Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Kenneth Scott41 said:It’s been quite a while since I’ve checked in here, so I’m not entirely sure if someone else has already posted something similar lately. To give you some context, Dr. Sakoman suggested I switch over to taking Elice instead of Lexapro. When I asked him why, his reasoning was pretty straightforward: they are essentially the same thing, but with Lexapro, you're just paying a massive premium for the brand name. Anyway... I’ve been on this Elice for about two months now, and honestly, I can't tell if I'm actually feeling any better or not🤷. All I know for certain is that things haven't gotten worse. It makes me wonder, though—what specific symptoms are supposed to indicate whether an antidepressant is actually working? It feels like such a vague, difficult question to answer, I know, but🙄

I had already mentioned to Sakoman beforehand that I had previously tried Zoloft and Effexor (which was easily the worst experience of my life). He immediately recommended Zoloft because, as a top-tier neuropsychiatrist, he considers Zoloft to be the gold standard, followed closely by either Lexapro or Elice. Since I view him as a premier expert in the field, I tend to trust his judgment, though I suppose we all know that what works perfectly for one person might not work at all for someone else.

So, in case anyone else is curious,I'll provide a Quote from Dr. Sakoman: "The number one antidepressant in the world has proven to be Zoloft, followed by Lexapro."
Basically: 1. Zoloft 2. Lexapro. Just something to keep in mind before you head off to see your primary care physician.

Since we’re already picking through all this... why aren't we just going with Citalopram? If it's fully covered by the fund, what's the point in paying a copay for Lexapro? It's not like it's some miracle drug that works significantly better anyway.🤣
Man, you're being way too naive. Have you ever actually looked into how pharmaceutical sales reps work? They spend their whole lives cruising around, visiting specialists and family doctors, trying to get their foot in the door.
So, what exactly is the "reward" for letting someone talk you into believing that Zoloft is the absolute gold standard?
The second time you drop by Sakoman’s office—right after some rep from a different pharma company decided to "reward" him—that list of the best, most ethical Ad reps is going to look a whole lot different.😁

Kenneth Scott41 said:Honestly, I wouldn't touch Effexor ever again! And if you ask me, it's your own fault for not realizing sooner that Zoloft just isn't right for you; it's not the doctor's fault. You should have just told him, and he would have switched you to a different AD. As for how I handle Effexor? Well, it made me start vomiting immediately! From the very first pill!

See, this is exactly what I mean... it just goes to show how much therapy is a total "you" thing. There's no one-size-fits-all approach, and honestly, neither is how long you have to stay on it. It’s all deeply personal.😉

Eric Richardson49... no way. The only way that makes sense is if an ADH deficiency is triggering polydipsia, which would then lead to polyuria. Was their kidney function actually normal before they started the meds? Honestly, they should probably get their blood sugar checked too.

Keith Cox6 said:Since we’re already picking through all this... why aren't we just going with Citalopram? If it's fully covered by the fund, what's the point in paying a copay for Lexapro? It's not like it's some miracle drug that works significantly better anyway.🤣
Man, you're being way too naive. Have you ever actually looked into how pharmaceutical sales reps work? They spend their whole lives cruising around, visiting specialists and family doctors, trying to get their foot in the door.
So, what exactly is the "reward" for letting someone talk you into believing that Zoloft is the absolute gold standard?
The second time you drop by Sakoman’s office—right after some rep from a different pharma company decided to "reward" him—that list of the best, most ethical Ad reps is going to look a whole lot different.😁

See, this is exactly what I mean... it just goes to show how much therapy is a total "you" thing. There's no one-size-fits-all approach, and honestly, neither is how long you have to stay on it. It’s all deeply personal.😉

Eric Richardson49... no way. The only way that makes sense is if an ADH deficiency is triggering polydipsia, which would then lead to polyuria. Was their kidney function actually normal before they started the meds? Honestly, they should probably get their blood sugar checked too.

Look, she was peeing normally until now. It's my grandma we're talking about. Even she's shocked by how much she's putting out at night—she's wearing a diaper and it's a total mess in the morning... leaks onto the sheets too... so I'm just trying to figure out what the deal is (mostly for selfish reasons since I'm the one changing the diapers 🙂)...
And I can't link it to anything except those pills she takes at night (none of which list increased urination as a side effect in the instructions), but she takes Effexor at night, so—that's my best guess because nothing else makes sense. She hits the bathroom right before bed and then it's a disaster in the morning...

