Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lin on May 19, 2000, at 20:26:27
Hi everyone. I am about to add a very low dose of Risperdal to Depakote, and I am really, really anxious about taking it, to the point where I have been actively fearing it all day!! Primarily, I fear having a dystonic reaction to it (face and tongue and neck movements), even though I know this is rare.
Still, I am working myself into a small panic here...I guess I am a little scared because it is an anti-psychotic, which I have always considered a "heavy" drug...a little hypocritical of me, though, seeing as I am bipolar and have also been on almost every AD and benzo approved by the FDA!
Please help me put my mind at ease with your feedback/support. Thanks,
Lin
Posted by CraigF on May 20, 2000, at 7:14:46
In reply to Scared of Risperdal -- help!, posted by Lin on May 19, 2000, at 20:26:27
LIN!!!
I'm so glad you wrote in! You're at the same spot I was two weeks ago. Only I was worried about losing my immagination and gaining weight, becoming a zombie.
From what I'm reading, however, many doctors do prescribe neuroleptics at low doses for depression/anxiety/mood stabilization. In my case, the pdoc added .5 mg to augment my Serzone.
Although my appetite has increased slightly (to moderately some days), I feel more like my old self, with some vitality for life and energy.
I had to cut back from 1 mg b/c I was getting nauseous, emotional, sweaty, ANGRY (odd for an anti-psychotic, eh?). I am taking Serzone, however, and the two work to raise the blood levels of the other.
So, I am still evaluating and feel confident about switching to Celexa or maybe Sulpiride (another well-touted neuroleptic outside of the US)if this comibination does not work.
Given your doctors approval, there is no reason you should not give this a try. It definitely is not a labotomy pill!
Don't panic about vivid nightmares if you experience them on the first few nights. Also, careful with alcohol. Two beers can feel like eight.
Best of luck. Let's keep one another informed of our progress.
Craig
Posted by stjames on May 20, 2000, at 15:55:43
In reply to Scared of Risperdal -- help!, posted by Lin on May 19, 2000, at 20:26:27
> Hi everyone. I am about to add a very low dose of Risperdal to Depakote, and I am really, really anxious about taking it, to the point where I have been actively fearing it all day!! Primarily, I fear having a dystonic reaction to it (face and tongue and neck movements), even though I know this is rare.
James here....
This dystonic reaction would be totally reversable once you stopped Risperdal so no
harm would be done.Always divide sideeffects into the life threating
and longlasting vs. dose dependant and ones that will go away with time. Worry about the first (life threating and longlasting) and don't bother about the second till they happen.james
Posted by Lin on May 20, 2000, at 16:20:02
In reply to Re: Scared of Risperdal -- help!, posted by stjames on May 20, 2000, at 15:55:43
Thanks, James and Craig.
Craig -- I won't be drinking when I take it, but I totally know what you mean about the 2 beers being like 8 -- I have felt that way with other meds. When you took it, did it make you tired or dizzy, I mean, could you *feel* it affecting your body, like a valium or a xanax or something, or was it more like taking an antidepressant? When I took zyprexa, intially, I felt it slowly making me dizzy and relaxed. I mean, what should I expect from it in addition to the possible nightmares?
James -- You're right about the side effects, but it is easier said than done in terms of not worrying about the reversable ones -- I can basically hype myself up to worrying about anything, which, of course, is part of the reason I am taking the drug to begin with. But I know you're right and thank you for pointing out the fact that the reaction I fear so much is reversible and harmless.
> > Hi everyone. I am about to add a very low dose of Risperdal to Depakote, and I am really, really anxious about taking it, to the point where I have been actively fearing it all day!! Primarily, I fear having a dystonic reaction to it (face and tongue and neck movements), even though I know this is rare.
>
> James here....
>
> This dystonic reaction would be totally reversable once you stopped Risperdal so no
> harm would be done.
>
> Always divide sideeffects into the life threating
> and longlasting vs. dose dependant and ones that will go away with time. Worry about the first (life threating and longlasting) and don't bother about the second till they happen.
>
> james
Posted by CraigF on May 20, 2000, at 19:21:51
In reply to Re: Scared of Risperdal -- help!, posted by Lin on May 20, 2000, at 16:20:02
Liz:
I got so into my own spiel that I forgot you were asking about life-threatening or permanent side effects. Sorry if my endorsement was irresponsible.
I wrote it first thing in the morning. The drug gives me energy in the morning and slugs me out at night. I can feel it in my system -- the racy enthusiasm that I remember from Wellbutrin. It must be the dopamimic action. But I am still early in my experiment. It may fade.
What is the recommended dose your doc wants you on? I believe the neuroleptic problems occur in people at much larger doses than those used for non-psychotic purposes. We nearly lost my schizophrenic grandmother to neuroleptic malignancy syndrome, but she spent a lifetime on some heavy, older generation neuroleptics.
And while I can feel the effect of the medication, I didn't feel dizzy. I felt sick after several days at 1 full mg, but my Serzone amplifies my dose, according to Peter J. If you're interested in my earlier concerns (which have largely passed), check out the thread "Risperidone and Serzone and Anger (oh my)"
But as Stjames said, don't sweat the small stuff until you experience it on your own. Good luck
Posted by Mommy to an Angel! on May 21, 2000, at 16:55:04
In reply to Scared of Risperdal -- help!, posted by Lin on May 19, 2000, at 20:26:27
I was only able to take Risperdal for a short time. It caused me to have break-through bleeding and enlarged, very sore BBs. My doc was shocked -- he said that was a possible side effect but that was the first time he had actually seen it in real life.... I'm always the lucky one :)
Regards
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