Psychotropic medication discussion thread

wiredskipper45 said:Hey everyone. So, I’ve been dealing with BPD for about seven years now. For the last couple of years, my routine has just been 15 mg of Mirzaten before bed and taking Xanax whenever things get too much. Honestly, I’m functioning fine. My biggest struggle has always been insomnia, but the Mirzaten pretty much fixed that for me. Lately, though, I’ve been dealing with these physical symptoms that are slowly driving me insane—this sharp, stabbing pain on one side of my head that radiates down into my ear, constant exhaustion, and this daytime sleepiness so paralyzing that I actually start feeling nauseous and seeing black spots. My blood pressure stays steady at 110/70, but I still managed to pass out last week. Given how much of a hypochondriac I am, obviously, this was the perfect trigger for another anxiety spiral and all the chaos that comes with it. So, what do you guys think? Is this just Mirzaten side effects, some kind of psychosomatic stuff, or something else entirely? Luckily, I managed to badger my doctor into giving me referrals for a brain MRI; otherwise, my GP's standard response to everything is just: "When was the last time you saw your psychiatrist?" 🙂
But hey, maybe they have a point. I’m actually heading in next week—after more than a year of avoiding it! 👋

I deal with anxiety disorder myself, and for the last couple of years, I’ve also been taking Mirtazapine—either 15 mg or 7.5 mg occasionally at night—primarily because of insomnia, though I need Lamictal alongside it as well... unfortunately, it does absolutely nothing for the anxiety. For the anxiety, I use Xanax as needed, though lately I've cut my dose in half (we shall see how long that lasts), meaning three doses of 0.25 mg.
It is also incredibly frustrating to feel so profoundly sleepy and exhausted during the day; I suspect it might be a byproduct of the Mirtazapine combined with the Lamictal, but I truly cannot say for sure.
I also experienced a blackout one night—I suspect my blood pressure plummeted, as I have a history of hypotension.
However, I didn't go for an MRI or any diagnostic imaging; nobody referred me for anything, and that happened around Christmas. To be honest, I am a massive hypochondriac myself; in fact, that is practically my only real issue.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I deal with anxiety disorder myself, and for the last couple of years, I’ve also been taking Mirtazapine—either 15 mg or 7.5 mg occasionally at night—primarily because of insomnia, though I need Lamictal alongside it as well... unfortunately, it does absolutely nothing for the anxiety. For the anxiety, I use Xanax as needed, though lately I've cut my dose in half (we shall see how long that lasts), meaning three doses of 0.25 mg.
It is also incredibly frustrating to feel so profoundly sleepy and exhausted during the day; I suspect it might be a byproduct of the Mirtazapine combined with the Lamictal, but I truly cannot say for sure.
I also experienced a blackout one night—I suspect my blood pressure plummeted, as I have a history of hypotension.
However, I didn't go for an MRI or any diagnostic imaging; nobody referred me for anything, and that happened around Christmas. To be honest, I am a massive hypochondriac myself; in fact, that is practically my only real issue.

I wouldn't even call what I have "sleepiness." It's more like someone poured industrial glue into my brain. I can't do anything. Can't concentrate, can't walk, can't even think straight. And yet, I can't fall asleep! That's the worst part—being that wiped out but sleep still won't come. When it gets like that, I just choke down 0.5 of a Xanax and finally pass out... man, I really am a hypochondriac. I'm practically vibrating with excitement waiting for my MRI. Yay. 😂

wiredskipper45 said:I wouldn't even call what I have "sleepiness." It's more like someone poured industrial glue into my brain. I can't do anything. Can't concentrate, can't walk, can't even think straight. And yet, I can't fall asleep! That's the worst part—being that wiped out but sleep still won't come. When it gets like that, I just choke down 0.5 of a Xanax and finally pass out... man, I really am a hypochondriac. I'm practically vibrating with excitement waiting for my MRI. Yay. 😂

I’m in the exact same boat—unable to actually sleep despite feeling like I'm perpetually nodding off all day long. How on earth did you manage to get a referral for an MRI? My doctor won't even authorize a visit to a cardiologist, even though my blood pressure is through the roof.

