Psychotropic medication discussion thread

George Allen71 said:Trintellix is a newer generation AD, and unlike the older ones, it targets melatonin. I’ve personally taken it. And yes... you definitely sleep well with it. You take one in the evening and it's lights out.
I didn't personally deal with insomnia... it was prescribed to me as an AD for depression... but it wasn't strong enough.
I can only repeat what the literature says about it being an AD with the mildest side effects, and that's what doctors tell you too... unfortunately, I experienced quite severe side effects, including dizziness and nausea. If you look through this specific thread, you can find my posts from late August and September of this year where I wrote specifically about how Trintellix affected me, since it's relatively new and not many people had even tried it yet. Good luck.

Don't worry, I've been following your situation 🙂 and I truly understand what you've been going through. However, since you didn't typically have trouble sleeping before this, it likely just sedated you; I doubt it would have had that effect on me. That said, I can always check back in with my doctor.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I mentioned to you once before that Amyzol helped me sleep somewhat well; admittedly, I only took the 10 mg dose a handful of times, though I believe they offer a 25 mg version as well... you should definitely consult your psychiatrist about that option. I struggle with sleep issues too... yesterday, I took 10 mg of Sanval along with one Praxiten and managed to sleep through the night, though I find Xanax much more effective during the day—though I'm unsure if mixing them is safe. What kind of side effects were you dealing with from Calixta, aside from that heavy hangover feeling?

I remember you reaching out, and I appreciate it. However, my doctor mentioned that Amyzol might not resolve my specific issues since it isn't quite the same as Ladiomil, and the older medications aren't even available anymore. Perhaps I will bring it up with her again and see if we can give it a shot.

As for Calixta... I really dislike how I end up devouring half the fridge the next day, but the worst part is being completely wiped out and drugged on the second day—even after taking just half a pill—as if I had swallowed a massive dose of sedatives. 😲

Listen, it isn't recommended to mix Sanval and Praxiten, or Normabel and other anxiolytics. It's not that something catastrophic will happen to you immediately, but rather that you risk becoming dependent on both substances simultaneously. Back when I was taking Dormicum—which I don't take anymore because it wasn't particularly effective, and I felt the need to take two at once—my doctor told me I could take a 10 mg Apaurin along with the Dormicum, but only very occasionally so it wouldn't become a habit.

The current plan is to ask her to let me try Amyzol first; usually, when I am testing something new like this, she hands me a small card at the clinic before she officially writes up the formal report.

Bradley Williams74 said:In my experience, Coaxil is probably one of the gentlest antidepressants you can find when it comes to side effects; honestly, it feels like they're almost non-existent. While that’s certainly a huge plus for comfort, there's a bit of a trade-off to consider—you might find that if you're dealing with particularly heavy bouts of sadness, it just doesn't pack quite the same punch as some of the more potent options out there.

Cipralex works wonders for those dealing with milder bouts of depression. However, if you are struggling with more severe depressive episodes or significant anxiety, it often falls short; as for panic attacks, it’s practically useless. It’s a real shame, because the lack of side effects is such a huge plus.

restlesstrucker15 said:Don't worry, I've been following your situation 🙂 and I truly understand what you've been going through. However, since you didn't typically have trouble sleeping before this, it likely just sedated you; I doubt it would have had that effect on me. That said, I can always check back in with my doctor.

Please don't start playing chemist with your medication. Look, I'm no doctor... but I really don't think experimenting like that is a good idea. I don't know your specific diagnosis or which combination of meds you're supposed to be taking. For me, plain old Prazosin works wonders for sleep... and I know from when I was on antipsychotics that Prazosin used to put me right out... not even mentioning Zeldox. But if your only issues are depression and trouble sleeping... as far as I can tell... there's no point in messing around with antipsychotics. I'm sure there are much milder options, maybe some type of anxiolytic, that will help you drift off. From what I've seen, it seems to be a universal rule for anyone dealing with mental health issues—you spend those first few months staring at the ceiling at 4:00 AM counting stars on the balcony... but after a while, they usually dial in the meds so you actually get some rest... though the truth is, sometimes you don't even want to wake up because the day ahead looks so grim... and then, well... things get messy... until you finally start psychotherapy and try to pull yourself together. That’s just my takeaway from my own experience and what others have told me. No single pill is ever going to "cure" us or magically change our condition... they just take the edge off enough so we can actually start doing the work on ourselves. Yeah... it's sad... but it's not like other illnesses where you just pop a Tylenol and the fever vanishes...

