Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Timothy Wood38 said:15 Milligrams is actually a pretty low dose. Usually, you're looking at 30 to 45 Milligrams, though some people need more—sometimes even pushing up to 90 Milligrams. It’s pretty common knowledge that when dealing with anxiety disorders, you generally need a higher dosage than you would for pure depression. Anyway, what I was actually getting at was combining Wellbutrin (or Cymbalta) with Calixta. That is arguably one of the most powerful and effective combinations out there. Dr. Phil actually made it famous; he's probably the most renowned psychopharmacologist on the planet. He calls that specific combo "California rocket fuel." I mean, the name really says it all, doesn't it? 🙄

I hear you, truly, but if you look at the label, it isn't even indicated for Gap Inc. issues—it’s meant for major depression. To make matters worse, even at just 15 Milligrams, I spend my entire day feeling completely drugged and lethargic; I can't even imagine what a higher dose would do to me, not to mention the inevitable weight gain... I think I'll just head back to Prozac. Once I pushed through those first three weeks of side effects, I actually started feeling like myself again.

Kenneth Scott41 said:Effexor!

I'm with you on this one!!!!
Or, in my case, I'm taking Duloxetine—what Americans call Effexor.🙂

Lisa Myers said:I’m curious if there’s any psychotropic medication out there that actually causes weight loss 🤣? I’m being serious here—is there anything that genuinely suppresses appetite? I read somewhere that Zoloft works that way initially, but then the effect reverses... so, does such a thing exist? If that's the case, what do doctors prescribe for patients who are already struggling with weight issues? It seems counterproductive to give someone medication when we know it might just make them gain more weight 🤔

I gained weight like crazy when I was on Zoloft; you wouldn't believe it, I just kept getting rounder and rounder.😱
So Dr. Phil put me back on Effexor, and within about a month, I just "deflated" and went right back to my old self.
I haven't heard of anyone actually losing a ton of weight from antidepressants—usually, it's the exact opposite; people end up looking like they're filled with air.😢

Alexis said:I gained over 45 pounds from Zyprexa, and since I’m on the shorter side, it’s hard to ignore.
Now I'm taking Olanzapine (that's the same thing as Zyprexa, right?) and Cymbalta, which is supposedly good for weight loss, but I haven't noticed any difference. Unfortunately.

Yes, they are the same.

As soon as atypical antipsychotics—specifically olanzapine—are prescribed, given their tendency to increase appetite (it isn't the pill itself adding calories, but the hunger), a strict diet and exercise regimen should be implemented immediately.

Chris Cruz8 said:I'm with you on this one!!!!
Or, in my case, I'm taking Duloxetine—what Americans call Effexor.🙂

It’s good to hear that. I suppose Effexor is prescribed quite heavily here in America.

driftinggull21 said:Yes, they are the same.

As soon as atypical antipsychotics—specifically olanzapine—are prescribed, given their tendency to increase appetite (it isn't the pill itself adding calories, but the hunger), a strict diet and exercise regimen should be implemented immediately.

I’ve been trying to stay pretty disciplined about my diet and staying active lately; honestly, I don't know where I'd be if I wasn't being mindful of it.

driftinggull21 said:Yes, they are the same.

As soon as atypical antipsychotics—specifically olanzapine—are prescribed, given their tendency to increase appetite (it isn't the pill itself adding calories, but the hunger), a strict diet and exercise regimen should be implemented immediately.

