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Has anyone stopped their meds cold turkey?

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 10/9/2018 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
I know this is probably frowned upon but I am sick of how I feel. I'm thinking of not taking my medication anymore. I can't help but think my medication is why I feel miserable. More specifically, I feel FLAT and dull. Before my mom died 3 years ago (also before my recent Dx of bipolar disorder) I was described as a happy go lucky, funny and a fun person who loved art and had lots of friends. Now I just feel soooo blah (Lost lots of friends when manic too)! I started lamictal and risperidol in April I think? Maybe May? I think I'm going to just stop taking both. Does anyone manage their symptoms without medication? I just want to be myself again and I really don't know what to do anymore. ANY advice???
Posted 10/18/2018 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. It hard with bi polar for med free. Stopping these meds c.t will send you out of uour skull and directly into your nearest psych hosp
Lamictal very dangerous to just stop..talk to ya shrink..
If ya got one. A med rethink best.
Yes...u can manage bi polar..but it takes awareness...meds..me shrink and self care. ..for me...meditation. keep strong. Ht
Posted 10/28/2018 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Willow,

I am curious to know how you are doing now. Did the doctor switch your medication or adjust it in any way? I hope you didn't go cold turkey. As HT says, it can lead you into a mess.

Let us know how you are doing.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 2/22/2019 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Since I'm not an expert on psychiatric medications, their is no way that I'd suddenly stop taking my psychiatric medication.

Instead, if I felt my meds were making me feel worse, I would discuss the issue with someone who is an expert on psychiatric medications. I would talk about it with a psychiatrist.
Posted 2/23/2019 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
Spot on. Psychiatrists are mental health experts and experts with medications. I recently under advise tried halving the Lamictal, was oversaturated, but learned suddenly it was not the right time to reduce.

So how ya doing? Keep strong. HT.
Posted 3/3/2019 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Willow1684,

Welcome to the forum!

I too hope you did not stop the meds suddenly. Sometimes when you stop cold turkey, there are some bad side effects. Everyone may have different effects.
Check in and let us know how you are doing when you can.

UA
Posted 3/27/2019 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Very bad idea, perhaps deadly. Slow taper with help of psychiatrist is safest. Good luck, been there many times.
Posted 3/28/2019 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
If you suddenly stop taking your psychiatric medication(s), you might start to feel like you're losing your mind.

That's not a risk I'd be interested in taking...ever.
Posted 4/15/2019 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I stopped mine cold turkey and ended up in the psych ward for 9 days about a month later. It's much better to work with a doctor to slowly get off of them if you really feel like you should. But there are always other meds to try if you don't like the side effects of the current ones.
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