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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 12 to 36 of 36. Go back in thread:
Posted by Maxime on February 2, 2010, at 16:17:07
In reply to Going off meds?, posted by myfranz on February 1, 2010, at 7:50:22
I'm bipolar type II and like you, have more of a problem with depression. I had to off my meds to washout because I was starting an MAOI. Those 3 weeks of the washout period were hell. I went off my antidepressant slowly and it was still hell. I became suicidal and depressed like never before. I thought that surely I would take my own life because I didn't want to wait for the Parnate. I somehow got through those 3 weeks and then started the Parnate and started to feel better.
If you do decide to go off your meds, do it very slowly. But I hope that you will decide to stay on them.
Posted by inanimate peanut on February 2, 2010, at 22:21:42
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » myfranz, posted by Maxime on February 2, 2010, at 16:17:07
if I could go back to every time I have gone off meds and stop myself, I would. Don't assume you can go back on them if you stop them. As bleauberry already said, it doesn't work that way for some (I would suspect a decent number) of people. Every time I was stable on meds and went off them for some reason, I destabilized myself and then the meds wouldn't work when I went back on them. I know it's easy to get lulled into a "I don't need them" mentality after you've been stable for awhile, but it's very possible that the only reason you haven't had an episode for so long is because you have a combo of meds that work. If you *have* to do something, I agree with several of the other posters that you might try going down on your doses *very slowly* or target just one drug (I would recommend not going off lithium, as it does offer the neuroprotection). As you said, it may not even be the drugs responsible for your current state of mind-- it may be the ECT. In that case, going off the meds would get you nowhere except possibly destabilized. Therapy is great but it can only do so much for biological imbalances. Sorry-- this is my soapbox-- I completely messed up my life and don't want to see anyone else mess up theirs.
Posted by myfranz on February 2, 2010, at 23:33:01
In reply to worst decision(s) of my life, posted by inanimate peanut on February 2, 2010, at 22:21:42
This whole situation is so agonizing. Until now I have been the most compliant pt you will ever meet. That's almost 16 yrs of compliance. Maybe it has something to do with being a nurse, a "yes dr" mentality! I mean I ALWAYS finish my antibiotics! I see my dr next Tuesday and I have already left him a message about this, and so has my therapist. I have got to believe my therapist sees something in me to think I am ready for this. I too see a strength I have never seen before. If it is not the meds (my symptoms) and it is the effects of the ECT I guess I'm sunk and stuck--a sad prospect. Sorry no question here, just a rant.
Posted by myfranz on February 3, 2010, at 0:00:31
In reply to Re: worst decision(s) of my life, posted by myfranz on February 2, 2010, at 23:33:01
I should mention one thing that I only just realized. Since my meds were decreased about 4 months ago, I have published for the first time. One non fiction piece and 3 poems. Let's even say the first one was a fluke. Is this a glimpse of me being "off" meds-- what else am I capable of without them? Certainly the meds did not just kick in! I fully admit that the meds have saved my life over the years, but now it seems my "life rope" is choking me.
Posted by morganator on February 3, 2010, at 1:56:09
In reply to Re: worst decision(s) of my life, posted by myfranz on February 3, 2010, at 0:00:31
Have you tried exercise and yoga? Both of these can stimulate your mind and give you more energy. They may or may not help, it was just a thought.
I would not get off meds completely. There really is no point in it. Just keep tinkering with doses and also consider a new antidepressant that wont make you feel apathetic.
Both the ECT and years of depression and bipolar episodes can damage your brain. This very well could have something to do with how you feel. If this is the case with you, you need try to do what you can to reverse some of this damage.
