Psychotropic medication discussion thread

restlesstiger49 said:Man, I took some Xanax XR today and ended up sleeping through the entire damn day. On top of that, a fellow member mentioned in the previous post:

But that’s exactly why you take an antidepressant—so you aren't constantly relying on Xanax just to function.

Yeah, I’m a little confused here. I really don't want to be popping anxiolytics every single day. For crying out loud, after four weeks, you'd think the antidepressant would actually start kicking in by now. Either that, or we just keep on experimenting. 🤷 Honestly, I’d rather just be dead. I am completely at my wit's end with everything right now. 🙂

If things haven't improved in a month, it’s unlikely they will after that—you either need to bump up the dose or switch antidepressants entirely. You definitely need to have a real talk with your doctor.

redpilot37 said:Finally feeling my libido getting back to baseline. I’ve been on Zoloft for about 30 days now, and man, the beginning was just a total coma... but things are finally returning to normal. It’s not quite what it was before I started the meds, but it's fine enough.🙂
Yesterday, instead of taking my prescribed normabel before bed, I tried some Schizandra (that adaptogen herb) and I was out like a light in seconds.😍
I wasn't too worried about potential interactions... and unlike normabel, you actually wake up feeling rested and refreshed in the morning.

And where on earth do you even find that stuff?

restlesstrucker15 said:Yes, panic. When those intense waves of anxiety and panic hit, I rely on my antidepressants and Eglonyl; otherwise, it’s just the AD and Xanax as needed.

I wouldn't say I'm addicted to either Xanax or Ativan, but then again, you take the antidepressants specifically so you don't have to be on Xanax constantly. Unless you only experience a panic attack once a month, in which case it basically functions like a painkiller.

The dosage isn't high, but it's still not something you should be taking every single day for, say, three months straight. It is much better to rely on your antidepressants or Eglonyl instead.

Skickas fr

Three months? Good grief. I've been on this regimen for three years now. Whether I'm taking an antidepressant alongside it or not, Xanax is always there in my toolkit, as is Sanval... unfortunately. As for Trazodone, it just hasn't sat right with me; I don't know, I actually feel more restless after taking it.

fadedbear92 said:If things haven't improved in a month, it’s unlikely they will after that—you either need to bump up the dose or switch antidepressants entirely. You definitely need to have a real talk with your doctor.

I'm honestly at a loss for what might actually work anymore. It's just frustrating as hell...🙂
The only thought that brings me any peace is death...

restlesstiger49 said:I'm honestly at a loss for what might actually work anymore. It's just frustrating as hell...🙂
The only thought that brings me any peace is death...

You really just have to hang in there and find a way to stay patient, because I truly believe things are going to start looking up before you know it. It’s like when you’re driving through a massive thunderstorm on a lonely stretch of highway outside of Des Moines; everything feels dark and overwhelming right now, and you can barely see the road ahead of you, but you just have to keep your hands steady on the wheel and trust that the clouds will eventually break and let the sun shine through again. Just hold on tight, because better days are definitely coming.

restlesstiger49 said:I'm honestly at a loss for what might actually work anymore. It's just frustrating as hell...🙂
The only thought that brings me any peace is death...

restlesstiger49, don't let those inner demons get the better of you. 🙂

Fevarin didn't work for me either, so I switched it out pretty quickly until I finally found the medication that actually helped. Just a heads-up: Fevarin (fluvoxamine) can actually intensify and extend the effects of Xanax XR, which is likely why you ended up sleeping through your entire day. If this current regimen isn't sitting right with you, I’d suggest trying a lower dose of Xanax, perhaps switching to a different benzodiazepine, or looking into an alternative antidepressant altogether. 🤷
Please reach out to your therapist and let them know how you're doing. Even though I suspect emotional stress is the primary culprit here, it wouldn't hurt to get an appointment on the books just to be safe.

I won't be able to get an appointment until the 9th, once my shrink gets back from vacation. I’ve been thinking about trying Effexor again, though it made me nauseous for a solid two weeks when I took it before. On the plus side, it actually helped dial down my anxiety about three years ago—but being the "genius" that I am, I quit cold turkey, which left me stuck in a week of total derealization. Honestly, the whole thing terrifies me... life is just exhausting sometimes. Anyway, I'm going to try to track down a regular psychiatrist—someone focused more on supportive therapy—to see if we can finally get things sorted out. Living like this isn't sustainable.
I feel terrible venting here on the forum, but I really don't have anywhere else to turn... 😢

Ethan Cruz4, thanks for the heads-up regarding Fevarin. If what you said is true, then yesterday was a perfect example of it hitting me. I felt completely drained all day, just feeling absolutely miserable mentally.

restlesstrucker15 said:Yes, panic. When those intense waves of anxiety and panic hit, I rely on my antidepressants and Eglonyl; otherwise, it’s just the AD and Xanax as needed.

