Going off meds cold turkey

No I am not concerned with the "kindling theory " it is just that....... a Theory.

There is no solid proof that Bipolar will just keep getting worse without treatment. What is your definition of treatment? Medications? Therapy, self care? Herbal?

I'm sorry to say lithium and saphris totally ruined a year of my life for me because they never worked and certainly did not stabilise my mood.

Nobody but you can make the decision as to whether or not you should be on meds. That's your decision. But just make sure that you're maki an informed decision with all the facts.

And remember that there are meds out there that can help you. It certainly isn't a case of one size fits all.

Wishing you well in whatever decision you make.

You're right. What I REALLY should have done was go and force-feed every single one of those ****ers to my doctor. All at once. And then tape his mouth shut.

Darvula

Good idea, Darvula. Wish I had!

I'll lend you the duct tape

Hi I also go through periods where I don't want to take my meds and think they aren't helping, during these times I have gradually reduced my meds and eventually came off them completely. Unfortunately after this I become more anxious, suicidal, manic and then depressed and have nearly ended up in hospital again.
It must be something to do with Bipolar that makes us every so often think I don't need these meds I am fine now!

I'm still happy to report that I'm off my meds, and so far doing fine. A little tired, but fine. I still take Klonopin as needed, but I haven't needed even much of that. Perhaps this won't be the world's worst experience for me, as some of you have seemed to imply. I really hope I can make this through.

Prayers of safety from me to you.
Please be careful

yellowfever

I've been wondering this myself. I look at the parent who has it and it seems to have changed over time, but maybe not for the worse. When I was a kid, I remember my Dad being quiet and angry at times (but never loony happy). Now he's more silly happy and sometimes angry, but a lot less quiet and withdrawn. He was never medicated for BPII. He does self medicate though with the same small amount of alcohol almost every night since I was a kid.

So I think it might "progress" but not always for the worse. If it's true that each episode causes brain damage, then I guess it's damaged the part that causes depressions.

I want my mind and soul and body back. **** big pharma, I'm not giving them my life and money anymore. I embrace my reality. I embrace it all. Come what may, I'm doing this and I'm getting my life back again. Mania, depression, I can ride it all out. I can survive the ups and downs and in-betweens. I'm a survivor and I can do this.

Not sure if anyone has told you before, but coping skills alone cannot possibly help you wit this disorder! If you AND your pdoc decided on stopping cold turkey, I would SERIOUSLY advise you to get a new pdoc, as bipolar isn't somethingto mess with in terms of just tring to "cope" with it." That's like telling a double amputee to try coping with it, get up and walk. Not possible. This is not my opinion. This is scientific fact. I would really encourage you not to stop cold turkey. QUOTE=~Christina;4116483]I appreciate the information, but my whole purpose of stopping the medication is to stay off psych meds across the board

For "me" they are harsh chemicals that I no longer have any desire to ingest. Many people are on meds and its working wonders for them, and that is fantastic.

I refuse to take them, I will rely on my coping skills to get my stablility and when an episode pops up as Bipolar does whether on meds or not for me , I will ride the waves and manage.

Oh course this is my opinion and what my Pdoc and I decided upon.[/QUOTE]

I had no problem getting off of Lamictal and Lithium. No side effects and I could stop them immediately.

Effexor left me with insane panic attacks. I got through them by telling myself it was just a body response to no meds and not me actually having a panic attack.

The worst has been Seroquel, though. My Pdoc says none of her other clients have issues coming off of it, but I get super ill and have to wean off very slowly. We found that I could come off of it better if I changed part of the dose to XR vs the IR. I still take it though and will until I am ready to have children.

Hi, I've decided to wean off most of my meds after being on them for around 9 years. I am completely stable now and happy and I know it's thanks to my meds but I do feel foggy and I've gained heaps of weight. I've started with Tegretol. Instead of taking 400 mg a day I cut down to 200 mg last night. I couldn't get to sleep and then when I did I kept waking up. I didn't think the Tegretol made me sleepy but perhaps it does. Has anyone come off Tegretol and can tell me their experience? Thanks