Psychotropic medication discussion thread

That’s right; you haven't been prescribed the heavy-duty stuff yet. This is just standard therapy—a slightly higher dose of Xanax, perhaps, but you're still in the very early stages of the process.

Skickas FR

No, no. That didn't come out right at all. I really wasn't trying to attack anyone, I was just speaking my mind.

I’m sorry, I phrased that poorly. 🙂

I suspect you aren't 🙂 it’s just that those of us on this sub tend to be a bit more sensitive when we get copied, and I wouldn't want him to take it the wrong way

Skickas FR

restlesstrucker15 said:Your doctor will likely suggest an alternative. If you aren't seeing the same physician, make sure to mention that Wellbutrin didn't sit well with you. Perhaps you're like me; maybe increasing norepinephrine (Effexor, Cymbalta) or dopamine (Wellbutrin) isn't the answer. If the primary issue is anxiety rather than deep depression, focusing on serotonin might be better. There is a wide variety of options available in that category, such as Lexapro, Zoloft, or perhaps Prozac.

Skickas FR

Well, I didn't actually have a bad reaction to Wellbutrin; if anything, I just felt like it wasn't doing enough for me anymore. Or maybe I just decided to quit on my own—honestly, I can't quite remember.

Maybe you're like me, we don't increase our norepinephrine

Actually, it's quite the opposite! Please, go back and read what I wrote. To be honest, SSRIs haven't really done much for me so far (I've tried things like Zoloft, Lexapro, and now Faverin).

Perhaps I misinterpreted the 🙂
However, there are certain medications that specifically target norepinephrine and dopamine, so I am sincerely hoping they provide you with some relief 🙂

Skickas FR

electrichound3 said:Yeah, it’s a hell of a struggle... regardless of what meds I'm on, it still catches me off guard now and then. Even something as simple as having a cup of Nespresso can trigger an immediate wave of anxiety. It wasn't like this before I started any medication. Ideally, I should just quit caffeine altogether, but I refuse—it's one of my few little pleasures. Honestly, I even get the feeling that my Valfax might be spiking my anxiety levels... I swear, I just can't catch a break with these psychotropic drugs. It's enough to drive you insane.🙂

Lorsilan helps me when the anxiety gets bad. But it’s a bit of a trap, and you shouldn't really be taking it every single day. Still, it feels pointless to torture myself—and everyone else around me—by dealing with constant anxiety and all those endless conversations about it.
Have any of these psych meds actually done anything for you? Like, nothing at all hasn't helped? What is your doctor even saying about all this?

I used to be on Phoaxil + Helex because I was dealing with a mix of anxiety and depression.
But honestly? I haven't touched an antidepressant in almost four years now. As for the Helex, I only take it if things get really heavy—and even then, it’s super rare, maybe just one or two 0.25 doses once a month. I actually managed to pull myself through!

Mark Nelson said:Lorsilan helps me when the anxiety gets bad. But it’s a bit of a trap, and you shouldn't really be taking it every single day. Still, it feels pointless to torture myself—and everyone else around me—by dealing with constant anxiety and all those endless conversations about it.
Have any of these psych meds actually done anything for you? Like, nothing at all hasn't helped? What is your doctor even saying about all this?

Lorsilan belongs to the benzodiazepine group, which are the heavy hitters when it comes to anxiety. My doctor prescribed Ativan for me; as soon as I take it, I'm calm. I only used it at the very beginning when I was prescribed Faverin—I had to stop because the side effects were unbearable—and again when I was starting Effexor. I took it consistently for maybe a month. I asked my doctor if I could get hooked, and she said no, that such a short duration wouldn't lead to dependency. Now, I don't use it at all. I have no intention of becoming addicted. I'll only reach for it during major, high-stress events. Psych meds definitely helped me manage psychotic episodes, there's no denying that, but beyond that... look, I never really struggled with depression. It was always that stupid, crushing anxiety that just wrecked my psyche because it spiraled out of control. My doctor thinks it's just genetic inheritance. And honestly? I react terribly to psych meds. Doctors don't have a clue why it varies so much—one person feels great, another feels awful—but for me, the side effects are devastating. They completely floor me and leave me incapacitated for a long time. Sure, you have to push through the adjustment period, and benzos can help you cope, but man, I end up feeling like a zombie. With Faverin, I couldn't even get out of bed for more than a month. I was on 50 mg, then briefly bumped to 100 mg, started losing weight, and felt a sudden wave of depression hit me. That part actually terrified me, so I switched over to Effexor immediately. That one gave me diarrhea within a few days, which was a surprise, but the main issue is that my words get jumbled and I feel pretty high😁 ...so I really need to calm down.

