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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maggiedelena on June 19, 2006, at 14:36:16
I know that's a sort of horrific question, and I don't really think of myself as the sort of person who takes prescriptions unquestioningly from any doctor. I know Risperdal is an antipsychotic and I know people are experimenting with it to augment antidepressants (the same way they seem to be with lithium).
However, I have been prescribed it as a monotherapy (at least for awhile ) by a psychiatrist who has diagnosed me as BPII. I tried Lamictal first, and it was activating for me. I've googled it a lot, and read through messages here and haven't seen anything about it being any kind of mood stabilizer or antidepressant. I do sometimes experience ... um... very vivid, creative feelings, which blur into abnormal thoughts (and which concern my psychiatrist because they tend to be centered on graphic ideas of self harm). But those thoughts don't much bother me, and I feel comfortable saying they're not actually psychotic.
Symptoms that actually do bother me are depression (seasonal) anxiety, motivation problems, and sleep issues (I think my circadian rhythms are off, and I think I have weird sleep-stage issues: I seem to enter REM almost immediately upon falling asleep). I also have Restless Leg/PLMD, which I understand is a dopamine problem. I guess my question is, what exactly is the mechanism of Risperdal and what might be my doctor's thinking might be in prescribing it? I'll be a responsible patient and ask him too, I'd just like to go in there a little better informed than I currently am. Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help.
Posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2006, at 15:53:30
In reply to why was I prescribed risperdal?, posted by maggiedelena on June 19, 2006, at 14:36:16
Only thing I know is resperidol is atypical antipsycotic that pdocs use instead of benzos to calm you down. Love Phippipa
Posted by psychosage on June 19, 2006, at 20:53:59
In reply to Re: why was I prescribed risperdal? » maggiedelena, posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2006, at 15:53:30
Risperdal works on dopamine and a particular serotonin receptors as an antagonist (blocks) to alleviate symptoms of acute mania or hypomania (for BP2). It would reduce intrusive thoughts and agitation centered on violence in your case. It is indicated as an antimanic by the FDA for acute cases (the beginning) and not necessarily maintenance, only Lamictal has the scientific basis for that designation though anything can be used as maintenance.
Just take it until you get better and decide if you can handle the side effects over the long-term.I have been on it a couple of times, and it is a great drug if you can handle the sedation and weight gain. Just make sure you are on an optimum dosage. Don't be afraid to ask for less if you sleep too much or have other issues.
Posted by Karen44 on June 22, 2006, at 0:29:43
In reply to why was I prescribed risperdal?, posted by maggiedelena on June 19, 2006, at 14:36:16
> I know that's a sort of horrific question, and I don't really think of myself as the sort of person who takes prescriptions unquestioningly from any doctor. I know Risperdal is an antipsychotic and I know people are experimenting with it to augment antidepressants (the same way they seem to be with lithium).
>
> However, I have been prescribed it as a monotherapy (at least for awhile ) by a psychiatrist who has diagnosed me as BPII. I tried Lamictal first, and it was activating for me. I've googled it a lot, and read through messages here and haven't seen anything about it being any kind of mood stabilizer or antidepressant. I do sometimes experience ... um... very vivid, creative feelings, which blur into abnormal thoughts (and which concern my psychiatrist because they tend to be centered on graphic ideas of self harm). But those thoughts don't much bother me, and I feel comfortable saying they're not actually psychotic.
>
> Symptoms that actually do bother me are depression (seasonal) anxiety, motivation problems, and sleep issues (I think my circadian rhythms are off, and I think I have weird sleep-stage issues: I seem to enter REM almost immediately upon falling asleep). I also have Restless Leg/PLMD, which I understand is a dopamine problem. I guess my question is, what exactly is the mechanism of Risperdal and what might be my doctor's thinking might be in prescribing it? I'll be a responsible patient and ask him too, I'd just like to go in there a little better informed than I currently am. Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help.I was also prescribed Risperdal (small dose) to augment my Parnate for depression. Yes, there is some thinking now that Risperdal may help with depression and regulating sleep. Unfortunately for me I ended up with a Serotonin Syndrome reaction and had to get off the Risperdal. I have been very sensitive to lots of medications with adverse reactions,etc. So, not necessarily will this happen with you. It should help with the sleep.
Karen
This is the end of the thread.
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