Psychotropic medication discussion thread

I honestly don't know how much more of this we can take. It feels like every time I turn around, there’s another layer of nonsense being piled on top of us. You see people like crimsongardener18 trying to make sense of it all, and you want to believe them, really you do, but the sheer scale of the incompetence is staggering. It’s exhausting. And don't even get me started on the "experts." Every time some figurehead—let's call him Dr. Anthony Fauci—steps up to the microphone, I find myself bracing for the inevitable pivot or the sudden shift in logic that leaves everyone else spinning. How are we supposed to maintain any semblance of stability when the goalposts move every single week? It’s not just frustrating; it’s maddening. We’re living through the fallout of a complete systemic breakdown, and yet the discourse remains so superficial. It’s all noise, no substance, and zero accountability. kaže:
Hey there.

Back in '23 and '24, I was constantly battling this relentless cycle of headaches, dizzy spells, and brain fog. It felt like I could barely catch my breath sometimes, and the psychosomatic reactions were just off the charts. It would hit me hardest whenever the weather shifted—you know, that heavy, humid air you get down South—coupled with this persistent, low-level depression. In reality, it’s just meteoropathy. Everything flared up even more intensely whenever I was under pressure, whether it was emotional stuff or work stress. And let’s be honest: a sudden shift in the weather *is* a stressor. Everyone has their Achilles' heel. Some people struggle with heart issues, others deal with vision problems, chronic sinus trouble, or blood sugar spikes. Then there are people like us, whose primary weakness is the fundamental biochemistry of the nervous system. That’s our cross to bear.😁

I’ve been through all of these exact situations before without breaking a sweat, and I always managed to pin them down to their actual causes. As far as I can tell, there are countless people dealing with this kind of stuff. Some struggle more than others, sure, but it's incredibly common.

Every once in a while, I’d reach for a low-dose Normabest or some Apaurin just to take the edge off. That became my little routine, dragging on year after year. Then, around 2007, everything hit the fan—my business started cratering right as the Great Recession took hold. Since my family was relying entirely on that income to survive, the stress was absolutely suffocating. It wasn't just a bad patch, either; this dragged on for three grueling years. My anxiety spiraled, that sense of hopelessness set in, and I eventually started feeling the heavy, crushing symptoms of depression. That was the breaking point. I realized I couldn't do this alone anymore, so I finally decided to go out and seek professional help. 🙂

I just received a recommendation for Dr. Anthony Fauci.

She’s one of the top neuropsychiatrists and neurologists in the country. She sat me down and made it crystal clear that you can't just "will" your way out of a state like this—which, frankly, I absolutely loathe when people tell me I’m just imagining things. Even my own mother says that to me. It isn't about willpower; it’s a genuine serotonin imbalance, a literal malfunction of chemical neurotransmitters. You can't just fix this on your own. I’ve tried everything under the sun—homeopathy, meditation, you name it—but nothing touches it.

She told me it’s like telling someone with a broken leg to just get up and run.

She prescribed me Deanxit. I was taking one 10 mg tablet every morning for about two or three years—she told me it was just some mild little pill to help stabilize my serotonin levels.

So now I finally realize what we're actually dealing with here—it’s a combo drug, a mix of an antidepressant and a sedative.

It only took two weeks before things started looking up significantly. But honestly? I made a massive mistake—I kept skipping doses here and there without even checking in with my doctor first. Total lapse in judgment on my part.😵

Two years ago, back when I wasn't taking it and was doing reasonably well, those symptoms started creeping up on me. Looking back now, I realize they were nothing more than early warning signs—the body's way of signaling that a full-blown panic attack was right around the corner.

One night back in 2012, when my head was absolutely spinning and I couldn't catch a breath, everything just hit the fan—I had a full-blown attack. 😲😲

It’s an absolutely terrifying sensation—that moment when you feel like you’re completely losing control over your own mind and body. It’s pure, unadulterated panic; that overwhelming feeling that you are literally dying right there on the spot. I ended up in the Emergency Room because of it.

