I have stopped taking my lithium for bipolar cold turkey?!
Question: I have stopped taking my lithium for bipolar cold turkey!?
i have stopped taking my lithium and venlafaxine for bipolar cold turkey, i had been forgetting to take it & then just took sporadically!.
Its been around 10 - 14 days, should i get withdrawal this quickly!? I have been feeling very down and depressed and its getting worse!.
MeWww@Answer-Health@Com
Its been around 10 - 14 days, should i get withdrawal this quickly!? I have been feeling very down and depressed and its getting worse!.
MeWww@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Its really not a good idea to go cold turkey on your your psych meds!! If you need to come off them for any reason its best to slowly reduce your dosage under the supervision of your doctor!. (otherwise you can get some nasty effects from withdrawal and your depession is highly likely to return)
If your like me and just plain forgetful with medication get yourself a weekly pill box!. Example:
http://ecx!.images-amazon!.com/images/I/31!.!.!.
You can pick one up at the chemist or bits-of-crap shops and they are inexpensive!.
I'm really hopeless at remembering to take my meds (especially when your starting to feel better) but I find pill boxes really help!.!.!.and I'm sure you can find more stylish ones!.!.!.
Hope this helps :-)Www@Answer-Health@Com
If your like me and just plain forgetful with medication get yourself a weekly pill box!. Example:
http://ecx!.images-amazon!.com/images/I/31!.!.!.
You can pick one up at the chemist or bits-of-crap shops and they are inexpensive!.
I'm really hopeless at remembering to take my meds (especially when your starting to feel better) but I find pill boxes really help!.!.!.and I'm sure you can find more stylish ones!.!.!.
Hope this helps :-)Www@Answer-Health@Com
I chose to stop taking my meds cold turkey earlier this year!. It took about a month to get through the withdrawal!. The depression is not necessarily a sign that you need the meds, it can be a major symptom of withdrawal as well, and will go away over time!. It is probably better to go off them slowly, but at 14 days in, if you don't want to restart, you might as well ride it out!. If you feel that the depression is getting to a dangerous level though, you should certainly tell your doctor!.
If you want to try going without medication, I would highly recommend therapy, it can help with the symptoms, possibly even "cure" you, depending on your bipolar!. -NebWww@Answer-Health@Com
If you want to try going without medication, I would highly recommend therapy, it can help with the symptoms, possibly even "cure" you, depending on your bipolar!. -NebWww@Answer-Health@Com
This does not sound like a very good idea!. I think you should get with your doctor and discuss it with him/her!. If the meds you were taking were either not working well or caused you bad side effects, there are other ones you could take!. Please call your physician and discuss the situation!. Do it for me!. You do not have to feel bad!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Bad idea to quit cold turkey!. Ideally, your doctor weans you off those meds slowly to avoid adverse effects!. Call your doctor soon!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
i would see your doctor straight away, not only will you feel withdrawal effects, but you will have an increased possiblity of slipping into a manic situation, whether it be up or down!. Www@Answer-Health@Com