I've been on perphenezine/amitriptoline for over 12 years. My doctor has tried to get me off this medication (because of longterm side affects). Actually he is not concerned about the amitriptoline but it's the perphenezine that he doesn't like. I have tried the newer medications but they do not work for me. I feel GREAT on the per/amit but I am afraid now after hearing what my doctor had to say. I recently tried again to go off the perphenezine and after about a month of only 1/2 tablet daily, I started getting the horrible body aches, overwhelming tiredness, depression, sick feeling plus my thoughts were becoming "offkey" and I couldn't focus. I went to a psyciatrist and he told me the fall/winter months were definitely not good times to go off any meds. He thought I'd have to be on medication for the rest of my life but he thought that I could "try" to wean myself off in the spring when your body produces more seretonin. Anyway, I'm scared to stay on this antipyscotic medicine perphenezine because of the fear of tartive dyskenesia/dystonia, etc. Has anyone here been on any of those old fashioned medications for a long period of time and been free from those scarey side affects? I read some of the info on the internet and they now have me more afraid than I originally was. I sure could use some words of encouragment. Thank you!!!!

I really don't know about any of the "old fashioned" meds, I am still learning about the new ones myself. :dizzy: I guess in the end you have to weigh the odds and your quality of life. I would talk to your pdoc more seriously about trying something new. You said you tried some of the new ones, which ones? When? Maybe something new has come out since you last tried. Have you tried Invega? That's what I am on, it has really helped me. This drug is working so well for people that many insurance companies as well as medicare and medicaide have fast tracked it on their meds list. Usually this process takes 4 to 5 years, many have made it happen in 2. The side effects aren't bad either. I had some dizziness, when it was upped, and have now gone back to the lower dosage. I also have had tiredness, but that only lasts the first few days. Maybe it could work for you too.
Anyway, I am absotutely sure I was of no help. I just wanted you to know you aren't alone. Post again to let me know how you are doing.
Wishing you well,
Naturemomma

Hi,

Will your pdoc start another med while you're weaning off? I understand your concern about the TD.

Also, what about starting with reducing it half a pill every 4 days, holding it there for two weeks, even three, then trying to reduce again?

I'm sorry, I don't have any experience with the older drugs except for a few months on Thorazine back in the 60's. Off that fast.

Do you trust your pdoc?

Hi,

Will your pdoc start another med while you're weaning off? I understand your concern about the TD.

Also, what about starting with reducing it half a pill every 4 days, holding it there for two weeks, even three, then trying to reduce again?

I'm sorry, I don't have any experience with the older drugs except for a few months on Thorazine back in the 60's. Off that fast.

Do you trust your pdoc?

Thanks seaturtle for your reply. Since I only take 1 pill a day I started reducing it to 1 pill one day and 1/2 pill the next for an entire month. I still felt the horrid affects (shakey, sick, thought process off) so my pdoc put me back on the 1 pill every day and told me we'd try to reduce it again in the spring. I thought to myself that I might try reducing it extra slow like you suggested so by this spring I'd be almost free of the perephenzine. I do know that I will have to be on medicine for the rest of my life but I would like it to be one that is free from TD and other "moving" disorders. My reg. doc
told me that I will ALWAYS have the possibility of TD and other moving disorders even if I am off those medicines. That's just a fact of life. I feel so depressed and worried and I'm actually obsessing over this.

Greetings,

I can imagine how you feel about the lifelong possibility of getting a movement disorder. Is this same doctor that started you on that med?

I'm glad you're taking it slow, and hope you can get off it soon. Stopping a med, esp. after that length of time, really is hard; might it help if you could get an idea from doc or pharmacist just how long the misery will last?

Any possibility of doing a detox in a hospital (not that this is something anyone wants to do)?

Just a thought, not suggestion, since I've no idea how stopping that med affects people.

Of course you're obsessing about it. I would be, too. But you know, so far, so good, and many people don't develop the TD. The good news is that you've been on it for a very long time and are okay, so let's try to assume that you are one of the ones who can indeed tolerate it without that side effect.

I will send up good thoughts for you,

Seaturtle