And of course, right after that, I’m heading straight back to see Dr. Fauci to get more Deanxit, maybe topped off with a quick dose of Cipralex.

The panic attacks? They're gone. Finally.

Back in 2012, that’s when the stomach issues first started cropping up—the ones she told me were directly linked to my diagnosis. I'm still on Controloc to manage it all.

Back in August 2014, I was finally feeling like myself again—work was going great, my head was clear, and I felt on top of the world. So, I decided to take a vacation and make a bold move: I’d stop taking Deanxit for good. I thought, "Let's do this." What a massive mistake. After five glorious days, the hammer dropped. A brutal midday crash hit me out of nowhere. My stomach went absolutely haywire—intense pain, throat irritation, constant acid reflux. It was unbearable. I went to see my primary care physician, hoping for some relief, and she swapped my Controloc for Ranex. When I mentioned that I had been using Deanxit, she just dismissed it, calling it some outdated, heavy-duty psychotropic drug. Then she handed me some Elicea and sent me on my way. Good grief, I spent the next month and a half living through pure hell. It was a nightmare. The nausea was sickening, and then the panic attacks started creeping in. Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, they did. After six weeks of misery, I decided to ditch the Elicea and go back to my regular Controloc for the stomach issues. That helped almost immediately. Three days later, I tossed the Elicea straight into the trash, and by the second day, I felt significantly better. But honestly? Things still weren't right. I wasn't "me" yet. So, I went back to see Dr. Anthony Fauci. We got me back on the Deanxit, and within five days, the fog lifted. Everything vanished. I feel excellent again. It’s infuriating how much a "simple" change can wreck your entire life. 🙏

I’ve got my follow-up appointment scheduled in about three months.

It’s a long story, isn't it? Maybe some of you will find this helpful. 🙂

When you talk about "close" people, you only mention your mother—someone who clearly never took you seriously when she could have just told you that you were making it all up. It’s pretty obvious that your more serious medical treatment would jeopardize the income they rely on from you... But let me ask you this: have you even attempted to be honest about your struggles with anyone else? Like, say, a partner? Or have you just assumed everyone else would react the same way because of how your family traumatized you by refusing to understand? Is that why you don't even try?

How often have you guys swapped out psych meds? How many different types have you cycled through in your life? Also, what are you on right now, which one actually worked best for you, and how long have you been sticking with it?

Of course they know. It’s not something to be ashamed of. My wife deals with thyroid issues and takes hormone replacements, and I have a serotonin imbalance, so I take medication to balance my brain chemistry—a less popular antidepressant. Deanxit is basically an antidepressant mixed with a sedative. I stick to the lowest possible dose, just 10 mg in the morning, and it works wonders for me. I have two daughters, ages 17 and 22; they know about it, though maybe only on a surface level. They eventually saw me through a panic attack and were terrified, thinking I was a goner. I function perfectly fine, though. I run a company with ten employees now and provide for my family, plus my sister and brother-in-law are currently out of work, so I’ll be supporting them too. Stressful, isn't it?
The last two months have been pure hell, entirely because of my own stupidity in letting my GP experiment on me.
Working out saved me; I honestly don't know where I'd be without it. I've been hitting the gym religiously for the past two months. Exercise releases endorphins—the so-called "happy hormone"—and that helps immensely. I also drink lemon balm tea regularly now, plain, because I can see how much it helps. Look up its properties if you want to know more.

As for my mother, well, she's old school. In her day, you didn't "treat" this. You went to a psychiatrist and talked through your problems, which supposedly helped. But really, the only cure is actually solving your problems. Even though I had everyone's support and fought my battles steadily, nothing worked without the help of Deanxit. You can't talk your way out of biochemistry; Dr. Fauci told me as much. With the support of Deanxit, I feel like I can handle anything.

