going off medications

Hi @Bunniekins,

I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling so much with the effects of your medications. I hear you on how difficult it can be to try to live with awful side effects. However, I also know that going off medications can have risks in itself, so want to strongly encourage you to reach out to some of your support team, particularly the professionals who may have prescribed those medications for you, to see if they can work together with you and around finding a solution with the effects the medication are having and support you through this process. Please take good care of yourself,

TideisTurning 🌹

@TideisTurning thank you TideisTurning. My psych team are really against me going off my meds and my psychiatrist has threatened me with hospital if I go off my meds. Plus my family would be disappointed in me if I did so ...... but I feel the meds are making me so ill. When do I have a say in my treatment?

It sounds like you're feeling really unheard and invalidated, like everything is being done to you instead of with you. It is such a sucky feeling and disempowering space to be in. I'm sorry it's something you're having to go through. The effects a course of treatment are having, and where it falls on the spectrum between helpful and hindering are all incredibly important factors that should be taken into account and I want to encourage you to keep speaking up about them to your support team. You deserve to have a part in and be consulted about your treatment. I will hold hope that you will be heard and you will be able to have more of a say in your treatment going forward. In the mean time, sending whatever strength you may need to get through.

TideisTurning 💝

Hi @Bunniekins,

I have just finished (thank goodness) a very frustrating cycle of getting stressed out over the medications that I am on as I can not sleep if I miss one and I am tired all day, but like everyone else, I have to work and function as a person in "society"

I would get stressed out, visit a psyche who would diagnose me as hyper manic because I was stressed and then increase the dose...

Ahhhhhh 😉

@TideisTurning thank you TideisTurning I am going to email my mental health nurse tonight. xx

Hey @Bunniekins

Medications can certainly suck! Sorry to hear you're having an awful time.

Do you know if it's the bipolar meds or the heart meds (or just a S***storm combination of the two)?

Are there alternatives??

Only real input I've got is that if you Do go off/change, do it in a hospital, if you can (I realise that might be easier said than done)

Sending hugs

Dear @Bunniekins

Hugs.

I know its complicated and there are ripple effects. It might be wisest to go for a long taper ... than just go off them. Not sure which family members are 'involved' in wanting you to be on meds or why... when my ex was coming off his ... he used to say that a lot of family members wanted people on meds so that they would not have to worry about them ... in my family nobody wanted anybody on meds.

I agree with @TideisTurning post.

In the mental health act there appears to be a value of prescribing

... the least amount necessary ...

Its a huge issue.

My approach in last 3 years has been to lower my own meds very gradually. I have tested my pdoc and he agrees. I think the push needs to come from you, but be patient, over time convince your 'team' that you are determined. I am not sure what other therapies or supports you actually have. I have only ever viewed meds as part of the treatment, but mainly focussed on psychotherapy, good nutrition, and research and meditation and self awareness.

Take Care Apple

@-JJ- it is terrible isnt it 😢. All these threats that I get from my psychiatrist about hospital admission scares me .... my health care team dont consider the whole pea only the mental side.

@StuF the powers that be wont let me get off my meds in hospital .... they just want me to stay on them. StuF pea is just so unwell I might have to do this quietly at home by myself .... but I have a webster pack and I dont know what pill is what ?

@Appleblossom @StuF @-JJ- @TideisTurning can one be sane without medication if you have bipolar 1 and or schizoaffective disorder.