Posted by SLS on May 21, 2000, at 12:08:16
In reply to Re: Rather not die alone (Risperidone), posted by CraigF on May 20, 2000, at 20:12:52
Craig,
You scared the hell out of me. I'm glad to see that things are cool for now.
> Thanks, Peter, I'm definitely printing this info out for my doctor.
Peter's answer was brilliant. Mine sucked. I hope you and your doctor can figure out what's going on.
I am still curious, though. You mentioned that your anger seemed to emerge during the afternoon. Is this the only time you experience anger? When do you take your doses of Risperdal?
> Here's kind of a technical question...the fat and the anger are combining to make for a terrible Saturday night...
>
> Does Risperidone result in weight gain as a function of appetite? or does it cause some metabolic change?I'm sure PeterJ will answer this question better than I will, but I have some time to kill.
I have encountered some pretty contradictory stuff regarding Risperdal specifically. It has been claimed that it carries the least risk of weight-gain of the atypical neuroleptics. There are even a few reported incidents of weight-loss. The only other neuroleptic I have read about for which this is also observed is Stelazine, although I don't know if this drug is applicable to your case. Risperdal, more often than not, produces weight gain.
I find that the drug companies, along with the research teams they pay to investigate their drugs, are often full of crap. Their denial of weight gain as a side effect of the SSRIs is probably the biggest farce in modern psychiatry.
Yes. Risperdal and the other neuroleptics do cause changes in metabolism. These drugs block the dopamine D2 receptor. These receptors seem to control various metabolisms and functions associated with regulation of body weight. Perhaps the most obvious changes occur in glucose/insulin dynamics. Neuroleptics reduce the body's sensitivity to insulin. This allows for higher levels of glucose in the blood stream, which the body then converts to fat stores.
> I work out almost religiously and have shrunk to nearly a 30 inch waist (from a 34 two years ago) This small waist is important because of my weak shoulders and small stature.
>
> Despite cardio 3-4 times per week in the past two weeks I have developed a significant tire. I look silly in the clothes I recently bought.
>
> I asked this before and got a pat response about diet and exercize being key to fitness. I know that. If i have to curb my appetite with pills, I will, but not if the weight gain is a metabolic thing...can anything be done? I don't want to die alone!! (just joking, but this is a sensitive topic for me.) At least I had a body to lure people to me even though my baggage drives people back away.I know this feeling. When I was in my early twenties, I was responsible for giving a lot of young women whiplash whenever I walked down Wall Street.
Because my depression has been so severe and vegetative, I have spent the last decade confined to either a bed or a couch. This is not an exaggeration. The only reason I'm here on Babble is because taking Lamictal has moderated the depression somewhat. I have lost most of the muscle I gained through bodybuilding. On top of inactivity, I have put on 40lbs as a result of the weight-gain associated with tricyclics (histamine H1 receptor blockade). This is also produced by changes in metabolism. I can eat like a bird and not lose a single pound.
> A factual answer minus prostheletizing would be great...Thanks.
Just exercise more and eat right.
:-)
:-(
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:32301
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000517/msgs/34207.html