Psychotropic medication discussion thread

shadowbear9 said:Honestly, I swear, every single damn time it’s a different psychiatrist. Why did you even bother coming to us in the first place? It was because of INSOMNIA, but no, instead we get stuck with Elice, and frankly, screw Elice. I’m taking four 0.5mg pills at once—that is straight-up addiction. Then they have the nerve to suggest I take 1mg of Xanax instead and just double up on those. They are disgusting; they truly nauseate me. I am actually starting to contemplate suicide because I cannot sleep, yet these people simply refuse to understand the agony I'm in... why doesn't it even occur to them to prescribe an antipsychotic? Because I'm YOUNG? Am I supposed to just suffer through this because I'm young? She mentioned Dormicum, and I'll be looking for that just to shut my brain down; I am constantly on edge because of all of this... at this rate, I won't even make it to thirty. A nervous breakdown from this stress will kill me before anything else. I see people out there taking massive amounts of medication, yet she finds it problematic to give me the damn stuff I need just to calm down. Honestly, they can go to hell...😠

So you're saying you see a different psychiatrist pretty often... well, maybe next time when a new one offers Elice those meds, just tell them you're having terrible side effects, or that you're sleeping even less than before, or something like that. Then they might actually switch you over to something else.

shadowbear9 said:Honestly, I swear, every single damn time it’s a different psychiatrist. Why did you even bother coming to us in the first place? It was because of INSOMNIA, but no, instead we get stuck with Elice, and frankly, screw Elice. I’m taking four 0.5mg pills at once—that is straight-up addiction. Then they have the nerve to suggest I take 1mg of Xanax instead and just double up on those. They are disgusting; they truly nauseate me. I am actually starting to contemplate suicide because I cannot sleep, yet these people simply refuse to understand the agony I'm in... why doesn't it even occur to them to prescribe an antipsychotic? Because I'm YOUNG? Am I supposed to just suffer through this because I'm young? She mentioned Dormicum, and I'll be looking for that just to shut my brain down; I am constantly on edge because of all of this... at this rate, I won't even make it to thirty. A nervous breakdown from this stress will kill me before anything else. I see people out there taking massive amounts of medication, yet she finds it problematic to give me the damn stuff I need just to calm down. Honestly, they can go to hell...😠

Just hang in there, okay? Everything will work out. Did you ever try taking Lexapro or maybe Trittico for sleep? How did that go for you?

Timothy Wood38 said:Just hang in there, okay? Everything will work out. Did you ever try taking Lexapro or maybe Trittico for sleep? How did that go for you?

NOTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE! For years, my therapy has consisted of Sanval 0.5 and Misar 0.25, and recently—at someone's suggestion—I was asked to switch to Sanval 10mg and 0.5 Misar, alongside Fevarin, which I used to get filled at Elice. And yet, I still can't sleep... I have no appetite, I feel completely off, and I haven't even taken the medications mentioned, so I'm actually terrified to even ask...

shadowbear9 said:NOTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE! For years, my therapy has consisted of Sanval 0.5 and Misar 0.25, and recently—at someone's suggestion—I was asked to switch to Sanval 10mg and 0.5 Misar, alongside Fevarin, which I used to get filled at Elice. And yet, I still can't sleep... I have no appetite, I feel completely off, and I haven't even taken the medications mentioned, so I'm actually terrified to even ask...

Look, honey, things like Sanval and Misar aren't actual cures for insomnia; they are nothing more than temporary Band-Aids. There is absolutely no reason to be afraid of asking
your psychiatrist for whatever you need. They work for you, not the other way around. You should specifically ask about being prescribed an antipsychotic, as those are frequently utilized for severe, chronic cases of insomnia. For instance, options like Quincie or Prazin are widely available and kept in stock.

redranger2 said:Look, honey, things like Sanval and Misar aren't actual cures for insomnia; they are nothing more than temporary Band-Aids. There is absolutely no reason to be afraid of asking
your psychiatrist for whatever you need. They work for you, not the other way around. You should specifically ask about being prescribed an antipsychotic, as those are frequently utilized for severe, chronic cases of insomnia. For instance, options like Quincie or Prazin are widely available and kept in stock.

Well, I guess I'll make sure to ask at my next check-up. This Elice is absolutely destroying me right now. I'm constantly feeling miserable, overly sensitive, crying all the time, and I can't even eat. It's honestly awful. And on top of all that, I can't sleep a wink.

shadowbear9 said:Well, I guess I'll make sure to ask at my next check-up. This Elice is absolutely destroying me right now. I'm constantly feeling miserable, overly sensitive, crying all the time, and I can't even eat. It's honestly awful. And on top of all that, I can't sleep a wink.

Regarding the Elice, you really ought to tell your psychiatrist exactly how much this is taking out of you; my own therapist used to just...
with side effects like those, they would typically taper you off the medication and transition you straight to a different antidepressant. Side effects are a common reality with ADs, but if things spiral into a complete worsening of your symptoms or deep
depression, then it simply might not be the right medication for your chemistry. Don't sit there waiting for it to get better; go see your doctor so you can get this sorted out.

