Kiki2015: tapering Abilify

[kiki2015]

On 01/04/2018 at 6:11 PM, kiki2015 said:

Bless you bless you 

 

On 01/04/2018 at 9:11 AM, ChessieCat said:

 

Yes, you are correct this is very wrong advice.  Skipping Days vs Every Day Dosing Graph

 

Tips for tapering off aripiprazole (Abilify)

How long should it take to recover considering the doses and healing?

[Happy2Heal]

Quote

How long should it take to recover considering the doses and healing?

 

 

unfortunately no one can tell you that

 

are you tapering now? 

 

[kiki2015]

No I'm stuck on 10mg abilify

[daybydaystepbystep]

On 4/2/2018 at 7:52 PM, kiki2015 said:

 

How long should it take to recover considering the doses and healing?

I think 3 months off is what it took me to feel much better from withdrawals.

[kiki2015]

On 04/04/2018 at 12:04 AM, Happy2Heal said:

 

unfortunately no one can tell you that

 

are you tapering now? 

 

Not yet

[kiki2015]

On 01/04/2018 at 2:15 PM, Happy2Heal said:

 

of course it is wrong, did you read the link to how to taper off abilify?

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1896-tips-for-tapering-off-abilify-aripiprazole/

 

 

You don't need a psychiatrist to do this, in fact, you'd be hard pressed to find one who is willing to do anything to help you get OFF a drug, they only increase doses, add more drugs or switch you back and forth on new drugs, will nilly

 

You can taper on your own using the 10% reduction (of current dose) very slowly, every four weeks or less, depending on how you are doing.

 

when you are no longer able to cut your tablets to make a smaller dose, you can see the instructions for making a liquid. For abilify, you may need a suspending solution, this can be purchased online.

 

if you want to taper off the abilify, you can do it, you don't need a dr to help you. 
VERY very few of us have had any medical help tapering, we've had to do it on our own.
We just continue to see the provider in order to get a prescription so that we can taper, and IF we are lucky, to try to convince them to give us the liquid or compounded form to make it easier

 

but we are all essentially going it on our own. If you wait for a psychiatrist to help you taper off, it will most likely NEVER happen. it's not what they do.

 

 

you can get a lot of help here in your taper if that's what you decide to do.

 

many others have gotten off of antipsychotics  and are doing fine. I've done it. It wasn't easy but I didn't have the help that you have now- with this forum and this harm reduction technique.

 

all the best to you!

 

I can't do it on my own..the last time I tried I became aggressive and had terrible disassociation...I was a danger to my family. ...the people I love the most...who have been the most supportive....

I need psychiatrist to prescribe me the smaller doses....I'll have to push for her to listen to me.....

 

Take care...xx

[kiki2015]

On 08/03/2018 at 6:52 PM, Rosetta said:

Hi Kiki,

 

I'm ok.  I don't "feel" ok, but I can see that, from an objective point of view, I'm ok.  I'm trying to ignore the "neuro-emotions."  I'm trying to stay off the forum, too, in the hope that something will change so that I can feel ok.  I'm happy that your psychiatrist said something that made you feel better.  My dystonia is very, very slowly getting better.  It's absurd that I am 12 month off the drugs and it's not gone, but this entire experience is the most absurd thing I can imagine.  

 

It's quite difficult for me to think of positive things to say these days.  I'm sure that will change, too.  It's Spring here.  I understand you are still in an intense winter.  I'm hope you are feeling ok and that your Spring will arrive early.  You haven't had much to say here lately.  I hope that means you are doing all right.

 

Peace, Rosetta

 

 

Hi Rosetta,

 

I hope you're keeping well.

 

Kiki

[Rosetta]

17 hours ago, kiki2015 said:

Hi Rosetta,

 

I hope you're keeping well.

