Psychotropic medication discussion thread

shadowfox75 said:I respect that.👍 I am just hoping I can endure this, because the fear I'm feeling is honestly overwhelming. My biggest concern is that I might inadvertently reinforce my own symptoms through autosuggestion. I'm going to head over to YouTube now to see if I can find some helpful information.

I just wanted to reach out and share what happened with me. I stopped taking my antidepressant and antipsychotic cold turkey—because, surprise, nobody told me that wasn't a thing you do—and honestly? I felt fine. Just totally nothing. I kept taking Xanax, which I think actually saved me from the worst side effects. Then again, I never really felt like the Prozac was doing much besides making me sleep like a baby, so maybe that played a part too. It was the lowest dose, once a day, for maybe 8 or 9 months.

Tapering off the Xanax, though, was a total nightmare. This past summer, I got down to 0.25mg four times and I just couldn't go any lower. 🙂

Anyway, I just wanted to say that coming off antidepressants doesn't have to be a disaster for everyone. The more you dwell on the potential side effects, the more likely you are to actually feel them. Try to stay chill—some people have a rough time, sure, but there are plenty who barely even noticed they were stopping. 🙂

Brandon Lopez6 said:I just wanted to reach out and share what happened with me. I stopped taking my antidepressant and antipsychotic cold turkey—because, surprise, nobody told me that wasn't a thing you do—and honestly? I felt fine. Just totally nothing. I kept taking Xanax, which I think actually saved me from the worst side effects. Then again, I never really felt like the Prozac was doing much besides making me sleep like a baby, so maybe that played a part too. It was the lowest dose, once a day, for maybe 8 or 9 months.

Tapering off the Xanax, though, was a total nightmare. This past summer, I got down to 0.25mg four times and I just couldn't go any lower. 🙂

Anyway, I just wanted to say that coming off antidepressants doesn't have to be a disaster for everyone. The more you dwell on the potential side effects, the more likely you are to actually feel them. Try to stay chill—some people have a rough time, sure, but there are plenty who barely even noticed they were stopping. 🙂

I don't know if I'm just a weird case when it comes to Helix or what. 🤷 I mentioned before that I was taking 5 or 6 mg... who knows anymore... anyway, once I finally got my surgery date scheduled, I just stopped taking stuff because nobody gave me any guidance. I was so terrified about the operation that maybe I didn't even notice the withdrawal symptoms from the Helix... or something. 😕 So reading all these posts feels a bit surreal... I was taking Diazepam (5 mg) after the surgery too, and then I just got fed up when I realized it wasn't helping, so I tossed it in the trash. Eventually, because of the choking sensations and panic attacks, I ended up on Zoloft, which is the only med I've ever tapered off under actual medical supervision.🙂

Just to jump back in here—I’m actually not drinking anything at all these days. Well, except for when my heart starts doing that weird irregular thing and I have to grab some Xanax... 5 mg should do it. So, yeah... that's where I'm at with all those meds

Edward Long4 said:I don't know if I'm just a weird case when it comes to Helix or what. 🤷 I mentioned before that I was taking 5 or 6 mg... who knows anymore... anyway, once I finally got my surgery date scheduled, I just stopped taking stuff because nobody gave me any guidance. I was so terrified about the operation that maybe I didn't even notice the withdrawal symptoms from the Helix... or something. 😕 So reading all these posts feels a bit surreal... I was taking Diazepam (5 mg) after the surgery too, and then I just got fed up when I realized it wasn't helping, so I tossed it in the trash. Eventually, because of the choking sensations and panic attacks, I ended up on Zoloft, which is the only med I've ever tapered off under actual medical supervision.🙂

That really depends on the individual, but the specific medication plays a massive role too. Personally, I didn't run into any major hurdles weaning myself off Helix, nor did I struggle with antipsychotics or other antidepressants. However, Effexor? That was an absolute nightmare. I want to be clear—I'm not saying this will happen to everyone—but it is a very real risk that anyone considering starting it should be fully aware of before they begin.