Here is a brief excerpt from Wikipedia, provided simply to dismantle the myth that olanzapine (Zyprexa) causes weight gain solely by driving up hunger: 🙂

Metabolic effects of olanzapine

Metabolic effects of olanzapine The U. S. food and drug Administration requires All atypical antipsychotics to include warnings regarding the risks of developing hyperglycemia and diabetes, both of which contribute to metabolic syndrome. While these issues might be linked to the medication's tendency to trigger weight gain, there are documented instances where metabolic shifts occur even without any change in scale weight. Research suggests that olanzapine poses a higher risk of triggering or worsening diabetes compared to another frequent prescription, Risperdal. Among all atypical antipsychotics, olanzapine stands out as one of the most likely to cause weight gain across multiple metrics. The Effect is dose dependent in humans and animal models of olanzapine-induced metabolic side-effects. Furthermore, olanzapine might directly interfere with adipocyte function, essentially encouraging the body to deposit fat. We have even seen case reports involving diabetic ketoacidosis induced by olanzapine. While some three-week studies seem to dispute it, olanzapine may indeed decrease insulin sensitivity, alongside potentially raising triglyceride levels.

More recent research has demonstrated the following:

- Both olanzapine and clozapine disrupt metabolism by forcing the body to prioritize extracting energy from fat rather than carbohydrates. Consequently, as carbohydrate levels remain elevated, the body can develop insulin resistance through decreased insulin sensitivity.
- Olanzapine encourages fat storage: due to these metabolic disruptions, rodent models show increased fat accumulation even before an initial increase in total body weight is observed. Once they become heavier, their activity levels drop, resulting in less fat burning and subsequent weight gain.
- Olanzapine may drive both weight gain and hyperphagia by interfering with appetite signaling within the brain and the rest of the body.
- Olanzapine might induce hyperglycemia, leading to diabetic complications, by disrupting insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells via the blockade of the muscarinic M3 receptor.

Even when accounting for weight gain, a significant multi-center randomized National Institute of Mental Health study concluded that olanzapine was superior at symptom management, largely because patients were more willing to stay on it compared to alternative medications. A single, small, open-label, non-randomized study hinted that using orally dissolving tablets might result in less weight gain, though these findings haven't been confirmed in a controlled, blinded environment.

That’s pretty much what I was thinking, too.
It’s just strange because I don't even feel like I'm overeating, yet the pounds just keep creeping up on me.

Everything points toward metabolic syndrome, but dietary adjustments and increased physical activity remain highly recommended.😉

There have also been individuals who didn't gain any weight on olanzapine; some were even outliers who actually lost weight.🤷😁

For instance, someone with anorexia won't gain weight on Zyprexa.😛

driftinggull21 said:Everything points toward metabolic syndrome, but dietary adjustments and increased physical activity remain highly recommended.😉

There have also been individuals who didn't gain any weight on olanzapine; some were even outliers who actually lost weight.🤷😁

For instance, someone with anorexia won't gain weight on Zyprexa.😛

Of course, everyone reacts differently to medication; there is no such thing as a universal experience. What we are actually discussing here is simply the statistical probability of weight gain associated with a specific drug. And when it comes to Zyprexa, that probability is undeniably massive. 😁

I brought up these metabolic shifts because I know firsthand just how infuriating it was when I was on Zyprexa. I gained 20 pounds out of nowhere, yet all I ever heard from people was that it was my fault—that I was simply eating excessive amounts of food. But let me tell you, that wasn't the case at all.

I was wondering if it’s actually safe to mix Parsley (that herbal calming stuff) with Xanax.

I'm trying to get off the Xanax, but man, it's tough. I managed to taper down from 5 or 6 of those 0.5 mg pills to just four 0.25 mg doses a day—basically taking half of a 0.5 mg pill four times daily—but I've hit a wall. I can't go any lower.😢

Yesterday, I had this thought about using Parsley to bridge the gap... like, maybe cycle them? Xanax - Parsley - Xanax - Parsley... eventually cutting out the Xanax entirely while keeping the Parsley going. It shouldn't matter much since it's just an herbal supplement, right?

The big question is, will the Parsley interfere with how the Xanax works? I don't have my meds on me right now, and trying to read the fine print on my phone is a total pain, so I figured I'd just ask here.🙂

I started taking Parsley when I was just about 14 years old.
To be honest, it didn't really do much for me—just kind of okay, I guess.

But hey, everyone reacts differently to these things.