Posted by Lou Pilder on February 3, 2010, at 7:40:40
In reply to Going off meds?, posted by myfranz on February 1, 2010, at 7:50:22
> I am about to broach this subject to my psychiatrist, and already have the support of my therapist. Diagnosed bipolar, stronger depressive side, but now believe that some of the depression I have felt for the last couple of years is more like emotional numbness rather than clinical depression. I honestly can not describe it any better than that. I realize this would have to be done slowly and it may not work. I have been on meds for 16 years, currently Abilify, Lithium, Trazodone, and Buspar. Had a series of ECT 6 years ago (big regret) and I was hospitalized once about 7 years ago for suicidal ideation, no attempts. History of alcohol abuse, sober for over 20 years.
>
> For those you went off meds, I'd love you to share your experiences, both good and bad and in between.
>
> I see my therapist 2 x's a week so there is great support there, I won't be doing this alone and I always know I can go back on them.
>
> Thanksmyfranz,
You wrote,[...off meds...share...]
I am delighted to read your posts here. You see, I have a perspective that could be different from those here concerning what you have written here.
In my experiance, I see that you are in a blessed state now. I base this on what you have written and see that you could be having what has been revealed to me as the start of Great Tribulation. This tribulation is about a great agonizing, pressuring and testing experiance that could be beyond what you think that you could endure.
I am your brother and companion in this tribulation if you would like and are wanting to overcome what is ahead of you when you discontinue the chemicals that have been in your systems for years. You see, it has been revealed to me that those that are willing to overcome tribulation can have a helper. This helper has been revealed to me as a Rider on a White Horse. And in an encounter with Him, He said to me, "Let not your heart be troubled. If you believe in God, Believe in me also. These things I have spoken to you that in me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Lou
Posted by ihatedrugs on February 6, 2010, at 12:00:26
In reply to Going off meds?, posted by myfranz on February 1, 2010, at 7:50:22
I know exactly how you feel as I just went off meds about a month and a half ago. I'm still taking klonopin at night in case I get too anxious. I don't know how long this will last, as of the last few days I have begun to feel down again. I did pretty well during the first month. The reason I stopped was I was supposed to go through a washout period from Emsam but I was actually feeling pretty good, so I decided to continue on a -let's say extended washout. I have been on pretty much every antidepressant except for most maois (just emsam). I honestly believe that while these meds have perhaps, kept me functional, each year that goes by they have taken a piece of ME. I sometimes think back at the young woman I used to be- depression and all- and feel such inmense sadness for all that remains of me are vestiges of who I used to be.
I'm so tired and disillusioned at the medical/pharmaceutical establishment for giving us substandard meds that only seem to mask one problem and create numerous ones. I don't know what I will do. I am supposed to start lexapro with a small dose of nortriptyline but the thought of more weight gain (50lbs so far), loss of libido, lack of motivation, increased stupidity, brain zaps, memory loss, and all the other insidious offenders we have to put up with, have made me wait and hope for a miracle. After all, I think a miracle has a better success profile than any of the meds I have taken.
Will I have to go on meds again? I'm pretty sure I will. It is just a matter of time for the beast to show its ugly face again. The problem is what meds? I'm supposed to go back to Lexapro but I have already tried it. How many trials and errors do I need to go through and if they work it is only temporarily. This is why I'm taking my chances with no meds. I'm tired of thinking what else is there? I'm tired of going to this website looking for answers and hoping someone knows of a new drug showing great promise. I'm just tired and understand why you want to go off meds. I truly hope it works out for you. I'm not so sure it is going to work out for me either way so it will be just a matter of which of the two evils cause the least damage.
Posted by myfranz on February 6, 2010, at 12:24:15
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » myfranz, posted by ihatedrugs on February 6, 2010, at 12:00:26
Hi Ihatemeds and all! Thank you for your sensitive post, I felt as if I was reading my biography, including the emsam. I see my dr on Tuesday, and I think he will be more understanding than I originally thought. But I admit I am scared, not of him but of the huge possible leap this is. I guess I can say I'm intelligently scared--better than reckless. My guess is that my dr will ask me what I want to decrease first. My guess is the Abilify since I'm only taking 2.5mg now. Question: anyone with Abilify withdrawal experience? Thanks!