restlesstrucker15 said:Please don't attack someone when they're clearly struggling; if they're in a mental fog, they certainly aren't in any position to be conducting deep research.
Seroxat is an antidepressant designed to help alleviate both depression and anxiety, though you should realize it typically takes more than a month to become fully effective. Until then, you might experience some side effects—things like insomnia, nausea, or headaches—but those usually subside within about ten days.
As for the Xanax, it was prescribed to provide immediate relief from your depressive symptoms and anxiety, so please follow your doctor's instructions exactly. There is no need to worry; your physician will gradually taper your Xanax dosage over time. It may also assist you with falling asleep.
There is no harm in taking them together; you won't experience any adverse reactions from the combination. You can evaluate how you feel during your next follow-up appointment.

Skickas FR

Thanks so much for the reply!

restlesstrucker15 said:That’s right; you haven't been prescribed the heavy-duty stuff yet. This is just standard therapy—a slightly higher dose of Xanax, perhaps, but you're still in the very early stages of the process.

Skickas FR

I'm really not sure about that. My primary care physician told me that my psychiatrist prescribed medication that was far too strong given my psychological state. Now I'm stuck wondering who's actually right. 🤷

Eric Mitchell55 said:No, no. That didn't come out right at all. I really wasn't trying to attack anyone, I was just speaking my mind.

I’m sorry, I phrased that poorly. 🙂

It's all good 😉

Elizabeth Green132 said:Thanks so much for the reply!

I'm really not sure about that. My primary care physician told me that my psychiatrist prescribed medication that was far too strong given my psychological state. Now I'm stuck wondering who's actually right. 🤷

It's all good 😉

Man, I went through something almost identical once. Some psychiatrist put me on Lexapro + Xanax, and I had to choke those down for a month or two. By the end of it, I felt absolutely wiped out—just total exhaustion. Then a different doctor stepped in and told me straight up that the meds were way too intense for what I was actually dealing with. He basically said my condition was nowhere near as severe as the first guy thought it was. Honestly, word on the street was that the first psychiatrist was terrible at dialing in prescriptions; plenty of other patients had complained about the exact same thing.

Donna Watson10 said:Man, I went through something almost identical once. Some psychiatrist put me on Lexapro + Xanax, and I had to choke those down for a month or two. By the end of it, I felt absolutely wiped out—just total exhaustion. Then a different doctor stepped in and told me straight up that the meds were way too intense for what I was actually dealing with. He basically said my condition was nowhere near as severe as the first guy thought it was. Honestly, word on the street was that the first psychiatrist was terrible at dialing in prescriptions; plenty of other patients had complained about the exact same thing.

I don't doubt that for a second. Doctors—especially psychiatrists—cut deals with Big Pharma where they agree to push only their specific brands to patients, and they do it in massive quantities, which allows the pharmaceutical companies to rake in enormous commissions that get kicked back to the doctors as pre-negotiated percentages.
That’s exactly why they end up being the wealthiest group of physicians out there, and it’s something major news outlets have even reported on recently, though it wasn't exactly a secret before then.
Sure, you still find some honest psychiatrists out there, but it’s incredibly difficult to tell who is actually looking out for you and who is just playing the game.
Because of all that, I tend to lean on that old saying it doesn't hurt to be overprepared.
As for how much that applies to this specific situation, I haven't quite figured it out yet, so we'll just have to see.

