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What choices do I have?

8 replies

Openmouthinsertfood · 31/07/2026 17:31

Hello, I posted the following in General Health but had the feeling I should have put it in this section. I had a reply that suggested the same so am reposting in case of any helpful advice:
Hi, Didn't know whether to put this in the mental health section or here as it's kinda both. I had been on Olanzapine since 2011 for anxiety. For various reasons recently this was changed to Aripiprazole. I was cross tappered for two weeks. A couple of weeks ago I had a bad flu like reaction that was withdrawl symptoms from Olanzapine. Finally started to feel better then got other symptoms. Couldn't sit still for long, my leg kept feeling like pins and needles almost and I'd have to move it or walk, I've found out this is called Akathisia. I've also been having a lot of tension in my jaw and causing it too ache (I'm sure it's not toothache as no pain on eating or brushing, no throbing.) which is also a known side effect. My anxiety has gone through the roof and I have a bit of paranoia and also tremours. Because of all this I am hardly sleeping. I did a bit of Googling and apparently the only way to reduce these symptoms is to reduce my dose of Aripiprazole under medical supervision, and beta blockers for the anxiety. I got in touch with the Drs at 8am today when they opened and all the slots for today were gone already. I had to fill out an econsult. They replied by text to say I have an appointment to talk with a pharmasist on the 7th August. That is 7 days away. I Googled again and it said it is too long to 'Tough it out' and that I need medical advice. I agree. So I got back in touch with the Drs. They are insisting my only option is to wait for my appointment on the 7th.
I'm feeling a bit desperate and don't know what my options are? Call NHS 111? Any advice will be gratefully received, thank you.

OP posts:
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Openmouthinsertfood · 02/08/2026 05:47

Hi, Thanks again for your replies. I go to speak to a Dr in the end but he said as my symptoms weren't severe to carry on. He said he didn't think my symptoms warrented any action and hopefully the side effects will wear off soon. ???
Hi Burntout01, I have had OCD since I was 4 and had my first panic attac at 11. Over the years I've been diagnosed with agoraphobia with GAD, Panic disorder, OCD, depression, anxiety and autism. I was precribed Olanzapine in 2011 when I was going through a particular bad patch with anxiety and because of that felt suicidal. I didn't want to take them but I phoned the crisis number I had at the time and they advised me to take them so I did. At the time they made me feel better, stopped me from feeling suicidal.

OP posts:
Burntout01 · 01/08/2026 15:59

I can’t give advice on your specific situation OP but as a mental health professional I would say you need a referral to local MH services for this to be addressed properly.
Some people get on really well with Aripiprazole but Akathisia and anxiety can and do occur and may mean this medication is not right for you. Its also quite unusual for people to be started on antipsychotics for anxiety (although not unheard of or wrong in certain situations) which would make me wonder what the circumstances of you being started on it were, this would be relevant in making future prescribing decisions.

Bettybeet6 · 01/08/2026 15:54

You should be under psychiatry if your meds are being changed, GP shouldn’t be doing it.
procyclidine will help with the side effects, and perhaps a short course of lorazepam for whilst your readjusting. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

Openmouthinsertfood · 01/08/2026 15:35

Thank you all so much for your replies. X
Thank you AchingLambs for sharing your experience and sorry you had to go through it too.
I finally gave in and phoned 111 this morning. The guy on the phone was really helpful and nice and said I definitely needed to be seen by someone and to expect a call back within 12 hours. I'll update further when I hear from them.

OP posts:
AchingLambs · 31/07/2026 23:30

I had the same reaction to Aripiprazole, it was awful. My psychiatrist just got me to stop it straight away and I went on Quetiapine instead. It took a couple of weeks for the side effects to go away if I remember correctly

Inmyuggs · 31/07/2026 21:22

The dr fobbing you off to a pharmacist is really shite.
Ring the nhs and get some advice. Especially not sleeping on top of all that is going on
Is the person who advised you reception or a actual Dr?

Ramblingaway · 31/07/2026 21:09

In my area, you can call 111 and request mental health support rather than physical health, by pressing option 2. If not available in your area, Google for the mental health crisis team number and contact them. If all else fails, you can go to A&E and there will be a duty psychiatrist available. And you really need a psychiatrist or a prescribing mental health nurse to help you with this, I think. MY GP won't change my antipsychotic meds (quetiapine). They'll prescribe them under shared care arrangements but they won't alter the dose or the type.

Warning12 · 31/07/2026 20:13

Who prescribed the medication? From what I know (and I’m no medical expert) it’s something that needs to be looked at. Are you under a CMHT?