Hi everyone! I’m considering lowering the dose or getting off my meds. I’m wondering if any one of you have done that with your doctors blessing? Was it done safely? Did you regress? Did your symptoms come back?
Some backstory on why I want to: I’m tired of the side effects such as muscle stiffness, hunger…I know the medicine also made some of my issues (negative symptoms) worse.
Any input would be nice! Thanks everyone!
I was really stable for a few years so my doctor agreed we could slowly get me off meds. Within a month I was the most psychotic I have ever been. In and out of psych ward for the next year. Almost lost everything. Lost my job, list my car, list my apartment, almost lost my husband, lost all my savings, lost retirement fund. Everything.
Finding a med that worked after that took many years of trial and error.
Worst decision of my life.
That’s unfortunate. Thank you for your input
Not me, but my uncle has schizophrenia. He was off meds successfully for 3 years before he relapsed, and now is only on a very low dose (40mg of Geodon)
Best of luck to you!
Wow! Thanks! How is he now?
He’s good! He has a job and goes to it, he’s still living with his parents (my grandparents) but he is probably the best he’s ever been right now.
That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve been off since March except for xanax. I haven’t had a severe relapse, and went off with my doc’s ok. I am treatment resistant though, so ymmv, we’ve decided to try and get into.a drug trial after failing all meds or allergic reactions. So, I mean I haven’t had any relief since starting meds years ago anyway, so I’m kinda not the best to say.
You know you, do you know you at your worst? Can you turn to family or friends if off meds and have support? I only have my hubby and kids. My mom and family that is my other support is in SD, so I can call or facebook, but not have immediate help.
I tried to lower latuda from 80 to 40 with doctors reluctant approval, it didn’t go well. Within a couple of weeks I was hearing things and seeing insects again.
I am back on 80 and feeling better.
Which meds? I went off risperidone by using abilify and then going off abilify. Personally, abilify was an easier ap to withdraw from compared to risperidone. I was fine for about 3 weeks, then i made the mistake of posting on some of my old haunts, they proceeded to gangstalk me again and i ended up back on medication. You learn though.
So if i were you, id try abilify on a low dose to counter the aps withdrawals you are on currently then going through the abilify withdrawal.
Try switching meds first. There are many out there, you might find one with less side effects
I was taking huge doses of many aps.
Now i only take 2 aps and I am better than ever
Thanks for sharing everyone!
7months off invega sustenna after being on AP for 13years
With no guidance from doctor quack.
But endless research I did to make sure It was done right…
Still healing but no psychosis
Currently dealing with extra pyramidal side effects
By the way
It sure as hell ain’t easy
Not one bit!!!
Wow! So you’re feeling better mentally?
Also what are extra pyramid side effects?
Awareness came to me like a ton of bricks
Yes a lot better!
But you need to get a game plan down
You have to be so precise with what you eat and drink
Currently taking Amy Loban
Going to the gym every other day
Working out and cardio
Mixed with yoga and breath work
Along taking Daily essential nutrients
Practicing compassion
Having a sponsor to catch anything odd
Having the ability to trust this person(sponser)
Meditation
Subliminal affirmations
Tons of self help reading
Processing trauma
Psychology books
Reason exstensivley
Also living in a slow pace environment filled with nature to forest bathe
And going to various therapies
It’s a lot of work
And even doing all of this
It’s going to be hard
You have to reduce really slow too!
Never cold turkey
A lot of it is a leap of faith
And you are going to have to find something to believe in and chop down reasons why you would even want to go off meds and if it’s even worth it
What will happen if you go psychotic?!
Do small tapers!!!
Just in case
And go slow!
Really slow
And extra pyramidal is Parkinsonism!
Anyways
Good luck pm me if you’d like to know more
After a year and a half stable, my doctor tried lowering my meds to see if I could stop them. I got down to about half my original dose and crashed hard. I ended up needing more than I original started with to maintain my sanity the next time around.
It’s always a risk.
My Pysch reduced my dose of Latuda from 37mg to 18.5mg last year relunctantly now iam back on 37mg again feeling much better, reducing to such a low dose was a BIG mistake tbh