[treehugger727]

I don't want to take them anymore. I am on 300 mg of Lamotrigine daily, 30 mg of Fluoxetine, and I have a clonazepam prescription that I hardly ever use unless the insomnia is really bad. I think I need to just get off all of it for a while. I have not had any type of break from my medication since August of 2012 when I was first dx BP2. I have learned a lot about it in the past few years and I realize that I have not ever tried to manage this diagnosis (since it was made known to my by my pdoc) without prescription medication being a very large part of my treatment plan. I am not sure if I am ready because I know I will have symptoms to deal with and it will take additional effort to ensure I avoid triggers, that I eat right, exercise, be mindful, etc. I just would like to see how I actually FEEL without taking any medication. For 30 something years I had this goin on inside of me and was able to manage my life decently (to a certain degree) without meds because I hadn't known that they were something that could help/change.

I really want to give my body and my mind the opportunity to work together to try to be healthy now that I have so much more information and knowledge; not only about how to manage my condition but also to recognize that taking all of this medication has residual side effects of their own. I want to try to live without these pills and rely more on my own self and finding balance. Thought and/or suggestions?

[ChaoticSymphony]

I'm not in any position to say do it or don't do it. That's a personal choice that I hope if you choose to you do so with your doctors advice and guidance. The only thing I can say about my experience was be prepared to feel like crap for a few weeks at least, a little less if you're lucky. There was no way I could drive during my withdrawal period in the beginning and was pretty much dead to the world. I also went into a bit of a depression during that time because of the stress of coming off.

I completely understand your thoughts on this and have been where you're at so whatever you choose I wish you the best of luck.

[~Christina]

As someone that just tossed my meds in the trash one day, no taper.. It was difficult for a while, just be prepared.

Everytime I got off of meds I've regretted doing that. It has always led to at least a year of crazy living, regardless of what I was thinking.

I'm on about the same meds, and there is a reason for it: I'm bipolar affected and there is no 2 ways about it.

I can't stop you hon, but I don't recommend it. I know it's boring, but this last one almost killed me.

[LettinG0]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

As someone that just tossed my meds in the trash one day, no taper.. It was difficult for a while, just be prepared.

Christina:

Are you still off medications?

[Skywalking]

Watch out with the lamictal withdrawal, it can be a beast, and if you're off it a long time you will probably have to start small and titrate up again if you ever decide to go back on it. Best wishes whatever you decide, I have thought about and tried the same with doctor's help but couldn't make it past the withdrawal.

[LastQuestion]

I think the only way to realistically assess ones actual need for meds is to slowly taper off existing medication while doing everything possible to promote neuroplasticity so as to insure as fast and complete a recovery from withdrawal as possible. Sleep, diet, and exercise and some therapies that can assist in treating symptoms serve towards that end.

Dark Therapy supported by melatonin supplementation can help with insomnia and mania, exercise with depression, diet and sleep are crucial to every aspect which promotes stability. There are some supplements which can provide benefit as well, but managing dosages oneself can be troublesome to do. I'd suggest talking to your pdoc about treatments using ashwagandha, l-theanine, brahmi, or n-acetylcysteine or any others which have benign to non-existent side effects.

[touched by fire]

Pretty much spot on with how I feel. I'm me, but I'm not me... and I've never tried to see which me I could be without the med's and after a diagnosis. My gut says to do it... but my mind says not to... I really really hate the foggy head and inability to recall things quickly anymore... my mind used to be so vivid and creative.

I'm at 400mg of Lamictal and I've missed a dose here and there... got extreme headaches that even advil and multiple servings of caffeinated drinks couldn't help. On occasion I take trazadone and clonazepam (I don't like clonazepam at all...bad bad side effects a couple days later)

Skywalking what actually happened when you stopped the Lamictal?

[GaBabyBear]

It is very dangerous to suddenly stop Lamictal. I had a stroke a few years ago when suddenly stopping and not working with my pdoc on teetering off the medication.

[Skywalking]

Originally Posted by touched by fire

Skywalking what actually happened when you stopped the Lamictal?

Same as you actually, horrible headaches for the most part, but also I kind of felt like the world had gone flat and unreal, especially while I was driving. Additionally, after a few days, I felt unusually tired - malaise, I believe is the official term, but basically it was like being hit by the flu without any other flu symptoms. I said to heck with it at that point. I lasted a little over a week before I wimped out. I feel like a wuss when other folks have endured much worse withdrawals on much worse meds, but there you go.