Hello,

My doctor put me on Coaxil 12.5 mg. I’ve been taking it three times a day for two months now, and frankly, I haven't felt any improvement at all. Is it even safe to take Coaxil alongside 37.5 mg of Effexor?

Jason Vaughn482 said:I’m in the exact same boat—unable to actually sleep despite feeling like I'm perpetually nodding off all day long. How on earth did you manage to get a referral for an MRI? My doctor won't even authorize a visit to a cardiologist, even though my blood pressure is through the roof.

Honestly, I basically begged for a neurology referral. I ended up seeing this young, decent doctor who didn't make a fuss and just handed me the orders for an EEG and an MRI right away...

I just read this for the first time, and honestly, I feel a bit nauseous:

Using benzodiazepines for anything longer than a month—up to six months even—while following prescribed dosages has been linked to an elevated risk of developing ovarian cancer. [ 79 ] There have been fifteen separate epidemiological studies indicating that hypnotic drugs are associated with increased mortality rates, primarily driven by higher cancer death rates in humans. These carcinomas include brain, lung, intestinal, breast, and bladder cancers, among other neoplasms. It isn't just that benzodiazepines themselves are tied to an increased cancer risk; the studies also suggest that Z-drug agonists are connected to human cancer. Initially, reviewers at the FDA were actually hesitant to approve Z-drugs due to these very cancer concerns, yet they ultimately changed their minds and granted approval despite the red flags. The data clearly shows that subjects participating in trials involving hypnotic drugs faced a heightened risk of developing cancer. The review author concludes with a sobering warning: "The probability of cancer causality is significant enough that physicians and patients should now be cautioned that hypnotics may potentially place a patient at a greater risk for cancer."

Anyone here have experience with Zoloft?

Michelle Kelly4 said:Anyone here have experience with Zoloft?

It worked wonders for me—really helped dial back the panic attacks and gave me a much needed energy boost—I was taking 5 mg.🙂

I'm dealing with anxiety and depression, but the intense obsessions are what really get me...

Michelle Kelly4 said:I'm dealing with anxiety and depression, but the intense obsessions are what really get me...

As for the obsessions... I'm really not sure.
Oh, I see there's some mention here about OCD in children.🤷

Hi,

My doctor put me on Coaxil 12.5 mg. I've been taking it three times a day for two months now—two full months—and honestly, I don't feel any better. Is there any reason I shouldn't take Coaxil alongside 37.5 mg of Effexor?

She says it’ll help quiet my head because I honestly can't deal with these thoughts anymore. Plus, combining it with the Zoloft and Xanax

Jason Vaughn482 said:I just read this for the first time, and honestly, I feel a bit nauseous:

Using benzodiazepines for anything longer than a month—up to six months even—while following prescribed dosages has been linked to an elevated risk of developing ovarian cancer. [ 79 ] There have been fifteen separate epidemiological studies indicating that hypnotic drugs are associated with increased mortality rates, primarily driven by higher cancer death rates in humans. These carcinomas include brain, lung, intestinal, breast, and bladder cancers, among other neoplasms. It isn't just that benzodiazepines themselves are tied to an increased cancer risk; the studies also suggest that Z-drug agonists are connected to human cancer. Initially, reviewers at the FDA were actually hesitant to approve Z-drugs due to these very cancer concerns, yet they ultimately changed their minds and granted approval despite the red flags. The data clearly shows that subjects participating in trials involving hypnotic drugs faced a heightened risk of developing cancer. The review author concludes with a sobering warning: "The probability of cancer causality is significant enough that physicians and patients should now be cautioned that hypnotics may potentially place a patient at a greater risk for cancer."

