Should I come off anti-psychotics? or have severe liver problems

[Nitratec022]

Hello.

I have spoken with the liver specialist today about my liver and he has told me I have to come off the anti-psychotic drugs that I am taking. He is going to write to the psychiatric doctors basically to say that if I don't come off them, I am going to have serious liver implications.

My question is, what do you think the psychiatrist will say? Will he still advise me to stay on them, even though I have problems with my liver? What are my rights exactly? Also, if I do end up going psychotic while off the drugs, are they allowed to section me and put me back on medication even though the medication will have a serious effect on my liver?

Thanks

[oneday]

Hi

Just joined the group and saw your posting; and wondered how you've got on to date.

If you're going to be coming off psychiatric drugs I'd suggest checking out the two online resources below (and even telling your psychiatrist about them 'cause I understand that most mental health professionals are given little education regarding withdrawal from these drugs):

1) The 'Coming Off Psychiatric Medication' website: www.comingoff.com (it's put together by professionals and service users/survivors).

2) Mind also produces a booklet that's available to print/download from their website: www.mind.org.uk It's called 'Making Sense of Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs', and you can also buy a printed version from them.

I'm not medically qualified but it's my understanding that a slow and steady withdrawal from psychiatric drugs is the best idea, giving your mind and body time to adjust and less chance of adverse withdrawal reactions and and withdrawal 'psychosis'. Of course if there is an immediate threat to someone's physical health, withdrawal may need to be more speedy but any withdrawal should be carefully monitored and supported by your prescribing doctor.

No one can know what your psychiatirst will say, but of course he needs to protect your health. With regards your rights it may be advisable to contact a mental health legal advice service like the Mind Legal Advice Service - contact details again via Mind's website as above, and/or contact a local mental health advocacy service to advise and support you in your dealings with your psychiatrist regarding this.

Best of luck
Oneday @a time

[intelgal]

Your prob best getting the two doctors to liase with each other. the liver doc should consider the short term and long term implications of just stopping anti psychotics.Make them talk to each other

[pinkmetalgirl]

Yup - getting them to talk together sounds a good idea (stops you from being stuck in the middle)

What would you like to do about the antipsychotics? How do you feel about possibly coming off them?

The resources oneday posted are all great, and really helped me when I decided to withdraw. They'll help you get an idea of how it works from them (although docs should know how to withdraw someone from antipsychotics, in my experience they can be a little heavy-handed and withdraw people a bit too quickly. as as been said before, slow and steady - where possible - is the best way to minimise any rebound psychosis/withdrawal effects).

Check out the Icarus Project's Harm Reduction Guide to coming of psychiatric drugs too - http://theicarusproject.net/HarmRedu...gOffPsychDrugs

As far as your rights go, I don't have any proper answers there. I'd suggest getting an advocate involved (your local Mind assoc should be able to tell you where you can find one). They should know your rights and will be able to support you to make sure you know what's going on.

On a bright note, tho, I've been struggling with the voices/paranoia for a few weeks now and they know I'm off the meds. As long as I'm 'engaging' with them and showing insight, they're reasonably happy for me to stay off the meds. There's been a few times I was worried about being sectioned, but so far its not happened. I rang Mind's legal line (really helpful!) and they said that although it was possible for them to section me, that the legal grounding would have been very dodgy and I would probably have been able to appeal successfully. It reassured me alot.

If you're concerned, get some good advice on it from people that know the mental health act inside out.

Also, if you do come of the medication - what has really helped me is to make sure I have lots of strategies in place to deal with the stress that often triggers things getting worse for me. When I do go through wobbles these things really help keep me get back on an even keel (and I prefer to use them instead of the meds)

Good luck!

x PMG

[Nitratec022]

I really appreciate your posts, thanks.

Well currently I'm on 10mg of abilify (aripriprazole).

And to be honest with you, at the moment I feel fine on it. Got enough energy to play football, not getting any side effects at all now, and I don't feel like pigging out on food all the time like I used to.

Each time I've tried coming off/reducing medication in the past I have always relapsed. So I think I've got to a good level now (and I'm well!).

Also, I don't drink alcohol at all anymore. So that is going to help a lot.

And (off topic), I've been perscribed orlistat (xenical) to help with getting my weight down now. I think once I've got my weight down and aslong as I stay out of hospital, my liver should be ok. It's when they section you and put you on the maximum dose - thats when you start to put on the weight.

Thanks,