 

Kiki

 

Thank you, Kiki.  I'm holding on.  I hope you are doing ok.  -Rosetta

[kiki2015]

On 08/03/2018 at 6:58 PM, RealMe said:

Boy-o-boy!  This is great news.  I cold turkeyed off abilify on my psychiatrist's advice because of tremors and tardive dystonia!  I had been told that it might not have been caused by abilify (unlikely) and that it probably would not go away (by a neurologist and a gp).  It has been 7 months since my last dose of abilify, and although still present, the dystonia has improved.  Your doctor's opinion makes me feel better too.  Thanks for posting hope.

Best,

RM

I don't believe her though.

[RealMe]

3 hours ago, kiki2015 said:

I don't believe her though.

Hi kiki2015,

How are you doing with your abilify taper?  When I went through WD of abilify (which I am still feeling the effects of), it was terrible.  My doctor told me I was depressed.  That was baloney.  It was withdrawal.  But it doesn't help me to argue with doctors or psychiatry.  That's not my job.  It's way above my pay scale.  I don't know if drug induced dystonia is reversible or not, but I can testify that mine has gotten better than it was.  I may not get any better than I am now regarding the dystonia, but it doesn't hurt to hope.  At one time I thought I was stuck where I was with jerking and shaking of my head and tremors of my hands and sides, both inside and out.  If that can improve, then maybe some more improvement is possible.  I wish you health and healing, dear kiki.

xo RM

[kiki2015]

4 hours ago, RealMe said:

Hi kiki2015,

How are you doing with your abilify taper?  When I went through WD of abilify (which I am still feeling the effects of), it was terrible.  My doctor told me I was depressed.  That was baloney.  It was withdrawal.  But it doesn't help me to argue with doctors or psychiatry.  That's not my job.  It's way above my pay scale.  I don't know if drug induced dystonia is reversible or not, but I can testify that mine has gotten better than it was.  I may not get any better than I am now regarding the dystonia, but it doesn't hurt to hope.  At one time I thought I was stuck where I was with jerking and shaking of my head and tremors of my hands and sides, both inside and out.  If that can improve, then maybe some more improvement is possible.  I wish you health and healing, dear kiki.

xo RM

Hi real me, yes psychiatrists and doctors are not worth all the energy, they are cruel and nasty. We are worth more than they rate us. I'm not going through withdrawal, I tried once and didn't succeed. I'll try again but when I am more stable. I will. It's something I won't give up on. How long were you on ability for? I was on it for 10 years and I've been on anti psychotics for 16 years. I hate them. They are the worst drugs. You have given me strength. Lots of strength, I get strength from these sites. Since I was 18 years old. 

[RealMe]

1 hour ago, kiki2015 said:

How long were you on ability for?

I was on Abilify and Trintellix for three and a half years.  I don't dislike my former doctors because I don't believe they deliberately tried to harm me.  In fact, I believe they were trying to help me; but they were mistaken about how to do it.  I was eager to believe they could, but in that I was mistaken.  There's too much evidence that medications cause terrible harm to people for that evidence to be ignored forever.  Abilify was extremely difficult to withdraw from.  I CT'd it on doctor's orders, but I could not have stayed off of it without the support I found here because the WD symptoms were severe with some persisting to this day 7 months later.  The only safe way off these psychotropic meds is a very, very, very slow taper of one med at a time, reducing by 10% followed by holding.  I recommend reading the advice and experience of the moderators when you feel you are ready.

xo RM

[kiki2015]

On 22/04/2018 at 11:47 PM, RealMe said:

I was on Abilify and Trintellix for three and a half years.  I don't dislike my former doctors because I don't believe they deliberately tried to harm me.  In fact, I believe they were trying to help me; but they were mistaken about how to do it.  I was eager to believe they could, but in that I was mistaken.  There's too much evidence that medications cause terrible harm to people for that evidence to be ignored forever.  Abilify was extremely difficult to withdraw from.  I CT'd it on doctor's orders, but I could not have stayed off of it without the support I found here because the WD symptoms were severe with some persisting to this day 7 months later.  The only safe way off these psychotropic meds is a very, very, very slow taper of one med at a time, reducing by 10% followed by holding.  I recommend reading the advice and experience of the moderators when you feel you are ready.

xo RM

You're brave, I have an added problem with these idiots- mental health staff. They seem to be playing a sinister game with me now saying I have a mental illness because I cannot admit I have a mental illness. Can you believe the extent of their malice. They're limitlessness is astonishing. I'm finding it hard to quit these drugs, I don't want to be vulnerable or find myself losing capacity. It might happen if I come off these drugs again. 

