Withdraw from meds

[bravesurvivor411]

has anybody ever had withdrawal symptoms from antipsychotic I've had insomnia headaches nausea shakiness. I wonder how long it will last my psych Dr doesn't think that it is withdraw.

but it sure feels that way to me!

[andrea_at_app Volunteer]

Hi atrautman,

Yes I had withdrawal symptoms stopping antipsychotics after 2 years. It was a while back now but I remember them being fairly awful for about 2 weeks - but the relief coming off them definitely outweighed the discomfort so I saw them as positive things in a strange way. We're all different though & different meds etc. so others might have different experiences.

I had a lot of dizziness, headaches & a strange thing with my eyes being slow to focus & I remember the shakiness too but it was mainly in the 1st week & it eased up in the 2nd - after that I remember feeling totally fine. My dose was gradually reduced leading up to stopping completely so it was a gradual, slow thing which worked very well. Have you done yours gradually? I think it's a time when you can feel quite fragile so it's definitely a time for extra self-care, getting plenty of rest, doing nice things etc. Well done for coming this far!

[bravesurvivor411 in reply to andrea_at_app]

Yes we tapered down over two weeks. I dont feel manic so I dont know why my psych said its not withdraw?

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi atrautman,

I was reduced off my antipsychotic medication over 3 months and wasn't on a huge dose to start with, but I definitely noticed the first drop in dose. Nothing too bad and it didn't last long (maybe a week) but headaches, dizziness, extra drowsy again and just odd. My psychiatrist had said I wouldn't notice any kind of side effects but I think it's only to be expected, you've got to adjust back from levels your body and brain has got used to. I felt absolutely fine after that initial drop in dose.

Hopefully things will settle down soon. Look after yourself.

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi atrautman,

I was lucky, I don't recall the reduction in dose affecting me negatively, it may be due to which medication you take I guess. I was happy that it was reducing though, which I'd waited a long time for, so that possibly outweighed anything for me. It shouldn't be lasting a long time though, so I'd maybe suggest discussing it at your next Psychiatrist appointment, or requesting one if it's not for a while. Your GP may also be able to help.

Thinking back, I did have some migraine type headaches which I went to the GP about and he prescribed me Ibuprofen or something like that. It was possibly around the time of my anti-psychotic reduction but I'd never made the link to be honest. I was pretty tired and headachey a lot around that time, and with the recovery from PP and a baby to look after, I think that's what it got put down to.

Hope you get some answers and it's better for you soon anyway. Take care, x