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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 02:36 PM
  #1
As I posted in a recent thread, I am planning to stop taking my AP per the instructions of my pdoc. I asked for advice on what to expect for that particular drug and how to go about tapering my dose.

I had some trouble finding helpful information when I was researching withdrawal effects for Geodon online. My doctor wasn't helpful and laughed at me when I asked about tapering off the low dose I'm on now. I've found a couple of books, but they weren't quite what I was looking for.

I kept wishing there was a resource I could go to for real world experiences. I needed the same guidance when I began my meds months ago. I realized that I've seen a lot of really helpful posts here regarding antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Patients with bipolar spectrum disorders are a wealth of knowledge given that we are often exposed to many of these medications over time. I asked you guys for help and I received a lot of spectacular advice. I feel better prepared to taper off now. Thank you all!

My question is this... Would it be helpful to start a thread where we share drug experiences? We could document the side effects, interactions with other drugs, withdrawal symptoms, how they made us feel mentally and emotionally, etc. and then people would have a place to go to search for testimonial style information about the medications they are prescribed.

What do you guys think? If it adds value we can brainstorm a format for our posts in this thread. I am thinking we can come up with a template that captures the basics of each experience and that is also easy to scroll through to find what you're specifically looking for. We'd be crafting an all you need to know psych med database of sorts.

I've only taken three medications, so this will need to be a team lift. So many of you have invaluable insight amd I think this could benefit both veteran members and newcomers. I'll let this idea die a quiet death if nobody's interested, but I thought it was worth tossing out. Thoughts?
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 02:57 PM
  #2
Hi fern. Actually, I would very much appreciate a "Medications" sub forum (preferably) or at least a sticky in the bipolar forum. I think this may achieve what you are requesting the best rather than one long thread in the general bipolar forum. That's just my view on this.

I think sharing side effects, successes (yes, even those), medication withdrawal experiences, and other medication-related topics as separate threads in a "Medications" sub forum might be best because they would be less likely to disappear to a page 2, 3, 4, etc., be less triggering (yes, some are triggering), and help people find a sub community that gives specialized support. For example, I know there are a handful of people here that are currently not taking bipolar medications, despite having an official bipolar diagnosis. Those choices are for various reasons, I know. A thread could be created specifically for "Managing bipolar disorder without medications", or something similar . Just a thought. I can say that other websites like PC have such Medications sub forums within illness-specific forums.

I realize that PC does have a Medications forum, but that's not illness specific, and frankly, a lot of people don't visit it.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 03:05 PM
  #3
That's a really fantastic idea BirdDancer! I am also glad you pointed out we need a place for succeses as well. So important.

I considered a sticky. I can see that working, but I never considered a sub forum. I like that idea much better.

I also love the idea of it including information on how to manage without medication. I am about to go down that route personally and I would find that quite helpful.

Do you know the process for creating sub forums? I must admit I spend all of my PC time in this forum, so I'll take a look at some sub forums to learn more about how they are structured.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 03:07 PM
  #4
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Originally Posted by fern46 View Post
Do you know the process for creating sub forums? I must admit I spend all of my PC time in this forum, so I'll take a look at some sub forums to learn more about how they are structured.
You can ask here: https://psychcentralforums.com/commu...nical-support/

I'm sure you could PM DocJohn as well -- although creating a thread in that forum may allow other people w/ bipolar to chime in and show their support for such a subforum.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 03:13 PM
  #5
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Originally Posted by bluebicycle View Post
You can ask here: https://psychcentralforums.com/commu...nical-support/

I'm sure you could PM DocJohn as well -- although creating a thread in that forum may allow other people w/ bipolar to chime in and show their support for such a subforum.
Thanks for your help Bluebicycle. Much appreciated! I'll give this thread some time to see if we have enough interest first, but now I know where to go if the idea takes off.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 03:22 PM
  #6
I think it's great idea. I would love to read everyone's feedback and experiences. good one, fern! go for it.