[RealMe]

5 hours ago, kiki2015 said:

You're brave, I have an added problem with these idiots- mental health staff. They seem to be playing a sinister game with me now saying I have a mental illness because I cannot admit I have a mental illness. Can you believe the extent of their malice. They're limitlessness is astonishing. I'm finding it hard to quit these drugs, I don't want to be vulnerable or find myself losing capacity. It might happen if I come off these drugs again. 

Hi dear kiki2015,

I am not brave; I was mentally ill; I am desperate to stop suffering and live as close to normal as possible.  I don't understand your signature.  Are you tapering or holding?  What medications are you taking, what amounts, what frequency?  We are not just quitting these drugs.  We are tapering off them with the least amount of harm possible, one at a time, striving for stability over a long period of time.  If I thought I would be vulnerable or lose capacity,  I would first hold and then proceed extremely slowly with support from SurvivingAntidepressants.org.  Wanting to recover is the first step. You're going to be well again, but be patient and ask questions of the moderators.

xo RM

[kiki2015]

5 hours ago, RealMe said:

Hi dear kiki2015,

I am not brave; I was mentally ill; I am desperate to stop suffering and live as close to normal as possible.  I don't understand your signature.  Are you tapering or holding?  What medications are you taking, what amounts, what frequency?  We are not just quitting these drugs.  We are tapering off them with the least amount of harm possible, one at a time, striving for stability over a long period of time.  If I thought I would be vulnerable or lose capacity,  I would first hold and then proceed extremely slowly with support from SurvivingAntidepressants.org.  Wanting to recover is the first step. You're going to be well again, but be patient and ask questions of the moderators.

xo RM

I'm not sure myself, I'm on 10 mg of ability. I am trying to stabilise but this drug is affecting me and I have developed tardive dyskenesia. 

[RealMe]

On 4/7/2018 at 9:32 PM, kiki2015 said:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1896-tips-for-tapering-off-abilify-aripiprazole/

 

Did you read the suggested link?

[Skeeter]

Kiki,

Your doctors will never ever give you the permission you want to come off of these drugs.  That, sadly is the case with most psychiatrists.   If you know you are wanting to taper, going VERY slowly is the safest place to be.  We are not there in person, but other members, as you see will pop in besides the mods, so you do have support.  I say maybe you consider going at half speed, and wait 6-8 weeks between drops.  One option is to TELL the psychiatrist that you are going to taper, and that you need her support. I do think you need to go slower than our regular speed, though, like I said above maybe, what do you think? They cannot force you to take anything unless they have a court order, right?  Remember, they work for you!

 

So please know that saying the same thing over and over is not going to help you- your mind will keep going in circles.  Maybe think about things to help you move forward in this, like forst, finding some friends to help support you.  You can do a few different things to achieve this like join a FaceBook group about tapering psych meds, or using us for your support, just know we are here to help you taper when you are indeed ready.  Just let us know when you wish to start.  You can also choose to stay where you are for now so you can stop worrying.  You can also choose to help support the people who have commented on your thread, just as they have helped you while you try to decide, it is all up to you.  Maybe by supporting others who are actively tapering, you can see how the process works, and it will make you more comfortable with the concept.  We are all afraid in the beginning, it is a huge unknown.  You can see if there are any support groups around you to attend to talk about tapering off psych meds, or join a CBT group,  or maybe group therapy to find a friend- maybe you will find some support in one of those places if we are not enough for you, so you do not feel so alone.

