Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Brandon Lopez6 said:Good luck, restlesstrucker15 🙂

I’m seriously considering checking into that Sleep Center because this whole situation is killing me. Honestly, if I’m supposed to work eight hours and sleep twelve, plus throw in two more for eating and showering... what the hell is actually left of my day? 🤣

A Sleep Center?

Kevin Bailey2 said:A Sleep Center?

Sleep Medicine Center?
I think someone mentioned that somewhere on here 🤔

Brandon Lopez6 said:Good luck, restlesstrucker15 🙂

I’m seriously considering checking into that Sleep Center because this whole situation is killing me. Honestly, if I’m supposed to work eight hours and sleep twelve, plus throw in two more for eating and showering... what the hell is actually left of my day? 🤣

I mention it, though I never actually went. Let me reiterate. Because my psychologist was at a loss for how to proceed, she referred me there. It felt more like an attempt to find a therapeutic approach she hadn't considered herself. I had an initial consultation with a specialist—mind you, my doctor sent me, along with a colleague from the hospital where she works, though that facility functions as a day clinic and doesn't take regular patients. The conversation lasted barely ten minutes. I asked the doctor to suggest a specific course of therapy, and her response was simply to continue with psychotherapy while scheduling a sleep study for ten months out. I ended up skipping that appointment. The purpose of the study is to detect breathing issues or muscle spasms, and I am certain those aren't my problems. Perhaps I should have gone, but I didn't. I was sitting with a specialist who either lacked a solution for my specific struggles or chose not to offer one. My psychologist was quite taken aback that he wouldn't even propose a potential treatment plan. So, there it is.
But please, go ahead and make an appointment; perhaps you will have a more productive experience and actually follow through with the testing, unlike me.

Skickas FR

Brandon Lopez6 said:Good luck, restlesstrucker15 🙂

I’m seriously considering checking into that Sleep Center because this whole situation is killing me. Honestly, if I’m supposed to work eight hours and sleep twelve, plus throw in two more for eating and showering... what the hell is actually left of my day? 🤣

Thank you, 🙂
haha, the endless cycle of work-home-sleep... it's a nightmare. 😉

Skickas FR

Where'd you head to? To the suburbs?

Exactly, no bars, no booze, just zero fun 😁.

Yes, you can only find those specialized clinics in places like San Diego or near major hubs. You won't have to wait too long for an initial consultation—maybe about a month—but be prepared for a significant delay when it comes to getting the actual sleep study scheduled. Regardless, I highly recommend going. Get a referral from your primary care physician; you'll likely need a recommendation from a psychiatrist as well. You really have nothing to lose by trying. 🙂

Skickas fr

Guess I’ll have to track down a psychiatrist first then 🤣
The VA will probably give me a referral to Mars if things get bad enough. The guy knows way too much about everything I'm dealing with, but my mental health...

Now, look... I’m not entirely sure if they can provide that without a psychiatrist's sign-off, but please don't spend all this time waiting around without professional help. Find someone immediately. A general practitioner just isn't equipped to handle cases like ours. Do some digging; at least you shouldn't have to wait nearly as long to see a psychiatrist.

Skickas fr

I did some quick math on my expenses, and honestly, even if I just made the trip to Chicago once a week, I’d be looking at about $300 a month just in travel costs. But the thing is, I can't even manage that kind of frequency. Dealing with psychiatrists around here is such a headache—they aren't exactly flexible with their schedules, especially the ones covered by insurance. It's all just too much of a logistical nightmare. At this point, I'm mostly stuck doing my own self-reflection and hoping I can snag a day off to see a private specialist every once in a while.

Kevin Bailey2 said:A Sleep Center?

My doctor actually brought up the idea of checking into one of those places once. I assume they’d just hook you up to all sorts of monitors to track everything while you sleep. 🤷
Anyway, I don't think I'm going to stick with this Velafax. It’s either I can’t fall asleep, or the lack of sleep starts messing with my mental health. Honestly, that makes seven different ADs I've had to cross off my list. Onward we go... I guess the eighth one will be an AD called "Misery."😂 Just don't take it on an empty stomach...🤣

Brandon Lopez6 said:I did some quick math on my expenses, and honestly, even if I just made the trip to Chicago once a week, I’d be looking at about $300 a month just in travel costs. But the thing is, I can't even manage that kind of frequency. Dealing with psychiatrists around here is such a headache—they aren't exactly flexible with their schedules, especially the ones covered by insurance. It's all just too much of a logistical nightmare. At this point, I'm mostly stuck doing my own self-reflection and hoping I can snag a day off to see a private specialist every once in a while.

