A Successful Medication Change: Titrating Off Phenobarbital Paused

After a year and five months of weaning off phenobarbital, I stopped the process. I stopped the process because I needed some normalcy again.

I’m not sure if it was not working, but the many medication changes were taking a toll on my body. I’m not a doctor, nor do I claim to be.

However, I understand my body and when I don’t feel like myself. One day, I decided to stop the medication changes and stay on my original medications. My original medications are phenobarbital and zonogram.

Paying attention to my body

Over the last year, I have experienced so much with various medications. I have learned to pay attention to my body.

When I do not feel like myself. I practice full transparency with my medical provider. There were days when I just felt so tired and drained on these various medications.

Listening to physical cues

I knew something wasn’t right as I would try different medications. I was hoping to feel a sense of relief but never did. I often felt exhausted.

For example, I would sleep all day most days. I felt as if that wasn’t normal for me. And I love to sleep.

Recognizing emotional shifts

With the various medication changes came the different moods. One medication had me feeling very depressed, while another had me feeling wired, and then another would have me agitated.

I would often consult with my physician about my medication and the shifts in my moods. My doctors wanted to prescribe extra medication, however, I refused and eventually switched doctors

Maintaining energy levels

My energy levels dropped, and I did not enjoy the things I once enjoyed. Once that started happening, I knew I needed to regain some control.

Taking control of my treatment

Choosing to stop the process of weaning off phenobarbital was not easy. It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. I made the decision for myself.

The decision was difficult because I had already come so far as I was a year in. But physically, my body was tired.

I truly don’t know the effects of the various medications. And I’d say the final decision was when I got contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis from my seizure medication.

I trust my healthcare provider and let him know of my concerns along the way. I think at this point in time we will pause titrating off phenobarbital right now.

After a year and five months of slowly weaning off phenobarbital, I have paused the process until further notice. I needed a sense of normalcy again.

I can’t say whether the medication changes were effective. My phenobarbital dosage was lowered to once a day now.

I learned a lot about the various medications, my body, and this experience. I am feeling like myself again. One day at a time.