Posted by T_R_D on March 25, 2004, at 15:39:20
In reply to Don't Worry About Withdrawal Symptoms!, posted by awatts on March 24, 2004, at 20:19:16
I tend to agree with the original poster. There are always risks involved when trying any new drug...be they side effects or discontinuation problems...but not all drugs have such horror stories for everyone.
If you're in a position where you could be thrown into violent manias or depressions perhaps that should be weighed before making the drug changes. I guess that's what it all comes down to...do things suck so badly now do I want to take a chance or is living how I am now good enough. I think for a lot of folks, the torture of the present state has been enough to try just about anything at one point of another! I certainly have been like that. I think that is where the original poster was going when he/she mentioned that perhaps the individual's illness wasn't that severe. For sure, these drugs aren't toys! But for people who are in need...they can be lifesavers. Hence the quest we all find ourselves on with our without good/bad result!
As for being on drugs for life...I will have to be as I am BPII...no meds for me and I go manic like that *snaps fingers* So for me to bop around and try this and go off that...it's no big deal as I will ultimately have to be on some drug...for me, it's a matter of finding which cocktail will work the best (and yes, it will be a cocktail as polypharmacy is the way to go when treating BP...)
Sure, discontinuation "syndromes" can sound scary but you have to remember that it is very rare for people to have life long trauma from taking these meds...discontinuation problems are temporary. Maybe some people will argue with me but statistically, it has been proven.
poster:T_R_D
thread:327930
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040325/msgs/328302.html