Honestly, even these four Xanax pills feel like nothing after two years on them.
I only take them because I can't seem to quit, but if you're asking if they actually do anything—nope.

I honestly don't think Persen is going to do much for you when it comes to tapering off the Helex.
Maybe give Ativan a shot instead.

I wouldn't call it normal, honestly, since I’d basically just be swapping one chemical cocktail for another.

frozenorca63 said:Has anyone here actually dealt with anxiety and those random panic attacks using Elicea? My neurologist put me on it, claiming I’m not really "psychiatric material" and just need a little boost to get going. Honestly, I’m still just sitting here on my porch wondering if I should even be messing with antidepressants at all, especially since nothing seems to be changing. I don't feel great, but I don't feel terrible either... it's just this constant, nagging sense of worry and dread hanging over me, and those sudden panic attacks are honestly the absolute worst.

I am currently taking Valium, and my experience with the medication has been positive, though naturally, one must proceed with caution. For me, the panic attacks subsided at around 10-15 mg, and the general anxiety stabilized at 20 mg, although I still experience fluctuations in my mental state from day to day. As far as side effects go, I haven't experienced any. However, when dealing with anxiety, it is absolutely vital to engage in psychotherapy to attempt to shift your thought patterns and behaviors. For any anxiety disorder—panic attacks being one of them—therapy is highly beneficial. I strongly recommend it; you can decide for yourself how often you need to attend based on your own progress. That said, you really ought to find a quality private practitioner. It isn't that doctors at public clinics are incompetent—mine actually works in a hospital setting—but they are often overwhelmed by patient volume, leaving you with perhaps fifteen minutes, which simply isn't sufficient. Furthermore, since you are taking an antidepressant, it would be wiser to see a psychiatrist who also specializes in psychotherapy rather than just a psychologist. I mean no offense to the profession, but in my experience, psychologists often felt as though they were merely reciting the self-help books I read myself. There were moments when I wanted to ask my psychiatrist—who could actually finish my sentences and understand my train of thought—"Wait, I didn't realize you suffered from the same things too," haha.

To be honest, I am reaching my breaking point with this insomnia, the sheer difficulty of falling asleep, and these constant middle-of-the-night awakenings. To make matters worse, I’ve developed a significant tolerance to hypnotics. Even when I push myself physically—like going for a long swim or something similar—it helps at first, but within a week, my body just adjusts to the fatigue and I’m right back where I started.
So, after years of relying on Valium and spending the last eighteen months on Ambien, they honestly don't seem to be doing much for me anymore.
In coordination with my psychiatrist, I tried taking Lexapro twice a week for a week at a time, combined with Xanax (varying the dosage each time), but I felt like I was in a coma for the entire duration of those weeks. We decided to discontinue that approach because, for me, it results in more of a delayed sedation rather than immediate relief.
Honestly, Zoloft, Ativan, and Xanax have been total failures. A friend from the States even gave me a tablet of Benadryl that was registered over in Mexico, but it did nothing for me.
As it stands, I take 20 mg of Valium in the morning.
Right now, I’m alternating between small doses of Valium and Ambien.
Sometimes I’ll take 5 mg of Ativan an hour or two before bed, but it rarely makes a difference.
Oh, and we also experimented last night by adding a bit of Xanax and Xanax to the mix, but that didn't help me sleep; it just left me feeling sedated the following day.
My doctor says there isn't even any point in trying Trintellix, as none of her patients have managed to resolve their insomnia with it.
Of course, the ultimate solution is that the insomnia will vanish once I fully resolve the underlying issue...
My main goal was to move away from Ambien, because when I'm traveling, I find myself needing to take up to two pills just to function, so now I'm struggling while trying to stick to 10 mg of Valium.
I realize you probably don't have any answers, but I just needed to vent. Perhaps I should ask my doctor about ordering a hypnotic from overseas? Though, in all honesty, I know that isn't a real solution.

