Withdrawal effects

Ok - I know most of you will just tell me not to do it, but I have another question.

I am so frustrated with my meds. I've tried plenty. I am being unrealistic to expect that pills can make me 100% happy. So why both? The expense, the side effects, the aggravation, the stigma of taking meds...

I know everyone is different, but if I stopped my meds, what would I feel?
I take Wellbutrin, Lamotrigine and recently a very low dose of Lithium.

I am just over everything. Was lying in med in the early hours this morning, and that was what came to me.

Thanks

I bet most here would say that's a bad idea... but I went off welbutrin,cymbalta, lamotrigine cold turkey almost a year ago. And it was fine (except cymbalta has evil withdrawal symptoms - glad ur not on that one). When I started to get really depressed again, around October, I started taking the Wellbutrin again.

My doc said ok to stop the lamotragine right away, but she was being pushy for me to stay on the anti-depressants. So I quit them without telling her. I should've just been straight forward with her, and strong about my decision. And I felt very well for almost 6 months.

And I thought it felt good to give my body a rest from the meds.

I say it's your body and speak up for what meds you want or don't want. But of course please be careful and notice if your having any serious withdrawal, or symptoms and get help.

Sometimes hear the horror stories about folks going off their bipolar meds... so it's good you're looking for advice. Good luck.

Medication can only help to a certain degree. Like you said it will not make you 100% happy. Accepting that may help. Also asking your doctor to lower the dose of your medication and doing a test trial on your ability to cope at a lower dose may help gauge how willing and ready you are to stop taking medications as a whole or stay on them. It is an option that is worth looking into.

Another thing that is even more important than the medication is how are you able to cope and deal with your emotions. Are you willing to accept depression/psychosis as temporary states, or does taking medication help you overcome these states? I highly recommend you talk to your T before you decide to go down on your prescription medications. Your T knows you best (more than me, anyways) and may help you come up with tools that will make this progression possible for you.

I take a standard dose of Lithium and a low dose of Seroquel, myself. I'm fairly 'stable' right now. The medication didn't do it for me though. The support of my friends, family and boyfriend + finally coming to an understanding of my condition helped me. I've come to the point where I realize I can't be in control of everything and I can't hold onto the old fears that held me back. Emotions happen and are temporary. I use medication as tool, not the solution.

Could you elaborate on your question? Do you mean what you would feel in the way of withdrawls?

I had a week of emotional intensity, sweatiness, mild hallucinations,and ultra rapid cycling.

Nothing I couldn't handle. Tho.

Support here on PC got me thru in 1 piece.

GOODLUCK HUN

Thanks.
I guess it's more the physical withdrawal effects.
I don't really have any support out there; BF isn't into all this emotional stuff, and I have had a T for about 7 months. I do have a few friends, but I really don't want to overwhelm them.
Getting hold of my pdoc is a mission - one mostly has to go in to see him, which is hellishly expensive and inconvenient.

Don't know if I want to do this. I think it's the occasional strong emotion that pushes me to want to give up on my meds. And no - I am terrible at controlling my emotions

Wellbutrin was a piece of cake for me ... Absolutely no withdrawal (discontinuation) symptoms ... Effexor, now that was a whole other story ... Shaking, cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats ... Hmmm, kinda sounds like what a herion addict might experience, doesn't it?

At any rate ... I wouldn't attempt to stop without professional supervision, otherwise you may end up in the ER like I did ... This went on for several weeks, by the way ...

For what it's worth ...

