![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lostforwards on October 23, 2004, at 11:40:59
I always had very sensitive reactions to Risperidal. Low doses would have a massive antidepressant effect. I couldn't stop laughing. After taking 3mg, and developing a lot of eps, for a short period and stopping I've developed anhedonia. My arm swing had disappeared too but gradually came back. Also at the 2mg dose I developed strange mannerisms. I took 0.5 again recently and started to feel slightly better but my arm swing disappeared again and the strange mannerisms, scratching myself reappeared. It's funny 'cause they get worse when I think about something that makes me a little nervous.
What's going on? Is it a drug side-effect or is it me?
Posted by ed_uk on October 23, 2004, at 18:11:19
In reply to lack of arm swing strange mannerisms, posted by lostforwards on October 23, 2004, at 11:40:59
Risperdal often causes loss of arm swing, especially at high doses. It is referred to as Parkinsonism because it resembles Parkinson's disease. (Loss of arm swing is a very common symptom of Parkinson's disease). Mannerisms and stereotypies can also be caused by Risperdal (and other antipsychotics.) Anti-muscarinic drugs such as procyclidine(Kemadrin) can sometimes relieve the Parkinsonism but all can cause side effects of their own. Another option would be to try another atypical antipsychotic such as olanzapine(Zyprexa). Maybe you could even benefit from trying the Risperdal at a very low dose eg. 0.25mg.
EdPS. I listed one of the anti-muscarinic drugs available in the UK, I don't know where you live so I don't know whether procyclidine is available there. If it isn't, there are plenty of similar drugs that you could get instead.
Posted by ed_uk on October 23, 2004, at 18:27:56
In reply to Re: lack of arm swing strange mannerisms, posted by ed_uk on October 23, 2004, at 18:11:19
I've just read your other post about stereotypies and am concerned about the advice I just gave. Perhaps it would be better to stay away from APs for a while because medication-induced movement disorders can sometimes be permanent. You seem to be very sensitive to the side effects of risperdal even at 0.5mg a day. Antimuscarinic drugs can relieve parkinsonism but are unlikely to help stereotypies, in fact they might make them worse.
ed
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.