Man, that sounds incredibly difficult. If you can, try to save up enough cash to see someone privately on your own terms.

Skickas FR

restlesstiger49 said:My doctor actually brought up the idea of checking into one of those places once. I assume they’d just hook you up to all sorts of monitors to track everything while you sleep. 🤷
Anyway, I don't think I'm going to stick with this Velafax. It’s either I can’t fall asleep, or the lack of sleep starts messing with my mental health. Honestly, that makes seven different ADs I've had to cross off my list. Onward we go... I guess the eighth one will be an AD called "Misery."😂 Just don't take it on an empty stomach...🤣

Oh man. I know the feeling; Velafax did the exact same thing to me. You're going to have to find a replacement. On to the eighth one, then. Which ones have you tried so far? Give us a rundown and rank them based on which ones were the worst offenders when it comes to keeping you awake.

Skickas FR

restlesstrucker15 said:Man, that sounds incredibly difficult. If you can, try to save up enough cash to see someone privately on your own terms.

Skickas FR

No private stash for me. No matter how I slice it, everything’s gotta go to NYC.

Brandon Lopez6 said:No private stash for me. No matter how I slice it, everything’s gotta go to NYC.

Well, uh... you're probably going to have to 😢

Skickas FR

Could someone please tell me what one of the most potent antidepressants is? I need something actually effective. I’ve been taking Coaxil since October 30th, three times a day, and while I feel just a tiny bit better, my mind is still racing with suicidal thoughts. It’s especially bad now after I accidentally overdosed on Seroquel and Misar and nearly died. I have a follow-up appointment on the 16th, and I really want to ask for a stronger Ad because these current steps feel completely useless; they might even be doing more harm than good without some serious support. 😢 ... I am fully aware of my situation and why I’m depressed, but medication can’t fix the underlying cause—it can only block those intrusive thoughts. I’m supposed to start working at the beginning of the year, but I haven't heard of any dead people holding down jobs. ☕

I haven't heard of anyone being able to call dibs on specific meds. Like, sure, you can say "I need something stronger," but asking for one specific brand by name? Probably not gonna fly.

Brandon Lopez6 said:I haven't heard of anyone being able to call dibs on specific meds. Like, sure, you can say "I need something stronger," but asking for one specific brand by name? Probably not gonna fly.

Well, in my experience, that isn't necessarily true. I've been treated by several different doctors, and I know for a fact that I've requested specific brands before. For instance, I asked for Ambien and received it. When I needed something for anxiety, they’d suggest Xanax, but I’d refuse because it tastes terrible and ask for Ativan instead. I’ve requested Mirataz, declined taking Prozac again, turned down Lexapro, and specifically mentioned that Amyzol worked best for me, which led to it being added back to my treatment plan. I even requested Quetiapine and eventually got it after a while. I suppose it might be possible to ask for a slightly stronger Ad by name, too, though I don't happen to know all the specific names off the top of my head...

In my book, there’s a massive difference between wanting more intensive treatment and just nitpicking over every little detail. I don't know, I've always been the type to trust my actual doctor over some "internet MD" on a message board.

I have found that sometimes I’ll read up on a specific medication, only for my psychiatrist to immediately shut it down, claiming it isn't a good fit for me. They essentially run through my entire medical history and remind me which chemical balances they can and cannot touch. Because of that, I truly believe there is immense value in sticking with one psychiatrist who deeply understands your unique neurochemistry. My doctor once explained it to me this way: if she were to adjust my norepinephrine levels, it might feel less like a stabilizer and more like I had just taken speed. While that might be fine for some people, it isn't for me. Generally speaking, I’d say anything that spikes dopamine and norepinephrine will lift someone out of a depressive state, but if your primary diagnosis is anxiety or panic disorders, I would advise staying far away from those types of stimulants.
You really need to provide a detailed breakdown of exactly what side effects you're experiencing with your pills and what kind of emotional state you're actually aiming for. There is a good chance half of your issues could be resolved through psychotherapy, but I am also convinced that an Ad can help with at least 50 percent of the struggle.
Can you tell me how you ended up feeling so poisoned by them? It sounds like you might have been prescribed a dose of Seroquel that was simply too heavy for you.

Skickas FR

Brandon Lopez6, go to bed already! :owl_face: :P

Sent fr