 

Just remember ASKING for permission will probably NEVER work, however going in to you new psychiatrist and saying you would like to begin tapering slowly, and telling them exactly how you are going to do it, even if it is just an outline, and ASKING FOR SUPPORT, NOT ASKING FOR PERMISSION is a much better way to get where you wish to be.  For example, say, "I would like to decrease 5% of the mg's every 6-8 weeks, so each month or more, I will only be taking 5% off of the remaining dose- not 5% off of the total, which would mean a multiple year taper, what do you think?"  How about that?  We can help you with the math, nd tell yo what supplies you will need and going very slow usually means minimal withdrawal symptoms, and you can hold at any time if any pop up.

 

Hope this info helps you feel a bit better about tapering!

Skeeter

[kiki2015]

On 4/25/2018 at 5:18 AM, Skeeter said:

Kiki,

Your doctors will never ever give you the permission you want to come off of these drugs.  That, sadly is the case with most psychiatrists.   If you know you are wanting to taper, going VERY slowly is the safest place to be.  We are not there in person, but other members, as you see will pop in besides the mods, so you do have support.  I say maybe you consider going at half speed, and wait 6-8 weeks between drops.  One option is to TELL the psychiatrist that you are going to taper, and that you need her support. I do think you need to go slower than our regular speed, though, like I said above maybe, what do you think? They cannot force you to take anything unless they have a court order, right?  Remember, they work for you!

 

So please know that saying the same thing over and over is not going to help you- your mind will keep going in circles.  Maybe think about things to help you move forward in this, like forst, finding some friends to help support you.  You can do a few different things to achieve this like join a FaceBook group about tapering psych meds, or using us for your support, just know we are here to help you taper when you are indeed ready.  Just let us know when you wish to start.  You can also choose to stay where you are for now so you can stop worrying.  You can also choose to help support the people who have commented on your thread, just as they have helped you while you try to decide, it is all up to you.  Maybe by supporting others who are actively tapering, you can see how the process works, and it will make you more comfortable with the concept.  We are all afraid in the beginning, it is a huge unknown.  You can see if there are any support groups around you to attend to talk about tapering off psych meds, or join a CBT group,  or maybe group therapy to find a friend- maybe you will find some support in one of those places if we are not enough for you, so you do not feel so alone.

 

Just remember ASKING for permission will probably NEVER work, however going in to you new psychiatrist and saying you would like to begin tapering slowly, and telling them exactly how you are going to do it, even if it is just an outline, and ASKING FOR SUPPORT, NOT ASKING FOR PERMISSION is a much better way to get where you wish to be.  For example, say, "I would like to decrease 5% of the mg's every 6-8 weeks, so each month or more, I will only be taking 5% off of the remaining dose- not 5% off of the total, which would mean a multiple year taper, what do you think?"  How about that?  We can help you with the math, nd tell yo what supplies you will need and going very slow usually means minimal withdrawal symptoms, and you can hold at any time if any pop up.

 

Hope this info helps you feel a bit better about tapering!

Skeeter

Hi Skeeter,

Thank you for all the information and advice. I began tapering yesterday. I crushed the abilify with a spoon until it became a powder. Then I mixed in 10 ml of water into the 10mg powder. Is that right?. With the same syringe I measured 9ml of the substance in water and took it. Did I do the right thing?

 

[kiki2015]

14 hours ago, kiki2015 said:

Hi Skeeter,

Thank you for all the information and advice. I began tapering yesterday. I crushed the abilify with a spoon until it became a powder. Then I mixed in 10 ml of water into the 10mg powder. Is that right?. With the same syringe I measured 9ml of the substance in water and took it. Did I do the right thing?

 

 

On 4/25/2018 at 5:18 AM, Skeeter said:

Kiki,

Your doctors will never ever give you the permission you want to come off of these drugs.  That, sadly is the case with most psychiatrists.   If you know you are wanting to taper, going VERY slowly is the safest place to be.  We are not there in person, but other members, as you see will pop in besides the mods, so you do have support.  I say maybe you consider going at half speed, and wait 6-8 weeks between drops.  One option is to TELL the psychiatrist that you are going to taper, and that you need her support. I do think you need to go slower than our regular speed, though, like I said above maybe, what do you think? They cannot force you to take anything unless they have a court order, right?  Remember, they work for you!

