Just an update… I had gone off medication last year and was doing very well until I had some serious health issues (that I’m not going into detail about) and they destabilized me and nearly caused a relapse. I had to use my Haldol PRN more than expected, and I’ve been having trouble with positives when tapering off. I’m now on Vraylar and hoping that it stabilizes me back at where I was before. I’m functional, but it takes more energy than I have to keep my head straight some days.
Hoping to go off meds again at some point as I had things under control until my physical health knocked me sideways. Anyhow, for those who use me as an example of functioning without meds, that’s not where I am right now so I thought some disclosure was in order.
There are some that can make it with out meds and control their positives, but I think they are in the minority. As you know, I only reduced meds and about a year later situations knocked me into a relapse for months. It wasnt quite as bad as previous episodes but it was bad enough. I didnt make a trip to Mecca or anything.
I hope that Vraylar does it for you. I wish you luck on both getting fully stable with Vraylar and future attempts at going off meds.
And thank you for the full disclosure for the forum. I think it’s important for people to know that for most of us, going off meds is not an easy nor assured path, even after being stable for years , like I was.
I think I’ve found my sweet spot, medication wise. I no longer dream of going off meds. There are of course limits to what I’m able to do, but every time I try to reduce especially my AP, things start going south.
There’s no shame in taking meds, so long as you reap benefits. Mental clarity ranks first on my list of priorities, even higher than physical health, although the two are probably intertwined.
My non blood uncle has schizophrenia and been off medication for a decade and manage to stay sane, but he able to do this because of a particular reason.
Edit: The only positive symptom he has is voices nothing else.