schizrecovery: diagnosed with schizophrenia

[schizrecovery]

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia two years ago. Im taking invega 6mg tablets every night. In the past i was taking other psych meds but i cut it down to the invega only. I have problems with anxiety and falling asleep when i skip my AP. I am planning on going to psychotherapy so that i can deal with my mental health issues. I want to taper off from the invega but i am not ready to start the process. Im at work every day about 12 hours a day but I have a lack of motivation and i am not productive. Sometimes i do my job but most of the times i sit back and smoke cigarettes. I am involved in a family business. I sell firewood. My dad created the business last year and i have been working non stop since. I am not happy about working every day and such hours but the AP seems to dull my emotions so i dont really care that much. I am troubled by the position that i am in and i want to make changes so any advice or support would be greatly appreciated. I am open to sharing more about myself if you are interested.

Edited August 28, 2019 by Shep
updated title with new username

[ChessieCat]

Hi and welcome to SA,

 

It's really good that you have found SA before you start reducing your drug/s.

 

On 8/27/2019 at 4:24 AM, Djjoni2 said:

I have problems with anxiety and falling asleep when i skip my AP.

 

It is important that you take the same dose every day at about the same time.  The brain likes consistency.

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

SA recommends a harm reduction method of tapering.

 

Please see this topic for helpful information:  Tips for tapering off Invega (paliperidone)

 

You might find it helpful to read Harm Reduction Guide to Coming Off Psychiatrics Drugs and Withdrawal from the Icarus Project website.  It is available in different languages. 

 

Please create your drug signature using the following format.   Keep it simple.  NO diagnoses or symptoms please - thank you.

• details for last 2 years - dates, ALL drugs, doses
• summary for older than 2 years - just years and drug/s

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

This is your own introductions topic where your can ask questions about your own situation and journal your progress.

[manymoretodays]

 

Welcome from me too SR. 

I just wanted to bump on up your Introduction, from last Wednesday.

Please let us know if you run into any difficulties creating the signature.

And then from there, we all, will do our best, moderators and members, to support, and get you additional information.

 

Best,

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

Edited August 31, 2019 by manymoretodays

[Altostrata]

Welcome, schiz.

 

Working with a psychotherapist and learning to manage your symptoms is absolutely the way to work your way out of psychiatric prescription.

 

You've found you get a bad reaction when you skip a dose of Invega. Please don't skip any doses, ever -- it upsets your nervous system, which can set back your progress.

 

Have you told your doctor that 6mg Invega per day makes you unmotivated and emotionally numb? You may talk to your doctor about slowly and carefully reducing your dosage to the lowest effective dose, with fewer side effects. To avoid symptoms that might be interpreted as "relapse," such tapering should be very gradual, a fraction of a milligram at a time.

[LuiB]

Hello @schizrecovery

 

Good to know that you are down to just this last drug. This is similar to me except I was on the depot shot of Invega (Sustenna).

 

The lack of motivation and lack of productivity, from my experience, is due to the relatively high dose of Invega you are taking.

 

This drug is so hard and heavy on the system that doing anything other than sit down and smoke cigarettes seems to be an arduous process.

 

Anyway, would be interested to know how the forum will guide you in tapering off the 6mg. i understand that you mentioned that you are not ready, but when you do.

 

The next dose down would be a 3mg and that is 50% of the 6mg tablet which is a heavy reduction. I am not sure how that would be done because they are extended release tablets. 

 

Any ideas from anyone?

 

It is mostly positive as you come down and get off the drug, as long as you can keep your calm and your composure and are able to deal with the withdrawal or the onset of a distressful emotional/mental/spiritual experience.

 

Good Luck and Hope you have a Smooth Journey Towards Wellbeing.