Medication Decreases and Mood

Has anyone else here had a medication change where a dose was lowered not because you are doing better, but more based on side effects being less severe on lower doses?

I am a little nervous, because my pdoc observed that I am "not in a good place right now," but she decreased my Seroquel this time around, because I told her that sometimes higher doses cause me to feel like I'm going to pass out if I'm not careful and the sedation could be really strong. We thought temporarily for health reasons, it would be best to be on a lower dose. (I've been on doses up to 800 mg. Now, my dose is lower than it's been in 3 years). Eventually, I'll probably increase dose again, but at least temporarily, this change might help me health-wise. The only reason I'm a little nervous, is because I am not used to a medication decrease when I'm in a vulnerable spot.

Has anyone here actually felt better with a medication decrease mood-wise? For instance: a lower dose decreasing the side effects, so that effected your mood positively? What was your experience? I am still on high doses of all my other meds, so at least that helps protect me from symptoms worsening. However, it's still early to tell, so I don't want this to backfire.

Sure, in my case in increase in the Seroquel didn’t help with depression; it made things worse because I was more tired. I’m so glad that my pdoc noticed this—it hadn’t occurred to me. So my dose was decreased and I was started on lithium.

I do feel much better!

That's good to hear! I am hoping it will be the same case for me. So far, it's working out okay, although it's only been a few days. When I feel a like my mind is racing a little too much, I'll just make sure to take a Klonopin or two with my other meds (I try not to do this too frequently though), and it can be helpful.

Yes. Late last year my Seroquel was dropped by at least 200mg. I’m sorry I don’t remember by how much.
I also was put on Epilim at sub - therapeutic levels purely to try and keep side effects low and manageable.
The end result is that my head feels quite clear and I’ve got way less side effects. I’ve also been stable for a month.
BUT on the flip side I have to more actively manage triggers, my bedtime etc in other ways.

This is good to hear. I can also expect for me that it won't be a walk in the park when it comes to stability. I worry about switching into mania, but I think the reduced Seroquel is worth giving it a shot, since maybe the other meds will "protect me" from cycling. Less fatigue should do me some good, especially since all my meds are very sedating, so this will give me a little bit more relief (I think). Maybe I'll be more functional in other ways, like when it comes to getting stuff done. I think too much sedation with the meds can make me sort of lazy and lethargic at times, so I'm hoping for a change.