Medication

[Jeanw]

I'm 4 years out of my head injury and I'm finding it very hard to reduce any further on my medication. I've been on and of this medication for 35 years and they want me to just come of a drug of very high dependency and I'm finding this extremely difficult to handle is there any help for me

[Pairofboots]

Hi Jean, you say "they" want you to come off the medication, who are "they"? If they are part of your medical team, they may have a good rational as to the benefit of stopping, they need to explain this in a way that you can make an informed decision.As for the specific medication, you say that this has a very high dependency, this might be the case. A medication like this has to be withdrawn at a very gradual rate, sometimes this can take a number of months, and where there is a dependency, it has to be reduced at a rate that you can cope with.

You can talk with the pharmacist/community pharmacist for advice, you can contact these direct or via your GP.

Some medications were once considered as required for evermore, but evidence changes over time. An example of this may be something like antidepressants where it was considered that people required this to maintain their mental state, but evidence is emerging that these may be ineffective after an extended period of use, and on balance have a higher risk against benefit. Have a chat with a pharmacist who can explain this better. Never stop or adjust medication without talking to your Dr first. 🍀

[Jeanw in reply to Pairofboots]

I've been on meds for 35 Yr and they keep putting me on them and reducing then back on and reducing my so called team I never see they only only drop my meds and try to control me

[Pairofboots in reply to Jeanw]

Without knowing who "they" , "team" are, it is difficult to suggest beyond talking to your GP and pharmacist.

[1949liz]

Hi Jean, preposterous for your doctor to say come off your medication when you have been on it for so long. When I was 17, I was put on diazepams., I am 74 now and I’m still taking diazepan the common name is valium, my doctor told me that if I stopped taking it, I could die. because I have tried to stop it, the side effects were dreadful, so I take them, it does not affect me, to be honest, it’s just part of what I do every morning, I sort my pills out, then I take them. I think you need to get a referral., to see another doctor and explain the length time you have been on this medication do not feel guilty you didn’t put yourself on this medication. It is up to your doctor. Please take care God bless you love Liz.

[Jeanw in reply to 1949liz]

Thank you so much as I've tried abd tried to get off them and it gets harder every time. I think the doctors think I'm just after a buzz but after 35yr I'm finding it impossible but all the doctors have done is put me into a place were I'm getting reduced and can't cope they've had me on 30mg down to 4mg then back up to 20mg now I'm back down to 8mg and it's tough going I just can't get the help I seriously need

[1949liz in reply to Jeanw]

Hi Jean, If you are not getting the right type of service, you have two choices either you complain to the practice manager or you change doctors. the third one I’m just thinking about it is you can write to the doctor and tell them that because they messing around with your medication you’re feeling worse, And mentally drained and exhausted, also that the symptoms of withdrawal according you far greater anxiety than you have had before

so you are saying I want my prescription and the medication that the doctors have put me on put up to the milligrams that I am used to, by doing this, I am living a fuller life. Be strong don’t let them do this to you. have you anyone who can come into the surgery with you? That normally works? Take care and let me know how you are getting on. Love Liz my adorable doggy. Shelly.

[Jeanw in reply to 1949liz]

Thanks so much for your help and I will go and do exactly as you've stated here and I will let you know. I have my mother who can take me but she suffered from spine surgery and this is what I'm trying to tell the doctors that there messing with the best years of my life I've just turned 50 and my names Gary. That's my mother's name Jean as i couldn't get my name on the profile I'm Gary and as I said I will let you know how this works out thanks again

[gr33nmind in reply to Jeanw]

Yes meds are very hard to quit. If they are anti anxiety meds, after a point, they aren't even helping you. They are just maintaining normalcy. You can quit them, Look up water titration on youtube. The reduction will be so slow, that you want feel any withdrawal. If you need the medication, you'll honestly know, and won't be basing it on an addiction. IDK what you are taking, but if it is an anti-anxiety med, withdraw symptoms can occur after only taking it for several months. I reduced a 20 year addiction, at a percent a day, but you can even reduce slower or faster. Whatever feels best for you.

[1949liz]

you’re very welcome, Do you have a social worker because your mum is poorly emphasises to the doctor and tell them just what you said to me they are messing about with the best years of your life. I considering you are caring for your mum. That must put a great deal of stress on you. Tell them that I wish you well, take care Liz and my Shelly 🙏

[gr33nmind]

Water titration. I titrated *myself* off of a heavy Ativan 20 year addiction . It took me 4 months. I also titrated an SSRI and a muscle relaxer. I tried to do that with a beta blocker, but on lower doses it caused me heart pain. So I went cold turkey with that. The beta blocker had been causing damage to my heart, but I was so doped up I didn't know it.

The reason I quit everything. I had fallen one morning, badly broke my nose, and sustaining another head injury. That day I vowed to get off it all. I had recently had insurance changes, and I couldn't find a doctor to assist me. I first tried to cut the pills in half. Nope that was too fast. Then I learned web surfing that you can safely and very slowly wean yourself using a process called water titration. It involves mixing the med wt a liquid, measuring the liquid, and taking a little less each day.. I reduced very slowly at one percent a day. Quitting a benzodiazepine fast, can cause seizures. That is not something you want to get with a TBI. But at a percent a day, you won't even feel the change.

I don't fall anymore. I even ran a 27 minute 5K pre pandemic.