Going on and off meds

I have gone and off meds for years. It does NOT end well at all. I was in and out of hospitals like a revolving door. Then I finally threw them all away and was stable for 3 years. And guess what? The bipolar came back! I was completely manic and hearing voices and having hallucinations all on my own out of nowhere. That was 2007 and I have been compliant with my meds ever since.

Another side to the question is can the people important to her can handle it if she were to go off her meds, like husband and child, family, and possible employers. And any "message" from God that tells her to do something potentially this self-destructive should be questioned. IMVHO if this were me, I do not believe God would never "tell" me to do something like this. But I do respect her beliefs. This decision and her spiritual briefs I do understand are her personal choice. It is just that I would be very careful with thoughts like that because there is too much at stake for herself and others that are close to her. She is in the position where she can cause havoc and damage to her AND other peoples lives.

I wish her the best! I really do!

BG

I don't know if this is true, as my husband has made things up in the past, but he did tell me that when I was first hospitalized in May that social services called and warned him that if I didn't stay in treatment we might be evaluated for our son's safety. Again I don't know if this was true as I never heard it mentioned again and I had two more hospitalizations after that. Plus someone would have had to report concerns since hospital records are not public knowledge. BUT I do believe that if someone, aka your pdoc, thought your kids were in danger because Of an episode you could definitely be investigated.

I am convinced that meds are what I need. What meds I am reasonably sure on, but since I took so long to get back on them (went to the pdoc today got script, picking it up in an hour or so) that I'm stuck. I like this phys assistant I'm seeing. I felt comfortable with her immediately, which is saying something right now since I'm isolating and feeling alien.

I am going back on Wellbutrin along with the Lithium and I think I should feel this black cloud lifting in a few days. Going off meds is just non-acceptance of being defective for me. It's irrational. And all the posts about it being dangerous and detrimental to the well being of your kids are totally on point.

Good news!!

Anytime you need to talk or vent, we are here for you! It does suck to constantly be on meds. But what else to do? As we get older, doctor ordered meds for all kind of illnesses will be the norm. We have THAT to look forward to.

tucson

I've been nearly perfect with my med regimen, which means I get VERY frustrated when I have a relapse. Sometimes I wonder why I'm taking all this stuff if I'm just going to keep getting sick. Alas, I have rapid-cycling bipolar and I'd be totally screwed if I weren't taking them, because I'm older and my BP has gotten worse with age. But the mood swings are getting more manageable, even if they do appear with greater frequency than I would prefer, and that makes it worth the hassle of swallowing pills twice daily.

I feel very alone and am always looking for someone to understand. But that's part of the depression and it isn't there when I'm "normal" or "hypo". I am not really sure if which is which sometimes.

I just want a normal life, I feel defeated at times like this and it will happen again. le sigh

I reacted differently on occasion I stopped taking my resperdal and zoloft. I would be depressed in the mornings and be manic in the evenings. I don't even know if they helped or made my mood worse. I didn't really feel a difference for a long time. Now the doc says I can stop taking the resperdal. Ever since I quit, my mood has been pretty low and I've been really suicidal and not been able to sleep.

I wanted to report that I got a prescription for Wellbutrin and began taking it this morning. This is along with the Lithium I already take, and is why the pdoc was comfortable prescribing it to me.

Is it possible that I could already be feeling the effects?? I remember it being fast acting last time, but that seems just way too fast. It seems like the brain fog and fear I've been plagued with has lifted somewhat.

Anyone have any experience with meds working quickly for you?

Wellbutrin is really fast acting compared to other antidepressants. If you were really down, I think its totally possible to feel something on the first dose.

Risperadal worked like that for me. I was in a depression where I couldn't get out of bed and having wickedly racing, disorganized thoughts at the same time. Three hours after my first dose and I was a completely different person.

Starting Effexor I felt it pretty much right away, I would say by the second or third day.

I have another friend who says he reacts very quickly to meds. I am feeling a bit hopeful for the first time in weeks.