Psychotropic medication discussion thread

redranger2 said:It seems you're experiencing exactly what happened to me. I went through the same cycle—switching from one antidepressant to another, then to a third—only to find that everything spiraled downward because my brain chemistry became a complete mess. It took me a month and a half to get back to that first medication, and the symptoms in the interim were brutal. I am doing fine now, though.
Essentially, your return to Effexor is going to be a process that takes several weeks until your neurochemistry stabilizes. You simply have to be patient. There is no guarantee your psychiatrist will prescribe an antipsychotic, even if they can be effective for insomnia.

There is some information here regarding Trittico.
http://www.depression.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=7521

You didn't mention how long you've been back on Effexor?

Yeah, I did exactly that—totally messed things up for myself by switching to a new antidepressant, but well, here I am. I was on Effexor for about six months and I felt significantly better; the dark thoughts quieted down and I actually felt a bit more alive. I had some trouble with insomnia at the start, but I managed that with Lorazepam or Clonazepam, which I'm still taking. This past month, though... what I've been going through feels terrifying compared to before. For the sleep issues, I tried Valium for a while, but it used to act weird on me—like it would wake me up instead of putting me out, especially once when I took it and didn't go straight to bed, oh boy...🙄 Now I'm thinking maybe Trittico might help since it works on both the depression and the calming side of things. I'm really curious to see what my doctor suggests. My biggest worry right now is these stupid paranoias and this constant, lingering sense of fear... Which antidepressant were you on, and which one are you on now?

wiredmason56 said:Yeah, I did exactly that—totally messed things up for myself by switching to a new antidepressant, but well, here I am. I was on Effexor for about six months and I felt significantly better; the dark thoughts quieted down and I actually felt a bit more alive. I had some trouble with insomnia at the start, but I managed that with Lorazepam or Clonazepam, which I'm still taking. This past month, though... what I've been going through feels terrifying compared to before. For the sleep issues, I tried Valium for a while, but it used to act weird on me—like it would wake me up instead of putting me out, especially once when I took it and didn't go straight to bed, oh boy...🙄 Now I'm thinking maybe Trittico might help since it works on both the depression and the calming side of things. I'm really curious to see what my doctor suggests. My biggest worry right now is these stupid paranoias and this constant, lingering sense of fear... Which antidepressant were you on, and which one are you on now?

I started out on Vairy, an antipsychotic used for sleep, alongside Lexapro. After two years, the Vairy suddenly stopped working and the insomnia returned, so after consulting with my psychiatrist, we decided to discontinue it. Once the panic attacks set in, I began to suspect the Lexapro had lost its efficacy, so we cycled through several different antidepressants, none of which I could tolerate. That's when the real chaos began—shallow breathing all day long, tremors, shaking hands, total insomnia, excruciating back pain, tingling in my fingers, and so on. Because of that state, my doctor prescribed an antipsychotic again (a quick fix) and put me back on Lexapro. It took me nearly two months to finally feel like myself again.

As for Trittico, everything is highly subjective—for some, it’s a sedative, for others, it does nothing at all. It's the same story with Agomelatine. The worst part of this entire ordeal is the endless trial and error required while
you search for the one medication that actually works.
If I were in your shoes, I would stick with the Effexor since it clearly works well for you (it just made me incredibly jittery), and perhaps reconsider an antipsychotic to help with sleep. Ultimately, though, that is a decision for you and your psychiatrist to make.

wiredmason56 said:Thought I’d jump in here for a second. For a little while there, I actually felt pretty decent, so I figured I wouldn't freak out, but... well. I was on Effexor and it felt alright. Sure, I had the usual stuff like losing my appetite, trouble sleeping, dilated pupils, and some initial nausea, but honestly, those didn't bother me too much because my mood finally lifted. I even felt a bit euphoric at times, so the antidepressant really seemed to be doing its job. Then, I went and made a total rookie mistake and agreed to let my doctor switch me over to Wellbutrin because he insisted it was a better option. I took it for a while—and yeah, I'll admit I missed a dose here and there—but mostly I was being consistent. Long story short, it did absolutely nothing for my depression compared to Effexor, and it actually made my anxiety way worse. I spent a few weeks without an antidepressant entirely, just relying on anxiolytics like Lorazepam and Clonazepam to help with the nerves and the insomnia. What’s really messing with my head right now, though, is that during that gap, my intrusive thoughts started ramping up. I've been dealing with slight paranoia, sudden mood swings, flashes of aggression, and these night terrors. My GP is putting me back on Effexor, which is helping my depression stabilize a bit, but all those other issues are still hanging around—especially the insomnia, the repetitive thoughts, and these recurring dreams. Thank God I finally have a follow-up with my psychiatrist this Monday. I plan on being totally honest about everything, but I'm low-key terrified they're just going to throw an antipsychotic at me, and I really don't want to go down that road. I've heard people say Trittico is okay since it works as an antidepressant and helps with sleep at the same time. If anyone has experience with it, please let me know... It feels like I'm never going to catch my stride, and things are just starting to feel weirder and weirder.🤷

Everything you described happened to me as well. The only difference is that I demanded to go back to Effexor much sooner than you did. That Wellbutrin is absolute garbage.

