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Something’s not right

Stopping medication

PlantLoverSenior Contributor28 July 2020, 9:44 am AEST

Stopping medication

I've been doing really well, I think it's time for me to stop one of my medications. Ive been on it for 8 years, without it I wouldnt be here today. My life is great at the moment and I have my BPD and PTSD under control.
I have tried stopping this medication before, and failed miseably. I go back to my usual ways. As soon as i get to half of my usual dose im super emotional, depressed, nightmares, flashbacks, thoughts of self harming and suicide.
This time I want to be really prepared. Lots of supports from a psychiatrist and pschologist. Going into an inpatient unit if i have to. Focusing on mindfulness/yoga etc.
I'm looking for advice. Those of you that decided to stop a medication, what helped you get through to the other side?
Thank you.

37 replies

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In response to: Stopping medication

Gazza75Senior Contributor06 Aug 2020, 9:39 am AEST

Re: Stopping medication

Hi @PlantLover ,

It took me a few months from start to finish. I'd only been on the meds for about 2 years. The main trouble I had was with weight gain. My issues didn't get any worse, I felt better in myself that I wasn't taking drugs that I didn't think were really helping Me.

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

PlantLoverSenior Contributor06 Aug 2020, 9:41 am AEST

Re: Stopping medication

Thanks for your messages and support.

I'm going to the psychiatrist today in regards to getting off my meds. It feels weird going back to supports, It's been years.

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

NatureLoverSenior Contributor06 Aug 2020, 9:51 am AEST

Re: Stopping medication

Good luck with your appointment with the psychiatrist today, @PlantLover ...let us know how you go... 🙂

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

PlantLoverSenior Contributor06 Aug 2020, 8:44 pm AEST

Re: Stopping medication

Thank you @NatureLover

It went really well. He is lovely. We have a play. As I go down on my current medication (let's call it S) I'm going to be starting on a new medication to help me get down on S. So the lower my dose of S the higher my new medication dosage will be (let's call this one O).
Apparently O is safer and easier to get off of than S.

He said I should have gotten off S years ago. I didn't realise my heart palpitations and chest pain from the medication weren't normal because I've always had them since day one of being on it.

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

PlantLoverSenior Contributor06 Aug 2020, 8:44 pm AEST

Re: Stopping medication

Plan not play*

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

NatureLoverSenior Contributor07 Aug 2020, 8:49 am AEST

Re: Stopping medication

@PlantLover wrote:
It went really well. He is lovely. We have a play. As I go down on my current medication (let's call it S) I'm going to be starting on a new medication to help me get down on S. So the lower my dose of S the higher my new medication dosage will be (let's call this one O).
Apparently O is safer and easier to get off of than S.

This all sounds good, @PlantLover ... I'm so pleased that it went well for you and that this psych is a good fit for what you are wanting. 🙂 I'm glad you won't have heart palpitations and chest pains much longer!

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

Unknown userMember18 July 2021, 10:03 pm AEST

Re: Stopping medication

Hi @PlantLover, just popping in this thread because I'm thinking of stopping my antidepressants after +10yrs because the SI has been gone for couple of months now (if it wasn't my enemy i'd say I lost a friend, there's a noticeable void), I want to fill the gap before something bad jumps in there. I have a theory that many meds mess with creativity (🤔then again, maybe the anxiety would come back to cripple that anyway. idk). Have you gone off medication S successfully? Is medication O better?? I have had a lot of heart issues lately, nobody has thought to review my meds. Wish we could mention names here (I'll have to go to an online mums bk / drGoogle). One psychiatrist told me I'll probably be on antidepressants for the rest of my life (as is her experience). Unfortunately I don't have much if any support, or a MH worker since moving back here, i think becoming a 'senior' makes me dispensable, and my new GP isn't interested in why she keeps prescribing my antidepressants (+ too many physical issues I guess, & MH is more time consuming). My one friend here doesn't believe in antidepressants so can't have a nonbias conversation there, plus's she needs to talk about her troubles atm. So, have to know what I'm doing going it alone. I'm scared of not being objective..
@BPD survivor - you've done so well managing your 'recovery'. Can you tell me a more about what you mean "I have learnt to love life. I have learnt to live with my BPD and appreciate it for what it is"
I was diagnosed with BPD in my 20s but more recently it's said that "it was annunkind diagnosis she believes I have "trauma with a capital T & an unfavourable childhood" I've been such a mess. Shouldn't have had kdz looking back and losing one of them 'finished' me (it seems), I am not strong since, and nobody likes being around me, not really.. Oh dear, crying now. Not sure if the SI pressure has gone because I realise i haven't got long anyway or if God has healed me (as is my prayer for so long). Anyway, love to talk about this if someone has the time.
What do you think @Appleblossom, @Smc, @Adge, @Eve7, anyone?
Thanks 💙.

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

SmcSenior Contributor19 July 2021, 9:30 am AEST

Re: Stopping medication

@Former-Member, going off medication is an "approach with caution" thing. (I'm sure you know that. )
Could you find some other professional who could supervise you trialling reducing the medication? So sorry to hear the ones you're working with currently seem unsupportive. Definitely don't stop it suddenly- your body/neurochemistry will miss the chemicals it's been supplying and either crash, or try to overcompensate.

If the SI is the biggest worry, it would be very important to work on long term solutions to that too. SI is closely linked to low self confidence and self value. Some of the biggest protectors against it are a sense of hope, a feeling that you are valuable as a person, and are loved for who you are. Annnd I think they're all things you struggle with. Needlessly, I might say. You're a very lovely and caring person. xx

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

Unknown userMember19 July 2021, 10:13 am AEST

Re: Stopping medication

Thanks @Smc - you are right on all fronts. There's So much I feel powerless to change. You know my only real hope is in heaven really, where i hope to 'belong' at last. Isn't it sad that 'family' has been replaced by a little white pill 😞 Guess it will have to do, and I don't have the support or resources to risk coming off. Thanks for replying 💗

In response to: Re: Stopping medication

TideisTurningSenior Contributor19 July 2021, 10:22 am AEST

Re: Stopping medication

Hi @Former-Member,

It sounds like there's a lot happening for you right now and there have been some pretty invalidating experiences. I know that sometimes as you get older, it can seem that you become, as you say 'dispensible', however the way I see it, there is even more value in some ways. You have a wealth of experience and wisdom behind you that I'm sure many would benefit from hearing.

I'm sorry to hear it has been tough to find effective support IRL, but trust that there are many here on the Forums who care about you, and here, you're definitely not alone, so keep reaching out and updating us here whenever you need to.

I'd like to encourage you though to reach out to a supporting professional you trust about your thoughts with your medication, as it's always best to adjust and make changes in consultation with a doctor or similar, whoever's initially prescribed them if you're comfortable, or otherwise a supporting professional you're more comfortable approaching.

I'm also going to tag @BPDSurvivor again just in case as I'm not sure if your initial tag for them worked 😊

Wishing you all the very best,

TideisTurning 🌼

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SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

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