[Angie84]

Hey, I'm looking for some advice. I currently attend a psychiatrist who is linked toy GP surgery (so I can't get a different one). She recently changed my antipsychotic medication and the new ones have made me feel elated, like really elated to where I can't stop talking to people and keep buying stuff and putting it on my credit card (bought a guitar yoday for example). I phoned my psychiatrist on Wednesday as although it's better than feeling suicidal, this is definitely not me, and I really can't afford to be buying stuff. She said although it might be an elated episode, it is more probably relief as my godmother's funeral had passed. I told her the symptoms were first noticed by my ex partner the morning of the funeral. I felt like talking to her was a waste of time so I asked the pharmacist who advised that feeling elated is a common side effect when starting this medication. This made me feel better, however I've just stopped taking them as I have no impulse control, and no one in my home life to help me, so I felt the only option is to stop them. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.

[Rive1976]

Well how long have you been taking them? It is not good to quit cold turkey. You should have seen if she could taper you off. Coming off my meds cold turkey severely messed up my sleep cycle.

[Angie84]

I was only on them for about 2weeks. I stopped on Friday, as I just can't take it anymore. I wasn't sleeping when I was taking them either. I'm seeing my psychiatrist again on Wednesday, hopefully she'll be a bit more useful..

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry, Angie84 I agree with Dnester. Quitting meds like this could be very dangerous for your own health. Be careful. I'm glad you're going to see your psychiatrist soon. I'd suggest to talk to her about this and see how it goes from there. Hopefully she will be able to help you. Stay safe and take care of yourself. Is there anyone else IRL outside of your home life that you can reach out to? Any friends or family members? I'm so sorry, I know it's hard. Is there anything we can do to help you? Please let us know. You can do this! You're strong, I know that. I believe in you. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck ! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

It’s my body and I know it well. You see a doctor for a few minutes and away you go dealing with whatever happens next to you all alone.

I know my behaviors and what I do and why (not that I have any control over what the others do)...., but if a medication changes affects me negatively, I will quit taking a drug without doctors permission of which I’ve done a many of times. If a drug is hurting or making me feel way out of sorts....then no. I’ve told doctors no, that I will not take a certain drug that failed me and to find something else. I pretty much wont take any a.p. After trying several in the past because they hurt. You see, I have to function and go to work everyday. I quit seriously because I slept for 22 hours for 3 days and made me feel like I was moving through honey.

So to me, you did the right thing.

There is a lawsuit against the makers of Abilify because it triggered its users to have compulsive gambling habits....true? Idk.

Antidepressants tend to trigger hypomania in me to where I do all things that you have described. Can you be bipolarish, too?

[Angie84]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

It’s my body and I know it well. You see a doctor for a few minutes and away you go dealing with whatever happens next to you all alone.

I know my behaviors and what I do and why (not that I have any control over what the others do)...., but if a medication changes affects me negatively, I will quit taking a drug without doctors permission of which I’ve done a many of times. If a drug is hurting or making me feel way out of sorts....then no. I’ve told doctors no, that I will not take a certain drug that failed me and to find something else. I pretty much wont take any a.p. After trying several in the past because they hurt. You see, I have to function and go to work everyday. I quit seriously because I slept for 22 hours for 3 days and made me feel like I was moving through honey.

So to me, you did the right thing.

There is a lawsuit against the makers of Abilify because it triggered its users to have compulsive gambling habits....true? Idk.

Antidepressants tend to trigger hypomania in me to where I do all things that you have described. Can you be bipolarish, too?

Thanks for your reply. The kind of mania I'm experiencing is similar to that of bipolar, but I already feel like it's easing just after 2 days of not taking them, not much but I think there is improvement. I'm still taking the antidepressants as I've been taking them for about a year and know not to stop taking meds suddenly if you've been on them for so long.

