Oaktree1 Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 On 1/27/2024 at 12:14 AM, hayduke said: I'm about two weeks into shimming the tail end of the paliperidone shot. I started with 0.25mg risperidone after 4 weeks, and am now up to 0.5mg at 6 weeks out. I am trying to keep things around the BPL from around 4 weeks, as that is still considered 'therapeutic' but not as debilitating as the peak dosage of the shot. Hi Hayduke Wow - this is seriously technical - too technical for me anyway. You must have gotten the script for Risperidone though which is the first step on the taper off. I looked up BPL (blood platelet level?). I wondered what this had to do with the drug. I wonder how much Risperidone for equivalence to the Paliperidone you are aiming for. You sound like you have it all in hand. Shoulder pain is awful. I got a steroid injection last year and have had a few into my lower spine in the past - sometimes a steroid shot can really fix things if other stuff hasn't worked. I get frequent chronic pain (spasms) and use a lot of Jill Miller massage balls on my shoulder, upper back and hips on the ground or against the wall for self massage. I find them helpful for fascial restriction. Hope the stablisation on Risperidone continues evenly. Oaktree1 Currently tapering Mirtazapine; previously tapered Cymbalta 30mg from June 2018-Feb 2019 and Seroquel 150mg to zero from Oct-December 2020. Supplements for Hashimoto's disease and histamine issues relating to Mirtazapine: Vitamin D3 1,000mcg, bio-identical HRT, Selenium, Quercetin, Lutein, Zinc, Vitamin C, Omega 3. Mirtazapine Taper: 2021 16th Aug - transitioned to liquid from tablet by dissolving two 15mg tablets into a solution of 15 ml water and 15 ml maple syrup on a starting dose of what I thought was 7.5ml; 17 Sept - 7.31; 24 Sept - 7.13; 15 Oct - 6.95; 6 Nov - 6.78; 21 Nov - 6.61; 5 Dec - 6.51; 2022 - 1 Jan 6.41; 1 Feb - 6.1; 9 Mar - 5.8; 13 Mar - 5.9; 7 Apr - 5.8; 21 Apr - 5.7; 7 May - 5.63; 23 May - 5.55; 8 June 5.50; (got COVID on 12th June so held); 1 July 5.4; 15 July 5.32; 8 Aug 5.2; 15 Aug 5.1; 22 Aug 5; 19 Sept 4.9; 2 Oct 4.81; 13 Oct 4.71; (COVID Booster 17/10/22 so longer hold ); 1 Nov 4.65; 3 Nov 4.60; 10 Nov 4.55; 13 Nov 4.50; 17 Nov 4.45; 20 Nov 4.40; 2 Dec 4.30mg; 9 Dec 4.20mg; I discovered that the volumetric container measured 33ml rather than 30ml in Dec 2022. Following helpful advice from moderator OnMyWay (see her reply of the 5th March) discovered taper with the dilution was 3.8mg (calculated by dividing 30/33 so that every 1ml of solution has 0.90ml of Mirtazapine. 7.50 - 0.90= 6.6ml which was the starting dose on 16th Aug 2021 not 7.5ml). I decided to keep using the solution as I didn't want more change to deal with than I had to. 2023 17 Mar 4.1(3.7); 26 Mar 4.0(3.6); 14 Apr 3.9(3.51)28 Apr 3.8(3.42); 6 Jun 3.7(3.33); 19 Jun 3.6(3.24); 30 Jun 3.5(3.1); 19 Jul 3.4(3.06); 27 Jul 3.35 (3.01); 29 Jul 3.3 (2.97); 4 Aug 3.25 (2.92); 7 Aug 3.2 (2.88); 21 Aug 3.1 (2.79); 14.09 3 (2.7); 29th Sept 2.9(2.61); 15 Oct 2.8(2.52); 30 Oct 10 2.7(2.43); 13 Nov 2.65(2.38); 20 Nov 2.6(2.34); 26 Nov 2.55(2.29); 10 Dec 2.5(2.25); 2024 - 14 Jan 2.45(2.20); 22 Jan 2.40(2.16); 29 Jan 2.35(2.11); 2 Feb 2.3 (2.07);15 Feb 2.25(2.02); 22 Feb 2.21 (1.98); 29 Feb 2.17(1.95); 7 Mar 2.13(1.91); 21 Mar 2.05 (1.84); 31 Mar 2.01 (1.80); 14 Apr 1.90 (1.71); This is not 'medical advice' - my 'non medical advice' is don't get any more 'medical advice' or you may end up getting more 'medical treatment' i.e more drugs, DSM labels and/or ECT. Please do not PM me thanks. Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted January 29 Author Moderator Share Posted January 29 2 minutes ago, Oaktree1 said: Hi Hayduke Wow - this is seriously technical - too technical for me anyway. You must have gotten the script for Risperidone though which is the first step on the taper off. I looked up BPL (blood platelet level?). I wondered what this had to do with the drug. I wonder how much Risperidone for equivalence to the Paliperidone you are aiming for. You sound like you have it all in hand. Shoulder pain is awful. I got a steroid injection last year and have had a few into my lower spine in the past - sometimes a steroid shot can really fix things if other stuff hasn't worked. I get frequent chronic pain (spasms) and use a lot of Jill Miller massage balls on my shoulder, upper back and hips on the ground or against the wall for self massage. I find them helpful for fascial restriction. Hope the stablisation on Risperidone continues evenly. Oaktree1 BPL = Blood Plasma Level - how much of the active drug is kicking around in your bloodstream. For oral dosages 3mg paliperidone ~= 2mg risperidone. I think I will increase by 0.1mg or so tonight. My shoulder is noticeably starting to improve. Thanks for your thoughts. I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Rrsfc Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 Hi @hayduke, I just wanted to send you my sympathy for all you have been going through. It was only yesterday that I realized you were having difficulties, I've not been reading the updates, sorry. Anyway, you are really strong and I believe you can pull through any obstacles life puts in your way. I am really sorry for everything and I wish that you in this new year may find health and joy. If there's something we can do for you let us know. 2007 - 15mg olanzapine, mood stabilizer, benzo, quetiapine 2009 - aripiprazol, benzo, lamotrigine 100mg 2015 - olzp 15mg, zolpidem 2017 - trazodone 2 weeks, cold turkey, lamotrigine and zolpidem, olzp 15mg, mood stabilizer, benzo 2018 - olzp 5mg, Nov olzp 2,5mg down directly from 5mg no symptoms 2019 - olzp 2,5mg cold turkey Jan after 12 days reinstated, Nov taper cutting pills 14 days reinstated 2,5mg 2020 - failed liquid taper, reinstated 2,5mg, 2022 - liquid taper 2,5% reductions Jan, huge crisis in May up to 30mg, tapered, reached 2,5mg in Set - decided to stop tapering and remain at 2,5mg olanzapine indefinetely. Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted January 31 Author Moderator Share Posted January 31 Thanks @Rrsfc. It's been retraumatising, and I was disappointed my psychologist didn't have the grunt to hold the fort. Some hard but valuable lessons for the next taper, if/when I decide to do that. I have a pretty clear picture what all happened now, but we only have control over so much of it. Hope you are doing well and things are steady for you. I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Rrsfc Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 Yes, everything is ok with me. I've been getting good energy from my new diet and still taking 2,5mg olanzapine everyday. Regarding your situation, life can be so hard on us. You were doing so well and everything got turned inside out again 😔. Thank you for all you do for us even going through all that 🙏. I always feel your concern for our well being and your willingness to help. Yes, you are right, we can only control so much. I believe the secret is just letting go if we can't do anything about it, just go with the flow for a while and focus on other things. Things don't go as we plan, and we have to accept that and keep on going. I have been reflecting on what happened to you, you're showing a lot of strength handling it all. I hope you continue to fight for yourself like you have been and that you can get through yet another obstacle. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers 🙏. 