[AnAbnormalYoungMan]

i had an acute attack of psychosis two years ago. ive been on ziprasydone ever since. im lonely but mentally much better now,

this medication was giving me trouble with sleep. ( i was on 20mg in the morn and 40 mg at nite as per my doc''s instructions). since im better now. i changed the dose ( without telling anyone) to 0 mg in the morn and 60 mg at nite for 2 months. then 0 in the morn and 40 in the ntie for a week. now im on 0 in the morn and 20 in the nite.

my issues with sleep are almost solved.

dose anyone have an experience with tappering the dose of ziprasydone? (docs or patients)

what are the withdrawal symptoms of ziprasydone?

[Sarah116]

You mis spelled the medication's name but I am guessing you mean Geodon?, that's it's brand name and i think you mis spelled it's scientific chemical name. I have not but have self tapered on Seroquel, I suggest you speak with your doctor because getting off it is more dangourous than getting on a medication, you could get suicidal or your symptoms could get really strong and harsh. Good luck and God bless you!

[AnAbnormalYoungMan]

thanks for your reply and yes it is ziprasidone. the brand you mentioned is not available in my country. also im working outside my home country (the country where my doctor is). i cant meet my doc regularly and he wants to tapper my dose only after he sees me.

i cant wait another 6 months because the drowziness due to this medication is affecting my work and my life in general. thus my decision.

[abilifyguy]

Be careful not to go too fast. Tapering is the way to come off of these drugs, but take time before you come off completely or you could have rebound psychotic symptoms just as a result of the withdrawals.

Maybe you could find a minimum dose that would work out for you to stay on for 3 or 4 weeks. From what I understand, ziprasidone has a short half life which means it leaves you system fairly quickly.

Hope this helps! Good luck!!

i agree with all......taper, taper, taper...........xoxoxo pat

[mark101]

I am no expert but after two years on the medication your brain chemistry has changed to live with the daily dose of that drug.
I hope you fully understand that.All the neurons and synapses.

When you reduce the medication your body/brain will have to try to make itself "normal" again. This might be detectable or might not be.Don't blame some bad luck on the lowering of it.
You will have the usual good days and bad days of life, but the bad day might be worse than normal. Try to tough it out if you can, otherwise you will undoubtedly go back to the usual dosage.

Bad news is that your brain chemistry might be irreversibly changed(after two years) to expect a daily dosage of that drug

someone said you might have thoughts of suicide on withdrawl.
Lots of people(normal and crazy) have those thoughts, the important thing is to remember your own morals and values.

[AnAbnormalYoungMan]

thank you all so much for your perspectives!

im not suicidal. i believe in rebirth so i think killing myself is rather pointless

ive done all the research possible. im going against popular advice and the recommendations of my doc by taking only 20mg a day now; been doing this for the past 3 weeks; i feel more motivated and energetic.

happiness is something that still eludes me; but for now, im willing to settle for sanity.

[abilifyguy]

Good luck! I hope this works out for you. Hope you can maintain well enough at 20mg until you can reconnect with your doctor. Keep us posted.