Bradley Williams74 said:It seems to me that most of the discussions on these forums are pretty outdated, even though I know there are so many people out there struggling with psychosis who, just like me, are searching for some real insight into the medication they've been prescribed...

Since I can't find a dedicated community specifically for this particular drug, I was hoping to hear from those of you currently taking it? For now, my doctor has me on a regimen of 150 mg of Seroquel at night (with the possibility of bumping that dose up later). My main struggle, however, is that this medication makes it feel absolutely impossible to wake up. I’m sleeping at least ten hours a stretch, and even then, it takes me a full hour just to physically pull myself out of bed; once I do, I’m hit with this intense dizziness and vertigo. I'll let you in on my little secret for managing it, though. The first thing I do when I finally manage to stand up is brew myself a pretty strong cup of coffee, and after about an hour or so, I start feeling a bit more stable—I still have some lightheadedness, but it isn't nearly as overwhelming as that initial wake-up period. By the afternoon, the sensation usually fades away entirely.

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

You might have missed it, but we’ve talked quite a bit about Quetiapine—whether you call it Quetiapine, Seroquel, or Q-pin. It's all the same thing.
I’ve always wondered why some people, who seem to take just about anything, tell me they’d rather stash their boxes of Seroquel in the back of a closet than swallow another pill.
I had a similar experience myself. I was on it for a short stint before I realized it made me feel like I’d been run over by a semi-truck every single morning.
Also, if you look back a few pages, redcrane22 posted and copied some info explaining how it can actually be pretty harmful, and I think he even mentioned it being restricted in certain contexts.
Long story short, it's not great. Definitely give those posts a read.

Paul Newman5 said:Anxiety and fears are my biggest struggle. I'm anxious, though I still get my stuff done. Not sure after being on Lexapro, though. Why don't you try psychotherapy? We'll see if Lexapro brings any improvement. I see a psychologist, but only briefly. I don't know what to say or think. Xanax works best for me, regardless of the brand.🤷

I don't go to therapy because my primary care doctor thinks I don't need it. She's never even given me a referral for a psychiatrist or a psychologist; she just prescribed me Brintellix. I feel much better now, but I have no idea how I'll cope if she decides to take it away. I really want to talk to a specialist—someone who will actually listen to me and decide on a treatment plan themselves.
My doctor thinks this is all just grief over losing my brother, but that was just the trigger for a massive avalanche of issues that had been building up for years and is still piling up.

Jason Vaughn482 said:So, how long have you actually been taking Zoloft? And what dosage are we talking about?

I've been taking Brintellix for a little over four months now. It's 50 mg once a day, just in the morning.

Just wanted to add that I felt absolutely terrible Wednesday night. I tried using this herbal tincture I’ve been taking lately instead of my diazepam, but once it became clear it wasn't doing anything, I headed to the ER and they gave me another 10 mg injection of Valium 😢
I was dealing with chest pain and discomfort right under the ribcage. My blood pressure was all over the place—swinging from 110/71 up to 145/100—and my heart rate sat between 55 and 72. Plus there was tingling in my hands and mouth, dizziness, weakness...

The doctor actually recommended I take some Valium yesterday before heading out to the cemetery, so I did. The day turned out okay enough.

