I, 27F, had a Lamictal rash develop on my face a couple months after stopping my Abilify for related weight gain. For 2 years prior, I was stable and I guess my doctor had put me in “bipolar remission” (I didn’t even know that was a thing).

When she told me to stop my Lamictal immediately, I told her I was nervous because this would be the first time being completely unmedicated since being diagnosed. She told me “we need to wait for the Lamictal to get out of your system to start on a new med. Here’s some pamphlets of new meds to review, take it day by day.”

That was Thursday 09/07. On Monday 09/11, I started having an episode at work. Luckily, I didn’t completely f up everything, but I was clearly pissed off and being really short. It got to the point where I had to tell my boss I shouldn’t be here right now and explained to her what happened. She told me to take a leave, and apply for short term disability. I have to go unpaid for at least 10 days, and I could get denied for it.

First, I am so embarrassed. Secondly, I’m pissed at my med provider. I might have to go unpaid up to 4 weeks (or until my doctor releases me back to work) to regulate on a new med plan. I feel like they’re could’ve been a better way to go about this, and I feel like I should have advocated for myself better but I trusted her.

Did my doctor do the right thing? I’m so upset with what happened and it happened so fast. I have no idea what to do at this point.