GOING OFF MEDICATIONS

[stardust1233]

What kind of withdrawl symtoms do you get going off medications?  I have depression and bipolor.  I was taking lamictal 300mg at night and also ambien for sleep.  I have become very depressed and irratable and thinking I'm losing my mind, I forget things and confused.

[birdie0907]

You are not stupid, just made a decision and now made a correction so it is over. Don't be hard on yourself.
Hang in there. Millions of people somehow make it through depression every day, and your meds will help. Write back if you want to.

[stardust1233]

Thank you for your reply.  Yes I went to my Doctor and got back on my meds I was stupid to go off them and we had a long talk about my BPll and depression.  When you start feeling good and think you don't need the meds this is to anyone reading this dont do it stay on them and keep your appointments.  Its going to take about 1 month for me to start feeling the effects of my meds but I'm hanging in there its really hard when you have sad feeling and all that is assoiciated with BPll and depression.

[stardust1233]

Thank you for your reply.  Yes I went to my Doctor and got back on my meds I was stupid to go off them and we had a long talk about my BPll and depression.  When you start feeling good and think you don't need the meds this is to anyone reading this dont do it stay on them and keep your appointments.  Its going to take about 1 month for me to start feeling the effects of my meds but I'm hanging in there its really hard when you have sad feeling and all that is assoiciated with BPll and depression.

[LeftCoastChick]

Lamactil is about the safest drug on the market, every drug has it's side effects though. None are "full proof". Why are you going off your Mood stabilizer if you're BP, you know you cannot go med free. A sleep med isn't going to help on it's own. being off an anti-depressant or a mood stablizer like Lamactil will give you those symptoms, especially cold turkey. Especially mood swings, depression, irritability and definitely BP symptoms.

Do see your pdoc as soon as possible. You should never stop without speaking to s/he, it's called medical non-compliance, as well it can make treating BP harder.  Taking any psychotropic drug like Ambien, needs to be weaned off, just like most drugs. If a person uses them at prescribed levels, it isn't an addiction. I have to disagree with ILADVOCATE, it is safe to use every night. I have seen the same things written here about ativan. I never take beyond what's been prescribed. (unless I've had a massive panic attack) I tell my pdoc right away, even if it's been within safe guidelines.

I do recommend you see your psychiatrist right away. There may be better meds, or you need to go back on meds, if you've stopped completely. BP's cannot function for long periods of time w/out meds, regardless of what some folks say. There are too many studies proving that BP folks relapse frequently.

I hope you figure this out and see you doc,
take care, LCC

[ILADVOCATE]

Please don't do anything without speaking to your psychiatrist. Lamictal is generally a very tolerable mood stabilizer. If you find you can't tolerate it speak to your psychiatrist. There are many viable options listed on the links page. As regarding mood stabilizers if you stop them the moodswings and full symptoms of mania and depression return. As for Ambien if you can't tolerate it you can ask your psychiatrist about changing it. That might be what is causing the side effects you are concerned about. Its not meant for use every day but in being potentially addictive must be titrated off slowly under a psychiatrists's supervision. However, Lunesta or Rozerem can be used everyday by FDA guidelines and Rozerem is completely non addictive and works in the same manner as melatonin to adjust the sleep cycle. I would ask about that as that is one option. But discontinuing medications is never a good idea . Speak to your psychiatrist about what other options are available and inform yourself as well.