Tapering and Feeling Brutal Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Hey @Cuddlebear, thanks for sharing your experience in the APARC!

Sounds like it is not easy for you tapering off your medication so you can start a new one. I have not had to do that myself so don't have a lot of insights to share from my lived experience. I believe that the community with be able to support you with some similar experiences.

I do encourage you to reach out to a GP whether you have a regular one or can see a new one. They can monitor your changes and be aware of anything that might pop up. You can alse use Nurse on Call to ask any questions or report changes you are aware of.

If you need a little extra support please don't hesitate to call support services. I will list a few bwlow so you have them handy:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Lifeline Chat

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or Beyond Blue Webchat

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732, www.1800respect.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or Online Counselling

Samaritans: 135 247 (24/7)

Listen Well: 1300 111 500 https://www.wellways.org/our-services/listenwell-warmline/

If in immediate danger: 000 www.triplezero.gov.au/triple-zero/How-to-Call-000

Thanks again for sharing and I encourage you to stay connected to the community!

RiverSeal ❤️

Hi @Cuddlebear , just read now your post and the fuller story of the past few weeks.

I am disappointed (for you!) that they haven't had the psychiatrist there or the peer workers over the past 2 weeks nearly. I am even more sorry to hear that the nurses are still pushing for you to be discharged home whilst you are not coping and with no additional supports in place to help until you are coping independently again. *So many hugs to you*.

I would also encourage you to call your GP (even whilst in APARC) if you feel they are understanding and supportive, and tell them how you feel re: coping and your concerns about returning home alone in your current state. They may be able to speak to the APARC nurses and/or psychiatrist and advocate for you to be able to stay longer - or perhaps if need be to go to an inpatient unit until you stabilise from the medication tapering?

I am concerned for you. I know how much you were struggling before going into APARC, and how much stress moving to the new house was.

Do you know if the house has had its repairs done?

Has anyone been able to help unpack whilst you have been away? (e.g. support worker or friend)

I am concerned (in a healthy supportive way) if you are returning to the same home situation stress as before you went into APARC, with the added stress of the medication tapering.

I wish I could help from afar. 😢

I wonder whether your friend who visited your place before going to APARC could come and stay with you for a bit if you are discharged?

@AlwaysMyself Hello my friend. How are you? Did you enjoy the extra day off yesterday?

Unfortunately they sent me home yesterday. They had no empathy for the brutal withdrawal symptoms and suggested I call 000 for help when I need it. It was disappointing that the psychiatrist wasn’t there as was on leave, social workers on leave and numerous group therapy sessions cancelled.

There wasn’t any specific support in place on discharge due to unavailability of staff. I’m feeling very vulnerable. I still have awful tapering side effects and still have more tapering to do.

I called my GP office but he was too busy to respond though I left an urgent message and he also had no appointments till next week. I even checked if the other GP at same clinic had availability and they didn’t either.

Some repairs were done. There’s still more needing done. My friend help unpack a little more and made the place a bit more functional.

Understandably they can’t be here right now 24/7 and I am grateful for the help and support they’ve already provided.

I’ve spent the morning in tears and just feeling so confused and overwhelmed.

Hey @Cuddlebear

Hearing how hard this whole time has been for you and how vulnerable you're feeling after being discharged before feeling ready. Were you able to make a GP appointment for next week? And do they have a cancellation list they could put you on in case any spots open up sooner?

@RiverSeal has left some great places to reach out for more support in the meantime, but I wanted to check what we could do here to support you as well?

Here for you and I'm sorry you're going through this

Aww @Cuddlebear *big hugs and supportive vibes*

I hope you can/do reach out to either your friend or a support line if you feel too overwhelmed. (If you try the Listenwell line, I'd be interested to hear your experience. I haven't tried them yet but theyre on my list for when i want non-crisis person to talk to during daytime.)

Im glad at least some repairs were done, hopefully the place is now liveable even if a little faulty still.

Glad your friend helped with a bit more unpacking - again hoping that makes it easier to navigate and access regularly-required items. (I still have soo many boxes not unpacked yet from my move nearly 6 months ago! Lol but theyre not urgent so theyre just waiting for me).

I hope you grabbed a slot with your GP for next week. And if they have a cancellation before then I hope they think to give you a call to get you in early.

If you do feel the medication effects are getting worse (not better!) and theyre too overwhelming, I reckon its OK to call 000 or a taxi to take you to the ED (esp given you cant drive yourself there!). After all - its what the APARC service suggested so can always explain that was your instruction if you weren't coping.

I feel sad that the limited beds is often a driver for early discharges (not just in mental health, but it is one of the most overwhelmed services). And it can be both a matter of funding and staffing. 😕 even if the health service is given more funding for more beds, if they cant staff it to the required patient-clinician ratio they cant take more patients on. Not sure what its like in Melb, but where I am it is hard to get doctors of all types (gps and specialists) - even privately paid ones!

End of lunch break, I have to go.

Please let me know if there is a specific way I can help support you most. 🥰

I hope the new meds kick into a positive effect soon for you; fingers and toes all crossed that it is sooner than you may expect.

I hope your friend is able to also find some more time to spend with you to keep you company and comfort you also.