Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Komaa, I slept through the entire afternoon and I still feel exhausted. WTF?! I really don't want this to become my new normal. ;( What's going to happen when I switch over to the full dose of 😵
in five days?

jadehawk8 said:Komaa, I slept through the entire afternoon and I still feel exhausted. WTF?! I really don't want this to become my new normal. ;( What's going to happen when I switch over to the full dose of 😵
in five days?

Once you bump up to 15 mg, that heavy, dragging exhaustion is only going to intensify; as for the jump to 30 mg, I couldn't tell you from experience since I've never taken it.

The drowsiness from Calixta will wear off. Just give him a month or two.

Just wanted to let you guys know that everything is going great—no more drowsiness at all. I’m heading out now feeling really happy... it honestly feels like my old self is finally coming back.👍

Benjamin Robinson3 said:The drowsiness from Calixta will wear off. Just give him a month or two.

As for me, I've been feeling like a walking zombie from this stuff for three years straight... even at just 7.5 mg...

Benjamin Robinson3 said:Xanax was absolutely terrible for me too. I felt as unsteady as if I were drunk, and the dizziness was so bad that I just had to quit.

I ended up getting most hooked on Misar and Normabel; I used to take 30 mg of Normabel and 1.5 mg of Misar just to get some sleep.

Ouch. That’s a nasty dose (30 mg).
How are you feeling now? What kind of meds and dosages are you on currently?
Are things getting any better?👍

wiredmarlin29 said:Ouch. That’s a nasty dose (30 mg).
How are you feeling now? What kind of meds and dosages are you on currently?
Are things getting any better?👍

Actually, it's not that bad when you consider that some pregnant women at the Mayo Clinic take that same 30 mg dose of Normabrel.
Since then, I've gone through two different treatments—I was on Calixta 45 mg and Tegretol 400 mg, but now I'm on Prozac 20 mg and Seroquel 300 mg.
I'm feeling relatively okay right now; I have my good days, but most of the time I feel a bit sedated from the Seroquel. Honestly, I don't mind it because I'm not used to being my usual high-energy, bubbly self. This setup is definitely working much better for me than my previous ones (including the even older ones).

Hello, everyone.
So, a few pages back, someone suggested I try Faverin, but my insurance swapped it out for Luxet instead.
My doctor maintains they’re essentially interchangeable, but then I actually took the time to read through the fine print on this little beauty:

thoughts of self-harm or suicide may occur; these can intensify during the initial stages of antidepressant treatment, potentially lasting two weeks or longer.

And what’s particularly charming is that there isn't even a recommendation to stop the medication if this happens; rather, it’s more of a "go ahead and explain to everyone else that you're depressed" type of advice.

It’s a bit much, isn't it? This is supposed to be the solution for anxiety and depression, yet for over two weeks, a person might find themselves grappling with suicidal ideation.
Should I actually be taking this, or am I just inviting trouble? 😲

Gregory Jackson3 said:Hello, everyone.
So, a few pages back, someone suggested I try Faverin, but my insurance swapped it out for Luxet instead.
My doctor maintains they’re essentially interchangeable, but then I actually took the time to read through the fine print on this little beauty:

thoughts of self-harm or suicide may occur; these can intensify during the initial stages of antidepressant treatment, potentially lasting two weeks or longer.

And what’s particularly charming is that there isn't even a recommendation to stop the medication if this happens; rather, it’s more of a "go ahead and explain to everyone else that you're depressed" type of advice.

It’s a bit much, isn't it? This is supposed to be the solution for anxiety and depression, yet for over two weeks, a person might find themselves grappling with suicidal ideation.
Should I actually be taking this, or am I just inviting trouble? 😲

Don't bother reading the list of potential side effects. Honestly, you’re just going to end up psyching yourself out and imagining things that aren't even happening. Everyone reacts differently anyway—it's all highly individual. You might not deal with a single one of them. 😉

Honestly, you probably got some kind of anti-anxiety med prescribed alongside the antidepressant to help manage those initial side effects. It’s pretty standard procedure, so I don't think you really have anything to worry about. 🙂

Gregory Jackson3 said:Hello, everyone.
So, a few pages back, someone suggested I try Faverin, but my insurance swapped it out for Luxet instead.
My doctor maintains they’re essentially interchangeable, but then I actually took the time to read through the fine print on this little beauty:

thoughts of self-harm or suicide may occur; these can intensify during the initial stages of antidepressant treatment, potentially lasting two weeks or longer.

