Confusedlately14: Medicated for 7 years Risperidone 1 mg recently quit taking it

[Confusedlately14]

So I’ve been on several different depression meds and 7 years ago I got put on Risperidone 1 mg. For anxiety. Two years ago I tried tapering off of it and after 4 days developed severe tremors that shook my whole body 24 hours a day. It didn’t go away and I became suicidal. I started taking them again and got prescribed gabapentin which helped a lot with the shaking. 3 days ago I forgot to pick up my meds and just decided to quit taking Risperidone because your only supposed to be on it short term. I was reading on quora that I can have long term physical and mental problems from abruptly stopping them and now I’m freaking out. My head feels clearer but I’m nauseated and can’t seem to stay awake. Anyone have any good advice for me? I feel lost and alone.

[ChessieCat]

Hi Confusedlately14 and welcome to SA,

 

Have you picked up your meds?

 

It definitely sounds like you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from stopping too quickly.  Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms  The only known way to reduce the withdrawal symptoms is to take the same drug that you have stopped which the brain needs, because it has adapted to getting it.  SA recommends tapering psychiatric drugs see Why taper by 10% of my dosage?  by no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  Please see Post #1 of this topic About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Because you have only been off the drug for 3 days it should be okay to start taking the same dose you were taking before.  it may take some time to stabilise, but after several months you could taper the drug.  Tips for tapering off Risperdal (risperidone) 

 

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