Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Michelle Kelly4 said:I've been taking it, but honestly, it’s not doing anything for me. I just feel really weird and depressed...

So, how long have you actually been on the antidepressants?

Man, it’s been years. I started out on Paxil, but I’ve been on Zoloft for about two months now

Michelle Kelly4 said:Man, it’s been years. I started out on Paxil, but I’ve been on Zoloft for about two months now

You just have to hang in there a little longer until things really start to level out and stabilize, I’m telling you this from my own personal experience... please don't give up yet...

I feel absolutely terrible
...

Quincy:

The butterfly effect. A single movement can change everything. The user says: It is true. Before starting therapy, I was constantly restless. Now, the Zoloft keeps me quite calm. I find myself just sitting at my computer, watching the hours slip away. Previously, time seemed to move far too slowly. Before I started taking Zoloft, I would wake up briefly in a state of restlessness. There were times when, while drifting off under intense stress, I experienced hypnagogic hallucinations. It was like a glitch in the transition to sleep. When I mentioned this to my therapist, he simply laughed. When I asked if it meant I was experiencing psychosis, he assured me I wasn't—just dealing with high levels of stress.😁My current regimen consists of one Zoloft tablet in the morning and 5 mg of Norvale in the evening. My doctor initially considered prescribing a 2 mg dose instead. I told him quite plainly: Doctor, what good is 2 mg to me? I have had 2 mg sitting in my cabinet for months just in case, and even then, 5 mg feels right. To me, 2 mg feels like nothing more than a child's candy.🤣To return to my previous point... since starting Zoloft, I have experienced intense fatigue. In those early stages, I would often collapse into bed by the afternoon, needing to sleep much earlier than I ever have before.😲Things have calmed down a bit. Honestly, this antidepressant keeps me steady enough that I don't really need the Ambien before bed anymore. I only take it if I absolutely need to fall asleep faster or if I ended up going to bed late. I have never tried Lexus. I am only familiar with Normabel and Helex. Helex doesn't work for me; it makes me feel unsteady. For a while, I relied on herbs, plants, and various supplements, but eventually, I decided to stop that approach. I am glad I did. You will see things improve once the therapy begins to take effect.😉

Our side effects seem to be more or less the same. Essentially, Luxet has the same composition as Zoloft, just from a different manufacturer like Pfizer.
I reached out to my doctor again today regarding this persistent fatigue and sleepiness. She explained that these are simply the mood fluctuations tied to depression—which makes sense, given I am not yet on a full tablet. Later this afternoon, a wave of irritability set in. I managed to settle myself down by taking half of a 0.25mg Xanax.
Looking back through the previous posts, some people mentioned that Zoloft can cause drowsiness initially before eventually providing an energy boost. It seems you are on the right track.

I have also relied on chemical alternatives. However, given my experience with perimenopause—the mood swings and fluctuations—it was simply not an option to go without.

Adjusting to medication feels like a constant cloud hanging over your head.

I am glad to hear you are feeling better. It offers hope to others. I have read your words about your recovery a hundred times now; they bring me peace.

Michelle Kelly4 said:I feel absolutely terrible
...

If this feeling persists for more than a day, please call your doctor. Based on your previous posts, I've gathered

that you haven't been satisfied with your antidepressant for quite some time.

Brandon Murphy5 said:You just have to hang in there a little longer until things really start to level out and stabilize, I’m telling you this from my own personal experience... please don't give up yet...

And here is Brandon Murphy5 sharing his own experience...

Look, here’s the thing... ADHD does its own thing, and honestly, it can be a lifesaver in itself, but I still have to put in the work and play my part, and I just don't have it in me right now...

Michelle Kelly4 said:Look, here’s the thing... ADHD does its own thing, and honestly, it can be a lifesaver in itself, but I still have to put in the work and play my part, and I just don't have it in me right now...

But you really do have to, honestly, because it feels like the only way through this, and I want you to know that what you're feeling is a totally normal reaction to everything going on—we've all been in those dark trenches before and we made it out, so I truly believe you will too...

Don't hesitate to shoot me a private message if you just need to vent or talk things out privately; we're all in this together, fighting these same uphill battles side by side.

I actually just finished about 15 minutes of light exercise, and man, the difference is immediate—it’s like clearing the fog, and I swear, you just have to force yourself to stay active so your mind doesn't start spiraling into those negative thoughts.

