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Hi all, I had a toxic break in mid 1990s. Was self medicating due to unresolved childhood trauma. I wasn’t coping with how difficult my life had become. I wasn’t making wise choices - but not all of us in our early 20s do… Parents called crisis team and I was told by psychiatrist I had a chemical imbalance and would require endless drugging. I replied I know my life is out of whack - I’d read R.D Laing at uni and asked if there was somewhere I could go to get help sorting everything out properly without the chemicals. “No.” My parents believed the genetics/chemical imbalance myth. I tried stelazine and mellaril but the akathisia was instant and felt awful. I stabilised without them for some time. I had a couple more toxic breaks and in 2003 my parents arranged a forced admission with the same psychiatrist. I was shot in the arse with god knows what. I had bad akathisia and they gave me cogentin. I was supposed to have skin ointment nightly as well but half the time the orderlies just couldn’t be bothered with that even when I told them it was part of the regimen. Not reassuring. After two weeks I was out of there and my father demanded I take the prescription if I was to stay with him. At no stage was a physical done. I would’ve been malnourished to say the least - couldn’t afford decent food. I moved away with friends, took 10mg olanzapine daily and became obese - ugh. It was a pretty relaxing time though, which helped. I was able to return to work. Later on I came back and my mother helped me get diet and exercise happening to lose some weight. Thank heavens I didn’t have an office job then or it wouldn’t have been possible. I lost 30 kgs. Keeping it off is hard though with the olanzapine. I tried risperidone for a couple of years to lose weight but it was of marginal help and was more uncomfortable to take. I asked the psychiatrist since I’ve been stable for many years can we look at getting off. “No.” Do you ever work with addressing the root causes with therapy? “No, we don’t believe it affects this.” I discovered yoga which has been enormously beneficial and I’d recommend to anyone. I wish I’d listened to my aunt and done this when I was first having issues before my break. Exercise is another must. A few years ago I had an abusive neighbour move in next door who beat his de facto and he wasn’t friendly to me either. Somehow my psychiatrist thought this would be a good time to try me on aripiprazole. At first it was liberating as I had much more energy but that rapidly turned into overstimulation and anxiety. I switched back. I moved away from the violent neighbour. The two nice things I’ll say about the psychiatrist are a) he didn’t stack me on multiple drugs and b) he was ok with me setting my own dose…to a point… I was easily able to get down from 10mg olanzapine to 7.5, then 6 2/3, then 5 with a pill cutter within a year. So my script was now for 5mg. After some time I tried 3 1/3mg and it was obviously a no-go zone. I just hung out on 5mg for a bit longer. I found a clinical psychologist who helped me with the usual family patterns, boundaries, spoke to trauma, helped with relationships etc. This has been very beneficial and I drink much less after that. A friend observed “I think you could get off your meds”. I was skeptical but started researching. This was an eye-opener: https://www1.bps.org.uk/system/files/user-files/Division of Clinical Psychology/public/CAT-1657.pdf It was validating my initial understanding that this was all about how I wasn’t coping with trauma, rather than innately ‘broken’. This was the first document I gave to my mother who was initially terrified but is now supportive of me coming off. I discovered Peter Breggin, reading “Your Drug May Be Your Problem” in horror. But it was empowering as well. His book “Guilt, Shame and Anxiety” helped reduce my anxiety substantially. He has a newer book “Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal”, which I also recommend. There is Peter Lehmann’s “Coming off Psychiatric Drugs” too, which is valuable but a harrowing read! I told close friends and some family what I was doing. Having a safety net is the way to go. Over five months I was able to taper down from 5mg to 2.5mg by agitating a crushed tablet in a known volume of filtered water, then removing a gradually increasing portion with a large syringe (no needle!). I came down listening to my body 0.1 or 0.2mg at a time then holding for a few weeks. It was a bit of a bumpy ride but have been able to hold down my job and relationships ok. Not that it’s pleasant or easy, but it is navigable. Thanks Rhiannon for sharing your experience on making suspensions of the compound in water. I hung out at 2.5mg for six months or so. This is the smallest tablet size they sell. My family and friends have been commenting on how much more ‘with it’ I am, able to join them in more nuanced conversations again. This is extremely welcome and I realised how much I’ve been missing despite having a lot of good people and things in my life already. I took my mother for moral support and went to see the prescribing psychiatrist (same one all the way through). I started explaining that I was prediabetic, had high cholesterol, was having (apparently undiagnosable) joint problems and rheumatism, getting allergic rashes (I saw the other day the NPS web site advises people with this reaction not to take this drug!), getting hot flushes and unable to stand heat (pretty hellish in Aussie summers), and more. He didn’t want to hear about my plan - his reaction: “Keep taking it.” I said as if that wasn’t enough, what about TD? He said “Oh, it’s not that bad.” I was glad mum was there as a witness to this appalling advice. I asked him for a script for 2.5mg but he said “It’s too low. I can’t support this. I will not see you any more.” Good riddance! I got the script from my sympathetic GP. Many of these horrid symptoms have reduced or abated with the lower dose. Some remain. Fatigue is a bear. The stragglers are just a waiting game I suppose. My clinical psychologist has been supportive the whole time and confirmed my essential stability during the reductions. Her reaction to that was “well, if he says 2.5 isn’t enough, yet you’re stable, it’s a good sign that you can probably do without it altogether”. I’m now working with a clinical psychologist on the trauma I perceive as the root of all the major issues. If I’ve learnt one thing, it’s that you have to take charge of your own healing. No one else can do it for you. Shop around and find supportive crew who will back you up - they’re out there. Breggin observes that signalling helplessness is what lands you in hot water in this rather unhealthy society. I’m continuing my taper, coming down around 2mg olanzapine at the moment. Thanks to this site I’ve found the importance of the compound taper and have made a spreadsheet to manage it. I'm doing a microtaper - it's going reasonably at 10%/mo for now. It's not comfortable and some days at work are hard. But I know it's worth it. Looking at the receptor occupancy curves for olanzapine I found via this site I can see I’d already be over half way through the dopamine adjustments. That would explain why I’ve got more animated for a bit after each cut. This initially concerned mum but she’s now learnt about withdrawal symptoms. The 5-HT2 curve lies ahead, for the most part. So this could take another year or two - I’ve been poisoned with this garbage for a long time. Better though to ride it gently down and not hammer my body too much, or destabilise my life, for the best chance of a good outcome. Despite every day wanting to be rid of it ASAP. Epsom salt baths and yoga are helping me a lot. Thanks for creating this forum, Altostrata. Before the net, I probably would’ve just concluded 3 1/3mg wasn’t enough rather than learning about the taper, and been stuck.

