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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NickNack on March 17, 2004, at 22:12:51
I'm new to this board, so please bear with me....but I really need some feedback, or some help one might say. I'm so sick of being medicated, of always feeling medicated, I want to quit so bad, but my doctor always warns me.....makes me feel like it's a crazy thing. I'm on lexapro 10 mg., lamictal 200 mg., risperdal 1 mg., dexadrine 60 mg., klonopin 1 mg., xanax, about 2.5 mg during course of day, and then ambian for sleep. Does this sound excessive? I'm sick of it all, been doing this medication thing for so many many years. I'm 48 yrs old, and wondering, how am I supposed to know who I am or what I want to be and do in my life when my whole being is medicated?? Any thoughts would be very helpful.
Posted by man_oh_man1977 on March 18, 2004, at 0:46:35
In reply to Vacation from meds, posted by NickNack on March 17, 2004, at 22:12:51
> I'm new to this board, so please bear with me....but I really need some feedback, or some help one might say. I'm so sick of being medicated, of always feeling medicated, I want to quit so bad, but my doctor always warns me.....makes me feel like it's a crazy thing. I'm on lexapro 10 mg., lamictal 200 mg., risperdal 1 mg., dexadrine 60 mg., klonopin 1 mg., xanax, about 2.5 mg during course of day, and then ambian for sleep. Does this sound excessive?
What is your diagnosis?
Posted by Sebastian on March 18, 2004, at 11:35:45
In reply to Vacation from meds, posted by NickNack on March 17, 2004, at 22:12:51
In stead of taking a full vacation. It will probably work better to take a partial vacation. Cut the pill in half for a short time. You will definitly notice a difference, without totaly losing your mind. Just keep it short and realy notice how you feel so that you don't get worse.
Posted by NickNack on March 18, 2004, at 12:02:13
In reply to Vacation from meds, posted by NickNack on March 17, 2004, at 22:12:51
My diagnosis is BP, not sure if 1 or 2, prob 1 and ADD
Posted by PeggyY on March 18, 2004, at 14:17:44
In reply to Re: Vacation from meds » NickNack, posted by NickNack on March 18, 2004, at 12:02:13
Hi NickNack:
I am BPII. Your list does seem a little excessive compared to mine, but then again I am not a doctor. I would discuss your concerns with your doctor and ask if there is anything you can start to cut back on. I personally under no circumstances do I ween(sp?) myself off of medication without checking with my doctor first. We Bi-polars like to take this medication thing under our own advisement. I can say that because for years I "took myself" off and on the drugs. I finally came to a place of acceptance and made a commitment to go by doctors instructions. I believe this to be the safest way. Any vacation I took from meds on my own ended up leaving me in worse condition than when I started. Well, that is my experience and that is all I can share with you.
Peggy
Posted by KathrynLex on March 18, 2004, at 15:51:05
In reply to Vacation from meds, posted by NickNack on March 17, 2004, at 22:12:51
Hi Nick,
I agree with Peggy that you shouldn't try to change your medication without the help of a doctor. Your current cocktail does sound a bit excessive, you might want to consider going to another psychiatrist to get a second opinion on your meds. Good luck.
K.
Posted by man_oh_man1977 on March 18, 2004, at 16:54:28
In reply to Re: Vacation from meds, posted by KathrynLex on March 18, 2004, at 15:51:05
Hey Nick
I am bipolar as well - the previous posters are right on the money. Please don't take a vacation - usually going abruptly off can be worse than being on! I agree to get a second opinion; sometimes pdocs like to medicate you from the start (when your initial illness is at it's worth) and then keep you on all the meds indefinitely. Good luck, Nick... Keep us posted.
Jon
Posted by NickNack on March 18, 2004, at 17:13:47
In reply to Re: Vacation from meds, posted by man_oh_man1977 on March 18, 2004, at 16:54:28
Thanks so much for the input .....really appreciate it; well, in my heart, I know you guys are absolutely right. I think I would regret taking a vacation. It's just, I'm worried that I'll never get to "work through" the problem that caused all this in the first place! All this medication does is suppress feelings. My "chemical imbalance" came from my feelings, and using medication to alter my feelings won't ever work, it only suppresses them. Eventually, they come out, medication or not, and at some point don't I have to deal with them? I think I have to "Feel the feelings" so they won't have so much power over me. any thoughts?
Posted by KathrynLex on March 18, 2004, at 17:30:07
In reply to Re: Vacation from meds, posted by NickNack on March 18, 2004, at 17:13:47
Hi Nick,
Talk to your psychiatrist about decreasing your medication. This will allow some of your feelings to surface and give you the opportunity to work through some of them. I'm grateful for Lexapro because it has lessened my anxiety/depression enough that I can confront the issues that caused my problems in the first place. Lowering your dose might do the same for you.
K.
Posted by KXo on March 18, 2004, at 21:25:04
In reply to Re: Vacation from meds » NickNack, posted by KathrynLex on March 18, 2004, at 17:30:07
Hi!
What you are discussing here, there is much to do with what is happening to me. As you know, KathrynLex, the medications I am taking now are not giving me full relief.
For a long time I thought the medications would do everything for my mood, specially because some of them did... and the first of them did it too!! After that I started to look for the perfect medication, but I never found it. The way I am now (having some relief from the medication), I ask myself if I have to find the perfect medication, like many people do, or to deal with the issues, like I am doing now.
I am dealing with the issues, but I worry it can lead me to a deeper depression in some time. What do you think?It was great for me to read this thread!! I had many thoughts!!!
==KXo
> Hi Nick,
>
> Talk to your psychiatrist about decreasing your medication. This will allow some of your feelings to surface and give you the opportunity to work through some of them. I'm grateful for Lexapro because it has lessened my anxiety/depression enough that I can confront the issues that caused my problems in the first place. Lowering your dose might do the same for you.
>
> K.
Posted by Sebastian on March 19, 2004, at 12:07:29
In reply to Re: Vacation from meds, posted by NickNack on March 18, 2004, at 17:13:47
I took medication regularly for 3 years and was great. So one day I went to the doctor and complained about every side-effect in the book. The next time I saw him he reduced my medication in half. I felt great for the next 3 months. Went in again, said I think I could handle even more of a reduction. I said make it none. Doc looked worried, and reluctantly said ok. 8 days later all my bad simptoms came out. Finaly my parents said I need to call the doctor; I wasn't eating. So I went back up in medication. Now I take a little less of that medicaton and feel better than befor!
This is the end of the thread.
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