Posted by Trans-Human on January 19, 2009, at 3:45:40
In reply to Re: Amisulpride Withdrawal? » Trans-Human, posted by Sigismund on January 19, 2009, at 2:00:31
> >Around 3 years ago I dropped it to 175mg; which I am still on.
>
> I've never taken this drug, though I have wondered if low doses (50mg/d) might help me.
>
> So I can't be of much use, but I am curious......
> What do you think you would feel like if you dropped to say 150mg/d?Hi Sigismund
The last time I went through a full withdrawal off this med; things appeared more or less OK right down to 50mg. It was going below 50mg that I started to get unmanageable anxiety, lack of sleep & beginnings of psychosis.
One psychiatrist has informed me that 50mg is not a "therapeutic dose" - but we are all very different in our make ups; & some people can be very sensitive to these drugs & others not so.
Last year & the years before I have had a few attempts at reducing to 150mg & I haven't felt well doing so & re upped the dose. It is very strange. Whenever I reduce this med I appear to have raised stressful events in my life. Almost as if the Universe is conspiring against my withdrawal attempts. LOL. It could of course just be that I am more aware & sensitive to stress when I reduce.
The last time I tried dropping to the 150mg; I got absent minded about the tablets in the first week & forgot to take them for 3 days. I felt psychotic & re upped the dose.
I am well aware of the "symptoms", & very careful around not being ill again through; what I put down to - a withdrawal reaction.
It is hard to describe what it is like - it is like I go within my mind; & detach completely from the "outside" or external World; as if there is a Universe in my head - I can get into similar states when I don't sleep. I had a sleepless night a while ago; & it was almost as if I was on LSD - I had to take "street" valium to take the edge off it. Which is why I now have access to olanzapine; from the psych, for these "off days". Although I haven't as yet needed to take any.
The last complete withdrawal I went very much "within". I was having blackouts & months is missing from that time (no alcohol or drugs was taken), I was in a state of virtual catatonia, & could not communicate anything to other people. I couldn't sleep, was incredibly paranoid, & was totally overwhelmed by everything. The last thing I want is to end up back in any state like some of the ones I have been in on previous withdrawals - But, I do put a lot of these experiences down to a withdrawal effect.
I have wondered recently about dropping to 150mg & managing any "symptoms", or effects which come up with sleepers & limited doses of olanzapine - but somehow that doesn't seem sensible.
Ideally it feels like' that the best chance to attempt a successful reduction or withdrawal, would be to be in the circumstances of having a lot of support around me. As things stand I live alone & independently. I have some good friends & a supportive & loving family, but very much I have stresses & responsibilities in every day living. Just on a practical level there is keeping the the flat clean, the washing, cooking & bills, making effort to get out & be around people etc. If I could at some point in the future have the opportunity to work through stuff without the pressures of everyday living & these responsibilities - then maybe a withdrawal would be easier. I do also think that a focus on physical health & exercise would help me enormously with things. As things stand; I do very little, & chain smoke.
Thanks for your message.
poster:Trans-Human
thread:873878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20081229/msgs/874891.html