I'm tappering off invega. I'm literally a zombie with no memories or personality. I wish I could be the same and recover my personality, sense of self, be in the present...

I was looking for something else and ran across these articles. Apparently there has been an association for nearly 20 years now that anti psychotics, especially risperidone, used long term can be a potential cause of pituitary tumors. Recent studies are firming this up and finding an association. Great 🫢 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30531551/ https://journals.lww.com/psychopharmacology/Fulltext/2012/12000/Atypical_Antipsychotics_and_Pituitary_Tumors.1.aspx https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/antipsychotic-drug-may-be-linked-pituitary

Hi everyone Hope this finds you well and glad to join the forum I have been reading on the forum and other resources on how to taper safely the antipsychotic called Invega. This forum has been very helpful and also content on YouTube and research paper from Dr. Mark Horowitz has been also helpful. My dose on Invega was 6 mg, and I tapered to 3 mg and has been going good for 3 days now. I have some withdrawal symptoms like mild dizziness but it is tolerable so far. I know this is a big reduction but I intend to hold this dosage for 1 month to see how I'm adapting and give enough time for the brain and dopamine receptors and my body to heal and recover. I was looking for advice regarding the tapering of Invega. Am I on the right track or should I do something different? Please note that I wish I could do micro-dosing or lesser reductions, but where I live, Invega is only available in 3 mg and 6 mg (I'm actually splitting the 6 mg cause I couldn't find 3 mg in the pharmacy and I know this is not the best way, but I'm glad I found some 3 mg today). There is also no compounding pharmacies or tapering strips or liquid form of Invega here, and the pill is extended release and I guess it cannot be crushed. I hope I can find help here regarding the tapering of Invega, and I'm willing to take it slow and give enough time for my brain and body to heal and to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I would also appreciate if there's advice regarding what diet, supplements or holistic interventions could be helpful to cope with the withdrawal symptoms if they arise, and to heal and recover. Thanks in advance for your help and have a great day

Hi, i am new to the community i was reading and educating my self for a bout a week and just wanted to share my experience and welcome any suggestions and pardon my English as i am not native. i started antidepressant back in 2013 with Zoloft and went through many SSRIs and SSNRIs medication along with Stimulate "Concerta" for my ADHD. i suffered withdrawals from SSNRI the most then shifted to Concerta which was my biggest fault i just understood i was in withdrawal stage and started taking stimulates. i had no knowledge in medication i thought the doctors knows the best than i do which is totally wrong, i had worst symptoms from EFFXOR than any pain in my life for 6 months. most and extra withdrawal i faced psychologically and physically pain that can't be explained and i think you have read about it in the sites. during the withdrawal i went to the doctor and perscripped me concerts as he said you have ADHD, at that time i had no idea what's wrong with me i was dead man walking with no hope in life, i wish i knew your site that time. i quitted the Concerta at once which it was the biggest fall in my life i went into parts and didn't know what's wrong with me. last June i was hospitalized for schizophrenia for 20 days, and start getting Invega Sustenna 100 for 5 months, since then i don't think i am the same person my life have changed totally. i was suffering withdraws from concert plus the new poison "Invega", i read a lot about it and i thought to quit last dose was in October and reduced it to 75 and i quit. now i am taking; - Zopiclone 75 - Lexotanil 1.5 i am fighting withdrawals every minutes on my day i know i jumped too fast but i didn't have the knowledge about tapering the medicine that i have now. it's too late now i have to go further and hope for the best. i would love to know more people with Invega withdrawals and how they're serving as i need advices. many thanks,