Posted by bulldog2 on February 6, 2010, at 12:49:24
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » ihatedrugs, posted by myfranz on February 6, 2010, at 12:24:15
> Hi Ihatemeds and all! Thank you for your sensitive post, I felt as if I was reading my biography, including the emsam. I see my dr on Tuesday, and I think he will be more understanding than I originally thought. But I admit I am scared, not of him but of the huge possible leap this is. I guess I can say I'm intelligently scared--better than reckless. My guess is that my dr will ask me what I want to decrease first. My guess is the Abilify since I'm only taking 2.5mg now. Question: anyone with Abilify withdrawal experience? Thanks!
My guess is that bi polar depression will not disappear. I agree to be on the least amount of drugs you need but you will probably always need somthing. But good luck in this endeavor.
Posted by emmanuel98 on February 6, 2010, at 19:37:22
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » ihatedrugs, posted by myfranz on February 6, 2010, at 12:24:15
Question: anyone with Abilify withdrawal experience? Thanks!
I cycled on and off abilify because it caused weight gain for me. But I never had any withdrawal effects.
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on February 6, 2010, at 22:18:20
In reply to Re: Going off meds?, posted by emmanuel98 on February 6, 2010, at 19:37:22
Ihatedrugs:
Hi: I thought you liked Emsam? Did it stop working? Side effects?
Thanks
Posted by floatingbridge on February 7, 2010, at 12:09:37
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » myfranz, posted by ihatedrugs on February 6, 2010, at 12:00:26
Hi ihatdrugs,
I'm sorry you still going through this. I hope the washout / drug- free period lasts for you. I think many here share the disenchantment with meds. I know I do.
The other night, my husband reminded me of myself in my twenties and thirties. I had problems then, but still. Who was that woman? Yes, I feel sad, too.
It's all crazy-making to me.
Take care and god bless in an agnostic sense,
fb
(hugs)
Posted by floatingbridge on February 7, 2010, at 12:19:02
In reply to Re: Going off meds?, posted by myfranz on February 2, 2010, at 7:23:21
Myfranz,
I was able to stop abilify w/o any effect (except relief). I'm not BP and have never experienced mania. I went from 10 to 5, to 2, then 0, with about 10 day lengths between decreases. That's just my experience. It was not a good med for me-- flattening.
Take it slow and be flexible. It's easier to avoid a crisis than pull ones self out of one. Have a plan with you pdoc, and a backup plan.
Be safe, and good luck,
fb
Posted by myfranz on February 7, 2010, at 12:30:27
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » myfranz, posted by floatingbridge on February 7, 2010, at 12:19:02
Floatingbridge: Thank you for your wise and caring post. I'll post more after I see my Dr. on Tues. I have a good feeling about his reaction though. I had called him last Monday to prepare him for this conversation, via a VM. He never called me back, very unusual for him and I thought the worst. Then he called me yesterday, a Sat. no less! We talked very briefly about what was on my mind--he did not voice an opinion, but I feel he will at least listen. I just want me back because everyday on meds I am forgetting who that is/was. Maybe I'm foolhardy, but i have to try. Again thank you for your insight!
Posted by Phillipa on February 7, 2010, at 19:28:21
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » myfranz, posted by floatingbridge on February 7, 2010, at 12:19:02
That was a very high dose glad you weaned off easily. Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on February 7, 2010, at 19:36:39
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on February 7, 2010, at 19:28:21
Yes, very easy. But I was on less than a year and was not trying to deal with any mania or hypomania. I don't know if those conditions would make a difference...
fb
Posted by Phillipa on February 7, 2010, at 21:23:30
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on February 7, 2010, at 19:36:39
Fb I'd just think that high a dose would have knocked you out. Love Phillipa
Posted by ihatedrugs on February 9, 2010, at 1:45:02
In reply to Re: Going off meds? - I HATE DRUGS, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on February 6, 2010, at 22:18:20
> Ihatedrugs:
> Hi: I thought you liked Emsam? Did it stop working? Side effects?
