Psychotropic medication discussion thread

🙂 don't mention it 😉

Anyone there?

Is anyone else taking antipsychotics or anything with a sedative effect during the day?

I’m specifically asking about Seroquel.

Alvent 75 mg. Can anyone give me some insight into this medication? I'm trying to gauge its potency—whether it's actually effective or if it's relatively weak... and if it truly delivers results when you need it most.

But more importantly, does it carry a risk of dependency?

Kevin Bailey2 said:Is anyone else taking antipsychotics or anything with a sedative effect during the day?

I’m specifically asking about Seroquel.

q-pin, girl—what's the deal?😒

Kate James21 said:Alvent 75 mg. Can anyone give me some insight into this medication? I'm trying to gauge its potency—whether it's actually effective or if it's relatively weak... and if it truly delivers results when you need it most.

But more importantly, does it carry a risk of dependency?

That's Effexor
Alvent is an antidepressant from a class known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It's indicated for treating major depressive disorder, including depression accompanied by anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety or social anxiety. The theory is that people with depressive disorder have lower levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in their nervous system. While the exact mechanism isn't fully understood, Alvent can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety by boosting those levels in the brain.
http://www.pfizer.com/medications...ecept/?gid=495

It falls under "other ADs": "...Other antidepressants
.... Dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: Represented by Effexor, an antidepressant with rapid onset and good tolerability even during long-term use

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressants

now I'm just waiting to hear what others have experienced😉

Kate James21 said:Alvent 75 mg. Can anyone give me some insight into this medication? I'm trying to gauge its potency—whether it's actually effective or if it's relatively weak... and if it truly delivers results when you need it most.

But more importantly, does it carry a risk of dependency?

That’s just the generic version of Effexor—the active ingredient is venlafaxine.

A lot of people here take it. There’s plenty of discussion on the psych forums if you just search for "Effexor."

Like any other antidepressant, there isn't really a "strong" or "weak" category. It’s used for specific reasons: major depressive episodes, generalized anxiety disorder, or social phobia.

Antidepressants don't cause addiction in the way people think. You won't find yourself needing higher doses just to get high; you stay on whatever dose your doctor decides is right for you.

From what I've read, Effexor can be a real lifesaver. A ton of people have posted saying it worked for them and gave them their spark back.

Good luck. 🙂

That’s great news. From what I can gather, this is a heavy-duty medication, quite potent... It seems my situation isn't exactly trivial if they felt the need to prescribe an anxiolytic alongside it to boot.

The most important thing is that it doesn't carry a high risk of dependency. Right now, I just need something to lift me up, to finally get my head back on straight so I can actually move forward with my life. How long does it usually take before the effects really kick in?

Kate James21 said:That’s great news. From what I can gather, this is a heavy-duty medication, quite potent... It seems my situation isn't exactly trivial if they felt the need to prescribe an anxiolytic alongside it to boot.

The most important thing is that it doesn't carry a high risk of dependency. Right now, I just need something to lift me up, to finally get my head back on straight so I can actually move forward with my life. How long does it usually take before the effects really kick in?

Doctors usually prescribe an anti-anxiety med at the start of antidepressant treatment just to blunt those initial side effects. Unlike antidepressants, those anxiety meds can be habit-forming, so only take them when things are actually hitting the fan while you wait for the AD to stabilize.

As for how long it takes... honestly, it's different for everyone. Three weeks is a rough minimum. Personally, it took me a month and a half before the AD really kicked in, but then again, my anxiety was through the roof. For pure depression, you might feel it sooner.😉

I’ve been on an anxiolytic for quite some time now, so I’m well aware of how dependency works... When I was down at the beach with my ex-girlfriend, I managed to go an entire month without taking a single dose. I felt relaxed, rested, and honestly, life was pretty good. But then the issues started creeping back in. Anyway, I’m currently taking 0.25g twice a day, which I don't consider to be much at all; I’ve read accounts of people taking several milligrams daily. I typically just take mine during work hours or right before bed to help me drift off...

If I weren't living alone, maybe I wouldn't even need the ADHD medication, but you can't have everything in this life, I guess...

I’m just hoping this actually helps me get my head straight and find some stability again...

fadedbear92 said:q-pin, girl—what's the deal?😒

It’s like this... about 15 minutes after I take it, it just knocks me out into this light little nap.

When am I ever going to get used to this?

I only took it at night, honestly. Back when things were finally chill and I was getting ready to crash.

Kevin Bailey2 said:It’s like this... about 15 minutes after I take it, it just knocks me out into this light little nap.

When am I ever going to get used to this?

I only took it at night, honestly. Back when things were finally chill and I was getting ready to crash.

What kind of daytime doses are we talking about, and how much were you taking to sleep? It’s supposed to just dial down the anxiety and give you a little sedation—not put you completely under.