Hey, I took paliperidone 13.5 months ago and I think the brain damage was just undeniable. Which is sad. The reason I am writing here is because I pretty much just wanted to state that I feel like a part of my brain is missing

Hi, I hope my signature follows this message. I am going to try again, but this time learn everything I can, and figure a way to reduce by 10% and keep talking to my psychiatrist and get him to support me. Even though he is against it and thinks I should be on an anti-psychotic for life. I don't know how to reduce 10% off of a 3mg dose of Invega. I don't know how to titrate. I don't understand how to work with a compounding pharmacy. All of it seems overwhelming but I want to try and make a definite commitment to learning. My goal is to reduce by 10% every 3 months and do it over 2.5 years. Nice to meet everyone. Thanks for reading my intro. gentlygo

Hello Everybody from the community, I would like to share my story where I was diagnosed with drug induced delusions. I was put on anti psychotics Zyprexa and Invega for 8 months starting January until September. I have quit cold turkey about 2 months ago after suffering from emotional blunting, social withdrawal anhedonia and lost my ability to communicate and socialize. Since then I have not really suffered much withdrawal effects except anxiety which has significantly decreased. However, I still suffer from anhedonia and emotional blunting and cannot enjoy things that I used to in the past. I cannot enjoy music, alcohol, and simply conversations with friends. I used to be very outgoing and enjoyed meeting new people but now I simply do not have the motivation to do so. Will this ever go away? Is two months off anti psychotics enough to judge or must I wait for some more time? Thanks to all

Hello, I am currently having monthly Xeplion (paliperidone) intramuscular injections at the dose of 50mg per month. I have been taking Xeplion for the last 3 years or so with the exception that I tried to cut down and stop with the Ok to try from my psychiatrist but I knew at the time very little if anything about withdrawal and was told nothing and it did not go that well at the end. I first started at the dose of 75mg per month, now I am on 50mg. I would like to cut down and stop (gradually) with a plan but I don't know of any psychiatrists/doctors that are very supportive, understanding and educated about going along with with this and being able to help ease with the prescriptions etc without judging me too much also.. I don't know what is the best way and things to say to my current psychiatrist for him to understand and give me another "chance" again without judging me too much if I decide to stay with him for the time being. Thank you. I have been having Xeplion (paliperidone) intramuscular injections per month for the last 3 years or so. I started on the dose of 75mg per month, now I am on 50mg. I did try to cut down and stop the medication with the ok to try of my doctor but I knew at the time very little if anything about withdrawal and was told nothing and it did not go that well at the end. Before all of this, I have taken psych drugs (mainly antipsychotics, I think) but never for very long periods of time and I did not have any trouble stopping them.

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia two years ago. Im taking invega 6mg tablets every night. In the past i was taking other psych meds but i cut it down to the invega only. I have problems with anxiety and falling asleep when i skip my AP. I am planning on going to psychotherapy so that i can deal with my mental health issues. I want to taper off from the invega but i am not ready to start the process. Im at work every day about 12 hours a day but I have a lack of motivation and i am not productive. Sometimes i do my job but most of the times i sit back and smoke cigarettes. I am involved in a family business. I sell firewood. My dad created the business last year and i have been working non stop since. I am not happy about working every day and such hours but the AP seems to dull my emotions so i dont really care that much. I am troubled by the position that i am in and i want to make changes so any advice or support would be greatly appreciated. I am open to sharing more about myself if you are interested.