Keith Cox6 said:Since we’re already picking through all this... why aren't we just going with Citalopram? If it's fully covered by the fund, what's the point in paying a copay for Lexapro? It's not like it's some miracle drug that works significantly better anyway.🤣
Man, you're being way too naive. Have you ever actually looked into how pharmaceutical sales reps work? They spend their whole lives cruising around, visiting specialists and family doctors, trying to get their foot in the door.
So, what exactly is the "reward" for letting someone talk you into believing that Zoloft is the absolute gold standard?
The second time you drop by Sakoman’s office—right after some rep from a different pharma company decided to "reward" him—that list of the best, most ethical Ad reps is going to look a whole lot different.😁

See, this is exactly what I mean... it just goes to show how much therapy is a total "you" thing. There's no one-size-fits-all approach, and honestly, neither is how long you have to stay on it. It’s all deeply personal.😉

Eric Richardson49... no way. The only way that makes sense is if an ADH deficiency is triggering polydipsia, which would then lead to polyuria. Was their kidney function actually normal before they started the meds? Honestly, they should probably get their blood sugar checked too.

Look, kid—of course I've heard about it. In fact, he told me himself that Lexapro was expensive and required an extra copay, so I just said, "No, then just give me the Elicee from Krka."
That's what I'm taking now, and honestly, every AD affects everyone differently. You clearly missed it, but I think I mentioned this in my previous posts.

Eric Richardson49 said:Might be a dumb question, but here goes... can increased urination be a side effect of antidepressants? Specifically, someone’s taking Xanax and two Effexor pills at night before bed... and they're basically peeing out all their fluids throughout the night....
The instructions don't mention anything about this kind of side effect, but has anyone else dealt with this while on these meds? Thanks in advance.

I didn't experience that while I was on Effexor, though I wasn't on it for very long. So, I probably can't give you a definitive answer, but it just didn't sit right with me. Nowadays, I'm taking Elicee—it's essentially the same as Lexapro, but since it's produced by Krka, I don't have to pay an arm and a leg for it.

What kind of chemo are you even talking about? Look, antipsychotics are prescribed when you're dealing with suicidal ideation during depression, which is exactly why I was on them—to make sure I didn't try to take my own life again, because honestly, I definitely would have succeeded this time if I hadn't. I'm still taking Loquen right now, and I've got about three more months of maintenance therapy before I finally taper off everything.

Eric Richardson49 said:Might be a dumb question, but here goes... can increased urination be a side effect of antidepressants? Specifically, someone’s taking Xanax and two Effexor pills at night before bed... and they're basically peeing out all their fluids throughout the night....
The instructions don't mention anything about this kind of side effect, but has anyone else dealt with this while on these meds? Thanks in advance.

Bedwetting can happen when you're heavily sedated. It isn't really a side effect of the medication itself, but rather the sedation. My doctor told me I'd know if I had an accident. I haven't had one yet, though I was using Ambien because I couldn't sleep—my doctor prescribed it. Personally, I wouldn't take any meds if they meant waking up soaked every single night.

dustygardener25 said:Bedwetting can happen when you're heavily sedated. It isn't really a side effect of the medication itself, but rather the sedation. My doctor told me I'd know if I had an accident. I haven't had one yet, though I was using Ambien because I couldn't sleep—my doctor prescribed it. Personally, I wouldn't take any meds if they meant waking up soaked every single night.

What do you mean by that?
Are you talking specifically about sleep aids, or all sedatives and anti-anxiety meds in general?

Jose Wilson3 said:What do you mean by that?
Are you talking specifically about sleep aids, or all sedatives and anti-anxiety meds in general?

I mean generally, any medication that causes sedation. That could be any sedative, or pretty much any psychotropic drug if the sedative effect is strong enough.

I guess I'll just leave this here. Maybe it matters, maybe it doesn't.

Keith Cox6 said:Since we’re already picking through all this... why aren't we just going with Citalopram? If it's fully covered by the fund, what's the point in paying a copay for Lexapro? It's not like it's some miracle drug that works significantly better anyway.🤣
Man, you're being way too naive. Have you ever actually looked into how pharmaceutical sales reps work? They spend their whole lives cruising around, visiting specialists and family doctors, trying to get their foot in the door.
So, what exactly is the "reward" for letting someone talk you into believing that Zoloft is the absolute gold standard?
The second time you drop by Sakoman’s office—right after some rep from a different pharma company decided to "reward" him—that list of the best, most ethical Ad reps is going to look a whole lot different.😁

See, this is exactly what I mean... it just goes to show how much therapy is a total "you" thing. There's no one-size-fits-all approach, and honestly, neither is how long you have to stay on it. It’s all deeply personal.😉

Eric Richardson49... no way. The only way that makes sense is if an ADH deficiency is triggering polydipsia, which would then lead to polyuria. Was their kidney function actually normal before they started the meds? Honestly, they should probably get their blood sugar checked too.

