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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shar on October 2, 2001, at 9:53:57
A few months back, Risperdal was added to my cocktail to try to help with the treatment resistant depression. It was a low dose (.5 mg).
Since then, after continuing involuntary muscle contractions, muscle weakness, and a few other things that sounded like they might be Tardive related, doc said stop.
So, I'm stopped and we will see what happens. I am very disappointed as the Risperdal did seem to help.
My current cocktail now is 400 mg Wellbutrin and 300 mg Effexor. Klonopin at night. I am hoping the black pit does not await.
Shar
Posted by kid47 on October 2, 2001, at 10:37:50
In reply to Report: Had to stop Risperdal, posted by Shar on October 2, 2001, at 9:53:57
Hi Shar. Have you ever tried any of the newer mood stabilizers? Lamictal would be worth considering. Also Neurontin & Topomax might be an option. Just a thought. Take care.
krafty
> A few months back, Risperdal was added to my cocktail to try to help with the treatment resistant depression. It was a low dose (.5 mg).
>
> Since then, after continuing involuntary muscle contractions, muscle weakness, and a few other things that sounded like they might be Tardive related, doc said stop.
>
> So, I'm stopped and we will see what happens. I am very disappointed as the Risperdal did seem to help.
>
> My current cocktail now is 400 mg Wellbutrin and 300 mg Effexor. Klonopin at night. I am hoping the black pit does not await.
>
> Shar
Posted by SLS on October 2, 2001, at 14:12:13
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal » Shar, posted by kid47 on October 2, 2001, at 10:37:50
> Hi Shar. Have you ever tried any of the newer mood stabilizers? Lamictal would be worth considering. Also Neurontin & Topomax might be an option. Just a thought. Take care.
>
> krafty
Hi Shar.Of the newer atypical antipsychotics, Risperdal displays the most potential to produce EPS, including tardive dyskinesia. Perhaps Zyprexa or Geodon would be equally helpful, but without producing the offensive side effects. Sometimes, someone will develop EPS with one drug and not with another - no rhyme or reason. I'm pretty upset that all three of these drugs seem to affect me negatively with respect to cognition. I, too, have found them to be helpful up until the point in time that these cognitive side effects emerge. It's pretty disgusting that a whole class of potentially effective drugs should be denied as an alternative because of things like this. It really sucks.
I have found Depakote to be calming and helpful for mania. I don't know if there would be any cross-over with your symptoms.
I wish you the best.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 2, 2001, at 14:22:01
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal, posted by SLS on October 2, 2001, at 14:12:13
Shar.
One more thing. If Risperdal is a miracle drug for you, and the emerging EPS is *not* true TD, then you might want to consider treating the side effects with things like Cogentin or trihexyphenidyl. Cam W. is good with stuff like that. You might also want to get his reaction to using Seroquel. I think his impression of this drug has changed over time. It might have the lowest risk of producing EPS. I tried it, but didn't care much for it. It didn't produce the small improvements that I have experienced with Risperdal, Zyprexa, and Geodon. But then again, I was using it for depression only.
I hope some of this is helpful.
- Scott
Posted by HenryO on October 2, 2001, at 14:50:40
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal, posted by SLS on October 2, 2001, at 14:22:01
What is EPS ?
Posted by SalArmy4me on October 2, 2001, at 14:51:46
In reply to Report: Had to stop Risperdal, posted by Shar on October 2, 2001, at 9:53:57
You could also try Amisulpride, which is the only antipsychotic that has been tested specifically and repeatedly for depressive symptoms.
Posted by HenryO on October 2, 2001, at 14:55:02
In reply to Report: Had to stop Risperdal, posted by Shar on October 2, 2001, at 9:53:57
Shar, were you very tired sometimes during the day? Lately I have been feeling exhausted and I'm can't figure out why. I love the effect of the Risperdal but something is making me very tired.
Posted by Shar on October 2, 2001, at 23:00:22
In reply to Re: Report: question for Shar, posted by HenryO on October 2, 2001, at 14:55:02
HenryO:
Yes, about the same time every evening I would suddenly be terribly tired, and if I tried to stay awake I would feel very groggy, sort of drugged, had a hard time focusing, hard to talk on phone and follow conversation.
