Wonderful.Cheese Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I saw my pdoc and she prescribed Haldol (5 mg, 3 times a day....to start). If it helps a lot then we are ditching either Seroquel XR or Abilify. The other options were: lithium, depakote, or clozaril. But she feels my psychosis is causing the depression so maybe try adding and replacing an AP. She said it would be calming. She said it might cause permanent movement disorders. And I've always been terrified to try a typical AP. Never tried one. Well the pharmacy had to order it. So I don't get it until tomorrow afternoon. But I'm freaking out. I haven't had a med change in years. And am I really that bad off? (Although a random client at the clinic said to me, "having a rough go of it, are you?"...so....????). Do I look that "paranoid" or freakish? Maybe I do! IDK. I don't want movement disorders. I would kill myself. Can anyone help me feel ok or calm about this possible switch???? Anyone tried Haldol? Do I dare even try it??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 IF you get a movement disorder, there are meds you can take to help with that. When I started loxapine I had a 4-5 days dyskinesia (or whatever) that went away on its own. But I love - LOVE - my typical. SO much so that I just got the okay to drop Saphris today. I was scared of typicals too and now I just wish I'd tried them sooner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I was on Haldol for over a year, at 10mg. It was very helpful, but it just stopped working, and my psychiatrist wouldn't go any higher on the dose. Cogentin really helped my stiff muscles and shakiness. Nothing was permanent in that sense either. I'm on Seroquel, Invega, and an older AP, Loxapine, and I don't really shake as much and my muscles are usually relaxed. Anyway, good luck to you, Cheese! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I think you should give it a shot. The thing is with movement disorders, even the dreaded TD, they don't have to be permanent. If the offending drug is stopped early enough the movement disorders often clear up on their own. Permanent movement disorders are pretty rare. They were more common years ago when dosages were much higher. Now the psychiatric community has realized that doses a fraction of what they used to be are just as therapeutic. So if I were you, I wouldn't worry about it too much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana Smurf Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 (edited) I had a movement disorder with writhing facial movements as well as other tics, and the perphenazine was stopped, and it went away. I am taking a low dose of another antipsychotic and it is not reoccurring. Edited November 1, 2016 by Banana Smurf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeremonyNewOrder Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Cheese, this is just my personal opinion from my experience. I think you are an excellent candidate for clozapine (you have tried other APs but still have symptoms). In my humble opinion, Haldol should only be used short term, in order to stabilize someone who is severely manic or psychotic. When I was given haldol, I got intense muscle stiffness and was grinding my teeth. Very nasty stuff. Although, clozapine is a pain in the ass to take it has a great track record. My only side effect is sleepiness in the morning and trouble waking up. I'd say it has reduced my psychotic symptoms by 70-80%. Good luck with whatever you try. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I used haloperidol 5mg 3 x daily for about 3 months. I really liked it. unfortunately I cannot comment on the long term effects. however I do remember my aunt who had schizophrenia was on it for decades without any problems. she also took cogentin so that probably helped. All the best Cheese 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teh Gaben Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I've been on and off haldol for years now and have found it very beneficial. I get zero side effects from it (no muscle stiffness, involuntary movements etc) and have found it to be pretty good for my paranoia, although not my voices. I'd definitely give it a try if I were you and if it dosn't work, switch to clozaril. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonderful.Cheese Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 Ok. Thank you guys so much. I'm still worried but feel a little better. I will try it but maybe with the goal of a short term trial until I am feeling better. Then off of it then back on again later if I start having issues again. I don't think I can commit to it long term, I'm too worried. Next try will be clozaril (if this fails) , which scares me too. But has good potential to be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonderful.Cheese Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 I took the first dose of 5 mg of Haldol and nothing bad happened. I feel oddly calm. Not too tired either. I'd love to take only one AP and only resort to Haldol for short term if I get very psychotic or very manic. We will see what happens I guess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 1 hour ago, Wonderful.Cheese said: I took the first dose of 5 mg of Haldol and nothing bad happened. I feel oddly calm. Not too tired either. I'd love to take only one AP and only resort to Haldol for short term if I get very psychotic or very manic. We will see what happens I guess! That's great cheese. It had a calming on me too. I only take it alongside my other medications when very manic Good luck with it!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HumorousCrusty Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Keep us posted Cheese Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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