From the article: Stopping Medications - It Was a Bad Decision
It can be dangerous to stop taking your bipolar medications. Have you done this? Tell us about bad experiences you've had from stopping your meds. Share Experiences
When I stopped taking my meds!
- When I was married, my husband was absolutely sure that I didn't need any medication and that there was nothing really wrong with me. He convinced me to stop taking my meds. Within six weeks I was close to catatonic. We were wallpapering my daughter's bedroom and he was barking orders at me because I was moving so slowly (I was practically catatonic but scared to death of his yelling and my anxiety.) When he stopped to observe me, he said, "There is something wrong with you. I don't know what it is (bipolar disorder) but you need those meds. I haven't stopped in twenty years because that was one scary experience.
- —Guest carolnoelle
DAVIDL
- As a 50yr old manic bipolar, do I have some stories, way too many to unload at one posting. At 40yrs old I "accepted" my diagnosis after a manic episode nearly got me killed, only ended up in jail with 8 or 9 charges. Then referred to a psychiatrist who was firm with me about medicating properly. I couldn't fool him. My first episode occurred when I was 30yrs old, stress of young children, job etc. But I didn't stop partying. Typical behavior for us...my episodes were always "god like," and after hospitalization, next day I was back to my old self. Unfortunately, no acceptance yet. This went on for the next 10 yrs. Numberous visits to facilities, though nice, still restricted for 1 week, only visits from my young family. I would "self medicate" thinking I was fine, but missing 2 weeks, even by skipping every other day, doesn't work for us! Thank god for family. You need support. Find it where you can. Most importantly don't be ashamed. I'm bipolar and proud.
- —Guest DAVIDL
stopping medication
- I was on celexa and ativan and since I have no insurance and had lost my job, no income I had to stop taking my medication. Doctors will not see you unless being insured and there is no money to pay for a doctor much less medication. It was a terryfying experience and I would never do it again. The depression became worse, no sleep, anxiety attacks, episodes after episodes, suicidal, mood swings, no focus, no memory, I just trying to find a way out, and no support system. People don't understand the egony and pain.
- —Guest duw2711@yahoo.com
bad experience
- Charmaine, i have been taking lithium for 16 yrs and after epival for 19 yrs(1500mg). Now my life being more stable(retreat) i have decreased them slowly followed by my psychiatrist. I am at 1000 one day and 750 the other day; it works o.k. for me. I should say that the stress and pressure i have is minimum. So it can work for some people. rosedebleu
- —rosedebleu
What convinced me to stay on my meds!
- summer of 2,008, I stopped seroquel, speeding thru a small town b/c I was angry, evaded arrest w/ a motor vehicle... pulled over after 3-4 miles, sobriety check, and car searched (all negative) 7 days in Harris Co. jail (Houston), and when I went before a felony court judge, my court appointed attorney, explained to the judge that I was not drunk, nor high or had any drugs in my car or on me (except for my legal script for klonopin in my purse), but that I was BP and did it b/c I was in full blown manic mode and I panicked. Outcome? They still had to put it on my record for FELONY evading arrest w/motor vehicle, and the judge said: TIME served. End of case. I could have received 1 yr. in state jail, had it not been for this judge who had compassion for me and reasoned that b/c I was and am MI, I did not belong in jail. Thank God, I had this judge, but it is my second felony. I had a prior felony from 2,002 with much worse consequences and at the time not on meds or even dxed.
- —Shartin47
bipolar husband
- Wow... my husband went off his meds for a month, it was horrible. He was either totally manic or depressed sleeping for days. With in a month he managed to get TWO dui, Totalled his truck, loose his job, and spent 1000s of dollars at a stripclub. Stay on the meds. Its awful for yourself and the people who love you.
- —Guest jodi g
I stoped lithium, depakene...
- It's about a month already. After horrible days with nightmares, vomiting, nausea, weakness, and more, I start feeling so good. No more shakings, my speech is normal, my memory is better and I feel confident myself again. I do much better talking to people, and taking decisions. Sometimes I feel a little of anxiety, and depression, but usually is only during the first 2 hours of the day. I am learning how to cope with that. When I recover from those feelings, I write them down and write how I can feel so stronger every day. If I feel down or blue, I read my own notes and give myself hope that for sure I'll be OK and I can be OK, if I fight for that. Well, I'll keep writing telling about my progress.