electrichound3 said:Lorsilan belongs to the benzodiazepine group, which are the heavy hitters when it comes to anxiety. My doctor prescribed Ativan for me; as soon as I take it, I'm calm. I only used it at the very beginning when I was prescribed Faverin—I had to stop because the side effects were unbearable—and again when I was starting Effexor. I took it consistently for maybe a month. I asked my doctor if I could get hooked, and she said no, that such a short duration wouldn't lead to dependency. Now, I don't use it at all. I have no intention of becoming addicted. I'll only reach for it during major, high-stress events. Psych meds definitely helped me manage psychotic episodes, there's no denying that, but beyond that... look, I never really struggled with depression. It was always that stupid, crushing anxiety that just wrecked my psyche because it spiraled out of control. My doctor thinks it's just genetic inheritance. And honestly? I react terribly to psych meds. Doctors don't have a clue why it varies so much—one person feels great, another feels awful—but for me, the side effects are devastating. They completely floor me and leave me incapacitated for a long time. Sure, you have to push through the adjustment period, and benzos can help you cope, but man, I end up feeling like a zombie. With Faverin, I couldn't even get out of bed for more than a month. I was on 50 mg, then briefly bumped to 100 mg, started losing weight, and felt a sudden wave of depression hit me. That part actually terrified me, so I switched over to Effexor immediately. That one gave me diarrhea within a few days, which was a surprise, but the main issue is that my words get jumbled and I feel pretty high😁 ...so I really need to calm down.

makar Effexor might actually work for you so you don't have to suffer anymore. 😉From what I hear, the side effects from that one aren't quite that brutal
Do you get side effects from the benzos?
This is kind of off-topic, but whenever I need to calm down, I just lie down in bed, close my eyes, and stay like that for a while. It usually helps, though I still deal with that anxiety that hits me whenever I'm out in public. That's why I take Lorsilan before I head out the door

Mark Nelson said:makar Effexor might actually work for you so you don't have to suffer anymore. 😉From what I hear, the side effects from that one aren't quite that brutal
Do you get side effects from the benzos?
This is kind of off-topic, but whenever I need to calm down, I just lie down in bed, close my eyes, and stay like that for a while. It usually helps, though I still deal with that anxiety that hits me whenever I'm out in public. That's why I take Lorsilan before I head out the door

Honestly, the side effects from Effexor were the mildest I've dealt with, aside from that constant lump in my throat—which was incredibly uncomfortable; even Normabest didn't touch it. At least I had some energy, unlike when I was on Faverin, where I felt like I'd been beaten half to death and had a million mosquitoes buzzing in my head... something like that. 🙂 As for the benzos, no major side effects, just a little drowsiness and this sensation like I've been turned to concrete... everything feels totally numb. 😂

electrichound3 said:Honestly, the side effects from Effexor were the mildest I've dealt with, aside from that constant lump in my throat—which was incredibly uncomfortable; even Normabest didn't touch it. At least I had some energy, unlike when I was on Faverin, where I felt like I'd been beaten half to death and had a million mosquitoes buzzing in my head... something like that. 🙂 As for the benzos, no major side effects, just a little drowsiness and this sensation like I've been turned to concrete... everything feels totally numb. 😂

It doesn't really turn me into concrete; if anything, I'd say it just relaxes me quite nicely.
I've also noticed more energy since bumping up my dose of Leponex. Before, I was constantly lying around, and everyone kept nagging me about it, but now I'm actually moving around and getting things done.
I guess we just need to give it some time until the right therapy finally clicks.

So, I’m stopping the Lexapro on August 3rd, though honestly, I’m not even sure why. I feel pretty good—had a little stomach trouble for a couple of days, but nothing crazy. It’s been an okay process, really. I’ve bounced around different antidepressants for years, but now it just feels like I don't need them anymore. I don't feel bad, no withdrawal stuff hitting me, but I still feel this weird sense of responsibility, you know? Like, I don't want to mess things up because people can get into trouble when they decide to go rogue on their own meds... It’s already been 15 days and I’m feeling great. Just stuck wondering if I should keep going or just call it quits with 🙂

Sent from my G2

Roger Bennett62 said:So, I’m stopping the Lexapro on August 3rd, though honestly, I’m not even sure why. I feel pretty good—had a little stomach trouble for a couple of days, but nothing crazy. It’s been an okay process, really. I’ve bounced around different antidepressants for years, but now it just feels like I don't need them anymore. I don't feel bad, no withdrawal stuff hitting me, but I still feel this weird sense of responsibility, you know? Like, I don't want to mess things up because people can get into trouble when they decide to go rogue on their own meds... It’s already been 15 days and I’m feeling great. Just stuck wondering if I should keep going or just call it quits with 🙂

Sent from my G2

Since you clearly have experience with ADs, I don't quite get why you're stopping without talking to your doctor. I really don't want to see you hit a depressive episode—those can be way more brutal than the last one.