I haven't read the whole thread, but I suppose you might actually know a thing or two about this...
I was wondering about barbiturates and anti-epileptics... I guess. Maybe just some thoughts on them.
I asked about this on an epilepsy forum a while back, but I guess they didn't really have much to tell me then.
I've been on an anti-epileptic containing barbiturates since I was three. Small doses, sure, but it’s been over twenty years of constant use. Since they're essentially narcotics, I read somewhere else that drugs—hard or soft—can mess with your concentration and memory. That seems to be exactly what I'm dealing with. I guess I'm wondering if anyone knows the full range of side effects, both mental and physical, from long-term barbiturate or general anti-epileptic use. It would be helpful to know if I can actually distinguish between the effects of the epilepsy itself and the impact of the medication, though I suspect that might not be easy.
I’ve been on Lamictal for about two years now. The main ingredient is lamotrigine. I guess you have to wonder what that actually is.
The instructions suggest it's used for depression and bipolar disorder, too, besides just treating epilepsy, I guess.🤷 Anyone else here using it for that? I guess any info would be helpful. Thanks.😉

Ryan Palmer2 said:😂 Asking me for clinical studies? You want me to find studies proving that something DOESN'T exist?!

Anyway, the proof is right there in the psychiatrists themselves—in the video, they openly admit they've never actually cured anyone, they never know how a specific "medication" will work, and there isn't some definitive test to prove a "chemical imbalance." My goal isn't even to argue with you; you aren't the only one on this thread. I only chimed in because reading about people who were suffering from those pills actually brought tears to my eyes.

And why aren't there any psychiatrists posting here? Because they DON'T CARE!

Watch from 3:36 onwards; she literally says, "we don't have any laboratory tests that we can use..." http://www.cchr.org/videos/psychiatr...l-illness.html

Unfortunately, you're relying on links that don't reflect how things actually work. For any drug to hit the market, it has to go through preclinical testing (on mice, rats, etc.) and then move into Phase I-IV clinical trials. After that, everything is analyzed, and if it meets the standards, it gets approved. It's all strictly regulated. We're long past the era of snake oil salesmen; today, everything is under intense scrutiny. Even after a drug is cleared for sale, continuous monitoring happens to track side effects, which determines if a drug needs to be pulled from the shelves.
It’s fine to have an opinion, but maybe do a little homework before diving deep into a debate about something you don't really understand.

Alex Barnes8 said:I guess I'll just leave this here. Maybe it matters, maybe it doesn't.

I haven't read the whole thread, but I suppose you might actually know a thing or two about this...
I was wondering about barbiturates and anti-epileptics... I guess. Maybe just some thoughts on them.
I asked about this on an epilepsy forum a while back, but I guess they didn't really have much to tell me then.
I've been on an anti-epileptic containing barbiturates since I was three. Small doses, sure, but it’s been over twenty years of constant use. Since they're essentially narcotics, I read somewhere else that drugs—hard or soft—can mess with your concentration and memory. That seems to be exactly what I'm dealing with. I guess I'm wondering if anyone knows the full range of side effects, both mental and physical, from long-term barbiturate or general anti-epileptic use. It would be helpful to know if I can actually distinguish between the effects of the epilepsy itself and the impact of the medication, though I suspect that might not be easy.
I’ve been on Lamictal for about two years now. The main ingredient is lamotrigine. I guess you have to wonder what that actually is.
The instructions suggest it's used for depression and bipolar disorder, too, besides just treating epilepsy, I guess.🤷 Anyone else here using it for that? I guess any info would be helpful. Thanks.😉

I was on Lamictal for just a short stretch, maybe a few months up to half a year. It didn't sit right with me, so my psychiatrist switched me off it and put me on Tegretol, which works wonders for me and doesn't give me any side effects at all. I took both Lamictal and Tegretol because I have recurrent depressive episodes and needed a mood stabilizer. Lamictal just wasn't doing it for me, but Tegretol totally did.
I've been on antiepileptics for 6 years now—cycling through Tegretol, then Lamictal, then back to Tegretol—and I haven't had any issues. My depressive episodes have slowed down significantly, and when they do hit, they're shorter and don't feel nearly as intense.
So yeah, that's just my personal take on these meds, but hopefully someone more of an expert will get back to you on those other specific questions you have.

