7 replies to this topic

[Hopeforhealing]

Hello! I'm new here and i'd like to start saying that earlier this year i got misdiagnosed with schizophrenia(long story, don't worry about it) and been forced to take a antipsychotic injection as well as risperidone and quetiapine. I've been off of them for a couple of months now but i still suffer from many symptoms(anhedonia, lack of energy, sexual disfunction, emotional blunting) and i would like to know if it's possible to heal from this or if it's permanent. Are there any success stories out there? Did any drug or supplement helped cure this or only time helps? And no, before anyone says anything, i'm not suffering from negative schizophrenia symptoms. How do i know? Cause i took an AP back in 2009 and i remember clearly suffering from anhedonia while i was on it, except that back then, when i quit, i went back to normal, except this time i didn't, and earlier this year i was doing fine until i took these drugs that i started feeling the symptoms, so i'm pretty sure it's the drugs doing. I want any help guys, living with anhedonia is just hell on a daily basis and i can't stand it anymore. It just doesn't make life worth living much.

-Hopeforhealing

[Galaxyshock]

How long were you on the antipsychotics exactly? It's possible to heal but it may take quite a long time, possibly over a year when it comes to anhedonia. Neuroplasticity is the key meaning the brain can re-adapt back to non-anhedonic state. Have you tried any meds/drugs/supplements/nootropics?

[Hopeforhealing]

How long were you on the antipsychotics exactly? It's possible to heal but it may take quite a long time, possibly over a year when it comes to anhedonia. Neuroplasticity is the key meaning the brain can re-adapt back to non-anhedonic state. Have you tried any meds/drugs/supplements/nootropics?

Took an injection at the beginning of the year and pills for 4 months.(i had to take to leave psych ward) Still feel thick in the head. No thoughts nor emotions and no pleasure in doing activities. Even my dreams have become dulled.

Also, i haven't tried any supplement cause i'm scared they'l rev me up too much. Even coffe feels like death ever since i took these drugs. Th i became neurologically feeble, rapid blinking lights bother me too much like i'm gonna have a seizure.

Edited by Hopeforhealing, 07 September 2023 - 04:49 AM.

[Galaxyshock]

Yeah I'm not entirely sure what to suggest. Second-generation antipsychotics antagonize 5-HT2A receptor, and this receptor actually downregulates in response to both agonism and antagonism. It could be one factor since 5-HT2A seems to be important for emotions and hedonia. You could try Panax Ginseng as it is a non-psychedelic 5-HT2A agonist or use St. John's Wort to upregulate 5-HT2A - or take both. Dopamine plays part too, I'm not sure why but it seems to me the dopaminergic system can be also downregulated after antipsychotics. Personally I found Mucuna to help with getting that dopaminergic motivation and hedonia back.

 

It could be these herbs are too weak to help you, but I would give them a shot. They surely shouldn't make things worse. I don't blame you if you resort to taking directly rewarding drugs for relief. Personally I use Nicotine Gum for direct (temporary) anhedonia relief. Some anhedonics respond well to stimulants like Methylphenidate and amphetamines, some get relief from opioids. But taking them excessively could prolong the recovery.

[Neurocryo]

I’ve been on risperidine for a few years and then off a few and then switch to paliperidone.  Paliperidone is way better, it’s a metabolite of risperidone processing.  Works way better for me

[Galaxyshock]

I’ve been on risperidine for a few years and then off a few and then switch to paliperidone.  Paliperidone is way better, it’s a metabolite of risperidone processing.  Works way better for me

 

Well antipsychotics do have their uses, but many report feeling awful on them. There's load of reports on Reddit, Bluelight where people experience severe anhedonia etc. after Invega Sustenna (Paliperidone). But good if it works for you without any major side effects? This is a bit off-topic though, as the original poster wants to recover his brain function after antipsychotics - not take more of them.

[Neurocryo]

Well antipsychotics do have their uses, but many report feeling awful on them. There's load of reports on Reddit, Bluelight where people experience severe anhedonia etc. after Invega Sustenna (Paliperidone). But good if it works for you without any major side effects? This is a bit off-topic though, as the original poster wants to recover his brain function after antipsychotics - not take more of them.

Invega Sustenna is the injection.  I’ve taken it as a pill for 5 years since I’m compliant.  I’ve read the Reddit forum for my disorder for a while and can tell you there are a lot of people that think they can wean themselves off their antipsychotic only to relapse or ruin their life.  Some people just need the right antipsychotic.

 

If I were crazy enough to wean myself off one I would watch my na/k/ca ion intake balance.  I would also watch caffeine and alcohol and take ala to keep my omega 3s in check.  I think part of the manifestation of psychosis is extreme oxidative damage so I would maintain a good regiment of antioxidants and a clean diet.

[Galaxyshock]

Invega Sustenna is the injection.  I’ve taken it as a pill for 5 years since I’m compliant.  I’ve read the Reddit forum for my disorder for a while and can tell you there are a lot of people that think they can wean themselves off their antipsychotic only to relapse or ruin their life.  Some people just need the right antipsychotic.

 

If I were crazy enough to wean myself off one I would watch my na/k/ca ion intake balance.  I would also watch caffeine and alcohol and take ala to keep my omega 3s in check.  I think part of the manifestation of psychosis is extreme oxidative damage so I would maintain a good regiment of antioxidants and a clean diet.

 

Yeah psychosis can feel like a never-ending nightmare so antipsychotics and tranquilizers are necessary. Although, in the Open Dialogue Model they only use low-doses of APs for short time and deal with the psychosis through other methods. It was highly successful at putting people into remission without needing to take APs long-term, but the method still hasn't gotten to wide-spread use. You can read a bit about it here: https://en.wikipedia...i/Open_Dialogue

 

True, extreme caution is adviced when reducing the doses of APs if on them for long-term. The newest SDAM antipsychotics seem like a step towards right direction.

 

Omega-3s indeed has shown efficacy against schizophrenia symptoms and there's evidence certain supplements like Pregnenolone, NAC, Sarcosine, Theanine, Ginseng, Bacopa are also helpful.