[liveforsummer]

I can't decide what to do!? Since Jan my poor doctor has prescribed different meds for me and I keep bailing on them. Decided to try me on seroquel last tues. Took me til Friday to actually start it. So I've been taking it for 7 days. Now I want to quit. I totally know logically I need something cause otherwise I keep ending up at family doc in a bad way. But Im going on vacation soon and as ridiculous as this sounds I really want to just chill out and enjoy myself and have a few drinks and everything I read says not to drink while on seroquel. I know my overall health should be my prime concern and I feel so self centred to compromise myself for fun not to mention I really dread going back to fam doctor and saying I stopped taking it. Oh my gosh I'm totally rambling here. Maybe I'll wait til after my vacation to start. Ugh argh I'm such an idiot.
I'm not sure what I'm looking for here other than I just had to get this out.

[universalspirit5]

Not sure what your taking meds for. Anxiety, insomnia maybe? Neurontin helps me immensely. It is a seizure med originally but works for a myriad of issues. Anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, etc. I take it for anxiety and my moods. Works beautufully.

[universalspirit5]

Misspelled beautifully. I thought I might be bipolar but I was 42 and had begun meditating, studying the bible and everything spiritual. Now 8 years later I know for sure it is a spiritual awakening. As long as I make sure I get plenty of sleep I do very well. Not sleeping is what causes the mania. I hope you find what works for you.
In this country most doctors are spiritually ignorant. The awakening was helping me to heal from past abuse. Docs in the USA just drug every little symptom and call it mental illness.
When our spirit is healthy then our mind and body quickly follow.

[Victoria'smom]

Is there a reason you're not taking the pills? would an injectable med or desolvable med better for you?

[Nammu]

Going on and off meds is a guaranteed way to stay unstable.

[liveforsummer]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Is there a reason you're not taking the pills? would an injectable med or desolvable med better for you?

I really don't know. I know I get paranoid when I read those long lists of side effects and drug interactions. Was just having this yes/no battle in my head this evening. I want the help but can't seem to commit to it. I don't know why. Now when reading this again I'd just as soon delete this thread. Others have far more significant dilemmas going on. I took tonight's dose and hopefully will continue. Thx for putting up with this.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by liveforsummer

. Was just having this yes/no battle in my head this evening.

It's hard at first. I remember having to call a friend to talk to me while I took my first lithium (my first med heavier than an AD). But if you don't give the meds time to really get a chance to work they will not help you. And sometimes if you go off a med, especially abruptly, they will not work in the future. On the other hand you haven't yet seen a pdoc, right? I love my family doctor but I would be anxious if he was trying to manage my meds without input from my pdoc, especially anything like an AP that is complicated. NOT saying don't take the meds, just saying I understand and it might be less scary when you've seen a pdoc and they explain things to you.



[ Now when reading this again I'd just as soon delete this thread. Others have far more significant dilemmas going on. I took tonight's dose and hopefully will continue. Thx for putting up with this.

This board is for big and small things. Don't delete your thread. It's important for you and may help someone else. You never know. If not today 3 years from now it might.

[Naynay99]

Hey. I don't think the dilemma of whether or not to put medications in your body that can have scary side effects is small at all. I think that the right psych meds can really help a lot of people and possibly give them more stability. So if you decide to take them, I hope you stick with it and give them a chance to actually work. That said, I could never tell someone to put something in their body that they were truly uncomfortable with.

But your stated reason of wanting to stop the meds so you can drink on vacation seems like a rather silly reason to risk an episode over. But then again, I can't really judge- at least u are being safe by not wanting to mix meds with alcohol. When I first started taking Prozac I went away on vacation for a month and I was probably drunk more than sober. So I get wanting to be able to go out and drink and just have fun.

AnywAy I have no real advice- just wanted to say I hope u start to feel better soon. And to never feel like you can't write about your problemsp just bc somebody elses may seem more dire. Take care.