Shar
> Shar, were you very tired sometimes during the day? Lately I have been feeling exhausted and I'm can't figure out why. I love the effect of the Risperdal but something is making me very tired.
Posted by Shar on October 2, 2001, at 23:12:03
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal » Shar, posted by kid47 on October 2, 2001, at 10:37:50
I am having something I suppose is akin to withdrawal from the Risperdal. It's similar to (but more intense than) the feeling I would get if I missed a day of it. It is shaky hands, tipping over, dizziness, drugged feeling, tingling in arms and legs, teeth are 'chattering' a little bit. Strange and unexpected.
It is not really that bad, but I don't feel all that well either.
Re: Other Mood Stabilizers: I have not tried any other mood stabilizer, my pdoc did mention neurontin. I am supposed to call him in a week and we will talk about options if it appears I need something else. I will make notes on these suggestions and he and I can discuss them. Thank you all for the info!
It is very tempting to wipe the slate clean and start a whole new regimen, one med at a time. Who knows what might happen. Also, though, demoralizing to think about starting over, even with one med.
Shar
P.S. Krafty--I did not know that was you!! Hi!
Shar
> Hi Shar. Have you ever tried any of the newer mood stabilizers? Lamictal would be worth considering. Also Neurontin & Topomax might be an option. Just a thought. Take care.
>
> krafty
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> > A few months back, Risperdal was added to my cocktail to try to help with the treatment resistant depression. It was a low dose (.5 mg).
> >
> > Since then, after continuing involuntary muscle contractions, muscle weakness, and a few other things that sounded like they might be Tardive related, doc said stop.
> >
> > So, I'm stopped and we will see what happens. I am very disappointed as the Risperdal did seem to help.
> >
> > My current cocktail now is 400 mg Wellbutrin and 300 mg Effexor. Klonopin at night. I am hoping the black pit does not await.
> >
> > Shar
Posted by Cam W. on October 3, 2001, at 0:39:45
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal, posted by SLS on October 2, 2001, at 14:22:01
Shar (& Scott) - Regarding the Seroquel™ (quetiapine), I am actually finding it very useful when added as an augmenting agent to both the typical and atypical antipsychotics. By itself, it doesn't seem to have the "holding power" of other atypicals. Seroquel seems to work well in situations where there is lower overall environmental stress (eg hospital), but when you add day-to-day stress (eg. paying bills, making it to appointments, interacting with strangers, etc.) to someone using as it as monotherapy, it's "anti-ruminating" effects seem to break down.
As an augmenting agent in situations, especially where one has trouble falling asleep due to too many ruminating thoughts, in many people it seems to work great. Another situation where I have found it useful is when dose-realted side effects of a primary antipsychotic are bothersome (eg. akathisia with Risperdal or hypersalivation with Clozaril), sometimes when you add Seroquel you can decrease the dose of the primary AP, and still have adequate protection, with the advantage of fewer side effects.
Shar, as Scott said, Geodon™ (ziprasidone) may be a good alternative, as would low-dose Zyprexa™ (olanzapine). The Neurontin™ (gabapentin) your doc has mentioned is not effective for everyone, but when is effective, it works great. I think it would definitely be worth a trial.
As for a wholesale med regimen change; I don't think that they are done as often as they should be. The trick is to keep people functioning while stopping the old regimen and getting up to speed on a new one. This is one situation where the expression "no pain, no gain" can really apply. The catch-22 of a change like this is that you can never be sure that you will be better off with a completely new regimen, but you will never know unless you try. Much heavy thinking and a lot of dialogue and understanding between you and your doc is necessary if you consider doing this.
Good luck in whatever you (and your doc) decide. I am in your corner waving some pom-poms. - Cam
Posted by Phil on October 3, 2001, at 18:09:58
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal - Shar, posted by Cam W. on October 3, 2001, at 0:39:45
Shar, Sorry you had to ditch the Risperdal. That's a really scary side effect which I freak out about when considering any AP.
