…cutting down on my AP?
I have been stable on 800mg of Amisulpride for nearly two years now.
To be honest, I think it’s time to review this dose, and try to lower it.
Has anyone done this with a doctor and can advise if this is the done thing?
I tried to bring it up with a locum pdoc, but he shot me down
I reduced and stopped my Abilify but I don’t recommend it eventhough my psychiatrist agreed as I relapsed. But 800mg is too high of a dose, maybe ask for 600mg and if he says no its not the end of the world.
I was on 20mg abilify and lowered it to 10 and then raised it to 15mg over a period of time all under supervision.
Every time I see someone post online about Amisulpride they’re on like 200-300mg a day.
I know that my history is against messing with doses, but I really think this time we can try it from a more stable base.
Think I might email my care coordinator and ask him to speak to the pdoc about this.
I am nearly off the benzos now - just got until Weds next week and I am off it. I have also reduced procycldine without permission.
It’s time to cut out some Amisulpride I think, as you say 800mg is too high and I don’t think I need it.
My prolactin is also 3 times higher. I have the same amount as a woman in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
Did you find it was like playing with fire? As that’s what I remember from changing doses on Haloperidol. I ended up feeling very sick
It’s always a risk. But there’s always an element of trial and error involved with meds.
This is the email I was going to send:
Hello Martin.
I hope you’re ok.
Please can you speak to Dr. Ramage on my behalf, as I believe I am being over medicated with my anti-psychotic.
My memory of all these meds is not that great, but I have been on this dose of 800mg of Amisulrpide now for about two years.
The psychosis / positive symptoms have been well managed in this time for the most part.
I am now not in a stressful working environment, and now the anxiety seems to be treated well enough by the Pregabalin, I think it’s time to review the anti-psychotic.
If you wanted to forward this email to Dr. Ramage, or speak to him, I would appreciate it.
I have seen online that other people are functioning on much lower doses, and I would like to be one of those people.
Likewise, if this is a bad idea then just tell me. I know that in the past messing with anti-psychotics has led to unfavourable circumstances, but I wondered due to the stability of recent times whether we can give it a go.
Thanks
Scott
Does this seem reasonable?
Sounds good…
Thanks I will send it. I needed to run it past someone as I can cause problems sometimes with what I say to people. I tried my best to be sensible about this, otherwise they might get upset with me
I think its worth talking to your pdoc and see what he /she says. Everytime have requested changes the pdocs have usually listened to me. They trusted that I will keep them informed of any changes and go back on when necessary.
Yes that’s perfect.
Probably not this year. Your psych doctor likely has an end of the year bonus if a number of patients being treated personally remain away from emergency rooms and or psychiatric holds whom have been following orders as prescribed in comparison with those who have had trouble receiving their medications through the mail due to the current state of affairs. I’d imagine you try to follow your treatment plan likely for certain behaviors you have no control over and thus you take medications for. Such as erratic thinking and lashing out verbally when feeling “anxiety” as many seem to refer to irritability as. So your doctor will likely not lower the dosage this year so as not to risk the chances of physical acting out of irritability thus the possibility of having a patient ruin the statistic of remaining out of a psychiatric hold and or emergency call.
And likely in lieu of my verbose statement, your provider will agree upon lowering the dosage. Personally, I believe you are ready to lower dosage if you feel you have the discipline as you obviously have the maturity to refrain from lashing out on this forum. In any case, I am supportive of your plight. I think for the most part you are a kind individual that does not react well to deceptive behaviors. I should add, my medical expertise is that of a patient and not a psychiatrist.
Why you want to lower it?
I want as little meds as possible in my system.
Thats not an excuse, if its like stopping you from working or have terrible side effects then i understand. I was just like you, but instead i just stopped my meds for no reason and i relapsed. Then i lost my best job, friends and accommodation
The letter sounds good. Good luck!
I have been reducing other meds, and I want permission to lower my AP.
It will be fine, as I don’t think I need this dose.
My aim would be to half it to 400mg
What do you expect to gain from lowerinf your AP med? I lowered mt quetiapine because i wasnt able to work that drowsy
Lower prolactin mainly. Also just to be a bit less reliant on a medication. Like I said, it has been two years now, and I don’t think I need to be on 800mg as I read online this is more of an acute dosage
I functioned best on 400mg amisulpride and lowered it myself to 200mg. Through trial and error I’ve concluded that 200mg is my minimum dose, but when I relapse or have episode and take 300-400mg then I recover quickly
It’s worth a try to lower the dose and find what your minimum dose could be. 800mg is quite a high dose. Better to do it with help of pdoc but as long as you keep a stash of extra pills in case of relapse.