Discussion Medication(s) that actually helped you

[Rounded Agony]

There's a good name-and-shame thread out there about the horrible experiences some have had with different pharmaceuticals, but I wasn't able to locate the opposite: a list of things that have led to positive results for people. Being well aware that what works (and doesn't) for one is not necessarily the case for another, I'm curious given thing have gotten to the point for me that I'm now actually considering this route when/if my psych referral actually ends up going through and they end up recommending anything. Also thankfully aware, due to this site, that people have had permanent negative changes from meds...but that's what the name/shame thread is for.

Here I'm hoping users can share what helped them and with what, and perhaps in what dosage as well as how long it may have taken for things to improve. I myself am especially curious about what helped with mood and stress. I've seen lots about how SSRIs are often trash for the former, and offlabel can be great for the latter. But I'm eager to hear about some positive personal accounts from any willing to share :-]

 

[lionetta12]

There's a good name-and-shame thread out there about the horrible experiences some have had with different pharmaceuticals, but I wasn't able to locate the opposite: a list of things that have led to positive results for people. Being well aware that what works (and doesn't) for one is not necessarily the case for another, I'm curious given thing have gotten to the point for me that I'm now actually considering this route when/if my psych referral actually ends up going through and they end up recommending anything. Also thankfully aware, due to this site, that people have had permanent negative changes from meds...but that's what the name/shame thread is for.

Here I'm hoping users can share what helped them and with what, and perhaps in what dosage as well as how long it may have taken for things to improve. I myself am especially curious about what helped with mood and stress. I've seen lots about how SSRIs are often trash for the former, and offlabel can be great for the latter. But I'm eager to hear about some positive personal accounts from any willing to share :-]

I've never had any medicine that helped me.

 

[MidnightDream]

Citalopram!! 20mg, I switched immediately from sertraline so took 2/3 weeks for that to leave my system and the citalopram to do it's thing but it's honestly changed my entire life.
I'm diagnosed BPD so have dealt with mood swings for a long long time, and honestly since starting citalopram I've barely had a mood swing, I feel like its levelled me out quite a lot and I haven't noticed any side effects

 

[CowsAgainstCapitali]

I currently take 80mg fluoxetine (Prozac) daily

I can say from experience it definitely has a positive effect on me.

I have also used numerous mood stabilizers in the past, to no noticable effect.

Your results will vary.

 

[Regen]

For mood swings and better contact to other people for me worked: Fluoxetin/Prozac, Sertralin.
For more energy and for doing my allday Business: Elvanse, (Sertralin).
Less depressiv thoughts: Fluoxetin, Sertralin, Venlafaxin.

I struggle with less energy, anhedonie, problems with others/anxiety/BPD.

All that medication works for me, but at the moment sadly not enough. But without it is worse.

Thank you for this thread, this is helpful also for me.

 

[Someone123]

The main thing that helps over time is building a social support network of people you can count on- consistent caring is the best medicine.

 

[Mlee75]

Prozac, lexapro, and Buspar did not work for me. On top of anxiety I had pmdd. Citalopram was the best one I tried and now I have propranolol for migraines and the two combined definitely have me feeling better overall

 

[hiddenbpd]

As my name mentions, I struggle with bpd, and also depression and anxiety. I tried a 6month medication holiday last year because I thought I didn't need them anymore. I was the worst person imaginable and was planning to ctb because no meds had me so depressed and angry. I'm back on medication now, Wellbutrin XL 150mg, it's truly been a lifesaver for me. I was also on lamotrigine 100mg, both with and without Wellbutrin, and it helped too. I just wasn't a fan of being on a mood stabilizer long term.
I obviously still have bad days, everyone does, especially when you're blessed with bpd . But I'm much better off with medication.
I hope you can find something that helps .

 

[Rounded Agony]

Couldn't even get one actual answer before someone came in with a shit off-topic reply, despite posting in recovery and acknowlegding both the pitfalls of meds and a specific other place to discuss them...jesus fucking christ, this place sometimes.