I guess we all have to break from something eventually... 😂

wiredskipper45 said:I guess we all have to break from something eventually... 😂

It is true that all medications carry some level of risk, but that doesn't mean they aren't beneficial when needed. 🙂
I would love to see someone try to walk through a severe case of pneumonia without any antibiotics.
Jason Vaughn482, please don't be alarmed by the side effects listed everywhere; they are standard. I could suggest you read the warning label on a simple bottle of Tylenol, though perhaps that isn't necessary either. 😁
In my estimation, things like fast food are actually far more detrimental to one's health than a single dose of a benzodiazepine.

Sent from my

restlesstrucker15 said:It is true that all medications carry some level of risk, but that doesn't mean they aren't beneficial when needed. 🙂
I would love to see someone try to walk through a severe case of pneumonia without any antibiotics.
Jason Vaughn482, please don't be alarmed by the side effects listed everywhere; they are standard. I could suggest you read the warning label on a simple bottle of Tylenol, though perhaps that isn't necessary either. 😁
In my estimation, things like fast food are actually far more detrimental to one's health than a single dose of a benzodiazepine.

Sent from my

Exactly—(by the way, what's that "sketching the forum" bit in your signature supposed to mean?)

Jason Vaughn482

Seriously, please try to stop reading through all those side effects—I learned that the hard way during my own early struggles with depression and anxiety.😉

fadedbear92, you dealing with anxiety or depression too?

restlesstrucker15 said:It is true that all medications carry some level of risk, but that doesn't mean they aren't beneficial when needed. 🙂
I would love to see someone try to walk through a severe case of pneumonia without any antibiotics.
Jason Vaughn482, please don't be alarmed by the side effects listed everywhere; they are standard. I could suggest you read the warning label on a simple bottle of Tylenol, though perhaps that isn't necessary either. 😁
In my estimation, things like fast food are actually far more detrimental to one's health than a single dose of a benzodiazepine.

Sent from my

I don't know, I've been relying on benzos and Tylenol for four years now... and this constant, gnawing fear of cancer is just exhausting.
Look, I am intimately familiar with the risks of morphine, Advil, and pretty much everything else on the pharmacy shelf; I will read those side effect warnings a hundred times over if it means getting through the day.

Michelle Kelly4 said:She says it’ll help quiet my head because I honestly can't deal with these thoughts anymore. Plus, combining it with the Zoloft and Xanax

My regimen is Zoloft and Xanax (though I used Xanax at first just to handle the spike in anxiety during the adjustment period). I eventually stopped the Xanax since I heard it might interfere with how the antidepressants work, and honestly, I didn't really need it after a little while anyway.
I have an anxiety and depressive disorder, including two past depressive episodes, panic attacks, and agoraphobia (though the panic and agoraphobia cleared up quite a bit ago).

Zoloft basically gave me my life back. The anxiety completely vanished, along with the depression, and it all happened within just a few months. It's wild to think I spent a third of my life struggling like that for no reason.
I'm not sure about obsessive thoughts, but it was a huge help for my rumination—that constant, 24/7 loop of worrying and replaying future scenarios in my head.

I’m really hoping this works because I feel like I'm losing my mind... they have me on Zoloft 50mg, starting with half a pill for the first 6 days, then moving to the full dose. We're going to check in over the phone, and if things aren't looking better, we'll talk about adding a second one. They also bumped my Lexapro from 0.25 to 0.5, and right now I'm taking that three times a day

restlesstrucker15 said:It is true that all medications carry some level of risk, but that doesn't mean they aren't beneficial when needed. 🙂
I would love to see someone try to walk through a severe case of pneumonia without any antibiotics.
Jason Vaughn482, please don't be alarmed by the side effects listed everywhere; they are standard. I could suggest you read the warning label on a simple bottle of Tylenol, though perhaps that isn't necessary either. 😁
In my estimation, things like fast food are actually far more detrimental to one's health than a single dose of a benzodiazepine.

Sent from my

This is easily the most intense group when it comes to preaching about how "dangerous" pills are. Like, sure, let's all just sit here and suffer in agony instead...