WOWman: Is it possible to stay symptoms free with schizophrenia?

[WOWman]

I want to taper my antipsychotics, is it possible I stay symptoms free and not need meds anymore?

Edited October 25, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to topic title

[manymoretodays]

Hi WOWman,  I've got you moved to Introductions and Updates now, your first post.  Can you do a signature please?  And if you'd like tell us a bit more about yourself and medications, etc.  Thank you.

[WOWman]

Done

[Altostrata]

Hello, @WOWman

 

We can tell you how to taper, but we cannot tell you what the outcome might be. If you taper carefully, you might be able to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

 

When someone has had symptoms of psychosis treated with antipsychotics, it's very important to taper carefully to avoid a type of withdrawal syndrome, called supersensitivity psychosis, that's particular to antipsychotics. The symptoms of this might be mistaken for a return of psychosis, which could send you to the hospital and get you re-medicated again.

 

Studies have shown many people treated for psychosis can minimize or discontinue their drugs, but a minority may have problems reducing them:

Moncrieff, et al. (2023). Antipsychotic dose reduction and discontinuation versus maintenance treatment in people with schizophrenia and other recurrent psychotic disorders in England (the RADAR trial): An open, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 10(11), 848–859. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00258-4

 

An article about this paper is here https://www.madinamerica.com/2023/10/reflections-radar-study/

 

What drugs are you taking now? What times o'clock do you take your drugs, with their dosages? 

[WOWman]

 

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, @WOWman

 

We can tell you how to taper, but we cannot tell you what the outcome might be. If you taper carefully, you might be able to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

 

When someone has had symptoms of psychosis treated with antipsychotics, it's very important to taper carefully to avoid a type of withdrawal syndrome, called supersensitivity psychosis, that's particular to antipsychotics. The symptoms of this might be mistaken for a return of psychosis, which could send you to the hospital and get you re-medicated again.

 

Studies have shown many people treated for psychosis can minimize or discontinue their drugs, but a minority may have problems reducing them:

Moncrieff, et al. (2023). Antipsychotic dose reduction and discontinuation versus maintenance treatment in people with schizophrenia and other recurrent psychotic disorders in England (the RADAR trial): An open, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 10(11), 848–859. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00258-4

 

An article about this paper is here https://www.madinamerica.com/2023/10/reflections-radar-study/

 

What drugs are you taking now? What times o'clock do you take your drugs, with their dosages? 

I am taking abilify injections 400 mg since 3 months. Am not sure how injection tapering works..

[Altostrata]

See Tips for tapering off aripiprazole (Abilify)

 

[WOWman]

Titled:  Can cold turkeying antipsychotics kill you

 

I have been using them since 2017 and plan to use kratom for the withdrawal which blocks d2 receptors. Psychiatrist refused to taper for me so I will take matter in to my own hands. I have experience with cold turkey'ing and understand the risks but I have kratom now.

Edited November 18, 2023 by manymoretodays
merged from tapering to member Introduction, title added

[manymoretodays]

Hi WOWman, @WOWman

We can't discuss and support a cold turkey off antipsychotics, nor the use of Kratom.

 

I've done some moving about of your Kratom post to a pre-existing topic:  Beware of Kratom

 

And then your most recent post back here.

 

I highly discourage your current plan and cold turkeying(CT) antipsychotics does put you at risk of supersensitivity psychosis.  With then the subsequent high risk of remedication and forced psychiatry(more meds).  And we don't endorse Kratom at all.

 

Can you give us a bit more on your current drugging and overall status? 

 

I'd encourage time spent on making a less risky plan, and patience.  Try not to look for quicker magic solutions(that we don't support).  A well planned taper can be time and patience consuming, but well worth it.

 

Best.  Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

[WOWman]

7 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Hi WOWman, @WOWman

We can't discuss and support a cold turkey off antipsychotics, nor the use of Kratom.

 

I've done some moving about of your Kratom post to a pre-existing topic:  Beware of Kratom

 

And then your most recent post back here.

 

I highly discourage your current plan and cold turkeying(CT) antipsychotics does put you at risk of supersensitivity psychosis.  With then the subsequent high risk of remedication and forced psychiatry(more meds).  And we don't endorse Kratom at all.

 

Can you give us a bit more on your current drugging and overall status? 

 

I'd encourage time spent on making a less risky plan, and patience.  Try not to look for quicker magic solutions(that we don't support).  A well planned taper can be time and patience consuming, but well worth it.

 

Best.  Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

I am on 20mg flupentixol depot for paranoia schizophrenia I hate it because it causes me dystonia, restlessness and sleepiness all the day. I was thinking of a quicker solution but my doctor said I have to be stable for half a year for me to start tapering but that's a long time.