> ThanksRelentless insomnia.
Posted by ihatedrugs on February 9, 2010, at 1:51:05
In reply to Re: Going off meds? » ihatedrugs, posted by floatingbridge on February 7, 2010, at 12:09:37
> Hi ihatdrugs,
>
> I'm sorry you still going through this. I hope the washout / drug- free period lasts for you. I think many here share the disenchantment with meds. I know I do.
>
> The other night, my husband reminded me of myself in my twenties and thirties. I had problems then, but still. Who was that woman? Yes, I feel sad, too.
>
> It's all crazy-making to me.
>
> Take care and god bless in an agnostic sense,
>
> fb
>Thank you for your kind words. It has acutually been a not so bad wash out period. I only had a couple of days where I thought everything was going to crumble but my dear husband helped me through it and I am back to semi-normal again. I'm sorry I sounded so negative but it was just one of those melancholic days. Hopefully, things continue on a stable path.
Hope you are also doing well!
hugs
Posted by floatingbridge on February 9, 2010, at 2:06:28
In reply to Re: Going off meds? - I HATE DRUGS » ColoradoSnowflake, posted by ihatedrugs on February 9, 2010, at 1:45:02
> > Ihatedrugs:
> > Hi: I thought you liked Emsam? Did it stop working? Side effects?
> > Thanks
>
> Relentless insomnia.Like unresponsive to any sleep aid? (It's still in the short list for me.)
Posted by ihatedrugs on February 9, 2010, at 21:12:08
In reply to Re: Going off meds? - I HATE DRUGS » ihatedrugs, posted by floatingbridge on February 9, 2010, at 2:06:28
> > > Ihatedrugs:
> > > Hi: I thought you liked Emsam? Did it stop working? Side effects?
> > > Thanks
> >
> > Relentless insomnia.
>
> Like unresponsive to any sleep aid? (It's still in the short list for me.)
>
>
No sleep aid helped much but then again I enjoy sleeping. So if you don't mind sleeping around 3 to 5 hours max then it shouldn't be much of a problem. Anyways, as we all know by now, we all react differently to meds so hopefully it will work wonders for you.
Good luck
Posted by myfranz on February 10, 2010, at 7:36:28
In reply to Re: Going off meds? - I HATE DRUGS » floatingbridge, posted by ihatedrugs on February 9, 2010, at 21:12:08
Saw my Dr. yesterday about weaning/going off meds and he was very supportive, but reasonably cautionary. Since I am already on a very low dose of Abilify (2.5mg) we are discontinuing that now and will look at the buspar next month and then the lithium. For now we will keep the trazodone, but he says that can be stopped at any time.
I'm excited about this but also scared. No matter what happens I am glad that I was able to partner with him on this.
Posted by janejane on February 10, 2010, at 11:04:11
In reply to Update: Visit with my psychiatrist, posted by myfranz on February 10, 2010, at 7:36:28
I'm glad it went well. Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2010, at 21:17:52
In reply to Re: Update: Visit with my psychiatrist » myfranz, posted by janejane on February 10, 2010, at 11:04:11
Me also sounds like a sound plan to me. And do keep us posted we care. Phillipa
Posted by tonyz on February 20, 2010, at 14:29:56
In reply to Re: Going off meds?, posted by emmanuel98 on February 6, 2010, at 19:37:22
> Question: anyone with Abilify withdrawal experience? Thanks!
>
> I cycled on and off abilify because it caused weight gain for me. But I never had any withdrawal effects.I was on abilify for a few weeks. I was taking it every other day or something like that. I didn't have any trouble tapering off - no side effects from withdrawal. I guess if you are planning to stop taking your meds there is the urge to want to taper everything at once - may be too much of a shock on your body. In my opinion, pick the one that gives you the most anxiety or problems and start with that one first. Hopefully your doc can give you some tips on the best way to taper.
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