Posted by 49er on March 28, 2009, at 11:46:11
In reply to Re: Question about Risperdal Withdrawal (pill form), posted by LaurasMeds on March 27, 2009, at 19:55:36
Hi,
<<I was originally diagnosed with major clinical depression. When I was prescribed Lamictal it really seemed to help even out my mood and significantly lowered my agitation. Based on the success of Lamictal I was diagnosed with Bipolar ll. >>
I had a hunch you would say something like this. Unless you have a history that would indicate BP, you can't diagnose someone on the basis of a med reaction. Joseph Glenmullen, a psychiatrist who is not antimeds, clearly states this in his book, the antidepressant solution.
<<I truly believe that the paranoid episode that I went through was brought on by the increase in Paxil and not an underlying condition. >>
Definitely as that is listed as a side effect on rxlist.com Can't remember if I mentioned this in my previous post, sorry.
As an aside, Laurie Yorke, the RN who runs Paxil Progress Boards, witnessed her son becoming psychotic due to a way too fast Paxil tapering schedule suggested by an MD. Fortunately, 5 years post being off Paxil, he is doing great.
Anyway, that must have been horrifying.
<<As for my Risperdal reduction, I'm not lowering it again until I start feeling better. >>
Great strategy.
<<I'm actually scared to discuss my symptoms with my psychiatrist because I'm sure she will tell me that they are proof that I need to go back to my original dose. She's aware of my desire to wean off this medication but she feels it's the wrong thing to do.>>
Ah yes, your experience is very familiar to people trying to get off of meds. I would say more but I don't want to get kicked off these boards.
By the way, I am sure my psychiatrist felt the same way about my desire get off of meds. He still seems to expect me to fail even though I have been able to taper in spite of dealing with my mother's death and job instability We will be talking about that during my next appointment:)
When you're ready to taper, simply tell your psychiatrist that even if she disagrees, this is what you want to do and ask if you can count on her support? Make sure you have plan for doing so as I told my psychiatrist that I planned on tapering slowly.
He disagree with that (another post) but to his credit, he did cooperate in what I wanted to do.
Unbelievable as they expect you to fail but yet, when you present a plan that has a greater chance of success than their fast tapering program, they act like you're nuts. It is like they want to hold you hostage to these meds. Sorry, lack of sleep is making me sound bitter:)
<< I'm angry that I was kept on this drug for so long and I'm angry that I was never told how difficult it is to stop taking it. >>
You have every right to feel that way. I wish I could say something to make it better but obviously, I can't except to offer you my support.
Hang in there.
49er
poster:49er
thread:886944
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20081229/msgs/887381.html