Bipolar: Want to wean off meds to get pregnant

Hi @user1, you're right that certain medications commonly used to manage bi-polar should not be used during pregnancy. But tapering off medications can be tough and should be done under the guidance of your doctor.

You sound like you have a lot to manage right now with the stress of work, loss of dear friends, sadness, and tension with your husband as you deal with symptoms while weaning.

I'm tagging a few fellow members who have experience with bi-polar to join this discussion like @bpforlife @celticxian @sally12345 @dfb @jp9 @itchyd and more. You can read more of their posts in these related discussions too:

- Managing Bipolar Disorder
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/managing-bipolar-disorder/

- Being Bipolar and in a relationship
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/being-bipolar-and-in-a-relationship/

- Bipolar Low: Feeling sad and hopeless
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hanging-on-by-a-thread/

@user1, as you know, bipolar disorder requires lifelong treatment with medications. People who skip maintenance treatment are at high risk of a relapse of symptoms or having minor mood changes turn into full-blown mania or depression. Have you talked with your doctor about safe medication options and starting a family?

I have recently titrated off a number of psych meds, it's been interesting. At first everything went quite well. I attribute the success I had to a much improved diet and daily vigorous exercise. These two interventions allowed me to come off some of the highest doses of medication I ever read about anyone taking. Even my providers, who think they know everything (always a dangerous position) were amazed.

Things started to go South about a month ago when I stopped being able to sleep. I developed panic attacks and fell into a dark well of grief over everyone and everything my illiness has taken from me. I pleaded with my providers to help me with the panic attacks and sleep they did not respond to my requests. Then I caught Covid. The lack of sleep, Covid and the unrelenting grief caused a break down and I ended up in the hospital. After a few days they put me back on Lithium, Wellbutrin and Latuda. I took whatever they recommended just to get out of the hospital. Now what?

The docs think I have severe bipolar depression. For a variety of reasons that diagnoses doesn't fit. Neither does my original diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Doctors want to put people in nice neat boxes, it makes them feel in control. I have come to the conclusion that no one really knows and it doesn’t really matter. I have to focus on relieving my suffering.

What I did wrong. I titrated too fast which lead to my not sleeping. Not sleeping sapped all of my emotional reserves. When I got Covid I did not have the bandwidth to deal with it. Now I need to take a step back, reset and slowly get rid of the current meds.

My plan is to deal with the sleep while on the existing meds. When my sleep improves I will begin titrating off whatever medications I can get rid of. Hey, if I need meds I’ll take them. I just don’t want to take anything I don’t need to take.

If I could do it again I would titrate more slowly, allowing four to five weeks between changes. Hopefully a slower titration would have avoided the sleep issues. And I would have gotten a Covid vaccine.

One thing the doctors agreed with me on is that I would not have been able to get off the meds I did get off of without the changes to my diet and daily exercise. There are three pillars to good health: diet, exercise and sleep. All three need to be in balance if I am going to be able to live a fulfilling life.

I don’t know what I have. At this point I believe most of my depression is the residual effects of the high level of my meds I’ve been on four fifteen years. I guess it really doesn’t matter any more, I need to deal with whatever is causing the horrible depressions I am feeling. Is it sleep? Is it bipolar depression? Is it major depressive disorder? No one really knows.

Eat nutritious food. Exercise daily. Get good sleep. Then consider getting rid of unnecessary medication if I can. That’s my prescription.

Good luck, I wish you peace.

@dfb it’s not the doctors fault for trying to fit you into a box, it is the DSMV which is a diagnosis related book describing all of the mental health disorders. Your provider(s) need to pick the one or two that best fit your symptoms or order to bill and justify why you are a patient. This holds true for hospital care as well. Kudos to you for being able to stop your meds by taking care of yourself. A valuable life lesson I hope you carry for life.👍

What meds are you on?

If you're taking Zyprexa (olanzapine), I'd suggest you try weaning off of it. It has some terrible side effects and I felt like a new man after SLOWLY titrating it away. But, it was a rough ride, and can be dangerous without professional guidance.

Good luck!

From the Mayo Clinic via Dr. google “ In general, these antidepressants are options during pregnancy: Certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs usually are an option during pregnancy. These include citalopram (Celexa), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac).” I also performed a PubMed review and found that no bipolar meds are safe during pregnancy. I hope with a good support team and the father that you’ll be able to make it happen.