[zepchic]

I stopped taking my risperdal about a week ago and was feeling back to normal after some manic symptoms and suicidal inclinations, but now I am starting to think I am not back to normal.

In fact I feel quite hyped up, which is great, but I don't want to make bad choices. I really wish I could get in to see my therapist. But unless I go in 'in crisis' I can't and even then I wouldn't probably see my therapist, it'd be someone else and I'm not suicidal anymore.

I was planning on and maybe still planning on quitting the rest of my meds, more slowly because of my frustration with everything. I am setting myself up for major life changes like abandoning my business (not making $) and taking control of my life by getting a job (am I really capable...idk). I have an interview next week. But also my marriage is like total **** right now. I am turning toward my compulsive exercise tendencies and restrictive eating. BUT I'm sober!

IDK, it's hard to tell which thoughts are mania. But I know I am there because I have a million things to do and can't seem to do any of them because I can't focus for more than a second.

What do I do?! My support system is ****, btw. Do I jump back on the risperdal? How do you deal with knowing what you should do, but being completely inclined to do the opposite?

[lilypup]

I don't mean to be flip here and you have my sympathy, but so many of these posts start with "I stopped taking my meds".

Maybe we should all be more careful to just jiggle meds with pdoc's permission. Of course, then we would have no posts.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

How much risp were you taking and for how long? Quitting it cold turkey can cause bad withdraw effects so within a few days, you may find you need to take a tiny dose. I'm totally against quitting your meds without pdocs supervision. You already said you're feeling some mania and suicidal ideation and that's not good. Risperdal helped me so much in the past but because of side effects, I only take it PRN now (2mg here and there when dysphoric). It curbs my anger and iritibility like a charm! So I would be careful if I were you and at lease ween off of it slowly.

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[zepchic]

Originally Posted by RxQueen875

How much risp were you taking and for how long? Quitting it cold turkey can cause bad withdraw effects so within a few days, you may find you need to take a tiny dose. I'm totally against quitting your meds without pdocs supervision. You already said you're feeling some mania and suicidal ideation and that's not good. Risperdal helped me so much in the past but because of side effects, I only take it PRN now (2mg here and there when dysphoric). It curbs my anger and iritibility like a charm! So I would be careful if I were you and at lease ween off of it slowly.

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Only .5mg for a few months. I feel like I am over the hump of withdrawal, but idk. I guess only time will tell what will happen. I just wish I could differentiate between manic crazy ideas and good ideas.

[Darlingminx]

R u sleeping? I think that might b a good thing to keep track of.

[zepchic]

Sleeping loads...so I guess that doesn't say mania. I think I am just confused now. Can't figure out which way is up.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Originally Posted by zepchic

Only .5mg for a few months. I feel like I am over the hump of withdrawal, but idk. I guess only time will tell what will happen. I just wish I could differentiate between manic crazy ideas and good ideas.

Ok at .5 you should be ok. From what I believe it's the smallest dose. Just watch out and if you have any WD symptoms take a half a tab. Be careful with stopping meds cold turkey. We all wish you the best!

[Victoria'smom]

Jump back on the ap for now. You have a lot of life changes coming up and you don't want to start med reduction until life is a little more stable. I know you're frustrated but nows not the time. Wait until you have worked a couple of weeks and you decide what path you're taking your marriage. If there's something wrong with your ap take it prn right now until you see your dr. The fact you're restricting and compulsivly exercising is a withdrawal symptoms you don't want to ignore, especially with children around. It's easy to say **** it when tons of things are changing but that's the time it's the worst idea. I'm the last person to say stay on meds for good but until you have a better support system or life is less caotic restart the meds. Is there any reason besides frustration you want to stop the meds? Please at least wait until you can talk to your therapist. The last thing your family needs right now is a mixed episode.

[zepchic]

I hear you. I just feel like I have successfully gone off of it, so why start again. IDK, part of me thinks I can go back to being unmedicated for another 10 years. I'm don't think the compulsive exercising and food restriction are withdrawal symptoms. I think they are stress management symptoms because I had them even on the meds sometimes. Thanks for responding.

[zijax]

I think if you were truly manic like I get, you wouldn't be able to slow down and post here. I think being sober is insane and I too am insane and sober. Good for you. Sometimes all I can do is not reach for a drink. And that is successful living for me.

I use food restriction as a coping mechanism too and have coupled it with compulsive exercising in the past. I relate to that for stress management. Hang in there, thinking of you.

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[pirilin]

For all is worth, I start doing one thing and jump to the other, and the other... never finish anything unless I'm closely supervised. I don't think is mania, I do it more when depressed.

[MusicLover82]

If you're wanting to be off meds, a natural supplement that REALLY helps my hypomania is Bee Pollen. On a hypomanic day, I'll take 1,000 mg 2x a day. I've started taking it with food because I think it irritates my stomach. But it's not worth stopping taking it completely for me because the stability I get from the Bee Pollen is priceless. Just thought I'd throw this idea out there if you want to try something natural. I also take a lot of meds, too, but the Bee Pollen just helps stabilize me on my hypomanic days.

BP 2 and OCD/ GAD. Taking Lithium, Latuda, Trileptal, Risperdal, and Xanax.