1 2007 - 15mg olanzapine, mood stabilizer, benzo, quetiapine 2009 - aripiprazol, benzo, lamotrigine 100mg 2015 - olzp 15mg, zolpidem 2017 - trazodone 2 weeks, cold turkey, lamotrigine and zolpidem, olzp 15mg, mood stabilizer, benzo 2018 - olzp 5mg, Nov olzp 2,5mg down directly from 5mg no symptoms 2019 - olzp 2,5mg cold turkey Jan after 12 days reinstated, Nov taper cutting pills 14 days reinstated 2,5mg 2020 - failed liquid taper, reinstated 2,5mg, 2022 - liquid taper 2,5% reductions Jan, huge crisis in May up to 30mg, tapered, reached 2,5mg in Set - decided to stop tapering and remain at 2,5mg olanzapine indefinetely. Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted February 9 Author Moderator Share Posted February 9 Thanks @Rrsfc Up to 1mg oral risperidone now, breaking my 2mg tabs in half. It would be nice if this is as much as my body will need for this stage, but I will have to see. I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted February 14 Author Moderator Share Posted February 14 Noting some mild neuro emotions, a bit of anxiety. Mostly sleeping fine. Probably a bit of wd from the shots. 5 days on 1mg now, I will updose again if I have to, but if I can ride out the transition ok and hold here, that would be good. 1 I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 14 Moderator Share Posted February 14 Hang in there @hayduke. Neuro emotions are tough. Let them wash over you, they'll pass. Hugs Omw 1 "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted February 17 Author Moderator Share Posted February 17 Sticking it out on 1mg for now. Bit more attuned with my emotions and feeling my body a bit better. Downsides are light sleep (and it's often noisy here at the moment), and a bit more anxiety though I can almost always tell where thats coming from. 1mg+change from the shots is still a fair amount of dopamine blockade. 2 I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Oaktree1 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Hi Hayduke, I hope you can ride out the change and stabilise at the 1 mg without having to updose further. You sound like you have it well in hand. Oaktree1 1 Currently tapering Mirtazapine; previously tapered Cymbalta 30mg from June 2018-Feb 2019 and Seroquel 150mg to zero from Oct-December 2020. Supplements for Hashimoto's disease and histamine issues relating to Mirtazapine: Vitamin D3 1,000mcg, bio-identical HRT, Selenium, Quercetin, Lutein, Zinc, Vitamin C, Omega 3. Mirtazapine Taper: 2021 16th Aug - transitioned to liquid from tablet by dissolving two 15mg tablets into a solution of 15 ml water and 15 ml maple syrup on a starting dose of what I thought was 7.5ml; 17 Sept - 7.31; 24 Sept - 7.13; 15 Oct - 6.95; 6 Nov - 6.78; 21 Nov - 6.61; 5 Dec - 6.51; 2022 - 1 Jan 6.41; 1 Feb - 6.1; 9 Mar - 5.8; 13 Mar - 5.9; 7 Apr - 5.8; 21 Apr - 5.7; 7 May - 5.63; 23 May - 5.55; 8 June 5.50; (got COVID on 12th June so held); 1 July 5.4; 15 July 5.32; 8 Aug 5.2; 15 Aug 5.1; 22 Aug 5; 19 Sept 4.9; 2 Oct 4.81; 13 Oct 4.71; (COVID Booster 17/10/22 so longer hold ); 1 Nov 4.65; 3 Nov 4.60; 10 Nov 4.55; 13 Nov 4.50; 17 Nov 4.45; 20 Nov 4.40; 2 Dec 4.30mg; 9 Dec 4.20mg; I discovered that the volumetric container measured 33ml rather than 30ml in Dec 2022. Following helpful advice from moderator OnMyWay (see her reply of the 5th March) discovered taper with the dilution was 3.8mg (calculated by dividing 30/33 so that every 1ml of solution has 0.90ml of Mirtazapine. 7.50 - 0.90= 6.6ml which was the starting dose on 16th Aug 2021 not 7.5ml). I decided to keep using the solution as I didn't want more change to deal with than I had to. 2023 17 Mar 4.1(3.7); 26 Mar 4.0(3.6); 14 Apr 3.9(3.51)28 Apr 3.8(3.42); 6 Jun 3.7(3.33); 19 Jun 3.6(3.24); 30 Jun 3.5(3.1); 19 Jul 3.4(3.06); 27 Jul 3.35 (3.01); 29 Jul 3.3 (2.97); 4 Aug 3.25 (2.92); 7 Aug 3.2 (2.88); 21 Aug 3.1 (2.79); 14.09 3 (2.7); 29th Sept 2.9(2.61); 15 Oct 2.8(2.52); 30 Oct 10 2.7(2.43); 13 Nov 2.65(2.38); 20 Nov 2.6(2.34); 26 Nov 2.55(2.29); 10 Dec 2.5(2.25); 2024 - 14 Jan 2.45(2.20); 22 Jan 2.40(2.16); 29 Jan 2.35(2.11); 2 Feb 2.3 (2.07);15 Feb 2.25(2.02); 22 Feb 2.21 (1.98); 29 Feb 2.17(1.95); 7 Mar 2.13(1.91); 21 Mar 2.05 (1.84); 31 Mar 2.01 (1.80); 14 Apr 1.90 (1.71); This is not 'medical advice' - my 'non medical advice' is don't get any more 'medical advice' or you may end up getting more 'medical treatment' i.e more drugs, DSM labels and/or ECT. Please do not PM me thanks. Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted February 21 Author Moderator Share Posted February 21 Thanks @Oaktree1 My partner is worried about my weight gain. I have definitely put on a few kgs and she is worried it will be hard to shed. Damn I hate these drugs. It's not like I was eating a ton anyways. I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Oaktree1 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Hi Hayduke, The weight gain is very dispiriting - I hate these drugs too. I don't know if this video would be helpful to you or if you know of the psychiatrist Chris Palmer. I hesitate to bring up a psychiatrist's name given what you have suffered under that regime but this video has some interesting stuff in it about diet for people who are on anti psychotics. He's also quite critical of psychotropic drugs and the mental health system and has personal experience of severe mental illness himself. He says that some of his patients who were on anti psychotics and had huge weight gain lost all the weight when they started the ketogenic diet. While you are tapering off Risperidone - I don't know if this is something you might consider. I think the video is worth a look if you haven't seen it already. Oaktree1 Currently tapering Mirtazapine; previously tapered Cymbalta 30mg from June 2018-Feb 2019 and Seroquel 150mg to zero from Oct-December 2020. Supplements for Hashimoto's disease and histamine issues relating to Mirtazapine: Vitamin D3 1,000mcg, bio-identical HRT, Selenium, Quercetin, Lutein, Zinc, Vitamin C, Omega 3. Mirtazapine Taper: 2021 16th Aug - transitioned to liquid from tablet by dissolving two 15mg tablets into a solution of 15 ml water and 15 ml maple syrup on a starting dose of what I thought was 7.5ml; 17 Sept - 7.31; 24 Sept - 7.13; 15 Oct - 6.95; 6 Nov - 6.78; 21 Nov - 6.61; 5 Dec - 6.51; 2022 - 1 Jan 6.41; 1 Feb - 6.1; 9 Mar - 5.8; 13 Mar - 5.9; 7 Apr - 5.8; 21 Apr - 5.7; 7 May - 5.63; 23 May - 5.55; 8 June 5.50; (got COVID on 12th June so held); 1 July 5.4; 15 July 5.32; 8 Aug 5.2; 15 Aug 5.1; 22 Aug 5; 19 Sept 4.9; 2 Oct 4.81; 13 Oct 4.71; (COVID Booster 17/10/22 so longer hold ); 1 Nov 4.65; 3 Nov 4.60; 10 Nov 4.55; 13 Nov 4.50; 17 Nov 4.45; 20 Nov 4.40; 2 Dec 4.30mg; 9 Dec 4.20mg; I discovered that the volumetric container measured 33ml rather than 30ml in Dec 2022. Following helpful advice from moderator OnMyWay (see her reply of the 5th March) discovered taper with the dilution was 3.8mg (calculated by dividing 30/33 so that every 1ml of solution has 0.90ml of Mirtazapine. 7.50 - 0.90= 6.6ml which was the starting dose on 16th Aug 2021 not 7.5ml). I decided to keep using the solution as I didn't want more change to deal with than I had to. 2023 17 Mar 4.1(3.7); 26 Mar 4.0(3.6); 14 Apr 3.9(3.51)28 Apr 3.8(3.42); 6 Jun 3.7(3.33); 19 Jun 3.6(3.24); 30 Jun 3.5(3.1); 19 Jul 3.4(3.06); 27 Jul 3.35 (3.01); 29 Jul 3.3 (2.97); 4 Aug 3.25 (2.92); 7 Aug 3.2 (2.88); 21 Aug 3.1 (2.79); 14.09 3 (2.7); 29th Sept 2.9(2.61); 15 Oct 2.8(2.52); 30 Oct 10 2.7(2.43); 13 Nov 2.65(2.38); 20 Nov 2.6(2.34); 26 Nov 2.55(2.29); 10 Dec 2.5(2.25); 2024 - 14 Jan 2.45(2.20); 22 Jan 2.40(2.16); 29 Jan 2.35(2.11); 2 Feb 2.3 (2.07);15 Feb 2.25(2.02); 22 Feb 2.21 (1.98); 29 Feb 2.17(1.95); 7 Mar 2.13(1.91); 21 Mar 2.05 (1.84); 31 Mar 2.01 (1.80); 14 Apr 1.90 (1.71); This is not 'medical advice' - my 'non medical advice' is don't get any more 'medical advice' or you may end up getting more 'medical treatment' i.e more drugs, DSM labels and/or ECT. Please do not PM me thanks. Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted February 22 Author Moderator Share Posted February 22 Thank you much @Oaktree1. Keto is a great complement to fasting, which I've found very helpful to date, and it's great to hear someone's looked into using it specifically with major tranquilisers. I will look more into this. I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Oaktree1 Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Hi Hayduke I hope it may prove helpful - he referred specifically to a long term schizophrenic female patient who had been on drugs for years and had piled on the weight - it seems to have been successful for her and she came off all her drugs too. You seem pretty disciplined enough if you can do fasting - may be worth a shot while you are tapering. Oaktree 1 Currently tapering Mirtazapine; previously tapered Cymbalta 30mg from June 2018-Feb 2019 and Seroquel 150mg to zero from Oct-December 2020. Supplements for Hashimoto's disease and histamine issues relating to Mirtazapine: Vitamin D3 1,000mcg, bio-identical HRT, Selenium, Quercetin, Lutein, Zinc, Vitamin C, Omega 3. Mirtazapine Taper: 2021 16th Aug - transitioned to liquid from tablet by dissolving two 15mg tablets into a solution of 15 ml water and 15 ml maple syrup on a starting dose of what I thought was 7.5ml; 17 Sept - 7.31; 24 Sept - 7.13; 15 Oct - 6.95; 6 Nov - 6.78; 21 Nov - 6.61; 5 Dec - 6.51; 2022 - 1 Jan 6.41; 1 Feb - 6.1; 9 Mar - 5.8; 13 Mar - 5.9; 7 Apr - 5.8; 21 Apr - 5.7; 7 May - 5.63; 23 May - 5.55; 8 June 5.50; (got COVID on 12th June so held); 1 July 5.4; 15 July 5.32; 8 Aug 5.2; 15 Aug 5.1; 22 Aug 5; 19 Sept 4.9; 2 Oct 4.81; 13 Oct 4.71; (COVID Booster 17/10/22 so longer hold ); 1 Nov 4.65; 3 Nov 4.60; 10 Nov 4.55; 13 Nov 4.50; 17 Nov 4.45; 20 Nov 4.40; 2 Dec 4.30mg; 9 Dec 4.20mg; I discovered that the volumetric container measured 33ml rather than 30ml in Dec 2022. Following helpful advice from moderator OnMyWay (see her reply of the 5th March) discovered taper with the dilution was 3.8mg (calculated by dividing 30/33 so that every 1ml of solution has 0.90ml of Mirtazapine. 7.50 - 0.90= 6.6ml which was the starting dose on 16th Aug 2021 not 7.5ml). I decided to keep using the solution as I didn't want more change to deal with than I had to. 2023 17 Mar 4.1(3.7); 26 Mar 4.0(3.6); 14 Apr 3.9(3.51)28 Apr 3.8(3.42); 6 Jun 3.7(3.33); 19 Jun 3.6(3.24); 30 Jun 3.5(3.1); 19 Jul 3.4(3.06); 27 Jul 3.35 (3.01); 29 Jul 3.3 (2.97); 4 Aug 3.25 (2.92); 7 Aug 3.2 (2.88); 21 Aug 3.1 (2.79); 14.09 3 (2.7); 29th Sept 2.9(2.61); 15 Oct 2.8(2.52); 30 Oct 10 2.7(2.43); 13 Nov 2.65(2.38); 20 Nov 2.6(2.34); 26 Nov 2.55(2.29); 10 Dec 2.5(2.25); 2024 - 14 Jan 2.45(2.20); 22 Jan 2.40(2.16); 29 Jan 2.35(2.11); 2 Feb 2.3 (2.07);15 Feb 2.25(2.02); 22 Feb 2.21 (1.98); 29 Feb 2.17(1.95); 7 Mar 2.13(1.91); 21 Mar 2.05 (1.84); 31 Mar 2.01 (1.80); 14 Apr 1.90 (1.71); This is not 'medical advice' - my 'non medical advice' is don't get any more 'medical advice' or you may end up getting more 'medical treatment' i.e more drugs, DSM labels and/or ECT. Please do not PM me thanks. Link to comment
N2deep Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 I've been hoping you would be able to stick to the 1mg, and it looks like so far that has worked out for you and your symptoms are minimal. Thanks for all your help, Hayduke! Olanzapine (5mg) started June 2023 - This is the only drug I'm currently taking, haven't used any other psych drugs. After 4 weeks dropped to 2.5mg for 5 days then dropped to 1.25mg for 3 days, withdrawals commenced. I then took a single dose of 3.75mg. Then went to 2.5mg. since July 19 Hoping to hold at 2.5mg and GODWILLING I will STABILIZE. I can't tell WD symptoms from Long Covid symptoms. I think a bit of both, and I think my quick earlier taper has made the LC symptoms worse ... what to do. Update: Sept 28 2023: -2.5% Oct 5: -2.5% Oct 