Change medication

Hi @Cynthea . Welcome to the forums! 🤗

Sane has some rather stringent rules about users giving one another advice regarding medication, so your unlikely to get any "you should do this..." or "you shouldn't do this..." advice on here.

What (I believe) I can say is that I've heard numerous cases where going off mental health meds in an improper fashion (e.g. "cold turkey") caused brain dammage. So if you are thinking about quitting, it might be worth asking people in the know precisely how a person should come off the particular meds your on.

I had a bad run with meds myself, though mine is far from the worst story I've heard. I got fat, which is never helpful; and there were no benefits whatsoever. But it was the arrogant, careless attitude of the therapist that really soured me on the whole situation. Personally, I'm not a fan of the way meds are (mis)used by the system. But that's just me.

Thank you @chibam ☺️

I wouldn’t go off meds cold turkey. Gradually and safely. I’m not fan either

appreciate your reply

I hear what you are saying about meds @Cynthea .

As much as I don't like the side effects, I honestly don't think I'd be alive without having taken meds.

From experience, meds have their place in recovery.

I work very closely with my doctors to taper the medication....very very very slowly so as not to upset the equilibrium. Seems like the slower the better so it gives time for your body to adjust/readjust.

Please DO consult your med team.

tyme

Wishing you a warm welcome to the forum @Cynthea. 🙂

Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge the courage it takes to open up and share your feelings here with the community, as well as acknowledging them within yourself. It sounds like you’ve been sitting with some heavy feelings and uncomfortable side effects right now. I hear you @Cynthea and I understand how you're feeling as I've been in your position many times before. If you're open to the suggestion, it is strongly advisable not to stop your medication until you've discussed this with your treating doctor (the one that prescribed you the medication), given the risks involved in stopping your medication suddenly.

I'm going to tag a few of the wonderful forumites who might be able to offer some pearls of wisdom in this area. @outlander @chibam @Shaz51 @Bunniekins @Appleblossom @eth @CheerBear @Faith-and-Hope @Eve7 @utopia

Kudos for reaching out and sharing your story here @Cynthea, and I hope you find a community of like-minded people to walk beside you in your journey.

Sirius✨

I wish I had enough knowledge in this area to comment in an informed fashion. With my knowledge level, I'd be guessing.

I do want to express that I want the best for you. And I'm a general advocate for the frank expression of rights and needs. I know that much.

This kind of thing does come up enough to make to wonder what the system's doing that it shouldn't be. Or what it isn't doing and should be.

Hello @Cynthea

I can relate to how you feel right now and I once went off my meds cold turkey. I don’t recommend it but it wasn’t too bad for me. However, I did have a very supportive hubby who was with me all the way.

I pretended for years that I was ok and had nothing to do with any of my MH supports.

Looking back now that’s all it was pretending and that is not a sensible way to live life. I’m on meds again and I don’t think I’d ever stop cold turkey like I did. Do I like taking meds? No, not really but at least I’m living an honest life.

Take care and try and discuss with your Dr.

Hi @Cynthea

I understand the frustrations of meds not working, changing meds and side effects.

It took 5 years to find the right medication mix for my Major Depression. Then after a health scare early this year, my mental health crashed again. So a third medication has now been added to my mix.

No I don't like taking all these meds, but the difference in my moods is like night and day. Dark, draining, suicidal urges. That's how my Depression works. Functioning, laughing, living life. That's how I work when I'm on my meds. So for me there is no alternative.

Having to adjust meds sometimes with that 3rd medication, sucks. But the difference it makes to my quality of life, is huge.

If you are planning on going off your medication, talk to your prescribing Doctor first. As some meds are harder to come off than others, so you may need the support of your Doctor to help you with this.

You might want to talk to your prescribing Doctor about reducing your dosage, so you can reduce your side effects, or maybe trying another medication instead. (yes I know med changes suck). Sometimes you and your prescribing Doctor need to do a trial and error, to find what works best for you with minimal side effects.

Ultimately it is up to you to decide if the side effects are worse than your condition.

Hello Cynthea

I can understand the turmoil you are going through wanting to get off your meds because I have been there myself. Firstly, please don't go cold Turkey as it is very dangerous to do so. I was on 3 lots of antidepressants and went cold Turkey. Oh my God...what a mistake that was. By the third day of no mess I became a raving mad woman. My thoughts were jumbled and I became highly agitated and extremely angry where for the first time in my life I self harmed. I was so very angry with everything and with the whole world. My pets became scared of me and I was scared for myself because it just wasn't me. I worried my husband and adult children. My son came home from work and was going to take me to the hospital unless I agreed to go back on the meds and seek help for my mental health. So I agreed. I'm now seeing a psychiatrist and he has weaned me off the antidepressants and I'm now on a mood stabiliser. I feel great being off them but we did it slowly and he warned me to never go cold Turkey. Speak to your doctor and let him know how you are feeling about taking the meds and that you want to be weaned off them. But don't go cold turkey. Hang in there my friend and seek counselling in which they will give you the tools to help you regain back your life as you lower your meds slowly. Sending you much love and happiness and take care.

Regards

Angel-anne

Thank you @Former-Member

@much appreciated