[Matalidaandhercat]

I've been in and out of hospital with hearing voices and depression a lot of my life and it was diagnosed as "drug induced psychosis".
I'm currently taking 100mg of Solian/amisulpride and I'm perfectly well the last 4 years, just a little bit angry sometimes at the world but who isn't right.
Only problem is that the medication's side effects are bad - my Prolactin is very high and leading to some overweight issues and no period.

my question:

Is 100mg dose really doing anything for me? or is it just a placebo?

My doctor wants to put me on Quetiapine/Seroquel for less side effects and suggested a dose of 25mg on an ongoing basis (never raising it higher than that)
but I am reading that this medication also will raise Prolactin and has possibly more side effects than Solian/Amisulpride.

I have read about a drug called "Latuda" which does not seem to have the side effects as much but i believe it is not available in Ireland yet but I could go to the UK for treatment.

I would like to go for CBT treatment ... would this help someone that suffers from voices?

Any info is greatly appreciated. There is so much stigma in this country about mental health, it is hard to get info and you are treated like an idiot by the doctors because you suffer from poor mental health..

[Sometimes psychotic]

That dose of Seroquel is very small typically used just for sleep and not psychosis.....do you also have sleep issues?

I've heard good things about Latuda also but if you're worried about weight there is also abilify and geodon....I highly recommend abilify if you can tolerate it....especially in your case because it doesn't raise prolactin in fact you can give it along with other meds to reverse the prolactin effect.

The only way to know if you still need meds is to slowly taper and try a med free period....that can take months.....if you're unhappy with your current med better to switch and then taper off.

[Loial]

Originally Posted by Matalidaandhercat

Is 100mg dose really doing anything for me? or is it just a placebo?

I believe that is quite a low dose. I was on 500mg of Amisulpride split between morning & night a couple of years ago.

Having said that, I believe lower doses are better for negative symptoms & may help any depression you have. I can't remember what dose I needed to quiet my voices somewhat but I suspect it was around 300-400mg before that happened although it varies for everyone. I seemed to remember reading 400-800mg was the recommended dose for treating positive symptoms like voices or delusions although I may be wrong.

I think considering a med change would be a good idea but as Sometimes says that is a very low dose. Why not suggest Latuda & ask about your dosage in terms of your symptoms when you next see your p-doc...

Good luck

I've heard great things about Latuda, Abilify too. Abilify also seems to help with depression. Personally, I take Geodon and I have no weight gain and it handles my psychosis flawlessly.

They use Abilify in Ireland. I was on it for a bit but had to go off it due to dystonic side effects. Seems to have good reviews from a lot of people though, could be worth a try.

[insilence]

from reading and my own experience i think the whole illness or whatever it is, is a placebo in a way. So many different people are on many different types of meds, all with a success rate. that tells me each person could be a placebo and the med would work.

The dose you are on are well below therapeutic dosages for psychosis. It is quite possible you have taken this dose and have it work as a placebo.

25mg of seroquel is the lowest tablet form you can get. Its unlikely you will get many side effects from such a low dose, besides sedation of course. It will not help with voices or depression at this dose.

CBT is great for all mental illness in my opinion, it can help with a variety of symptoms.

Are you off the drugs that induced psychosis now? Drug induced psychosis is not always a life sentence to mental illness. If you are clean you may well be fine off the meds too.

[justmeandmyhead]

I'm currently not on medication after I came off it against the advice of my cpn. I was on an extremely low dose and believed that it was a placebo effect. Since coming off I've been fine for 2 months.
In the end it's up to you if you want to take the medication.

[Goldcrest]

CBT can help with voices and psychotic symptoms. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness are also used. There is also a lot of info available if you want to find ways to deal with voices without drugs, Google Hearing Voices Groups and Intervoice for starters.

[KUREHA]

I'd ask for abilify - that's what I am forced to take, but at least it's the one I chose.

CBT for voices - it would be worth a try, especially if you get a good psychologist.

[Matalidaandhercat]

Thanks so much everyone for all of your responses.
Since I posted, I've come off the 100mg of Solian and the doctor put me on 25mg of quetiapine/serequel. She mentioned that it might make me very sleepy and said I could take 25mg or 50mg, but to start on 25mg and see how sleepy I am on it.
The first evening I took it it knocked me out. I have been on it 5 days now and immediately once I take it or after 20 minutes I feel sleepy so only take it once I am going to bed.
I feel quite happy on 25mg.. but I can't imagine it is doing anything apart from making me sleep. I don't have sleeping issues unless I have been pyschotic in the past and the voices would keep me awake in terror.
I am happier to take the 25mg than to not be medicated as I am so fearful of the voices returning, plus I find the meds do help with my mood somewhat.
I will try 50mg some night soon when I don't have to be up for work the next morning, in case I sleep out
Thanks for the recommendations for other meds also. I will note these in case there are any side effects from Serequel/Quetiapine in the future.

I hope you all have a beautiful day <3 Stay well x

[Matalidaandhercat]

I will think about therapy (cbt in particular) and yes I would need to find the right therapist.
When I am feeling well often I'm not sure why i would bother to go or what I would discuss at therapy. I'm generally quite happy.. Perhaps I should ask any prospective therapist if they think they could fix it so that the voices wouldnt' return or figure out why I was hearing them, drug induced yes but other people aren't affected so.
No I've been drug free for the 4 years or so now and have no intention of ever dabbling in drugs again. It was only grass I smoked occasionally the last time that had me admitted to hospital. I am in a much better place now

[Sneezyyy]

That is a low dose I was on 800 mg of seroquel