I would like to ask a question in regards to tapering off the following meds. I had a manic episode with psychotic symptoms, about 11 years ago and since then, I’ve been on meds. However, I have reduced my dosage in the past years to the following with the help of an expert: Xanax - 0.125 mg every morning, 0.25 mg every night Cymbalta 30 mg - 3x times/ week, at night Abilify 10 mg - 4x times/week, at night Depakote 500 mg - 5x times/week,at night as well What is the safest way to taper off the meds, and in what order? That’s what I would like to know. I’ve been stable for the past years even though stress caused by Covid, is sometimes an issue and trying to maintain a sleep cycle has helped a lot. I have gained, unfortunately almost 30 kgs, and that also brings me down! It’s not easy to lose weight, even though I eat very healthily and walk 4 km every day. I would like your opinions. Is there any chance of relapse by reducing even more? I do have a doctor but I just believe that I’ll be better off without the meds and want to lose the weight as well, to feel even better. Thank you!
How to taper off meds - in what order?
Question posted by d212 on 2 April 2023
Last updated on 4 April 2023
Answers
You mention an expert is helping you discontinue your cocktail, I believe that would be your Psychiatrist, which is good.
I have been on all the meds you are on but not the antidepressant (Cymbalta). What you are accomplishing is very hard, I personally have discontinued quite a few medications in my life.
I am 54y/o male and suffer from Bipolar Disorder and severe insomnia.
In my experience and after taking in my case many meds I understand what you are going through and empathize with what you are doing and the courage you have undertaken to decide to be drug free, it is a great relief.
In my case, I have, as I shared discontinued meds before but somehow I always end up taking them again, personally my conditions are pretty severe and need to be treated with meds.
With regards to the weight gain (which everyone hates) I do spinning 1 hour a day 6 times a week and eat very healthy so in that area I am ok, but in the past I did gain weight specially with the antipsychotics prescribed to me, Seroquel (quetiapine), Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Abilify (aripiprazole), and a very tough drug, benzodiazepine, Klonopin (clonazepam) in my case.
I did manage to lose the weight which was hard, discontinued gradually the meds as well with the help of my Psychiatrist and I was fine until I had a manic episode and everything came back with a vengeance and had to be hospitalized and be put back on medications.
In my opinion what you are achieving is tough, specially because you have been taking strong and addictive medications (xanax) for some time. My advice to you is to keep going very gradually and do not give up no matter what, but if for some reason you need to be medicated, regretfully you will have to undergo medical treatment with meds if your conditions require so, which by the way you do not mention.
In my opinion the safest way is to be guided by your Dr., keep doing the discontinuation very gradually in order to avoid withdrawals and do not give up.
All the best, masso
Hi there,
thank you very much for replying. I do understand and empathize with you as well and hope for the best, in regards to the meds and your overall condition.
It is very difficult to be honest to reduce these meds as my brain feels like "wired" most of the time and then not. My psychiatrist believes that I can gradually taper off most meds at a very slow rate, so that my brain can get used to it and not have any withdrawal effects.
He is not very pro-medicine, from what I understand but uses them when needed.
I've been told that the dosage that I am taking is not very strong... however I feel that it still interferes with my life, in comparison to the way that I was ..let's say 10 years ago without many fears and much healthier. It is sad because I am only 37 y/o and I worry about my future all the time. In regards to sleep when I take the meds, I sleep for a good 6-8 hours but when I try (out of curiosity) not to take them, I can only sleep for maybe 1-2 hours and then I wake up needing the meds. I feel like if I don't take them, something bad (like another episode) is going to happen, so I always end up taking them. I don't even know if it's bipolar disorder or cyclothymia, to be honest.
Knowing that other people have been through this, really helps me and makes me feel that I am not the only one who is fighting this uphill battle.
I understand what you are going through but do not let that fear drive you, as you mentioned you are not the only one fighting for a better tomorrow, you are a fighter... keep going.
I know exactly how it feels taking low doses and the fear that my brain at one point may collapse, but the fears are only in our heads and if we let them, they take over our lives, and that is no way to live.
All the best, masso
BTW... you are welcome!
Thank you for your kind words and help. We are all fighters in this!
You are right again... you are welcome.
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tapering, psychotic, taper, symptom
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