As many of you know, I have been on latuda for some time now, much longer than I intended. Next week, I am going to begin tapering off of it. If the pdoc wants to cooperate, we will do it his way. Wish me luck!
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Great to see you on the board again. I hope the tapering goes smoothly for you. Best of luck.
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I think we’ve all tried coming off meds. It never works out. There might be a honeymoon period of a few weeks where you feel great, but then it’s back to the illness and potential relapse.
I wish you would continue your meds, or perhaps some other med. Don’t you think you need meds?
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Well, I have been seeing a therapist for some time, and everyone seems to be in agreement that I have been very functional off medication. The whole reason I started medication was because I needed to sort fiction from reality, and that I have done. Now I have an arsenal of coping mechanisms. We shall see.
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No, I don’t think I need meds and my family agrees as does my therapist.
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Good luck samples. My pdoc said i should take meds for a year and then she will probably wean me off medications to see if i need them. It could be only one episode. We will see. Please, keep us updated with your progress. Stories like this always give me hope.
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That doesn’t sound good. Make sure you keep some meds physically nearby you in the house in case you feel you need to go back on them.
Medication is ever present. I am doing this for my long term health. These medications are hard on the body. If I can live without them, I will.
If that means they’re in the house, then that’s cool.
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Oh and @jukebox I will be staying on the antidepressant and antianxiety medication.
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Always nice to see you @samples32 - Best of luck!
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I don’t agree with your doctor, I am afraid you would relapse shortly after that and start from scratch your journey where you have already landed safely. Take a different opinion, if I were you I woudlnt jeopardize at high stakes of relapse as you neither I know what one could do while psychotic and may lead to which destination, I am taking about long term imprisonment
nice to see you again 
take care 
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Can I ask what type of therapy he or she uses… or what you do in the sessions and in between? I have done psychodynamic, existential, 12 Step, CBT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, SIQR, EMDR and existential over the past 13 years. I’m down to almost off my last med, Seroquel quetiapine… but I have had bipolar with psychotic features, not genetic sz.
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Hi Samples, good luck, I hope you don’t relapse. I will say something to you that I’ have never said to another person who attempts to go off meds though I am diametrically opposed 90% of the time to people going of their meds. You don’t know until you try. But I have seen too many people go off their meds and end up crashing and burning. But its nothing personal, I’m just saying that going of your meds is a risk. Good luck.
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Goodluck op. Hope it works
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I discontinued Latuda last year. It was the 10th antipsychotic I had been on. Depending on your situation there are things to look out for. I had taken antipsychotics for over 15 years and had some more specific issues side effect wise that made my tapering experience a bit extreme. I would recommend slow at first to see how you feel but speeding it up after that may give you some more intense sickness for a short period, but overall be more pleasant. I’m saying from experience that I wish I had tapered faster, but it’s all specific to how your body is responding.
The potential for relapse is extremely exaggerated. If you are discontinuing because you are in a good spot, the odds are in your favor. Its documented that people are doing better long-term without drugs. That being said, People who are not comfortable discontinuing aren’t ready.
Physically I went through torture for a while, but I never regretted it. I had severe migraines and generally sickness, sweating. I noticed that after I stopped I was sweating much less than when I was on it. You may have a post-acute withdrawal phase that would hit a few months or so after complete discontinuation. It’s something to look out for and be aware of. You’ll have to fall back on some set coping skills, you’re body and brain are adjusting and you need to listen to them, but it isn’t a sure fire sign of relapse. I believe Latuda is completely clear from your system 72 hours after your last dose. I found that a day of none was the worst withdrawal and the second wasn’t pleasant. I was on and off because I had trouble taking it regularly, so I got used to tracking this. I found that after four days of none, the withdrawal was very manageable. Hopefully you have some flexibility in your schedule. My advice is to listen to your body. If you need some extra sleep, take it. Drink extra water to help clear things out and regulate your system. Stimulation can be bombarding at first, even the sun can be much brighter. It’s all different for everyone, of course, so if you are able to have some time to decide how you get through initial withdrawal you’ll have an easier time.
A lot of what you hear with regard to you’ll be psychotic within a week or two is very inaccurate. If you are not actively experiencing symptoms, this shouldn’t be a concern. The likely cause for return hallucinations that fast would be a false psychosis that is induced by the withdrawal and your brain chemistry adjusting. Should that not pass or become an issue, obviously it’s something to deal with.
I wish you luck, its a good place to be in. I too remained on my antidepressant and anti anxiety meds. If you decide you’re interested in discontinuing those, be mindful that a full recovery from Latuda can be a year or more. Any other med discontinuation will exacerbate the Latuda withdrawal.
I hope this helps! 
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Life without medication is tough! Not impossible though. You can do it! Good luck. Know that there is no shame in seeking help should you need it. I currently do not take medication, but I cannot say I am a highly functional productive member of society. Coping skills help plenty, as well as meditation. Find something that helps you find a bit of peace and calm There will be moments when it is very difficult, once again there is no shame in seeking help should you need it. Be sure not to use mind altering substances. Stay away from pot and alcohol. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep daily. Which reminds me, I should get some rest. Finally, i’d recommend having a time to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner even if you don’t eat much. Try not to eat dinner too late. Fruits make excellent breakfast! Also have a strong support system. Someone you can talk to whether it be a relative, good friend, or therapist.
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