Posted by sarita0001 on January 16, 2004, at 18:27:28
In reply to anyone had success going off medications? and...., posted by dragonfly25 on January 15, 2004, at 5:55:58
Hi,
I was on lithium for 7 years and tried to go off slowly in April 2003, but then went back on. Then I went off in 6 days in October, I was surpised the doctor told me to go down every 3 days, but I think it wasn't the drug for me anyway. Way back in November 2002, I was diagnosed with OCD and given Luvox but it sedated me so bad I stopped after 5 days and I had gained 25 lbs from lithium and was afraid of weight gain.
The problem really was that anxiety was the main symptom and with BP, doctors treat the BP first then the anxiety. After I went off lithium in Oct 2003, I went on Prozac until mid- December to deal with the withdrawal and OCD. I was also on Topamax from Jan-May 2004.
To answer your question, I've been ok since being off meds. I have Lorazepam if I need it, but have only had to take it twice (.5 mg). But the only problem is all the physical side effects I am getting after all the withdrawal. I think my body took it very hard. Since stopping meds my hair is thin (b/c Prozac)but should get thicker in a few months, mild acne (never had it before) and a bit of hair growth on body. I've heard that side effects can happen with discontinuation but I'm just crossing my fingers that all this will stop soon.
The BP diagnosis was questionable because I only had one manic episode that was probably substance induced. Some people can have them 20,30,40 years apart or never have another one and hopefully I am the latter. Definitely have anxiety, social phobia still but therapy 2x week is helping with this.
Sara
poster:sarita0001
thread:301028
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040114/msgs/301803.html