggression, so please don't worry about that—especially if you aren't naturally an aggressive person to begin with. It is possible that the symptoms you are currently struggling with might intensify slightly during the initial phase, but there is no need to panic. If things get difficult, you can take some Xanax or whatever else your doctor suggests; that is actually the standard recommendation. Lexapro is quite effective for depression, panic attacks, and general anxiety alike. I can't recall the exact moment I started feeling the effects, but it was somewhere between the two and three-week mark. For you, it might happen as early as two weeks. Try to look at it this way: you might endure a little discomfort while waiting for it to kick in, but at least you know what to expect. With Lexapro, I doubt you'll face much beyond some nausea, and once that passes, you will start feeling much better. 🙂

restlesstrucker15 said:Lexapro doesn't trigger aggression, so please don't worry about that—especially if you aren't naturally an aggressive person to begin with. It is possible that the symptoms you are currently struggling with might intensify slightly during the initial phase, but there is no need to panic. If things get difficult, you can take some Xanax or whatever else your doctor suggests; that is actually the standard recommendation. Lexapro is quite effective for depression, panic attacks, and general anxiety alike. I can't recall the exact moment I started feeling the effects, but it was somewhere between the two and three-week mark. For you, it might happen as early as two weeks. Try to look at it this way: you might endure a little discomfort while waiting for it to kick in, but at least you know what to expect. With Lexapro, I doubt you'll face much beyond some nausea, and once that passes, you will start feeling much better. 🙂

Is it nausea, vomiting, stomach pain? I have a bit of gastritis, but I guess I'll manage. I wasn't aggressive, just really on edge after what happened three months ago—just a high-strung type. You know the deal, a total workaholic and perfectionist. Everything had to be done right then and there, but I don't think that counts as aggression. My doctor prescribed Xanax 0.5mg extended-release and told me I could take Lexapro alongside it, which I am doing now. Sorry for all the questions, but you know how it is when you start dealing with this, you want to know everything. My doctor said it might start working for me in about 10 days. The Psychology professional I see mentioned I might resolve this on my own with therapy in a couple of months, but that felt too long. Of course, I'm still seeing my therapist; my psychiatrist says I need to. Once the Lexapro actually starts working, did you stop using the Xanax, the Lexapro, and all that other crap I've been using for the last 20 days? Thanks, truly... I just need to know. Sorry if I'm being annoying.

I decided to give Praxiten a shot instead of my usual Xelox for just a single day, but honestly, it felt like a total wash. It seems to me that Xelox is significantly more effective; perhaps it’s just my own perception, but I find myself feeling much calmer within a mere ten minutes of taking Xelox, and the effects tend to linger quite beautifully... I was originally considering Praxiten in hopes of improving my sleep quality, but what on earth am I supposed to do if these two can't be taken together?

Jason Vaughn482 said:I decided to give Praxiten a shot instead of my usual Xelox for just a single day, but honestly, it felt like a total wash. It seems to me that Xelox is significantly more effective; perhaps it’s just my own perception, but I find myself feeling much calmer within a mere ten minutes of taking Xelox, and the effects tend to linger quite beautifully... I was originally considering Praxiten in hopes of improving my sleep quality, but what on earth am I supposed to do if these two can't be taken together?

Unfortunately, Paxil won't provide the same coverage that Xanax does. Did your doctor explicitly tell you that you aren't allowed to take them together, even if you were to take the Paxil strictly before heading to bed?

restlesstrucker15 said:Unfortunately, Paxil won't provide the same coverage that Xanax does. Did your doctor explicitly tell you that you aren't allowed to take them together, even if you were to take the Paxil strictly before heading to bed?

It’s almost as if they belong to the same category, so one would assume they could overlap, but I have a feeling I can manage it. When she tells me that combining Zoloft and Remeron is perfectly fine, I struggle to see why this wouldn't be possible too—but then again, I can't know for certain. I'll just have to wait and see; I've already taken my daily dose of anxiolytics.

Paul Newman5 said:Is it nausea, vomiting, stomach pain? I have a bit of gastritis, but I guess I'll manage. I wasn't aggressive, just really on edge after what happened three months ago—just a high-strung type. You know the deal, a total workaholic and perfectionist. Everything had to be done right then and there, but I don't think that counts as aggression. My doctor prescribed Xanax 0.5mg extended-release and told me I could take Lexapro alongside it, which I am doing now. Sorry for all the questions, but you know how it is when you start dealing with this, you want to know everything. My doctor said it might start working for me in about 10 days. The Psychology professional I see mentioned I might resolve this on my own with therapy in a couple of months, but that felt too long. Of course, I'm still seeing my therapist; my psychiatrist says I need to. Once the Lexapro actually starts working, did you stop using the Xanax, the Lexapro, and all that other crap I've been using for the last 20 days? Thanks, truly... I just need to know. Sorry if I'm being annoying.

You aren't being tedious at all. However, I am sending you a private message so we don't overwhelm the others here. I'd like to invite anyone else who has experience with the side effects of Lexapro to chime in, as I personally haven't experienced any.

restlesstrucker15 said:You aren't being tedious at all. However, I am sending you a private message so we don't overwhelm the others here. I'd like to invite anyone else who has experience with the side effects of Lexapro to chime in, as I personally haven't experienced any.

Also, are you working right now? I am, and I really don't want to lose my job because of antidepressants. Not that anyone needs to know what I'm taking, anyway. Can I actually expect to stay functional on this stuff?

I’m curious if there's any truth to the idea that anxiolytics and antidepressants can actually damage your teeth. I caught a segment about it on TV recently and it really caught my attention. It made me think about people who "crunch" on their Xanax to make it kick in faster—is that what causes dental issues, or is it just poor hygiene rather than the medication itself?