Haloperidol (Haldol) experiences

I am switching from 20mg olanzapine (zyprexa
) to Haloperidol (Haldol) I’ve already done my weaning of olanzapine not the nicest any experiences of haloperidol please?

As long as your doctor feels it is safe and monitors you closely. I was on a small dosage of Haldol back in the 1980's. I'm surprised that they still use it as I thought that it was obsolete because there are much safer meds for use now.
It was a landmark drug treatment in the 1950's, but wasn't safe to use for everybody.
My small dosage was benign and it took the edge off my delusional thinking. It allowed me to concentrate and function in the closed social environment of a mental health ward.
I had seen people on heavier doses at the rehab. They were kept in the TV room most of the day. Some (not all) had the constant face movements of Tardive Dyskinesia, which was kinda scary to watch.
I did not want to ever get like that, although they never bothered any other patients and stayed in their own little world.
There is more risk of TD for certain at-risk groups. If your doctor feels that you are a safe candidate for Haldol, it does have its benefits.
https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/tar ... skinesia#1
Best of luck to you.

My pdoc feels I need to come off olanzapine owing to 4 1/2 stone weight gain even though I exercise and eat a child’s size meal once a day and that is it. We decided that of all my symptoms my psychosis causes the most severe issues which olanzapine is excellent at controlling my pdoc said this would also be great at psychosis control and weight loss, I am starting on 5mg and it is mine and my pdoc hope that I will be able to manage on a smaller dose than with the olanzapine owing to not having built up med resistance to it. My country does not prescribe Geodon and when I took Abilfy I ended up so manic and psychotic I went down one crazy rabbit hole drugs homelessness so we feel Haloperidol may be right for me. I am young and healthy apart from weight gained by olanzapine, even while I’m overweight (when there’s no COVID) I swim a mile every day with only two five minute breaks.

Day 1 thought I’d chart in case anyone else decides to give Haloperidol a try so day 1 of Haloperidol going good slept for 8hrs and woke up feeling calm no psychosis. Only side effects so far are my toes are twitching and I keep moving my tongue round but it’s not bothering me I’m very happy so far.

Let your pdoc know about the toes and the tongue. Both of you will want to monitor any side-effects.
Thanks for letting us know how it is going so far. I hope that your body can adjust to the new med and that it works out well for you.

Crawling wrote:I am switching from 20mg olanzapine (zyprexa
) to Haloperidol (Haldol) I’ve already done my weaning of olanzapine not the nicest any experiences of haloperidol please?

It's interesting that you're being prescribed a Typical (First Generation) antipsychotic like Haloperidol.

They created Atypical/Second Generation antipsychotics to decrease the likelihood of side effects found in First Generation ones (common more serious side effects are irriversable-without-intervention movement disorders such as tarditive dyskinesia / irreversible facial, mouth/lip/tongue/ extremity twitches etc., weight gain, diabetes, etc.)

I think Olanzapine is considered one of the worst Atypical (Second Generation) antipsychotics for things like weight gain and developing diabetes (along with Clozapine, I believe), but I think it's one of the more effective in treating very severe symptoms too.

On a tangent out of my own curiosity, have you had any experience with Risperdal and Seroquel?

When I was 19 or so, I was given Haloperidol in the psychward, and I got lockjaw and the nurses dragged me into the lock up room (among other things) as a punishment because they thought I was just acting out / causing problems.
To Note: Lockjaw is an extremely rare side effect

Eventually they let me out and a different psychnurse noticed I was really frightened, eyes bulging, couldn't open my mouth to talk, etc.
They treated it quickly and I was fine.

The second time, I was freaking out and given it as an injection a few weeks later.
It was a very welcome relief from the psychotic torture I had been experiencing.
There were no side effects, but as I think about it, I can't guarantee it wasn't Thorazine (Chlorpromazine) rather than Haldol

Some people who have treatment resistant psychosis and/or are developing movement disorders may be put on Clozapine - though it has its own side effects and serious potential risks. I only know one person who takes it and they take it for treatment resistant psychotic depression.

Outside of the Haldol in the psychward and Chlorpromazine, I've been on Nozinan, Olanzapine, Seroquel, Risperdal, Abilify, and Geodon/Zeldox, --- but if I ever had to go back on antipsychotics, I'd probably choose to try Clozapine.

Tried risperidone and seroquel neither were strong enough to control my psychosis so was put back on olanzapine. But I’m getting on well with the haloperidol I’m speaking to pdoc Tuesday but so far I’m doing brill.

That's fantastic that it's helping you

Had severe akathesia nearly ended up in hospital but psychiatrist prescribed me Procyclidine to ease the symptoms and tiks. Doing much better now.

Crawling wrote:Had severe akathesia nearly ended up in hospital but psychiatrist prescribed me Procyclidine to ease the symptoms and tiks. Doing much better now.

Glad to hear it!