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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TomG on October 24, 2004, at 16:10:13
Just wondering because I think I'm about to stop my Geodon after I talk to my doctor of course. I can't stand the sedation anymore even though it is working. Provigil didn't work for me. I wanted to see if it was possible that drugs could cause a permanent change in the brain for the good. I have a light case of schizophrenia.
Posted by jboud24 on October 24, 2004, at 17:25:39
In reply to Anyone Stopped Meds and Been Fixed Permanently?, posted by TomG on October 24, 2004, at 16:10:13
It has been hypothesized that benefits of psychotheraputic dru use will maintain themselves in some cases even after the drug has been stopped. I personally believe that this is somewhat true, but not always and not for everyone. The best examples of this are people that have been treated with anti-depressants, and anecdotal reports of people who have used LSD and experienced life-long changes in mood, perspective, and character.
That being said I have never experienced such sustained benefits from drug therapy, although I believe that from years of tripping on mushrooms and LSD there have been sustained changes in my perspective on life. YMMV.
Good luck with your Geodon,
Justin
Posted by Sebastian on October 27, 2004, at 12:26:21
In reply to Re: Anyone Stopped Meds and Been Fixed Permanently?, posted by jboud24 on October 24, 2004, at 17:25:39
Seems to be more likely in mild cases than extream. I'm extream, I tried to stop many times over the last 9 years, and always fall back. My dad only had an acute case of depresion, where he needed medicine for a year, and then stoped. You can try it, and go back to meds if you need them, just hold remaining pills and hope to not need them again, in a year throw them out and say you are cured.
Posted by linkadge on October 27, 2004, at 14:57:02
In reply to Re: Anyone Stopped Meds and Been Fixed Permanently?, posted by Sebastian on October 27, 2004, at 12:26:21
I think the SSRI's have permanently changed my preception of things.
I am in a mathematics program and oftentimes you *need* to obsess about things in order to learn them properly. The SSRI's have completely short circuted my ability to obsess about anything.
They oftentimes make me feel as if *nothing* is real, and so why even bother. Ie nothing in this world is solid and real so why obsess about it.
SSRI's can lower dopamine, which has that grounding reality effect. I found I have lost some of my ability to sustain attention and interest in mathematics. The SSRI's have also seemed to permanently changed my views on religion.
I am just blithering on of course, but I do feel that SSRi's have permanently changed my prespective on how the world is.
For good, for bad ? only time can tell
Linkadge
Posted by robz on October 27, 2004, at 16:08:56
In reply to Thats the problem for me, posted by linkadge on October 27, 2004, at 14:57:02
I really think that people can go on meds and then quit for good. People do it all the time. Mothers with post pardum depression sometimes have to be medicated to fix the chemicals in their brains. Then they go off and are totally fine. I was pretty depressed about 10 months ago and having pretty bad panic attacks. I am almost never depressed now and I only occasionaly have anxiety. I was up to 150 MGs of Effexor and am now back down to 37.5. I have been doing great. My doc says soon I will be off completely. It all depends on how bad your depression or anxiety was and for how long it lasted.
Good LUCK!!!! and keep a positive mind!!!!
Posted by LyndaK on October 28, 2004, at 0:00:56
In reply to Anyone Stopped Meds and Been Fixed Permanently?, posted by TomG on October 24, 2004, at 16:10:13
I can identify with your desire to be free of drugs (and their side-effects). On the one hand, I'm so thankful to have found a drug that works so well for my depression and anxiety, yet, on the other hand, I hate being dependent on a drug.
What I did, to answer that question for myself, was (under care and direction of my psychiatrist) reduce the dose of my med. to see how I did. The plan was to continue gradually reducing the dose, however, I didn't get past the first reduction. It was clear to me after a month on the lower dose that I wasn't doing as well and therefore it made no sense to continue. I bumped back up to the dose that was working well and I was fine again. I may try again some day, but for now I know I still need to be on THIS drug at THIS dose.
The only way you'll know for YOU, is to try it -- but only under the care and guidance of your doctor. But don't feel like a failure if it doesn't work. Just be glad that there IS a medication that can help you now.
Good luck to you.
Lynda> Just wondering because I think I'm about to stop my Geodon after I talk to my doctor of course. I can't stand the sedation anymore even though it is working. Provigil didn't work for me. I wanted to see if it was possible that drugs could cause a permanent change in the brain for the good. I have a light case of schizophrenia.
Posted by Starlight on October 28, 2004, at 13:04:38
In reply to Re: Anyone Stopped Meds and Been Fixed Permanently?, posted by LyndaK on October 28, 2004, at 0:00:56
I'm coming off of Trileptal. I've lowered 300 mgs, with the supervision of my Pdoc. Went from 1800 to 1500. We're planning on getting pregnant next year, so I have to wean off of everything, trileptal, lamictal and Effexor.
Taking all of these drugs has made me feel cloudy, affected my memory and ability to choose the right words at times and it totally sucks and has been very frustrating. I have Bipolar II supposedly, though I think it's more depression with anxiety. But already since backing down by 300 mgs, I'm feeling more clarity, which I need. I hate the feeling of not being able to function with the mental prowess that I would have without the meds, even when I'm depressed. I know these meds have affected me the past year. Without them I was very active with my band, with my solo performances and this year I've been more lethargic and unable to get out there as much, which has put a damper on my music endeavours. So I'm looking forward to backing down very slowly and hope to see good results and to not fall back into depression.
Starlight
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