Weaning off antipsychotic medication

[Mr. Ed]

I've taken antipsychotics since the 1970s and now I am unsure if I truly need them for my mental health. Dr ok'd tapering off of Vraylar 1 capsule every other day for a month then stop taking. I got a prescription for the dose today, however, I am disappointed my provider only prescribed 15 capsules instead of full months worth. The dosage of new prescription is lower than what I am taking now. This makes me dependent on provider if stopping medication does not succeed to refill lower dose.

I am taking b complex, digestion supplements for gut health, Omega 3-6-9, zinc, melatonin, Vyvanse, Dextramphetimine, and Lunesta for insomnia. Start taking lower dose of Vraylar tomorrow.

 

[seadoug]

Although it is an anti-depressant, I've been taking Lexapro for over 30 years. A few years ago I didn't take it for a couple of days and I got very irritable. However, I've started taking natural supplements with it like Hello Joy and ZenWell. I forgot any of them a few weeks ago when my relatives were staying at the house and I never had any negative symptoms while awake. However, for 3 nights I had very vivid dreams that various people were trying to harm/kill me. I couldn't understand it until I started taking Lexapro again. Now my dreams are back to normal, not pleasant but not scary!

 

[Nathan]

@Mr. Ed, best of luck to you, the less prescription meds the better, especially when it comes to psych meds. My sister in law was getting to the breaking point with her Schizophrenia, in real jeopardy of being committed. her husband literally saved her life, suspecting that she was being over medicated, he got the prescribing doctors together and had them sort out her meds, weeding out the conflicting drugs and examining the dosages. She became just a normal person again, on proper medication and dosage.

 

[Ruthanne]

Good luck with weaning off. I have done that before. It went ok but after awhile I was not feeling well that way and made an appointment to see a NP and was prescribed Wellbutrin and gabapentin (for irritability and anxiety).

I also started on a sleeping medicine called Rameltian which is nonaddicting. I am doing ok but get very depressed at times. I am still grieving my best buddy. I figure that is a big part of the depression at this time.

Anyhow that's what is happening with me. I hope you do good with the withdrawal.

 

[Oldeagle66]

I don't know anything about anti pyschotics but I weaned myself off all anti-depression medication a few years ago and actually am doing better. I was constantly depressed and attempting suicide while on those. Although it didn't go away overnight, weaning off worked for me.

 

[Mr. Ed]

This idea of coming off psychedelics was primarily because antidepressants and antipsychotics inhibit psychedelic effects in psychoactive substances. I learned this by trial and research, however, in addition to not tripping, I found I was able to stop taking a high dose of a prescribed antidepressant without withdrawal side effects.
This led me question antipsychotics, If I did not need to take the antidepressant based on stopping it without side effects or continuation of antidepressant, perhaps the antipsychotic medication may longer be useful to me either?

 

[Ruthanne]

I don't know anything about anti pyschotics but I weaned myself off all anti-depression medication a few years ago and actually am doing better. I was constantly depressed and attempting suicide while on those. Although it didn't go away overnight, weaning off worked for me.

Yes some people react to antidepressants with depression. It happened to me too. I was taking Trintillex. That was awful!

 

[MarciKS]

I didn't have any luck with Wellbutrin. Caused me to go into angry rages.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I mentioned about a month ago that I have cut the SSRI (Citalopram) by 25%. I have deloped night sweating, nausea, headaches, trouble going #1&2, & stronger anxiety.
I started it about 18 years ago. I would miss a dose and I would be fine, and I thought this would be easy. Nope, not very fun. I am going to try to get to 20mg, which would be a 1/2 reduction, but I need to be patient.

For the past 10 years research has shown that benzodiazepines and antidepressants can be really difficult to get off of. Benzos got a black box warning, soon it might be antidepressants.

A new book called "The Maudsley Deprescibing Guidelines" ,published 2024
It is comprehensive in side effects, tapering safely, and much more....

 

[VaughanJB]

@Mr. Ed, best of luck to you, the less prescription meds the better, especially when it comes to psych meds.

This post struck me in particular. When it comes to mental illness, especially extreme cases and serious illnesses like Schizophrenia, it's a fine line that has to be walked. The truth is, some people simply NEED medication, and at times the person least able to judge the drugs effectiveness is the sufferer themselves.

I used to attend a writers group organized by a local woman. She rented out a room in her home to a guy who had Schizophrenia. Long story short, he decided he no longer needed those meds, and he stopped taking them. A few months later he murdered the woman in a crazed rage.

Now, that's an extreme case, of course. But many people go a long time trying to find a drug regimen that works for them. But if one can find what works, and there are years or good mental health, then considering a change just because you want to cut back on prescription meds doesn't really work for me.

I think we should tread very very carefully in this area. Of course, consult with professionals. I'm not saying once you are on something you must take it forever, but I am saying that any changes need to be carefully considered.

IMO.

 

[Nathan]

I think we should tread very very carefully in this area. Of course, consult with professionals. I'm not saying once you are on something you must take it forever, but I am saying that any changes need to be carefully considered.

Exactly, professionals do need to keep a close track of the meds they prescribe, and their intended effect.

My reason for commenting "the less prescription meds the better" stems from seeing my SIL going completely off the rails, from being poorly supervised by the several prescribing physicians. Her husband stepped in, got the doctors to sort out all the medications she was prescribed. They eliminated several that were in conflict, and actually causing her condition to worsen. We visited her after her husband passed, she was entirely on an even keel and in a good frame of mind.