Coming off meds/depot

MunchBox · 23-05-2018, 01:25 PM

I'm on the Depixol depot and have been for 4 years. I've been trying to get off it for nearly 4 years. I was basically given no choice but to go on it from what I remember.

Has anyone successfully come off the depot because from what I've read, people have had to go to extreme lengths to come off it.

I was with early intervention in IP when it was first given to me, everytime I saw my psych I'd ask him to take me off it and he'd say no. After years he finally agreed for 4 weekly instead of 2 weekly, I've been on 4 weekly injections for about 2 years know and I think it's finally time I came of it. I'm well, I'm ****ing good so why won't they listen to me.
I've read on forums of people struggling to come of it even if they're well for years. I've been well for years. Also, I read a NHS leaflet on depots and the cons of it are what is happening to me.

No reviews.
No changing of dose.
The threats.
The side effects but I suppose that's for all anti psychotic meds.

Can someone please help me? My depot is Friday. **** it I'm just going to refuse it.

I'm pretty sure I've made a similar thread in the past but the depot is killing me. I have tachycardia and I'm so so fat. I wasn't this fat til I went on the depot.

MunchBox · 23-05-2018, 07:21 PM

Never mind, I have to have it.

tiptoes · 23-05-2018, 07:27 PM

I wonder whether discussing a longer term plan with your team would be more fruitful. Refusing your next depot might come across as an impulsive emotional response rather than something that you have thought through properly although it is clear from your post is something you have thought a lot about.

HildaOgden · 23-05-2018, 10:32 PM

Hi Munchbox

I went on a depot of Clopixol about 6/7 years ago.

3 years ago I came off it. Was having it every 2 weeks, then every 3 weeks then every 4 weeks.

I came off it because I was doing well and didn't like being injected.

Unfortunately, after 3 months without the depot my symptoms returned and I ended up back on Clopixol tablets and eventually back on the depot.

Please take medical advice before stopping the depot.

MunchBox · 24-05-2018, 09:13 PM

Thank you for your replies.

I guess I'll be on it for at least till therapy finishes, so 18 months. That's what my psychiatrist decided.

Just thought it was my desicion.

I doubt I'd get unwell. I don't know. It's been a long time since I've experienced those symptoms.

Cacoethes · 25-05-2018, 10:36 AM

Do you think maybe you haven't experienced the symptoms for a long time because of having the depo?

Aubergine · 25-05-2018, 10:44 AM

Would you be safe/compliant with oral medication if it was recommended that you take some form of antipsychotic?

I've been on an antipsychotic of some kind since I was 20, so for 10 years or more now. I've said similar to you in the past - that I've not had symptoms for ages, that I'm well now so why take them etc. Every single time I have stopped them completely I have ended up relapsing and getting really unwell.

I know it's rubbish and the depot must be really hard to handle, but if oral medication isn't an option (for whatever reason), then you are best off sticking with it. You know how terrifying being that unwell is and how long it takes to recover.

MunchBox · 25-05-2018, 05:15 PM

I don't know, Beckie. I really don't.

I wouldn't be safe which I why I want pills. I don't care if there's a slight possibility id get unwell because hopefully I wouldn't be in this world much longer. Having pills is just some thing to help me achieve my destiny.

But, I can't tell anyone that irl. Sorry. I had the depot, I know I annoy her becuse every month I tell her I'm not having it and then have and then tell her don't bother coming again and repeat