Saw my pdoc and she put me on different meds.....I am afraid of them.

I am some what anxious about switching meds.
She thinks they have stopped working. IN honesty I think they had stopped working a long time ago.
I am afraid of change.
I have taken lamictal for years and geodon too.
Have started the taper off lamictal at first and start on lithium.(she will keep me on a low dose 100mg of lamictal)

This is where I am conflicted. Maybe it will be a miracle med for me.
I have been unstable for quite some time.
My addictions have been crazy. Maybe with more stability...I will be in more control?
She wants me to switch to vraylar.
Am afraid to take this.
How do I get over worrying about extra pyramidal movements...that is a common side effect. Yikes!
bizi

hey Bizi, sorry about all the anxiety you are going through with these med changes. I can relate. I've had 3 med changes in less than 6 months. it's very frustrating. I am on Geodon also, which was increased by 20 mg recently and also on Lamictal 100 mg daily currently. my PDoc has never consider Lithium for me, though, but I'm sure it'll come up eventually if my condition changes.

I was also put on klonopin for sleep, bad daytime anxiety and panic disorder. I am tapering off for now because I don't want to get too dependent on them. I don't know too much about Vraylar other than it's treated for bipolar mania. med changes aren't easy but it all just may work out for you. please keep track of any side effects and listen to your body and keep your PDoc in the loop.

it's a normal thing and reaction to worry about these things. try not to get too overwhelmed. one step at a time and ask for help if you need it from your PDoc or if you have any reservations about the transition. wishing you all the best during this tough patch. keep reaching out here! all the best!

Changing meds is always a stressful, uncertain time. As it seemed what you were on wasn't doing the trick a change may make all the difference. It is so frustrating that how we react to meds can be so unpredictable. I wish things could be simpler for you. Lithium has helped me but did take time to 'kick in', so be patient. I hope things go as smoothly as possible.

I take vraylar and it's been wonderful for me!

She took me off klonipin for sleep and I have not slept well since.
She says she can't prescribe it for me since I drink.
sigh
bizi

I'm always scared to try a new medicine. I think that's pretty normal. I believe in being educated about the potential side effects, but don't read into them too much b/c it can vary so widely from person to person. The good thing is you can always stop it if the side effects become too intolerable for you.

I changed meds 3 times this year too. I'm now on Lamictal, Klonopin, Buspar for social anxiety, and small doses of Seroquel and Risperdal. I'm afraid of tardive dyskinesia and other bad side effects from the anti-psychotics. Before, I was on Seroquel 300 XRT and felt dead inside. In April my Pdoc took away my Seroquel 300 XRT and put me on Abilify. Within a week I was hypomanic and online shopping. Then he took me off that and added a small dose of Risperdal. So far, so good.
Changing meds is always scary for me. Especially the side effects.
I hope things work out for you.

Lithium is the gold standard for us. Always a concern is APs but in my book they are safer than AD's. From what you've written she seems like a good professional pdoc, is it possible to put it in her hands and trust her? I know you like to be in control but that hasn't been working for you lately. Maybe ley your pdoc be the higher power?

same reason my PDoc took me long to put me on Kpin as well, my history of alcohol abuse in the past. he relented though, eventually.

Like Nammu said Lithium is great for bipolar disorders. I haven't heard much about Vraylar but I know a few people on PC like it. I hope the new meds help you out more than the old ones

I needed a change so will let my pdoc run the show.
So wish she had let me keep the klonipin!
I have a stock hold of them but don't want to use them up unless I am desperate!
bizi

Hi Bizi!

I realize this issue is tough for you, just as it would be for me.

I do not like giving my pdoc control over my meds. I like for her to suggest options, but I like to pick from the options.

You have probably heard a few things about Lithium by now, and may join in protesting ? It is the "gold standard," for some reason. Yet, it is rarely used. usually used as last resort, too. I'd hold some reservations, too.

That said, sometimes we may need to trust our pdoc,.

Much Love to You, Bizi!

Thank you!
Learn to let go and trust....
hard to do.
They hold the doctorates I don't.
She gave my the lecture about trying to tell her what I want to do.
so I am now letting her run the show.
sigh
bizi

I was put on Vraylar 7/2 and it’s done wonders for me. I know everyone reacts differently and I can understand your apprehension. I’m hoping your med change is beneficial to you and goes as smoothly as possible.

Thank you jenn for your feed back.
It is reassuring.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

@Wild Coyote and @Jennifer 1967

I am afraid she is trying to taper me off the lamictal too fast.
She is having me go from 400mg to 100mg in less than 2 weeks.
I agreed to this against my better judgement. But now I want to take things more slowly.....what do you guys think?
I am the one at risk for a seizure!!!!

bizi

I bow to WC’s wisdom in these things and I don’t know much about Lamictal. Are you comfortable telling your pdoc that this doesn’t work for you? It does seem to be a rather quick adjustment. I understand your concern. (((HUGS)))

Choosing which meds to go on and which meds to go off of should always be a compromise unless there are legitimate medical/health reasons as to why you have to do something a certain way. So if you personally don’t feel comfortable going from 400 to 100, then you should make a better compromise with her. Don’t feel afraid to say “no” to tapering off quickly. Obviously we’re not doctors and we don’t know all the medical literature out there, but we DO know our bodies and how our bodies react to med changes. So ask her if it is safe to taper slower than what she’s suggesting, and go with the rate at which YOU feel comfortable with, based on how you know your mind and body.

I am obviously not a doctor, but my previous pdoc wanted me to go from 250mg of Seroquel XR to 50mg overnight and I flat out said no to that because I tried going cold turkey off it I’m the past and had disastrous withdrawal effects. So I asked to taper in increments of 50mg. He said, “you don’t need to go that slow, but if you feel more comfortable that way, then we can do that.”

ROFL! there is no good reason for anyone to "bow to" anything or anyone.

I love you , Jenn. You give excellent advice!

I feel Jennifer has given perfectly great advice!
I agree with her; it's, at least partly,about what feels comfortable to you, Bizi!

(I don't know if people without seizure disorders are apt to have seizures from discontinuing Lamictal? I tend to think that particular warning might be for people using Lamictal for various seizure disorders? I am not a doctor. Maybe ask your doctor about the seizure risk?)

It's important that you feel safe in tapering the med. Unless it's dangerous , somehow, to not go more slowly, I'd think she might slow it down to help you to feel more comfortable with the changes being made.

Make your feelings/concerns known to her.

OOOPS! Blue and I were writing at the same time!

I think taht I will ask her to slow the taper down another week.
thanks you ladies for your sound advice....which I will take you up on!
bizi

Look at it this way: Geodon has a risk of TD as well and you took that for years. So I wouldn't worry about Vraylar. But I am with you on the EPS thing. Freaks me out a bit.

Lithium on the other hand is the first line drug and has a well documented track record of success for most people. As long as you don't mind getting blood drawn every few months and the thirst and frequent urination, it can be the miracle drug. Some people get the shakes with it, but it's not permanent.

@Dysphoria

Thank you for your post!
I will be taking the smaller dose a total of 900 mg a day.
bizi