Shiree mentioned Zyprexa as my next stop if the other 47 drugs in my combo fizzled. So far I'm just above the frizzle line and sometines a little manic when I take too much Wellbutrin, Ritalin, and then drink about 6 coffee's throughout the day.
I'd be afraid of TD and weight gain. Every new pill I just keep adding a few more pounds.
I know your doc is good (and a character according to someone in group) and he will get you there. If not, we'll go down to Brack and see if Dr. Zapalac can cut us a 2 for 1 special on ECT. We'll be helping the economy.Hope things start looking up^
Pj
Posted by Shar on October 3, 2001, at 21:44:03
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal - Shar, posted by Phil on October 3, 2001, at 18:09:58
Phil,
I'm glad your sense of humor is intact; it is sorely needed, that's for sure. What irony it would be for us to waddle over to Brack after spending thousands on meds and pdocs, and a couple of zaps did it for us...Tho' ECT is serious stuff, I think there are times I would not mind the memory loss.
Shar
> Shar, Sorry you had to ditch the Risperdal. That's a really scary side effect which I freak out about when considering any AP.
> Shiree mentioned Zyprexa as my next stop if the other 47 drugs in my combo fizzled. So far I'm just above the frizzle line and sometines a little manic when I take too much Wellbutrin, Ritalin, and then drink about 6 coffee's throughout the day.
> I'd be afraid of TD and weight gain. Every new pill I just keep adding a few more pounds.
> I know your doc is good (and a character according to someone in group) and he will get you there. If not, we'll go down to Brack and see if Dr. Zapalac can cut us a 2 for 1 special on ECT. We'll be helping the economy.
>
> Hope things start looking up^
> Pj
Posted by Phil on October 4, 2001, at 6:50:29
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal - Phil, posted by Shar on October 3, 2001, at 21:44:03
> Tho' ECT is serious stuff, I think there are times I would not mind the memory loss.
>
> Shar
>
> Yeah. Like I can remember shit now. Maybe we can start experimenting w/ car batteries or sticking metal objects in electrical outlets.
Will you go first?
I also have a 220 outlet here for tough cases.Seriously,
Hang in there. ps My cat is doing fine...he's doing a great job of training me.
P
>
>
Posted by Greg on October 4, 2001, at 8:36:11
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal - Shar, posted by Phil on October 4, 2001, at 6:50:29
> > Tho' ECT is serious stuff, I think there are times I would not mind the memory loss.
> >
> > Shar
> >
> > Yeah. Like I can remember shit now. Maybe we can start experimenting w/ car batteries or sticking metal objects in electrical outlets.
> Will you go first?
> I also have a 220 outlet here for tough cases.
>
> Seriously,
>
> Hang in there. ps My cat is doing fine...he's doing a great job of training me.
>
> P
> >
> >I have just GOT to have coffee with the two of you sometime...
Shar, I still think the Zyprexa might be worth a shot if you can be VERY disciplined on your eating habits. Just don't be like me, I got to the point where if it didn't move, I ate it.
Greg
Posted by Cam W. on October 4, 2001, at 9:39:16
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal - Phil/Shar, posted by Greg on October 4, 2001, at 8:36:11
>I got to the point where if it didn't move, I ate it. Greg
Hmmm....
;op
Posted by Greg on October 4, 2001, at 13:56:16
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal - Phil/Shar » Greg, posted by Cam W. on October 4, 2001, at 9:39:16
> >I got to the point where if it didn't move, I ate it. Greg
>
> Hmmm....
>
> ;opDon't you have some prescriptions to fill or something?
Posted by Cam W. on October 5, 2001, at 3:12:05
In reply to Re: Report: Had to stop Risperdal - Phil/Shar » Cam W., posted by Greg on October 4, 2001, at 13:56:16
> > >I got to the point where if it didn't move, I ate it. Greg
> >
> > Hmmm....
> >
> > ;op
>
> Don't you have some prescriptions to fill or something?No, my computer's down, again. I called the propellor-heads, but all's I got was a document control guy; probably some sort of data entry person; he couldn't help me.
This is the end of the thread.
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