After ten years of medication for depression, PTSD and ADHD how do I know when I can start reducing meds? My doctor says due to my progress it is time but is up to me. I have been totally stable for several months. My doc says it is up to me what should I do? I take high doses of a lot of meds and dont want to damage my organs from high dosages of various scripts if I do not have to. Any thoughts? Please?
2007-07-01 15:16:39 · 7 answers · asked by sliverofdignity 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
well let me see ..... i am schizo affective and i have been off my meds for about 4 years now and doing great..the only thing i can say is test yourself. make a comittment to ask your doctor if its the right thing for you to do if the meds are bothering you or you might feel fine but you could relaps. take your time and feel the waters first..i did. the only thing that i hgave a hard time on is back lashes from autotory and memory loss form the previous meds i was on..good luck and hope it works out for you.
2007-07-01 15:21:21 · answer #1 · answered by sissy w 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you doctor has said that it's time to reduce your medication, you should ask your doctor to take you medication down a dose, say one of your medications is at a dose of 100 mg's ask your doctor to reduce it to 80 mgs stay with that a month and than reduce again and do this with all of you medications until you're down to a dose that keeps you stable but is something that both you and your doctor are happy with. You might be able to get off med for good at some point but don't' do it with out his help and don't do it to fast. That might send your body into a relapse. Hope that you make it,
2007-07-01 22:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by Kathryn R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can tell by talking to your doctor or psychiatrist, because everybody is different and every circumstance is different. They are the experts. People may try, but no one here can really answer your question. The safest and healthiest thing to do is to consult the experts. If they say it is up to you, then it's your call. Try it and see what happens. In any case, don't worry about your organs. If that were such a danger, your doctor would not be so non-chalant about whether or not you take them or not. Listen to the doc. That's the best thing you can do. Good luck!
2007-07-01 22:21:58 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For some antidepressants, you need to taper off slowly or you get unpleasant side effects. Your doctor would be able to tell you if you need to do so. As some of the medications used to treat ADHD are addictive, you may again need to taper off. Whatever you do, keep in touch with your doctor so that he or she can monitor your progress; you might not be the best person to judge the effects of quitting. It probably wouldn't hurt to keep a diary while you're quitting, noting the effects. Good luck.
2007-07-01 22:24:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
See depression, PTSD, and ADHD, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on pages 2, 6, and 7. Check out your ADHD medications at www.drugs.com and if amphetamine related, start there, tapering off gradually, under medical advice. If not, antidepressants, but use at least the core recommended treatments, but no herbal remedies, until weaned off other medications.
2007-07-01 22:29:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My only thought is what do you think? I have taken psych meds for years with no organ damage. Its your decision as your doc said. Perhaps, start weaning off slowly. That way you can get back on them quickly if need be.
Good luck and take care of you!
Dee
2007-07-01 22:22:25 · answer #6 · answered by Dee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start weaning yourself one medication at a time. If you start having problems, go back on them. Make sure you have a stable dependable person who can check on you and make sure they are honest and will tell you if you are exhibiting any unwanted symptoms. But make sure you tell your doctor when you start weaning him.
2007-07-01 22:53:03 · answer #7 · answered by mechelle 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