I just wish my psychiatrist believed in what I was saying. I also have a psychologist that I'm seeing on Tuesday, so I'm going to speak to her about it too.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Angie84

Thanks for your reply. The kind of mania I'm experiencing is similar to that of bipolar, but I already feel like it's easing just after 2 days of not taking them, not much but I think there is improvement. I'm still taking the antidepressants as I've been taking them for about a year and know not to stop taking meds suddenly if you've been on them for so long.

I just wish my psychiatrist believed in what I was saying. I also have a psychologist that I'm seeing on Tuesday, so I'm going to speak to her about it too.

I was wondering if this was a bipolar thing for you because I have bipolar and this exact thing happens to me related to my bipolar and medications. there is a bipolar forum board here on psych central found here... you might want to ask a mod to move this thread over there to get more answers and replies related to the bipolar like problems.... here is where you can find the bipolar board...

https://forums.psychcentral.com/bipolar/

Originally Posted by Angie84

Thanks for your reply. The kind of mania I'm experiencing is similar to that of bipolar, but I already feel like it's easing just after 2 days of not taking them, not much but I think there is improvement. I'm still taking the antidepressants as I've been taking them for about a year and know not to stop taking meds suddenly if you've been on them for so long.

I just wish my psychiatrist believed in what I was saying. I also have a psychologist that I'm seeing on Tuesday, so I'm going to speak to her about it too.

I’m trying to reduce my AD because my head is zinging when I’m trying to sleep. It started when I went to 40 mg a few months ago, but Ive went back to 20 just recently and sleep better. I’m thinking of taking it out completely to see if that’s any better.

They put me on Latuda in the psych hospital and it made me manic so bad that I was sleeping about 4 hours a night with chaotic vivid dreams, high anxiety and irritability. After 3 days it was like hell no, lol

Good luck.

[Angie84]

I have noticed no difference at all when taking antidepressants. I'm currently on my 3rd antidepressant medication, and my psychiatrist doesn't want to change it until I am more 'stable'. I do get withdrawals when stopping them tho.

With the new antipsychotics I have only been sleeping about 4 hours a night also, and that's been for around a week now. I think a combination of the lack of sleep and stopping the tablets may be worsening my anxiety, but I feel trying to manage anxiety is the safest option for me until I see my psychologist and psychiatrist.

I have never had an episode of mania/elation before starting those new tablets.

Your pharmacist said a common side effect when *starting* medication. Did he mean it levels off when your body adjusts to the medication?
I was on a med for physical problem that has emotional side effects. At their worse at 2 weeks after starting then leveled off & by week 5 gone.

[MickeyCheeky]

I hope your psychologist will be able to help you, Angie84. You deserve to get help and to feel well. I hope she will believe you! Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Angie84]

Originally Posted by cavaliers

Your pharmacist said a common side effect when *starting* medication. Did he mean it levels off when your body adjusts to the medication?
I was on a med for physical problem that has emotional side effects. At their worse at 2 weeks after starting then leveled off & by week 5 gone.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, the effects should wear off. If I had support around me then I would've stayed on them, however I cannot afford to be spending the way I was for the 4-5 days. My logical mind knew this but I just had no impulse control. It is a shame as they may have helped.

[dlantern]

I usually tell my folks to trust yourself don't allow those in control for societal reasons to run the system. They are usually the ones with the most to prove and will irk you endlessly. Free from external control is just that what you make it, so trust what God has to tell you about what is most important. I'd stop giiving my power to books that folks write that only go off what someone previously said MIGHT work it usually doesn't for others. Practicing is what most call never have the right answer.

[Angie84]

So just had an appointment with my psychiatrist. She apologised about not taking my manic episode as seriously as she should. She has also said that she is unable to handle be, I'm too conplex. So she is going to speak to her clinical director to enquire about funding to get me inpatient care at a specialist hospital. I find it difficult to trust her as there have been a few things that she has not followed through with so it's hard to think I might actually get some help. She also said nothing about medication, but she knows I've stopped the antipsychotics so o guess I'll just try to continue until I hear from her.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm glad your psychiatrist apologized to you at least, Angie84 I'm also glad that she's been honest about her being able to help you. Hopefully you'll be able to get the help you need and deserve. I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this. I hope things will get better soon for you. You deserve to get better and to feel good. Remember that we're here fro you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Angie84]

I'm really not holding out much hope, but I'm trying to hold on as long as I can.