To anyone out there struggling with a medication that just isn't hitting the mark, or perhaps dealing with side effects so intense they make daily life a misery—especially if those symptoms persist well beyond the initial adjustment phase—please, stop suffering in silence for no reason. You need to speak up. Tell your psychiatrist exactly what is happening and demand a change in your prescription. If you find that your doctor is being particularly unreasonable or simply refuses to take your discomfort seriously, then you might have to resort to a bit of strategic exaggeration when describing those side effects. Why shouldn't you? If you lean into the severity of your symptoms, you force them to act; sometimes, the only way to get a physician to pivot is to make the alternative of leaving you as you are seem even more problematic. 😬

So, I just got off the phone with my mother—she’s basically an expert on pharmaceuticals (in her own mind)—and I asked her about those antipsychotics. She confirmed that they definitely knock you out, so she’s actually going to set some aside for me to test out and see how they affect me. After that, I’ll probably have to go sit down with my psychiatrist and read the manual myself, since she clearly forgot to mention such an obvious detail. 😠

shadowbear9 said:So, I just got off the phone with my mother—she’s basically an expert on pharmaceuticals (in her own mind)—and I asked her about those antipsychotics. She confirmed that they definitely knock you out, so she’s actually going to set some aside for me to test out and see how they affect me. After that, I’ll probably have to go sit down with my psychiatrist and read the manual myself, since she clearly forgot to mention such an obvious detail. 😠

Good grief, you absolutely cannot be taking your mother's medication.

Just have a conversation with your psychiatrist instead; tell her you'd like to explore using
antipsychotics, and let a medical professional determine the specific dosage and type, rather than relying on your mom.

shadowbear9 said:So, I just got off the phone with my mother—she’s basically an expert on pharmaceuticals (in her own mind)—and I asked her about those antipsychotics. She confirmed that they definitely knock you out, so she’s actually going to set some aside for me to test out and see how they affect me. After that, I’ll probably have to go sit down with my psychiatrist and read the manual myself, since she clearly forgot to mention such an obvious detail. 😠

🤦

Please, once you're done reading your little primer—assuming the doctors aren't actually doing their jobs right—do us all a favor and share that anecdote with the group.

Eric Gray2 said:🤦

Please, once you're done reading your little primer—assuming the doctors aren't actually doing their jobs right—do us all a favor and share that anecdote with the group.

Hmm, okay, Miss Irritatingly Pretentious... I actually asked her if she was still taking the medications you recommended I discuss with my doctor. My mom has a massive stockpile given her condition, so I’ll probably pick up some of the ones you mentioned and consult with her psychiatrist. She brought up Q-pin, though she called the "Q" something else; I wonder if "Q" is just shorthand for the full name? On top of that, she told me she’d save the Sanval for me since she doesn't take it, which, frankly, has absolutely nothing to do with you. I have my own brain, so I don't need your insults; I am fully aware of what's going on. Besides, I’ve dealt with Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil, Misivas, Norvasc, Sanval, and the whole gang before they were even officially prescribed to me, so I’m certainly not... losing my mind over morphine.🙄.

I honestly still can't wrap my head around how spiteful and wretched people can be. It feels like I might just quit the internet entirely because instead of having a civilized discussion or offering actual advice, everyone just resorts to throwing stones at every minor slip-up—especially these condescending admins.

And seriously, Rose, try being a bit smarter and just stay quiet rather than trying to make others look foolish; you're only making yourself look ridiculous. 😉

Do I really need to provide more justifications?

shadowbear9 said:Hmm, okay, Miss Irritatingly Pretentious... I actually asked her if she was still taking the medications you recommended I discuss with my doctor. My mom has a massive stockpile given her condition, so I’ll probably pick up some of the ones you mentioned and consult with her psychiatrist. She brought up Q-pin, though she called the "Q" something else; I wonder if "Q" is just shorthand for the full name? On top of that, she told me she’d save the Sanval for me since she doesn't take it, which, frankly, has absolutely nothing to do with you. I have my own brain, so I don't need your insults; I am fully aware of what's going on. Besides, I’ve dealt with Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil, Misivas, Norvasc, Sanval, and the whole gang before they were even officially prescribed to me, so I’m certainly not... losing my mind over morphine.🙄.

I honestly still can't wrap my head around how spiteful and wretched people can be. It feels like I might just quit the internet entirely because instead of having a civilized discussion or offering actual advice, everyone just resorts to throwing stones at every minor slip-up—especially these condescending admins.

And seriously, Rose, try being a bit smarter and just stay quiet rather than trying to make others look foolish; you're only making yourself look ridiculous. 😉

Do I really need to provide more justifications?

Maybe this kind of platform really isn't for someone who can't handle a bit of confrontation. And honestly, taking medication "on the side" without a prescription isn't just ill-advised—it's reckless and potentially dangerous.

There's absolutely no reason to resort to insults.

shadowbear9@
Have you ever tried something like Centrum?
It really made a difference for me personally.
Maybe have a chat with your doctor about it; there are so many different combinations out there, and I’m sure they can find one that works just right for you. 🙂
.....but if things don't improve through your doctor, your family, or even by searching online... please consider heading to a crisis center in Chicago to explain what you're going through. If you aren't near the city, just go to the nearest emergency room and tell them how you feel. Believe me, someone will find a way to help you sleep...

