[lifetimemeds]

I have taken antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers for decades. I am now 61. I asked my shrink if I would eventally have to stop meds because elderly are very sensitive to med effects. I wasn't thrilled when she said she had an 85 year old client still on Klonopin. I can't estimate the amount money I have spent on psychotropic meds over 40+ years . Always hoped a time would come when I no longer needed meds but that will probably never happen. Seems this chemical imbalance is a life sentence. Wouldn't it be great if scientists spent as much research money on mental diseases as they do cancer, heart disease, or diabetes? They are always talking about finding a cure for those medical problems but I don't think I have EVER heard anyone say "find a cure for bipolar disorder"

[manicminer]

Yes, that would be great. Finger's crossed....

That's a really good point! I guess there's no great need to find a cure because there is too much money in treatment. It is concerning that medication is viewed as lifelong. As you point out, it poses a lot of risks as we age. Have you considered seeing a naturopath who specializes in mental health issues? Often, they can have tests done that uncover underlying causes for moods/memory/energy and once that's treated, the medication can be reduced or maybe even stopped altogether.

[Mountainbard]

Somebody needs to start an ice bucket challenge for bipolar disorder. As it is I'm resigned to being on meds indefinitely. I don't like it much, but I like the alternative much less.

[lifetimemeds]

After years of taking psychotropic meds, I notice that I have a permanent, mild hand tremor. I am losing my ability to remember. I will stop in middle of a sentence groping for the word I want to say. I didn't have these problems just a few years ago.

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by lifetimemeds

After years of taking psychotropic meds, I notice that I have a permanent, mild hand tremor. I am losing my ability to remember. I will stop in middle of a sentence groping for the word I want to say. I didn't have these problems just a few years ago.

I have these exact same problems.

[Angelique67]

Me three. It's not fun.

[tipper1492]

Licketysplit - "No great need to find a cure because there is too much money in treatment". I never thought about that but who knows, it may be true. I believe the pill makers must be super powerful rich. Doctors make lots too on medications. My understanding, and I truly may be wrong, as we get older, taken medication helps slow down more harmful effects on the brain. Like the mental illnesses would just get worse. I'm 63 (or is it 64) and I would not mind having a separate group of people 50 and older or what ever age group might work. Seems to be more younger people here, not that I mind that at all, cause I don't. I think it's harder to find friends the old we are. Never thought this but that could be because of the old school thinking. Never show your feelings, and do not ever talk about being mentally ill. Wasn't too long ago it would not take much to be institutionalized. I have read about horrible things happening in such places.

[lifetimemeds]

I too wish they had a forum for 50 and older. The issues we face are not the same as those in their younger years. They could learn from our experiences but sharing our unique perspectives on issues related to long term battle with mental illness and treatment would benefit each other. Maybe somebody who has been a member longer than me could suggest this to moderators.

[venusss]

Why would anybody want to invent some new effective meds, when you can just off label anti-psychotics? Sure, they wreck your body and brain, but who cares about the crazies?

[lifetimemeds]

There haven't been any major discovery in treatment of most mental illnesses for 30 years. Just new formulations of SSRI and antipsychotics. Once drug company's patent expires and drug goes generic, they need to get a new patentable formula to market ASAP. Abilify will go generic soon.

It seems the only research taking place is creating new drugs to treat the symptoms. Nobody is looking for a cure because nobody really knows about brain chemistry and what causes imbalance.

If scientists only focused on treating symptoms in cancer, diabetes or heart disease, they would never find a cure and people would continue to die. I guess mental illness is less common (maybe 10%) compared to 50% for heart disease. So we don't have much of a voice in what researchers choose to spend time and money.

I do not believe doctors benefit directly from the drugs they prescribe. But the majority of psychiatrists don't even do psychotherapy or know how to do it. They leave that to psychologists and social workers. They see patients for 15 minutes and write prescriptions all day long.

[manxcatwoman]

My therapist said that because of all the depressive episodes I've had over the decades that I'll have to take antidepressants for the rest of my life. The things that have always got me depressed is my environment, family and jobs which I guess is never going to change.

I always wonder how my life could have been without meds. When I was a teen I was a nervous wreck but wasn't on meds and survived. It's all the stuff that came after--like really bad relationships.

[wiretwister]

Originally Posted by venusss

Why would anybody want to invent some new effective meds, when you can just off label anti-psychotics? Sure, they wreck your body and brain, but who cares about the crazies?

no truer words ever spoken

[scottart123]

I agree with all of you. I am on Tegretol and Abilify, Klonopin at night for Bipolar 1. Occasionally like all Bipolars, I have stopped a med thinking i could go it without. Within days of stopping the Tegretol, the anxiety, racing thoughts at night, and suicidal thought return, so I go back on and am OK again. If i stop the Abilify The depression returns within about 4-5 days and I am back in bed. I have done this a couple of times. I have a good friend who says "call me when you think of doing this again so I can remind how bad things can get "!
The thought that I have to take this stuff forever is hard sometimes but it's OK because it helps me so much. Stay on your meds everybody!!!!!