[Amandasmom]

Hi, I was on different psych meds for over 8 years (SSRIs, mood stabilizers, etc). Then one day in Jan 2013 I just had enough and weaned myself off of them. Having taken any since Jan 2013.

In 2013, I had a very difficult year ( 4 deaths - my father, my sisterinlaw, and both my dogs). I made it through without meds. Yes, I was depressed at times but saw my therapist weekly and she never recommended to go back on meds.

Then in Nov 2013, I was journaling and wrote down how I truly feel (didn't really care if I died tomorrow etc. but I am not suicidal). After reading it to my therapist, she recommended I see a psychiatrist "just to see what my options are". My T says it's my decision if I should take meds and when I asked her opinion if I should be on meds she wouldn't answer the question (she says she doesn't want to bias my decision).

I saw a psychiatrist this week. She gave me a prescription for Lamictal (been on it before, but she said I wasn't on a high enough dose) plus she gave me Lithium (never been on it before). I have Bipolar 2.

Now that I been on meds and off meds, I really felt no different. Only thing is when I'm on meds I can't cry (which bothered me) but now I cry very easily. A commercial or something on Facebook can make me cry.

I'm on the fence. Don't know if I should go back on them or not. My T said to "do the work" and then we will discuss it on Wed. I wrote down the pros and cons of taking meds. That really didn't help me much.

Can anyone else give me suggestions what else I can do to try to get to a decision. Thanks for your suggestions.

[nottrustin]

I would recommend that you work through the negative side effects for a couple of weeks then if you still feel no difference discuss it with Pdoc

For me personally my T does help me work through the med issues. She knows I HATE taking medications and very upset by the fact that I really have no choice. When meds are not working she will work with me on accepting it. However, she is VERY supportive with whatever I choose. I know that she will not be upset if I go against what she recommends as she knows that if I don't really want to take something I won't

[Victoria'smom]

I told my pdoc I did not want medication. We made a deal I give him a year, take the medication properly, so that he can get me stable. I see my psychiatrist every 3-4 wks. I've been taking meds for 3 years over a third of my sessions with my therapist are about medication.

[RTerroni]

I went on and off meds for most of my childhood, however the last 7 or so years I have been taking one type of medication that has worked very well.