I've been cleaning up the house and it actually gave me a little boost, but I can't stop my mind from racing... I feel like I constantly have to be overthinking everything and talking it out with my husband

Brandon Murphy5 said:But you really do have to, honestly, because it feels like the only way through this, and I want you to know that what you're feeling is a totally normal reaction to everything going on—we've all been in those dark trenches before and we made it out, so I truly believe you will too...

Don't hesitate to shoot me a private message if you just need to vent or talk things out privately; we're all in this together, fighting these same uphill battles side by side.

I actually just finished about 15 minutes of light exercise, and man, the difference is immediate—it’s like clearing the fog, and I swear, you just have to force yourself to stay active so your mind doesn't start spiraling into those negative thoughts.

Brandon Murphy5, what dosage are you on, and how many days has it been?
Are you dealing with fatigue or anything else?

James Fowler3 said:Thank you. To be honest, I am somewhat perplexed as to why my doctor prescribed an AP in the first place, considering my diagnosis is simply an anxiety disorder. I am aware that it is used to treat anxiety and various other conditions, of course, but this is my very first experience with this type of medication... he hasn't even attempted to start me on an antidepressant yet. 🤷
Why is it that you don't like AP?
I have been spending quite a bit of time lately reading about this drug online, and I find it truly difficult to believe how casually some people seem to take it... using it for stomach issues, or just to deal with a bit of stress, or even just taking it occasionally as needed... I just don't know.
Is the process of tapering off it particularly difficult? Is there any chance this will actually cure me, or am I simply stepping into a lifelong cycle of pills with no way out... all of these thoughts are just spinning endlessly in my head...
He also prescribed me Xanax, but since I am generally terrified of side effects, I would much prefer Ativan... I don't feel that same fear toward it.

Well, I dislike them because of the side effects; I believe I read somewhere that they are among the most difficult medications to deal with, though I think Buspar might be one of the easier ones... it's prescribed for anxiety...
I've been taking Xanax for four years now, and personally, I find it superior to Ativan, but then again, everyone reacts differently. I don't fear Xanax, and it works significantly better for my anxiety, especially since I've tried Ativan before... As far as tolerance goes with Xanax, I haven't developed any; recently, I've actually halved my dose, so now I take maybe two or three at 0.25, whereas before I was taking three 0.50 doses... When I start feeling better, I simply scale back without any trouble, though I can't say for certain what it would be like to stop entirely....
And why does it scare you more than Ativan?

quietwalker5 said:Brandon Murphy5, what dosage are you on, and how many days has it been?
Are you dealing with fatigue or anything else?

So, I’m just starting out on Zoloft—it's only my second day taking half a pill in the morning—and honestly, everything feels pretty fine so far.

I'm really holding onto the hope that it stays this way.🙂

Brandon Murphy5 said:So, I’m just starting out on Zoloft—it's only my second day taking half a pill in the morning—and honestly, everything feels pretty fine so far.

I'm really holding onto the hope that it stays this way.🙂

The thing is, I've actually been through this before, so I have some positive history with Zoloft, though I remember those first few days being absolutely brutal, much like how a sudden storm hits before things settle down. Back then, I used to take it at night, but this time around, I've switched to taking it in the morning.

I'm totally gonna lose that battle!

Michelle Kelly4 said:I'm totally gonna lose that battle!

Oh, you absolutely won't, honestly, everything about this is totally normal, and I promise you, once some time has passed, you're actually going to look back at this whole thing and find it hilarious.🙂

I don't really dwell on things, but I definitely feel the need to talk them out with someone, like my husband...

Man, this one is just brutal. I honestly don't even know what to do anymore...

Brandon Murphy5 said:The thing is, I've actually been through this before, so I have some positive history with Zoloft, though I remember those first few days being absolutely brutal, much like how a sudden storm hits before things settle down. Back then, I used to take it at night, but this time around, I've switched to taking it in the morning.

What is the actual difference between taking it at night versus in the morning? Why choose one over the other?

I want your transition back to the routine to be as smooth as possible.

Michelle Kelly4 said:Man, this one is just brutal. I honestly don't even know what to do anymore...

Look, maybe just take something to help you relax and try to get some actual sleep, because things always seem to look a little less heavy once the sun comes up tomorrow.🙂