Mental illness meds

[Scout]

My psychiatrist has been asking me to take a low dose anti-psychotic, as I am diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder (which is a combination of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, for anyone who hasn't heard of the term before). My symptoms are a lot more manageable when stress levels are low, but when I do have an episode, it is extremely disruptive to my life, and downright frightening at times, too. Symptoms seem to also be worsening for me as I get older.

I'm very scared, though, of taking such heavy meds when I know they can have serious side effects relating to blood pressure, and cardiac health.

My dysautonomia is still at a very difficult to manage level, so I'm just feeling very paranoid about introducing some new medication right now (which is also difficult, because a lot of that paranoia stems from the mental illness itself).

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with mental health medications whilst also having dysautonomia?

I know I need to do something, because these symptoms aren't going away, but I'm just feeling afraid.

[Pistol]

@Scout - I do not know anything about psychiatric meds and dys, but whenever a physician orders a new med that could affect my POTS I clear it with either my autonomic specialist, my PCP or I ask the pharmacist at my pharmacy. 

It is always scary to try new meds when we are so hypersensitive to changes, but I have learned that if we don't try we cannot improve. Even if that means to find out that we did NOT tolerate a med. Since - as you said - the schizoaffective disorder causes you distress, just as the POTS - I would weigh the risks and benefits and decide what is worse: to go on like this or to try a new med with the risk of experiencing side effects ( that most likely would be temporary ). I also would ask if this med needs to be tapered off ( if you need to stop it ) or if it can just be stopped. Also - your psychiatrist should be able to find all of this out, he is still a medical doctor and is responsible for what he prescribes. 

I am sorry you are going through this when you already have your trials from POTS. I hope you get better and that - if you try the med - it helps to give you some peace of mind. Be strong!!!