Kenneth Scott41 said:Everything you described happened to me as well. The only difference is that I demanded to go back to Effexor much sooner than you did. That Wellbutrin is absolute garbage.

It’s been an absolute disaster—a complete train wreck, really. My psychiatrist acted like it was some kind of miracle drug, pulling it out of his drawer like he personally manufactured it or something. Even my primary care doctor was confused about why he switched me in the first place; she wasn't happy about it at all. But I think I'm the one who took the biggest hit, because this stuff has totally wrecked me.☕I am definitely staying on Effexor. I'm just praying to God I can get back to feeling like myself again, because lately, I feel like I'm completely breaking apart. It's honestly a nightmare.😠

wiredmason56 said:It’s been an absolute disaster—a complete train wreck, really. My psychiatrist acted like it was some kind of miracle drug, pulling it out of his drawer like he personally manufactured it or something. Even my primary care doctor was confused about why he switched me in the first place; she wasn't happy about it at all. But I think I'm the one who took the biggest hit, because this stuff has totally wrecked me.☕I am definitely staying on Effexor. I'm just praying to God I can get back to feeling like myself again, because lately, I feel like I'm completely breaking apart. It's honestly a nightmare.😠

How long has it been now that you've been on Effexor?

redranger2 said:How long has it been now that you've been on Effexor?

It’s been over six months for me. I started out on the XL version—you know, the extended release—doing that slow titration at 75 mg. But after just a few weeks, I actually asked to switch to the regular kind because the XL was totally wrecking my sleep. Since it stays in your system all day, I just couldn't drift off at night, so I made the jump to the standard dose. Things seemed to improve pretty quickly after that, so then my doctor suggested trying Wellbutrin. He explained it works better for that heavy, drained feeling—that constant exhaustion and those weird physical symptoms you get. Anyway, about two weeks ago, I went back to my primary care doctor. I actually handed back the whole unopened pack of Wellbutrin and begged her to put me back on Effexor until I could finally make it to my appointment with the psychiatrist. She wrote the script, but I’m holding off on taking anything until I see what the specialist thinks. Honestly, as soon as I took the first dose, I felt a tiny bit better, but the insomnia and those racing, intrusive thoughts have been absolutely brutal these last two weeks. I’m barely hanging on. I’ve been taking two doses of Lorazepam or Clonazepam just to take the edge off, but even then, it’s barely helping...😢I’m basically counting down the seconds until my check-up tomorrow, but at the same time, I’m terrified. I’m scared that once I lay it all out, they’ll just throw an antipsychotic at me, and I really, really don't want to go down that road. I don't know, I feel like I'm losing my mind here. What should I even do?🤷

wiredmason56 said:It’s been over six months for me. I started out on the XL version—you know, the extended release—doing that slow titration at 75 mg. But after just a few weeks, I actually asked to switch to the regular kind because the XL was totally wrecking my sleep. Since it stays in your system all day, I just couldn't drift off at night, so I made the jump to the standard dose. Things seemed to improve pretty quickly after that, so then my doctor suggested trying Wellbutrin. He explained it works better for that heavy, drained feeling—that constant exhaustion and those weird physical symptoms you get. Anyway, about two weeks ago, I went back to my primary care doctor. I actually handed back the whole unopened pack of Wellbutrin and begged her to put me back on Effexor until I could finally make it to my appointment with the psychiatrist. She wrote the script, but I’m holding off on taking anything until I see what the specialist thinks. Honestly, as soon as I took the first dose, I felt a tiny bit better, but the insomnia and those racing, intrusive thoughts have been absolutely brutal these last two weeks. I’m barely hanging on. I’ve been taking two doses of Lorazepam or Clonazepam just to take the edge off, but even then, it’s barely helping...😢I’m basically counting down the seconds until my check-up tomorrow, but at the same time, I’m terrified. I’m scared that once I lay it all out, they’ll just throw an antipsychotic at me, and I really, really don't want to go down that road. I don't know, I feel like I'm losing my mind here. What should I even do?🤷

I understand where you're coming from; you've only been back on Effexor for two weeks. I went through the exact same cycle. It took me nearly two months before my previous antidepressant was reinstated.