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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 03:29 PM
  #7
I wanted to add, fern, that I agree that it was not nice that your doctor laughed about tapering off low dose Geodon. Of course only you will find out what it's like as you decrease the dose. It may be fairly easy, or not. We are all different and there are many factors that determine what happens. Not being believed or not having a doctor aware or caring of, or open-minded to possibilities is lousy. I know that Geodon is not a medication you can "split". I recall it being a capsule filled with powder. I guess that if your doctor isn't willing to order smaller dose pills or eventually compounding center pills less than 20 mg (I think that's the smallest pill dose) then perhaps there is another way? I have no idea if the capsule could be opened and the powder divided in some way. Maybe taken with applesauce? I don't know. I didn't end up needing anything smaller than 20 mg, but I have indeed read than some do. For example, at Geodon (Ziprasidone) Withdrawal Symptoms + Duration - Mental Health Daily

I am definitely not against antipsychotics. In fact, they have been the most helpful at controlling my bipolar mania, and even helpful at curbing my bipolar depression (and mixed states)...and of course psychoses. However, I'd be a liar if I didn't say that some weren't a little scary or very annoying, at the least. Some took an incredible amount of patience and strategy to tolerate well.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 03:34 PM
  #8
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Originally Posted by BirdDancer View Post
I wanted to add, fern, that I agree that it was not nice that your doctor laughed about tapering off low dose Geodon. Of course only you will find out what it's like as you decrease the dose. It may be fairly easy, or not. We are all different and there are many factors that determine what happens. Not being believed or not having a doctor aware or caring of, or open-minded to possibilities is lousy. I know that Geodon is not a medication you can "split". I recall it being a capsule filled with powder. I guess that if your doctor isn't willing to order smaller dose pills or eventually compounding center pills less than 20 mg (I think that's the smallest pill dose) then perhaps there is another way? I have no idea if the capsule could be opened and the powder divided in some way. Maybe taken with applesauce? I don't know. I didn't end up needing anything smaller than 20 mg, but I have indeed read than some do. For example, at Geodon (Ziprasidone) Withdrawal Symptoms + Duration - Mental Health Daily
Thanks for that. I hate to analyze her, but if I had to guess she is simply uneducated and doesn't think it is a big deal. I feel like doctors see a lot of patients with sympyoms that return after they go off meds and they just assume the original issues have returned. I just don't want a legit withdrawal symptom to be mistaken for a rebound.

I considered powder in the applesauce. My parents used to feed me Tylenol that way when I was a child. Great minds!

I am thinking of doing every other day for two weeks and then every third day for three weeks. I am hoping that will work.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 03:41 PM
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I hope it works out well for you, fern.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 04:12 PM
  #10
Apparently what we are discussing does indeed exist here at PC. I haven't had a chance to view many of the posts, but it seems in line with our thoughts so far.

https://psychcentralforums.com/psychiatric-medications/
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 04:16 PM
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Apparently what we are discussing does indeed exist here at PC. I haven't had a chance to view many of the posts, but it seems in line with our thoughts so far.

https://psychcentralforums.com/psychiatric-medications/
Yes, but will people go there regularly? I don't. I already knew about the above. If that's all DocJohn wants to offer, then that's what there is. I guarantee that if that's all that will remain, we'll still be getting at least 80% of the medication posts in the regular bipolar forum, and not at the one you referenced above. That is unless someone here starts to aggressively advertise the one you mentioned above. Just my opinion based on observations of websites throughout my former career and experiences.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 04:23 PM
  #12
If he is comfortable with the material being addressed in two places, I am. I never even thought to look for it until you mentioned sub forums and I went looking around to do some research on how they are structured.

I agree this forum is the likely place for the crowd I intended to target to look for information.
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 06:14 PM
  #13
Great Idea!