New to the community. Joined after reading Schizor's (forum member) story. I'll try & make this short. Hospitalized twice. (For "psychosis"). Once for a month in psych ward (Oct - Nov 2016), second time for a few weeks. (Feb 2017) For the first time, forced to take Risperidone & Abilify. Approx 10mg. After complaining it was gradually decreased down to 1mg. Upon release from ward, through trial & error, stopped one drug, tried the other & vice versa. Eventually went cold turkey off both drugs. Second hospital stay was given a shot of Invega. It seems you guys know the drill .... Zombie like feeling, loss of balance, stomach pain, pounding headache, face numbness, involuntary muscle movements, aches, sore eyes, insomnia etc ... After constant arguments, battles & calls to local pharmacists ... Decided to go off the drugs cold turkey. Again it seems you guys know the drill .... After constant nights of bad withdrawals ( a few weeks or so), kinda - sorta made it through only to still have major insomnia, lack of motivation, no energy, weird thoughts, sensitivity to lights & noise, jerky movements, aggression, a bit of sexual dysfunction & so on. Ladies & gents ..... What now ??? I feel exactly like Schizor did. Only wanna sleep but can't really, only wanna eat but don't feel satisfied, lack of emotion & stone cold thoughts, loss of character etc ..... On top of all this I have legal issues & may face jail time. A nightmare is almost an understatement when it comes to these drugs. It's also caused me to become completely paranoid of any doctor diagnosis, (psychosis !?? ... More like psychosis induced) psychiatrist, hospital, medical help of any sort. Thanks for reading (if ya did).

Hello. I am desperately in need of a doctor who will help take me off the antipsychotic Invega. I need someone in my location which is Las Vegas, Nevada. I would be so greatfull if someone has a recommendation because I have not found a single source online.

Hi. My friend referred me here. She is concerned about all my medications and bad side effects I have been having for a long time such as forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, shaking and dependency. I am on many medicines and have been taking various meds for almost 26 years to control my mood disorder. I have had times of shaking problems. I also have trouble staying focused and concentrating. I used to be a big reader but now it is hard for me to read a whole book. My attention just drifts. I am dependent on them for sleep especially. I wanted to see what this was all about so perhaps can come down off of them without serious consequences.

I was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia because a doctor mistook OCD for schizophrenia I have been taking anti psychotic's for three years. After the mistake was realised my tapering began five months or so ago from 100 ml depot injections I am now down to 50ml and I'm having trouble with withdrawals I am experiencing anxiety, headaches, and a lot more serious problems. I am worried these drugs have had permanent detrimental effects on me.

If you or a loved one was harmed by antipsychotic drugs (such as Abilify, Seroquel, Invega, Zyprexa, or Risperdal) taken while in the custody of the Maryland juvenile justice system, PM me and we'll talk. I am a free-lance writer specializing in medical harm.

After taking the antipsychotic Invega for about two years, I finally decided at the beginning of last year that I wanted to stop taking the medecin. Looking for other people's experiences on the internet, I was guided to this website for which I am very grateful. With the loving support of my psychiatrist, I switched from Invega 3 mg to Risperdal liquid 2 ml. I also decided not to take any supplements because I didn't want any new chemical substances to interfere with the process of tapering off. I tapered off by 10% every two weeks and observed my body's reaction. Overall this was a steady pace my body was happy to handle. About two months ago, I finally managed to stop taking Risperdal. Looking back, it is very important to be mentally strong to taper off because you may not always get the necessary support and to listen to your body and let it guide you through the process and not wanting to rush things. But this, of course, you already all know and therefore I would like to thank you all for creating this website and putting your heart into it. Then there was still the sleeping pill Lorametazepam I was taking, varying from 1 mg to 2 mg. I had already tried several herbal sleeping aids but without any result. I was talking about this to a lady shaman and she told me that I should take the tincture and not the pills because they are also full of chemical substances. She said that my power plant was Lavender and since a few weeks now I take two teaspoons of Lavender tincture in a glass of water and I haven't touched the benzo since. I

Hello, I was put on Risperidone 2mg along with Procyclidine 5mg almost 4 months ago. This was for my panic attacks, anxiety, stress, and racing negative thoughts. Probably all triggered by my new higher astigmatism glasses, breakup, and extreme work stress. When I started Risperidone 2mg, I felt dizzy and really hated the drug. I believe it did work in the first 2 weeks coz my anxiety and negative racing thoughts were gone. My Psych-Doc prescribed me with 2mg in the morning and 2mg before bedtime, which was reduced to a single dose only before bedtime after two weeks. 4 months in, last week, I thought of tapering it off with 2 days gap between dosages and oh my god I felt good, went to the gym and weight training, like my testosterone is back, libido is back in action. Just the insomnia and restlessness was a killer after 2 days felt like staying home. Felt really sick. Now I'm back with the same dose for a week (Everyday 2mg before bedtime), and have to come up with a proper taper-off plan. My 2nd doctor says I have to take it for another 2 months with the dosage as prescribed. I was never violent, never hallucinated, was just anxious, stressful and had bad negative racing thoughts before starting the meds, I came up with a plan along with my pharmacist: 5th Month: For two weeks: 1 day gap between each dose (2mg) For two weeks: 2 days gap between each dose (2mg) 6th Month: For two weeks: 1 day gap between each dose (1mg) For two weeks: 2 days gap between each dose (1mg) I think this plan above will be very harsh. Anyone reading this, your input will be highly appreciated with a proper taper off plan and how to tackle the withdrawal effects. Thanks, Bill