George Allen71 said:Please don't start playing chemist with your medication. Look, I'm no doctor... but I really don't think experimenting like that is a good idea. I don't know your specific diagnosis or which combination of meds you're supposed to be taking. For me, plain old Prazosin works wonders for sleep... and I know from when I was on antipsychotics that Prazosin used to put me right out... not even mentioning Zeldox. But if your only issues are depression and trouble sleeping... as far as I can tell... there's no point in messing around with antipsychotics. I'm sure there are much milder options, maybe some type of anxiolytic, that will help you drift off. From what I've seen, it seems to be a universal rule for anyone dealing with mental health issues—you spend those first few months staring at the ceiling at 4:00 AM counting stars on the balcony... but after a while, they usually dial in the meds so you actually get some rest... though the truth is, sometimes you don't even want to wake up because the day ahead looks so grim... and then, well... things get messy... until you finally start psychotherapy and try to pull yourself together. That’s just my takeaway from my own experience and what others have told me. No single pill is ever going to "cure" us or magically change our condition... they just take the edge off enough so we can actually start doing the work on ourselves. Yeah... it's sad... but it's not like other illnesses where you just pop a Tylenol and the fever vanishes...

I agree; one should never experiment independently. However, everything I have described has occurred over the course of this past year—meaning every single combination was managed exclusively in consultation with my psychiatrist. Even if I had wanted to deviate, I wouldn't have been able to simply obtain the pills on my own. My intention is merely to see if anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation, so I can understand what people are taking and then discuss those specific options with my doctor.

restlesstrucker15 said:I agree; one should never experiment independently. However, everything I have described has occurred over the course of this past year—meaning every single combination was managed exclusively in consultation with my psychiatrist. Even if I had wanted to deviate, I wouldn't have been able to simply obtain the pills on my own. My intention is merely to see if anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation, so I can understand what people are taking and then discuss those specific options with my doctor.

I hear you. Every medication hits everyone differently. I went through a phase where I was on an antidepressant for a really long time, but I still felt totally depressed... we tried switching things up, but nothing worked because I was hit with such a heavy rebound depression... now I'm on an antidepressant... nothing too crazy... Lexapro... basically the same thing as Zoloft... just trying to pull my life together a bit... honestly, I still feel like these antidepressants aren't doing much for me... at least not in the way everyone else describes them working.

George Allen71 said:I hear you. Every medication hits everyone differently. I went through a phase where I was on an antidepressant for a really long time, but I still felt totally depressed... we tried switching things up, but nothing worked because I was hit with such a heavy rebound depression... now I'm on an antidepressant... nothing too crazy... Lexapro... basically the same thing as Zoloft... just trying to pull my life together a bit... honestly, I still feel like these antidepressants aren't doing much for me... at least not in the way everyone else describes them working.

What’s the early experience like with Lexapro? My doctor said start at 25mg then bump to 50mg. I started on Cipralex and it made me so wired I had to quit. Now I'm a bit nervous about Lexapro. Doc says it's milder and shouldn't be an issue. But she isn't me, so I'm asking.

Paul Newman5 said:What’s the early experience like with Lexapro? My doctor said start at 25mg then bump to 50mg. I started on Cipralex and it made me so wired I had to quit. Now I'm a bit nervous about Lexapro. Doc says it's milder and shouldn't be an issue. But she isn't me, so I'm asking.

With any antidepressant, you usually start with a lower dose for those first few days before moving up to your regular dose. Then, if it’s not doing enough after a month, they bump you up. As for Lexapro... well, I don't know... it's just how it is for me. The main thing is that I didn't deal with major side effects during that first three-week stretch, just some slight headaches, and that was it. I also tried Alice's dose of Cipralex... but even 20mg wasn't enough for me, which is pretty much the ceiling.
I don't know... every antidepressant affects people differently... but you really can't judge how effective it is until you've been on it for at least a month. For those first thirty days, you basically just brace yourself for the side effects and the brain fog, just waiting for it all to pass. That's been my experience so far. And Lexapro... honestly, I'm not sure how much it's actually helping... I take it regularly... but I wouldn't say I feel "high" or like my depression has vanished or that things are significantly easier. But then again, I'm not really expecting miracles from antidepressants anymore. Clearly, none of them work as an antidepressant for me... either my depression is just incredibly heavy or I'm somehow immune to everything... I have no clue... I just keep taking them. I'm working on myself and accepting things as they come... whatever happens, happens...

