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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 23, 2011, at 12:37:43
Hey. I am still on risperdone .25mg at night.
I am unclear (still) about usage/dosage. Does risperdone treatment go on indefinitely? Is it used for a few months? Some here use it intermittently, like doing a round of it. If I am correct in this last observation, how long might that be?
My greatest concern is being unable to discontinue. After experiencing withdrawals from various medications, I would at least like to know the window of becoming dependent.
I know some of you might say not to be concerned with this, but I am....
Posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2011, at 12:58:00
In reply to Risperdone question: typical treatment duration, posted by floatingbridge on August 23, 2011, at 12:37:43
I would be. I'm guessing it's withdrawal like all the other meds? Even hormones have to be tappered off. Hoping others chime in. Love Phillipa
Posted by sheilac on August 23, 2011, at 15:39:49
In reply to Risperdone question: typical treatment duration, posted by floatingbridge on August 23, 2011, at 12:37:43
My husband started taking it about 6 years ago and he started with .25. Then after he added Prozac he upped Risperdone to .5 I personally think he could use 1mg, but that's just me.
He seems to like being on it.
Posted by mellow on August 23, 2011, at 17:52:27
In reply to Risperdone question: typical treatment duration, posted by floatingbridge on August 23, 2011, at 12:37:43
Currently taking 2mg. Been on different doses for 5 years. It is a very good anti manic. It kind of takes the volume down on my obsessive and anxious thoughts. Also helps with sleep. Although it helps a little too much with sleep. Somedays I can't get out of bed. But that beats no sleep and being crazy I guess. I would love to get down to 0.5mg again bet I will inevitably get hypomanic and wicked anxious. Stuck in a cycle I guess. If it agrees with your body it is a wonder drug. A heavy dose on a crisis day can put you to sleep in a hurry and stop the rumination. I would keep it on board as long as you need. Having an atypical on board for people like us who are a bit neurotic in th first place is never a bad idea. Sorry for grammar. I'm posting on my phone.
mellow
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 23, 2011, at 19:45:44
In reply to Risperdone question: typical treatment duration, posted by floatingbridge on August 23, 2011, at 12:37:43
I take 1mg at night, and have for 6 months - I took it for a few months last year, and stopped it cold turkey without any withdrawl symptoms, went back on it earlier this year after a few months off of it, because it made me feel a lot better, had no side effects, and wasnt habit forming
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 24, 2011, at 10:38:08
In reply to Risperdone question: typical treatment duration, posted by floatingbridge on August 23, 2011, at 12:37:43
You gotta watch it...and your doc, too. Since antipsychotics can tranquilize people quickly and they're not controlled substances, lots of docs up the dose and leave patients on them longer than necessary.
Since you're female and have a mood disorder, your TD risk is higher than, say, a male schizophrenic. Also, age plays into TD risk; middle-aged or older=higher risk, especially in women.
There's also a problem because sufficiently high doses of neuroleptics will cause an increase in dopamine receptors. Pull the plug on extended treatment too quickly and you end up with a rebound psychosis, sometimes even in people who weren't psychotic to begin with.
I'd personally advise you to keep your dose as low as possible, watch out for EPS, take your antioxidants (TD and other forms of neuroleptic-induced brain damage are partly caused by increased free radical formation in the brain), and taper ASAP.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 24, 2011, at 11:54:51
In reply to Re: Risperdone question: typical treatment duration, posted by Christ_empowered on August 24, 2011, at 10:38:08
> You gotta watch it...and your doc, too. Since antipsychotics can tranquilize people quickly and they're not controlled substances, lots of docs up the dose and leave patients on them longer than necessary.
>
> Since you're female and have a mood disorder, your TD risk is higher than, say, a male schizophrenic. Also, age plays into TD risk; middle-aged or older=higher risk, especially in women.
CE, thanks for this information. This is good food for thought as a take a long view in my treatment. It has been helping (the risperdone) at night. However, it is not a real sleep med. I might see if I can muscle through some amitriptyline and see how that goes. When I go to a pdoc, though, I am never sure what I'll be instructed....The risperdone seems to have put an abrupt end to some recent negative thinking. That doesn't mean it necessarily needs to be taken for a long time for me. I am prone to getting worked up intermittently. This could reallly be the toolbox med I have been looking for for quite awhile.
You are sounding good....
>
> There's also a problem because sufficiently high doses of neuroleptics will cause an increase in dopamine receptors. Pull the plug on extended treatment too quickly and you end up with a rebound psychosis, sometimes even in people who weren't psychotic to begin with.
>
> I'd personally advise you to keep your dose as low as possible, watch out for EPS, take your antioxidants (TD and other forms of neuroleptic-induced brain damage are partly caused by increased free radical formation in the brain), and taper ASAP.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 24, 2011, at 11:57:49
In reply to Risperdone question: typical treatment duration, posted by floatingbridge on August 23, 2011, at 12:37:43
Posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2011, at 20:20:31
In reply to Re: Risperdone question: typical treatment duration, posted by Christ_empowered on August 24, 2011, at 10:38:08
CE I didn't know that especially about females. Why is that? Thanks for the great info. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 24, 2011, at 22:40:49
In reply to Re: Risperdone question: typical treatment duration » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2011, at 20:20:31
Christ - whats the chances of a male developing TV with chronic use of risperidone 1mg/day?
I did some research on the net which said that TD was unlikely in doses below those that caused EPS (about 4mg/day minimum) which was comforting, but its always in the back of my mind
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