Posted by Deneb on December 28, 2005, at 17:15:33 [reposted on December 28, 2005, at 23:27:20 | original URL]
In reply to Re: I've decided to stop all meds :-), posted by lynn971 on December 28, 2005, at 15:38:28
> Hi deneb,
> I'm not going to "yell at you". But I think this is a bad idea.
>
> I hope I'm wrong. I care about you.
>
> ggI’ll consider that you think it’s a bad idea.
> I'm not going to yell, but I do think this kind of experiment is best done under supervision. But I'm curious - why hide it from your doctor?
I never said I was going to hide it. I also don’t understand what “supervision” is. Asking me what I think I feel? I can very easily say all the right things to manipulate my pdoc.
> If you have a discussion with her/him and explain that your current meds aren't working and you want to wipe the slate clean and see where you're at, then the experiment could be done as a team effort. If it does turn out that you want to start meds again, then your doc will be ready and in the loop. At least that's how I did it.
>
> emmeI never know whether or not my psych meds are working. I swear it’s like taking vitamins or something. I just want to know whether or not they are doing anything. I just have to be sure I need them before I take them.
> It seems to me that when you go off your meds your thoughts become very dark.
> Unless that's what you want, to feel more intensely?
> CSReally? Are you sure? I remember my thoughts can get very dark on or off meds.
> If you want to do it, and you don't think your doctor would "let" you, it is possable to talk to a pharmacist, nurse, or other doctor who might be able to help you do it safely.
>
> Sometimes going off meds can be a good thing.
>
> LinkadgeCan psych meds really be that dangerous? They don’t seem to be dangerous to me. I can probably safely start or stop most without incident.
> I remember some significant blow ups on this list in the last few months where you seemed to be suicidal, or at least you mentioned suicide. Have you improved so very dramatically in the last few months as to warrant going off all your meds without you doctors advice ?
No, but have I improved dramatically *on* meds?
Some people here think so, but I think they are seeing what they want to see. I think I see what I want to see too. It’s all about the placebo effect.
> Deneb, you know better. If you aren't willing to tell your doctor, doesn't that tell you something? It tells me that you know you're doing something you shouldn't be. And that you know it.
It tells me that I don’t think too highly of p-docs.
*I* don’t think most know what they are doing.
> Does your doctor know that you've stopped the other two drugs? Why did you do that?
My doc told me to stop one. The other I stopped on my own, but I hadn’t been on it long anyways.
> The reason to continue taking meds is that they help you. You may not be remembering, but the rest of us know that you've improved a great deal on the meds. You do need them, kiddo.
How many people here think they helped me? Be objective. If more than 5 people here independently thought that they helped me, I will change my mind because I admit that I’m not always objective.
> Deneb, *why* are you wanting to stop the drugs? Is it because of side effects? If so, talk to your doctor about mitigating them. Is it because you just don't think you need them? Think again -- the improvement you show since being on meds tells me that you really do need them.
I want to stop them mostly because I’m ashamed to be on them and because I really don’t think I need them.. It’s not because of side effects. I have never had problems with that.
> Or, Deneb, are you stopping meds because you feel the need for another crisis? If that's the case, don't you think it's in your best interest to address that need, through therapy, while remaining on the meds?
I don’t feel the need for another crisis. I just want to see if I experience them more. I want to see if meds do anything for me.
> I guess I really want you to tell us WHY you want to stop meds? And why you won't tell your doctor.
I will tell my doc, when I see her on Jan 30th.
> Hi, I don't know you yet, but I've read some of your posts. I've gone off my meds everytime. Which along with stopping therapy and not seeing a psychiatrist, is one of the reasons I've needed extra help so many times in the past decade.
It’s good that you know that meds do something for you. I’m not so sure they do anything for me. That is why I want to do this little experiment.
> I think the main critera for me and maybe you is - do you have the awareness and emotional maturity (in your illness) to recognize AND act if things go spiraling out of control.
>
> I learn lessons the hard way and sometimes I don't learn the lesson. I have someone in my life that can tell me when I'm in trouble because by the time I know it can be too late. I hope you have people like that for you and some are on this board. Thanks for listening.
>
> James KSo far two people have told me specifically that meds helped me, but I think I need more than two people to convince me.
> ok, I wont yell but I will talk really loud. PLEASE dont stop your meds. I have seen my mom stop her meds suddenly. It is not a pretty sight. You could crash and your symptoms will be worse than ever.
That’s the risk I have to take to find out whether or not meds do anything for me.
Deneb
poster:Deneb
thread:592941
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20051018/msgs/592951.html