[Victoria'smom]

I'm prefacing this with I'm not getting off my meds. but one day I would like too. My T's pretty naive I hid being terrified from her well for a couple of months. So I'm not sure what she'll say when I bring up I want to learn to cope without medication. She definitely thinks my depression and anxiety isn't being treated enough with meds but never labels anything psychosis. It doesn't help that I know when my thinking is odd and so I don't mention it. (I'm trying to get better at that.) Anyway I'm getting off track.

I know I need grounding Technics, DBT, telling the whole truth but what else do I need to learn? I think this T is going to stick around for awhile. I know she's squishy so I'll never be able to be as blunt with her as I was with WV T but if she can help me learn to cope with less meds then I'd really appreciate it.

Has anyone asked there T to help them build skills to lower there meds? Is that even possible? Of what you know of me is that possible for me?

Hi Miguel'smom. I think most people agree with wanting to take the fewest medications possible to keep their illness in check. I definitely do and I have made great headway over the years. Yes, I am still on a handful of medications, but half the number I've been on at one time in the past.

I don't know if "no medications" will ever be in my future. I'm not specifically aiming for that, but fewer or smaller doses? Yes!

It did take me years and years to properly practice and...almost...master a few coping skills. It's always a work in progress. I'm patient and persistent. Right now I feel more mentally well than I have for ages (maybe 16 years). I look forward to making more progress with medication reduction and mental wellness, but I am still far from ready to ever think about zero medications.

Some here are in different situations than me, you, or others. If they are trialing with no medications while still focusing on therapy (and other wellness strategies) I am happy for them for any success, especially if their doctors/therapist/family are all on board. Mine would not be onboard for me to do that now. Even I am not on onboard. I trust their feedback and my own gut and logic.

I think everyone's experience regarding going off meds is going to be very, very different from one another. I guess you have to ask yourself: why did you go on meds in the first place and why have you continued taking them? What made you decide they were the right choice for you? And why do you want to go off them now? Is there any medical reason for going off them? Do the meds negatively affect your quality of life to the point the cons outweigh the pros? Questions like that.

I have had some bad meds myself, so I 100% understand why some people dislike their meds, and why they want to go off them.

But as far as coping mechanisms go, I think you need to be able to identify *what* symptoms your meds are controlling so that you can come up with a game plan for handling those symptoms when they inevitably resurface.

[fern46]

I think going off meds is a complex process and one needs to proceed with caution. There are reasons you are on the meds you are on. You know all of the basic coping skills and basic care tasks are a struggle. You withold information from your providers and have difficulty speaking at times. That might be a roadblock to effectively partnering on a strategy to reduce your meds.

If I were in your shoes and I wanted to work with my therapist yo reduce my meds I would seek not to learn how to cope better. I would aim to get down to the root causes for my emotional patterns that are tied to negative experiences in my life. I'd work on strategies to process those experiences in healthier ways so that I could be triggered much less in the future. The less triggered you are, the less time you spend coping and the more time you spend engaging in your life more fully. Over time that might lead to needing less medication. I say might because there is also a physical component to this and it may require medication. We're all different.

I hope you are able to find a way to what you desire. Your current state does not have to define your future, but I think being honest about the steps you'd need to take and the work you'd need to do is important to keep in mind alongside any dream one has for their future.

[Fuzzybear]

I agree with Fern. I would aim to get down to the root causes, not just learning coping mechanisms. It's an ongoing process, I take very few meds. I used to take more until I became allergic. In some ways maybe I am ''fortunate'' I became allergic as I am not convinced that long term use of some of those heavy duty meds prescribed (with no therapy offered either ) was in my best interest.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by fern46

I think going off meds is a complex process and one needs to proceed with caution. There are reasons you are on the meds you are on. You know all of the basic coping skills and basic care tasks are a struggle. You withold information from your providers and have difficulty speaking at times. That might be a roadblock to effectively partnering on a strategy to reduce your meds.

