Anyone have any stories of being on Haloperidol (Haldol)?

[littleai05]

My wife is on it and seems to have all the common side effects. Although it has kept her psychosis symptoms from manifesting.

[openeyes]

I took this during postnatel psychosis. It is now in my advance directive never to take it again as I found the side effects intolerable. My preference is for newer atypical anti psychotics as I prefer their side effects of weight gain and sedation over restlessness and stiffness. Olanzipine was v effective as an atypical antipsychotic for me. The cost benefit analysis will be different for every individual though as side effects affect people in different ways. Hope this helps!

[EmmiLou Volunteer]

Hi Littleai05,

I have never taken this drug but when I was first put onto an anti-psychotic drug I was prescribed Risperidone. This did not agree with me and I had many side effects from this drug including blurred vision which was terrible and restlessness. The drug did however stop the psychosis. After a few weeks of being on this medication and me complaining a great deal about the medication the psychiatrist agreed to change it. It was changed to Quetiapine (another anti-psychotic) which also had side effects, including weight gain and drowsiness but I was able to cope with these.

Most drugs will have side effects but it depends how serious these side effects are. For me the blurred vision was awful and this was the reason I wanted it to be changed. It is now written in my care plan with the Community Mental Health Team for me not to be given Risperidone again.

If you have any concerns speak to the psychiatrist about the medication. As in my case sometimes medication needs to be changed to find the right one.

I hope this helps. Please contact me if you need anything else.

Em.

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi littleai05,

I've not had Haloperidol before, but was also put on Olanzapine when I had PP in 2009. I was put on something before (not sure what) which didn't do anything for me, but the Olanzapine was actually really good - in that it sorted the psychosis and mania. Unfortunately it really "zonked" me and I was a bit of a zombie for quite a while until it was reduced.

As others have said, everyone is different so even with personal experience of Haloperidol this could also vary between people. Anti-psychotics certainly do have side effects - I put on weight and was feeling very "different" from the drug. This did last until it was stopped but the benefit was huge in that it helped me get well. A difficult balance I know - I hope you and your wife get some good advice from psychiatrists and others about how this can help in the treatment and recovery from PP.

All the best.

[andrea_at_app Volunteer]

Hi Littleai05, I can really only echo what the others have said, in that medication can effect everyone in different ways & the side effects can be pretty awful initially until they settle down. It's a difficult balance & can take a bit of adjusting or a change to get it right so yes, do keep talking to the professionals.

You might find this site useful for info about medications & side effects, particularly if you select 'Psychosis' from the conditions drop down or search for particular medications in the 'Medications' drop down: choiceandmedication.org/ncmh/

I hope this helps & things settle soon. Carry on looking after yourself too, you're doing a great job!