I’m determined to get off this drug

I’m talking about Risperdal.
My doctor won’t budge.
She won’t allow me to taper down or switch APs.
She is probably afraid that I’ll go off the rails again.
Honestly I don’t really know why she is so reluctant to switch meds.

Anyhow, I’m in the process of lowering my risperidone dose down back to my regular dose of 4mg.

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Be careful, @Wave.

Tapering off medication can be difficult.

Be sure to call your doctor if you start having problems.

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What dose are you on now if your lowering it? I’m on 6mg but I’m thinking of increasing it

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My doctor told me that I can up my dose to 41/2 to 5mg and it could be temporary.
Just until I manage through the funeral.

I raised the dose from 4mg to 5mg.
I was at this increased dose for 19 days.

I am going to slowly taper down to 4mg.
I’ll stay at 41/2 mg for a few days before I get back to 4mg again.

I see my pdoc next week.

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Right now I’m at 41/2mg I’m going back down to 4mg after I see her.

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Hey, @Wave I completely understand how you feel, risperdal was not for me either. Maybe you could write a list of concerns and share it with your doctor? Voice your opinion on the matter. She may indeed be worried you’d have a negative reaction to other meds. Making a list of concerns might help you get an answer from her and possibly even make her rethink it.

Aside from that, I wanted to see how you’ve been? I know grieving can take even years. Remember though, you have people that care about you still. Some even on this site.:slightly_smiling_face:

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Quietly seek a second opinion?

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In the UK my experience is the doctor lets the patient make the decision where they can.

This seems totally unfair

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This is how it normally works in the States as well too, but I have a feeling that she doesn’t want the responsibility if I become psychotic with a different med.
I’ve tried switching before and it never worked out.

I’m managing my grief alright @anon40653964.
Thanks for asking.

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Good luck. You’ll need it.

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I tried going down to 41/2mg last night and I became real paranoid, so today I’m back on 5mg.
Ughh I cant catch a break!

Why are you so determined to get off it if it works for you?

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Yeah good question :thinking:

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Dude, don’t do this! You’re having a grief reaction. Last time you tried tapering down, you became so psychotic you were convinced your dad was poisoning your dog, and you gave it away. Do you not remember how badly it messed up your life last time you tried going off risperdal?

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I think part of you wants to self destruct because you’re so sad and miss your mom so badly. But seriously, this will only make things much worse. Psychosis seems like an attractive vacation from the soul-crushing grief, but at the end of the episode you’ll have to deal with so much guilt, on top of the grief you tried to avoid. And that’s only IF you recover.

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APs suck but we need them. I hate being 100 lbs overweight with mild ED…

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Yes unfortunately I remember this sad time too well.
I see my psychiatrist next week.

I couldn’t even taper down by 1/2 mg.

I am feeling more paranoid and a bit more manic and depressed.

I may need to have my meds adjusted again.

Thanks for the wake up call @Ninjastar.

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