Anthony Lopez8 said:Quincy:

Is there anything more fundamentally exhausting than the constant pursuit of a perfect duet? We spend our lives trying to find that one specific harmony, that singular synchronization where two distinct voices finally align, yet we often find ourselves stumbling through nothing but dissonance. Why is it that we strive so intensely for this kind of unity, only to realize that most attempts at connection are little more than noise? It makes one wonder if the struggle itself is the only thing that is actually real. As Anthony Lopez8 points out: Listen, I truly hope you aren't all planning on quitting your medications cold turkey, because if you do, the fallout could be disastrous. Is anyone actually considering such a reckless move? To stop abruptly like that would only trigger a massive, sudden reaction in your system. Is there anything more unsettling than witnessing a sudden neurological crisis in someone whose brain has become entirely dependent on medication? It’s a profound shock to the system, both for the individual experiencing it and for those of us watching from the sidelines. When a person's chemistry is so deeply tethered to a specific pharmaceutical regimen, any disruption—be it a missed dose or an adverse reaction—doesn't just cause discomfort; it triggers a total systemic collapse. How can we even begin to grasp the sheer volatility of a mind that has lost its chemical equilibrium? Tapering off antidepressants is a slow, deliberate process, and it’s something that can take quite a while to navigate properly. When you finally reach that quarter-dose mark, you should continue taking it as prescribed. It will continue like this for a little while longer—just those small amounts at first, then moving to every other day, then every third day, until eventually... You simply refuse to stop, don't you? You fail to grasp that the brain requires a certain amount of time to establish actual control over its neurotransmitters before any meaningful progress can be made.

Of course, there is no reason to rush the process or pull away too abruptly. I neglected to mention that to Stick earlier, though it seemed like such an obvious point that it barely crossed my mind to say it out loud. However, it appears even he understands the necessity of a more measured approach.
I spent months attempting to taper off my medication. I followed a strict schedule, reducing my dosage in seven-day increments. After starting at 375 mg of Effexor, I eventually worked my way down to 18 mg, and then—as absurd as it might sound to some—all the way down to a mere 9 mg. But what happened when I finally cut that final 9 mg dose? The symptoms were nothing short of revolting. While I dealt with moderate discomfort during the tapering process itself, the moment I stopped taking that negligible amount entirely, everything fell apart. It was absolutely miserable.

It’s obvious there is no universal rule here; some people seem to walk away from it without any issues at all.
I managed to step off the AP without feeling a thing, leaving only the AD,
but unfortunately, about a month later, I suffered such a devastating relapse (I actually checked myself into the hospital three separate times, though I had to pull out both times because of work commitments and looking after my elderly mother) that I barely survived the ordeal.
In the end, I had to go back on the AP. Life is just relentless like that.🙂

Jason Vaughn482 said:The truth is, you’re taking an incredible amount of medication; one has to wonder what the toll will be when you hit 50. Your liver is going to bear the brunt of it... perhaps it would be wise to consider tapering down slightly, though naturally, that must be done in strict coordination with your psychiatrist—maybe even exploring psychotherapy as an alternative.

Well, I’ve tried everything from the low doses to the heavy hitters.
My psychiatrist mentioned that the only one I haven't given a shot to yet is Seroquel.
That Risperdal injection was actually perfect for me; I only had to take an antidepressant alongside it, at least until my prolactin levels spiked out of nowhere and now I'm not allowed to use it anymore.
I still make it to my appointments regularly, though—I actually just went last Thursday.

redranger2 said:It’s obvious there is no universal rule here; some people seem to walk away from it without any issues at all.
I managed to step off the AP without feeling a thing, leaving only the AD,
but unfortunately, about a month later, I suffered such a devastating relapse (I actually checked myself into the hospital three separate times, though I had to pull out both times because of work commitments and looking after my elderly mother) that I barely survived the ordeal.
In the end, I had to go back on the AP. Life is just relentless like that.🙂

Oh, and yeah, once your mental health goes totally south, you need an insane amount of willpower and strength just to feel human again.