George Allen71 said:With any antidepressant, you usually start with a lower dose for those first few days before moving up to your regular dose. Then, if it’s not doing enough after a month, they bump you up. As for Lexapro... well, I don't know... it's just how it is for me. The main thing is that I didn't deal with major side effects during that first three-week stretch, just some slight headaches, and that was it. I also tried Alice's dose of Cipralex... but even 20mg wasn't enough for me, which is pretty much the ceiling.
I don't know... every antidepressant affects people differently... but you really can't judge how effective it is until you've been on it for at least a month. For those first thirty days, you basically just brace yourself for the side effects and the brain fog, just waiting for it all to pass. That's been my experience so far. And Lexapro... honestly, I'm not sure how much it's actually helping... I take it regularly... but I wouldn't say I feel "high" or like my depression has vanished or that things are significantly easier. But then again, I'm not really expecting miracles from antidepressants anymore. Clearly, none of them work as an antidepressant for me... either my depression is just incredibly heavy or I'm somehow immune to everything... I have no clue... I just keep taking them. I'm working on myself and accepting things as they come... whatever happens, happens...

I'm not talking about whether they work. I'm not in some massive depression; I'm still functioning fine at work and at home. It's just that I lack motivation, I'm moody, and a bit anxious. When I was on half of a 10 mg dose of Cipralex, it sent me straight toward mania—my legs were shaking, I couldn't sit still, and I had this burning sensation around my heart, almost like inflammation, plus a fever... I wasn't thinking about headaches or nausea, but those anxiety attacks? That's what scares me, the fear of becoming manic. Otherwise, I sleep well and manage to get through the day on 3 mg of Lexapro and 0.5 mg of extended-release Xanax.

Look, I’m no medical expert, but in plain English—it’s not even about overeating. It’s more like this deep, gut-wrenching "devouring" feeling you get when a problem haunts you so hard you can't even think about it without feeling pure dread.

It’s basically that sensation that the whole world is collapsing and there’s nothing you can do about it—you're just at the mercy of whatever comes your way. I’ve been on Zoloft for 10 years now (currently at 200mg a day since 2009), and I have Xanax prescribed up to 1.5mg, though I try to avoid it unless things get really bad. I do yoga and meditation, which helps ease the symptoms quite a bit, but for it to actually work, I have to commit two and a half to three hours of meditation every single day.

The reason I’m posting is because I feel like my Xanax just doesn't hit the same way it did ten years ago. Maybe it’s just me, but back then, 0.25mg once a day worked wonders. Now? I need closer to 1mg to get that same relief. First, my doctor told me those doses were too low for someone my size (100kg), but then later she said it was great that I hadn't needed an even higher dose after a decade. So... what gives?

vividdrifter26 said:Look, I’m no medical expert, but in plain English—it’s not even about overeating. It’s more like this deep, gut-wrenching "devouring" feeling you get when a problem haunts you so hard you can't even think about it without feeling pure dread.

It’s basically that sensation that the whole world is collapsing and there’s nothing you can do about it—you're just at the mercy of whatever comes your way. I’ve been on Zoloft for 10 years now (currently at 200mg a day since 2009), and I have Xanax prescribed up to 1.5mg, though I try to avoid it unless things get really bad. I do yoga and meditation, which helps ease the symptoms quite a bit, but for it to actually work, I have to commit two and a half to three hours of meditation every single day.

The reason I’m posting is because I feel like my Xanax just doesn't hit the same way it did ten years ago. Maybe it’s just me, but back then, 0.25mg once a day worked wonders. Now? I need closer to 1mg to get that same relief. First, my doctor told me those doses were too low for someone my size (100kg), but then later she said it was great that I hadn't needed an even higher dose after a decade. So... what gives?

Look, given how long you've been on it and the fact that Xanax is an anxiolytic, why on earth are we surprised? If it still worked perfectly after all this time, that would be the real mystery.🤷

My doctor cut me off my Seroquel for sleep and switched me to placebos. Haven't even taken one yet. What's the deal? How does that actually work? I’m also supposed to stop taking Zonadin (doc won't prescribe it anymore either). Anyone here on Zonadin or Sanval long-term?