 

So please know that saying the same thing over and over is not going to help you- your mind will keep going in circles.  Maybe think about things to help you move forward in this, like forst, finding some friends to help support you.  You can do a few different things to achieve this like join a FaceBook group about tapering psych meds, or using us for your support, just know we are here to help you taper when you are indeed ready.  Just let us know when you wish to start.  You can also choose to stay where you are for now so you can stop worrying.  You can also choose to help support the people who have commented on your thread, just as they have helped you while you try to decide, it is all up to you.  Maybe by supporting others who are actively tapering, you can see how the process works, and it will make you more comfortable with the concept.  We are all afraid in the beginning, it is a huge unknown.  You can see if there are any support groups around you to attend to talk about tapering off psych meds, or join a CBT group,  or maybe group therapy to find a friend- maybe you will find some support in one of those places if we are not enough for you, so you do not feel so alone.

 

Just remember ASKING for permission will probably NEVER work, however going in to you new psychiatrist and saying you would like to begin tapering slowly, and telling them exactly how you are going to do it, even if it is just an outline, and ASKING FOR SUPPORT, NOT ASKING FOR PERMISSION is a much better way to get where you wish to be.  For example, say, "I would like to decrease 5% of the mg's every 6-8 weeks, so each month or more, I will only be taking 5% off of the remaining dose- not 5% off of the total, which would mean a multiple year taper, what do you think?"  How about that?  We can help you with the math, nd tell yo what supplies you will need and going very slow usually means minimal withdrawal symptoms, and you can hold at any time if any pop up.

 

Hope this info helps you feel a bit better about tapering!

Skeeter

Hi Skeeter,

 

I don't know if I will recover. I tried coming off the meds once and it didn't work. I cannot stabilise. I know I may seem really annoying but I tried once to come off and had no memory. My memory was affected. No memory. Can you believe it. I did repetitive things all the time. I had no concept of time. I did not. I am still suffering. I could not stabilise. Peter bragging states that people who develop tardive syndromes become worse if the drug is used to counteract the tardier dystonia. 

[Skeeter]

Kiki,

I am sorry, I had a doctor appoint for my upcoming court, and was in too much pain to be here for several days, because I could not think. Pain has the same effect on me that AD WD does, I could not think straight.  Severe pain of 9/10 does it, not minor pain is the only one that does that.

 

I am not going to repeat what I said before ad nauseum, but I will say that a slow taper is something you can recover from.  If you choose to stay at your dose for a while to level out your symptoms, or to see if it will happen, that is up to you.  I will not go in circles re-explaining what has been told to you otherwise.  My pain is bad at the moment, but I am not being cruel, I am just telling you what I will not do.  You have to either go potty, or stay where you are on the pot, to paraphrase an old saying.  Too fearful? Okay, just please stop asking the same questions.  You may find it helpful to see a therapist, to help you figure out what yo want to do.  We are not therapists here, we are regular people, not doctors either.

 

I was chewed up and spat out by benzo WD, if you read the first page of my intro thread, which started before I was a mod, there is a list of at least 50 of them.  I stayed o my same doses of the drug for almost 2 years before I felt stable enough to try to taper but has to be waited upon until my court date, so I do not say the wrong thing at the trial.  No hurt in holding.  What you can d to distract yourself during this confusing time is help others on their threads, and encourage other people, but do not talk about your issues on their thread, unless you have an exact thing in common.  NOTE:  AS WD and Benzo WD have so much in common, they are almost exactly the same as in side effects, of which I have listed in the first page of my thread,  READ THEM!