Wow. That's what I'm a little worried about

I'm just so confused at the moment. All over the place. Quite stressed. Lonely at times. At other times overly confident. Then overwhelmed. Hopeless.
To stop the meds or not? To take a day off work and just find myself again.?.!?..?!! Aaaaaaaaaaaa

A lot of meds you have to taper off to avoid those unpleasant side effects. I've stopped my meds a couple of times only to realize that they really were helping and I went back on them. No, meds don't 100% fix the problem, but I've found out that it's easier to control my emotions when I'm on the meds.

you sound like your very emotional at this point .. so I personally would be leery of stopping the meds altho trust me i know how you feeel .... if you do decide , I certainly would just quit cold turkey ill slowly decrease them so your body doesnt go thru withdrawls

I wish you luck and I wish you could see your pdoc and T ,. but i understand the finacial aspect of it all

((( HUGS ))) please let us know what you decide and how your feeling

I've gone off lithium too many times to count. I have never had physical symptoms. However I did good for about three weeks to a month off it and then each and everytime would be hit with severe mania and psychosis. I guess for me it was just giving my body enough time to rid itself of the lithium before I would relapse. Just something to be aware of or prepare for.

Aaaahhhh - I just wish this was easy!

To decide, or the process itself, suga?

I feel you! I am in the same situation. Do I stay on or get off? It is all very frusterating. Though I cant deny that the meds have helped me in many ways, the side effects of the medication are so hard to deal with it makes me question whether or not taking them is really worth it.

It is hard to talk to anyone who isnt bipolar about this situation. I told my sister last night that I was considering getting off and she looked at me like I was losing my mind and also voiced her opinion of it as well. She could not understand my frustration because all she sees is a "better" me.

She did say something that grabbed my attention though. It may mean something to you as well--if you off meds is anything like me. She said it is a matter of life and death. Life if I stay on them and death if I get off. It makes sense for me because I am known to put myself in dangerous situations and to cause self-inflicted destruction on myself. Now I have to make a decision.

I know that taking time off of work, even if just a day, to meditate and center myself helps tremendously.

Good luck!

no it doesn't sorry, and it's overly dramatical. You can at least decide to try another thing. If the side effects are driving you up the wall, it's could be "death" too, I think.

I hate how bipolars are told they cannot live with "untreated" bipolar, but yet they have to live with debilitating side effects that are often worse (objectivelly, or subjectivelly) than the actual problem.

Not say everybody has to get med free and shamanistic. But there have to be options that are more tolerable, right? And you have to make your choice. Not your doctors (it's not them whose cognitive function and libido is going to hell and who is gaining weight (=body going to hell) and other pleasantries). Not your family. Ditto.

Yes it is a trade off. But it doesn't have to go one way.

peace out.

I'd go for the day (or two or three) off first ... After a little down time (away from everyday life stressors) things might look a little different ...



ps. Hope the hug was okay ...

I would say that is a pretty good reason to stay medicated. Especially if you are the self harming type. But as mentioned, you don't need to stay on meds that are making you miserable. Work with your pdoc to find a med with tolerable side effects. I doubt there are any out there with NO side effects, but a lot of the newer ones have side effects that are easier to live with, especially when you consider the alternatives.

I remember my first med, lithium, and how I hated it. I was always threatening my T that I was going to throw away the bottle. The side effects made me miserable, and it wasn't for many months of misery that another doctor discovered I was allergic to the stuff. It took him 10 minutes to find a mood stabilizer that I could stay on for years.

So just remember, there are more drugs out there than you know of, and if you've got a good doc, he'll help you find the right one for you. Just do what I didn't do and demand (nicely) that you get the consideration to your side effects that you deserve. We may all be bipolar, but that doesn't mean our concerns should be ignored.

My pdoc told me if I went off of Lamotrigine/Lamictal cold turkey I could have a seizure. Please, if you want off your meds, do it with the help of your doctor.

My meds don't make me a 100% happy either, in fact at times I might get 2% happy. But you know what? That 2% keeps me from killing myself. Without my meds I cannot even contemplate being in T. I can't think at all other than the crushing depression and the "I want to die" going over and over in my mind. I am me when I am on my meds. But it took a long while to get on the right meds where I am me, not too intense and not flat. I find I like the middle. I love to hover so to speak, not too high or too low.