If I were in your shoes and I wanted to work with my therapist yo reduce my meds I would seek not to learn how to cope better. I would aim to get down to the root causes for my emotional patterns that are tied to negative experiences in my life. I'd work on strategies to process those experiences in healthier ways so that I could be triggered much less in the future. The less triggered you are, the less time you spend coping and the more time you spend engaging in your life more fully. Over time that might lead to needing less medication. I say might because there is also a physical component to this and it may require medication. We're all different.

I hope you are able to find a way to what you desire. Your current state does not have to define your future, but I think being honest about the steps you'd need to take and the work you'd need to do is important to keep in mind alongside any dream one has for their future.

[*Beth*]

Not at this time, that's for sure. If I could take twice as many of my meds, I would. Anything to calm down.

[Victoria'smom]

BirdDancer That's awesome that you were able to reduce your meds that much congratulations! Mine would not be onboard for me to do that now Not now but she seems to hate medication as much as I do.

Blue bicycle I'll answer a few of those questions others I don't know the answer to. I'll answer it as in the last time I re-started meds. why did you go on meds in the first place and why have you continued taking them? It was that or the hospital and I stay on them to avoid the hospital. It avoids fighting at home too. why do you want to go off them now? I currently have no ill effects. I don't want to develop any and I don't want to rely on anything. Especially that I can't pay for out of pocket.

You withold information from your providers and have difficulty speaking at times. That might be a roadblock to effectively partnering on a strategy to reduce your meds. I try really hard not to with hold information but T won't read my letters. So it's incredibly hard for me to share my most ****ed up ness. I don't know my emotional patterns and charting often leads me to look like I'm doing better than I am.

[fern46]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

BirdDancer That's awesome that you were able to reduce your meds that much congratulations! Mine would not be onboard for me to do that now Not now but she seems to hate medication as much as I do.

Blue bicycle I'll answer a few of those questions others I don't know the answer to. I'll answer it as in the last time I re-started meds. why did you go on meds in the first place and why have you continued taking them? It was that or the hospital and I stay on them to avoid the hospital. It avoids fighting at home too. why do you want to go off them now? I currently have no ill effects. I don't want to develop any and I don't want to rely on anything. Especially that I can't pay for out of pocket.

You withold information from your providers and have difficulty speaking at times. That might be a roadblock to effectively partnering on a strategy to reduce your meds. I try really hard not to with hold information but T won't read my letters. So it's incredibly hard for me to share my most ****ed up ness. I don't know my emotional patterns and charting often leads me to look like I'm doing better than I am.

I know. You do try really hard. I wish she would meet you in a way that works for you and build from there.

Learning our emotional patterns takes time, the ability to have insight in the moment and the ability to reflect. You have to be able to be triggered in the moment and then figure out which past experiences it is related to. It is doable, but its like a walking through maze at times. Your therapist should be able to help as this can be a difficult process. You'd need to be able to share the stuff in your letters openly though for someone to help you analyze properly.

[Innerzone]

If she won't read your letters, perhaps you could read them to her. It can be easier to read things than to just say them, and that way, she would have the information that you want her to have.

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Blue bicycle I'll answer a few of those questions others I don't know the answer to. I'll answer it as in the last time I re-started meds. why did you go on meds in the first place and why have you continued taking them? It was that or the hospital and I stay on them to avoid the hospital. It avoids fighting at home too. why do you want to go off them now? I currently have no ill effects. I don't want to develop any and I don't want to rely on anything. Especially that I can't pay for out of pocket.

I am not pushing meds on you at all, but many pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs to help people who need/want medication but can't afford it. Also, you can look on GoodRx. I remember at one point, my Lexapro was like $8 if I used a GoodRx coupon vs using my insurance. If even $8 is more than your budget, then some meds like Seroquel XR (brand name) may be as low as $3 if you use the manufacturer's coupon. (It was $3 for me.)

Obviously it's up to you if you want to take meds, but I do think it's possible to work things out financially. I don't know how easy it would be to negotiate something like this, but many people do it because pharmaceutical companies gouge you. Some patients even rely on samples for a while until they can get their finances in order. Most doctors try really hard to make things work for their patients, and they are sensitive to that.

