Going off meds.....big surprise! - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

liz49 · 09-18-2007, 09:54 PM

Well, I haven't posted in a long time, things have been moderately stable, I guess...but Sara announced last week that A: she was dropping out of school (hopefully for just this semester) and B: she is going off all her meds as she does not believe she is bipolar. Not surprised at all since my pdoc told me that 100% of his BP patients go off their meds at least once. He is stepping her down carefully, but warned me of a big crash. Sadly, since she is not in school, she is no longer on our insurance and the COBRA rider to keep her covered was over $400 a month--we simply can't afford it with hubby's Interferon meds at $800+ a month and her therapy at $400.....I have nothing to say really, just wish she hadn't chosen right now when her dad is so sick to do this----he is barely hanging in there making thru the work week and she has to do this to us. Well--wish us the best, I guess, hopefully she won't crash and burn. We still haven't paid off the hospital from her psych stay in July! GRRRRRRRRR.

tsohl · 09-18-2007, 10:07 PM

Hi Liz ~

We've all been wondering where you were and how things were going. I'm so glad you posted. I am really sorry that you are having so many stressful events all occurring at once.

Please know that I am thinking about you and your family and will pray that Sara manages to hang together and come to her senses.

HUGS,
Tsohl

happydays:) · 09-18-2007, 10:12 PM

I'm sorry to hear about all of the struggles!!! This cant be easy for you, and my hopes and prayers are with you and your family.
Listening to what you said, my guess is that your daughter may be acting in reaction to the current situtation. Stress is often a trigger. Also, she may be looking to reduce her impact as she sees it on the family by not having you pay for meds, and not paying for school. A friend of mine took a similar route (shes has BP and ADD) when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. However, things worked out for her. There were many bumps in the road, but things righted themselves in the end. I wish the same for you and yours.

Best of luck and warmest wishes!!!!!!

Lor60 · 09-19-2007, 09:50 AM

Hi Liz,

I have been thinking about you and your family. I guess the only thing that is positive is that Sara is tapering off her medication slowly. Will she still live with you? Can she get a full time job with benefits for insurance? From what you have posted before, she has never really accepted her dx or been compliant with what she needs to do to become stable. Maybe she just has to bottom out and then she will be more accepting. As a mom it is just so hard to sit back and watch it happen.

Please take care of yourself and know that you have done everything you can to try and help her.

Lor

langlee · 09-19-2007, 10:09 AM

Liz-

We've all been thinking about you and waiting to hear from you. I have heard, too, that at one point or another, many BPer reject his/her diagnosis and goes off of the meds. My son decided the same thing this summer and I think he actually surprised himself when he saw how quickly he plummeted. He is now convinced he is BP, has been compliant with meds and is working with his new therapist, and is in a much better place than he has been for a long time. Although I always worry when I even put that in writing, I am grateful for it and I hope for the same thing for Sara.

In the meantime, come here for support. You are going through a very stressful time all the way around and we are here for you.

Love,

Hope