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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 30, 2010, at 18:01:41
I imagine you all are going to hate me for this after my anti-psychiatry rants/posts...anyway, is there a place for strictly as-needed neuroleptic use?
My problem is this: I hate neuroleptics because although they help in the short-term, I just can't deal with them in the long-run. At effective doses, they help with mania, agitation, whatever short-term, but then the longer I take them, the worse I get. I've heard this called "de-activation" and the "tranquilizer psychosis." Basically, I get lazy, apathetic, dysphoric, dull, so on and so forth..and this is on a low-to-normal dose of Abilify, which is the only neuroleptic I've been able to tolerate for any extended period of time.
What am I to do? I was spacy and freaking out the other day, so I took 7.5mgs. That kind of helped. Still having problems yesterday--almost a full-blown freakout--so I went all the way up to 30mgs, figuring I'd do what mental hospitals do--start the dose kind of high, work down. No Abilify today, so far; I feel OK. I feel calm, not sedated or dull.
The problem is the longer I stay on the Abilify, the worse I feel. I go from treating legitimate issues to creating a new set of equally troubling problems. I mean, yes, I stop mania, but I also stop my initiative and drive.
What to do? I've heard that some schizophrenics do this--they take meds as-needed, then stop. How do I know how much to take, and how long to take it?
Posted by linkadge on June 30, 2010, at 19:00:37
In reply to As-needed neuroleptics?, posted by Christ_empowered on June 30, 2010, at 18:01:41
For starters, I am antipsychiatry too. But, that being said, I am still here on this board.
Although I think there is a lot of potential danger with psychiatric medications, I think there is some value, otherwise, I wouldn't be here.
Anyhow, I use antipsychotics, low dose, of a drug like perphenazine on an "as needed" basis. Usually I take it together with 500mg of vitamin C, which seems to improve the anxiolytic effect and prevent any withdrawl like rebound.
Linkadge
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 30, 2010, at 20:13:10
In reply to Re: As-needed neuroleptics?, posted by linkadge on June 30, 2010, at 19:00:37
thanks..how much perphenazine do you take at a time? I've actually considered getting some, somehow. Abilify is cool in that there's no EPS and occasional use doesn't cause any emotional problems, but it kind of would be nice to have something that had a bit more sedation involved.
However, I'm about to re-start my niacinamide use. I'm thinking 6grams daily, divided into 3 doses of 2 grams each. Each dose will be accompanied by a 1 gram capsule of vitamin c. I will also be taking vitamin e, selenium, a multi-vitamin, and a b-100 tablet.
Posted by linkadge on June 30, 2010, at 21:04:32
In reply to Re: As-needed neuroleptics?, posted by Christ_empowered on June 30, 2010, at 20:13:10
I personally don't do well on b-100. Vitamin C agrees with me, as does magnesium, but not the general b complex. Its kind of a mixed effect.
For perphenazine, I ususally take 1/2 - 1 of the 2mg tablets. Perphenazine is slighly atypical, in that it has affinity for 5-ht2 receptors. Its good for sleep and agitation.
I don't get any dysphoria. I get a little sedation, but morning coffee helps that. Overall, I don't know why its not used more often. I like it better than seroquel, and it seems to offer more consistent sleep than say amitriptyline. I don't feel as yucky on it as with the atypicals.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on June 30, 2010, at 22:22:22
In reply to Re: As-needed neuroleptics?, posted by linkadge on June 30, 2010, at 21:04:32
That's the med Zyprexa the poster also uses and likes. Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk2010 on July 3, 2010, at 12:16:06
In reply to As-needed neuroleptics?, posted by Christ_empowered on June 30, 2010, at 18:01:41
>............anyway, is there a place for strictly as-needed neuroleptic use?
Yes, definitely, but only for those with sufficient insight to make it possible. For chronic schizophrenia, for example, it just isn't going to work.
This is the end of the thread.
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