 

I had no memory, I felt hopeless and helpless, and had so many physical signs and symptoms on top of my regular physical pain that I thought I could not handle it.  On the meds, Lexapro, and a different benzo, but less than half of the equivalent dose of the first one that I was switch to the second one in a day. left me reeling for about 20 months, over time I got stable.  So, if you feel you must not make a decision right now, then hold, but please do not ask the mods for the same exact advice over and over.  We are happy to answer new questions, but not reworded questions asking the same thing, you need a therapist for that type of thing, no one here can answer this for you.

 

I suggest you do help others while you decide what to do, no one else can make up your mind or take your fear away.  I helped others, that, for me, reading about others, and not focusing just on  just myself, helped me see that people DO get better.  Even if the only thing you can say at first is "I am sorry you are having a hard time, I hope things get better soon!" is so helpful to others, and can help you not mull over your situation nonstop..  How about starting with the people that stopped in on your thread to offer help to you?  if you do not know what to do, and cannot help others, there are other sites for people who choose to stay on their medications.  That is another though, if yo decide that this is no longer a hold (like me, I have been holding a long time).  You seem to be ruminating about this (going in circles in your mind, and asking the same questions as a result.  You will never get anywhere with this pattern of thinking.  A therapist you like, maybe not attached to your hospital, may be just what is needed?

 

If you have dosing questions, please do not quote me in that post, ask it in a new post (not quoting  ANYONE), and someone will help you.  I have another doc appt today , and because I am not recovered from the last one (which, due to being for court, made him have to look at all of my ranges of motions, meant pain lasting over a week, the norm for me when doing too much, so it was much harder than a regular appt, but even making it to today's appt is very difficult, just to be gone for a little while is about all I can handle today.  My thread's current page (link to my thread is in my signature) will tell you how I am doing normally right now, if you want to know.  I am on 20mg Lexapro and 15mg diazepam (valium) - this is for muscle spasms and shooting pains in my arms.  Other meds I am on have no bearing to SA, as I have a disability.  I am on 2 other meds that do not affect my WD.They are not meds like Lyrica or Neurontin- I tried those years ago with no help.

 

Sorry about grammar and spelling, I am exhausted, and am going back to bed before my appt.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Good luck!

Skeeter

PS Sorry this was about me, partly, but I wanted to answer your questions, and show that in some cases, holding can help you.  You are welcome to ask any new questions you can come up with that are not along the lines of "how long will I feel like this?- Answer: NO ONE KNOWS, each person is different.  I needed a long time to decide FOR MYSELF, as no one can do it FOR you, what I was going to do.  Sometimes  not changing anything for a while while you mull it over does help.  Maybe make a pro and con list about tapering, and see which list is longer, just an idea. I will probably not be back to post for a few days, except to read what I missed, depending on how I feel, so please do not ask me any questions you need answered right away. Send an message without a quote on top for that.

[kiki2015]

Skeeter, did you get your memory back? The reason is I tried to come off meds and saw myself getting nowhere. I really have tried. I behaved in a repetitive manner. I couldn't hold thoughts in my head. I have been offered liquid doses so will try again to taper. This time I will put things in place for that to happen properly. How did your experience in the court go? With regards to tapering I cannot hold as this dose of abilify is giving me many neck spasms. This dose is not working for me. I'm still trying. 

[Skeeter]

Kiki,

Yes, my memory is almost totally back.  i can read, and remember, and think straight again.  Sometimes if I am tired, not paying attention, maybe,  But usually I do well now.

 

Court was postponed so I could see a specialist.  Thank you for the kind question.  This doc noticed all sorts of thing that no one else had.  I am very confident going in now!!

Edited May 13, 2018 by Skeeter

[kiki2015]

That sounds Wonderful. I wish my life would change. I've developed tardive dystonia, I'm sure of that. However I feel I lose capacity on lower doses. It could be that may be permanently damaged. If I am, I wouldn't know who to turn to or how to defend myself. I'd have to take these meds, antipsychotics, for a long time. I read that anti psychotics cause brain shrinkage as this was measured in macaque monkeys. Anti psychotics slow people down and make it difficult to cope with adversities and pressure. I was wondering Skeeter, how did you manage to work or keep afloat during withdrawal or on the drugs. 