- —Guest margarida park
I decided to stop my meds
- first week after stopping lithium, depakene and imipramine. Headaches, cold swet, vomiting, nausea, weakness, nightmares. I feel so tired. I decided not to take it anymore any way. Nobody can help me. I'll hold on.
- —margaridaPark
Be VERY carefull quitting Lithium
- I was an exchange student to Japan and was supposed to stay for a year. I brought some lithium with me, but due to a Japanese doctor's translation error I was put on a VERY low dose. In the end I ended up staying up for 16 days. I was the most hyper I've ever been after 16 days. My blood pressure was at a dangerous level. After 16 days I went to a hospital and they freaked. I had lost control of my arms. I couldn’t read English (let alone Japanese) because the letters skipped around so much. I also couldn’t remember what happened even 5 minutes prior. During this I ended up being too scared to leave my room without an escort. When I ran out of food I went without for about 5 days. Mine was a very unusual case, but I hope that anyone who reads this will only quit lithium under a doctor’s close supervision. I'm better now with my American Doc. I experienced a hell that I don’t have time to explain in 1000 characters. You don't want to go there. Peace.
- —Guest Critical Halt
Not so bad for me
- Stopped taking them since early September, 2.5 months.I had more energy,and actually felt like I could pay attention in class more.Lost 25 lbs. Now I feel the opposite.I am completely disinterested in school.I am extremely lazy and my mind wanders.Also,I seem to be getting less social every week,not good.I wouldnt say i have agoraphobia,but dont have much interest in partying,used to every weekend.As far as mood swings go I dont feel that bad, but its hard for me to tell since ive always been this way. I play a lot of poker the $ swings cause my moods. I guess the main difference is when I was on my meds and lost $,I would get angry, now I get more depressed.Not sure if that is do to the meds or my mindset.2 days ago is what scared me though,i stayed awake for about 36 hours and had a huge winning day. I started to feel manic, felt like my brain was having an orgam-pretty cool. After that tho I had manic thoughts like I had in ER.Only lasted 10 mins tho. Thinkin bout goin back on.
- —Guest Dan
Too Stable
- I recently stopped meds gradually because I read that there must be some periods of decomposition in order to get SSDI. I had been doing great for 3 years and was afraid it would work against me. I also wondered what would happen if I went off meds. I had already broken through my meds and was manic when I made this decision. The mania continued to worsen and about a week after I totally discontinued all meds but buspar, I went into a complete rage over something stupid and broke up with my partner of 6 years. I was also very agitated and irritated. I got paranoid and delusional. Then one of my best friends died unexpectedly and I became very depressed and started having panic attacks. I also started hearing my name called when it hadn't been and seeing shadows move that didn't. It was a living hell and my decompostion was duly noted by my psychiatrist and therapists. After the panic attacks started I decided to start taking my meds again at low but increasing doses.
- —Guest Lea
Bad, bad, bad
- I also stopped my meds because I felt that I no longer "needed" them. Bad decision on my part. My life fell apart (again). I have now come to realize that I will be taking Lithium and Seroquel for the rest of my life regardless of how well I think I am.
- —Guest Heatherm
bad experience
- I don't think it is a good idea to stop your medication, decrease, or increase your medication. It can cause you to have a major relapse and your symptoms do get worse. I have tried stopping my meds, but to tell you the truth it is one of the cause many patients become suicidal. It is actually very dangerous and I don't advise anyone to even try stopping their meds even by doing gradually. You are taking a risk and I know because I have experience it in my own personal life.
- —Guest Charmaine
going off meds
- I went off of 300mgs of zoloft cold turkey because that was all I was taking at the time plus benzos. The first three days were great. Then I had that dysphoric mania. My first taste of being psychotic with all the symptoms. It was hell on earth. I got agoraphobia, couldn't eat sleep or form a coherent thought. It took many years to get on track again. I will never go off my meds again. After, all is said, I do get fleeting thoughts to go off them because I am stable. However, I will never do it again because that will mean my family suffers the most and many more hospitalizations. Clara
- —Guest clara
