Barjar: reducing Aripiprazole

[Barjar]

 

I’m on 2mg of Aripiprazole every other day.  I tried to stop, after 24 days I was a mess.  Went back on.  My doctor has suggested doing 5 weeks of TMS to help get off of this drug.  Anyone have experience with TMS?

Edited April 2, 2019 by manymoretodays

[Barjar]

I am on 30mg of Mirtazapine Daily and 2mg of Aripiprazole every other day.  I’ve tried to stop Aripiprazole.  After 25 days I was a mess, very depressed.  Went back on.  My doctor wants me to try TMS while reducing Aripiprazole.

[Barjar]

I’ve gone from 5mg of Aripiprazole to 2mg every other day.  I have tried to stop but became very depressed.  My doctor has suggested TMS to help quit the drug

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Barjar.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

We recommend tapering no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.  Some have to taper more slowly.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

These links explain the importance of slow tapering.

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Skipping doses (every other day dosing)  is equivalent to reducing your dose by 50% and is NOT recommended  by SA.  Skipping doses causes the amount of the medication in your bloodstream to go up and down, battering the nervous system and making withdrawal worse.

 

Here is specific information about tapering Aripiprazole:

 

Tips for tapering off aripiprazole (Abilify)

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.  I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation.  I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us.

Edited April 5, 2019 by Carmie
Removed white space

[Carmie]

How are you doing Barjar?

 

As Gridley said taking your medication every second day is not a good idea as it will make your withdrawals worse. 

 

How long have you been on your medication? How long have you taken it every other day?

 

You should never cold turkey off your medication, or taper too quickly. 

 

Please let us know how youre doing, sending hugs🤗

[Barjar]

Thank you for responding and for the advice about not taking the Abilify every other day.  I’m presently on 30mg of Mirtzapine and I’m now taking 1mg of Aripiprazole every day per your advice.  I have been on the Aripiprazole for 6 years   I was on 5mg daily. I’ve tried to stop with horrible results, serious depression.  Fortunately, I am now on a low dose.  But even stopping the low dose caused serious anxiety and depression.  So I’m back on it.  The doctor increased the Mirtzapine to compensate for the Aripiprazole reduction. I’m dividing the 2mg Aripiprazole pill in half.  I will ask the doctor for liquid, but how can I reduce the pill as it’s very small. I’m very grateful for your help.