Should I reduce my meds? (mood stablelizers)?!
Question: Should I reduce my meds!? (mood stablelizers)!?
I was diagnosed with bipolar in 2005!. The diagnosis was due to a severe manic episode!. It was my first, last, and only episode!. I initially was on depakote and 120mg of Geodon I almost immediately got off the Depakote and over the years I have been reduced down to 80 mg of Geodon!. The problem is it still makes me sleepy!. Not as bad as it used to but now I am doing more and I could use the energy!. The bad thing is in the 3 years that I have been on the meds I have skipped a dose like 5 times!. 3 out of those 5 times I couldn't sleep at all!. So with no meds I have insomnia with 80mg I am sluggish!. Another thing is I have been depressed on and off lately but nothing dangerous and nothing consistent!. With all this information do you think I should reduce my meds!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) but I believe my "expertise" comes from growing up with a sister who has suffered from bi-polar disorder!.
There is no sure answer to your questions!. While some researchers will tell you medication is never the answer others will tell you that you need to be on medication for the rest of your life!.
I believe it is important to do what you feel most comfortable with!. You are obviously not where you want to be a this point so you have several choices!. First, I would talk to a psychiatrist about other options for medication!. A family doctor (MD or DO) can prescribe medication, however, a psychiatrist is essentially a doctor who specializes in mental health and he or she should know the latest research on different medications!. Also, keep in mind that different medications work differently for different people so a medication that has worked well for a friend of yours may not work so well for you!. You may need to try a few different medications at different doses before finding one that works well for you (always under the care of a doctor!)!. All medications and herbs can have side effects which you personally may or may not experience!.
I would also highly recommend finding a counselor (or social worker or psychologist) that you are comfortable with!. Though you may not be comfortable eliminating the medication completely, there are always ways a good therapist can help you alleviate symptoms!.
My sister still has highs and lows and still sees a counselor a couple times a month!. She has not been on medication for almost ten years and is the happy mother of two young children!
YOU CAN DO IT!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
There is no sure answer to your questions!. While some researchers will tell you medication is never the answer others will tell you that you need to be on medication for the rest of your life!.
I believe it is important to do what you feel most comfortable with!. You are obviously not where you want to be a this point so you have several choices!. First, I would talk to a psychiatrist about other options for medication!. A family doctor (MD or DO) can prescribe medication, however, a psychiatrist is essentially a doctor who specializes in mental health and he or she should know the latest research on different medications!. Also, keep in mind that different medications work differently for different people so a medication that has worked well for a friend of yours may not work so well for you!. You may need to try a few different medications at different doses before finding one that works well for you (always under the care of a doctor!)!. All medications and herbs can have side effects which you personally may or may not experience!.
I would also highly recommend finding a counselor (or social worker or psychologist) that you are comfortable with!. Though you may not be comfortable eliminating the medication completely, there are always ways a good therapist can help you alleviate symptoms!.
My sister still has highs and lows and still sees a counselor a couple times a month!. She has not been on medication for almost ten years and is the happy mother of two young children!
YOU CAN DO IT!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
It sounds like your meds should be adjusted or possibly even changed!. I'm not a doctor, but I DO know that you should never try to adjust them yourself!. You need to be weened off slowly with some meds, and some might conflict with others you may be taking or may be sensitive to!. I would check with your doctor first!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I just got put on geodon 80 mg and I feel pretty slugish too!. I am not sure that lowering is the answer!. I am personally considering changing again!. Then again I do not know the whole situation or what you have tried before!. I hope things work out for you though!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Never reduce your meds w/out the docs approval!. Things may seem ok now but may turn different once its completely out of your system and could be very dangerous!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
The only person who can answer that honestly and thoroughly is your health care professional!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Ask your doctor to switch you to another!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
No get a professional to do it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I think you should discuss this with your psychiatrist!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Geodon has some antidepressant effect, so you might want to take that into consideration!.
Anytime I've forgotten to take my Seroquel, I can't sleep which is a clear reminder that I didn't take it (and taking it late, of course, ends up screwing me in the morning)!. I am now very slowly reducing it and doing so is going okay!. I'm also not starting to cycle this time which I have in the past when we reduced at a bigger dose!.
I've also noticed that my meds leave me more sluggish when I am cycling into depression even if it's a mild cycle!. You might want to chart a little to see if some of that is happening!.
Last, consider talking to your pdoc about the anticonvulsant Lamictal!. It has a strong antidepressant effect and nearly no side effects!. If it works for you, you could then only take a small amount of an antispsychotic to help with sleep w/o having to deal with the hangover!. You have options beyond Geodon, and that one is a med that I found very activating at lower doses, but that might not be how it is for you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Anytime I've forgotten to take my Seroquel, I can't sleep which is a clear reminder that I didn't take it (and taking it late, of course, ends up screwing me in the morning)!. I am now very slowly reducing it and doing so is going okay!. I'm also not starting to cycle this time which I have in the past when we reduced at a bigger dose!.
I've also noticed that my meds leave me more sluggish when I am cycling into depression even if it's a mild cycle!. You might want to chart a little to see if some of that is happening!.
Last, consider talking to your pdoc about the anticonvulsant Lamictal!. It has a strong antidepressant effect and nearly no side effects!. If it works for you, you could then only take a small amount of an antispsychotic to help with sleep w/o having to deal with the hangover!. You have options beyond Geodon, and that one is a med that I found very activating at lower doses, but that might not be how it is for you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com