Shifting away from medication

[Curleee]

Hi there

I have complex ptsd, some bipolar and some borderline symptoms (so said the psychiatrist).....

ive been on medication for the best part of 12 years.... I want to go off the medication..... I am not feeling any better or any worse than I have previously.... still plodding along with the piques and troughs.....

I’d appreciate knowing if anyone has gone off medication? I’m just feeling some of the side affects are frustrating me? And maybe if I started w a fitness trainer and a solid plan around stuff, that maybe I could go off medication.....

I know that any advice I’d be receiving isn’t from doctors (on this forum).... but I’d still appreciate any advice

thanks

mel

[Quercus]

Hi Mel,

Have you spoken to your psychiatrist about the medication (side effects and lack of results)? Would it be worth seeking out a second medical opinion?

You could always start with your trainer and lifestyle changes anyway. Even with medication self care and a healthy lifestyle is important, meds can only do so much.

12 years is a long time to be on meds. If you did decide to stop your medication you do need to speak to your doctor to make sure you are safe. I changed meds recently and the psych wanted to put me in hospital to do the step down in a more controlled environment.

Whatever you decide it would be good to hear how you go.

Nat

[quirkywords]

Mel

Welcome to the forum.

Nat has given a reply with helpful suggestions.

My situation is different as I have bipolar and I have been on medication for nearly 30 years.

I am lucky that the medication works but I always wished I could get off medication.

About 13 years ago I went off slowly with my drs approval . I lost weight quickly and had energy but after a few weeks I came crashing down and had to go back on again. Everyone is different .I realise I need to take medication for an indefinite period .

Exercising and having a good eating plan is a good start.

I can understand how you feel if the medication is not working for you, talking to your psych is a good idea .

When people go off medication too quickly it can have side effects. Talking to your psych and explaining how you feel , so you can both work something out.

Thanks for sharing your story. You are not alone and there is support here.

Quirky

[Curleee]

Thanks Nat and quirky. I will keep you posted. I will go see the psychiatrist and get some support around this. I think the intellectual side of my brain wants to understand how the medication actually works and what it blocks/inhibits or strengthens etc..... then I can make an informed decision

thanks all

[Quercus]

Hi Mel,

That sounds like a good plan to me. As Quirky mentioned stopping meds can have all sorts of side effects so it is reassuring to me to know you're planning to see what the psychiatrist says.

Also the fact that you want to know how the meds work is a great thing in my view. It is empowering to be involved in, informed and in control of your own treatment.

You can always make an appointment to see a pharmacist to discuss medications too. Not as expensive as seeing the psychiatrist and a good way to get an overview. They can tell you all the drug interactions and how they should optimally be taken too which is important. I learnt from this to always ask my specialist (for a physical illness) to prescribe an entric coated version of my meds. A simple change but huge difference in side effects.

I'm interested in hearing what the psychiatrist says if you decide you want to update 😊.

Nat

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi Curleee,

Hi there! Quirky and Quercus have provided some great advise already. I just wanted to acknowledge your situation of wanting to reduce or stop medication. It is really positive that you have identified some clear goals for yourself in terms of improving fitness and making life style changes and reducing medication.

Goals are really important in the healing journey. I encourage you to write down and share your specific goals with your psychiatrist and also some strategies of how you can achieve these goals. That way you can work collaboratively with your health care team and everyone is on the same page. It can be tough to find the right balance when reducing or ceasing medication but with clear goals and having the correct supervision with a good team approach to your care, you will get there.

Everyone’s body chemistry is unique so each persons experience with coming off medication will be quite individual. I would encourage you to start a daily health journal ie. write down fitness you have done etc ....and if you do decide to come off medications with your doctors then you can write down any side effects you might have and score your mood. This way you can then track changes over time.

Another suggestion is to get a physical health assessment done with GP if you and your psychiatrist decide to start reducing medication. This way if you have any withdrawal effects you have already had a health screening so you can rule out other causes. Of course, if you do have withdrawal effects you should always stay in steady contact with your doctors.

Keep us posted on how you go with your psychiatrist.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

[Firecracker3000]

Hello all, a newbie here, so I apologise if I’m doing it wrong. I have been on SSRI for the last 7 years and am withdrawing from it now. My brain/mind is strong, as if I know why, I tend to be ok with accepting things.. but the actual physical symptoms aren’t very nice. I live in a rural town, we have no dr for the next 3 weeks (the dr we have comes once a week and that’s mainly filled with the elderly in our town) I stopped taking my meds because I have no money to go to a dr (for fuel or the appt) and I had already had two script renewals over the phone, they won’t let me without travelling to see the dr. So I decided that my mind was strong enough and I would see how I go without them. Going through this has hugely highlighted to deficiencies of mental health care in rural areas, and in our govt in general.

So it’s back to the head zaps, itchiness, nausea, vertigo, tinnitus and general inability to express my thoughts (thank goddess for an understanding boss who finished quite a few of my sentences yesterday!)

[Quercus]

Hi Firecracker and welcome,

Your post is so helpful. Curlee began this thread asking about reducing medicines and the experience you shared clearly shows some side effects that can happen if you are forced to or decide to stop medication.

As you've described, it can be absolutely horrid to stop meds. I'm so pleased to hear your boss is supportive of you though.

I totally agree about the enormous difference between the rural and metro services available, it is something that upsets and angers me too often even though I know people are trying hard to make changes.

Do you have a hospital locally or just the GP service? I suppose I wondered whether asking for help with travel from people you know is possible? I'm sorry if this isn't a realistic option for you.

If it helps you to write in the forums you're welcome to join in wherever you like. There are a lot of threads which focus on coping with side effects perhaps reading these might give some ideas.

Nat

[Curleee]

Just re- reading an old post. I have not gone off my medication and after a few psychiatrist appointments, we've decided to change drugs.... something more targeted at bipolar, rather than depression..... so my dialogue about going off meds has not been a reality at this time.

I truly hope (please send good vibes) that it curbs some of the extreme emotions.....
Thanks all for ur love and support peoples!

[Doolhof]

Hi Curleee,

Hope the medication change works well for you. I am wondering if the psychiatrist has given you a plan for a slow withdrawal off one medication before you start the other, if not it may pay to have a chat with your Dr about this.

If you are unable to see your Dr soon to discuss this, you may be able to request a chat with a pharmacist at your chemist. I always ask for a medication explanation sheet. These do list every possible side effect know to humans on them. It doesn't mean you will experience any of them or all of them. It is a possibility.

Wishing you well with the medication change. Having other options and strategies besides just medication is beneficial, like health diet, exercise and planning positive things to do.

All the best from Dools