What’s your diagnosis—depression or something else? How long have you been in treatment, and are you doing any psychotherapy?

Roger Bennett62 said:So, I’m stopping the Lexapro on August 3rd, though honestly, I’m not even sure why. I feel pretty good—had a little stomach trouble for a couple of days, but nothing crazy. It’s been an okay process, really. I’ve bounced around different antidepressants for years, but now it just feels like I don't need them anymore. I don't feel bad, no withdrawal stuff hitting me, but I still feel this weird sense of responsibility, you know? Like, I don't want to mess things up because people can get into trouble when they decide to go rogue on their own meds... It’s already been 15 days and I’m feeling great. Just stuck wondering if I should keep going or just call it quits with 🙂

Sent from my G2

Please, don't do it on your own. I tried quitting Seroquel cold turkey once, and while I felt alright for a little bit, it eventually caught up to me. I suffered a psychotic break and ended up hospitalized.

So, on paper, I’m listed as F32, though honestly, it feels more like F40—mostly just dealing with constant anxiety. My doctor writes down F32 even though he knows the whole deal. I’ve been in treatment since 2009. There was this one five-month stretch where, after talking it through with my doc, I was strictly on Klonopin. I started back on the other stuff because I wanted to taper off the Klonopin slowly, but man, no antidepressant really hits quite like that benzo does. Even my doctor agreed. For me, the antidepressants were mostly there to act as a buffer, keeping the Klonopin from dragging me down into that total void of apathy and numbness. I never really felt that emptiness from the meds, but they definitely helped. I think they did their job lately since I managed to scale back the Klonopin and I'm actually doing okay. Psychology is kind of my thing, so I stopped going to therapy ages ago... I'm just super aware of everything and have a good support system around me. It just feels like I've finally gotten strong enough to push through on my own without needing the extra crutches. My brain likes to play tricks on me, though, and sometimes I can't even tell. I'm kind of stuck wondering what to do next. Part of me feels like this "I'm fine" feeling might just be a temporary illusion, like things could fall apart again. I've been on meds for so long that I don't mind taking them, but you know... you just get that gut feeling. I'm no genius 🙂

Sent from my G2

Roger Bennett62 said:So, on paper, I’m listed as F32, though honestly, it feels more like F40—mostly just dealing with constant anxiety. My doctor writes down F32 even though he knows the whole deal. I’ve been in treatment since 2009. There was this one five-month stretch where, after talking it through with my doc, I was strictly on Klonopin. I started back on the other stuff because I wanted to taper off the Klonopin slowly, but man, no antidepressant really hits quite like that benzo does. Even my doctor agreed. For me, the antidepressants were mostly there to act as a buffer, keeping the Klonopin from dragging me down into that total void of apathy and numbness. I never really felt that emptiness from the meds, but they definitely helped. I think they did their job lately since I managed to scale back the Klonopin and I'm actually doing okay. Psychology is kind of my thing, so I stopped going to therapy ages ago... I'm just super aware of everything and have a good support system around me. It just feels like I've finally gotten strong enough to push through on my own without needing the extra crutches. My brain likes to play tricks on me, though, and sometimes I can't even tell. I'm kind of stuck wondering what to do next. Part of me feels like this "I'm fine" feeling might just be a temporary illusion, like things could fall apart again. I've been on meds for so long that I don't mind taking them, but you know... you just get that gut feeling. I'm no genius 🙂

Sent from my G2

Your decision is valid, but staying in touch with your doctor is vital. Having a professional monitor your progress provides a safety net, which should help ease your uncertainty.