And what’s particularly charming is that there isn't even a recommendation to stop the medication if this happens; rather, it’s more of a "go ahead and explain to everyone else that you're depressed" type of advice.

It’s a bit much, isn't it? This is supposed to be the solution for anxiety and depression, yet for over two weeks, a person might find themselves grappling with suicidal ideation.
Should I actually be taking this, or am I just inviting trouble? 😲

Also, Luxet isn't anything like Faverin (fluvoxamine). It's basically just a generic Zoloft (sertraline).

The only similarity is that they both fall under the same category of SSRIs, but their uses aren't the same. Faverin is primarily prescribed for cases where anxiety, OCD, or insomnia are the main issues. 😉

I guess we’re finally getting to this part—it’s about time, really. I’ve been sitting here thinking about how things have shifted lately, and honestly, it feels like we're just circling the drain of some very predictable patterns. Maybe I'm being too cynical—perhaps that's just my default setting at this point—but there's something about the way everyone is reacting that feels... well, a bit off. It’s funny, in a dark sort of way. You see these shifts happening in real-time, and instead of pausing to actually process them, people just rush headlong into the next reactionary wave. It’s a cycle. A repetitive, somewhat exhausting cycle. I don't know, maybe I'm overanalyzing it—that's usually the case when I start digging into these things—but it seems like we're all just waiting for the next inevitable bump in the road. Anyway, that's just my two cents. Don't mind me.

Kevin Bailey2 said:I've been on 6 mg for a long time, but sometimes I drop down to just 2 mg and don't even feel withdrawal symptoms or anything.
Personally, I think it's a great med.
I don't know how it works for everyone else... people accuse it of "drugging" them, but Clonazepam never gave me that high or made me sleepy... actually, it was the opposite. It helps my psychomotor skills big time; I feel like a beast. My multitasking goes through the roof... I get everything done in a heartbeat. I can systematize things easily, no complications, no nothing... just get it done. So, for pure functionality, Clonazepam gets a huge plus.

That said, does it cause heavy addiction? Oh, yeah... definitely. One time I snapped and flushed my Clonazepam down the toilet... by the third day, my vision started failing and I ended up in the ER at Johns Hopkins. It took two days of taking the Clonazepam again just to get back to normal.

But I figure... I'll probably be on it for the rest of my life anyway, so who cares if it's addictive? 😵

Either way, I prefer it over Lamal, which they tend to prescribe instead of Clonazepam. People say it's better. It isn't to me because it's teratogenic. And Clonazepam isn't quite as bad in that regard as Lamal. For example, if you get pregnant... Lamal is a massive NO.
When using Clonazepam during pregnancy, they just recommend higher doses of folic acid to lower the risk of neural tube defects or cleft lip in the fetus.
The thing is, Lamal can almost certainly cause those kinds of malformations, whereas with Clonazepam, it's more like... maybe.
Even though they're basically the same type of stabilizer, I'm definitely choosing Clonazepam over Lamal, which I also took for a while. I told my psychiatrist I didn't want it... it's stupid.

I mean, sure, that’s the dosage... but if you can actually function on 2 milligrams, why on earth would you be taking 6?
I had the exact same experience—it was my saving grace right up until the moment I stopped taking it. Once the reality hit me—that I actually relied on it more than I cared to admit—I just snapped. Honestly, I became incredibly bitter about the whole thing. I developed this intense resentment toward the medication itself, and frankly, I felt pretty much the same way about the psychiatrist who prescribed it to me in the first place.

I suppose what you're saying about functionality is fair—you just get the job done, whatever needs doing gets done. Dealing with things on-site isn't really an issue; I don't mind waiting in lines or tackling those tedious, soul-crushing tasks. As for being polite, that’s just how I am. There's basically zero chance of me losing my cool or acting out while I'm on Xanax, but still... there's always that "but."