David Jackson22 said:I was on Lamictal for just a short stretch, maybe a few months up to half a year. It didn't sit right with me, so my psychiatrist switched me off it and put me on Tegretol, which works wonders for me and doesn't give me any side effects at all. I took both Lamictal and Tegretol because I have recurrent depressive episodes and needed a mood stabilizer. Lamictal just wasn't doing it for me, but Tegretol totally did.
I've been on antiepileptics for 6 years now—cycling through Tegretol, then Lamictal, then back to Tegretol—and I haven't had any issues. My depressive episodes have slowed down significantly, and when they do hit, they're shorter and don't feel nearly as intense.
So yeah, that's just my personal take on these meds, but hopefully someone more of an expert will get back to you on those other specific questions you have.

Thanks for the reply. I'm taking Lamictal for neurological reasons, so I never really considered the psychological impact. Same thing happened when I was on Phenytoin. So, you're saying Tegretol works for you as an antidepressant? Since starting Lamictal, I don't feel better or worse, I guess.🤷
Maybe it's because my dose is low (75mg/day). But I'm still dealing with my old issue: insomnia. How is your sleep? Have the pills helped with that at all? What dose are you on?

Alex Barnes8 said:Thanks for the reply. I'm taking Lamictal for neurological reasons, so I never really considered the psychological impact. Same thing happened when I was on Phenytoin. So, you're saying Tegretol works for you as an antidepressant? Since starting Lamictal, I don't feel better or worse, I guess.🤷
Maybe it's because my dose is low (75mg/day). But I'm still dealing with my old issue: insomnia. How is your sleep? Have the pills helped with that at all? What dose are you on?

I've been sleeping like a baby ever since I started Tegretol. I take half of a 400 mg pill, so basically 200 mg daily. Honestly, the dose you're on for Lamictal is super low; I used to go all the way up to 200 mg a day, but it did absolutely nothing for me. In fact, it had the exact opposite effect—it actually made my depression deeper and hit me with side effects like tremors and some other weird sensations.
It also gave me insomnia; when I was on it, I slept worse than I ever have in my entire life! As soon as I hopped off it, I finally started sleeping normally again. While I was taking it, I’d get these horrific dreams and nightmares and stuff. Even if I did manage to drift off, it was barely anything. I’d spend the whole night in this bizarre half-awake state where I wasn't fully asleep but wasn't awake either; I could hear everything happening around me while just sort of "dozing" in bits and pieces. It was just a miserable feeling, and stopping the Lamictal was the only way I got rid of it.
Obviously, my bad experience doesn't mean the drug is garbage or anything, because my psychiatrist told me a ton of his patients take Lamictal and feel great without any issues. Apparently, it's the kind of med doctors love to prescribe because they get such solid results with it.
Personally, Tegretol just works better for me and I'm totally happy with it.
Anyway, hope that helps you out.🙂

Seriously, what is the deal with Tegretol even? I feel like they used to shove it down my throat constantly back when I was in those inpatient rehab centers, but honestly, today I don’t have a clue what its actual purpose is. 🤷

ambermason16 said:Seriously, what is the deal with Tegretol even? I feel like they used to shove it down my throat constantly back when I was in those inpatient rehab centers, but honestly, today I don’t have a clue what its actual purpose is. 🤷

So, basically, Tegretol is just carbamazepine, which is an anticonvulsant. It’s primarily used to treat epilepsy, but doctors also prescribe it for nerve pain and as a mood stabilizer for people dealing with bipolar disorder or those really heavy depressive episodes. 😉

I'm trying to figure out why these irrational fears are creeping back even though I'm on Zoloft,
to be fair, my doctor lowered my dose about a month and a half ago...
but about ten days ago, those same old fears started hitting me just like they did before I started the Zoloft.

Is this happening because of the dose change, or am I just losing my mind?

🤷

Look, it’s not because of the Zoloft, it’s just that you aren't putting in the actual grit and work needed to better yourself. ☕

I’m on Lamictal 50mg right now and honestly? I feel totally normal. I take one in the morning and one at night, though I guess everyone reacts to this stuff differently. As for why I’m even taking it... man, I have no clue.

Maybe this isn't quite the right sub, but I gotta ask—is it actually smart to jump between psychiatrists and psychotherapists? I feel like I’m stuck in this endless loop between my neurologist and my shrink. Is that even a thing you should do, or am I just supposed to stick to one person and deal with it?

Brandon Newman95 said:Maybe this isn't quite the right sub, but I gotta ask—is it actually smart to jump between psychiatrists and psychotherapists? I feel like I’m stuck in this endless loop between my neurologist and my shrink. Is that even a thing you should do, or am I just supposed to stick to one person and deal with it?

Look, if you aren't feeling a connection with your current doctor, then yeah, obviously you should find someone else—or at least go get a second opinion. Honestly, if I hadn't jumped ship from Gruden when I did, I probably would've ended up in a cemetery by now.