Hey everyone,

Reading through all your experiences really helped me when I first started on antidepressants, so now I figured it’s my turn to drop a review of my experience with Faverin after three months on it. Hopefully, this helps someone out. 🙂

So, basically, I went to see my doctor about three months ago because I just hit a wall with sleep. After three days of barely being able to keep my eyes open, I realized the joke was on me and decided it was time to seek some actual professional help.

My doctor is in private practice and I’d highly recommend him, but strictly for the meds side of things. He’s incredibly sharp with pharmacology, but he doesn't do psychotherapy—for that, I go to CBT sessions.

I told him straight up that I couldn't sleep, but honestly, even before that, I’d spent my whole life obsessing over stuff. I couldn't distance myself from my own thoughts; the internal monologue in my head just never shuts up.

The guy actually listened to me. He gave me a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), noted the anxiety, insomnia, and intrusive thoughts, and suggested Faverin since it's specifically indicated for this kind of anxiety. He did warn me, though, that with psych meds, it's basically a 50-50 shot whether they'll work for any given individual.

The first three or four weeks were a total disaster. I'm going to list the initial side effects here just so nobody else gets discouraged if they hit the same wall.

1. Increased anxiety- At the start, my anxiety spiked through the roof. I couldn't sit still for three minutes. It actually felt worse than before I started the medication; if I hadn't had Xanax on hand, I don't know how I would've survived that phase. That lasted about a month.

2. Loss of appetite and nausea- Food became repulsive to me. I had to practically force myself to eat anything at all. That lasted about two weeks.

3. Frequent urination- I was constantly needing to pee. It even woke me up at night. This one stuck around for a while—definitely two months.

4. Tinnitus- This weird sensation of pressure in my head accompanied by a high-pitched ringing sound. It used to wake me up at night. Lasted about a month.

5. Headaches- Terrible, constant headaches. After about a month, I managed to get them under control by taking high-quality magnesium, which I still take. If I forget a dose, the headache comes back, so that's definitely linked. But yeah, that passed too.

I went back for a follow-up after a month. By then, I was finally able to fall asleep, but I’d wake up after four or five hours because of the bathroom trips and wouldn't be able to drift off again. Since the doctor didn't want me relying on Xanax at night anymore, he prescribed me Ambien. He told me to take a quarter pill or less, but I found that a 1/6th dose is my sweet spot. Now I sleep like a baby for 8 or 9 hours—could probably go longer if I had the time. 😁

I've been on the Ambien for a month now. In the beginning, I felt like a total zombie, but now I've settled into a rhythm where I function perfectly fine in the morning, and my sleep at night is absolute bliss. I've slept more than I ever have in my life. 😁

Back to the Faverin: after finishing three boxes, I feel like a completely new person. Honestly, I don't think I've ever felt this good in my entire life.

The anxiety? Gone. Zero. Zilch. 😍

I didn't think this was possible, but all those voices and the endless mental loops have stopped. For the first time ever, I can just sit on a bench overlooking the ocean, watch the waves, and actually enjoy the moment. I'm not worrying about what happened or what's coming next. I'm just... zen.

When a problem does pop up, I'm actually capable of looking at it rationally, dealing with it, and then letting it go. I don't spend days or nights obsessing over things anymore.

Thoughts just sort of float gently through my head now, like little smoke clouds. They drift by, and even if I get upset about something, they just dissipate into thin air.

On top of that, the Faverin doesn't mess with my cognitive abilities at all. I'm working just as efficiently as I was before, if not better. I'm not slowed down, and my brain isn't lagging at all.

The only real "side effect" I’ve noticed is that my taste buds have basically gone on vacation. Everything tastes better now—I’m even eating tomatoes, which used to be a hard pass for me. I’m just out here living my best life through food. 😁

For the ladies out there, I should probably mention that Fevarin hasn't touched my libido at all. If anything, let's just say things are more active than they were back in my teenage years. 😍

And before anyone asks, no, I haven't put on a single pound from either the Fevarin or the Calixte. Not one ounce.

So, as far as I'm concerned, Fevarin was a total win. I don't think I've ever felt this happy or fulfilled. Life is actually pretty great right now.

Lord help me, but I honestly never want to stop taking it. 😉