[LiteraryLark]

Like most bipolar patients, I too find myself thinking about changing my meds whenever things are good. I think to myself, "Oh, my doctor said I can adjust the zyprexa whenever I need to, so I'll take a little less" or "I'm feeling so good I think I should lower my dose."

That brings me back to mood swings and that's not good for me.

What can I do to remind myself that the meds are doing they're job when I feel good and I don't need to change it?

[Victoria'smom]

My mood chart reminds me, along w. my therapist every time I see her.

[pink&grey]

I've just started my BP meds, but I did this for years with ADs. On and off and on and off...I'm sooooo annoying. I don't know the answer. I'm sure eventually I will convince myself that I rock without the pills and I just don't need them. Then I will torture myself and my family and destroy it all to the point that I have to go to the ER and beg them to give the meds NOW. Embarrassed as all hell.

I think I just responded to your pregnancy post though. Don't mess with them if you are prego. Just talk to the doctor and do whatever you have to do to chill out with the meds as they are right now. Fluctuations in mood and/or trauma are proven to have an impact on a fetus.

[Confusedinomicon]

I just take them in a nightly routine. I don't think too much about it.

[sugahorse1]

I also just try slot them into routine. But I have messed with them too. Luckily I seem to have gotten away with it mostly, but a visit to the ER would be a real wake up call for me.

[unaluna]

I see it as trying to keep the glass at the half-filled mark, period, because that's where i feel good. Sometimes my head feels cold and that means too much prozac has built up in my system, so I will take a little less for a day or two. I think that's how your doc means for you to manage your meds -not to let the glass go completely empty. Just like a green plant - don't over-water it, don't underwater it. All plants are different though.

[almostthere]

Just stick with med program man. When you're feeling ok your mind messes with u into thinking it's ok to "tweak" your dosage.

Bad mistake. I know....been there... done that.... B very careful about how u take your meds. U may not like the consequences!

Take care man.

Regards,

"almostthere"

Originally Posted by DrSkipper

Like most bipolar patients, I too find myself thinking about changing my meds whenever things are good. I think to myself, "Oh, my doctor said I can adjust the zyprexa whenever I need to, so I'll take a little less" or "I'm feeling so good I think I should lower my dose."

That brings me back to mood swings and that's not good for me.

What can I do to remind myself that the meds are doing they're job when I feel good and I don't need to change it?

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm in that zone right now where, if I weren't so afraid of going through another mixed episode like the one in early May, I'd be thinking "Halleluia, I'm cured!" But I know better now, and in fact am MORE motivated to stay on my meds because I'm doing so well. I didn't get where I am by myself, that's for sure!

[sugahorse1]

I am at a stage now, where in the past, I might have stopped taking my meds. I feel pretty stable...

[A Red Panda]

The mental health worker who was at my pdoc appointment with me.. one of the first things he said when it was just us when he walked me out was to remind me that I will just have to take them even when I'm feeling good (on the bright side, he must have done some research here!) and that was likely sprung by the fact that I said "f*** the sertraline, I stopped it a week early because the every other day thing was messing with me!"

haha.

[sugahorse1]

You put so much effort into getting better, that its not worth throwing it all away because of meds. It's a necessary "evil" we do get used to