Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Kenneth Scott41 said:Maybe five years ago, you could actually pick up something like Ativan or Normabal without a prescription, provided you were lucky enough to stumble into a pharmacy where the pharmacist wasn't being particularly strict.
Personally, I used to be able to get my hands on Xanax or Ativan just like that. But nowadays? There isn't a prayer of it.🙂
The other day, I realized I was running low on my Normabal, so I gave my doctor's office a call to see if they could call in a refill. Out of nowhere, the nurse tells me she can't do it because there should still be some left in my bottle—which, to be fair, is true since I might have taken an extra one the other day, a slip-up that happens to anyone I suppose—and then she adds this little kicker: "From now on, we’re counting every single pill."

And there you have it... the cold reality of strict Western capitalism. I guess all that's missing is for Medicare to start acting like it does in the States, where if you're actually sick, you just better be ready to pay up in cash!🙂

That’s why you can still get away with whatever you want over in neighboring countries, especially in Mexico.

Though, I suppose you can still find someone "helpful" in Canada every now and then. 😁 I once had an urgent need for Pfizer, which was impossible to find in that particular town except at one specific pharmacy, and the woman behind the counter refused to help me for any reason whatsoever simply because my prescription was for a HIGHER dose, while she only had the LOWER dose in stock. 🙂

Hey everyone, I’ve been taking Pfizer, Alicia, and Valium to help me get some sleep.
Has anyone else dealt with their lips starting to tremble as a side effect?

Chris Cruz8 said:Just wanted to share a quick win: I’m back on Effexor and honestly, I feel amazing!🙂
After Prozac basically stopped working for me, my doctor immediately suggested switching over to Zoloft at 50 mg. I went back to see her about ten days later, and I felt absolutely terrible. I was so exhausted I could barely stay on my feet; all I wanted to do was sleep all day. She told me, "Fine, let's try 100 mg of Zoloft, you'll be feeling great in a week." So, I tried the 100 mg dose for the next ten days, but there was zero improvement. In fact, during those three weeks, I actually gained about 15 pounds!😲And just when I finally worked my ass off to get my body in shape! 🙂
Once my doctor realized how deep in the hole I really was, she decided to put me back on Effexor. We started at 75 mg, bumped it up to 150 mg after two weeks, and I've been on it for about a month now—everything is perfect.
I also feel like that awful Zoloft is finally out of my system, because I can actually fit into my new jeans again. They're a tight squeeze, but they fit!👍

It is lovely that you are feeling cheerful, but won't this be short-lived? Just as Prozac stopped working for you, isn't it likely that the same will happen with Effexor? Once the neurotransmitters become saturated, won't you find yourself back at square one? Then comes a new medication, then you feel good again until the exact same thing happens... and so it goes on and on... while the brain just keeps burning out.

hollowsailor48 said:Hey everyone, I’ve been taking Pfizer, Alicia, and Valium to help me get some sleep.
Has anyone else dealt with their lips starting to tremble as a side effect?

Three different medications for sleep, including Alicia??🙄We really ought to question the expertise of whoever prescribed this cocktail to you. Alicia is technically an antidepressant, though there are various subcategories, so perhaps that's why you're finally drifting off... (if my memory serves me right—and I could be wrong here—Alicia is actually taken in the morning because it can be stimulating, but I don't want to give you unreliable info, so take that with a grain of salt. By the way, in my humble opinion, Alicia is a pretty terrible antidepressant.) If your lips are trembling, doesn't that suggest that your entire autonomic nervous system is being dangerously overwhelmed by these drugs? You should really consult a pharmacist instead of a psychiatrist; generally speaking, they often possess a much deeper understanding of psychopharmacology than doctors do!

hollowsailor48 said:Hey everyone, I’ve been taking Pfizer, Alicia, and Valium to help me get some sleep.
Has anyone else dealt with their lips starting to tremble as a side effect?

Now, Alicia is usually taken in the morning since it tends to be more stimulating than anything else. As for the Valium, that’s primarily a hypnotic, which should be enough to knock you out. I suspect the Pfizer was prescribed to help buffer those initial side effects from the Alicia while things settle down. Just a word of caution—both Pfizer and Valium carry risks of dependency and tolerance, so you really have to watch how long you're using them. That lip trembling? It’s most likely an effect from the Alicia, especially if you just started this whole thing. Usually, most side effects taper off after three or four weeks, but if they don't... well, definitely check in with your doctor.

Chloe Hughes6 said:It is lovely that you are feeling cheerful, but won't this be short-lived? Just as Prozac stopped working for you, isn't it likely that the same will happen with Effexor? Once the neurotransmitters become saturated, won't you find yourself back at square one? Then comes a new medication, then you feel good again until the exact same thing happens... and so it goes on and on... while the brain just keeps burning out.