I guess I should probably address what Maria Price3 was saying earlier—though I’m not entirely sure we’re all looking at the same picture here. It feels like there’s a bit of a disconnect between the actual experience and how it’s being described. Maybe I’m just being cynical, but it seems like some people are overcomplicating things that are actually pretty straightforward. Anyway, regarding the medication side of things—it’s always a bit of a gamble, isn't it? One day you feel fine, the next you're wondering if your brain is actually functioning the way it's supposed to. I've personally found that switching from something like Xanax to a different stabilizer can be... well, let's call it "interesting," to say the least. It's rarely a smooth ride. I suppose everyone reacts differently, but I’ve definitely had my fair share of trial and error with stuff like Luvox and Zoloft. You think you've finally hit a steady baseline, and then—bam—everything shifts again. Just my two cents, though. Not that anyone specifically asked.

Mind you, this stuff is incredibly addictive... oh, yeah... I know how it sounds. I actually had one breaking point where I just snapped and flushed my entire stash of Xanax down the toilet. Big mistake. By the third day, my vision started failing me—everything went blurry—and I ended up in the ER at Johns Hopkins. It took me about two days of getting back on the Xanax just to feel like myself again.

Yeah, that’s exactly where the issue lies. I’ve actually gone back on it again—since the last time I wrote about how this stuff is absolute garbage and should probably be banned entirely. 🤦Even though my dosage is relatively low right now, it seems like it’s ramping up incredibly fast—probably much faster than it should be—and, honestly, that doesn't sit right with me at all.
It’s like when you have a bar of chocolate sitting in front of you—you could tell yourself you’ll just have one square today, maybe another tomorrow, and stretch it out over ten days to make it last... but let’s be real. I don't have that kind of self-control. I'd probably just polish the whole thing off in one sitting.

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But then again... I’ll probably be stuck on this stuff for the rest of my life anyway—so who really cares if it's addictive? 😵

a 😍.

I guess I should probably weigh in here—since apparently, we’re all just shouting into the void today. Looking at what Maria Price3 said, I can't help but feel like we're circling the same drain. It’s interesting, in a sort of exhausting way, how much we tend to overcomplicate things when the answer is usually staring us right in the face. Maybe I’m being too cynical—it's a habit, I suppose—but there’s a certain predictability to these discussions that makes me wonder if we actually want solutions or if we just enjoy the debate itself. Anyway, my two cents. Don't hold me to it.

Anyway, I personally prefer it over Lariam, which they seem to hand out quite a bit instead of Xanax. People claim it works better—which is their prerogative—but I’m not buying it, mostly because of the teratogenic risks. Xanax just doesn't carry that same level of concern for me compared to Lariam. I mean, if you happen to get pregnant... Lariam is basically a massive, hard no. If you happen to be using Xanax during pregnancy, I guess the general consensus is that you should probably bump up the folic acid dosage—just to be safe. It’s mostly about trying to lower the risk of things like neural tube defects or cleft lips in the baby. It seems like a necessary precaution, though I suppose everyone's situation is different. I mean, let's be real—Lariam can almost certainly cause those kinds of malformations or deformities, whereas Xanax? I guess that’s more of a "maybe" situation. Even though they’re both basically the same kind of stabilizer, I definitely lean toward Xanax over Lariam—which I was on for a little while, too. I actually told my psychiatrist that I wasn't interested in the Lariam, though... honestly, I think he's being a bit thick.

Thanks for the heads-up, but I don't see myself trying to get pregnant until I actually have my life together—at least not right now. I just can't picture myself as a pregnant woman constantly relying on pills; I think the guilt would be way too much to handle. Though, I suppose I'm aware that being under constant stress isn't exactly great for a baby's development either. It's a bit of a catch-22, I guess.