So, try to settle your nerves; this isn't a catastrophe, nor is it unsolvable. You simply have to endure the waiting period while the Effexor kicks back in. Hang in there, because once it stabilizes, you'll feel as steady as I do now.

Your psychiatrist might suggest an antipsychotic, but if you refuse to take it, nobody can
force your hand. Just tell them you aren't interested and that it makes you uneasy, though I honestly don't grasp why there is such intense apprehension regarding them. For what it's worth, I take an antipsychotic myself and sleep like a baby, despite previously struggling with insomnia until 6:00 AM.
Ultimately, alongside the Effexor, your doctor might choose to add a second antidepressant to create a synergistic effect. There is no reason to live in fear; you will sit down with them tomorrow and work out a plan. Whatever you do, do not withhold information from your psychiatrist; if you hide your concerns about antipsychotics, they won't be able to provide the actual help you need. Be honest and stop worrying. Everything will eventually level out, you'll see. Make sure to check back in tomorrow and let us know how the appointment went.

I was thinking about that thing someone mentioned earlier... you know, how things just seem to click sometimes, and other times they just don't. It's like when you're trying to fix a leaky faucet in an old apartment in Chicago; you think you've got the right wrench, you've got the right washer, but then—bam—water's spraying everywhere because you missed one tiny little detail. Life feels like that sometimes. You follow all the steps, you take the meds exactly like the doctor says, you try to stay on top of everything, and yet, there's still that feeling of being slightly out of sync. It’s not even a big dramatic thing, just a quiet sort of mismatch. Like a radio station that's just a hair off the frequency, so all you get is that soft, constant static underneath the music. Does anyone else ever feel like they're just constantly adjusting the dial, hoping to finally catch the clear signal?

redranger2 said:I understand where you're coming from; you've only been back on Effexor for two weeks. I went through the exact same cycle. It took me nearly two months before my previous antidepressant was reinstated.

So, try to settle your nerves; this isn't a catastrophe, nor is it unsolvable. You simply have to endure the waiting period while the Effexor kicks back in. Hang in there, because once it stabilizes, you'll feel as steady as I do now.

Your psychiatrist might suggest an antipsychotic, but if you refuse to take it, nobody can
force your hand. Just tell them you aren't interested and that it makes you uneasy, though I honestly don't grasp why there is such intense apprehension regarding them. For what it's worth, I take an antipsychotic myself and sleep like a baby, despite previously struggling with insomnia until 6:00 AM.
Ultimately, alongside the Effexor, your doctor might choose to add a second antidepressant to create a synergistic effect. There is no reason to live in fear; you will sit down with them tomorrow and work out a plan. Whatever you do, do not withhold information from your psychiatrist; if you hide your concerns about antipsychotics, they won't be able to provide the actual help you need. Be honest and stop worrying. Everything will eventually level out, you'll see. Make sure to check back in tomorrow and let us know how the appointment went.

I’ll definitely let you know how it goes. I'm actually pretty curious to see what they decide. If they end up putting me on an AP, then so be it—I'll take it if things start feeling heavy, though I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that. Honestly, I just want to make sure my Effexor doesn't run out before the next refill kicks in. Thanks!

Roughly how long does it take for Lexapro to actually kick in and for the side effects to die down? I’m starting my first pill this Tuesday morning, but I have a trip planned for February 12th—heading out to Chicago, which is about a two and a half hour bus ride. Just wondering if I’ll be feeling okay by then or if I should probably push the trip back.

Brandon Lopez6 said:Roughly how long does it take for Lexapro to actually kick in and for the side effects to die down? I’m starting my first pill this Tuesday morning, but I have a trip planned for February 12th—heading out to Chicago, which is about a two and a half hour bus ride. Just wondering if I’ll be feeling okay by then or if I should probably push the trip back.

Generally speaking, most people find that any side effects from an antidepressant taper off within two weeks to a month.