But hey, I guess that's just how it goes. It'll get better eventually. 🙂

So, I have a question for those of you who’ve been through this before. I'm currently juggling quite the cocktail of psych meds—Calixta, Arvind, Prazine, Seroquel, Eglonyl, and Normabel—and I just added Seroquel to the mix about four days ago. Today, I was at my university lecture supposed to read and present a paper, and I honestly couldn't get through a single coherent sentence. I was tripping over my words constantly, and the whole day just felt like I was walking through a fog... totally disoriented. Now I'm wondering, is this just the Seroquel talking, or is it some weird interaction from the whole combination? And will this feeling actually go away, or am I stuck like this? I feel like it's probably too early to go running to my psychiatrist to ask for a switch since the Seroquel hasn't even really kicked in yet. Does anyone have any advice, or even just some insight? Help me out... 😁

redranger2 said:Listen, I really hope you aren't all planning on quitting your medication cold turkey, because that’s a recipe for
triggering a massive shock to your brain, which has become entirely dependent on that chemical support.
When tapering off SSRIs, you have to go slow, and frankly, that process can be quite a marathon. Once you finally reach the point where you're down to just a 1/4 dose, you should
continue taking those tiny amounts for a while—maybe every other day, then every third day—until you eventually
wean yourself off completely. Your brain simply needs enough time to relearn how to manage its own neurotransmitters without outside help.

That is exactly right.🙂

redranger2 said:Listen, I really hope you aren't all planning on quitting your medication cold turkey, because that’s a recipe for
triggering a massive shock to your brain, which has become entirely dependent on that chemical support.
When tapering off SSRIs, you have to go slow, and frankly, that process can be quite a marathon. Once you finally reach the point where you're down to just a 1/4 dose, you should
continue taking those tiny amounts for a while—maybe every other day, then every third day—until you eventually
wean yourself off completely. Your brain simply needs enough time to relearn how to manage its own neurotransmitters without outside help.

Honestly, my brain has been shocked way too many times over the last 35 years, so I highly doubt it can handle much more. 😍😂 Jokes aside, though, you're totally right!

Kenneth Scott41 said:That is exactly right.🙂

You all are wonderful. I suspect I will be relying on this community once I begin tapering off this Paxil...🙂

To everyone here who has dealt with those "brain zaps" or that sensation of an electric shock in the head... would you mind walking me through what that actually feels like?

Basically, I experienced it for the first time today, and I’m honestly struggling to find the right way to describe it. I was just walking through downtown when, out of nowhere, it felt like something just shot straight through my brain. It wasn't exactly painful, per se, but it was this incredibly unsettling sensation—you know, how people use the term "electric shock"? It felt exactly like a pulse of electricity racing through my skull. 🤷
I also occasionally get these brief, involuntary jerks of my head. I suppose I should ask, are those considered brain zaps as well?

What am I actually dealing with here??

p.s. How on earth did we pivot from discussing psychotropic medications to talking about Omega-3 fatty acids? Just a little bit of off-topic rambling there.

Edward Long4 said:Honestly, my brain has been shocked way too many times over the last 35 years, so I highly doubt it can handle much more. 😍😂 Jokes aside, though, you're totally right!

Mine hasn't fared any better, to be honest.😍

Kenneth Scott41 said:To everyone here who has dealt with those "brain zaps" or that sensation of an electric shock in the head... would you mind walking me through what that actually feels like?

Basically, I experienced it for the first time today, and I’m honestly struggling to find the right way to describe it. I was just walking through downtown when, out of nowhere, it felt like something just shot straight through my brain. It wasn't exactly painful, per se, but it was this incredibly unsettling sensation—you know, how people use the term "electric shock"? It felt exactly like a pulse of electricity racing through my skull. 🤷
I also occasionally get these brief, involuntary jerks of my head. I suppose I should ask, are those considered brain zaps as well?

