Bipolar medication side effects: Trading one problem for another.

@mrser52 Elaine, I can certainly understand your dilemma. However, stopping any medication for these conditions, without medical oversight, can be very dangerous. What sideffects are you finding to be the most troublesome? Can you speak with your prescribing Dr and get some assistance to deal with the sideeffects I am very concerned that a sudden stop may spin you into a depressive state.
Ginger

I get dry mouth, nightmares, my hands shake, severe constipation nothing moves out with bloating and pain. I am in a depressive state. Like I had said, it's trading one set of problems for another.

@mrser52 Elaine, please reconsider an abrupt stop to your medications. Check with your primary Dr and all specialists to get their assistance in finding another regimen to help your bipolar issues. Sometimes a reassessment shows your meds need to be changed or levels modified. If you have recently started any other meds, or other health issues have presented themselves, or you have gained/lost weight even, the current medications may cause problems. May I suggest you write down the side effects and document when they occur, severity, etc., and take the results to you dr.? Please let us know how the next few days go for you. Can you do that?
Ginger

Yes

Do reconsider your decision. Check with your Medical Team and see how they would approach it. I understand how you feel. After going off Seroquel because a reaction to Tamoxifen, I had no choice than to change meds. No one let me know or appeared they didn’t check for reactions. It totally screwed up my blood pressure and created a LT prolongation and has messed up my blood pressure which was great. I was on Seroquel for four years, and didn’t have any issues. I was fortunate! Everything has gone out the window. She tapered me off, and I still have withdrawal symptoms. It’s taken its toll on my marriage too. I am headed to Breast Dr because of suspicious area on the breast. I hope that it’s all okay; can’t get it off my mind. Take it from one who is impulsive at its worst and have racing thoughts as well.
Mary Ann

I have checked with her and she doesn't care about the side effects that I am having. She said I have to get at theraptic levels.

@mrser52 Shame on that doctor. Can you call your pharmacist and ask their opinion?
Ginger

Hi Elaine. Please don't stop taking your meds cold turkey. It's very dangerous. It happened to me because a doctor thought my meds were not working. I absolutely lost it. Maybe another can work with you to take some meds adjustments. They wanted to do a meds wash on me in the hospital. Not a good idea.

Hi, @mrser52 - sorry to hear that your bipolar medication side effects can be as bad as the bipolar symptoms. That is indeed hard, and a quandary.

I'd also like to bring into this conversation for additional input on this situation @tngbell @sdixon @tdib @windwalker @9119 @petangelkat1 and @healthytoday.

It's ok, I know that I just can't be help. Thank You anyway.