I tend to write a lot, don't I?

Best,

I write too much. Whatever.

Sam Robinson said:

I honestly don't know how much more of this we can take. It feels like every time I turn around, there’s another layer of nonsense being piled on top of us. You see people like crimsongardener18 trying to make sense of it all, and you want to believe them, really you do, but the sheer scale of the incompetence is staggering. It’s exhausting. And don't even get me started on the "experts." Every time some figurehead—let's call him Dr. Anthony Fauci—steps up to the microphone, I find myself bracing for the inevitable pivot or the sudden shift in logic that leaves everyone else spinning. How are we supposed to maintain any semblance of stability when the goalposts move every single week? It’s not just frustrating; it’s maddening. We’re living through the fallout of a complete systemic breakdown, and yet the discourse remains so superficial. It’s all noise, no substance, and zero accountability. kaže:
Hey there.

Back in '23 and '24, I was constantly battling this relentless cycle of headaches, dizzy spells, and brain fog. It felt like I could barely catch my breath sometimes, and the psychosomatic reactions were just off the charts. It would hit me hardest whenever the weather shifted—you know, that heavy, humid air you get down South—coupled with this persistent, low-level depression. In reality, it’s just meteoropathy. Everything flared up even more intensely whenever I was under pressure, whether it was emotional stuff or work stress. And let’s be honest: a sudden shift in the weather *is* a stressor. Everyone has their Achilles' heel. Some people struggle with heart issues, others deal with vision problems, chronic sinus trouble, or blood sugar spikes. Then there are people like us, whose primary weakness is the fundamental biochemistry of the nervous system. That’s our cross to bear.😁

I’ve been through all of these exact situations before without breaking a sweat, and I always managed to pin them down to their actual causes. As far as I can tell, there are countless people dealing with this kind of stuff. Some struggle more than others, sure, but it's incredibly common.

Every once in a while, I’d reach for a low-dose Normabest or some Apaurin just to take the edge off. That became my little routine, dragging on year after year. Then, around 2007, everything hit the fan—my business started cratering right as the Great Recession took hold. Since my family was relying entirely on that income to survive, the stress was absolutely suffocating. It wasn't just a bad patch, either; this dragged on for three grueling years. My anxiety spiraled, that sense of hopelessness set in, and I eventually started feeling the heavy, crushing symptoms of depression. That was the breaking point. I realized I couldn't do this alone anymore, so I finally decided to go out and seek professional help. 🙂

I just received a recommendation for Dr. Anthony Fauci.

She’s one of the top neuropsychiatrists and neurologists in the country. She sat me down and made it crystal clear that you can't just "will" your way out of a state like this—which, frankly, I absolutely loathe when people tell me I’m just imagining things. Even my own mother says that to me. It isn't about willpower; it’s a genuine serotonin imbalance, a literal malfunction of chemical neurotransmitters. You can't just fix this on your own. I’ve tried everything under the sun—homeopathy, meditation, you name it—but nothing touches it.

She told me it’s like telling someone with a broken leg to just get up and run.

She prescribed me Deanxit. I was taking one 10 mg tablet every morning for about two or three years—she told me it was just some mild little pill to help stabilize my serotonin levels.

So now I finally realize what we're actually dealing with here—it’s a combo drug, a mix of an antidepressant and a sedative.

It only took two weeks before things started looking up significantly. But honestly? I made a massive mistake—I kept skipping doses here and there without even checking in with my doctor first. Total lapse in judgment on my part.😵

Two years ago, back when I wasn't taking it and was doing reasonably well, those symptoms started creeping up on me. Looking back now, I realize they were nothing more than early warning signs—the body's way of signaling that a full-blown panic attack was right around the corner.

One night back in 2012, when my head was absolutely spinning and I couldn't catch a breath, everything just hit the fan—I had a full-blown attack. 😲😲

It’s an absolutely terrifying sensation—that moment when you feel like you’re completely losing control over your own mind and body. It’s pure, unadulterated panic; that overwhelming feeling that you are literally dying right there on the spot. I ended up in the Emergency Room because of it.

