Tchi: Don't think I'm bipolar

[scallywag]

Okay, thanks for the reminder.  Would you add the fact that you're decreasing lithium due to kidney issues to your signature?

 

That will help us (me?) remember your situation without reading your entire (only 2 pages right now) introduction.

[Tchi]

Hi

I've been lithium free since April , no mania , did it in 18 months ; sped up the taper ( 240mg in January to zero in six rapid shots )  because of kidney failure.

I'm still on 20mg Paxil ( from 30mg ) , not a good time to stop as I do have depression -which  might be amplified (or even triggered ) by an ongoing family situation since February - bad timing. I was doing well.

 Lost 20 pounds , happy about that , happy mostly for my kidneys and to be out of Lithium after 30 years.

 Two weeks ago , I started taking Abilify 5mg as a temporary measure for depression ( down + suicidal thoughts ) ; am experiencing side-effects : fatigue , insomnia and restlessness . I hate it , feel like a zombie ; also read it's an antipsychotic , which I don't understand . Going to stop it tonight .

However , I realize I momentarily need a bit of help . Doctor had suggested Seroquel , but I'm reluctant as there's weight gain. Doctor says Wellbutrin not strong enough .

Any ideas ?

My body might be adjusting , but there IS a situation .

[Dancingspirit90]

I was misdiagnosed with bipolar.  The original psychiatrist contacted me years after she retired to retract her diagnosis and she is a well respected, prestigious doctor on our area.   It happens.

[mammaP]

Hi Tchi, seroquel is also an antipsychotic. I would just hang in there because your body needs to adjust after the rapid lithium taper.  You are suffering side effects from abilify which will also be making you feel depressed. When you have stopped it you will need to just hold and let your body readjust after the lithium and abilify. This will take time but really is the best thing. Your nervous system is struggling because of the rapid lithium taper after 30 years ( no criticism, you had to do it ), and is now reacting to abilify.  Adding another drug will cause further chaos.  When I started my tapering journey to get off meds my aim was to get off what I was taking and then start again because I had bi polar and would need something else that wouldn't make me sick. I learned such a lot here and had no idea that my brain would ever function without them yet here I am, 5 years and some very scary times later doing just fine without them.

 

When you have taken drugs for so long because you really, really need them you believe the hype that the drug companies made up about the chemical imbalance but it is just not true. You don't need anything for the depression, your body needs to stabilise and then you could start to taper off the paxil. As the dose lowers you will feel your brain changing as long as it is very slow. Your brain has to learn to function withoput the drugs, and it can do that beautifully as long as it is allowed to. Decades of drugs mean that our brains have a lot to undo. Mine is going slowly because I am still tapering my last drug, but we will get there and I am so much better than on the cocktai.  . Hang in there,  when the abilify has gone you will be able to carry on with the healing that has been taking place and discover how good it is to have most of your brain function back and feel healthier. You will finally get all your brain back as you taper paxil and that will be amazing. 

[Tchi]

Hello to all 

I've been suffering severe agoraphobia , panic access and general anxiety in the past 17 days.

Been 100% off lithium since April 30th.

Do any of you know about this , as possible symptoms of tapering ? If yes , what do you do ?

Will see a cognitive therapist about this .

Had to increase Paxil from 20mg to 30mg. Have been using half a 250 mcg Xanax occasionally when too distressed , aware it's a last resort.

I want my freedom back and wish you all the same

Thanks

 

[baroquep]

Hi Tchi, I've merged your new topic with your original introduction thread and would ask that you post all of your questions here rather than start a new topic. It is best to keep all of your information in one place so that all of the moderators and other members are able to see your information at a glance and respond to your questions.  

 

How did you taper off of lithium?

Are you working with your doctor to taper off of lithium?  

Why did you increase the Paxil?

Did you feel better or worse after increasing Paxil?

 

I'm not sure if you are aware, but Surviving Antidepressants recommends tapering at a rate of 10% or less of your current dose with a hold of at least four weeks before another decrease.  

 

[Tchi]

Hi baroquep

Thank you for your answer.

How I tapered lithium is described in my posts and signature . It took about 18 months.

Did it slowly in the beginning ( 10% method ) but had to accelerate last spring because of kidney failure.

Increased Paxil three days ago because of  sudden severe agoraphobia , panic access and general anxiety in the past 17 days. A tiny bit better.

How long can it take for the nervous system to stabilize from lithium withdrawal ? I've heard a year or more.

I'm waiting to calm down before attempting Paxil tapering . This is the advice of my doctor , who encouraged me to get off lithium

My priority now is to counter the agoraphobia. It's debilitating. I try to go out for a short walk each day , a short drive ( just a few blocks ).

Needing reassurance that all is going to unfold well .

[baroquep]

It can take a while to stabilize.  It hasn't been too long since you discontinued Lithium so it will likely take some time for your CNS to settle.  It would be a very good idea if you didn't attempt to reduce the Paxil until you are feeling stabilized from the Lithium taper.  It is highly recommended that you try and use non-drug techniques for coping with various withdrawal symptoms rather than increase your dose of Paxil which will oftentimes just make withdrawal more difficult.

I'm attaching a link on agoraphobia that might be helpful to you and would suggest you try and incorporate non-drug techniques into your daily life to help you cope with the residual symptoms after tapering Lithium.

Agoraphobia
Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

There are numerous links in the Symptoms and Self Care form that you might also find helpful and you can access the links here Symptoms & Self Care.    

Edited October 10, 2017 by baroquep

[Tchi]

Sorry , I don't understand :

'' It would be a very good idea if you didn't attempt to reduce the Paxil until you are feeling stabilized from the Lithium taper''

then :

''It is highly recommended that you try and use non-drug techniques for coping with various withdrawal symptoms rather than increase your dose of Paxil which will oftentimes just make withdrawal more difficult.''

Please clarify 

[baroquep]

I was suggesting that you keep your dose of Paxil stable rather than increase your dose when withdrawal symptoms are difficult to manage and instead use non-drug techniques to cope with the symptoms.   

[baroquep]

49 minutes ago, Tchi said:

I'm waiting to calm down before attempting Paxil tapering

 

11 minutes ago, Tchi said:

'' It would be a very good idea if you didn't attempt to reduce the Paxil until you are feeling stabilized from the Lithium taper''

 

I was agreeing with you that it was a very good idea to wait until you are stable before reducing the Paxil.  

[Tchi]

Thank you .

I've decided to increase Paxil from 20mg to 30mg because the symptoms from lithium widrawal are unbearable at the moment.

Tapering both drugs at the same time was maybe  not a good idea. 

I am using natural techniques as well.