Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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I increased my doses.

MonaP
MonaP
Since I have to do research for myself about my problem because doctors don't know what the hell they are doing. I am taking 10 mg in the morning and 10 mg at night and then taking .25 mg clonazepam at night. What I did was took .25 mg clonazepam in the morning, and I felt much better. I needed something to relax me in the day too since I also have problem with anxiety too. I don't feel depress like I was the couple day ago. It seem as if I have to solve my own problem. Does that feel that way to some people?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would be very careful about adjusting your own meds because of drug interactions and overdosing. If you don't like what the doctors are doing at least check with your pharmasist.
MonaP
MonaP
Oh don't worry, I was supposes to take .5 mg twice a day but it was too strong for me at first but it seem as if .25 mg is not helping me much. So I decided to take .25 mg twice a day.
deleted_user
deleted_user
BE CAREFUL with the benzos!!!! My pdoc PUSHED them on me and now I'm finding that they are making my PTSD worse and are a b!tch to get off of! I even told her I wanted to try something else and she just said "we'll increase your dose"...Next time I'll know better. GRRR

Today I woke up wanting to rip somebody's head off. Yeah, I'm tapering down right now. Some days are OK, other days just plain SUCK!!!!
MonaP
MonaP
I know but I need to find a way to at least calm myself.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If you were supposed to be taking .5x2 and it was too much then taking .25x2 shouldn't be a big deal. You're not upping over what they recommended for you- you're tweaking your meds to fit what works for you. You would know best if something is/isn't working.

I would call them and let them know what you're doing and why. They need to have it in your chart (in case of accidents/ hospitalizations etc).
polarbare
polarbare
decreasing a med dose is safer than increasing it .... but do agree with other reply to let your pdoc know so an update can be added to your file and they can also review this for your next appt... ((hugs)) polar
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm not clear about what you are taking 10mg of in the morning and night.

If you need to increase your dose, it is still best to go to a pdoc for the increase. First, if you present your case well, they are likely to give you a small increase. Second, if you increase your meds. without the pdoc. increasing your prescription then the end of the month will be really bad because you will run out of meds before your pdoc will ok a refill.

Clonazepam is a med. docs are very careful with. I had someone still mine 2x's in one month. I then had to go through the withdrawals because the doctor refused to write me more. He knew that if he did he could possibly lose his license. I had two weeks of horrible withdrawals which I sub-ed out for a legal mood adjuster. It still didn't work as well.

He likely believed that I had my meds. stolen but his hands were tied. Please don't increase that med to where you run out early. Withdrawals are the pits!

Good luck,this balanced med. battle is tough!
Flower