Sapien: Absolutely recovering from Rexulti & Zyprexa - suggestions appreciated :)

[Sapien]

Hi All,

 

I'm taking 4mg Rexulti (mornings) and 15mg Zyprexa (Evenings) and would like some advice from somebody whose been on the same/similar combo.

 

I've been able to read the basics on tapering (10% every 3 weeks) and think i'd prefer to rid myself of Zyprexa first.

 

I'm due for a psychiatrist appointment next week, but usually they drop it by a larger dose - sticking to the manufacturer strength and not recommending a compound/liquid form to achieve the 10% rule. I.e. from 15mg to 10mg, then 7.5, 5 & so on..

 

My preference is to follow the advice of those who have the lived experience of tapering, meaning you guys

However, I do believe I can tolerate a larger dose reduction as I'm not experiencing any major side-effects and am already adhering to the general guidelines relating to healing from any damage caused. I exercise & eat well, meditate & talk to others about normal stuff.

 

What would you guys suggest? My gut tells me to take it slow this time (have had numerous failed attempts at cold turkey quitting) maybe if i reduce by larger than 10% and give it a longer time between reductions -- would that be the way to go/

 

Thanks for reading & any advice 🙂

Sapien

 

Edited January 8, 2021 by manymoretodays
name to title

[Erell]

Hello Sapien, 

 

and welcome to SA.

 

This site is run entirely by volunteer Administrators and Moderators, all have been through or going through withdrawal.

There are no commercial interests or influences involved.

 

On 1/6/2021 at 6:04 AM, Sapien said:

I've been able to read the basics on tapering (10% every 3 weeks)

 

I see that you've started to make some readings here : this is good, you'll have all the infos before starting.

 

However, we usually recommend to not exceed 10% every four weeks : 

 

why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage

 

Actyally, it doesn't necessarily have to be 10% : the CNS is the leader here, and we adapt a taper according to his needs in the healing process. Some feel more comfortable with 5% or 3% drops.

 

On 1/6/2021 at 6:04 AM, Sapien said:

My preference is to follow the advice of those who have the lived experience of tapering, meaning you guys

However, I do believe I can tolerate a larger dose reduction as I'm not experiencing any major side-effects and am already adhering to the general guidelines relating to healing from any damage caused. I exercise & eat well, meditate & talk to others about normal stuff.

 

What would you guys suggest? My gut tells me to take it slow this time (have had numerous failed attempts at cold turkey quitting) maybe if i reduce by larger than 10% and give it a longer time between reductions -- would that be the way to go/

 

 

We have a harm-reduction approach here, so we advice to take it slow and listen carefully to your body to see which pace is best. Best to go slow and reamin functionnal and healthy rather than going too fast and experiencing symptoms.

 

This might help you to understand why we recommand slow tapering : 

 

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

These explain the healing process really well :

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

On 1/6/2021 at 6:04 AM, Sapien said:

think i'd prefer to rid myself of Zyprexa first.

 

You might be interested by this thread : 

 

taking-multiple-psych-drugs-which-drug-to-taper-first

 

As you said that you were not suffering from major side effects, we usually recommand to discontinue the more activitaing drug first.

 

On 1/6/2021 at 6:04 AM, Sapien said:

I'm due for a psychiatrist appointment next week, but usually they drop it by a larger dose - sticking to the manufacturer strength and not recommending a compound/liquid form to achieve the 10% rule. I.e. from 15mg to 10mg, then 7.5, 5 & so on..

 

This sounds like a too fast taper. 

What are you currently using, tablets ?

 

Please see : 

 

tips-for-tapering-off-zyprexa-olanzapine

 

On 1/6/2021 at 6:04 AM, Sapien said:

have had numerous failed attempts at cold turkey quitting

 

I'm sorry you went through this.
 

To help us give you the most accurate advice we can, and to see all your drug history at a glance, could you please create a signature ?

• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

Please include drugs, doses, dates, discontinuations, reinstatements. Also include supplements.


Again, welcome !

 

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Sapien.

 

On 1/5/2021 at 9:04 PM, Sapien said:

What would you guys suggest? My gut tells me to take it slow this time (have had numerous failed attempts at cold turkey quitting) maybe if i reduce by larger than 10% and give it a longer time between reductions -- would that be the way to go/

 

If you've had a difficult time tapering before, you probably should err on the side of caution and taper more gradually this time around. I'd try a 10% reduction to begin with, see how that feels.

 

Neither your gut nor your psychiatrist know anything about tapering these drugs.