[MrGrendel]

I've been off meds since about may of last year. I've managed, not without the rough spots but i've managed. I think i might have overreacted to not being able to sleep lately and an increased irritability and anxiety that seems to have picked up in the last couple of weeks. When i brought this up in my support group they recommended i see the school psychiatrist and i did. and she insisted that i have bipolar disorder and wants me to take lamotrigine. my experience with meds in the past has been that i feel somewhat better for a bit and then i get really really depressed, and hospitalized. i bought the meds because they are only 4 dollars but i havent been able to bring myself to take them. i really dont want to. all i wanted was something to help me sleep so i can concentrate on my studies. i certainly wasnt expecting medication or to be told i have bipolar disorder. im not exactly sure what the criteria for that even is so i cant disputed but its upset me ALOT. and ive never had a manic episode. ever. actually im pretty angry at her now (i just realized as im writing this) i cant explain it but i know i dont have bipolar disorder. i know ppl who have it and im not like that. bleh. what would u guys do in this situation. would u take the meds? i really dont think itl be good for me.

[MDDBPDPTSD]

I am not qualified to advise you on taking the medication or not taking the medication. I am sorry that you are not feeling well though.
You say you have been off medications for almost a year now. Why did you get off of them? When you did get off of them, was that a physician supervised thing, or did you do it on your own?
What meds were you on? Is the lamotrigine the same meds as you had before? Or different?

I don't know where you are, but in the US we are afforded the privilege of getting a second opinion, if we do not agree wit what our doctor says. That might be a good thing for you to look into as well. Good luck to you.

[ECHOES]

Taking medication is always your choice alone, separate from any suggestions by others.

Do you have a therapist to help you?
Can you identify what specifically was going on a couple of weeks ago that could have got the anxiety going?

[cboxpalace]

Originally Posted by MDDBPDPTSD

What meds were you on? Is the lamotrigine the same meds as you had before? Or different?

MDDBPDPTSD brings up some good questions, because lamotrigine is a mood stabalizer so your reactions to it may be different if you were on anti depressants, or another class of drug prior..

[MrGrendel]

i had ect treatment and im going to group and individual therapy without any meds since about may of last year. the ect seems to ahve worked. its just lately my mood started swinging around again but nothing i can't handle (i think) i rly just wanted something to help me sleep not something for my mood. ive decided not to take the meds and just continue with my current treatment.

[MrGrendel]

my group therapist and group both agreed with my decision they dont think i need the meds either. as for something to help me sleep. im trying breathing exercises and someone form my group suggested certain kinds of tea's that might help with sleep . obviously not with caffeine lol

[smallstepsforward]

Originally Posted by MrGrendel

my group therapist and group both agreed with my decision they dont think i need the meds either. as for something to help me sleep. im trying breathing exercises and someone form my group suggested certain kinds of tea's that might help with sleep . obviously not with caffeine lol

Hi MrGrendel, I'm new here...and your thread will be my first post on an online forum...in a really long time! So here goes. You sound perfectly fine/good to me. When I had trouble maintaining sleep or just general peace at my previous job, I used to brew warm milk, with some honey and some cereal mix. Or prior to bedtime I will eat a cheese sandwich or peanut butter sandwich - protein and carb together, and follow a gentle routine to sleep. Because my insomnia was related to work stress, what worked for me was sticking to a calm and comfortable routine...morning and night. Hope this helps.

[MrGrendel]

Originally Posted by smallstepsforward

Hi MrGrendel, I'm new here...and your thread will be my first post on an online forum...in a really long time! So here goes. You sound perfectly fine/good to me. When I had trouble maintaining sleep or just general peace at my previous job, I used to brew warm milk, with some honey and some cereal mix. Or prior to bedtime I will eat a cheese sandwich or peanut butter sandwich - protein and carb together, and follow a gentle routine to sleep. Because my insomnia was related to work stress, what worked for me was sticking to a calm and comfortable routine...morning and night. Hope this helps.

it absolutely helps. im drinking tea (deccaf) before bed now and trying to not do anything on my bed except sleep (no reading, watching tv, etc) sorry for the late reply. milk and honey sounds amazing tho. il have to try that