Let the weaning process begin!

I stayed home from work yesterday. My body left me no choice. I was so dizzy that standing wasn't an option. Driving would have been an endangerment to myself and those around me.

Every two to three days this spell comes over me because of my latest medication. Well last night, I stopped taking it. I've timed it in the past and with enough caffeine, four hours usually takes care of how I'm feeling and I can go about my normal day. This didn't happen yesterday. By the time I went to bed for the night, shutting my eyes made the dizziness worse.

And it's not just the dizziness. I literally cannot lift my limbs in this state and have developed Carpal Tunnel in my right hand...a side effect that only a fraction of the people will experience when taking this drug. Lucky me. I honestly think that if I had stayed at my original dose I'd still be fine today. But we doubled it, then dosed it down a fraction in the end. It was too much for me. I'm very sensitive to medication of all sorts. 

Today I'm exhausted as hell but when I got to work and caught up with what I missed, I contacted Dr. M who I had an appointment with early this afternoon. I asked them to bump it up and they did. Ten minutes later I was in his office shaking with frustration.

"Why do drugs work for me for about three weeks and then take a turn for the worst?" 

He didn't have a clear-cut answer. Then I proposed going off all my medications. I was hesitant because I didn't think he would think it to be a good idea. He shocked me when he agreed.

"The break could do you some good!" He said. {I love my non-pill pushing psychiatrist!}

Since I'm still taking Lithium, I will begin the weaning process tonight. From 900mg to 600mg for a week, then down to 300mg and then, done! I'm to call him on Friday with an update on how I'm feeling. He said by then I'll know whether or not my brain can handle it. He will be on standby for me, prescription pad in hand, in case I need something quick.

This is by no means a recommendation to any of you to go off your meds. I am doing this strictly for my personal well being. Twenty pills in three years...need I say more? A short break and then we start over when the going gets tough.

I appreciate your support and will continue to update as the days pour forward.