I didn't even stop it, I went down from 300 to 200 under doctor supervision after he agreed to take me off it and see how I responded, but clearly that was too big a jump. It seems I'm rather sensitive to it. I'm back on 300 and plan to stay here for several months before discussing trying again...if I want to. I'm really not sure if I do or not.

Originally Posted by Skywalking

Same as you actually, horrible headaches for the most part, but also I kind of felt like the world had gone flat and unreal, especially while I was driving. Additionally, after a few days, I felt unusually tired - malaise, I believe is the official term, but basically it was like being hit by the flu without any other flu symptoms. I said to heck with it at that point. I lasted a little over a week before I wimped out. I feel like a wuss when other folks have endured much worse withdrawals on much worse meds, but there you go.

I didn't even stop it, I went down from 300 to 200 under doctor supervision after he agreed to take me off it and see how I responded, but clearly that was too big a jump. It seems I'm rather sensitive to it. I'm back on 300 and plan to stay here for several months before discussing trying again...if I want to. I'm really not sure if I do or not.

OMG, that's a huge jump! The recommended med reduction is the opposite of the build up- 50mg a 7-10 days or longer. It's tedious and I get anxious to be done myself which has put me in crisis.

[Skywalking]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

The recommended med reduction is the opposite of the build up- 50mg a 7-10 days or longer. It's tedious and I get anxious to be done myself which has put me in crisis.

I can definitely sympathize. Also part of why I'm hesitant...it would take so freaking long to come down from a higher dose. I really do wish you well in coming off of it and getting through the tedium.

[touched by fire]

Yeah, no... I wouldn't dare the sudden stop, I definitely know better on that!

It took almost 2 years to settle in at 400mg... I would expect the taper down from that to take a loooong time as well...

[Sunshiney87]

Last month I went off meds cold turkey and it was a disaster. From withdrawal to constant mood changes (especially depression) - I couldn't handle myself anymore. Had to go back on meds....

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by LettinG0

Christina:

Are you still off medications?

Yes I am still Med free

Originally Posted by Sunshiney87

Last month I went off meds cold turkey and it was a disaster. From withdrawal to constant mood changes (especially depression) - I couldn't handle myself anymore. Had to go back on meds....

True. Meds are a crutch the brain relies upon to supply it the chemicals it needs. Sometimes the production of its own chemicals are there but always running on low, then when an outside source for chemicals is introduced, the brain starts relying on the outside source and completely shuts down its own chemical producing factories. Then you take away the outside source, the brain has no needed chemicals being produced on its own. It takes awhile for its own chemical factories to restart production and play catch up.

It hurts.

[Trippin2.0]

Cold turkey can be a right b!tch.


I had withdrawal symptoms for almost two weeks (which is apparently very short) but hell nonetheless... Shivers, shakes, cold sweats, hallucinations, etc etc etc.


Then once that was over I started ultradian cycling for three months.

I had extreme mood shifts three times a day, I would just get used to being high as a kite enjoying being so absolutely in love with life and then suddenly plummet into feeling extremely suicidal.

was very confusing and exhausting.

So yeah, not fun. Took a while for my brain to adjust to having no meds.


But boy was it worth it.


Spent the next six months in remission, no symptoms, not one, and when they did return, they assumed their previous biweekly pattern.


I would suggest a taper, cold turkey usually has people on their knees at the pdoc's door within a week or so.

[Onesmallstep]

I've stopped meds before-all of them at one time believing that I did not need them and just one of them right now for unbearable side effects. For me, I can successfully live med free for a few years but then end up back where I started. I want a clear mind and creativity that exists in myself unmediated. It is, in fact, essential for my job success. But more importantly, I need to be alive to care for the special people in my life. So for me, I have to accept the illness and understand that the meds have to become part of my life.

[wiretwister]

i really wanted off my ap,, tapered slowely and was ok..next was xanex,, total failure.. looks like i am on it for the long haul,,actually afraid to try the lamictal..

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by wiretwister

i really wanted off my ap,, tapered slowely and was ok..next was xanex,, total failure.. looks like i am on it for the long haul,,actually afraid to try the lamictal..

Whats you concerns about Lamictal ? The rash? If so its very rare, as long as you take it exactly as your Pdoc prescribes the chances are very low of it happening, I was on it for a long time, I never had a problem or a side effect.

[Wander]

Some meds are easier to come off than others. I found Benzo's like Valium or Clonazepam to be hell on earth to stop even though I did it slowly. I was off them for five years until I was put back on them in hospital. I now take them sparingly to avoid being addicted. YOu have been given some great advice already so I won't repeat it but I really hope you have a smooth ride and find what works best for you.