Anti-Psychotics long term side effects

[buzznoffchopz_lol]

So I've been on anti-psychotic medication for a few years now and unfortunately I am going to be on them for a few more years to come, I've read all the side effects and to my memory I don't think I've experienced any of the side effects listed but I was wondering if anyone knows about some of the long term side effects, if anyone has experienced them, has stories and thinks I could be at risk? The side effects I know are nasty as fuck I honestly don't want to take this medication but due to mental health problems and dealing with the fuckwit drug pushing psychiatrists (who are almost as bad as cops) I have to see since being discharged from a short hospital visit I almost don't really have a choice. Basically for the past 3 years I have been on and off Seroquel XR, Invega and Zyprexa. 2010 to mid 2011 I was on 10-15mg of zyprexa (can't remember the exact dose something like that) which was reduced by mid 2011 and I was put on 100mg Seroquel XR which was reduced by the end of the year. Due to a psychotic episode In early 2012 I believe partly caused by withdrawal from seroquel xr I was put on Seroquel XR again 800mg and 6mg Invega. I'm now off the Invega which was discontinued in october but still on Seroquel XR currently on 400mg. I'm meant to be off the Seroquel Xr by January next year weening off slowly but I could be on it for longer knowing how my psychiatrists operate. Once I'm off the Seroquel Xr I will have been on anti-psychotic medication for nearly 4 years. I've been thinking of weening myself off but I think it could be risky without professional help and my psychiatrists refuse to prescribe me the weaker tablets to ween myself off. So yeah If anyone knows much about long term side effects from anti-psychotics, has had experiences taking these med's for long peroids of time or has experienced long term side effects, knows of anyone's experiences or thinks I could be at risk please let me know would be much appreciated.
Cheers

I've experienced the usual with taking anti-psychotics like weight gain, drowsiness etc I'm more so worried about serious long term side effects after taking these meds at high dosages for long periods of time and permanent side effects.

 

[pasha]

There's quite a lot buddy. Many of which you've already mentioned. The most prominent ones are the weight gain, sometimes unmasking or engineering diabetes. Decreased cognitive function. Excessive drowsiness. Depression. Akathisia. At times but not always serious cardiovascular issues.

This class of medications probably has one of the largest side-effect profiles of any psychiatric medication in long term treatment. It's really up to you and your doctor to measure the pros vs the cons, in order for you to make an informed decision.

 

[xxpurplehazexx]

I don't have any experience with anti-psychotics, but have a friend that has taken a slew of them for years (lithium, lamictal, zyprexa, and a few others). When I first met her she was forgetful (she would tell the same stories). She doesn't seem to have that problem anymore, but I'd say she lacks motivation (not that I have much either lol). I don't know if this is a side effect, but her stomach is kind of big in comparison to her arms and legs. She actually has stretch marks there even though she's never been pregnant.

The side effects of coming off anti-psychotics after long term use are also nasty. I wish my friend could get off them, I think she'd be a lot happier in the long run.

 

[Xhaosis]

Recently quite an Anti - Psys , been on em for 2 - 2 n a half years since a drug induced psychotic episode.
I went through many ( cant remember the names and i chucked em all recently due to house moving ) but finally found one without to bad side effects - ended being seroquel for me. but its hit n miss different ones work for different people.
Still i was on seroquel extended release for around 2 years starting at 600mg ( right after my intial psychotic episode ) a day and when i gave up i was on 200 a day. I never told my psychiatrist i was going to quit them but did so one day, went from 200mg a day to nothing, no tapering (this is not advised as it seems to be an issue for many people on many drugs, i just never had problem with it, quite anit depressants, beta blockers etc strait out with no noticeable negative effects..)

Alto when i was on the seroquel i didn’t notice any negative side effects at the time ( however i did notice the lack of psychosis, no voices, paranoia etc, they did their job for me ) after about a month of quitting them completely i noticed they had been regulating my mood quite intensely.
I am general alot more happy now, however i do notice psychotic effects if i go near things i shouldn’t and immediately steer clear (some things are alight, some are a no no for me these days) whereas whilst on the seroquel i would never really get even a hint of any psychotic effects atall.

Im happier now, simply due to the fact i am happy in everyday life, and have even learnt to notice the psychosis, what tends to cause it and what to stop doing if it starts to reappear ( personally i get the totally irrational paranoia as a first sign.. easy to notice - i then stop doing what appears to cause it and its totally gone in a day or two without going back onto the anti psychotics)
So in general from experience i can say long term side effects are mood regulation ( in a bad and good way, but i prefer to regulate my own mind now ) and iv noticed i can eat a lot more fatty foods now without gaining weight, unlike when on seroquel where id gain weight really easily if i wasn’t careful of what i ate.
Iv also read many times that long term use of seroquel can cause diabetes but that wasn’t a problem with my usage..

In general i would say taper from them and see if you recognize any psychotic symptoms returning, stick with em, If not quite em. Even the regulated mood ( for me at least ) was a far more pleasant than psychosis..

My 2$..