12: -2.5% Oct 19: -5% Oct 29: -5% Nov 10: -5% 2.0mg Nov 20: -5% 1.9mg Nov 30: -5% 1.8mg Dec 12: 1.75mg Dec 22: 1.70mg Dec 29: 1.65mg Jan 06/24: 1.60mg Jan 14: 1.55mg Jan 25: 1.50mg Feb 12: Updose to 1.55mg Apr 25: 1.50mg (percentage drops are from previous dose) Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted February 28 Author Moderator Share Posted February 28 Thanks @N2deep. So far so good on 1mg. I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted March 12 Author Moderator Share Posted March 12 Feeling a bit of colour back in the world on 1mg. Comparable to my days on 2.5mg olanzapine, roughly. Some days there is a trace of wds, but overall this dosage is working out so far. I will probably sit at this amount for a while. 2 I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted March 12 Moderator Share Posted March 12 I initially read that as "off color" and worried but 'a bit of color' sounds lovely. Please take your time but so glad that you can see some joy in the world @hayduke even if it comes with some other feelings as well. Sending you hugs from a gloomy and rainy part of the world right now OMW 1 "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
BadMedicine Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 Hi @hayduke. sorry I haven’t been around on the forum for a bit. I got a bit disillusioned with the whole process. Really glad things have levelled out for you at 1mg and you have been able to make the transition to tablets relatively easily. Is a reasonably low dose to be able to taper from when the time comes. For now enjoy the colour coming back into the world. cheers BM 1 Sept 2018 - Nov 2018 200mg sertraline, 7.5mg olanzapine. Nov 2018 - Jan 2018 200mg sertraline, 30mg mirtazapine, 7.5mg olanzapine. Jan 2019 - mid Feb 2019 reduced sertraline from 200 - 50mg, 7.5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Feb 2019- Jun 2019 30mg mirtazapine, 50mg sertraline, 7.5mg olanzapine. Jun 2019 - Oct 2019 30mg mirtazapine, 50mg sertraline, 5mg olanzapine. Oct 2019 - Nov 2019 37.gmg sertraline, 39mg mirtazapine, 5mg olanzapine. Nov 2019 -Dec 2019 25mg sertraline, 30mg mirtazapine, 5mg olanzapine. Jan 2020 18.75mg sertraline, 5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Feb 2020 0mg sertraline, 2.5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. May 2020 1.8mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Aug 2020 2.5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Stabilised for 9 months @2.5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. May2021 started slow taper from olanzapine, 5% previous dose per month. Oct 2021 1.875mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted March 13 Author Moderator Share Posted March 13 23 hours ago, Onmyway said: I initially read that as "off color" and worried but 'a bit of color' sounds lovely. Please take your time but so glad that you can see some joy in the world @hayduke even if it comes with some other feelings as well. Sending you hugs from a gloomy and rainy part of the world right now OMW Thanks, OMW. Hope you see some sunshine soon. It's still hot and muggy here two weeks into autumn, everyone is fed up with the heat. And thank you @BadMedicine, I hope things are going well for you. Realising I've been depressed since last year. Reminded of my view that often depression is frozen anger, and I had a lot of that and grief when I was crash tackled. Starting to lift out of it a bit. Life still isn't easy but some things are improving, like my shoulder. Found a pdoc who is agreeable to me coming off. He is interested in swapping me to aripiprazole, but I think I will stick with the devil I know, risperidone in this case. Holding here for some time is the idea for now. 1 I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted March 14 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 14 Sending prayers and good wishes your way, hayduke. On 3/12/2024 at 7:16 AM, hayduke said: Feeling a bit of colour back in the world on 1mg. Glad to hear things are feeling better! Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
