I am in the final stages of tapering off all 3 meds. I was diagnosed Bipolar 1 in 2006 and put on Lithium and Depakote. After being hospitalized 5 times since I realized the drugs are the problem. With the help of a psych.nurse I am only on 2.5mg Abilify currently and doing well (sleep wise). I plan on stopping all drugs in the next few days and I am nervous after reading all the problems people have getting off Abilify. I also read books by Peter Breggin and Robert Whitaker.
I began my taper 10 months ago when I was taking 1200mg Lithium, 200mg Lamictal, and 10mg Abilify. I had a setback and was hospitalized for about two weeks 6 months ago from tapering off Lithium too fast. They did not put me back on Lithium and my question is what to do if I start to lose sleep.
Currently I have ample supply of Zyprexa to knock me out if I have trouble sleeping. I am debating just using 5mg of Abilify when I have trouble sleeping instead. Maybe alternating 2mg Abilify and nothing every other day.
Does anyone try sleeping pills instead of these strong antipsychotics?
How many people out there have successfully tapered off Abilify for psychosis?
Thanks