From the article: Stopping Medications - It Works Out for Some People
Most people who stop taking medications have bad effects. Did you do this and find yourself feeling better? Did you consult your doctor first? Share your good experiences. Share Experiences
It's nice not being constipated
- I was told to go off topamax b/c I couldn't even remember how to turn on my car lights. Then I decided to slowly go off the rest of my meds. I am sleeping fine and my moods have been even. I read more and eat less. And it's really nice not being constipated.
- —Guest Anniem
Stopping Meds Great Most of the Time
- I prefer the meds only in a crisis, or winter, approach. I don't take mood stabilisers in summer, only in winter when i get seriously seriously depressed. my mania gets fairly severe in summer but i like that, and if it gets out of hand, i will take a few days of trileptal to get the latest episode under control. i always take plenty of benzos, and those work to control mania, so i'm not entirely unmedicated. but being on nothing but benzos daily and ambien as needed for sleep works well for me (in my opinion, not in the opinion of others who don't feel the pleasure of mania) much of the year. i hate being doped up on non-fun drugs unless i've had a severe episode, when i like it b/c i feel like i actually need it then.
- —Guest Benzodiazequeen
No more meds.
- I was diagnosed with BP when I was 16. I had depressive episodes since an early age but had my first manic episode at 16 leading to the BP dx. I was on antidepressents since I was 13 and with the BP came more meds. I struggled with BP for years and went through different combinations of meds and illicit drug use. A year ago I went for treatment for my illicit drug abuse. The program I attended changed my life and I stopped taking my meds around the same time. I have been without meds for about a year now and have been stable. I still experience changes in mood but I recognize red flags and am able to prevent my moods from getting out of control. I still see a therapist and watch how I am thinking, behaving, and dealing with moods to stay balanced. I no longer feel controlled by my meds or like a zombie. I keep a schedule and exercise and I love it. For me, it is mostly being aware of red flags and my thoughts to control my mood. I learned to stop myself from getting out of control.
- —kavik37
In remission for almost 3 years
- I was diganosed with Bipolar I disorder, ultradian rapid cycles and mixed states back in 1994. I was hospitalized 9 times in 12 years and ran the gamut of meds from Lithium to Lamictal. Geodon, Zyprexa, Depakote, Tripleptal, Tegretol, etc. In the 12 years I was on medication I NEVER went off my meds! The meds. helped me get through college and let me be able to work about 10 hours a week. I was on Disability for the Bipolar Disorder. It got to the point where my liver levels were too high to get therapeutic doses on my meds and my pdoc suggested vagus nerve stimulation or ECT. As a sign-language interpreter, those were not an option. I had a friend with the dx of Bipolar I disorder who had gotten off his meds with the help of a neurologist and the book "The Omega-3 Connection". My pdoc and I decided to give it a try and I went into the hospital for 9 days to wean off meds. It worked! I have been "in remission" going on 3 years Feb. 12, 2009. I am thrilled!
- —BrilliantMadness
med free for 18mths
- Wanted to share that you can be med free! im not a zombie anymore and ive lost 87lbs, not to mention i can function much better. I have learned my triggers and keep an eye on them. I feel like the me inside finally and I am happy, not manic, just happy. Its great! Good luck!!!
- —Guest Tazz
Good Experiences When People Stop Meds
- I am glad that other people have had success with stopping meds as I did. I haven't been on any since 1989 (I took Lithium at that time for 6 months). I did a great deal of reading about the condition and have been able to handle symptoms cognitively since (I also attend a 12 Step Program which has developed a spiritual way of looking at life). This has worked for me.
- —Guest Joyce
possible misdiagnosis?
- After one manic episode (possibly induced by a number of factors including lack of sleep, alcohol, etc) I was diagnosed as BiPolar not otherwise specified, and put on too high doses of multiple meds. Due to nausea, dizziness, and a toxic depakote blood test result I gradually lowered all meds, and then went into a major depression, went on antidepressants, got into Cogntve.behavior therapy, exercise and better nutrition ... got off the anti depressants and have been off any meds for three years now, no return of either mania or depression ... so, could this "not otherwise specified" diagnosis actually add up to possibly misdiagnosed? anyone out there who experienced a similar situation?
- —Guest roberta
Going med free with bp dx
- When I was 19, I had my first epidsode and was wrongly dx by my GP and put on zoloft and became suicidal. (I was manic, not depressed.) I immediately stopped the med. When I was 25, I had another episode, saw a pdoc who scripted me with benzos exclusively (Klonopin for mania.) After two years, I was stable and withdrew from them with my pdocs approval. I take many supplements, have a routine, eat well, and recognize when I'm off balance. To make a long story short, I was med free for 8 years. This past year, I was hypomanic for a few months which started tipping off into mania. Saw my pdoc; put on Lamictal and the benzos, and was stablized. I withdrew from the Lamictal, and am in the process of withdrawing from the benzos. (Insomnia is the last symptom to leave in my personal situation.) We have a wait and see approach. The thing with BP dx is that treatment is highly individualized and some patients can go for long periods without medication. But medication is absolutely necessary
- —chiuwawa
meds change
- For many years I was taking only epilepsine.I was in a very good condition.Since 1997 I visited a doctor having symptoms af heavy mania.The doctor prescribed me heavy meds but I suffer side effects and now I will consult another doctor.
- —Guest avludzenis