Michael Hill2 said:That’s just the generic version of Effexor—the active ingredient is venlafaxine.

A lot of people here take it. There’s plenty of discussion on the psych forums if you just search for "Effexor."

Like any other antidepressant, there isn't really a "strong" or "weak" category. It’s used for specific reasons: major depressive episodes, generalized anxiety disorder, or social phobia.

Antidepressants don't cause addiction in the way people think. You won't find yourself needing higher doses just to get high; you stay on whatever dose your doctor decides is right for you.

From what I've read, Effexor can be a real lifesaver. A ton of people have posted saying it worked for them and gave them their spark back.

Good luck. 🙂

Yeah, Effexor can be a hell of a lifter—it definitely did that for me, though it absolutely wrecked my sleep patterns. But then again, it works perfectly for others, and as we always say, everyone reacts differently.

fadedbear92 said:Yeah, Effexor can be a hell of a lifter—it definitely did that for me, though it absolutely wrecked my sleep patterns. But then again, it works perfectly for others, and as we always say, everyone reacts differently.

In theory, combining it with an anti-anxiety med should help level me out, at least that's my take on it...

The bottom line is that I need to get some sleep. 😵

I'm honestly spiraling over this article I just stumbled upon: Antidepressants might actually trigger cataracts.

"Taking fluvoxamine (Luvox) was linked to a 51 percent higher risk of needing cataract surgery, while venlafaxine (Effexor) showed a 34 percent increase. Interestingly, no link between cataract surgery and meds was found for people taking fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), or sertraline (Zoloft)."
And here I am, still stuck on my current prescription :/ Why does it feel like there’s a massive wave of articles coming out lately just trashing antidepressants?! 😢 It’s like, when we were at our absolute breaking point, did we even have a choice? Now it feels like everyone is claiming the side effects outweigh the benefits. Honestly, what's next? Are you guys gonna tell me they cause acne and breakouts too? :/

Jamie Martin37 said:I'm honestly spiraling over this article I just stumbled upon: Antidepressants might actually trigger cataracts.

"Taking fluvoxamine (Luvox) was linked to a 51 percent higher risk of needing cataract surgery, while venlafaxine (Effexor) showed a 34 percent increase. Interestingly, no link between cataract surgery and meds was found for people taking fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), or sertraline (Zoloft)."
And here I am, still stuck on my current prescription :/ Why does it feel like there’s a massive wave of articles coming out lately just trashing antidepressants?! 😢 It’s like, when we were at our absolute breaking point, did we even have a choice? Now it feels like everyone is claiming the side effects outweigh the benefits. Honestly, what's next? Are you guys gonna tell me they cause acne and breakouts too? :/

Look, honey, don't let these obviously sensationalist clickbait articles get to you. 🙂

They don't even mention the sample size, how long those people were actually on the medication, or if they already had pre-existing eye issues, etc., etc.

Besides, a tiny percentage of women using tampons can develop Toxic Shock Syndrome, or you could get Reye's syndrome from taking aspirin—you can go on forever like that. They're all potential risks that might happen in a minuscule fraction of cases, but it doesn't mean it's going to happen to you.

If Fevarin is working for you, be glad you found an antidepressant that actually helps and just enjoy your life. 🙂

PS: No, they don't cause acne.😁

Kate James21 said:In theory, combining it with an anti-anxiety med should help level me out, at least that's my take on it...

The bottom line is that I need to get some sleep. 😵

Well, that's an AD—it actually wakes you up and gives you a boost—so it definitely won't knock you out. Whatever you do, don't take it at night!😲😲😲

fadedbear92 said:What kind of daytime doses are we talking about, and how much were you taking to sleep? It’s supposed to just dial down the anxiety and give you a little sedation—not put you completely under.

Here’s my current setup. 200 mg at night. 100 mg during the day.
Straight up Seroquel.

The problem is I can't exactly split that 100 mg pill. Should I try asking for 25 mg for daytime use?
Even so, Seroquel is pretty heavy duty.

Kevin Bailey2 said:Here’s my current setup. 200 mg at night. 100 mg during the day.
Straight up Seroquel.

The problem is I can't exactly split that 100 mg pill. Should I try asking for 25 mg for daytime use?
Even so, Seroquel is pretty heavy duty.

I take three 25 mg pills in the morning
and the same at noon
then 100 mg before bed—if I'm still tossing and turning, I'll take an extra 2x25 max.

fadedbear92 said:Well, that's an AD—it actually wakes you up and gives you a boost—so it definitely won't knock you out. Whatever you do, don't take it at night!😲😲😲

I was actually thinking about timing it a few hours before I hit the gym to get a bit of a lift... maybe if I can just shake off all this negative energy and sweat it out, I might finally be able to get some sleep...