And of course, right after that, I’m heading straight back to see Dr. Fauci to get more Deanxit, maybe topped off with a quick dose of Cipralex.

The panic attacks? They're gone. Finally.

Back in 2012, that’s when the stomach issues first started cropping up—the ones she told me were directly linked to my diagnosis. I'm still on Controloc to manage it all.

Back in August 2014, I was finally feeling like myself again—work was going great, my head was clear, and I felt on top of the world. So, I decided to take a vacation and make a bold move: I’d stop taking Deanxit for good. I thought, "Let's do this." What a massive mistake. After five glorious days, the hammer dropped. A brutal midday crash hit me out of nowhere. My stomach went absolutely haywire—intense pain, throat irritation, constant acid reflux. It was unbearable. I went to see my primary care physician, hoping for some relief, and she swapped my Controloc for Ranex. When I mentioned that I had been using Deanxit, she just dismissed it, calling it some outdated, heavy-duty psychotropic drug. Then she handed me some Elicea and sent me on my way. Good grief, I spent the next month and a half living through pure hell. It was a nightmare. The nausea was sickening, and then the panic attacks started creeping in. Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, they did. After six weeks of misery, I decided to ditch the Elicea and go back to my regular Controloc for the stomach issues. That helped almost immediately. Three days later, I tossed the Elicea straight into the trash, and by the second day, I felt significantly better. But honestly? Things still weren't right. I wasn't "me" yet. So, I went back to see Dr. Anthony Fauci. We got me back on the Deanxit, and within five days, the fog lifted. Everything vanished. I feel excellent again. It’s infuriating how much a "simple" change can wreck your entire life. 🙏

I’ve got my follow-up appointment scheduled in about three months.

It’s a long story, isn't it? Maybe some of you will find this helpful. 🙂

When you talk about "close" people, you only mention your mother—someone who clearly never took you seriously when she could have just told you that you were making it all up. It’s pretty obvious that your more serious medical treatment would jeopardize the income they rely on from you... But let me ask you this: have you even attempted to be honest about your struggles with anyone else? Like, say, a partner? Or have you just assumed everyone else would react the same way because of how your family traumatized you by refusing to understand? Is that why you don't even try?

Hey everyone. Is anyone else dealing with panic attacks while on ADHD meds? It’s been a while, and these lately have been milder and shorter, but they're definitely happening. How are you all handling this? Does it mean I necessarily need to stay on treatment longer? Do you feel like you've taken a few steps backward when the panic hits despite being on medication?

Gregory Jackson3 said:Much appreciated.
It strikes me as rather odd that even our pharmacists don't bother to mention such things... 👎

If I may, I have a follow-up question.
Regarding Lexapro—does it require a certain number of days to reach its full therapeutic effect,
or is it one of those "instant" medications where the very first dose represents the ceiling of what it can offer?

My sister mentioned that based on some US studies, you should give it a maximum of 14 days—if you don't see results by then, you just move on to something else.

fadedbear92 said:My sister mentioned that based on some US studies, you should give it a maximum of 14 days—if you don't see results by then, you just move on to something else.

Yeah, that's what the studies claim, but I’m living proof that things don't always work that way. My meds took about six weeks to actually do anything. Honestly, I was already sitting in my doctor's office getting ready to ask for a prescription change.

The general rule is that if you're treating anxiety, it takes longer than if you're treating depression. So, if you're taking them specifically for anxiety, I'd suggest hanging in there for at least six weeks before giving up. If it still isn't working after that, then go ahead and switch. 😉

Gregory Jackson3 said:Much appreciated.
It strikes me as rather odd that even our pharmacists don't bother to mention such things... 👎

If I may, I have a follow-up question.
Regarding Lexapro—does it require a certain number of days to reach its full therapeutic effect,
or is it one of those "instant" medications where the very first dose represents the ceiling of what it can offer?