Andrew Doyle said:Look, given how long you've been on it and the fact that Xanax is an anxiolytic, why on earth are we surprised? If it still worked perfectly after all this time, that would be the real mystery.🤷

Yeah, true—but what am I supposed to do now?
What’s the standard move when this happens?

Look, I don't claim to be an expert, which is exactly why I have a psychiatrist to handle all this medication business. When it comes to my own treatment, I only take an anxiolytic as a temporary supplement to my antidepressants, strictly following my doctor's orders. The plan is to use it for up to six months and then taper off; it’s meant to be taken as needed, though my need isn't even a daily thing. I'm specifically talking about managing an anxiety-depressive disorder while simultaneously being on an antidepressant.

I am well aware of what happens with long-term anxiolytic users—I actually have people in my own family who fit that description. They are essentially hooked at this point, and the reality is that most of them aren't even consulting their doctors anymore; they just take it on their own whim. That's when the real nightmare begins: the withdrawal phase once they finally face a physician. My aunt is currently in the middle of trying to wean herself off Lorazepam after God knows how many years of use. My grandmother is also dependent on an anxiolytic, but because of her age, chronic insomnia, and various other health issues, they didn't fully taper her off; instead, they just swapped her Normabell for something else (I can't recall the specific name).

Ultimately, as you can clearly see, this is incredibly individual. It depends entirely on the patient, their specific condition, their history of previous treatments, and so on. At the end of the day, any serious discussion regarding medication needs to be handled directly with your doctor, not on some internet forum.🙂

Justin Rogers5 said:My doctor cut me off my Seroquel for sleep and switched me to placebos. Haven't even taken one yet. What's the deal? How does that actually work? I’m also supposed to stop taking Zonadin (doc won't prescribe it anymore either). Anyone here on Zonadin or Sanval long-term?

Prazin works well for sleep, though in my case—since things were getting pretty intense—we ended up adding something a bit stronger, 😲Associated Press

It says right there on the label that it's an antipsychotic... but man, it really knocks me out... great for sleeping

Andrew Doyle said:Look, I don't claim to be an expert, which is exactly why I have a psychiatrist to handle all this medication business. When it comes to my own treatment, I only take an anxiolytic as a temporary supplement to my antidepressants, strictly following my doctor's orders. The plan is to use it for up to six months and then taper off; it’s meant to be taken as needed, though my need isn't even a daily thing. I'm specifically talking about managing an anxiety-depressive disorder while simultaneously being on an antidepressant.

I am well aware of what happens with long-term anxiolytic users—I actually have people in my own family who fit that description. They are essentially hooked at this point, and the reality is that most of them aren't even consulting their doctors anymore; they just take it on their own whim. That's when the real nightmare begins: the withdrawal phase once they finally face a physician. My aunt is currently in the middle of trying to wean herself off Lorazepam after God knows how many years of use. My grandmother is also dependent on an anxiolytic, but because of her age, chronic insomnia, and various other health issues, they didn't fully taper her off; instead, they just swapped her Normabell for something else (I can't recall the specific name).

Ultimately, as you can clearly see, this is incredibly individual. It depends entirely on the patient, their specific condition, their history of previous treatments, and so on. At the end of the day, any serious discussion regarding medication needs to be handled directly with your doctor, not on some internet forum.🙂

So, last year I tell my doctor I’m dealing with this massive amount of rage—just constant anger—and he basically shrugs and goes, "That's what Xanax is for." Look, the Xanax works—it's not like it does nothing—but it feels like the effects just don't last nearly as long as they used to(?).

Just posting this to see if anyone else is going through the same thing. What kind of Xanax doses have you guys been taking, how long has it been, and what kind of line is your doctor giving you?
I’ve seen some massive bottles of Zoloft and Xanax sitting on pharmacy shelves lately—just huge quantities of the stuff. I've also heard that these... I can't even begin to deal with these idiots. They’re handing out some extra heavy doses—who knows exactly what the deal is—plus another two or three different pills on top of that. Honestly, I don't even know the names, but whatever. It doesn't really matter right now.