Psychotropic medication discussion thread

quietwalker5 said:🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Are you just listening for what you want to hear, or are you actually seeking an answer that holds some semblance of objectivity?🤷

redpilot37 said:I’ve been on Zoloft since July 3rd. Started with half a pill for the first eight days. At first, the side effects were brutal—felt like I was losing my mind. Then things started looking up. My motivation kicked in, I felt like doing everything, staying active. But then, out of nowhere, everything just died. Now I have zero drive. I feel numb. I'm exhausted. This isn't me. The only thing I noticed is that it calmed me down and killed my social anxiety, which wasn't even why I started it—I took it for depression. My libido picked up a bit at first, then tanked again. I didn't expect it to hit me like this. I think I'm going to get off the Zoloft. Took a half dose today... feels weird.

Brandon Murphy5 said:Hang in there, because honestly, all of this is pretty "normal" for the process. You're already seeing progress, since you mentioned the improvements yourself; you just need to give it more time to settle.
I'm telling you all of this from my own personal experience—things will eventually stabilize and be okay.

James Fowler3 said:Well, I finally worked up the nerve to start taking my Eglonyl and Xanax again after a break of more than two weeks... So far, I haven't really noticed any major side effects, thank God, though this persistent lump in my throat is being quite bothersome... My doctor insists it isn't caused by the medication—and to be fair, I’ve dealt with that sensation before regardless—but still...

I have a question about the regimen. I've heard that Eglonyl can sometimes trigger insomnia, which apparently means it shouldn't be taken in the evening? However, the instructions say to take it at noon. Since I'm also taking Xanax alongside it, I find myself feeling rather conflicted... and frankly, I'm starting to feel a bit embarrassed about calling my doctor back for yet another question.
And one more thing... is it safe to drink tea while on these medications? It might sound like a silly question to ask, but here we are. 😁

Also, how long does it typically take for this specific combination to actually begin working?

James Fowler3 said:Well, I finally worked up the nerve to start taking my Eglonyl and Xanax again after a break of more than two weeks... So far, I haven't really noticed any major side effects, thank God, though this persistent lump in my throat is being quite bothersome... My doctor insists it isn't caused by the medication—and to be fair, I’ve dealt with that sensation before regardless—but still...

I have a question about the regimen. I've heard that Eglonyl can sometimes trigger insomnia, which apparently means it shouldn't be taken in the evening? However, the instructions say to take it at noon. Since I'm also taking Xanax alongside it, I find myself feeling rather conflicted... and frankly, I'm starting to feel a bit embarrassed about calling my doctor back for yet another question.
And one more thing... is it safe to drink tea while on these medications? It might sound like a silly question to ask, but here we are. 😁

Also, how long does it typically take for this specific combination to actually begin working?

quietwalker5 said:How are you holding up? How do you feel today?

Kevin Nguyen3 said:It won't do you that much harm, really—not enough to justify avoiding it entirely! Besides, I tend to take mine earlier in the day, more or less... at least, that's my routine. Is it even worth the worry?

To be perfectly honest, I haven't really been following along... why exactly are you taking Eglonyl?😕

That particular antipsychotic is quite harsh on the system, isn't it? Truly aggressive. I can't help but wonder if one should be more proactive about replenishment. Wouldn't it be highly advisable to supplement with magnesium while on it? Perhaps even potassium as well? It just seems like common sense to balance things out, doesn't it?
Is it even possible to take this alongside Xanax? Can one truly combine them? I find myself wondering... does anyone else grapple with these kinds of combinations?
It can trigger insomnia, you know? Which means one really shouldn't be taking it late in the evening. Why risk tossing and turning all night when you could just be sleeping peacefully? It’s better to be cautious, isn't it?

What else should I even say to you...? Hmm...?!

One really ought to consider avoiding those over-the-counter pain relievers whenever possible... truly! Have you ever stopped to think about the potential fallout? It is quite easy to forget that they can carry such unpredictable side effects. Why risk it when you don't have to?

What dose did you end up being prescribed?

James Fowler3 said:I was actually expecting a different response from you, I still remember our discussions from quite some time ago...
My neuropsychiatrist prescribed me Eglonyl 2x50mg and Xanax 2x0.25mg for panic attacks—the diagnosis being anxiety disorder. I felt as though I had almost managed to overcome everything on my own, leaving only a few lingering fears, but then out of nowhere, a panic attack gripped me one day while I was home alone with the kids, and then another one just like it... and there I was, constantly calling someone just to have them stay with me, retreating back into all those old habits, reading up on everything... and now that the time has come where I have to be alone with them for the entire day, well, I simply cannot. I’ve been procrastinating for over two weeks on starting these pills because the idea of the tablets—of the potential side effects—terrifies me. But I see now that I cannot handle this alone, given the immense pressure of having to watch them all by myself the day after tomorrow. It's just... how things are...
I truly don't understand why he chose Eglonyl specifically. For instance, my mother used to take the same thing for hiatal hernia—she never had any mental health struggles—and they prescribe it for gastritis or stomach ulcers, yet it's an antipsychotic. Now, my doctor mentioned that much higher doses are used for psychosis, whereas these smaller amounts are for my situation. The pamphlet lists two indications: short-term treatment for anxiety disorders and behavioral issues in children over six years old. Psychosis isn't even mentioned, presumably because these are only 50mg capsules... and I read somewhere that it's prescribed when there is significant somatic manifestation, and I did tell him that the physical symptoms are what bother me most; essentially, the physical sensations start, and then the panic follows...
He told me to take it for two weeks, and if there is no improvement, only then would he consider adding something else...
I suppose I am rambling now, but there you have the details...🙂

I find myself wondering how long it might take before I feel better, and whether there might be any delayed side effects down the line (aside from breast tenderness, which is apparently quite common, but what can one do...)? I already feel a slight sense of relief, though I suspect it's actually from the Xanax, I'm not entirely sure. Ativan never provided this level of relief. It isn't completely unbearable, but it isn't quite "there" yet either...
Why magnesium? As for potassium, I read about it and it actually frightened me quite a bit; I wonder how he would know if I were deficient in potassium... and am I allowed to take a B-complex alongside this?