I wouldn't say I'm addicted to either Xanax or Ativan, but then again, you take the antidepressants specifically so you don't have to be on Xanax constantly. Unless you only experience a panic attack once a month, in which case it basically functions like a painkiller.

The dosage isn't high, but it's still not something you should be taking every single day for, say, three months straight. It is much better to rely on your antidepressants or Eglonyl instead.

Skickas fr

My doctor suggested 2x50mg of Eglonyl and 2x0.25mg of Xanax for two weeks before my follow-up appointment... but given that a standard 2mg dose of Valium tends to completely flatten me and knock me out, I can't help but worry that this regimen might leave me feeling like a total zombie...

Hey restlesstiger49, we’re all just venting and letting things out here. 🙂 In your case, you should probably hold off on any drastic changes until you consult with a specialist; personally, I think this specific support regimen might be your best bet.

I am currently taking Effexor and trying to determine if it's actually worth sticking with or if I should start looking for other options. I feel a bit strange right now, though I am hoping it is just a temporary side effect. I am following the advice Ray gave me. My experience with Quetiapine was by far the worst, and I would absolutely not go through that again.
Regarding the Xanax XR, what you mentioned is accurate, especially if you take them at roughly the same time. When combined with Fevarin, it takes nearly twice as long to clear your system, which can lead to slower psychomotor functions. On the bright side, it does help you sleep. (Please don't come for me for saying that! 🙂 ) I haven't been able to sleep for more than three hours at a stretch for quite some time now, so I have been trying to space out my rest throughout the day. I would give anything for a solid eight hours; I really miss having a routine.

James Fowler3 said:My doctor suggested 2x50mg of Eglonyl and 2x0.25mg of Xanax for two weeks before my follow-up appointment... but given that a standard 2mg dose of Valium tends to completely flatten me and knock me out, I can't help but worry that this regimen might leave me feeling like a total zombie...

You could try the Eglonyl, and then just use the Xanax as needed. 🤷

Here I am again, still dealing with Coaxil... after two months on this stuff, I feel absolutely terrible—like I'm stuck in some sort of waking dream. Everything is spinning, I'm exhausted, and I just can't function properly.
I brought it up with my psychiatrist, but she basically brushed me off—claims there's "no way" it's the meds, suggesting they're too weak to cause this, yet here I am feeling like a total zombie... the dizziness is constant and everything is just getting worse. ����

For sleeping, I have Fluzepam, and I think it’s actually quite good—probably better than Lorsilan or things like that. It seems better than Sanval, too. One evening, I took 15 mg of Fluzepam and then half a 10 mg Lexapro the next morning. Well, I was just following what my previous doctor had instructed me to do. But man, I slept so hard that I couldn't even wake up until 4:00 PM. It was a Saturday and I was home alone. I got really scared by how deeply I was out. When I finally did wake up, I felt incredibly exhausted, almost like I hadn't slept at all. Then my doctor suggested that maybe I shouldn't be taking Lexapro in the evening, even though it isn't usually taken then. So now, I’m not taking anything at all. I just sleep... or don't sleep... whenever it happens. I'm just waiting for my doctor to get back from her vacation so I can go in and talk to her properly.

I think they give children the 15 mg dose of Fluzepam, maybe before surgery or something? For adults, it's usually 30 mg, and when I asked about it, he seemed to think I had taken the stronger version at night. Usually, the 15 mg Fluzepam isn't expensive, maybe just $5.00. They gave me one box based on my medical history. There are 10 tablets in a pack. Lexapro is terribly expensive without a prescription; I think it's $53 or even more.

It seems like everyone is getting prescribed Xanax lately. I was actually given some myself, but I haven't even touched it. I honestly don't know what else I would need it for. I still have an entire bottle sitting here. From what I’ve read in medical journals, I guess Xanax might serve a purpose during intense panic attacks—maybe just to help someone calm down immediately. Otherwise, I feel like it's pretty much pointless.