BadMedicine Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 On 3/13/2024 at 1:13 PM, hayduke said: And thank you @BadMedicine, I hope things are going well for you. I’m doing OK thanks @hayduke. I’m still on the increased dose of 3.1 mg of olanzapine but seem to be doing pretty well on it. Engaging more in life than I have done in years, sleeping well and feeling pretty stable. I think some of the issues such as not feeling myself which I attributed to the olanzapine were actually sertraline withdrawal symptoms as despite being on a higher dose they have got quite a lot better. Still hope to at least get down to 2.5mg again but for now am happy where I am. Sept 2018 - Nov 2018 200mg sertraline, 7.5mg olanzapine. Nov 2018 - Jan 2018 200mg sertraline, 30mg mirtazapine, 7.5mg olanzapine. Jan 2019 - mid Feb 2019 reduced sertraline from 200 - 50mg, 7.5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Feb 2019- Jun 2019 30mg mirtazapine, 50mg sertraline, 7.5mg olanzapine. Jun 2019 - Oct 2019 30mg mirtazapine, 50mg sertraline, 5mg olanzapine. Oct 2019 - Nov 2019 37.gmg sertraline, 39mg mirtazapine, 5mg olanzapine. Nov 2019 -Dec 2019 25mg sertraline, 30mg mirtazapine, 5mg olanzapine. Jan 2020 18.75mg sertraline, 5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Feb 2020 0mg sertraline, 2.5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. May 2020 1.8mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Aug 2020 2.5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Stabilised for 9 months @2.5mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. May2021 started slow taper from olanzapine, 5% previous dose per month. Oct 2021 1.875mg olanzapine, 30mg mirtazapine. Link to comment
Moderator hayduke Posted April 17 Author Moderator Share Posted April 17 Thank you @getofflex. Good to hear you are finding stability there @BadMedicine. Had another brief but constructive session with the pdoc. Feeling pretty comfy on 1mg risperidone for now. Was reminded the other day that I am still tapering off the back of the shots even four months out from those, as I hold steady on the tablets. Still intending to hold here for some time, as there's not too much to worry about there short term, letting my life situation firm up again, and taking my time to work out what might best support my next taper when that day comes. I still have some annoying side effects from this drug but it's all a lot better than the higher doses of last year. Thanks @Oaktree1, I am half way through Dr Chris Palmer's book Brain Energy and finding it rather intriguing. The heavy focus on mitochondria is really interesting, as someone who has struggled with the energy sapping effects of these drugs, finds coenzyme Q10 helpful, and wonders about physiological damage from trauma as well as these drugs. Hopefully I can distill some practical wisdom from this by the time I finish. Last year was a bit of a too perfect storm when I add up all the confounding factors. Not looking to repeat that scenario. 2 I am not a health professional - your actions are your own. Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one" My taper visualised as a graph | My intro thread Backdrop: 2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole 2015: olanzapine 10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg by crude pill cutter 2018: Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214 -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂 Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^ Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you" -- KMFDM Link to comment
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