[MrsLovett]

Hiya!

I guess this is the right place. I don't know...

You see I am taking about 10 medications right now. I want to get off all of them. They are stealing my memory. I'm just tired of it too. Would be so nice not to have to take pills several times a day. Here's what I'm on:

Effexor
Fosamax
Provigil
Lorazepam
Fluoxetine
Haloperidol
Topamax
Abilify
Seroquel
Doxepin

and these are only the psychiatric drugs. Please tell me I can get off them in a timely manner...

MrsLovett

[sunrise]

What does your doctor say when you say you want to get off of the drugs? Do you think there would be any negatives associated with not being on any of those medications? Would those outweigh the positives? (You said that your memory would improve, so that would be one positive.)

I think it definitely requires the help of a doctor to get off of all of those meds. There is probably a certain order to do it in, and I know for some of those you need to decrease the dose very gradually (such as Effexor). Do not stop all of these cold turkey all at once on your own. It really does take medical supervision to get off of the psychoactive drugs.

If your doctor does not think it a good idea for you to get off of all the meds, make sure he/she explains why, so you can decide whether you agree or not. Maybe he/she might suggest you get off of half of the meds to start and then see how that is.

Also, you can seek a second opinion from another pdoc. Are you seeing a therapist? You could ask him/her for referral to another pdoc for the second opinion.

Best of luck.

[tracy33]

You are on way too many meds. I would definately seek a 2nd opinion from another pdoc like sunrise suggested. You are on several of the same types (classes) of drugs. I take two mood stabilizers myself, but I take a total of 4 meds all together. I think I have a good pdoc and a good med combo. Finally.
Coming off all those drugs at once is sure to be torture. Effexor is terrible to get off of.
I know it's frustrating to feel the way you do. But please seek another professional opinion. There's other options.
Take care.

[ECHOES]

Your doctor can recommend meds, but ultimately the choice is yours.

Why not talk to your primary doctor about your wish to quit the meds?
I was not on many meds like you, but I quit to see what I was like (I had been on meds for 10+ years). I do take a med on an as-needed basis now but rarely.

Who know what you might discover when you try a different path.

[skeeweeaka]

Definitely tell your doctor so that you both call develop a plan to reduce the meds slowly....sometimes it can be very dangerous just to stop them...any number of things could happen...

TJ

[Slothrop]

Some people have a lot of trouble dropping Effexor, as others mentioned here. If it's any encouragement, I went off it without much problem. Occasionally I felt dizzy and/or disoriented, but not badly. Your results may vary!

I went off Abilify once. There were no withdrawal symptoms that I could identify, but the original symptoms that the med had been fighting came back. Sometimes that's how you figure out which drugs are actually helping you!

Hope you can change this situation to something you are happy with.

[badger]

Hi Mrs Lovett,
Most will reiterate what's already been said by other members, can't avoid that.
A lot of the "old school" type psychiatrists believed in cocktail therapies such as you describe. The theory behind it is to diagnose - treat, diagnose again and treat accordingly. Side effects can be treated as part of the patients problems. Many patients/family can be convinced by the doctor that all the medications are necessary. You become trapped and unsure of yourself, sounds like your at that stage.
If you are still with the original psychiatrist who started the psychiatric meds, what was the initial diagnosis and treatment plan(meds etc)? No harm in asking for copies of your medical records it will help you reason through your medication regime.

The most important issue is safety, your daily medication mix is unethical and highly dangerous.

No one should tell you to stop all meds because they've been prescribed but involving close friends and family in the decision would be beneficial. You need support in questioning the treatment and as the others have said a reputable doctor is essential.

There are safe ways to reduce or come off but it should only be done with close medical monitoring.