Thank you to those who actually contributed something of value. Hoping this may be of some benefit to others.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

There is genetic testing that can reveal which medications are most likely to function well for you depending on your biochemistry. I'd recommend getting that done if possible before blindly trying a medication.

 

[milkandcoffee]

I've got GAD and CPTSD. Maybe BPD. Who knows. I'm an enigma.

Anyway, I'm taking 2mg of guanfacine and 300mg of wellbutrin. They've both been great to me in different ways. Thanks to wellbutrin, I don't walk around terrified of everything anymore. My brain slowed down. I can make cohesive sense of my thoughts over time rather than just always being distressed by them. It reduces my dissociative mood swings. The guanfacine calms my physical anxiety. It helps me take care of myself but oddly that's decreased since I've added the wellbutrin. It also helped me quit drinking- I'm not sure I could have without it.

Honestly, I feel good compared to how I've felt... ever. Good and calm. Careful with the wellbutrin though, it actually increases my self harm if I'm stressed, though I do it in less harmful ways. It's a tradeoff. Both of the meds took a very long time to be in full effect- 3 months or so after a dose change.

 

[beyondbreath]

For me struggling to sleep was a huge issue. I'd toss and turn for literal hours nightly. I'm not cured of depression but it's helped that I'm actually rested because I was prescribed low dose seroquel to help me sleep.

 

[theboy]

Venlafaxina, Lamotrigina, Litio

 

[escaped]

Wellbutrin and Sertraline have helped me the best for my ADHD and Depression.

 

[Per Ardua Ad Astra]

There is genetic testing that can reveal which medications are most likely to function well for you depending on your biochemistry. I'd recommend getting that done if possible before

Please take serious heed of this advice quoted above

@LaVieEnRose


This test would have saved my life — if I had access when I needed it

 

[dogthebenzohunter]

Sertraline and NA meetings. I found sertraline did not help if using recreational drugs or alcohol so trying to be sober and see if life improves

 

[ferny]

A low dose of fluoxetine, solely based on the fact that i definitely function worse without it.

 

[myownpetvirus]

I suggest people read the actual medical journals and not commercials and doctors before making a decision to take meds. Keep in mind there is a massive profit motive with these medications and their positive effects are massively overstated

 

[dogthebenzohunter]

Quitiapine (seroquel) helps me the most because it lets me get a good nights sleep. And life is so much easier to tackle when you've slept properly. I also take sertraline but that doesn't help if I was still drinking. Gotta be sober to get the benefits.

 

[LONE WOLF.]

I got put onto 25mg Valium daily 3yrs ago and it had a almost immediate effect, Now l only take 45mg on Saturday's and 45mg on Sunday's so l then have the 5 day week to clear out my system!

 

[Celerity]

I have taken SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines. Of all these, only Seroquel/quetiapine and Valium/diazepam have benefited me to any significant extent. Unfortunately, quetiapine caused me to gain a massive amount of weight over a short period of time and, even if my weight had stabilized, I was wary of the long-term effects. I would love to get an Rx for Valium, but I probably have better odds of winning the lottery since docs have clamped down hard on benzo prescriptions.

I got put onto 25mg Valium daily 3yrs ago and it had a almost immediate effect, Now l only take 45mg on Saturday's and 45mg on Sunday's so l then have the 5 day week to clear out my system!

Are you in the US? I have had zero luck trying to get an Rx for Valium. The only people I know who have been able to get them have no psych histories. Everybody else rides the struggle bus as I do.

 

[LONE WOLF.]

I have taken SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines. Of all these, only Seroquel/quetiapine and Valium/diazepam have benefited me to any significant extent. Unfortunately, quetiapine caused me to gain a massive amount of weight over a short period of time and, even if my weight had stabilized, I was wary of the long-term effects. I would love to get an Rx for Valium, but I probably have better odds of winning the lottery since docs have clamped down hard on benzo prescriptions.


