bamba: Insane amount of Risperdal 14.75 mg paying for a tragic mistake

[bamba]

I am on an untenably high dose of risperdal.  My life force is being sapped away.  I once many years ago abused risperdal as a sleeping pill and shot up to 12 mg from 4.  I have been advised by my p-doc to taper .25 mg every 2 weeks.  But I hit 10 mg and something in me gets jonesy and I am up again to 14 mg,  Doing it too fast.  Need to keep slow and steady.  Would appreciate any tips from those who understand.  These drugs are addictive.  I have all the time in the world but don't know how long my body can take it.

[Shep]

Hi, Bamba.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. 

 

Yes, I think you're right that you're going too fast. We recommend tapering no faster than 10% a month based on the prior month's dose and your reductions of .25 mg every 2 weeks (or .5 mg a month) would fit into those guidelines down to the 10 mg mark that you reached. However, many people aren't able to tolerate the 10% reductions and need to go much slower. It sounds like that may be the case for you. 

 

I'll post some links to get you started.

 

Tips for tapering off risperidone (Risperdal)

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

As you provide more information, we can better guide you in setting up a taper. 

[hayduke]

Hi @bamba.  That is a remarkably high dose.  How's your sleep cycle?  

[bamba]

Hi, @hayduke.  I sleep under the influence of heavy sedatives.  Trazodone.  Doxepin.  Temazepam.  Lorazepam.  Rozerem.  Unconscious for most of the night.  Rarely remember dreams.  My story is complicated by a TBI.  Long road ahead.

[Shep]

18 hours ago, bamba said:

Hi, @hayduke.  I sleep under the influence of heavy sedatives.  Trazodone.  Doxepin.  Temazepam.  Lorazepam.  Rozerem.  Unconscious for most of the night.  Rarely remember dreams.  My story is complicated by a TBI.  Long road ahead.

 

Please set up a signature so we know your drug history. How long have you been using these other drugs? 

 

The first post in this thread will show you how to set up a signature:

 

How to Summarize Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

It's likely the high dose of Risperdal combined with other sedating drugs is causing paradoxical reactions, meaning instead of helping you sleep, they are keeping you awake. The more you dampen down your nervous system with sedating drugs, the more your nervous system fights to stay alert - this is the paradoxical reaction. 

[bamba]

bamba: Introduction topic for bipolar patient and TBI survivor

 

Hello to this community.  I am a TBI survivor whose accident was preceded by a manic episode.  The car accident made the bipolar much worse.  I have been on increasing doses of anti-psychotics since the early nineties.  I finally have found some stability after years of ups and downs.  But my body is wearing out after years on high doses of Rispdal.  I fear Tardive dyskensia. 

 

I am a user of homeopathy and don't know to what extent this has contributed to my recovery.  

 

I have considered a professional detox agency to get me off these drugs since I used to take 4 mg and was fine, but the lack of medical supervision gives me paws :).  Slow and steady detox will take years.  If it's steady.   Reading the success stories in this forum is heartening.

 

I have a good p-doc right now who is committed to withdrawal.  Lucky.

 

I look forward to sharing with the group.

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

NOTE TO MODS:  2 Intro topics have been merged

[Shep]

@bambaYour signature is very confusing.  I can't help you if I can't understand it. Please only list the month and year once and then list the drugs and doses you were on for that time period. 

 

Please see the first post in this thread:

 

How to Summarize Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is an example of what we need:

 

Example:

2001–2002 paroxetine 
2003  citalopram 
2004  paroxetine
2008  paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine
2016  citalopram May 20mg  Oct slow taper down
2018  citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg

 

 

[Shep]

@bambaI received your PM about having trouble setting up your signature. 

 

Please list what drugs you were on in:

 

2020 - the name of each drug and the dose.

2021 - the name of each drug and the dose.

2022 - the name of each drug and the dose. 

 

You can simply place it here in a post in your thread and I'll put it in your signature for you.