Need some advice *Triggers*

[IronTarkus]

Hi all,

I just needed some advice before I started taking this medication again, and to be honest I can't really ask my family because they are somewhat embarrassed about the fact that I have mental health problems, so I would feel very uncomfortable having a conversation with them about going back on medication. I think it's better I just keep them out of it, which is what has led me here to you lovely people.

Anyway, here's the situation. About 2-3 years ago my depression got really bad and I tried to take my own life and ended up in the hospital for a couple of weeks, when I left they made me start taking loads of different pills but the only ones I can remember are Mirtazapine which I was taking 30mg twice a day, Pregabalin 150mg two times a day and Zopiclone at night to help me sleep. I have contacted my doctors and I can't get an appointment until the middle of the week but my condition is getting worse quickly, I've been having panic attacks fairly regularly, it can sometime be up to three nights before I even get a wink of sleep and my mood is generally low all of the time. I don't want to go to the hospital as I don't want to get my family involved, if I can wait until I can get to see my doctor then I think I can get the help I need but until then its a real struggle.

The thing I mainly want advice on is, as I said before I was on a lot of medication and pretty high doses too which is what led to me stopping taking them abruptly because being that zonked out all of the time makes you not even feel like yourself anymore, but because I stopped taking them so abruptly I found a weeks worth of Mirtazapine and a weeks worth of Pregabalin in my old room at my mum's.

I don't know if I should take them as these are the pills I am going to be asking my doctor for as even though they zonked me out they did alleviate ALL of my symptoms, however my worries are that the dose may be a bit overkill for my current requirements.... all I know is that I need to do something pretty soon as I don't want to go down that road again.

If anyone has experience of either of these pills then it may be helpful for me to know what kind of dose is a 'normal' dose as to judge if this is too high. Most places I have seen on the internet so far seem to indicate that both of the doses I was taking are fairly high but it would be nice to get this confirmed/disproved by a 'real' person who actually has experience with it.

Thanks again guys

TL;DR depressed guy needs to know if its a good idea to take pills that were prescribed previously, because cant get into doctors until at least mid week.

[purplefan]

I am sure someone wil give you advice but i would NOT take any old pills as they could unbalance any new pills your G.P would give you.

[rose]

Hello there... you sound very distressed, but try not to worry. Please do NOT take the pills you found, they might be out of date.
Pregabalin should be taken under supervision because it can cause problems with your heart and it should never stopped abruptly as it can cause seizures.
Both these medications take a while to kick in so taking them now vs taking them in a few days after you've seen your doctor will make very little difference.
When are you seeing your doctor? If you haven't made an appointment can you call first thing tomorrow and make a same-day appointment?

Edit: Sorry, just read that you can't get to your doctor until mid-week. Wait for that appointment. If you need help in the meantime, can you go to your local A&E?

[IronTarkus]

Thanks for such quick replies, I honestly was not expecting that! So between the two of you it seems a unanimous no on taking the medication. I think I knew it was a bad idea already tbh but I feel like I need to do something, and honestly I would really rather avoid the hospital. They say things to you and to the exact opposite.

Just wish there was something I could do to feel a little better, or even just to get some sleep for that matter, between now and then

[rose]

If you feel you need to do something I suggest you sit in a quiet place.
Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 8 (or up to 8 if you can't quite manage it).
Do this three times.
Breathe normally for a bit then repeat if required.
This should help to relax you.

Call the doctors first thing tomorrow if you can and tell them its urgent.
Don't take the pills.

Welcome to DWD

[OldMike]

Hi IronTarkus, welcome to DWD.

Do NOT take any of these old pills you found.

Just talk to your doctor and he/she will decide the best medication and/or other treatment you need.

[Paula]

Hi and welcome . Absolutely, please, DO NOT take those pills. In fact, it'd be a good idea to hand them over to any pharmacy. And, for future reference, it's always advisable to come off meds slowly and with your Drs supervision. I hope you can get an earlier appointment (please try to emphasise it's urgent) but, in the meantime, if you think you could harm yourself, please go to a&e, and you can also call The Samaritans to talk

[Suzi]

Hi and welcome. I completely agree with the others. Can you call your Dr and see if you can get an emergency or cancellation appointment?

[purplefan]

Hope you are feeling a bit better this morning.

[magie06]

Hi there and welcome to dwd. Well done for getting an appointment with your gp. Can you go on a list for an emergency appointment or a cancelation? I understand if your gp is in a practice with other doctors it's hard to see the same doctor each time, but try to get to see someone this week. The middle of next week is a long way away.