I can't guarantee you won't develop any ill effects, but there are many members on this forum who have been on the same cocktail for years and have not had any ill effects. They may have had ill effects from certain meds in the past, but my point is that it's most certainly possible to be on medication without having any ill effects. Usually the ill effects are seen almost immediately (e.g., weight gain, akathisia, etc.). There is of course tardive dyskinesia and tardive akathisia that can show up, but I think the tardive effects are very uncommon for most ADs and atypical APs.

Also, what is wrong with relying on medication? I think medication can be great for people, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with being reliant on it if it helps. But if you feel that medication is not right for you, then you do not need to be on it if that's not what you want. I fully respect your opinion.

[Victoria'smom]

My meds are covered as long as I'm in the state but if I visit family and need a refill it is not. GoodRx has my meds for about $700 (all together) I would like to get it as far under under $50 as possible. I would like to get to a point I can work, vacation with my parent/ see my sister but I'm tied to state insurance right now. I want to decrease that need for that.

what is wrong with relying on medication? It's another tie down, another thing to worry about for me.

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

My meds are covered as long as I'm in the state but if I visit family and need a refill it is not. GoodRx has my meds for about $700 (all together) I would like to get it as far under under $50 as possible. I would like to get to a point I can work, vacation with my parent/ see my sister but I'm tied to state insurance right now. I want to decrease that need for that.

what is wrong with relying on medication? It's another tie down, another thing to worry about for me.

I see. What about meds makes you worry?

Btw, you can also ask for extra medication to hold you through a trip to see your parents, sister, etc.. For example, if you know you're going to be gone for a whole month, ask your doctor if you can get a 60 or 90 day supply -- whichever is more affordable. Or you can request an early refill, if needed. Usually doctors can work with insurance companies to make an appeal to have your stuff covered, as long as it's not something you do all the time (e.g., if you do it every month or so).

If you do not have the money to pay for a 60 or 90 day supply, you can instead pay with a credit card (if you have one) so that you can defer your payment.

Many pharmacies also offer payment plans: Options for those who are having trouble affording drug costs - Medicare Interactive

[Victoria'smom]

My insurance only allows 30 day. Don't have a credit card and can't pay a monthly fee.

What about meds make me worry? taking them, being tied to here, if we loose insurance, that I don't really need them,....

[Fuzzybear]

[Tucson]

You are schizoaffective, right? What more needs to be understood? I get that you do not want any meds. There are allot of things I do not want either, including meds. But I still need to deal with the situation in a realistic way in order for me to function well. enough in life. I need to deal with what is, and not what I want it to be. I sometimes hate that. This has at times proven to be difficult for me.

However, there may still be options available that will get you half way there. Maybe you can ask your doctor to taper back the meds. Then you can work on your coping strategies. Also this can alleviate some of the side-effects of your meds that you are experiencing.

Maybe in time, you can do what appears to be very difficult, if not impossible for some people with BP. This is to understand that your MI has not gone away. You have not been cured. It is very likely you will always be on some meds. Here is a thought. You need to be there for your family, and children. You cannot do this while going in and out of psychosis.

I understand that this is a personal choice, and I respect that. I will send you good thoughts, and wish you the best in this decision of yours. Either way, we will be here for you. Your are one of my favorites here. You deserve better, a life where you are functional, and find some semblance of happiness. I will pop in just to see how things are going for you.

[Victoria'smom]

You are schizoaffective, right? T SAys Sza and pdoc says BP2 with psychosis as two separate dx. also GAD. I run things by you guys before bringing them up with T and Pdoc. I've been on meds daily since July. I haven't been really paranoid for maybe 6 weeks, maybe longer. I think I'm going to ask to switch to pills then after some time switch to a cheap AP. I think T wants me to have more PRN meds. She wants me to switch to their pdoc but I like my pdoc. She's about more therapy less meds.

You need to be there for your family, and children. You cannot do this while going in and out of psychosis. Can't you learn how to deal with the fear? If I can remain calm during those times it wont be dangerous.

[Victoria'smom]

Oh I don't talk to T until next Thursday and pdoc Mid May. Should I call and see if I can talk to T this Thursday? It's not an emergency I just have a bunch of questions to ask. It can wait.