[shootmenow]

I've been slowly tapering off an antipsychotic drug (5-7%/month). I'm doing this without my pdoc's input. Down to 0.05 mgs. day. Feel fine, no major withdrawal symptoms so far just haven't slept as well past two nights. I'm worried about getting TD if I stay on any longer which is one reason I want off this drug. Also, I don't have psychosis and don't need this stuff. No one ever told me about TD. I found out about it by researching the drug.

What are the chances of getting TD when you've been on an atypical antipsychotic for over 3 years? What's the ratio? How long after being on this drug do you get it and from what I can tell, it seems to happen if you've been on high doses and/or have been on it long term. What's long term? What are the early signs of TD? Sure could use some support.

What's your take on making this taper a success? Hoping to be off by Christmas or can I aim sooner?

[ThingWithFeathers]

My only take on making this taper work in a safe way is to include your pdoc or doc in the process. I sincerely hope that you come off the med the best way for you. I'm sorry I don't have answers to your other questions. I too am on APs but am yet to try coming off them. I hope someone else can answer some of your questions.

[shootmenow]

Originally Posted by ThingWithFeathers

My only take on making this taper work in a safe way is to include your pdoc or doc in the process. I sincerely hope that you come off the med the best way for you. I'm sorry I don't have answers to your other questions. I too am on APs but am yet to try coming off them. I hope someone else can answer some of your questions.

The thing is I've read TONS of literature on how to conduct a safe taper and am following the protocol. I feel great so far and don't experience any psychosis, hallucinations or anything else. I'm just afraid my pdoc would try to keep me on the drug which is why I'm doing this on my own. I doubt he'd even have me reduce as slowly as I have been if he agreed. I know my own body and psyche very well. Tapering down in very small amounts every 4-6 weeks is the way to go to getting off psychotropic drugs I think. If being on them benefit your condition, then that's another story you should stay on them.

[optimistic_dolphin]

i have been on atypical anti-psychotics for years and several together but i never had TD. it depends on the particular drug you are on. u can discuss with ur dr. if he agrees, that's great. it's safer too. if not, you are still doing it on your own so no difference from what you are doing now.

Originally Posted by shootmenow

I've been slowly tapering off an antipsychotic drug (5-7%/month). I'm doing this without my pdoc's input. Down to 0.05 mgs. day. Feel fine, no major withdrawal symptoms so far just haven't slept as well past two nights. I'm worried about getting TD if I stay on any longer which is one reason I want off this drug. Also, I don't have psychosis and don't need this stuff. No one ever told me about TD. I found out about it by researching the drug.

What are the chances of getting TD when you've been on an atypical antipsychotic for over 3 years? What's the ratio? How long after being on this drug do you get it and from what I can tell, it seems to happen if you've been on high doses and/or have been on it long term. What's long term? What are the early signs of TD? Sure could use some support.

What's your take on making this taper a success? Hoping to be off by Christmas or can I aim sooner?

I do not advise tapering off any medication without your psychiatrist's knowledge.

As to your tardive dyskinesia (TD) question, what length of time, specifically, is over three years? 4? 14? 24? What is the med and dose?

Unless you've been on a typical (not atypical) antipsychotic for 25+ years, I wouldn't worry about TD.

[shootmenow]

Originally Posted by kindness

I do not advise tapering off any medication without your psychiatrist's knowledge.

As to your tardive dyskinesia (TD) question, what length of time, specifically, is over three years? 4? 14? 24? What is the med and dose?

Unless you've been on a typical (not atypical) antipsychotic for 25+ years, I wouldn't worry about TD.

6 years, Risperdal. Was on 2 mgs. now down to 0.05 mgs. My doctor wouldn't agree. I don't agree with his diagnosis and am looking at a suit and a new doctor. He wants me on the stuff for life. I feel great so far. I've researched extensive tapering methods and feel confident that it'll work.

Originally Posted by shootmenow

6 years, Risperdal. Was on 2 mgs. now down to 0.05 mgs. My doctor wouldn't agree. I don't agree with his diagnosis and am looking at a suit and a new doctor. He wants me on the stuff for life. I feel great so far. I've researched extensive tapering methods and feel confident that it'll work.

Sounds good.

I mentioned the low risk of TD because my research indicated most data was from rats pumped with huge doses of APs (I certainly could be wrong).