Originally Posted by Angie84

So just had an appointment with my psychiatrist. She apologised about not taking my manic episode as seriously as she should. She has also said that she is unable to handle be, I'm too conplex. So she is going to speak to her clinical director to enquire about funding to get me inpatient care at a specialist hospital. I find it difficult to trust her as there have been a few things that she has not followed through with so it's hard to think I might actually get some help. She also said nothing about medication, but she knows I've stopped the antipsychotics so o guess I'll just try to continue until I hear from her.

This is a very good thing actually. At least she admitted the truth about her capabilities and she’s going to advocate for you to someone qualified to do so.

I do hope that it goes well for you.

[downandlonely]

I hope you can find someone who can help you. Good luck.

[Angie84]

Thanks for all your support. I'm doubting very much that she is actually going to do what she says, there has been numerous things she has said previously that has never happened. I also found out today that my works insurance company has been waiting for a report from her since October to see whether or not they are going to continue to pay me. So as it transpires I am now receiving no money at all this month! And it's all down to her! I understand she is busy, but when she turns up 40 minutes late in the morning, surely she could turn up to work on time and do paperwork then???

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry, Angie84 I agree that she doesn't sound like a very reliable person. Can you remind her that she needs to send that report? I believe it is your right to do that. I don't think it's fair that you're not receiving any money becuase of her. It's not your fault this is happening, after all. Do you have some money saved or someone that can help you economically? At least to get through this month I hope you'll be able to find another therapist soon. Feel free to PM me anytime. I'm always available if you need to talk. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this

[Angie84]

I'm really lucky to have parents who are able to help me, at least for this month. They know how much I stress about money, even when I have plenty. I phoned the psychiatrist's secretary who said that she will chase her for the report. It looks like I'm probably going to have to try and go back to work though.

[Angie84]

It's all too much today, I can't do this alone. I have lost all faith in my psychiatrist as she changes her mind alot and never follows through on things she says she is going to do. Since she cannot help me (which she admitted), I phoned my GP as I didn't know what else to do. I told the GP about the thoughts I've been having, and about my plans. His reply was that I have the capacity to make my own decisions, and if I wanted to talk to anyone about my mental health that it would have to be my psychiatrist.

I’m sorry, being where you’re at and what it’s like living there...I don’t know what to say. Psychiatrists are just pill pushers here and therapists do all the head work. All I can think of is finding another professional and get away from this one. Best of luck, honey.

[TheFuZZieONE]

I too have quit taking psych drugs that gave me a bad reaction. Abilify turned me into a zombie and caused me to twitch and convulse when sleeping. Cymbalta caused a full blown manic episode that made me wanna hurt anyone who pissed me off. Lexipro just didn’t do anything for me. So far I’ve yet to find a med that helps, and am scared to try anymore because my brain is already messed up enough. Lol. My next appointment I’m gonna see about a bipolar med. I haven’t been diagnosed with bipolar but regular antidepressants did cause me to go manic which is common when bipolar people take antidepressants.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry you're going through all of this, Angie84 I hope you'll feel better soon. I'm so sorry. Please don't give up. You don't deserve to be treated this way. You deserve to get the help you need and deserve. I hope you'll be able to find someone that will be able to help you. You're a wonderful person. You deserve to get better and to feel good. Rememebr that you're stronger than you think. You've got this. Try to hang on. You can do this! You're strong, I know that. I believe in you. Stay strong, Angie84. Stay safe and take care of yourself. I hope things will get better soon for you. Is there anything we can do to help you? Please let us know. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this