restlesstrucker15 said:To be honest, I am reaching my breaking point with this insomnia, the sheer difficulty of falling asleep, and these constant middle-of-the-night awakenings. To make matters worse, I’ve developed a significant tolerance to hypnotics. Even when I push myself physically—like going for a long swim or something similar—it helps at first, but within a week, my body just adjusts to the fatigue and I’m right back where I started.
So, after years of relying on Valium and spending the last eighteen months on Ambien, they honestly don't seem to be doing much for me anymore.
In coordination with my psychiatrist, I tried taking Lexapro twice a week for a week at a time, combined with Xanax (varying the dosage each time), but I felt like I was in a coma for the entire duration of those weeks. We decided to discontinue that approach because, for me, it results in more of a delayed sedation rather than immediate relief.
Honestly, Zoloft, Ativan, and Xanax have been total failures. A friend from the States even gave me a tablet of Benadryl that was registered over in Mexico, but it did nothing for me.
As it stands, I take 20 mg of Valium in the morning.
Right now, I’m alternating between small doses of Valium and Ambien.
Sometimes I’ll take 5 mg of Ativan an hour or two before bed, but it rarely makes a difference.
Oh, and we also experimented last night by adding a bit of Xanax and Xanax to the mix, but that didn't help me sleep; it just left me feeling sedated the following day.
My doctor says there isn't even any point in trying Trintellix, as none of her patients have managed to resolve their insomnia with it.
Of course, the ultimate solution is that the insomnia will vanish once I fully resolve the underlying issue...
My main goal was to move away from Ambien, because when I'm traveling, I find myself needing to take up to two pills just to function, so now I'm struggling while trying to stick to 10 mg of Valium.
I realize you probably don't have any answers, but I just needed to vent. Perhaps I should ask my doctor about ordering a hypnotic from overseas? Though, in all honesty, I know that isn't a real solution.

How much Xanax were you taking? During my worst bouts of insomnia, I was doing 4x25 mg and it worked—now I feel like I need that much, though sometimes even 3 pills do the trick.😍

Brandon Lopez6 said:I was wondering if it’s actually safe to mix Parsley (that herbal calming stuff) with Xanax.

I'm trying to get off the Xanax, but man, it's tough. I managed to taper down from 5 or 6 of those 0.5 mg pills to just four 0.25 mg doses a day—basically taking half of a 0.5 mg pill four times daily—but I've hit a wall. I can't go any lower.😢

Yesterday, I had this thought about using Parsley to bridge the gap... like, maybe cycle them? Xanax - Parsley - Xanax - Parsley... eventually cutting out the Xanax entirely while keeping the Parsley going. It shouldn't matter much since it's just an herbal supplement, right?

The big question is, will the Parsley interfere with how the Xanax works? I don't have my meds on me right now, and trying to read the fine print on my phone is a total pain, so I figured I'd just ask here.🙂

Why aren't you asking your doctor? Generally speaking, you shouldn't mix unverified herbal remedies with actual pharmaceutical chemistry.

I was addicted to Xanax for 15 years—it's basically what they call Helex in other places—but I finally managed to get off by using Normabrel. However, you really need a verified tapering program for these kinds of drugs—taking it incredibly slow, reducing the dose step-by-step.
That program was developed by a British physician named Ashton.

Here is the full tapering guide:

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha00.htm

Lisa Myers said:Weight gain isn't any less dangerous than a mental illness, even if I see your point. If someone is already overweight—and they're eating because of their mental struggles—then they deal with psychosomatic issues, and then the medication causes even more weight gain while treating the mind... you're just stuck in a vicious cycle and nothing gets better. I've made that a bit messy, but I hope people get what I'm trying to say.

I'm not looking for a weight-loss miracle in psychotropic drugs; I just don't want them to cause weight gain. Honestly, if weight loss were a side effect, that would be even better. That's really all I care about.

What I really want to know is how Zoloft has affected your weight, especially for those of you who have been on it for a while.

So, what's the deal with patients slowly putting on pounds over time? What has been your experience with that? 😁