Does feel like a zombie gets better?

Medications
1

Hi there,

due to the feeling of being a zombie I stopped taking my meds like three times or so. It always ended in a new episode.
Now I’m on okedi and want to switch back, because I can’t get one thought straight.

As I took the “zombie” medication just for a short period of time, something like 50 days, I’m wondering if there is any change or adjustments in this kind of feeling in the long run?

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2

You probably adjust some, but I felt pretty “zombie-like” pretty much the whole time I was on invega. Felt better after switching.

So, my guess would be the answer is somewhat, but not entirely.

At least in my case.

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3

I always feel like crap, hopefully you feel better soon, sorry you’re going through that.

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4

Adjustment can be slow.
Did you always go back to the same AP ?
Maybe it’s not the best one for you.

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5

I sometimes feel like a zombie on Invega and Clozapine, but it comes and goes.

I also take an antidepressant (Wellbutrin) and that helps as well.

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6

What is AP? :sweat_smile: I know AP as access point :joy:

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7

AP is antipsychotic

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8

Jan mine is a different story. Instead of feeling like a zombie. I feel like a wounded soldier fighting my way back to camp to get patched up. The numbness is in parts of the body, not in the brain.

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9

No, they changed them every time. I stopped taking them because they made me feel sicker than I was without.

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10

That’s why I want to switch meds. I rather have a numb body than a disturbed mind.

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11

Yes Jan I understand your concerns around getting Zombified by antipsychotics cause thats no fun. And I support what ever choice youll make to,stay on your current meds or switch to another. Im on a vagon load of meds and I dont feel,zombified but I also know that people Can see that Im on meds.
Relapses are hard I know cause I had some dispite that I never went off of meds.
Im on a longacting antipsychotic that I take every 3 week and Iv have only been admited 4 times the last 20 years.
So I understand your situation about getting Zombified and your reasons for relapsing.
Yes you`ll get more used to the meds and the zoombi effect Will get much better if you chooce to stay on a longer period on your current antipsychotics.
But I understand if you feel that the meds are maybe to havy and that you want to try another antipsychotics.

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12

I got diagnosed at 27 for SZ. I’m now almost 41

After a few meds , I finally ended up on Clozaril that finally stopped the positive symptoms. It worked but I was basically a zombie for 11-12 years

I feel you. I lost all my 30s
Worse part is we come to conclusion it was a misdiagnosis. I was smoking weed daily and it caused me that psychotic episode I had 14 years ago

I’m almost off Clozaril now and I honestly feel much better. Although I am very anxious and I think withdrawal like symptoms

I definitely must say the zombie like symptoms are subsiding

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13

Are you on any kind of psychotropics now or are you recovered without any kind of intervention ?

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No I’m not. Just taking my meds, that’s okedi or risperidon every month.

15

What about you keylow are you on any kind of antipsychotics now ???

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I find forcing myself to be up helps

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I got rid of a lot of the zombie feeling by reducing the amount of medication I use. It means living with 24/7 positive symptoms. That is the trade-off. I suggest looking into CBT.

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18

I’m temporarily on 40mg of lurasidone

I’m down to 25mg Clozaril
2 more weeks to go to be completely off it and so far so good :crossed_fingers:

Might get off lurasidone too if all goes ok
It’s also prescribed off label in conjunction with certain SSRIs for OCD and anxiety which is my accurate diagnosis now.

Doctor did say CBT especially the part of ERP in the therapy is very effective and I can probably just stay with my sertraline at that point

I am also on Clonazepam, low dose too, but it’s hell to get off of so I’m gonna do it also under supervision slowly
He really doesn’t like me being on that medication but that was just another bandaid put on me by my previous pdoc

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19

Maybe you were right when you told that you had a drug induced psychosis.
I hope so. And if so I wish you luck and happiness in your new life.

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20

Same. Doesn’t have to be so extreme with meds. Sometimes all you need is a lower dose. I still suffer from some positives too but it’s better than full side effects or full psychosis. Sometimes the middle ground is the way

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