[Cubbiesgirl23]

To make this a rather to the point discussion.. My new doc wants me to quit all of my meds cold turkey because he disagrees with my previous doctors on my diagnosis of bipolar 2. He thinks I have a panic disorder and agoraphobia. I am currently taking 50 mg Seroquel, 100 mg Topamax, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL, and Celexa 20 mg. I seemed to be doing well on this combination but I did want to readjust because I didn't think it was necessary to be on so many, and get to more therapeutic doses for the Seroquel and Topamax. An adjustment was needed, I do agree. Nobody wants to take a cocktail if not necessary.

He doesn't seemed concerned at all with taking me off these meds, but I already don't feel right. I was doing so well before. I worked out everyday (Insanity workout) was looking for a new job, relearning Spanish, needless to say I was my old self with the help of therapy as well.

Any ideas on what I should do? I know none of us are doctors but I was diagnosed bipolar 2 by two other doctors and all the sudden this doctor out of left field is throwing my life for a loop. I loved my old doctor but sadly can't see him anymore.

[wildflowerchild25]

Sounds like he's not even listening to you! I would never listen to a pdoc who said stop taking ALL meds with no taper. Stopping psych meds can really throw your brain chemistry for a loop so to stop taking all of them At once seems to be a terrible idea. especially if you think you are doing well. If you want to drop some of them you have to start with one and see how it goes, not just give up everything...IMHO of course.

Start with one and go on from there. The Seroquel is at a pretty low dose. Start there.

[hamster-bamster]

I am unclear what you by saying you wanted to get to therapeutic doses of Topamax and Seroquel. Very few doctors use Topamax for BP2 anyway, because of lacking evidence of its effectiveness. Topamax does not have an established range of therapeutic effectiveness anyway, and there is no blood levels test for it either. You are taking a medium dose, compared to what others are taking. Seroquel 50 mg is probably a sleep medicine, because when Seroquel is given as a mood stabilizer, it is prescribed at higher doses. I don't know anything about the other two medications.

The conflict between you and your new dr can be summarized as this - he doubts the dx and wants to see you complete off meds to get to assess your mental condition in its raw state, while you don't want this kind of experiment and rather not bother the the sleeping dogs, right? And you are not even interested in investigating whether in truth there are sleeping dogs.

I would strike a middle ground by agreeing to go off Seroquel and Seroquel alone. This will help determine if you can sleep without sleep meds.

[Mandysue]

what is he basing this new dx on? it seems crazy he wants you to quit cold turkey. when i came off meds they had me wing off them ( which im back on meds now) anyway, can you maybe get another opinion?

[hamster-bamster]

I don't believe that at op's current doses of Topamax and Seroquel she needs to worry about tapering down. I do agree that removing one drug at a time would be more informative than stopping all at once.

[LadyShadow]

Going off meds cold turkey is dangerous like another poster said. You have to begin slowly tapering off so that your brain gets used to it. I would get a second opinion.

[nbritton]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

Sounds like he's not even listening to you! I would never listen to a pdoc who said stop taking ALL meds with no taper. Stopping psych meds can really throw your brain chemistry for a loop so to stop taking all of them At once seems to be a terrible idea.

Ditto. You can't stop the medications you're on cold turkey. Get a pill splitter.

• Seroqual: Cut tablets in half, take 25 mg for one week, then stop.
• Topamax: Cut tablets in half, take 50 mg for one week, then stop.
• Celexa: Cut tablets in half, take 10 mg for two weeks, then stop.
• Wellbutrin XL*: Take your regular dose every other day for two weeks, then stop.

*You can't split extended release tablets.

[Cubbiesgirl23]

Sorry if I sound confusing at all I'm just going by information that doctors have given me and I guess I wasn't at therapeutic doses? No idea. As for the Topamax I've heard about the effectiveness being iffy but the no weight gain is the reason he tried it plus he said he had success with previous patients, and Lamictal gave me an allergic reaction otherwise that was great!

But I agree on the Seroquel! I've never been a fan of it for my body because of the side effects.

I have panic attacks too which is why my new pdoc went with a panic disorder. My last doctor treated that too with the Celexa and occasionally Xanax or Klonopin but currently I'm not using any benzos.

I'm kind of new to actually trying to figure out my problems... so sorry if I sound like a mess! I really appreciate all the advice

[Cubbiesgirl23]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

The conflict between you and your new dr can be summarized as this - he doubts the dx and wants to see you complete off meds to get to assess your mental condition in its raw state, while you don't want this kind of experiment and rather not bother the the sleeping dogs, right? And you are not even interested in investigating whether in truth there are sleeping dogs.

Right! I'm just finally at a stable ground and I don't want to necessarily want to stop my life again. I understand his point and appreciate where he's coming from but its just not something I'm comfortable with right now. Is that wrong on my part?

[wildflowerchild25]

No not wrong of you at all. It's your life - if you don't want to disrupt it, then don't!

[hamster-bamster]

Right! After all, you are paying him and not vice versa.

[swheaton]

I took Wellbutrin early on (2003) and tried to quit cold turkey....that was a nightmare!

[IndieVisible]

Well the good news is I don't think any of the meds you mentioned will produce withdrawal effects. And they are all low doses too. Seroquel is heavy duty but 50mg is nothing. I would not worry too much and follow your pdocs suggestions and if it's not working for you, let him now.