Look, you're just talking nonsense and unnecessarily scaring people. Antidepressants aren't necessarily a life sentence. If you have a decent doctor who actually tailors the treatment to you, there shouldn't be any issues, even with long-term use. And this whole idea about "frying your brain"? It’s complete fiction. In fact, some studies suggest antidepressants might actually be neuroprotective and even help stimulate neurogenesis.

Timothy Wood38 said:Look, you're just talking nonsense and unnecessarily scaring people. Antidepressants aren't necessarily a life sentence. If you have a decent doctor who actually tailors the treatment to you, there shouldn't be any issues, even with long-term use. And this whole idea about "frying your brain"? It’s complete fiction. In fact, some studies suggest antidepressants might actually be neuroprotective and even help stimulate neurogenesis.

Oh, brilliant! Simply wonderful! Why don't you take a look at the previous posts on this forum and find my specific thread regarding Seroquel? It is also categorized as an antidepressant, yet the manufacturer has had to pay out $600,000,000 due to various lawsuits! The New York Times even ran a headline about a $560,000,000 settlement to "fix things" regarding Seroquel. The American commission told the Pentagon not to give it to soldiers in combat, yet they continue to provide it—and every doctor will insist it's a great antidepressant, even though it's primarily used for schizophrenia! It is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in the world. Can you find me a single patient who has stayed on the exact same antidepressant long-term without their therapy being adjusted? These studies claiming antidepressants promote neurogenesis are nothing more than fabricated data, just like the claim that Seroquel is an antidepressant; in fact, it is banned for use as an antidepressant in Canada! Do you really think The New York Times would dare run a front-page exposé on pharmaceutical fraud if there weren't hard evidence? And can you even imagine the legal firepower of a company that earns more from that one supposed "antidepressant" than the entire annual budget of the Department of Defense? Where does all that money go? Why are posts pointing out the flaws and incompetence within psychopharmacology being deleted? My post about Seroquel is still here, but whether our colleagues above will let it stay, I cannot say.

Chloe Hughes6 said:It is lovely that you are feeling cheerful, but won't this be short-lived? Just as Prozac stopped working for you, isn't it likely that the same will happen with Effexor? Once the neurotransmitters become saturated, won't you find yourself back at square one? Then comes a new medication, then you feel good again until the exact same thing happens... and so it goes on and on... while the brain just keeps burning out.

So what? I'll deal with that when the Effexor "inevitably" stops working. Right now, thank God, I feel totally fine.
If it means having a new, better drug to turn to later, then fine. Honestly, I’d eat literal garbage if it meant feeling this good. And yeah, maybe I'll be okay, maybe I won't, then I'll be okay again—that's just life.
Besides, my brain is already fried regardless; might as well let it happen while I'm actually enjoying being alive.

hollowsailor48 said:Hey everyone, I’ve been taking Pfizer, Alicia, and Valium to help me get some sleep.
Has anyone else dealt with their lips starting to tremble as a side effect?

Just wanted to mention regarding Elice—I ran into a friend yesterday who’s on it, and they were bright red and covered in a rash. It looked pretty nasty. They definitely got that from the medication.

Chris Cruz8 said:So what? I'll deal with that when the Effexor "inevitably" stops working. Right now, thank God, I feel totally fine.
If it means having a new, better drug to turn to later, then fine. Honestly, I’d eat literal garbage if it meant feeling this good. And yeah, maybe I'll be okay, maybe I won't, then I'll be okay again—that's just life.
Besides, my brain is already fried regardless; might as well let it happen while I'm actually enjoying being alive.

I hear you. I’d drink just about anything if it meant feeling better. I’ve been on Effexor for three months now and it’s completely turned my life around. If I hit another slump, if I lose all my drive again, or if my receptors just get burnt out, give me whatever—I'll take it. Now that I know this can actually be treated, I know things can change. Of course, it's not just the meds; I'm seeing a therapist once a week too. I'm trying to scrape together every bit of strength to stay positive and not let panic, fear, or depression run my life. I'm working on building my confidence back up. Every little step feels massive to me, like finally driving myself again or getting back to work. It feels like I'm actually living again. These meds saved me because, looking back at this summer, I couldn't even go to the beach here in California. I wouldn't leave the house for days. Every single morning, I'd think my life was pointless, even with my two kids—they're 10 and 15—and my husband supporting me through everything. My whole family suffered because of what I was going through, but they're finally thriving now because they see me smiling. Seeing my girls happy because their mom is actually functioning, working, and not just lying in bed crying all day... it makes it worth it. I'd take the pills, the poison, whatever, just to never feel that level of despair again. A few months ago I was spiraling, but now I finally see light at the end of the tunnel. For everyone else out there who's been through this hell, what do you think? Is there hope for us?🙂

