I am bipolar and went off all my meds cold turkey. Now everything is back, including heart palpataions...?

Question

I can't even get to the doctor because it's causing me so much anxiety even thinking about going alone.( I am 23)I have thought about asking my Mom, but all she is going to do is throw it in my face that I shouldn't have done this to myself.This isn't the 1st time. It's almost like I am self destructive. What do I do? I can't stop freaking out because I feel like I am headed to rock bottom and nobody is there to catch me.How do I handle this? Please don't be rude because I am truly on edge here.

Answer 1

One of the major issues with all psychotic disorders is that the disease tricks you into going off your meds. That's why you have to have strict rules for taking meds. The rationalizations to not go to your doctor alone and to not talk to your mother about it and ask for help are the disease doing this. They aren't real even though you think they are. Which is exactly why you should do them. At the very least you should talk to your mother immediately (as in right this second) and ignore the thoughts giving you various plausible sounding reasons and fears not to. But, what you really should do, is get in your car, right this second and go to your doctors for an emergency visit and get back on your meds. You might even have to go inpatient for a couple of days to get stable again but you need to talk to your doctor about this immediately.

Answer 2

I am bipolar as well and have quit my meds many times. Quitting cold turkey isn't good for you and you should go to the doctor. It's very hard, but necessary. If you don't feel like dealing with your mom, ask a friend. Realize that your mom isn't trying to make you feel bad, she cares for you and knows that being off meds isn't good for you. Take a deep breath and ask her. Even if she criticizes you, it will be worth it in the end.

Have you tried joining a support group? There are some great ones on Yahoo or on the NAMI website. I found that these worked for me because I didn't like talking about my problems face to face with strangers. The anonymity of the website helped me get everything out. Please continue talking to a trained therapist and try to get back on some meds.

Stay strong. I promise...it will get better.

Answer 3

I've been there! Hold on, it can get better! First you have to find someone you can feel safe with & tell them whats going on & have them get you to a Dr., I know its hard, & seems impossable right now, but you really can do it. When your off your meds everything seems bad & you can give up without trying because your so scared, I know. I've been through it many times. I've been on my meds for 8 mo. now & I'm doing pretty good now. Trust me, it can get better, it will be OK, you just have to tell someone, even your Mom. She might say stuff to you that makes you feel bad but just try to not listen. You need to see a Dr. after you get back on your meds you'll be able to handle things again. Don't feel bad about it, it won't help. Every bipolar person I know of has went off their meds at some time. When you are doing good its hard to relize how much you need them. Please trust me & tell someone & get to a Dr. Nobody should have to feel like you are feeling now. You can do it! Good Luck!!! Your not alone, people do care!!!

Answer 4

I've done this also, I felt disoriented, dizzy, heart palpatations, the whole nine yards, totally freaked me out. I called the pharmacist, They told me to start the meds again ASAP! You should not stop cold turkey, you have to be weaned off the meds. Depending what you were taking, suddenly stopping them will do this and can cause you to have seizures. I don't want to freak you out any more than you are but you need to really get to your doctor, or call in for refill. If you are worried about your mom throwing it in your face and you have no one else to go with you, just let her ramble on, it will be worth it in the end.
Good Luck, Hope this helped.

Answer 5

hey, wasssuppp!?!? I'm a little drunk, but I would like to help.

let me spam you with my lifestyle advice. It's all long term stuff, but maybe it will cheer you up to have some new ideas. (this stuff really does help a little, give it a go)

anyone who is depressive should take a good multivitamin most days with a meal. while you are at it take a calcium-magnesium-zinc pill, unless by some miracle you get enough calcium. (or you take a calcium-based antacid) also, get lots of beneficial fatty acids - particularly omega-3. take a couple grams of fish oil daily if you can't find enough dietary sources!

then try getting lots of sunlight. get some vigorous cardiovascular exercise as often as you can. practise good posture and learn a little about basic yoga postures and t'ai chi warmups. posture has a large impact on your sense of well-being.

eat a varied very high protein, high fiber diet low in saturated fats and refined carbs. shun additives and preservatives. you want fresh whole foods, not overcooked. eat leafy greens and colourful vegetables. eat tree nuts,eat fish, eat more fish, the more nutritious fruits (berries, etc.), herbs, legumes, and some grains. don't eat sweets or drink sweet/sour drinks. instead eat fruit. diet really really really matters. it has a slow cumulative effect. I know these diet changes can be inconvenient and costly. However, because the alternative occasionally involves hospitalization, and because the overall quality of your life will improve on this diet, I believe it is necessary.

stay hydrated. this can be a matter of simply avoiding certain foods that dehydrate you.

that's all that comes to mind. If you use caffeine, try 3 weeks off. If that's no good, consider optimal dosage and timing relative to work/sleep. you may wanna check if you notice any effect from ginseng pills.

you can email me through here for more details on diet, fitness, and over-the-counter treatment. medication is another issue, but as everyone is different I cannot help you much with those choices.

anyway, someone cares about you, even if it is that safe care-at-a-distance internet sort of care. cheers!

( i did the same thing, quit meds cold turkey. if they weren't working for you, who can blame you? )

Answer 6

i'm gonna give it to you straight...you are being self-destructive, and you are heading toward rock-bottom. you are headed for a psychotic break. i don't mean to scare you, but i know what i'm talking about...get to the dr asap and get back on your meds. a lot of folks w/ bi-polar disorder start feeling really good after being on meds, and think they can go off them and live a "normal" life. you have a chemical imbalance that is not going to be cured without meds to balance the chemicals......it is nothing to be ashamed of. if you had cancer, or diabetes, you would take your meds...this is the same thing. you need your meds to survive. i have a bi-polar parent, and 2 bi-polar children. i've been through the ups and downs with them many, many times. i've also counseled ppl with bi-polar disorder. if you can't go to your mom, try a sibling, a friend, a hot-line, something/anything, to get to your doctor. i wish i was there with you, i'd hold your hand and walk through this with you. please don't wait a day longer, go today. best of luck to you luv, i'll be thinking of you.

Answer 7

I don't suppose you talked to your doctor about this beforehand........... You have two choices..... continue with the withdrawals for a week or so more or go back on your meds and talk to your doctor about stopping one or two of them..... stopping 3 different medications cold turkey is stupid and dangerous and you can expect that when the withdrawals are done your symptoms will come back with a vengeance.

Answer 8

what your going through is apart of the illness... your on meds for a while and things get feeling to good and then the illness says that you don't need them anymore so you go off them and things quickly slid down hill... no matter how bad the anxiety is tell your mother and go get your pills... I know how bad that feels to think your cured because your feeling completely normal and suddenly don't think you need the meds anymore... the reality gets fuzzy in my head too...

Answer 9

Get back on ur meds. Do u have any left? If u do, start taking them again. If u r out, call the pharmacy and get them refilled, and have ur mom go get them 4 u. Then go to the dr.

Answer 10

why did you go off your meds??? becuase you were feeling better and thought you didnt need them anymore? you were feeling better BECAUSE of them! You need to go to the doc asap! I knjow you feel anxious, but you have to just make yourself go, its your life you are talking about...you can do it. You are 23 and shouldn't need your Mom to go with you anymore, even tho it still helps...you can do it on your own. If nothing else, start taking your meds again.