So, I just got back from my follow-up appointment. As soon as I walked into the office, the doctor immediately lit up a cigarette😁 and asked how things were going. I told him honestly, "not great," and then he actually suggested I check into the ward for a little while to rest up.🤣 I told him no thanks—I’ve got work to do, and stepping away wouldn't really help my situation. He asked why, but didn't push it too hard. Anyway, I walked him through everything that happened with the Wellbutrin—the paranoia, the insomnia, and those other major issues. His immediate reaction was basically to tell me to toss the stuff in the trash. Then he asked if I’d ever been on anything a bit stronger, like Prozac, Haldol, Risperdal, or Stelazine. I told him no, I haven't really gone down that road. He mentioned he could put me on 1mg of Risperdal since it isn't anything too intense. That reminded me of Seroquel, so I brought it up, and he ended up prescribing Seroquel 25 mg to take before bed; apparently, it’ll help dial down the paranoia. He also added Effexor 75 mg and either Lustral or Klonopin 3 x1 to the mix. On top of my usual diagnosis, he’s adding a second one to the chart because of the Seroquel. I’m heading to my primary care doctor tomorrow morning to get the actual prescriptions sent over. My next check-in is in a month, which is sooner than my usual every two or three months. He did say if things start feeling heavy again, I should reach out about being admitted to the hospital for a bit.☕

wiredmason56 said:So, I just got back from my follow-up appointment. As soon as I walked into the office, the doctor immediately lit up a cigarette😁 and asked how things were going. I told him honestly, "not great," and then he actually suggested I check into the ward for a little while to rest up.🤣 I told him no thanks—I’ve got work to do, and stepping away wouldn't really help my situation. He asked why, but didn't push it too hard. Anyway, I walked him through everything that happened with the Wellbutrin—the paranoia, the insomnia, and those other major issues. His immediate reaction was basically to tell me to toss the stuff in the trash. Then he asked if I’d ever been on anything a bit stronger, like Prozac, Haldol, Risperdal, or Stelazine. I told him no, I haven't really gone down that road. He mentioned he could put me on 1mg of Risperdal since it isn't anything too intense. That reminded me of Seroquel, so I brought it up, and he ended up prescribing Seroquel 25 mg to take before bed; apparently, it’ll help dial down the paranoia. He also added Effexor 75 mg and either Lustral or Klonopin 3 x1 to the mix. On top of my usual diagnosis, he’s adding a second one to the chart because of the Seroquel. I’m heading to my primary care doctor tomorrow morning to get the actual prescriptions sent over. My next check-in is in a month, which is sooner than my usual every two or three months. He did say if things start feeling heavy again, I should reach out about being admitted to the hospital for a bit.☕

I also turned down hospitalization because of my job—I can't afford to lose it, honestly.
You’ve actually been given a solid regimen. The Seroquel will knock you out nicely at night, and depending
on your psychiatrist's discretion, you can always bump that up to 50, 100 mg, or even higher if
the 25 mg dose ends up being insufficient for sleep.
Klonopin is incredibly calming, especially when you feel completely wired and overstimulated, like you're😁 plugged into a live socket.
Don't worry; you've been given the necessary tools, which means things will steadily start looking up.😉

Hi everyone! Has anyone here ever taken Eglonyl? I'm curious to know roughly how long it takes before you actually start feeling any kind of effect. Currently, I've been taking 50 mg twice a day.

I think I already mentioned this, but if I didn't—as far as I can remember, I felt pretty nauseous for the first few days, maybe 7 to 10 days total. That was really my only side effect. Things finally started settling down after just a couple of days.
(I was just taking 50 mg in the morning)

Brandon Lopez6 said:I think I already mentioned this, but if I didn't—as far as I can remember, I felt pretty nauseous for the first few days, maybe 7 to 10 days total. That was really my only side effect. Things finally started settling down after just a couple of days.
(I was just taking 50 mg in the morning)

Yes, thank you. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly were you diagnosed with, or what symptoms are you dealing with? For me, it's primarily panic attacks, anxiety, and general nervousness. I've only been on this for a week now, so I haven't noticed any real shift yet. I suppose it probably just takes more time to kick in.🤷

They put me on it to help with my stomach issues and nerves. The diagnosis was anxiety disorder. For the mental side of things, I was given Xanax, and Eglonyl just helped out a little bit.

Brandon Lopez6 said:They put me on it to help with my stomach issues and nerves. The diagnosis was anxiety disorder. For the mental side of things, I was given Xanax, and Eglonyl just helped out a little bit.

I completely understand. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 I think I’m going to tell my doctor that they aren't giving me any decent antidepressants, because it feels like I'm getting absolutely nothing out of this current regimen...

I find myself wondering... what exactly happened to cause the sudden closure of that lounge bar?

Jason Vaughn482 said:I find myself wondering... what exactly happened to cause the sudden closure of that lounge bar?

The previous thread reached its limit at 10,000 posts and has been locked, so we have started a new one here. click😍

So, I was on Eglonyl twice a day—around 200mg each time, I think—and I’d take Paxil in the mornings too. Honestly? It worked fine for me, at least until the side effects started kicking in. I was on that combo for maybe two months or so. Dealing with that whole depressive-anxiety mix, you know how it goes.