Opinions - Complete withdrawal from multiple meds

[Ezy Ryder]

(THIS IS A SWIM REPORT)
''I´ve been on psych meds since I was 15 (mainly because my parents wants a more docile adolescent and doctors want money),and by 20 years old i started with a crescent resistant insomnia, and them really needs serious downers. I am certain it was due to benzodiazepines tolerance and addiction.

Some periods I slept nothing and remain in bed semiconscious by horse tranquilizers. Lately I have some success for sleep (4-6 hours of sleep) with seroquel 50 ,remeron 15, pamelor 25 and flurazepam 30. But I am 26 now and the last years I am permanent stressed and a bit depressed ,barely functioning socially, memory and attention is fucked, studying is too demanding. In good profile jobs they catch the zombie early in the interview tests. In low profile I get stressed early and get bored and give up.

These years taking multiple combos of these meds showed me it couldn´t do much beyond that. So I am convinced that the best option is to not take any meds(too much drag), and expect brain to restore normal functioning. My doctor say that its my choice,it simply can succeed or fail,he no guarantee , there is no life-threatening problem, but it will be very hard, and is better to take only topamax in this period to hold me in the ground. (OBS:my diagnoses varied from bipolar, adhd,and depression with this cronic insomnia). I am planning to take some gabapentin and hidroxyzine to ease on. Does anyone have pass through a similar situation? I appreciate some advice. Can´t wait to do hallucinogens on a undisturbed brain''

[Lady Codone]

You're right about these meds being ineffective and even harmful, but there's a right and a wrong way to go about getting off them.

Quitting benzos abruptly can and likely WILL cause very strong anxiety and even seizures or death, so you'll need to talk to your doc about tapering. Unfortunately, they're one of the substances where the withdrawal can actually kill you if not done properly, unlike opiates and stimulants, which only make you WISH you were dead

The first step is to determine whether you really want to quit your medications, and why. Are you prepared to deal with the withdrawals, which can cause a rapid resurfacing of mental problems and extreme physical discomfort? Would it be better just to try LOWERING your doses first, instead of quitting altogether? And which meds are causing the most problems? Do you want to quit some or all of them?

The next step is doing some serious research on how to taper off these meds. There are some great books on the subject, and the internet is full of information about the safe discontinuation of psych meds. Also learn what to expect mentally when quitting each med, as you'll likely experience some nasty emotions and thoughts when discontinuation syndrome kicks in.

The third step is talking to your doctor. Share everything you've learned and don't go in unprepared. If he discourages you from quitting, stand your ground and tell him your mind's made up. Let him know that you're there for SAFETY ADVICE, not for him/her to tell you whether or not you should quit your meds.

Best of luck!

Reputation Comments on this post:

safe and sound advice, good work here!

[Ezy Ryder]

Thank you Lady.