Hello,
I was incorrectly prescribed these drugs by a psychiatric hospital and I'm devastated by the side effects. They have literally changed the chemicals in brain and I am emotionally numb, my personality and cognitive function has declined so much - I'm so upset. Does anyone have any similar experience on this?
Anti - psychotics drugs seem to be handed out like candy at inpatient places. I was prescribed Seroquel. It has definitely made me feel more emotionally numb. I wake up feeling groggy. I was on 200mg, now on 150, and I want to slowly get off it altogether.
What were you prescribed it for? Did the psychiatrist tell you why they were prescribing it for you? How long have you been on? Did they add this to another antidepressant?
To cut a long story short, I went to A&E due to self harming, was assessed by a mental health team and told that a home care team would carry out visits to check on well being.
During this time, I received a call from a psychiatrist from a psychiatric hospital (Bethlam) who stated that I would receive on the home visits 'Escitalopram,' Anti anxiety tablets and sleeping tablets. (I had just started Metazapine as I suffer from depression, anxiety and BDD) but I was advised to take the tablets.
On taking the tablets, I was hallucinating, had a racing heart, massive loss of sensation (still got that), numbness and a significant cognitive decline.
I'm so angry because normal tablets do not cause this. I had perfect health before taking them and I'm now in the worst health I've ever been in. My bones hurt and click, my teeth are stained yellow, hair thinned and fell out.
I looked up the side effects and I'm 100% on knowing these are not standard tablets. My boyfriend took one of the sleeping tablets and I've noticed such a change in his personality. Part of him is missing. He doesn't see it but I feel like he is a completely different person now and I'm so upset.
I'm also angry that I took the tablets in the first place. I was in a vulnerable position and didn't really think it through - the drugs should be illegal as they've ruined my life!
That sounds horrible, I’m sorry. Which antipsychotic is it?
This is the problem, all the drugs are listed as standard drugs i.e Zopiclone sleeping tablets prescribed by that particular hospital and not GP. But I've been doing so much research on anti psychotic drugs and they are 100% some kind of nasty anti psychotic drug. Noone seems to believe me! But I am haggard and ill from taking them. I raised it with staff there and they don't seem to care.
Now that you’re out of the hospital, are you seeing a psychiatrist soon? Tell them all of this, hopefully they can adjust the meds so you’re feeling better.
I am on anti-psychotics as I have a schizophrenia diagnosis. For me, they really help in that they keep me out of trouble and from losing my temper (which I needed badly, I assure you). Overall, for me, they are a blessing, although there are many side effects, including people all the time telling me I am "flat." One of the most bothersome things for me is they stop me from speaking my mind when I talk to people in person. I get very frustrated with myself because I keep thinking, "Why the heck didn't I tell this person that?" The meds took away my psychosis, but they also have taken away much of my quick wits or quick thinking. But for me, the alternative is going to jail. If you are not schizophrenic, they are probably not good at all. Anti-psychotics are not for everybody. If you go to an outpatient psychiatrist, you might ask them about them helping you to gradually taper off, but please don't taper off any quicker than your doctor recommends, as it might cause additional problems. It might not be a good idea to give them to your boyfriend, or to anybody else they were not prescribed for. Best of luck to you.
Some antipsychotics will do that to you. They can have really bad side effects. The newer ones have fewer side effects for many people. I've been on lurasidone for years and have few side effects.
I'd ask your doctor about switching to a different drug. You'll find one that works.
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