Lexapro just didn't work for me at all. I see people here mentioning that Fevarin and Effexor haven't been great for them either, either. Today feels okay, I guess, but yesterday was just... awful. I felt truly terrible. I’ve noticed that things get much worse if I spend too much time dwelling on my mom, or if I don't have a solid plan for the day. Yesterday, I had absolutely nothing scheduled and stayed home the whole time, which didn't help. The day before that was actually a good day, though.

Hey everyone... I'm new here. I struggle with generalized anxiety disorder. At first, I tried Fevarin, but it was a complete disaster for me. It just didn't sit right at all—I felt absolutely terrible. I had this constant, crushing fatigue that wouldn't go away, zero appetite, and this weird ringing in my head. I couldn't function. It was awful. But hey, we all know how individual these reactions can be. So, I switched over to Effexor. Right now, I'm just taking 70 mg in the morning. It took my body nearly two months to actually stabilize and start working, and yeah, the side effects are still there. Mostly just the loss of appetite and weight loss... though it’s definitely more manageable than what I dealt with on Fevarin. Also, my hair? I'm losing it. I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but mine seems to be thinning quite a bit since I started. I read somewhere that antidepressants can cause that, though. In the beginning, my anxiety spiked through the roof before the medication finally kicked in. Once it does work, though, it's a massive lifter; it really gives you that drive you need. I do have a question regarding memory and Effexor, though. I've noticed my memory hasn't been great lately. I'm having a hard time recalling information that used to come to me easily, which is a huge problem because I'm a college student and I have to memorize massive amounts of info for exams. I've been on this for 8 months now...

restlesstiger49 said:I'm honestly at a loss for what might actually work anymore. It's just frustrating as hell...🙂
The only thought that brings me any peace is death...

Hang in there, restlesstiger49! I know everything feels pretty heavy right now, but you really have to remember that this rough patch is just a temporary moment in time that's going to pass, so try to keep that perspective in mind.

Can anyone actually give me some real advice regarding Zoloft?? I’m only taking two a day now—I dropped the third one because the weakness was just too much—but it hasn't really helped much either... My appointment with the psychiatrist isn't until early September. Should I just stop taking them altogether? Does anyone here actually know anything about this medication? How do you even taper off...?
Thanks in advance

Another crisis hitting...

electrichound3 said:Hey everyone... I'm new here. I struggle with generalized anxiety disorder. At first, I tried Fevarin, but it was a complete disaster for me. It just didn't sit right at all—I felt absolutely terrible. I had this constant, crushing fatigue that wouldn't go away, zero appetite, and this weird ringing in my head. I couldn't function. It was awful. But hey, we all know how individual these reactions can be. So, I switched over to Effexor. Right now, I'm just taking 70 mg in the morning. It took my body nearly two months to actually stabilize and start working, and yeah, the side effects are still there. Mostly just the loss of appetite and weight loss... though it’s definitely more manageable than what I dealt with on Fevarin. Also, my hair? I'm losing it. I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but mine seems to be thinning quite a bit since I started. I read somewhere that antidepressants can cause that, though. In the beginning, my anxiety spiked through the roof before the medication finally kicked in. Once it does work, though, it's a massive lifter; it really gives you that drive you need. I do have a question regarding memory and Effexor, though. I've noticed my memory hasn't been great lately. I'm having a hard time recalling information that used to come to me easily, which is a huge problem because I'm a college student and I have to memorize massive amounts of info for exams. I've been on this for 8 months now...

If it provides any comfort, I’ve dealt with memory issues across every single antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication I've ever tried. Whether it was Omega-3 supplements, cod liver oil, or fish oil, or even taking Lexapro—it feels like everyone just found a way to profit off my struggles. 🙂 Whatever you do, please don't go mixing guarana and green coffee extract right before an exam. It’s just asking for trouble. If you're noticing hair thinning, stress could very well be a contributing factor there. You might want to look into taking a probiotic; they can actually be quite helpful. Specifically, the ones formulated for IBS tend to be the most effective—I believe there's one called VSL#3—though, in my experience, even then, it might not be a complete silver bullet.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience regarding Effexor. 🙂

Brenda Lee9 said:Can anyone actually give me some real advice regarding Zoloft?? I’m only taking two a day now—I dropped the third one because the weakness was just too much—but it hasn't really helped much either... My appointment with the psychiatrist isn't until early September. Should I just stop taking them altogether? Does anyone here actually know anything about this medication? How do you even taper off...?
Thanks in advance

