Hi forum. been awihle… I wanted to hear a story from someone thats tapered off meds completely… How did it work? Was it a success?
I think it’s not a good idea but this is only my opinion
It is usually disastrous for people with schizophrenia and not a pretty picture.
I will try. I’ll let you know. Frankly, I think it’s 50/50.
I hear many horror stories about people who have started reducing their medication after their first psychosis. But I do not care about it.
I know two stories about people who tried to stop taking medication and who relapsed.
One who had a psychosis. And after a year and a half, he decided to finish the medication. six months later he received another psychosis. Which was more intense than the first.
Second one had one psychosis. Then she had to work full-time again from her environment. And that went well, then she went to finish her medication. That went well for 3 months. Then she got a psychosis again.
But I do it quietly with reduction. Every two months a half miligram risperidone off.
But there is a dutchman named bas labruyère who stopped his medication after a eight year psychosis. That went well. You can look his name up. He also made a film named: lost years. Very interesting movie about psychosis
The only two people who I know who went through psychosis and were successful in tapering off their meds were both diagnosed as going through psychosis from using speed. They both had to take their meds for about 2 years before they were allowed by their doctors to be weaned off their meds, under their doctor’s supervision. They had not been diagnosed schizophrenic.
To receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder, certain diagnosis’s like undifferentiated psychosis,etc are given before the final diagnosis. In general, before a diagnosis of sz or sza is given, other potential causes for the psychosis and other diagnosis’s have to be ruled out. This occurs as the patient is observed over a certain period of time by the psychiatrist and other mental health workers, in outpatient settings or in hospitals.
If you have been diagnosed sz or sza and there isn’t any additional substance abuse problems, I would venture to say weaning yourself off meds is a bad idea. Cold turkey is a very bad idea.
Talk to your doctor and see what he or she advises. And never do anything without supervision by your doctor.
no, the risperidone tablets I receive are also available in 0.5 mg.
Some people do it but that is why diagnosis is over time. If your multi episodic your probably on meds for life. There’s problems if you come off meds. Sometimes they may not work as well if at all if you come back on them.
I’ve been around these boards since 1999 and most people who do well and move on take the meds. That is just a punters take on things!
Wow. I just saw you are Australian. There seem to be a fair amount of Australians on this site. I am Australian as well.
Yeah there’s a healthy few of us! Most are from US and Europe but the odd person gets in here. Too many over the years to name!
I dunno I think everyone has to find their truth. I personally believe that some people can heal from this or atleast make peace within themselves. Through my own psychoses and attempts at medication reduction, I have learned more about the nature of my psychosis and myself and my illness. I have learned coping skills triggers and warnings. I have also developed theories about what the medication does for me. One thing for sure is I have realised a lot of what I have been through is less people telling me how it is or should be and more me finding out on my own. It may be relatable but it’s all personal. And it’s a journey.
I was tapered med successfully. Actually my psychiatrists reduced it depending on my symptoms.