[PaperVsRock]

Hi all, I'm new to these forums - I don't know what to do about my meds. The side effects are just too much. It's been a year of my life now feeling wasted because of them. What is the chance if I do go off my meds I'll have another episode? So far I've just had the one a year ago and have been in a depressive episode since. Thank you for any advice!

Now drugs don't work, they just make me worse, but I know I'll see my face again...

[Daonnachd]

Meds keep the worst at bay. Every time I have decided I was cured and no longer needed my meds, I ended up doing very poorly very quickly. I can't predict what will happen for you, but I feel confident in saying going off meds is a bad idea.

[wildflowerchild25]

It's impossible to say what will happen. I went off meds once and stayed stable for six months - but then went into a terrible mania complete with psychosis. The only way you'll find out is by doing it. I'm not advocating that though. If you do, make sure you have a line of defense of an episode happens. I don't know what meds you're on but there are meds that don't have severe side effects that you could try instead. It took me three years to find meds that worked for me that didn't have intolerable side effects.

[Victoria'smom]

Episodes can happen with or without medication. The medication can lighten the severity and length of the episode. Are you in therapy? if so talk to your therapist.

[Wander]

Good advice above. You must also be careful of withdrawals of stopping some meds suddenly. This can make things worse quick. Can you have an honest conversation with your psychiatrist about this? Like others said it may be worth a try but you need to have the right tools and support to give it a good shot.

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Episodes can happen with or without medication. The medication can lighten the severity and length of the episode. Are you in therapy? if so talk to your therapist.

Medications like Lamictal can reduce the frequency of episodes too. I think that is what we are all interested in, correct?

Tucson

BTW good to see you are still posting here!

[Victoria'smom]

I hadn't heard it helping with frequency of them. That'd be cool.

[Wander]

Originally Posted by PaperVsRock

Hi all, I'm new to these forums - I don't know what to do about my meds. The side effects are just too much. It's been a year of my life now feeling wasted because of them. What is the chance if I do go off my meds I'll have another episode? So far I've just had the one a year ago and have been in a depressive episode since. Thank you for any advice!

Now drugs don't work, they just make me worse, but I know I'll see my face again...

BTW...love The Verve song reference

[PaperVsRock]

Wow thank you for all the advice. I have talked to both my psychiatrist and therapist about this and it just sounds like a waiting game of finding meds that work on the depressive episode. How long am I supposed to wait? *sigh*

[Wander]

Unfortunately it can take some time to find the right meds and reign in an episode. Everyone and every episode is different. I have had meds pull me out of episodes in days and other times I have gone years waiting for the right meds and for stability to come naturally. Be patient. Breathe. I hope you find rest soon.