hello, i have been on a variety of psychiatric medications for about 4 years now. i am about to turn 18 and would like to stop them. i am currently on 150 mg of lamictal, 200 mg of luvox, .75 mg of risperdal, and 15 mg of ritalin. i have heard that the withdrawal can be dangerous but i'd like to know how bad it would be. thank you for your time.
2007-02-08 07:37:48 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
DO NOT STOP YOUR MEDS! I have a friend who works in a group home and this boy stopped taking his meds and now he's telling everyone that Halle Berry kidnapped him when he was 15 and they crashed and he was in a coma for a year then he healed himself and now he's dating her. He really believes this to be true. He also says he's God. He needs more medication- do not stop your meds suddenly. You might ask your doctor if you can slowly cut back your dosage or something, but don't stop them altogether.
2007-02-08 08:43:42 · answer #1 · answered by wrjones559_1999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not familiar with lamictal or luvox, but from these scripts I would assume you are being treated for a non specific mood disorder with either hypermania and/or attention deficit. I know because I have been there. Risperdal is an anti psychotic that I think has little theraputic value. One problem with people who are being treated for these disorders is that they don't stay on their medication. Stopping cold turkey could send you into a manic swing or depression. Check with a M.D. if you want to get off of these and they will most likely change meds and wean you off slowly. Ritalin is the most worthless, it is old school, chemically similar to methamphetamine, there are newer more effective drugs with less side effects, check into the alternatives to Ritalin.
2007-02-08 08:01:12 · answer #2 · answered by Phillip S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only person who can accurately answer this question is your doctor. As far as I know, none of the meds you're on will cause dangerous physical withdrawal, but I'm concerned about the mental effects. I have been on all of the meds you mentioned, and they are prescribed for fairly serious mental illnesses. You need to be very careful, because you may have an episode as a result of ubruptly stopping them. I took risperdal for years, and know that it makes me feel like a walking zombie... Talk to the doc, and tell them how you feel; he may put you on something that won't bother you so much or help you wean yourself off the meds, while teaching you some coping skills. Good luck, and PLEASE talk to as many knowledgable people as you can, so you can make an informed decision.
2007-02-08 07:53:31 · answer #3 · answered by Ralphie da Monkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't address the withdrawal because everyone will react differently, but with the medications you are on, why on earth would you want to stop? Are you feeling better? That's because you are taking meds. Just because you turn 18 doesn't mean you don't need this medication.
Before stopping all meds, talk to your doctor and ask if the dosage can be lowered gradually. You will then be able to see if you feel different, or if symptoms come back.
This is not something to take lightly...you could be putting yourself at risk.
2007-02-08 07:47:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those types pf medications combined can be a serious problem if stopped cold turkey. If you really want to stop...you need to speak the prescribing doctor about discontinuing the medication.
If your current Doctor doesn't want to help you stop. See another physician. In some cases stopping those types of medication can cause severe mental disturbances along with physical symptoms as well.
http://www.lamictal.com/epilepsy/hcp/dosing/adult_monotherapy.html
http://www.whatmeds.com/meds/luvox.html
http://counsellingresource.com/medications/drug-pages/risperidone.html
http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/ritalin.asp
Each one of these site can tell you all you need to know about side effects and any other info you may want to know about each drug.
Since you are taking all of these...Speak to your therapist/psychiatrist about tapering off or lowering dosages.
If you were to just stop taking them..the side effects could end up being worse than why you are taking them in the first place.
I'm not going to tell you not to stop them or attempt to taper off. You are becoming an adult and deserve to make the choice on how to take care of yourself. Just make sure its an informed and carefully weighed decision. Educate yourself as much as possible so that you are able to do the right thing for yourself.
Good luck.
2007-02-08 07:54:56 · answer #5 · answered by Steph 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey...
I can TOTALLY understand the whys of your question look at my name! I personally have been given so many 'labels in my life it suxs!
I can tell you I have been on risperdal (anti Phy...I wont type the rest of it but if your on it you already know what it is probally...no withdrawl)
And ritalin well thats kind of speed so whats going to happen is you will have bouts of tierdness for about a week..
The other stuff IF its an anti depressant which I think it is you may not notice anything for months your seratonin levels may be filled up in your brain depending on how long you have been taking the meds..
Then you will be fine...If you start feeling "blue" trying going to a tanning salon all you may need is some ulta viliot lights VITAMEN K is all you may be lacking...take a multi vitamen each day a brisk walk PRAY GOD BLESS YOU!
2007-02-08 07:53:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
None of the meds you are on will have serious withdrawal effects. However, by looking at the regime you are on, you might be better off staying on them. Plus, you are on really low doses of all these, so I doubt you even notice any side effects about an hour after waking up in the Am. But no matter the reason, you will need to be tapered off of them. Sometimes people get a little whacky when discontining a med.
2007-02-08 07:44:20 · answer #7 · answered by Karter 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that tapper off is best. The luvox and risperdal are strong drugs.
Why do you want to go off them? They were prescribed for a reason.
Talk to you Doctor before you do anything!!!
2007-02-08 08:24:03 · answer #8 · answered by luckylyndy2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've done this and your thoughts can indeed become strange, you know what I mean, and you just need to reject the thinking your mind will do. If you cannot stop your thoughts (By paying attention to WHAT IS, this moment, now).... then they can have the same result as before, and you should therefore start again using medication.
2007-02-08 12:35:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once I stopped my meds cold turkey and I got so sick, I thought I was dying. YOu will experience flu-like symptoms, headaches, etc.
And then once you have gone through withdrawl, the problems that you were taking those meds for will come back.
It's not a smart idea.....
2007-02-08 07:45:34 · answer #10 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