[Tnao]

I am currently on 20 mg of Abilify. The problem was psychosis but all delusions are now gone. I want to reduce it to 10 next time I see my doctor. I hope he will allow this.
My plan is to be off all meds by Spring.
I don't see why I need to take medication anymore. I am better now and I don't think the delusions will return.
Any advice?

[Can't Stop Crying]

My advice would be to follow your doctor's instructions

[Tnao]

My advice would be to follow your doctor's instructions

Thank you. Yes, i always do. Last time I was there he said just don't go off meds on your own.
But I feel like if he had his way, I'd be on medication for life. He has absolutely zero plan for me and coming off them. So I'll have to push to get off them.
Has anyone else gone off meds after psychosis and if so, did it return? I am really frightened that it could return.

[Simagin]

Originally Posted by Tnao

I am currently on 20 mg of Abilify. The problem was psychosis but all delusions are now gone. I want to reduce it to 10 next time I see my doctor. I hope he will allow this.
My plan is to be off all meds by Spring.
I don't see why I need to take medication anymore. I am better now and I don't think the delusions will return.
Any advice?

Your psychosis has gone because your med, and you think so thanks to your meds. I would also follow your doctor instructions.

[Tnao]

Your psychosis has gone because your med, and you think so thanks to your meds. I would also follow your doctor instructions.

Yeah maybe you are right. Maybe I should just stay on the meds. My life is good at the moment, I am making progress. I don't want to go back to square one and sit there doing art in a day hospital again.
I just really want to be normal again and not on any meds and put the whole thing behind me and move on. I don't know what to do. I'll talk to my doctor about this next time. I definitely want to reduce it to 10 though. Would 10mg be enough?

[Tnao]

It's been a year and a half since I was psychotic and I had the delusions for about one year. I was on olanzipine for that year they were there and when I switched to Abilify they disapeared.

[Loial]

I think the common recommendation is to reduce meds to a maintenance dose for a year after your symptoms clear up & then come off them.
I'm not too familiar with Abilify but I think 10mg sounds right. I'm sure your p-doc will have some advice if you talk it over with them.

Apparently the risk of relapse is much higher if you come off meds straight away. Probably why I'm relapsing now.

[Tnao]

I think the common recommendation is to reduce meds to a maintenance dose for a year after your symptoms clear up & then come off them.

Apparently the risk of relapse is much higher if you come off meds straight away.

Thank you for your valuable advice, this makes me feel a lot better.

[Hobbit House]

I would try 15 mg of Abilify first. Maybe use that as your maintenance dose.

[Tnao]

I would try 15 mg of Abilify first. Maybe use that as your maintenance dose.

Thanks, yeah maybe that would be better but I have 10 in my head for some reason.

[Hobbit House]

I was on Abilify for about 9 years 15 mg was my dose. I haven't had a psychotic episode since. My doctor switched it to Zyprexa only because my insurance wouldn't pay for the Abilify.

[Sometimes psychotic]

My doctor wanted 6 months symptom free before slowly tapering over another 6 months----it worked pretty well I lasted 9 months off meds but relapsed and am back on again.

The current research seems to think that long term outcomes are better for those off meds, but idk if that's due to effects off the meds or that those who are able to get off the meds and stay off are those with a better prognosis anyway?

The only way to know for you, is to try reducing after you've been stable for a while, which it sounds like you have. Some pdocs are reluctant cos they still buy into the idea that psychosis=meds for life, but reassure them that, if things go south, you are happy to remain on them or increase the dose again. 15mg is probably best to start with, then 10mg, and definitely take it slooooooooow. It is better to go slowly and have your body adjust, than just suddenly drop it and have your body scream out because of withdrawal effects which may come across as relapse, and mean that you have to increase again when you wouldn't have if you'd gone slower.

All the best with getting your pdoc on board and starting the taper

*Willow*

[Loial]

Originally Posted by WeepingWillow23

The current research seems to think that long term outcomes are better for those off meds, but idk if that's due to effects off the meds or that those who are able to get off the meds and stay off are those with a better prognosis anyway?

I just mentioned this in roll call...

I found some study that there was a higher prevalence of people becoming symptom free in third world countries without access to APs. I'm quite sure as you say that these people would have had a better prognosis anyway... I do think that meds are definitely necessary for acute phases but when it's completely under control, I see no reason to stay on them for life if you can manage without. That just big pharma trying to make money.

[Tnao]

My doctor wanted 6 months symptom free before slowly tapering over another 6 months----it worked pretty well I lasted 9 months off meds but relapsed and am back on again.

I'm sorry to hear that, I am worried about that too. If I came off them and had to go back on them, I would have to go back into hospital, my doctor is like that. And he was always trying to get me on clozopine when I was there which I definitely don't want.

The current research seems to think that long term outcomes are better for those off meds, but idk if that's due to effects off the meds or that those who are able to get off the meds and stay off are those with a better prognosis anyway?

The only way to know for you, is to try reducing after you've been stable for a while, which it sounds like you have. Some pdocs are reluctant cos they still buy into the idea that psychosis=meds for life, but reassure them that, if things go south, you are happy to remain on them or increase the dose again. 15mg is probably best to start with, then 10mg, and definitely take it slooooooooow. It is better to go slowly and have your body adjust, than just suddenly drop it and have your body scream out because of withdrawal effects which may come across as relapse, and mean that you have to increase again when you wouldn't have if you'd gone slower.

Thank you so much for your kind words Willow. Yes I think you are right and it would be wise to do it slowly. I will ask next time if I can reduce it to 15 mg and see how that goes. Maybe then after Christmas I could go down to 10

[Tnao]

I was on Abilify for about 9 years 15 mg was my dose. I haven't had a psychotic episode since.

That's great, I'm glad you are doing well and are better. How are you finding the Zyprexa? I must say I think Abilify is really good. I don't mind being on it too much. I will never go back on Olanzipine. Such a nightmare; weight gain, not caring about anything ect.

[ickydog2006]

I've tried getting off meds but it always ended with relapse of symptoms. Hopefully it will work out better for you but I would definitely take it slow and be willing to go back up in dose as soon as/if symptoms reappear.

[Hobbit House]

Originally Posted by Tnao

That's great, I'm glad you are doing well and are better. How are you finding the Zyprexa? I must say I think Abilify is really good. I don't mind being on it too much. I will never go back on Olanzipine. Such a nightmare; weight gain, not caring about anything ect.

I've only been back on the Zyprexa for 3 days so...
The last time I was on it I gained 50 pounds, it's sucked. So far it's making me feel a little fuzzy. Though I'm not sure if that's the Zyprexa or the Abilify withdrawal. I hope things work out for you.