[Altostrata]

kiki, when you say you are not stable, what do you mean? What are your symptoms, what time of day do they occur?

 

What tapering have you done in the last year?

 

Have you read Tips for tapering off aripiprazole (Abilify)

[kiki2015]

Hi Altostrata, my symptoms consist of muscle spasms, memory loss severe to the point that I may be in the street in a well known place and not know where I am or what I intended to do. i have become very slow. These are my main symptoms but these are not really psychiatric symptoms. I cannot feel any sort of happiness even in a situation where i could be happy. I cannot physically smile. I know this may sound silly but it is as if my dopamine has been depleted. I feel a sense of strangulation in my neck. I am now tapering from 10mg of abilify. I am tapering from 10 mg to 7.5ml solution. I still feel the same, but I have been taking this for 4 days now - 7.5ml. 

 

Since january 2017  when i came off abilify i was 3 months without meds. I was put on amisulpride in april 2017. - 400mg. I then tapered to 200 morning and night, then I tapered to 100 morning and 100 mg night. In january 2018, i cross tapered from amisulpride 100mg morning, 100 mg night - for 3 weeks. then I cross tapered from 50mg morning and then 100 mg night for a few weeks, then 5mg abilify morning, and then 100 mg night amisulpride, then a few weeks later, 5mg abilify mornign and then 50 mg amilsulpride night, then 10mg abilify in february . I have stayed at this dose until this week when I was able to taper to 7.5ml. This could have affected my cns. 

[kiki2015]

On 5/17/2018 at 10:18 PM, Altostrata said:

kiki, when you say you are not stable, what do you mean? What are your symptoms, what time of day do they occur?

 

What tapering have you done in the last year?

 

Have you read Tips for tapering off aripiprazole (Abilify)

Symptoms include lack of motivation, sluggishness, slow motion, dystonia..

[Altostrata]

Please put your current drug intake in your signature, as well as the dates you went off each drug completely. (You can put the 2002-2013 history all on one line, it's not as important as the more recent years.)

 

It sounds to me like you are experiencing the hangover from being on all those drugs for so long and all the drug changes. This will very gradually lift over months, in a frustratingly slow way. You will have to be patient and remind yourself all the time that it takes time to heal.

 

Please stop tapering Abilify for now, to give your system a rest from drug changes. Did your symptom pattern change significantly when you dropped to 7.5mg Abilify this week?

 

Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

A lot of people find them helpful. Try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

Magnesium is particularly good for muscle tension, cramping, jerks, etc.

 

 

 

[kiki2015]

On ‎6‎/‎1‎/‎2018 at 6:42 PM, Altostrata said:

Please put your current drug intake in your signature, as well as the dates you went off each drug completely. (You can put the 2002-2013 history all on one line, it's not as important as the more recent years.)

 

It sounds to me like you are experiencing the hangover from being on all those drugs for so long and all the drug changes. This will very gradually lift over months, in a frustratingly slow way. You will have to be patient and remind yourself all the time that it takes time to heal.

 

Please stop tapering Abilify for now, to give your system a rest from drug changes. Did your symptom pattern change significantly when you dropped to 7.5mg Abilify this week?

 

Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

A lot of people find them helpful. Try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

Magnesium is particularly good for muscle tension, cramping, jerks, etc.

 

 

 

Hello Altostrata,

 

thank you for all the information on supplements. I wanted to tell you that yesterday I was diagnosed with Breast cancer, I am very worried. Last year I spent approximately 10 months without my periods, I was on amisulpride- and I also developed hyperprolactinemia.. very high in the high thousands... one of the 'side effects' of the drug amisulpride is changes in breast tissues. I want to find out if this contributed to my getting cancer. If this is the case, I will move mountains to get the justice I need.... I will need all the strength in the world for this. I will..

 

take care...

 

 

kiki

[kiki2015]

On ‎5‎/‎13‎/‎2018 at 3:35 PM, Skeeter said:

Kiki,

Yes, my memory is almost totally back.  i can read, and remember, and think straight again.  Sometimes if I am tired, not paying attention, maybe,  But usually I do well now.