I totally get where you're coming from....
I’m actually grateful for all these meds—or "brain chemicals," as some people like to call them. They don't realize that without this stuff, I wouldn't even be here today. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but honestly, I’m feeling pretty great right now (again).🙂
Long live Effexor!🙂

Chloe Hughes6 said:Oh, brilliant! Simply wonderful! Why don't you take a look at the previous posts on this forum and find my specific thread regarding Seroquel? It is also categorized as an antidepressant, yet the manufacturer has had to pay out $600,000,000 due to various lawsuits! The New York Times even ran a headline about a $560,000,000 settlement to "fix things" regarding Seroquel. The American commission told the Pentagon not to give it to soldiers in combat, yet they continue to provide it—and every doctor will insist it's a great antidepressant, even though it's primarily used for schizophrenia! It is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in the world. Can you find me a single patient who has stayed on the exact same antidepressant long-term without their therapy being adjusted? These studies claiming antidepressants promote neurogenesis are nothing more than fabricated data, just like the claim that Seroquel is an antidepressant; in fact, it is banned for use as an antidepressant in Canada! Do you really think The New York Times would dare run a front-page exposé on pharmaceutical fraud if there weren't hard evidence? And can you even imagine the legal firepower of a company that earns more from that one supposed "antidepressant" than the entire annual budget of the Department of Defense? Where does all that money go? Why are posts pointing out the flaws and incompetence within psychopharmacology being deleted? My post about Seroquel is still here, but whether our colleagues above will let it stay, I cannot say.

As for Americans, they sue everyone for everything. You can't tell where the tail ends and the head begins anymore. People sue McDonald's because they're morbidly obese, blaming the company instead of their own massive appetites for inhaling ten burgers a day. They win these suits and walk away with huge payouts for "damages." One woman even sued McDonald's because her coffee was served too hot, and she managed to squeeze a few million dollars out of them!
Regarding Seroquel, I’ve already mentioned that I personally hated it. It did absolutely nothing for me, and I gained weight like crazy.
But I know people for whom Effexor works wonders, so it really just comes down to the individual.

hollowsailor48 said:Hey everyone, I’ve been taking Pfizer, Alicia, and Valium to help me get some sleep.
Has anyone else dealt with their lips starting to tremble as a side effect?

When did this start, specifically after which medication was introduced? Also, has any dosage been increased?

mistycyclist4 said:I hear you. I’d drink just about anything if it meant feeling better. I’ve been on Effexor for three months now and it’s completely turned my life around. If I hit another slump, if I lose all my drive again, or if my receptors just get burnt out, give me whatever—I'll take it. Now that I know this can actually be treated, I know things can change. Of course, it's not just the meds; I'm seeing a therapist once a week too. I'm trying to scrape together every bit of strength to stay positive and not let panic, fear, or depression run my life. I'm working on building my confidence back up. Every little step feels massive to me, like finally driving myself again or getting back to work. It feels like I'm actually living again. These meds saved me because, looking back at this summer, I couldn't even go to the beach here in California. I wouldn't leave the house for days. Every single morning, I'd think my life was pointless, even with my two kids—they're 10 and 15—and my husband supporting me through everything. My whole family suffered because of what I was going through, but they're finally thriving now because they see me smiling. Seeing my girls happy because their mom is actually functioning, working, and not just lying in bed crying all day... it makes it worth it. I'd take the pills, the poison, whatever, just to never feel that level of despair again. A few months ago I was spiraling, but now I finally see light at the end of the tunnel. For everyone else out there who's been through this hell, what do you think? Is there hope for us?🙂

Well, I haven't even made it to the beach either, and I live in Seattle. The problem is, I just can't seem to find the right antidepressant. I tried one that didn't suit me at all—though I did sleep better—and then I started Zoloft, which just didn't feel right either. Now, I'm stuck relying on nothing but Xanax, and God knows I want to be done with that too....

Does anyone know if Desoxyn is available here, and if so, what's the brand name?

Can you take Faverin in the morning instead? I’ve been trying to take it before bed, but it absolutely wrecks my stomach. Plus, it’s supposed to help me sleep, but it does the exact opposite. Now I’m just crashing hard around 10 AM.🤷

Emily James4 said:Does anyone know if Desoxyn is available here, and if so, what's the brand name?

It isn't FDA approved, nor are any other drugs in that same class.

driftinggull21 said:It isn't FDA approved, nor are any other drugs in that same class.

That med is amazing. Anyone know of anything else with a similar effect?

Emily James4 said:That med is amazing. Anyone know of anything else with a similar effect?

It can still be obtained via private prescription in the US or ordered through a pharmacy, provided you have a specialist's recommendation. Who has been prescribing it to you up until now?