[251turnaround]

Hi all,

During my last visit with my psych, he suggested that I should consider going inpatient to "reset" my medication regimen. This cane as a bit of a surprise, as he was the one who prescribed the six psych meds I currently take. He also mentioned it would take about a month or so apparently.

I was wondering if any of you have had any experiences doing this or if this is just some totally outlandish suggestion.

Thanks!

II-V-I

None of my past hospitalizations have entirely been for medication resets (I was always very ill during them), but I have heard of that. I therefore wouldn't call it an outlandish suggestion.

Often I did have medication overhauls during hospitalizations and PHPs/IOPs.

[*Laurie*]

Many years ago I agreed to do that. Spent 30 hours IP, saw one pdoc at 4:30 a.m. He did not do anything. The result of the stay was singular: I was exhausted and messed up from losing sleep.

[Daonnachd]

To clarify: the doc was saying the inpatient reset would keep you hospitalised for a month?

I've never been held that long.

[wildflowerchild25]

I would see if you might be able to go to a php or IOP rather than IP. If it’s just for a med overhaul and you’re safe otherwise I see no reason to be locked up. I mean, I’ve heard of it, but I wouldn’t want to do it.

[251turnaround]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I would see if you might be able to go to a php or IOP rather than IP. If it’s just for a med overhaul and you’re safe otherwise I see no reason to be locked up. I mean, I’ve heard of it, but I wouldn’t want to do it.

Yeah that's the thing.

I asked why he wanted me to be inpatient and his response amounted to "I'm not equipped to handle this outpatient."

[Nammu]

If he plans to take you completely off your current meds you will have withdrawals and liking be sleeping all day and he wants you medically monitored. Very good Pdocs do it that way. I've been in hospitals when people are going though that and most of them have a better experience than those outside trying to deal with everyday life and the med changes at the same time. Do bring reading material with you though.

[Wild Coyote]

I wonder why he feels you need to be IP for a med change?

I have not heard of this unless someone is unsafe or unable to care for oneself.

What a truly expensive way to change meds!

I would tough it out at home; yet, that's the way I do things. So do my excellent pdocs. They express very little faith in the care at the local hospital.

Do you feel unsafe?
Do you feel you need the support during a med change?

What's truly important is how YOU feel about going IP.

WC

[251turnaround]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I wonder why he feels you need to be IP for a med change?

I have not heard of this unless someone is unsafe or unable to care for oneself.

What a truly expensive way to change meds!

I would tough it out at home; yet, that's the way I do things. So do my excellent pdocs. They express very little faith in the care at the local hospital.

Do you feel unsafe?
Do you feel you need the support during a med change?

What's truly important is how YOU feel about going IP.

WC

He wants me IP because he's going to cold turkey me off all of my meds.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by 251turnaround

He wants me IP because he's going to cold turkey me off all of my meds.

How do you feel about going IP for this?


WC

[~Christina]

How do you feel about dropping all 6 meds at once ? Why not taper off each med carefully ?

Cold turkey off that many meds will be a huge shock to your system and maybe unnecessary.

I would ask for a different way to make Med changes.

I also haven’t heard of going IP for a whole month for med changes , seems extreme unless you are very unstable and unable to stay safe.

Good luck !

[251turnaround]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

How do you feel about going IP for this?


WC

My biggest worry is the boredom really. I'm going to see if he really wants to do this. If he does, then I guess I'll give it a shot. Should realistically only be a few weeks at the most.

[Guiness187055]

Dropping all six meds cold turkey sounds insane. I would ask for a taper I am tapering off of lithium and seroquel at the moment. It's a two week taper.

[HALLIEBETH87]

The first time I went IP for psychosis my dr completely changed me meds cold turkey. I don't even remember everything from that week which is partyl bc I was in psychosis and partly I think because my body was freaking out. I suggest taking it slower than all six at once. it really sucks.

[TheSeaCat]

Originally Posted by 251turnaround

He wants me IP because he's going to cold turkey me off all of my meds.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way but that sounds very dangerous and almost reckless for you Pdoc to do; several psych medications have such a dangerous withdraw period that I would be terrified of doing it cold turkey even with a doctor's help. Not to mention that could cause a huge shock to your system as others have mentioned.

Can I ask a question? How much do you trust this doctor?

[Wild Coyote]

Cold turkey on all six meds?

Color me non-compliant; I would ask a lot of questions and then still refuse to do it that way, unless it is an emergency! I mean truly a life and death style of an emergency.

Do you know if your insurer will even allow you to stay inpatient for weeks? Most do not allow this. Is it possible you will go cold turkey and have your insurer limit your stay?

If your insurer pulls the plug on this plan, are you prepared to leave the hospital and/or ready to take on the financial obligations which come with staying?

If you are admitted to the hospital, who is in charge of your care? Does your pdoc also work at this hospital? If not, then others will be in charge of your meds and your care when you are under their roof.

Lots to think about!

Please think things over and ask lots of questions. There are potential ramifications that only affect you, not your pdoc.

Please take good care of yourself!
I wish you well! Truly!


WC

[Pookyl]

I’ve been ip for a number of med changes. It’s one of the safest ways to overhaul your meds.
To clarify, in my case I’ve been admitted in for an episode and my meds have been tweaked while I’m ip.

[251turnaround]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Cold turkey on all six meds?

Color me non-compliant; I would ask a lot of questions and then still refuse to do it that way, unless it is an emergency! I mean truly a life and death style of an emergency.

Do you know if your insurer will even allow you to stay inpatient for weeks? Most do not allow this. Is it possible you will go cold turkey and have your insurer limit your stay?

If your insurer pulls the plug on this plan, are you prepared to leave the hospital and/or ready to take on the financial obligations which come with staying?

If you are admitted to the hospital, who is in charge of your care? Does your pdoc also work at this hospital? If not, then others will be in charge of your meds and your care when you are under their roof.

Lots to think about!

Please think things over and ask lots of questions. There are potential ramifications that only affect you, not your pdoc.

Please take good care of yourself!
I wish you well! Truly!


WC

My insurance hates it when I stay more than a week!

My pdoc is very strange and I think this is just a part of that. He also suggested ECT and TMS because I've been through pretty much all of the different meds I can try and I still have worsening manias.