What am I actually dealing with here??

p.s. How on earth did we pivot from discussing psychotropic medications to talking about Omega-3 fatty acids? Just a little bit of off-topic rambling there.

Those head twitches could very well be a side effect of antipsychotics. Are you starting any new medications lately?
Personally, taking Abilify gives me restless legs and this strange skin tingling. We really are in a tough spot with these drugs.😂

shadowfox75 said:You all are wonderful. I suspect I will be relying on this community once I begin tapering off this Paxil...🙂

Well, that's literally why we're here—to help you out whenever things get rough.🙂 Plus, a little humor makes the whole mess a bit easier to stomach. Just make sure you strip down completely 😍—wait, I meant tapering off the Paxil, obviously (not that kind of stripping!) 🙂

redranger2 said:Those head twitches could very well be a side effect of antipsychotics. Are you starting any new medications lately?
Personally, taking Abilify gives me restless legs and this strange skin tingling. We really are in a tough spot with these drugs.😂

Hahaha redranger2, hahaha... man, I guess this is just our karma. Honestly though, I’d love to just beat up Kenneth Scott41, 😂 just to give him a little something 🙂
(okay, I'm joking—just like you told me, I'm just boosting your ego... since there's nothing else left to do 😂)
Kenneth Scott41, come on, brighten my day for once. Just write back one day saying everything is wonderful and you're feeling great. 🙂

It’s gonna be fine. You'll get through this. 🙂 But seriously, don't sweat it. 🙂

shadowfox75 said:You all are wonderful. I suspect I will be relying on this community once I begin tapering off this Paxil...🙂

I managed to get off that garbage without any weird glitches or fallout🥳
didn't even feel nauseous or anything🙂

So yeah, turns out I'm the exception to the rule, but that doesn't mean you won't be fine too. Just try not to stress yourself out beforehand—you don't want to trigger withdrawal symptoms while you're still actually taking the Paxil.

And if it's trash? Yeah, I can definitely agree with you there.😬

Edward Long4 said:Well, that's literally why we're here—to help you out whenever things get rough.🙂 Plus, a little humor makes the whole mess a bit easier to stomach. Just make sure you strip down completely 😍—wait, I meant tapering off the Paxil, obviously (not that kind of stripping!) 🙂

Haha... I’ll be fully transparent if everything stays unzipped. 🤣

Brandon Lopez6 said:I managed to get off that garbage without any weird glitches or fallout🥳
didn't even feel nauseous or anything🙂

So yeah, turns out I'm the exception to the rule, but that doesn't mean you won't be fine too. Just try not to stress yourself out beforehand—you don't want to trigger withdrawal symptoms while you're still actually taking the Paxil.

And if it's trash? Yeah, I can definitely agree with you there.😬

Good for you... I'm actually jealous. I'm already feeling the withdrawal symptoms just from watching these documentaries on YouTube. If only my mother were still alive to give me a hug... man... Let's switch gears for a moment... LIVE, LIVE, JUST LIVE, MY DARLING... HOP, HOP, HOP...🙂🙂🙂🙂: rock:

Edward Long4 said:Hahaha redranger2, hahaha... man, I guess this is just our karma. Honestly though, I’d love to just beat up Kenneth Scott41, 😂 just to give him a little something 🙂
(okay, I'm joking—just like you told me, I'm just boosting your ego... since there's nothing else left to do 😂)
Kenneth Scott41, come on, brighten my day for once. Just write back one day saying everything is wonderful and you're feeling great. 🙂

It’s gonna be fine. You'll get through this. 🙂 But seriously, don't sweat it. 🙂

Hahaha, well, you've managed to make me laugh now too; it seems we've reached a point of overflowing positive
energy. This is how it should be; some might call this off-topic chatter, but one really ought to
laugh and joke around every now and then. 😍