Tianeptine is often referred to as a "mood enhancer," primarily because its mechanism of action differs significantly from most standard antidepressants. Based on what you’ve described, I suspect either your current dosage is too low or this specific medication simply isn't the right fit for your chemistry. If I were in your shoes, and if you aren't able to consult your own psychiatrist immediately, I would go ahead and schedule an appointment with a specialist to get a second opinion. It clearly isn't working for you, and you shouldn't have to settle for feeling this way. 🤷
When tapering off Zoloft, it is essential to proceed with caution. I recommend a gradual reduction of your dosage over a period of seven to fourteen days. During this process, you should pay close attention to how you distribute your doses throughout the day to maintain stability. Regarding your question, what specific type of weakness are you referring to?

Ethan Cruz4 said:If it provides any comfort, I’ve dealt with memory issues across every single antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication I've ever tried. Whether it was Omega-3 supplements, cod liver oil, or fish oil, or even taking Lexapro—it feels like everyone just found a way to profit off my struggles. 🙂 Whatever you do, please don't go mixing guarana and green coffee extract right before an exam. It’s just asking for trouble. If you're noticing hair thinning, stress could very well be a contributing factor there. You might want to look into taking a probiotic; they can actually be quite helpful. Specifically, the ones formulated for IBS tend to be the most effective—I believe there's one called VSL#3—though, in my experience, even then, it might not be a complete silver bullet.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience regarding Effexor. 🙂

Tianeptine is often referred to as a "mood enhancer," primarily because its mechanism of action differs significantly from most standard antidepressants. Based on what you’ve described, I suspect either your current dosage is too low or this specific medication simply isn't the right fit for your chemistry. If I were in your shoes, and if you aren't able to consult your own psychiatrist immediately, I would go ahead and schedule an appointment with a specialist to get a second opinion. It clearly isn't working for you, and you shouldn't have to settle for feeling this way. 🤷
When tapering off Zoloft, it is essential to proceed with caution. I recommend a gradual reduction of your dosage over a period of seven to fourteen days. During this process, you should pay close attention to how you distribute your doses throughout the day to maintain stability. Regarding your question, what specific type of weakness are you referring to?

I mean dizziness—this horrific fatigue where my vision just gets blurry... it lasts all day, it never stops. It's awful. Right now I'm taking one in the morning and one at night... I'm in a terrible state... a total zombie.

mistyjackal842 said:For sleeping, I have Fluzepam, and I think it’s actually quite good—probably better than Lorsilan or things like that. It seems better than Sanval, too. One evening, I took 15 mg of Fluzepam and then half a 10 mg Lexapro the next morning. Well, I was just following what my previous doctor had instructed me to do. But man, I slept so hard that I couldn't even wake up until 4:00 PM. It was a Saturday and I was home alone. I got really scared by how deeply I was out. When I finally did wake up, I felt incredibly exhausted, almost like I hadn't slept at all. Then my doctor suggested that maybe I shouldn't be taking Lexapro in the evening, even though it isn't usually taken then. So now, I’m not taking anything at all. I just sleep... or don't sleep... whenever it happens. I'm just waiting for my doctor to get back from her vacation so I can go in and talk to her properly.

I think they give children the 15 mg dose of Fluzepam, maybe before surgery or something? For adults, it's usually 30 mg, and when I asked about it, he seemed to think I had taken the stronger version at night. Usually, the 15 mg Fluzepam isn't expensive, maybe just $5.00. They gave me one box based on my medical history. There are 10 tablets in a pack. Lexapro is terribly expensive without a prescription; I think it's $53 or even more.

I tried Valium once—don't really know the dose—and it didn't make me sleepy at all. Seroquel was plenty for me; I slept way too much on that, even though I wasn't even taking it specifically for sleep.
I take Lorazepam regularly for the anxiety that hits me sometimes, but even that doesn't help me sleep. My dad used to nag me about my sleep issues, and he thought it worked 🤷
I'm a little scared of getting addicted to Lorazepam, but what am I supposed to do when I'm totally non-functional because panic and fear are tearing me apart? They say you shouldn't use it for more than four weeks straight. My doctor doesn't complain about me taking it every day, so I just kind of ignored that warning.