So I got prescribed Lexapro. Plan is half a pill in the morning for the first week, then moving up to a full dose...
I’m supposed to start this Tuesday, but my internal clock is a total wreck. Some days I'm rolling out of bed at noon, other days it's 3 PM 🤦
and yeah, for me, noon is basically sunrise 😁
I didn't really get a chance to ask her what the move is—like, should I set an alarm, take the pill and crash back out, or just stay up? She didn't even tell me what she was actually prescribing or when to take it, let alone mention side effects or anything.
She did suggest I go get a bunch of tests done, including a brain CT (which takes forever to schedule), and said I shouldn't come back until all that's wrapped up. That could be months, so I won't be seeing her anytime soon, plus she didn't give me her number...
So, how am I supposed to handle these antidepressants? Does it make sense to pop one and just go right back to sleep, or do I actually have to stay awake? Waking up early is honestly the worst part of my day...

Brandon Lopez6 said:So I got prescribed Lexapro. Plan is half a pill in the morning for the first week, then moving up to a full dose...
I’m supposed to start this Tuesday, but my internal clock is a total wreck. Some days I'm rolling out of bed at noon, other days it's 3 PM 🤦
and yeah, for me, noon is basically sunrise 😁
I didn't really get a chance to ask her what the move is—like, should I set an alarm, take the pill and crash back out, or just stay up? She didn't even tell me what she was actually prescribing or when to take it, let alone mention side effects or anything.
She did suggest I go get a bunch of tests done, including a brain CT (which takes forever to schedule), and said I shouldn't come back until all that's wrapped up. That could be months, so I won't be seeing her anytime soon, plus she didn't give me her number...
So, how am I supposed to handle these antidepressants? Does it make sense to pop one and just go right back to sleep, or do I actually have to stay awake? Waking up early is honestly the worst part of my day...

Just take the antidepressant whenever you actually wake up.
Try waking up about 15 minutes earlier every day to see if you can gradually stabilize your internal clock...

Eric Jackson11 said:Just take the antidepressant whenever you actually wake up.
Try waking up about 15 minutes earlier every day to see if you can gradually stabilize your internal clock...

That’s solid advice—though honestly, doing it by the hour would be even better... but hey, taking it slow is probably the safer bet for long-term progress.😉

Honestly, the real issue is that I can't even be alone for five minutes. Sometimes even two hours is pushing it. If I had to deal with being by myself from, say, 9 AM until 2 PM, I’d probably have a complete mental breakdown 😢
But hey, I'll try to at least drag myself out of bed by 11 🙂

Eric Gray2 said:Maybe this kind of platform really isn't for someone who can't handle a bit of confrontation. And honestly, taking medication "on the side" without a prescription isn't just ill-advised—it's reckless and potentially dangerous.

There's absolutely no reason to resort to insults.

Look, I am apologizing; I tend to be quite impulsive and I lose my temper when people misunderstand me. I won't go out and grab them on my own; instead, I will pick them up from her and ask if they are okay for me to use.

Eric Jackson11 said:shadowbear9@
Have you ever tried something like Centrum?
It really made a difference for me personally.
Maybe have a chat with your doctor about it; there are so many different combinations out there, and I’m sure they can find one that works just right for you. 🙂
.....but if things don't improve through your doctor, your family, or even by searching online... please consider heading to a crisis center in Chicago to explain what you're going through. If you aren't near the city, just go to the nearest emergency room and tell them how you feel. Believe me, someone will find a way to help you sleep...

Well, last Friday she actually tried to give me some Ambien mixed with something like Fluzepam, or whatever, but then she changed her mind. Honestly, if she gives me the heavy stuff, I worry about what happens once I become dependent on them. I guess I was flipping through my medical books, asked my dad about Xanax (which isn't right for me), and then she finally gave me CNN. I haven't picked it up yet because it’s impossible to find in any pharmacy lately, but when I do, I'll be sleeping like a baby. I really don't understand why everyone makes such a huge fuss over it.🤷

I was just reviewing the fine print on my antidepressant today and realized that weight gain is actually listed as a side effect. To be honest, I’ve put on about twenty pounds over the last year, though I’ve been largely chalking that up to menopause. I don't think twenty pounds is the end of the world—I suppose I’ve just transitioned into a more "statuesque" silhouette—but it is a bit comical to look in the mirror when I spent most of my life being quite athletic and lean.

That said, I have no desire to see those numbers continue to climb.
I am certainly not a fan of strict dieting... lately, I've found myself gravitating toward fruit or making my own fresh juices at home.

What would you all recommend? Is simple movement, perhaps some brisk walking, enough?
I really can't bring myself to go swimming; the pools are always so chilly and loud. It’s much better in the summer when I can head out to the lake.
Should I try cutting back on carbs?

Last year, I was absolutely addicted to Hostess snack cakes... this year, I just don't have much of an interest in sweets.
And as for exercising—should it be in the morning or the evening? Who is going to provide the necessary motivation?
How do you all manage it?