![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by holymama on June 20, 2005, at 18:42:57
I've been wanting to get off my meds lately (see my post above), and have been rather self-destructive with additional drugs and alcohol as well. Well, I attended a native american chrch service the other night, my first time. It was an all-night praying service, and I was 'healed' by a navajo medicine man. It was extremely intense and in the morning I decided I didn't want to put another pill into my body. So, for 48 hours now I haven't taken one. That's 6 meds:
20 mg paxil
150 mg wellbutrin
600 mg lithium
.5 mg risperdal
1 mg lorazapam (ativan)
75 mcg synthroid
I don't have a problem taking the synthroid, so I'm sure I'll start taking it again. But as for the rest, I'm not planning on taking them unless I start having massive mood swings or bad withdrawal symptoms.
What can I expect? Any warnings? Any advice? Any thoughts?
~~Autumn~~
Posted by Mandy on June 22, 2005, at 12:49:42
In reply to I stopped my meds..., posted by holymama on June 20, 2005, at 18:42:57
I know how you feel---sometimes it gets to tiring taking so many meds and which really work and which don't? But, please, go back to the synthroid, if nothing else. I am a registered nurse and I can tell you that thyroid medicine is critical and is not a pych med, but something your body needs to survive.
As for all the rest, I certainly cannot tell you what to do. I want to stop all my meds too and find out who is the real me. But cold turkey is scary. I wish you the best and stay in touch, please, as to how you do.
Posted by holymama on June 22, 2005, at 14:01:29
In reply to Re: I stopped my meds..., posted by Mandy on June 22, 2005, at 12:49:42
Hi Mandy,
I did start taking my synthroid again. I knew that I would take that again. It just felt so good to be off everything for a few days.
I started having withdrawal symptoms yesterday and then today. I did take one paxil pill today when the symptoms felt unbearable, and they went away within an hour. I may go on like that -- taking a paxil pill, or half a paxil pill, only when the symptoms come back. I've been reading about paxil withdrawal (I think it's mainly the paxil that will be hard to get off of) and someone suggested doing that. There are so many ways to get off of it. None seem easy, but I'm definitely preferring the quick way to the long, drawn out one.
My psychiatrist dropped me this morning when I told her I stopped my meds (I expected it, but it was still a shock). but my homeopath (who is an MD and can prescribe meds) and my therapist are willing to work with me through this one.
My husband has taken my keys and is trying to find a place for me to stay until I get through this. We have three little children and he wants this to be as safe and easy for everyone as possible. He's a good man.
So I don't know what will happen in the next few days or week or so. I'll either be in the hospital or staying with a friend or a hotel, trying to get through the last of my paxil.
Yes, cold turkey is scary, but the other alternatives were unbearable to think about.
~~Autumn~~
Posted by Mandy on June 22, 2005, at 14:12:08
In reply to Re: I stopped my meds... » Mandy, posted by holymama on June 22, 2005, at 14:01:29
> Hi Mandy,
> I did start taking my synthroid again. I knew that I would take that again. It just felt so good to be off everything for a few days.
> I started having withdrawal symptoms yesterday and then today. I did take one paxil pill today when the symptoms felt unbearable, and they went away within an hour. I may go on like that -- taking a paxil pill, or half a paxil pill, only when the symptoms come back. I've been reading about paxil withdrawal (I think it's mainly the paxil that will be hard to get off of) and someone suggested doing that. There are so many ways to get off of it. None seem easy, but I'm definitely preferring the quick way to the long, drawn out one.
> My psychiatrist dropped me this morning when I told her I stopped my meds (I expected it, but it was still a shock). but my homeopath (who is an MD and can prescribe meds) and my therapist are willing to work with me through this one.
> My husband has taken my keys and is trying to find a place for me to stay until I get through this. We have three little children and he wants this to be as safe and easy for everyone as possible. He's a good man.
> So I don't know what will happen in the next few days or week or so. I'll either be in the hospital or staying with a friend or a hotel, trying to get through the last of my paxil.
> Yes, cold turkey is scary, but the other alternatives were unbearable to think about.
> ~~Autumn~~I am so sorry that your psych dropped you--that seems very unprofessional. I have heard that paxil withdrawal is the worst--makes a person feel like the have the flu, etc. I hope you find the right combo of meds and a good psych who will work with you. Take care
Posted by Shortelise on June 30, 2005, at 13:33:20
In reply to I stopped my meds..., posted by holymama on June 20, 2005, at 18:42:57
For what it's worth, and forgive me if this is not an opnion you appreciate, I think meds can be a godsend, that some of us can live lives with meds that we can't live without them.
I am trying to stop a small dose of celexa I have been taking for 3-4 years. My psychiatrist agrees that it's not necessary for me to take it anymore.
But if he had told me that I needed to stay on it to live well, I would not be discontinuing it now.
I know people who lose it completely without their meds, but with them are able to live fulfilling lives.
There - another opinion for you to take or leave! I hope it's helpful.
ShortE
Posted by holymama on June 30, 2005, at 17:31:51
In reply to Re: I stopped my meds... » holymama, posted by Shortelise on June 30, 2005, at 13:33:20
Hi anyone who has read this thread!
I just got back yesteray from the hospital. I was there a week. THe doc there (who I knew already, and appreciate) has me back on 4 meds as compared to 6 before I went off everything pre-hospital.
I don't know how I feel about all of this. It's all such a jumble that I am just now sorting out in my mind.
Shortelise, I understand your perspective, as I know many peopole couldn't live well without their meds. I expected this to be the case with me, but after 2 years on a variety of meds, I was not doing well. I have been very 'functional' -- back to grad school, working part-time, my 3 kids are doing well...but I have been on the biggest head trip. From mild depression to hypomania every 6 or so weeks, I have been following my moods where they lead me and unreliable to my husband and my friends because I just can't seem to be present with anyone. I am always in my head and have done some really crazy, extreme things. THe last straw was going to the native american church, and realizing there that I needed to just go off everything, cold turkey. I have been impulsive and driven by whatever journey I happen to be on at the time. I am driving my family crazy.
Now, while I recognize that I am impulsive and a little crazy (well, a lot); I am extremely motivated to be well -- I am going to Grad school to be a mental health counselor -- to help guide others like me. I want to be a healthy role model, but I feel like I am going crazy -- my moods have been so disruptive that I cannot focus and I have been drinking a lot and smoking a lot of pot to calm my mind, and this is only making thigs a lot worse.
So, things have not been going well for me on meds, in fact, probably worse than before meds. That is why I went off.
Now I am back, and am making a commitment to not drinking (our new rule is no alcohol at all in the house, not pot either. My husband gave it all away). I think this weill help. I'm hoping also that this med combo will not squash my creativity, which was my other reason for going off. I felt dulled and not myself.
~Autumn~
Posted by Shortelise on July 1, 2005, at 0:09:07
In reply to back from the hospital, posted by holymama on June 30, 2005, at 17:31:51
Yikes, Autumn, that sounds really awful and hard and ... unbearable probably at times.
I'm really impressed with how clear you are about it.
Thanks for telling me. I hope you can find a way. I am about to embark on a change in diet and nutritional supplements. My one crazy idea is to eat as many blueberries as I like - I know they're very good for the mind and body, but my real reason is that they are my FAVOURITE food!!
On with the journey!
((Autumn))
ShortE
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.