[Icare dixit]

You may drink when on Seroquel.

[liveforsummer]

Thanks everyone for the input. It really does help to here what others have to say. Can't have theses conversations with my own friends and family. They try to help but I think feedback carries more weight when coming from those that have been there. Thx a bunch again!

[liveforsummer]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

You may drink when on Seroquel.

I read mixing can cause a seizure?

And sorry I didn't answer universals question, I'm taking it for mood swings.

I drunk while on olanzapine. And I drunk while I have been on quetiapine. I drive as well even though it says do not drive or operate machinery.
You may find you are more drowsy next day if u mix meds with alcohol and possibly dizzy.
I did not drink much when I first started mental health medication but that was because I was unwell. But once I was built up again I was fine. My parents and my aunt and friends would keep a real close eye on me. I was even fireman's lifted from a nightclub for getting drunk one night at 18, how embarrassing, my neighbour was sent to fetch me. But they were just looking out for me. I have had relapses where I avoided alcohol. If you feel well and stable, it is okay to drink, it is really unlikely something will happen. You might just fall asleep lol

You maybe need to get established on the right drug, before you begin to drink again as it is depressant after all. But for one week you should survive.
MY doctor was completely fine with me drinking did not say to cut down or anything.

[Victoria'smom]

I had to stop reading side effects or you can make a list of "side effects" for bipolar make sure you include: STD, Suicide, self harm and death as part of those "Side effects". You can also start with just therapy. Just concentrating on gaining skills to improve you handling of episode. Slowly work on your your fears of medication set goal and reward yourself for reaching them.

[Sunflower123]

I don't really know which way to weigh in but I wanted to lend my support and hope you come to a decision that's right for you and have a great vacation.

[Wild Coyote]

You may want to consult a pharmacist about whether or not it's safe to drink while taking Seroquel.

I am often conflicted about medications, too.
You wouldn't know that by the number of meds on my daily list.

What do you think is in your best interest? Do that.


WC

[liveforsummer]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

You may want to consult a pharmacist about whether or not it's safe to drink while taking Seroquel.

I am often conflicted about medications, too.
You wouldn't know that by the number of meds on my daily list.

What do you think is in your best interest? Do that.


WC

That's exactly what I will do, call the pharmacist. All I really want is to be able to enjoy a pretty girly drink while on vacay.
And I WILL TRY to keep my best interest in the for-front, I took last night and this mornings dose.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by liveforsummer

I read mixing can cause a seizure?

Have you ever had a seizure? If so, it's possible since both alcohol withdrawal and (mainly) atypical antipsychotics lower the seizure threshold. If not, it's highly unlikely.

[Fuzzybear]

I'm also very conflicted about meds..
(Only able to tolerate benzos (so far) )

[Guiness187055]

I know with me it was more dangerous coming on and off of meds. I was better off not taking them at all and that wasn't a good thing. I have come to the realization that I will be on meds until the day I die and I try to live my life accordingly.

[liveforsummer]

I shall continue and talk about my concerns next thurs at follow up appointment. I guess I should give this a fair trial. The only thing I'm thinking of changing is I'm supposed to take the 50 at morning and night but considering just taking 100 at bedtime only. Maybe I'll be more awake in the day and feel more energetic. Feeling groggy and sleepy in the day is making me crabby.

(I have never had a seizure)

Thanks everyone, it's helpful to get feedback

I couldn't take Seroquel in the morning either. I take 300mg at night and I have a small 25mg for during day for my more stressful days. When I was in London they split up my 500mg night-time dose to 250mg at night and 250mg in morning. How they could condone that is beyond me

[liveforsummer]

I took 50mg last night and none this morning, 50 mg again tonight. Tomorrow I will do 75 mg for 2 nights then 100mg at night. I'm glad I did this because I finally had a day I didn't want to just curl up in bed all day! See what doc says Thurs. (Hey at least I'm taking it, is kinda the way I see it at this point),