If I recall correctly, you mentioned going to your primary care doctor first just to get a prescription for Fevarin because you read on here that it was good. Then she gave you Luxet instead—which is similar to Fevarin, but isn't quite the same. Like I told you before, it's essentially a generic version of Zoloft.

Look, I know a GP can prescribe certain psych meds, but personally, I think that's pretty sketchy and unprofessional. A general practitioner just doesn't have the deep knowledge or the clinical experience to guess how a specific antidepressant will hit your particular mental state.

You can't just walk into a clinic and say you think Fevarin might work because it worked for Michael Hill2, Mari, or Peri. Every antidepressant has different indications. It is incredibly important to sit down with a psychiatrist who can actually evaluate your situation, warn you about how to taper the dose up gradually, what side effects to expect, and how long they might stick around.

And it doesn't cost you a dime, maybe just a small $3.25 co-pay.

Taking Luxet like this, jumping straight into a full dose without an adjustment period, is just asking for trouble.

Your body is basically in shock because you didn't ease into the medication, so those side effects you're feeling are probably going to hang around for at least two or three weeks. We've all been there.

My friendly advice? Get a referral to a psychiatrist so they can properly evaluate you and decide if Zoloft is actually the right move for you. 😉

mellowtinker7 said:Hey everyone. Is anyone else dealing with panic attacks while on ADHD meds? It’s been a while, and these lately have been milder and shorter, but they're definitely happening. How are you all handling this? Does it mean I necessarily need to stay on treatment longer? Do you feel like you've taken a few steps backward when the panic hits despite being on medication?

I don't have any personal experience here, but I've read on some American forums that sometimes these meds just stop working after a while. People over here call it the "poop-out" phenomenon. It might be worth poking around some US message boards to see if what you're feeling matches up with what others are going through. Fingers crossed it’s not that for you. 🙂

crimsongardener18 said:Of course they know. It’s not something to be ashamed of. My wife deals with thyroid issues and takes hormone replacements, and I have a serotonin imbalance, so I take medication to balance my brain chemistry—a less popular antidepressant. Deanxit is basically an antidepressant mixed with a sedative. I stick to the lowest possible dose, just 10 mg in the morning, and it works wonders for me. I have two daughters, ages 17 and 22; they know about it, though maybe only on a surface level. They eventually saw me through a panic attack and were terrified, thinking I was a goner. I function perfectly fine, though. I run a company with ten employees now and provide for my family, plus my sister and brother-in-law are currently out of work, so I’ll be supporting them too. Stressful, isn't it?
The last two months have been pure hell, entirely because of my own stupidity in letting my GP experiment on me.
Working out saved me; I honestly don't know where I'd be without it. I've been hitting the gym religiously for the past two months. Exercise releases endorphins—the so-called "happy hormone"—and that helps immensely. I also drink lemon balm tea regularly now, plain, because I can see how much it helps. Look up its properties if you want to know more.

As for my mother, well, she's old school. In her day, you didn't "treat" this. You went to a psychiatrist and talked through your problems, which supposedly helped. But really, the only cure is actually solving your problems. Even though I had everyone's support and fought my battles steadily, nothing worked without the help of Deanxit. You can't talk your way out of biochemistry; Dr. Fauci told me as much. With the support of Deanxit, I feel like I can handle anything.

I tend to write a lot, don't I?

Best,

I write too much. Whatever.

It genuinely warms my heart to see that you and your wife are so open with each other. Having a partner who supports you, and being that support for them in return, is everything. She is a vital component in your recovery and in just managing daily life; without that partnership, neither Deanxit nor Dr. Brinar could do much of anything. Kudos to you both!

Kevin Bailey2 said:How often have you guys swapped out psych meds? How many different types have you cycled through in your life? Also, what are you on right now, which one actually worked best for you, and how long have you been sticking with it?

