Request for Advice on Risperidone

[vera]

Has any of you ever taken this antipsychotic? If so, what was your experience with it like?

(Sold as Risperdal, Ridal, Rispolept, Belivon, Rispen, Risperin)

Side effects> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risperidone#Side_effects

I used to be on it (1,5 mg a day). I am currently struggling with a bad crisis, and they want me on it again.

I stopped taking it because it made me too dumb and sleepy, and killed my memory, communication skills and sex drive. Besides, it tears your body apart in the long run (diabetes, etc). I went to see my doctor today hoping that she would understand that I prefer to suffer a bit more but be off it, but she insisted I get back, plus 3 mg Clonazepam a day (Klonopin, Rivotril, Rivatril).

I so not want to. I was already sleeping twelve hours a day on Risperidone alone, I can only imagine what it will be like with both.

I am currently in so much debt, I have to get a job immediately. Plus, I do not want to quit college. And I do not see myself doing all this things all drugged up, but I cannot see myself doing them the way I am feeling either.

I talked it over with my baby (bf) and I decided I will see another doctor on monday for a second opinion. If he or she suggests something else, I will try that.

If the second opinion is also Risperidone, do you guys think I should listen to them, or go with my gut and stay off? I am really running out of choices here and I would appreciate some input.

Thank you very much,
Hugs,
v.

 

[becvan]

Since when are doctor gods? If you are uncomfortable with that drug, don't take it. Period. You don't need a second opinion for that. You know what is best for you. Enough said.

bec

 

[anthony]

It is not what is best for the doctors, it is what is best for you. If you suffer side effects from a drug that you are not happy to suffer, then don't take the drug. There are always alternatives to any drug, and as you say yourself, maybe its not about drugs because your willing to suffer a little pain without the drugs. If it gets too bad for you, then maybe an alternative drug or alternative type medicine. It is not what suits a doctor best, remember that. It is what best suits you. You must approach medication with an equal point of view, being it has some benefits, and some negatives. You must find the balance that best suits you, not ever another person.

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

Hi Vera, I took Serequal first and didn't like it, and then they switched me to Risperdal. I didn't like the side effects of either, and told my doctor I don't want to take it. He insisted I take it to keep the intrusive thoughts from popping in my head. In my opinion I felt more paranoid while taking it, then I do now.

I didn't listen to him and stopped taking it. As time went on the intrusive thoughts stopped on their own with out the medication. I'm not sure if this is good advice to give. But that is what I did, and he is none the wiser.

Tammy

 

[dshanks]

Risperidone

I have been on Risperdal for a couple of yrs. now albeit only 1 mg daily and when I forget it I feel a certain irritability come back and my mind starts with racing thoughts. If you really need it then tell the docs you want a smaller dose. Maybe 1 mg will be enough with the other med. I know Risperdal helps me but I only take 1mg and I use to sleep a lot, but now I am down to 8 or 9 hrs. I also do a lot of cardio which I think helps. Sometimes it is necessary to take meds. I used to be a rebel and then I had severe episodes and gave in...it helped

 

[vera]

Well, thank you very much everybody for your advice. It's really helpful.

I'll check in the hospital tomorrow, and then we'll figure what to do. It's a psychiatric clinic I've never been to - I hope the people there are good doctors - and I guess now it's a matter of working it out with them...

Be back to the forum as soon as I get out. Thank you very much to everybody and good luck.

Hugs & love,

v.

 

[Ruth09]

I'm about to start this stuff, but none of what I have read seems to be good in regards to risperidone and its treatment of PTSD/OCD/Anxiety. It was determined that I'm hypersensitive to Celexia and Zoloft. And now, the Doc wants to try risperidone. The side effects seem to be worse than the previous two.

 

[usmc9911]

Vera,

The taking Resperidone for me has its up sides and its downs, If you are having trouble sleeping it certainly has worked in that department but it comes at the cost of having no sex drive and feeling numb nearly all the time and loosing your short term memory. (at least for me) When I intially started taking it I would have panic attacks because it makes you feel so dizzy. Combining this medication with Klonopin will likely stop intrusive thoughts, but be prepared to be in a zombie like state for awhile.

Ron

 

[Ruth09]

Hey, guys

What dosage are you'all on? They are starting me on .5mg for sleep and to help with the checking. I even went so far as to call my Doc back at VA and ask him how ofter does he prescribe the stuff. He's telling me the side effects shouldn't kick in until you hit a higher dosage , but,....
Its not what I'm reading.
He's starting me off at this dosage because I had problems with SSRI's.
And I'm not taking it in combination with anything,... except maybe Trazadone at night.

Thanks,
Ruth

 

[nic]

I took Risperdol for a year or two. WHen I started taking it, I was in a really bad place (emotionally), and it was a life-saver for me. I did get memory issues, but it at least made me able to get out of my house! I don't remember what my dosage was.

 

[cragger65]

I find that interesting that a few of you have mentioned memory issues. I have a brain injury and started taking Respiradone a couple of years post-accident. I wonder now how much of my memory problems (and lethargy) are due to the meds? Very interesting. I was on 1mg, now I'm on 1.5mg.

At what point in dosage do you start developing health troubles?

 

[rmf3175]

I was on two mg and was pretty much night of the living dead. It did help at first, but that was short lived. Tried seroquel, and that didn't work, so I'm back to getting wasted every few days just to get some rest. Seriously lost trust in doc and counselor. Am at a loss now. :dontknow:
Oh well, the sun will still rise in the morning, and the good people at the VA will still get their paychecks.:thumbs-up