[Quetiapine]

restlesstrucker15 said:Why are you so against Clonazepam? Please elaborate a bit. I personally haven't heard that it is as bad regarding withdrawal as Xanax is. I took it for a very short period at 0.5 mg based on a neurologist's advice for a different non-psychiatric issue, but it didn't work (she told me higher doses wouldn't help either), and I admit I wasn't even particularly anxious at the time. Still, I am glad I stopped because I realized it is actually a very effective medication for anxiety, provided it is used 🙂
I ask because I wonder about the poor people who have to take it for epilepsy, including children, often in much higher doses. How are they supposed to manage?

See you later

I can't really speak to what it's used for regarding epilepsy—that's out of my lane. I was prescribed this for entirely different reasons. Honestly, what gets to me is the whole dependency issue. It feels fundamentally wrong that a medication should be designed to cause addiction—I mean, addiction itself is a disease, right? So now I’m stuck in this ridiculous position where I have to choose which kind of dependency I want to live with. Is there actually a difference? If I just decided to go out and chase a high instead, would it be any different? For me, even something like speed has a calming effect, so obviously, that isn't exactly a viable therapeutic option.

I find myself reflecting on the observations made by Maria Price3, which prompted me to sit down and compose these rather lengthy thoughts.

I find myself wondering if there is a particular rhythm to this collective experience, or if we are all simply adrift in our own individual currents. It seems that every time I attempt to find some semblance of equilibrium, the variables shift once again, leaving me to recalibrate my expectations. One spends so much time meticulously arranging the pieces of one's mental landscape, only to realize that the foundation itself remains somewhat unsteady. It is a curious, albeit exhausting, cycle of effort and adjustment. kaže: In any case, you were likely prescribed an anxiolytic alongside the antidepressant to help manage those initial side effects, so I truly believe you have nothing to worry about. 🙂

I haven't received anything yet.
It seems they only provided that one specific medication, despite my explicit request for Luvox or something along those lines.

I find myself reflecting on the recent observations shared by Maria Price3, which prompted me to reconsider my own perspective on this matter. There is a certain weight to her words that demands a more thorough examination than I initially allowed.

I find myself reflecting on the nuances of our recent discussions, though I must admit my own contributions often feel somewhat unpolished compared to the more pointed observations made by others. It seems we are all navigating this complex terrain at our own pace, attempting to make sense of the various treatments and experiences that shape our daily lives. There is a certain quiet gravity to these exchanges that I find both humbling and deeply necessary. kaže: And yes, Luvox. No. It is essentially similar to Luvox (which contains fluvoxamine), though in practice, one might consider it a generic equivalent to Zoloft (the sertraline formulation).

So, where does that leave me now? What exactly am I supposed to do next? 😢

Gregory Jackson3 said:I find myself reflecting on the observations made by Maria Price3, which prompted me to sit down and compose these rather lengthy thoughts.

I find myself wondering if there is a particular rhythm to this collective experience, or if we are all simply adrift in our own individual currents. It seems that every time I attempt to find some semblance of equilibrium, the variables shift once again, leaving me to recalibrate my expectations. One spends so much time meticulously arranging the pieces of one's mental landscape, only to realize that the foundation itself remains somewhat unsteady. It is a curious, albeit exhausting, cycle of effort and adjustment. kaže: In any case, you were likely prescribed an anxiolytic alongside the antidepressant to help manage those initial side effects, so I truly believe you have nothing to worry about. 🙂

I haven't received anything yet.
It seems they only provided that one specific medication, despite my explicit request for Luvox or something along those lines.

I find myself reflecting on the recent observations shared by Maria Price3, which prompted me to reconsider my own perspective on this matter. There is a certain weight to her words that demands a more thorough examination than I initially allowed.

I find myself reflecting on the nuances of our recent discussions, though I must admit my own contributions often feel somewhat unpolished compared to the more pointed observations made by others. It seems we are all navigating this complex terrain at our own pace, attempting to make sense of the various treatments and experiences that shape our daily lives. There is a certain quiet gravity to these exchanges that I find both humbling and deeply necessary. kaže: And yes, Luvox. No. It is essentially similar to Luvox (which contains fluvoxamine), though in practice, one might consider it a generic equivalent to Zoloft (the sertraline formulation).