Zoloft was definitely my best bet. Right now, I'm just starting out on Lexapro and Remeron...

Michael Hill2 said:I don't have any personal experience here, but I've read on some American forums that sometimes these meds just stop working after a while. People over here call it the "poop-out" phenomenon. It might be worth poking around some US message boards to see if what you're feeling matches up with what others are going through. Fingers crossed it’s not that for you. 🙂

It does happen to me. It’s infrequent, but it occurs. Antidepressants combined with psychotherapy significantly reduce these symptoms, and the ultimate goal is learning how to manage them effectively. It is quite normal for these issues to surface and then recede, though they should never return with the same intensity as before. Despite all the therapy and medication, I still deal with about 20-30% of my original struggles, but that is a percentage many people face, regardless of whether they are in our specific situation. There is no such thing as a magic pill; however, through dedicated self-work and a combination of medication and therapy, one can typically resolve about 80% of the issue. Unfortunately, we cannot fully alter our core personality or our genetics.

Skickas FR

Apropo Denaxit, you might want to get a second opinion. My doctor, Dr. Brinar, prescribed it to me for some neurological issues, and she was fully aware that I was already taking Elice. She seemed quite preoccupied with the fact that Elice is a Danish medication—honestly, it felt like she had a bit of an obsession with anything coming out of Denmark. In any case, I’m not a fan of medical professionals overstepping their bounds; my therapist actually gave me some very warm advice to avoid Denaxit altogether because of her poor experiences with patients on it. After doing some digging online, I found out this drug has been banned in large parts of Europe and across the globe, even by the manufacturer in Denmark itself. You should ask Dr. Brinar; I am certain there is an alternative available if you choose to pursue it.

Skickas FR

True, she gave me that one because she was trying to nudge my serotonin levels up a bit higher; that other medication was more of a 'neurological' type

cestitati Skickas FR

restlesstrucker15 said:It does happen to me. It’s infrequent, but it occurs. Antidepressants combined with psychotherapy significantly reduce these symptoms, and the ultimate goal is learning how to manage them effectively. It is quite normal for these issues to surface and then recede, though they should never return with the same intensity as before. Despite all the therapy and medication, I still deal with about 20-30% of my original struggles, but that is a percentage many people face, regardless of whether they are in our specific situation. There is no such thing as a magic pill; however, through dedicated self-work and a combination of medication and therapy, one can typically resolve about 80% of the issue. Unfortunately, we cannot fully alter our core personality or our genetics.

Skickas FR

That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to someone about. For instance, I’m on Fevarin right now and it’s been great—it pretty much wiped out my anxiety completely. I feel awesome.

My doctor wants to taper me off after a year, and I'm wondering: am I going to slide back into my old ways, or will this positive shift actually stick to some degree?

Btw, I’m starting psychotherapy too. 😉

How’s everyone holding up during this heatwave today and yesterday? I’m feeling absolutely trashed... my head is killing me

Michael Hill2 said:That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to someone about. For instance, I’m on Fevarin right now and it’s been great—it pretty much wiped out my anxiety completely. I feel awesome.

My doctor wants to taper me off after a year, and I'm wondering: am I going to slide back into my old ways, or will this positive shift actually stick to some degree?

Btw, I’m starting psychotherapy too. 😉

I can't give you a definitive answer because I haven't experienced being completely off medication, except for that one time I made the mistake of stopping on my own.
If you have been doing the work in therapy, yes, the progress should largely stick. And even if you have a setback every now and then, that is perfectly fine. So, stay encouraged. My best to you, 🙂

Skickas FR

Michelle Kelly4 said:How’s everyone holding up during this heatwave today and yesterday? I’m feeling absolutely trashed... my head is killing me

I'm struggling to breathe through my nose today.😢

Man, me too

Rough day

Kyle Sanchez88 said:Rough day

I guess I hope tomorrow feels a bit more breathable.