Sukhumvit cold turkey off risperidone and citalopram

[Sukhumvit]

I cut off all Med's 2 weeks ago and am going through my own detox. I was using alcohol, marijuana, at the same time as I was on 3 MG of Risperidone and 40 MG citalopram. (Yes, I know marijuana can be.. defeating the purpose). I got tired of all of it and decided to DETOX. Meaning no sugar, salt, caffeine, cooked foods and no drugs of any kind. Well, now I know why they say to taper and stop one at a time. I have experienced dizziness every day and mood swings. I feel out of control and get very angry at times. Generally I do feel better though  and have lost 30 pounds in a little over 2 weeks. The 30 pounds that I gained after starting Risperidone about 4-5 years ago. I'm glad to be off and have not experienced any major symptoms that I was feeling prying going on. However, I do feel paranoid at times so that is one symptom that has not gone away. I can live with that though. I just distract myself (I reason with my thoughts telling myself that people really don't know me, etc.) for a while and then I am fine. While driving I've never been able to look at other drivers on the road because of my paranoid thinking but that has changed. I can look at other drivers now and I don't feel (as strongly) if they know what I'm thinking. I've not told my Doc yet but will see him in one week. I'm hoping the dizziness will pass as I don't want to go back on it or use something else. I am done with Med's. They are not a fix it solution to anyone's problem but a trap to keep you dependant on them and keep the Big Pharma rolling in dough. Oh, what do I eat? A steady diet of fruits and veggies and plenty of water and a little exercise. I hope this can help or at least interest someone.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Sukhumvit.

 

I moved your post here to start your Introductions topic, so you can track your own progress.

 

How long were you taking risperidone and citalopram? Have your physical symptoms lessened over the two weeks?

[Rhiannon]

Sukhumvit, we find that most people don't do well with cutting their drugs out completely all at once. Would you consider tapering? Read the topics in the Tapering area, at the top, especially about why we recommend a 10% taper.

 

Often people do well right at first, but the symptoms of a cold turkey often don't really kick in until a couple of weeks out, and then can intensify several months out. 

 

Please consider a more cautious approach. I definitely support you in getting off drugs, but in my experience people who CT are more likely to actually end up on more drugs than they are to end up successfully getting off them.

[Petunia]

Hi Sukhumvit,

Welcome and thank you for posting.  I agree with you that psychiatric medications don't fix people's problems and support your decision to come off your meds.  But like Rhi, I'm very concerned about the way you have done it.  You have made a lot of changes at the same time, and even though you may feel better in some ways now, I'm worried that its all going to catch up with you.

 

I'm also concerned about your diet.  We need protein and fats/oils, especially the brain and nervous system as its trying to heal. Are you including nuts and seeds in your diet?

 

Please keep us updated and if you begin to feel worse, consider reinstating and then starting a slow, safe taper, we will be able to help you with that.

 

Petu.