So I know I promised to tell you about my journey being Bipolar… and I haven’t really done that yet. I apologize most sincerely. But recently something has changed in my Bipolar journey that I felt was worth telling about. I am coming off my medication!
Go ahead and ‘Pin’ me! You don’t want to forget.
We have had numerous issues with our insurance (which I may rant about in another post), which has lately resulted in my not being insured at all. The medication I was on is expensive without insurance, and I cannot afford it out of pocket.
So I spoke to my doctors about coming off of this medication. They approved.
The pattern I have observed in my illness is that I will have a really low spell (depressive episode) every several years. (My mood can also shift from day to day or in the course of a day. However I have noticed a general pattern that spans years.) I had a low spell when I was about 15 years old, which I came out of after about a year or so. Then again when I was about 21 I had a low spell. It was at this point I sought out professional help. That was a year and a half ago. Assuming I am following basically the same pattern as before, I could be fine for several years before having another major episode. So I reasoned, why be on this medication when I can quite possibly manage without it?
Another reason for coming off my medication is the unpleasant side effect of weight gain. I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. In 2014 I lost about 30-40 pounds and got close to where I felt a healthy range would be. I felt better and felt I looked better as well. Then in 2015 I went on my medication, and while continuing with the same lifestyle as before going on the medication, I gained all of that weight back. It is so frustrating gaining weight while trying hard to lose it. I just want to be healthy!
[bctt tweet=”I just want to be healthy!”]I have been off my medication for a week and 3 days now. I was expecting to experience symptoms of withdrawal several days after I stopped taking my medication. However I haven’t noticed any symptoms yet at all. I feel as stable as I was while I was on the medication.
Of course, that could change at any time. So I am making sure that all of my family and close friends are aware I am coming off my medication so that I have a strong support system, and I will be working closely with my doctor as well. Please never come off your medication without first getting the approval of you doctor!
Also, I will try to keep you all informed as to how I am coping!
Please leave me your thoughts in the comments, and feel free to email me at meganernspiker@gmail.com or reach out to me on social media!
