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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Trans-Human on January 13, 2009, at 21:19:12
Hello all. A little background -
I was sectioned at 17 & placed on a lot of meds. I was discharged after around 4 months & shortly after successfully stopped all the meds.
Then at 21 I was again in hospital & placed on anti depressants & anti psychotics. I was on them longer this time - but again I successfully stopped them.
At 25 I was sectioned again & placed on 1200mg Amisulpride. I was like a zombie for a year - then I stopped them dead. I was sectioned again shortly after & put back on them. I refused them for a while & eventually agreed to a 200mg dose. 2 years passed, & at aged 28 I withdrew from them again over a 4 month period. I became very ill & psychosed & again went back on them. Next I tried a two year withdrawal. I ended up more ill than I have ever been. That was around 4 years ago now. I am now 35 (36 this year). After the last withdrawal attempt I went back on the 200mg Amisulpride. Around 3 years ago I dropped it to 175mg; which I am still on.
The last thing I want is to be ill again. But I really don;t want to be on this drug for life.
Has anyone here successfully stopped "Anti-psychotics" or specifically Amisulpride?
Does anyone have any suggestions - whatever they may be.
Thanks
Posted by Sigismund on January 19, 2009, at 2:00:31
In reply to Amisulpride Withdrawal?, posted by Trans-Human on January 13, 2009, at 21:19:12
>Around 3 years ago I dropped it to 175mg; which I am still on.
I've never taken this drug, though I have wondered if low doses (50mg/d) might help me.
So I can't be of much use, but I am curious......
What do you think you would feel like if you dropped to say 150mg/d?
Posted by Trans-Human on January 19, 2009, at 3:45:40
In reply to Re: Amisulpride Withdrawal? » Trans-Human, posted by Sigismund on January 19, 2009, at 2:00:31
> >Around 3 years ago I dropped it to 175mg; which I am still on.
>
> I've never taken this drug, though I have wondered if low doses (50mg/d) might help me.
>
> So I can't be of much use, but I am curious......
> What do you think you would feel like if you dropped to say 150mg/d?Hi Sigismund
The last time I went through a full withdrawal off this med; things appeared more or less OK right down to 50mg. It was going below 50mg that I started to get unmanageable anxiety, lack of sleep & beginnings of psychosis.
One psychiatrist has informed me that 50mg is not a "therapeutic dose" - but we are all very different in our make ups; & some people can be very sensitive to these drugs & others not so.
Last year & the years before I have had a few attempts at reducing to 150mg & I haven't felt well doing so & re upped the dose. It is very strange. Whenever I reduce this med I appear to have raised stressful events in my life. Almost as if the Universe is conspiring against my withdrawal attempts. LOL. It could of course just be that I am more aware & sensitive to stress when I reduce.
The last time I tried dropping to the 150mg; I got absent minded about the tablets in the first week & forgot to take them for 3 days. I felt psychotic & re upped the dose.
I am well aware of the "symptoms", & very careful around not being ill again through; what I put down to - a withdrawal reaction.
It is hard to describe what it is like - it is like I go within my mind; & detach completely from the "outside" or external World; as if there is a Universe in my head - I can get into similar states when I don't sleep. I had a sleepless night a while ago; & it was almost as if I was on LSD - I had to take "street" valium to take the edge off it. Which is why I now have access to olanzapine; from the psych, for these "off days". Although I haven't as yet needed to take any.
The last complete withdrawal I went very much "within". I was having blackouts & months is missing from that time (no alcohol or drugs was taken), I was in a state of virtual catatonia, & could not communicate anything to other people. I couldn't sleep, was incredibly paranoid, & was totally overwhelmed by everything. The last thing I want is to end up back in any state like some of the ones I have been in on previous withdrawals - But, I do put a lot of these experiences down to a withdrawal effect.
I have wondered recently about dropping to 150mg & managing any "symptoms", or effects which come up with sleepers & limited doses of olanzapine - but somehow that doesn't seem sensible.
Ideally it feels like' that the best chance to attempt a successful reduction or withdrawal, would be to be in the circumstances of having a lot of support around me. As things stand I live alone & independently. I have some good friends & a supportive & loving family, but very much I have stresses & responsibilities in every day living. Just on a practical level there is keeping the the flat clean, the washing, cooking & bills, making effort to get out & be around people etc. If I could at some point in the future have the opportunity to work through stuff without the pressures of everyday living & these responsibilities - then maybe a withdrawal would be easier. I do also think that a focus on physical health & exercise would help me enormously with things. As things stand; I do very little, & chain smoke.
Thanks for your message.
Posted by Trans-Human on January 19, 2009, at 6:58:15
In reply to Re: Amisulpride Withdrawal? » Trans-Human, posted by Sigismund on January 19, 2009, at 2:00:31
Hi Sigismund. I've just had an app with the psych.
Last time they sent me for extensive blood tests; & we went through the results. The main problem is that I have very raised prolactin levels. They are at 950 parts & should be between 250-300 parts. Raised prolactin causes osteoporosis; through the reduced ability to absorb calcium. Raised Prolactin also causes erection problems & a reduction in sex drive - which I have always known is a main side effect off this drug. There were also slight liver abnormalities; but nothing to worry about, & also a raised cholesterol level; which I'm not bothered about either. Blood sugar & cell count was fine.
I raised my concerns about this med; & also discussed the experiences I have had coming off them. I raised the subject of "withdrawal psychosis" & how this effect is well documented. I got the text book orthodox response - that you do not get any withdrawal effects off anti-psychotics; which I know is a bare faced lie. & also the balance response - about balancing benefits/side effects of meds to the disruption of "Illness".
We then discussed a med change - & Abilify (apriprazole) was mentioned as a possible. On the med chart she had it appeared to have the least side effects. It doesn't raise prolactin either. I have researched it in the past; & found mixed reports. What do you think?
I have considered that it may be easier to eventually withdraw from abilify than it will from the amisulpride? It may of course be harder. I will have to look into it all as best I can. I also have obvious concerns about the effects of a med change.
Posted by Sigismund on January 19, 2009, at 12:38:44
In reply to Re: Amisulpride Withdrawal?, posted by Trans-Human on January 19, 2009, at 6:58:15
>What do you think?
I dunno....I haven't taken Abilify either.
Amisulpride is known for raising prolactin levels.
Abilify can be agitating, perhaps more with low doses, but some people find it helpful.Certainly, if you are one of those who does not, it would be a bad experience.
I know of one poster who said he found Zyprexa very difficult to stop.
Posted by Trans-Human on January 19, 2009, at 12:58:02
In reply to Re: Amisulpride Withdrawal? » Trans-Human, posted by Sigismund on January 19, 2009, at 12:38:44
> >What do you think?
>
> I dunno....I haven't taken Abilify either.
>
> Amisulpride is known for raising prolactin levels.
> Abilify can be agitating, perhaps more with low doses, but some people find it helpful.
>
> Certainly, if you are one of those who does not, it would be a bad experience.
>
> I know of one poster who said he found Zyprexa very difficult to stop.I think all psychiatric drugs can have their difficulties to come off. Things are in such a fine balance; that I am wary of upsetting the apple cart. I don't really want to go mad again.
The psychiatrist is contacting the GP to see if they can do anything about the Prolactin levels. She did say exactly what you have about abilify.
I am reluctant to take any of the Zyprexa I have in the cupboard; but a part of me wants to test one 10mg pill - just to see what it does. Not that I am in need of any more psychnautic adventures - I have had enough of them already ;-)
This is the end of the thread.
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