End medication

[Dereksammy]

My 62 year old wife wishes to stop all mental helth medication. Can she safely do so?
See her history below:
1980.
Intense anxiety, suspiciousness, leading up to a mild psychotic episode. Mild schizophrenic behaviour. After attacks: weepy, depressed. Inactive.
Roslyn put on to Melleril, varying doses according to condition.
Melleril made Roslyn very dopey, and we could see that this drug had undesirable side-effects.
Counselling with Psychologist David Jenkins possibly for 6 months
Counselling seemed to have no benefit at all. Melleril- varying doses
Feeling of inability to cope with society, and life. Spells of crying, and feelings of hopelessness.
1982.
Continued anxiety, paranoia, hostility to husband (only during attacks).Suspiciousness, thought disturbances, anti-social behaviour. After attacks: weepy, depressed. Inactive.
Melleril made Roslyn very dopey, and we could see that this drug had undesirable side-effects, including weight gain.
Counselling with Psychiatrist Dr. Lind possibly for 6 months
Counselling seemed to have no benefit at all. Melleril- varying doses
Feeling of inability to cope with society, and life. Spells of crying, and feelings of hopelessness.
1982 to 1995
Condition now stabilised, with occasional outbreaks being controlled with increased doses of drug Melleril.
Melleril made Roslyn very dopey, and we could see that this drug had undesirable side-effects, including weight gain.
Script renewals with GP.
Unable to cope with normal social integration.
1995 to 2002
Fairly stable condition now. Leading a more normal life, but life still lacks direction. Still anti-social. Particularly inactive and sits doing nothing for long spells.
We decided to see Psychiatrist in Durban to see if there was an alternative drug to use. Dr. Futter.
Changed drug to Risperdal.   Dose initially 1 to 2 mgs daily reducing to 1 mgm, daily.
Definitely fewer side effects with Risperdal. Very low dose seemed adequate for a long time.
2002.
Tried to reduce dose as low as possible and to phase out.
Current attack started after being off drug completely for 2 months, and having gradually phased it out. Symptoms were suspiciousness and aggressiveness to husband.
7th August Dr. Kim Domingo. Thyroid blood test taken. (Test normal).
Domingo says continue with Risperdal. 4mgs daily. When condition settles, reduce gradually. Reduced dose to 3mgs 30/08/2002. One week later to 2 mg daily till present time (7/2/2003).
2003 to 2004
Stable. No aggression or other symptoms previously seen.
Totally stable in spite of stress of selling farm Roslyn had lived on for 36 years. Also re-located to Johannesburg.
2 mgs Risperdal daily, continuous.
Dec-04
Re-evaluation
Dr. Kim Domingo. Visited to update script. Discussed going off Risperdal. She said not good time as re-locating.
She suggested stay on 2mgs per day and then gradually reduce to 1 or 2mgs.
Roslyn's daughter also had triplets and she very successfully looked after one of them for 6 months (24/7)
Sept 2004.
Husband now feels that condition totally stable for two years. Roslyn herself feels that the drug is now doing more harm than good. Very overweight, and feels mentally and physically surprised by the drug. Zero libido. Roslyn herself now wants to get off the drug.
Current dose is 2mgs daily.  Have now been on Risperdal treatment continuously since 1995.
Oct 2004.
Risperdal dose reduced to 1mgm per day from 4th Oct 2004.
18-Oct-04
No new symptoms. Concerned about overweight and lethargy. Not sleeping so heavily, and not so knocked out with 1 mgm Risperdal.
Visited Psychiatrist Karen van Wyk.
Dr. Van Wyk suggested changing drug to Solain 200mg daily. Gradual change, and keep on with Risperdal whilst introducing Solain.
08-Nov-04
No change.
Karen van Wyk.
Change-over to Solain 200mg complete.
No change.
22-Nov-04
Check up
Derek went with to see Karen van Wyk.
Increased to 300mgs per day.
Sore stomach, constipation. Only yoghurt reduces symptoms.
01-Feb-04
Dosage reduced again to 200mg daily.
No problems. Excessive sleep only.
27-Feb-08
No problems. Been on diet since 22 May, 2007. 22kgs lost to date. Now 94kgs.
No unusual mental symptoms now since August 2002.

[Crystlas]

I do not know if you did insult him or not, I was referring to teasing him about his reader's digest posting! Yes, it is long, but he is trying to get the best info. he can to help his wife and reached out on here.  Therefore, I was telling you not be be a jerk (in a kind way)   ;0)

[shawn47]

Sorry if i insulted you Dereksammy!  I certainly didn't mean it that way.  It's not like i called you a jerk or anything.

[Crystlas]

Shawn, don't be a jerk!  

[shawn47]

Dude, could you post the Reader's Digest edition?

[Crystlas]

I did not feel like reading that huge post, sorry..however it is advised that she only quit meds under a doctors care.  That is the recommendation for anyone with any mental illness. Also, since she is older and has been on them for so long, it could be dangerous.  The reason she is having no serious symptoms since 2002 is because of the medication, it is doing its job!