Thinking About Going Cold Turkey Off Both Of My Meds.

[rich_93]

Okay so I have decided to go cold turkey off of lexapro and respiridal. It seems like I can handle my symptoms of ptsd a little bit better without them. The reason why I'm doing this is because I'm always numb emotionally and just don't feel myself.

I think if I didn't take them anymore I would have my motivation back and my sense of feeling normal without taking them. I cant really remember how I felt when I wasn't on them I guess its because both medications put me in a state where I cant remember important things.

The meds I'm taking don't really help me like they should anymore and I really don't wanna be put on something else cause then that means more side effects. The only time I noticed that they were helping me was when I first started taking them they never gave me the opportunity to feel myself, all I really was when I was on them was an emotional wreck because I can't enjoy conversations and I feel like I can't relate to anyone. I don't wanna keep being in this same predicament.

I have been this way ever since I was put on the meds at first, I don't really wanna talk to my therapist about this because I know what she's gonna say. I'm the only one that knows myself and I don't wanna hear her oppinion because she's a doctor and doctors want you to be on the influence of their medications.

Any advise on how to approach this would be very appreciated!

 

[nicoleanne06]

I'm going to advise you not to go off your meds cold turkey and not without doctor supervision....

 

[nursenurse]

I am not allowed to strictly give medical advice, but I will echo what the previous poster said. I respect your decision to go off, but it should be done gradually. I'm out.

 

[joeylittle]

Just joining the choir. Make your choices about medication - but just quitting cold is gonna give you a world of hurt, whereas being supervised will make it much less traumatic for your system.

 

[Barberian]

I'm not a medical anything, just a layman. You might want to consider reading up on SSRI withdrawal syndrome before going cold turkey.

One link - SSRI discontinuation syndrome < --- Wiki link

 

[digger]

You have more chance of getting off them successfully if you taper rather than just stop.

 

[BloomInWinter]

I've never known someone who went off these cold turkey without serious side effects. I'd never do it myself.

 

[BeatenMan]

Bad idea rich, Ive done it both ways. First time I went cold turkey, I was a total mess mentally and had all sorts of medical issues. My legs swelled up to the point that I couldn't get boots off, had all sorts of weird stuff going on . The second time I tapered and I feel much better now off of the meds but the taper is the way to go. Only takes a few weeks.

 

[Caterpillar]

You should step down off the medication slowly and do it one med at a time (I'd start with the Risperdal since this is more likely to be causing your numb feelings). Otherwise you're just asking for problems.

 

[Hashi]

I have decided to go cold turkey

Why cold turkey? As opposed to pacing it?

I can't see any reason in what you say why it has to be cold turkey. Could you explain?

 

[xena21]

I agree with going off but at a tapered amount. I have tried going cold turkey myself and it was a mess. I have seen a very unsuccessful decrease in medication where my cousin died from taking himself off medication too quickly. I believe it can be done, but it should be regulated and done slowly. Definitely not cold turkey. When I did it myself I almost died. Please heed these threads and take yourself off slowly.

 

[rich_93]

Thanks for all of your replies it means alot. The reason why I wanted to go through with this was because I couldn't stand the side effects especially the numbness in emotion. I am now taking them both together at night and I notice when I take it my mouth is kinda dry and depression but I've felt these when I was first taking it now I'm going through it all over again. Hopefully I didn't mess anything up cause I'm gonna try to wean myself off like most of you had said to do.