Only you and your T and pdoc can really look at all aspects so you can decide what is right for you. There are too many variables between people. that you really can't draw any conclusions from other's experiences. Best of luck to you

Thanks. I'm almost thinking I probably need to get a T again.

If you don't mind risking an unstable mood state, then it might be worth considering for yourself. Personally, I've tried going off meds too many times to know that, for me, it's risky. I've had a bipolar dx for 23 years and have come to accept the recommended treatment: meds and psychotherapy together. I don't like being on meds and the cost is certainly there, but I ultimately feel best when I stick to my treatment plan. Consider the risks and maybe even consult with pdoc before you attempt to do this on your own. Just a friendly suggestion.

All ANY of us can do, is what's best for US. For some, meds are a safety net, and paying the price of side effects, is worth it. For others meds just aren't an option right now,if ever.

Suga, as you know I've been on both sides of the fence, and even tho I was distraught and ANGRY when I made the decision to quit my meds, I just KNEW it was the right decision for me. I just KNEW I could do this, withdrawals and all.

I knew that I could tame my beast without chemical help, and didn't see the point in meds. I didn't doubt my decision for a second.

And maybe I'm wrong, but I believe alot of us have too little faith in ourselves and need the meds as physical reassurance that we are fighting this thing, and sometimes we put so much faith in,and give so much credit to meds, for stuff we could've handled, but never bothered to try. Bcoz we're 'ill' and can't be trusted to make good decisions, and to me that's just sad...

I'm doing great today, but I might be sui tomorrow, that's a reality, but I have safety checks in place and plans for when things go bad. If I had full blown mania, that plan would be more drastic, idk, maybe i'd even be back on meds, And thats ok too you know, it all boils down to self-care.

Guess my point is that you ALONE know what your battle is, we don't live your life. So only you can make this decision. Not us, not your bf, and not your doctor. It's a personal decision.

Whatever you choose, know that I'm right there beside you hun hope you feel better real soon.

I agree with Trippin'. As much there are people who may need or benefit from meds, than there are people for whom meds can be pretty damaging... and it's better to find alternative way to take control, before you are well medicated shell of yourself.

I think doctors are not impartial judges. It's possible they want to be on the safe side. I mean, if patient kills themself off meds, it can be seen as negligience. If they were on meds and off themselves... well, they were ill and treatment did not work.... and they go by what they are taught in schools. Not sure if there are lessons on shamanic healing or other ways. So "trust your doctor" should be taken with truckload of salt...
(on the other hand there are people in the medical community who prefer med-free route. So it's not that far off probably).

Loved ones... they can see you by how you act, but they do not know how you feel inside. I mean, you maybe nicers and calmer... but if you are dead inside what kind of help is that? Or what if you are simply unable to express your problems anymore? Outsiders see a chill person.

and as for our chemistry.... I don't know. Being self-destructive at one point does not mean you will always be self-destructive.... we change naturally with age. Sometimes it is a phase.

Thanks everyone. Your comments mean a lot to me. Will be going to see my GP today, as my pdoc has not gotten back to me - after 2 phonecalls to his receptionists and 2 emails.

That is the most frustrating thing. He asked me to try some meds for 10 days, and if they worked he would give my a full script. The meds worked, I told him. He never got back to me. A full week or more without those meds now.

T used to make me too anxious. I ended up stopping in June last year. Nothing concrete to work on.
I am on a truck-load of meds now, and they just keep coming. I almost feel like it's an emotional "addiction" to take meds$ if I take meds, I'm sick, right? If I take meds, I'll get better, right? It's a stupid bloody circle that has no logic to it. I fight every side effect with another pill. Right now I am always tired. So I take plenty vitamins, energy shots, energy drinks, and now considering Vit B shots.

Hoping my GP can help. I know he's not a specialist, but he seems to be genuine. And I can always get in fairly short-notice.

With a T I'd have to work on loving myself. I actually just break down when someone reaches out and cares for me. No meds will fix that.

Your pdoc's a douche, sorry you've turned into a walking,talking pharmacy. I hope your GP can help