I have heard for years that if one totally quits their meds that are working (with doctor monitoring, of course!) and then restarts the meds b/c their symptoms return, that the meds will not work, or not work as well, the second time.

I've googled this question and have found nothing at all about the situation. Anybody got references on this issue?

A relative has major depression, and has taken meds for decades. He decided months ago to get off his meds and go with L.Tryptophan. He has a doctor, and together then monitored him. He did fine for many months, and then (no surprise to me) his depression came back, big time. He's been suffering for months. The doc raised the med he was taking, to double the dose as before. No help. He's tried at least two other meds now, no help. When I told him that is was a (quote from me) well known that the return of symptoms was common and well known, he hopped all over my via email. I told him I would look into it and find out if I was wrong.

But I have heard about this phenomenon for 20 years! I THINK I have heard it from pdocs. What's the scoop? I will also ask my pdoc at my next appt., which is this next Monoday.

[wildflowerchild25]

This definitely happened to me. I was on trileptal and something else and I did well for awhile, so I dropped everything I was on because I figured I didn't really need meds. Did well for six months and then started to cycle again. Tried trileptal again and nope, didn't work at all. Even after going higher on the dose. The seroquel didn't help either.

So yeah. I learned my lesson. I've been doing well now for eight months but I'm not going to take my chances going off my meds. Took me three years to find the right ones.

I've heard of this on psych boards but have found no scientific evidence to back up the claim (that doesn't mean it isn't true, I've just been unsuccessful at finding evidence). My son takes remicade for a bowel disease. It's a biologic which is infused into him similar to chemo. It contains rat proteins. His doctor has said it's very important he not miss an infusion or the medicine could stop working all together. So anything is possible. I'm interesting in hearing from people more educated than I on this subject.

[Fuzzybear]

My experience was atypical

But I agree with the other posts..

[Sad Mermaid]

It did not happen with Geodon for me (thanks god!!!), but it happened with Depakote with respect to migraine prevention: after stopping and restarting, the medicine lost effectiveness. I am grateful that Geodon is as effective as before.

[wiretwister]

i believe they will not work as well if at all if you quit and restart ... i have no proof of this ... but it is the reason I will never completely stop my lamictal ... it works so well for me and nothing else has .. I am afraid to lose it ... no matter how much I want to .... just a silly superstion ... maybe ... but one I am not willing to chance ...

[Sad Mermaid]

My Lamictal is working in a more pronounced way than before, but that is probably because my disorder has become more acute in the intervening years and a smaller dosage activates me.