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To Medicate or Not to Medicate: My Flow Chart Dilemma

FinnWren

600d

I just made a flow chart about wether I should stay on my meds or not. heeeelllllpppp

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35

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Bipolar Disorder

Depression

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    • Braeliynn

      594d

      You should always take your meds unless instructed otherwise by any doctor

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      Reply
      • FinnWren

        594d

        @Braeliynn but what if my meds don't help me and they actually hurt me

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    • Bludesign4

      594d

      If nothing else please wean yourself off because that serotonin sickness is a real b**** šŸ™Œ

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    • Tofu14

      599d

      Agree with everything everyone above has already said. I just wanted to add, the one exception to what people have already said is if you are still trying out new meds and it doesnā€™t work or has terrible side effects. I had to stop a couple of meds because their side effects were so unbearable (increased thoughts of suicide, etc). Those I stopped them got in contact with with psychiatrist to try something else. When the side effects were bad, but not unbearable I got in touch first then stopped taking it. Other than that, taking your meds is always a good idea.I hate taking them and it sometimes takes me a while to work myself up to take them, but I always do because I know that things will get bad if I stop. In the end of the day they have saved my life and make me feel so much better.

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      • FinnWren

        599d

        @Tofu14 yes!!! I think they are making my suicidal thoughts way worse! and dampening down my mania which I do think is a gift. I want to be off all of my meds because of this.

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        • Tofu14

          599d

          @FinnWren my meds donā€™t actually suppress the mania! Just the depression:) they do make my life better and I also take a holistic approach. Iā€™m hearing that you donā€™t want to try new meds and I understand because it is a huge struggle, but it might be worth finding the new psych that listens and finding a med that is better for you. If mania isnā€™t your biggest concern look for meds that suppress the depression. Might be worth giving it another go with a better doctor!

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    • Sydie_Bear

      599d

      Iā€™d maybe just consult your doctor on whether you should be getting off meds, or just changing something about them like the dose or what med. but maybe donā€™t outright stop taking them lol! And if you donā€™t have a psych and are dead set on doing it I would probably just take less at first and see if I have a difficult time fidst

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      • FinnWren

        599d

        @Sydie_Bear my dr doesn't listen! and I don't think any meds can help me. I've tried so many. so I am thinking about going down slowly by myself and see how that goes.

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        • MadAlice

          599d

          @FinnWren I would see about finding a doctor who will listen, or at least tapering off under medical supervision. It's hard to deal with chemical withdrawal when you've been taking pills so long, just be on the lookout for that

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    • MadAlice

      599d

      Please stay safe and take care of yourself. This might mean medication and healthier sleep choices. Research is a powerful tool to have in your fight against this lifelong struggle, I wish you well!

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      • FinnWren

        599d

        @MadAlice thank you! I'm working on my sleep schedule! I'm leaning away from medication and going towards a more holistic approach where I make a schedule and take care of myself and do a lot of learning and reflection and therapy and finding ways to liberate myself. this is partially because of the meds side effects and I think it is making my experience worse... I also think bipolar is a gift and if I lean into it and harness it I can do many great things. I am doing a lot of research on how to come off meds safely. I think that I am going to give my psychiatrist an ultimatum and tell them they need to take me off my meds and if they don't I will do it alone. does that sound drastic? I'm just really tired of feeling dragged down by my meds.

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        • MadAlice

          599d

          @FinnWren well drastic, a little. Remember, you might not experience the manic highs, which we all love, but you'll be able to experience a better quality of life if you take care of yourself with a solid foundation of medication and therapy. It can be tough when you feel like your brain is going a million miles per hour, but remember, meds are there to help you find chemical stability so you can talk through your problems. You sound quite bright, please stay well ā¤ļøā€šŸ©¹

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    • DitsyDiabetic

      599d

      Donā€™t. Stop. Your. Meds. Uhhhhh every time i did i almost died. Please no.

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      • FinnWren

        599d

        @DitsyDiabetic yeah but I think my meds are killing me? making things worse... I'm not sure entirely bc it's hard to separate the episode from the meds but the meds are atleast not working and I want to work on myself without medication so I can reset.

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    • bptomboy

      600d

      I think most definitely dont take yourself off meds if thats what youre leaning towards. If u do need a change a psych doctor is the best way to go

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      • FinnWren

        599d

        @bptomboy my doctor doesn't want to listen to me!!!

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    • Lucydee

      600d

      Add this comment to the side for why you should stay on your meds. Iā€™ve been to the psych ward twice because I went off mine. Mania was great, then the depression hits. The depression will inevitably hit. Donā€™t risk it.

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      • FinnWren

        599d

        @Lucydee Ive been to the psych ward too but it wasn't because I went off my meds, I was already on meds. I think the meds are making things worse? atleast not making it better... mania is great and then depression hits and I work on coping with it. I do get really suicidal but I think I can take a more holistic approach where I liberate myself from the shackles of nuerotypical society and embrace my bipolar gifts. if I can find a routine and structure that helps me harness that, I think I can make it work.

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        • MadAlice

          599d

          @FinnWren that's rough the psych ward is never a choice anybody wants to make... Or have made for them. Believe me I've been hospitalized too many times to count :/ Sometimes you gotta make a sacrifice or choice that isn't what you necessarily see as easy or fun... But it's for your safety so you can even have fun in the first place.

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ā˜ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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