stopping meds slowly

[star runner]

Right, i've made the decision to (gradually) stop taking medication to see what happens. My hunch is that i will be fine. Things have only unravelled in the past when i stopped taking them suddenly, and i think that was due to the quetiapine withdrawal (i did actually feel like i was dying i felt that ill!)
I'm not going to tell anyone, especially Psych or CPN. I feel lighter for just making the decision.

[Shadowsaurus]

I think that if you want to decrease, you really do need to tell your doctor or psych. You're on them for a reason and I think if you really want to come off them, go to your doctor and come off them properly.
Just be really careful with yourself, you don't want to end up worse! If your psych or doctor is understanding enough, they will respect your wishes and help you do it safely.
Please consider seeing your doctor.
And best of luck xx

[Horizon]

You may have a hunch, but your hunch could turn out to be wrong. And this is why it's best to tell your doctors you want to go off your medications. So that they can see how you're doing without them.
Why do you want to stop taking your meds?

[bitomato]

Hi star runner. Why do you want to stop? I talked to my doctor about coming off because of the side effects but figure the good outwweigh the bad. It is something to do with medical supervision because you don't know what is the best way to do it and a hunch will not see you through a rough patch. Why can't you tell the psych and CPN you want to do this?

[star runner]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies. I actually don't know what is wrong with me at the minute. I seem to run through a whole range of emotions every day. I just feel so confused. I know in the past that the worse i felt the less likely i was to take meds, which has reulted in a number of very long hospital admissions.
I just really, really want to pretend all of this isn't real because i feel like such a failiure and taking meds and seeing Psychs / cpn's just reinforces that feeling. I sort of feel that i have no idea of how i have got here. Sorry for rambling.

[Geranium2]

Hi Star runner,
This is so understandable to me...

Quote:

Originally Posted by star runner

I just really, really want to pretend all of this isn't real because i feel like such a failiure and taking meds and seeing Psychs / cpn's just reinforces that feeling.

You need to think realistically about what the risks of coming off meds are for you. It seems you have started considering them, and that's a good thing. In the end it's up to you what treatment decisions you make, but keeping people informed is best as it gives you more of a safety net if it doesn't work out.

Is there anything else that you could do that would give you a greater sense that you are in control of your own life and treatment? It seems you might be missing that?

[roiben]

Star runner, I have to agree with geranium here. It does very much sound like your need to reduce your meds and your hunch, have very much come from a desire to convince yourself that everything is fine.

I have to say often, this type of denial is very much a sign that everything is not at all fine, and I think the fact that you do not want to speak to your Psych or CPN shows that a part of you knows this.

I do not think seeing a Psych or taking meds is a sign of failure at all - Rather, a very big step towards getting better and treating a condition that may otherwise be incredibly scary and debilitating.

I wonder if there are other things you can do, instead of reducing the meds, which can help you to review how you are feeling about yourself and your situation. Do you see a counsellor at all? Someone who may be able to talk you through the progress and achievements you have made and to help you work through any sense of failure of other negative persections of the self?

Do be gentle with yourself - It is very easy to be incredibly hard on the self and become convnced that we are much less than we are. Allowing yourself that bit of slack could be the very thing you need right now.

Roiben x