So, where does that leave me now? What exactly am I supposed to do next? 😢

Try not to be so negative about the medication. I've gone through quite a few different prescriptions myself because people kept telling me how great they were, but they turned out to be terrible for me.
This current treatment might actually work wonders if you just give it a chance. If you stay focused on the negatives, you're only going to end up noticing side effects—some of which might not even be real.
Luvox didn't work for me at all; it felt too weak, made me drowsy, and did absolutely nothing for my depression, it just left me feeling more foggy.

Almost every antidepressant comes with a warning about suicidal thoughts during the first couple of weeks, but that shouldn't be something you let worry you.

If this one is similar to Zoloft, then you're in luck because Zoloft is an excellent drug; I know plenty of people taking it who are really happy with the results.

Since I am already here, I might as well ask one more question.
To give you some context, I experienced another rather unpleasant episode this evening...
I did take some Norvasc, though up until now, I have only used it on an as-needed basis during those particularly difficult moments.

Regarding this Luvox, the pharmacist wrote "1x1" on the box, which I understand to mean once a day.
However, I find myself wondering if this can also be taken occasionally when necessary, or if it absolutely must be part of a strict, daily regimen?

As far as I know, Luvox is an antidepressant, which means you have to take one pill every single day. You can use Norvasc on an as-needed basis if you need something to calm you down occasionally.

Gregory Jackson3 said:Since I am already here, I might as well ask one more question.
To give you some context, I experienced another rather unpleasant episode this evening...
I did take some Norvasc, though up until now, I have only used it on an as-needed basis during those particularly difficult moments.

Regarding this Luvox, the pharmacist wrote "1x1" on the box, which I understand to mean once a day.
However, I find myself wondering if this can also be taken occasionally when necessary, or if it absolutely must be part of a strict, daily regimen?

Sorry, I haven't been following your posts from the start, but if you're on Luvox, that means you saw a psychiatrist—so they prescribed a specific regimen, right?🤔
In that case, don't let the instructions scribbled by the pharmacy clerk dictate how you handle your meds.

I don't have any text to work with! Send over the post you want me to flip, and I'll get to work on it.

goldengardener51 said:Sorry, I haven't been following your posts from the start, but if you're on Luvox, that means you saw a psychiatrist—so they prescribed a specific regimen, right?🤔
In that case, don't let the instructions scribbled by the pharmacy clerk dictate how you handle your meds.

Look, it’s not like you can just ignore it. If you're on Luvox, you have to take it every single day. There's really no point in trying to use an antidepressant on an "as-needed" basis. Luvox and Norvasc are two completely different worlds. 🙂

It’s not even that I’m skipping doses—I take it every single day—but I have been coordinating my treatment plan directly with my psychiatrist. They actually prescribed my lithium at once a day, yet I've been taking it more frequently than that. That is why I am saying 😁

For some reason, they keep writing down that I take my Lamictal once a night, even though my doctor clearly prescribed two pills, and I’ve been on a two-pill dose since day one.
The first time it happened, I probably looked like a total weirdo when the pharmacist asked, "So, how do you take this?" I just nodded, and she goes, "One at night." I was just staring at her like 😲.
I'm super sensitive to any changes in my psych meds—it's something I always have to mentally brace myself for—so this really caught me off guard. But whatever, I'm still taking two exactly as prescribed, and if the people at the pharmacy want to write whatever they want on the label, that's on them 😳.

Brandon Lopez6 said:For some reason, they keep writing down that I take my Lamictal once a night, even though my doctor clearly prescribed two pills, and I’ve been on a two-pill dose since day one.
The first time it happened, I probably looked like a total weirdo when the pharmacist asked, "So, how do you take this?" I just nodded, and she goes, "One at night." I was just staring at her like 😲.
I'm super sensitive to any changes in my psych meds—it's something I always have to mentally brace myself for—so this really caught me off guard. But whatever, I'm still taking two exactly as prescribed, and if the people at the pharmacy want to write whatever they want on the label, that's on them 😳.

Well, tell me about it! 😁

Are you taking it both morning and night? You're likely on Lamictal, right?