Are you in the US? I have had zero luck trying to get an Rx for Valium. The only people I know who have been able to get them have no psych histories. Everybody else rides the struggle bus as I do.

Am in the UK, No it's not easy getting Valium, Doc's don't like giving them out and will cut you off them asap, l have PTSD and ASPD!

 

[Forest Fire]

Zopiclone or Mirtazapine have always helped me sleep and mirtazapine is good for giving me an appetite when i'm underweight. I take both sporadically as the withdrawal isn't worth it to take them them regularly in my opinion. And they won't prescribe zopiclone regularly anyway

 

[NumbItAll]

It's a short list, just benzos for prescription drugs. They work great for anxiety/stress but I use them sparingly because of addictive potential.

CBD has been a godsend for depression, anxiety, and overall functionality. Psilocybin is fun and uplifting and apparently enhances neuroplasticity. Never expected to be an "alternative treatment" guy but I have to go with what works!

 

[GoneForever]

Risperidone makes me more chill. Works well for my paranoia,ruminating and panic attacks.
It's the only medication that had a postive impact on me so far. It does make me sleepy all day,though.

 

[Ceterum]

opioids and benzos - both are addictive. Thus I won't ever take or recommend these on a regular basis. They are dangerous because they help immediately.

 

[dogthebenzohunter]

I have taken SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines. Of all these, only Seroquel/quetiapine and Valium/diazepam have benefited me to any significant extent. Unfortunately, quetiapine caused me to gain a massive amount of weight over a short period of time and, even if my weight had stabilized, I was wary of the long-term effects. I would love to get an Rx for Valium, but I probably have better odds of winning the lottery since docs have clamped down hard on benzo prescriptions.


Are you in the US? I have had zero luck trying to get an Rx for Valium. The only people I know who have been able to get them have no psych histories. Everybody else rides the struggle bus as I do.

Did you take the quitiapine before bed or during the day also? I'm putting on weight slowly but I am eating mostly healthy and exercising and doing weights so it's mostly muscle Im putting on. But I totally understand how hard that can be if you're depressed. Or maybe it just affects people differently.

I have noticed I've grown a man boob ( just the one ) since I started taking it. So I will be wanting to taper off it eventually. Atm I just take 100mg an hour before bed.

 

[yyytry]

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) helped for a while. Didn't numb me out like citalopram did.

 

[Celerity]

Did you take the quitiapine before bed or during the day also? I'm putting on weight slowly but I am eating mostly healthy and exercising and doing weights so it's mostly muscle Im putting on. But I totally understand how hard that can be if you're depressed. Or maybe it just affects people differently.

I have noticed I've grown a man boob ( just the one ) since I started taking it. So I will be wanting to taper off it eventually. Atm I just take 100mg an hour before bed.

I took it before bed. The weight started piling on after upping it to 100 mg. My appetite went through the roof. I am female and have a family history of diabetes, so that is likely part of it, but my psychiatrist told me that weight gain is very common. I hope you are able to avoid that.

Am in the UK, No it's not easy getting Valium, Doc's don't like giving them out and will cut you off them asap, l have PTSD and ASPD!

Yeah, they're really cracking down. Glad you found someone who was willing to take the risk.

 

[dogthebenzohunter]

I took it before bed. The weight started piling on after upping it to 100 mg. My appetite went through the roof. I am female and have a family history of diabetes, so that is likely part of it, but my psychiatrist told me that weight gain is very common. I hope you are able to avoid that.

Yeah, they're really cracking down. Glad you found someone who was willing to take the risk.

I've been on it for a few months but it's only been about 4 weeks since I got my appetite back and yeah I can eat a lot. But sorry if this is tmi but I also poop a lot too haha.

If I'm hungry in the evening I'll have a protein shake instead of potato chips now. Usually spend 90-120 mins a day doing a brisk walk up and down hills and always try do some weights and push ups every other day.

I used to always wake up in the morning feeling sick with anxiety unable to eat but now I wake up and start salivating for breakfast haha. If I end up fat so be it least I'll be happy.