Donna Vaughn28 said:I also picked up some Q-pin to help me sleep. When I actually sat down to read the instructions, I felt this sudden little wave of panic because my blood sugar has been acting up lately. I gave my doctor a call just to be safe, and he told me that those 25mg shouldn't make any difference at all... since the standard doses are usually way higher than that 🤷

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Well, they should have just prescribed you Sulpiride at 50 mg, but fine, Elgonyl is made of sulpiride anyway.
Yes, Sulpiride is used for things like anxiety-depressive disorders, among other things.
By the way, it can—though it doesn't always—cause amenorrhea, which is when your period stops. So don't go panicking over nothing... goodness.

For what you're going through, 50 mg twice a day would probably be best...

Milk production in non-nursing women is an endocrine issue and it is a completely common side effect; it will stop once the treatment is lowered or discontinued.

Just watch out for weight gain.
Sulpiride can occasionally cause your blood pressure to drop, so be careful not to stand up too fast or you'll get dizzy... and that's a major trigger for panic attacks. Seriously, it's such a simple way to prevent certain things.
It's the same story with standing for long periods... try to avoid that.

You can take B complex; there shouldn't be any issues there.

Dehydration can actually cause a potassium deficiency, and you definitely don't need that. Drink water...

Regarding magnesium, people often mistake the actual underlying condition for a magnesium deficiency—fatigue, exhaustion, muscle cramps, blah blah blah—it could be the illness itself or just side effects from the meds.
There is absolutely no shame in making sure you have enough magnesium. Just take an effervescent tablet and find some peace.

By the way, you have a good psychiatrist.

I honestly believe this combination will help you.

James Fowler3 said:Well, you see, when you mention that fatigue, the exhaustion, the muscle spasms... after taking the pills yesterday, I felt exactly like that; I was alright in the evening, though I noticed my muscles had relaxed slightly, because I catch myself realizing how tense I am and how much they cramp... Today is almost the same. Surely it isn't a side effect...
I am still waiting to take my second dose (I took one yesterday), around 9:00 AM this morning, so I expect to take it tonight around 9:00 PM; hopefully, I won't suffer from insomnia.
The talk about blood pressure has me a bit spooked. My pressure is always low anyway. That is precisely why I drink so much water. Although, yesterday and today it has been normal, which is a minor miracle. Everything feels backwards with me.
As for the amenorrhea and prolactin levels, I am not overly concerned about those. What truly unsettled me was the mention of sudden death, malignant neuroleptic syndrome, spasms, convulsions, and things of that nature. Surely that won't happen, given everything has been fine so far? 😁
And yes, he is a good doctor, it just irritates me that he won't write the referrals for an EEG, a CT scan, or similar tests. 😛
And thank you.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:You really ought to take your morning dose earlier, which means you won't be taking it at 9 PM... instead, just move it up again. It doesn't strictly have to be a perfect twelve-hour gap, does it?
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is incredibly rare, and while it can occasionally—though briefly—show up when someone is on maximum dosages, it's hardly seen in allergy cases. You can honestly put that fear to rest.
The same goes for convulsions; even if you were dealing with something like that, the anticonvulsants we have today handle it with ease... barely breaking a sweat.🙂
Please, try to look at this objectively. Sudden death is a complete fantasy in this context; we're talking about a one-in-a-million fluke, and even then, there's always a clear clinical picture or an underlying cause behind it.

Everything is going to be just fine.😉

Brandon Lopez6 said:For me, it lasted the entire time I was on them. It didn't finally lift until I stopped taking the medication altogether.

Eric Mitchell55 said:Yeah, definitely. For me, it happened specifically while I was on Zyprexa, and honestly, the numbness stuck around until they switched me over to a different AP.🙂

So, what does it actually feel like when that emotional numbness finally starts to lift? I'm curious—did it happen the second you stopped taking your meds, or did it kick in after switching to a different antidepressant? Or is it more of a slow burn where it takes days or even weeks for the fog to clear? If anyone's been through this, could you walk me through it in a bit more detail?
So, I messed up and stopped my meds twice this summer—yeah, I know, I'm a genius. The first time, I only lasted three days before quitting, and man, the fallout was real. I had this massive headache and felt so wired that sleep was basically impossible. Then, just recently, I did it again, but this time it was only for two days. This time around, there was no headache or anything, but I definitely noticed one thing: that constant mental fog just... vanished. Now I’m kind of spiraling, thinking about the possibility that once I actually get back on track with the pills, that clarity might not come back.
There’s some kind of noise going on in my head—like something is ringing or buzzing—and honestly, I have no clue what it is.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:And he was absolutely right! Q-pin works wonders as an antipsychotic and won't mess with your glucose levels.
I deal with blood sugar issues myself, yet I'm taking 200 mg without any trouble.

With Q-pin, you’ll be sleeping like a baby...😁