Are you doing a liquid tapering (crushing the tablet and mixing it with water)? I ask because you're taking .05 mgs. Or do you mean .5 mgs?

Regardless, I agree with your motive, and wish you the best. Keep us updated.

[shootmenow]

Originally Posted by kindness

Sounds good.

I mentioned the low risk of TD because my research indicated most data was from rats pumped with huge doses of APs (I certainly could be wrong).

Are you doing a liquid tapering (crushing the tablet and mixing it with water)? I ask because you're taking .05 mgs. Or do you mean .5 mgs?

Regardless, I agree with your motive, and wish you the best. Keep us updated.

Oh, thank you. I meant to write .5 mgs. 1/2 of 1mg. Thank you for your support. I sure will need alot of it. I'm taking the disintegrating tablet.

When it comes to your medication, you know best.

When you feel you have been misdiagnosed, then by all means, search out a better medication and doctor.

I was initially misdiagnosed as Bipolar and put on Lamictal. That took me to the moon. Apparently, a bad reaction to Lamictal, by some, is a good indication that you aren't Bipolar. And then the journey began to get me on the right medication. I'm on Cymbalta and Buspar and it's great.

Good Luck in the tapering.

[shootmenow]

Well I'm down to .5 mgs. Risperdal. My last taper was 12 days ago. Before then I had no w/d symptoms with my other tapers. This time, some presented themselves, not overwhelming but there. I felt brain zaps, waves, sometimes intense, nausea at times and some light headedness. Sleep was still pretty good. In the past 2 days, I've felt great. Crossing my fingers that it keeps up. Will taper again in 2-3 months, another 5-7% off the last dose. Want to take this really really slow.

Can anyone tell me what happens after your final dose after a very slow taper? Do w/d symptoms crop up and if so how long after?

[joshuas-mommy]

I took risperidol and stopped taking it. I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms.

Originally Posted by shootmenow

Well I'm down to .5 mgs. Risperdal. My last taper was 12 days ago. Before then I had no w/d symptoms with my other tapers. This time, some presented themselves, not overwhelming but there. I felt brain zaps, waves, sometimes intense, nausea at times and some light headedness. Sleep was still pretty good. In the past 2 days, I've felt great. Crossing my fingers that it keeps up. Will taper again in 2-3 months, another 5-7% off the last dose. Want to take this really really slow.

Can anyone tell me what happens after your final dose after a very slow taper? Do w/d symptoms crop up and if so how long after?

I tapered off Risperdal, but I wasn't on it as long as you have been.

Are you going to do a liquid taper? I ask because you're currently taking .5 mgs/day, so I don't see how you're going to reduce the dose by 5-7% unless it's a liquid taper (cutting the tablet (is .25 mgs the lowest dose in a tablet?) and mixing it with water).

6 years at 2 mgs/day, you'll have withdrawal symptoms, but they'll be weak and the time between withdrawal symptoms will increase.

You should be symptom-free within 2 months.

I sincerely wish you the best. Keep us updated.

[with or without you]

Originally Posted by shootmenow

I've been slowly tapering off an antipsychotic drug (5-7%/month). I'm doing this without my pdoc's input. Down to 0.05 mgs. day. Feel fine, no major withdrawal symptoms so far just haven't slept as well past two nights. I'm worried about getting TD if I stay on any longer which is one reason I want off this drug. Also, I don't have psychosis and don't need this stuff. No one ever told me about TD. I found out about it by researching the drug.


What are the chances of getting TD when you've been on an atypical antipsychotic for over 3 years? What's the ratio? How long after being on this drug do you get it and from what I can tell, it seems to happen if you've been on high doses and/or have been on it long term. What's long term? What are the early signs of TD? Sure could use some support.


What's your take on making this taper a success? Hoping to be off by Christmas or can I aim sooner?

I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to do this without a doctor's supervision. Maybe since this post is a month old, you have sought help. I don't like doctors or pdocs either but I did it on my own when I was on Paxil and it was the one of the worst decisions I've ever made in my life. The depression that followed my self-directed taper came crashing in like a ton of bricks and I am still paying the price for this FOUR years later. Please, please don't do this to yourself. Sorry to sound harsh but the consequences are awful. I really thought I was feeling fine, like you, and then it caught me totally off guard.

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