To cut a long story short, I was on Amisulpride, Lamotrigine and Sertraline and my psychiatrist decided to take me off Amisulpride and Lamotrigine and keep me on Sertraline. I then went downhill so the psych told me to go back on Amisulpride and Lamotrigine but I haven't gone back on the tablets as my parents were quite annoyed about this and think I should try without meds so instead of taking Amisulpride, Lamotrigine and Sertraline last night and this morning, I took nothing. I have decided to go cold turkey and see what happens.
I know going cold turkey isn't recommended but I was only on a very low dose of setraline anyway so I doubt it was doing much for me. I feel like I've got to keep my parents happy. They said that being on medication means I haven't made any progress (all they want is for me to be better I guess!) and that I shouldn't rely on medication for the rest of my life.
I'm starting art therapy in a few weeks and I'm on the waiting list for DBT again so I'm hoping that therapy helps rather than relying on medication.
I'm really confused. I don't know whether to take my parents' advice or not. Must admit my parents are usually right but they don't really understand my mental health problems. I'm worried about going cold turkey as I'm worried what will happen to me but then again I might be absolutely fine and show I don't need the medication.
It's such a hard decision! By the way, I was originally diagnosed with depression, then bipolar disorder but now my diagnosis is Borderline Personality Disorder with depression and anxiety...
Any comments advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!
I second what Bellatrix said. You really shouldn't go off any meds without consulting your doctor.
Can I ask what dose of Sertraline you are/were on? I'm on Sertraline too, I went three days without taking mine (100mgs) and it was pretty horrible. By the end of the third day I was in a foul(-er than normal) mood, I had a burning headache and I was anxious as hell. So just as an added note, coming off SSRIs quickly isn't fun.
I think you've already gone down in your mood once, hence the doctor wanted you back on all three medications. Your doctor here is the qualified professional; not your parents. Parent's often wrongly misunderstand the helpful role medication can have in helping mental illness, and unfortunately from the short bit you've written here (about keeping them happy, to them medication not meaning progress) it is clear they don't understand it.
My advice is to take the medication you have been prescribed, but to make another appointment with the psychiatrist and discuss your concerns about the medication and why you want to stop them.
You've already gone downhill once, please don't risk getting worse to please your parents who do not understand what the medication is doing. Please continue to take the medication until you see the psychiatrist next.
If you are still concerned about your parents, I have this advice for both you & them
1) Being on medication now does not mean you will have to be on medication for your life.
2) If this was a physical illness, such as diabetes, nobody would even be questioning the need for medication. You have an illness, and it needs treating. Not a sign of weakness and not a sign of lack of progress; it is simply the treatment you need right now (not forever).
I'm well aware I shouldn't just come off tablets without speaking to my psychiatrist first but sometimes we don't always do what we should...
I am on 50 mg of Sertraline so not much.
I've been having a think and doing some online search and decided to take my tablets... I'm going to talk to my Mum about it in a minute. It's difficult but I agree with what you all said above so it's probably the right thing.
You're right, we don't always do what we know is right but in this instance I am very glad you are trying to do what is right for you :) Would you like to let us know how it went with telling your Mum about it?
Wishing you all the best. I suggest speaking to your psych about it anyway even if you do go back on them, perhaps do discuss any concerns you have. If your parents are still unsure, the doctor can explain the medication to them too.
Hi, I told my Mum (she looks after my tablets so she had to know). I just said I'd changed my mind and wanted to take the tablets. She didn't really say much. I'm explained to my psych and care co before how my parents feel about the tablets and they've always said they want me to take them. Anyway, I am taking them again now so we will see how it goes!! x
Hi Baggyjeans,
I am glad to hear that you are giving it another go. The only person qualified to "fiddle" with your meds is your psychiatrist. You tread a very dangerous line if you allow the misinformation of others- even if they are your parents- and your personal doubts to guide you.
It is obvious that the meds were helping because you went downhill when you came off. And trust me, I know then that "logically" you figure oh it's the meds so lets come off all!
But being compliant in taking your meds is not only a commitment period- it is a commitment to yourself and getting well. I have actually had to decide not to talk to people like my parents about my meds, or give much credence to people who tell me nonsense about coming off because I have chosen to be on medication.
I am also diabetic, and I have seen the complications that happen when diabetes is left untreated. I am actually more compliant with my mental health medication than my diabetic medication. Give yourself the opportunity to be well. I have been on meds for longer than I wanted- but I have also been stable.
When you enjoy a better quality of life, no one has the right to take that from you, and ultimately you do yourself a greater injustice when you do not maintain a level of trust with your psychiatrist. You are a team; I hope that when your parents begin to acknowledge this they will get on board.
~Happy tomatoes together we will be~
You say toe- may- toe, I say toe- mah- toe:
Let's call the whole thing- red
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it’s not working for polar bears.” Arianna Huffington 2014
i actually wanted to say thanks for this thread cos its made me think about my own going cold turkey (off my ad still on my mood stabiliser) and i think i should maybe start taking them again and then discuss with my psych when i next see her about coming off them properly.
glad you got things sorted :)
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Hey! I'm glad this post has been helpful to you! I'm back on all my tablets now and feel like I have done the right thing going back on them even though my parents are still against them. If they make me better, then what's the harm! x