 

Court was postponed so I could see a specialist.  Thank you for the kind question.  This doc noticed all sorts of thing that no one else had.  I am very confident going in now!!

Hello Skeeter,

 

im sorry to quote you, I know you told me not to. However I wanted to ask you a few questions. Last year I was taking amisulpride and it caused me to lactate, my prolactin levels went through the roof, in the thousands, 7000 etc. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and I am concerned that this may have been linked to the high levels of amisulpride. I also spent 9 months without my periods despite not being pregnant. I was told that the lump in my breast could have been there for approx. 2 years but I know that amisulpride causes changes in breast tissue. COuld there be a possibility that this could have exacerbated the problem and led to the formation of the breast lump and hence cancer. I look forward to hearing from you. I would like to know how you are progressing. I am taking liquid doses of abilify now and the prolactin levels have gone down to normal now but it is too late for that. Please could you advise. I have seen many articles which have stated that all neuroleptics can have a link to breast cancer if they increase prolactin levels in the blood. 

What do you think?

 

Kiki

[kiki2015]

On ‎6‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 7:56 PM, kiki2015 said:

Hello Skeeter,

 

im sorry to quote you, I know you told me not to. However I wanted to ask you a few questions. Last year I was taking amisulpride and it caused me to lactate, my prolactin levels went through the roof, in the thousands, 7000 etc. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and I am concerned that this may have been linked to the high levels of amisulpride. I also spent 9 months without my periods despite not being pregnant. I was told that the lump in my breast could have been there for approx. 2 years but I know that amisulpride causes changes in breast tissue. COuld there be a possibility that this could have exacerbated the problem and led to the formation of the breast lump and hence cancer. I look forward to hearing from you. I would like to know how you are progressing. I am taking liquid doses of abilify now and the prolactin levels have gone down to normal now but it is too late for that. Please could you advise. I have seen many articles which have stated that all neuroleptics can have a link to breast cancer if they increase prolactin levels in the blood. 

What do you think?

 

Kiki

could you please respond?

[Rosetta]

Kiki, Skeeter does not visit here very often.  She hasn't posted since June 8.  I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  

[kiki2015]

I feel my life has been wasted titrating off medications. I am in the same position I was in 2016. It's January 2019 and now I'm on 3.5ml of antipsychotics. I'm experiencing neck stretching, I have problems with my memory the further I titrate. I don't know what to expect once I come off them completely. 

[Altostrata]

Hi, kiki. What is your tapering method? You're tapering Abilify?

 

How much were you taking in 2016?

[Cleerity]

Hello kiki...

 

Just want to share that I am also working on eliminating Abilify from my life, slowly.  I am making my own liquid preparation and reducing by very small amounts.  Crossing over to the liquid gave me some symptoms, but once that settled in, I am doing good so far with the small, weekly reductions.  I pray this continues.   After four weeks of small reductions, I will hold for two weeks before resuming another 4 weeks of micro-reductions.  And then repeat.  I hope Alto and the other moderators are able to help you find the tapering plan that works for you.  I wish you success.   

 

Brightest wishes,

Cleerity

[ChessieCat]

Hi kiki,

 

I have just merged 2 introduction topics of yours.  Each member has only 1 Introduction topic which where you can ask questions about your own situation and journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and also creates a case study for any medical professionals visiting SA.  Please do not create any more introduction topics.

 

I've moved the post about your friend to the Relationships Forum and will respond there.

 

 

[kiki2015]

I am on 2.5ml of abilify now. The lower I go the worse my symptoms of TD. What has become worse are the feelings of strangulation from antipsychotics. Iexperience this in my larynx. I still have neck twists. My mouth twists more frequently to one side. I feel helpless. I had tests with the neurologist and I am now going to have cognitive testing for myself. I don't think that's the correct approach entirely. I also find it hard to concentrate. I don't know what to do.