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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 06:18 PM
  #14
If DocJohn needs something unique so that we don't have "two of the same thing" (or so to speak), perhaps create a "bipolar treatments" subforum? Basically, a place that will consist of medical treatments (medication, ECT, TMS, etc.) and therapeutic treatments.

Of course, people would be welcome to ask for advice in the main bipolar forum for whatever they want (e.g., "How do I cope with this symptom?"), but perhaps the "bipolar treatments" subforum would be a place where people can post more specific questions related to treatment (e.g., "Is this a common side effect for Lamictal?")?
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 06:28 PM
  #15
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Originally Posted by bluebicycle View Post
If DocJohn needs something unique so that we don't have "two of the same thing" (or so to speak), perhaps create a "bipolar treatments" subforum? Basically, a place that will consist of medical treatments (medication, ECT, TMS, etc.) and therapeutic treatments.

Of course, people would be welcome to ask for advice in the main bipolar forum for whatever they want (e.g., "How do I cope with this symptom?"), but perhaps the "bipolar treatments" subforum would be a place where people can post more specific questions related to treatment (e.g., "Is this a common side effect for Lamictal?")?
I think this is a good way to do both and even serve a greater need. BirdDancer, what do you think of this?

I love brainstorming with a team. Thanks for helping me geek out for a while today
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 06:39 PM
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Yes, but will people go there regularly? I don't. I already knew about the above. If that's all DocJohn wants to offer, then that's what there is. I guarantee that if that's all that will remain, we'll still be getting at least 80% of the medication posts in the regular bipolar forum, and not at the one you referenced above. That is unless someone here starts to aggressively advertise the one you mentioned above. Just my opinion based on observations of websites throughout my former career and experiences.
I don't know about others but I'm always checking the psychiatric meds subforum, I know many people don't though

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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 08:09 PM
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I think this is a good way to do both and even serve a greater need. BirdDancer, what do you think of this?

I love brainstorming with a team. Thanks for helping me geek out for a while today
I think bluebicyle's idea is great! Definitely including other treatments would make it additionally valuable. Thanks, bluebicyle!
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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 08:22 PM
  #18
I know that there is another sub forum but I’ve only looked at it once.
If only one forum is to be used I like the idea of having a sticky at the top of the bipolar threads. I would definitely find it useful.

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Default Aug 26, 2019 at 09:38 PM
  #19
Under chronic pain there is a sticky for Fibromyalgia at the top.

So I’m thinking it’s possible to ask for a sticky on this forum, we have one that is for Bipolar success stories which I honestly haven’t visited more than a few random times since most people post on the forum.

But a sticky for medications and the effects on our Bipolar would be a more appealing and visited place I think.

As for having a template?? I don’t know if that would work well as medication issues I doubt would fit into any kind of “ slot” since everyone reacts differently. I dunno worth some ideas for sure.

But overall I think it’s a great idea

Fooze is who keeps the sticky on chronic pain for Fibromyalgia in order. He might be the person to ask for this

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Default Aug 27, 2019 at 12:15 PM
  #20
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Originally Posted by ~Christina View Post
Under chronic pain there is a sticky for Fibromyalgia at the top.

So I’m thinking it’s possible to ask for a sticky on this forum, we have one that is for Bipolar success stories which I honestly haven’t visited more than a few random times since most people post on the forum.

But a sticky for medications and the effects on our Bipolar would be a more appealing and visited place I think.

As for having a template?? I don’t know if that would work well as medication issues I doubt would fit into any kind of “ slot” since everyone reacts differently. I dunno worth some ideas for sure.

But overall I think it’s a great idea

Fooze is who keeps the sticky on chronic pain for Fibromyalgia in order. He might be the person to ask for this
Thanks for this!

I agree about the template. I was thinking it might be helpful if we tried to capture everything in one post. That way people could visually scan and find the medication they were interested in. I think we're leaning toward the sub forum idea and that wouldn't require any sort of template. You'd be able to just scan through the post titles to find what you're looking for.
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