Posted by R.Anne on December 10, 2000, at 22:58:51
In reply to Re: Risperdal (risperidone) for depression? Anyone? » R.Anne, posted by SLS on December 10, 2000, at 21:43:33
> Hi R. Anne (Roseanne?)
>
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> > Hi. I used risperdal for some of the symptoms of depression and when I quit taking it I sunk very low on and off. Adding .25 helped with the symptoms of depression. I needed more, though, for the other symptoms I experience not related to depression.
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> > I have gone off risperdal because I felt it was adversely effecting my hormones, etc.
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> What hormones are affected and how do you know? Is this reluctance to use Risperdal based on theoreticals or is it the experience of your doctor that hormonal changes always occur? At what dosage of Risperdal does your doctor feel prolactin levels are increased? I would like to know myself. Finally, what is included in "etc."?
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> If you are talking about increased prolactin, there are drugs that will reduce it. Parlodel (bromocriptine) is the drug of choice. Sometimes, Parlodel even acts as an antidepressant. Not knowing what your condition entails, you and your doctor would have to evaluate how Parlodel might affect your non-depressive symptoms. If Risperdal is of such help to you, it might be worth treating the hormonal side effects. It shouldn't be too tough.
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> Of the newer atypical neuroleptic antipsychotics, Risperdal is the one most capable of increasing levels of prolactin. I am not sure at what dosages this becomes evident, but it is very possible that you would not see an increase until you go above 2.0mg. I'll need to look into this. Cam W. should be able to offer you some valuable input here. Of the SSRIs, Paxil appears to be the one most capable of increasing levels of prolactin. Perhaps the two together are responsible for any hormonal changes you have seen.
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> > Now I started on Seroquel and was prescribed between 25 mg. and 50. I immediately took 50 mg. (recommended as optimal for the symptom of hypervigilence) and have been now for about 12 days. I feel too sluggish and, for me, this dose may be too high. I'm going to give it a little more time, though, before I decide to go down to 25 mg. Besides all that it seems to be similar to risperdal and helps some of the effects of depression that my antidepressants (paxil, effexor) don't. I've heard that many people are responding to lower doses. These doses are especially good for the elderly and those with kidney and liver conditions, too.
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> It sounds very optimistic that Seroquel is treating your symptoms so well. Perhaps, as you say, reducing the dosage will help with the sedation. I wish you the best.
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> BTW, what is "hypervigilence", and how is it treated?
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> Thanks.
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> - ScottHi Scott,
Hypervigilence is being in a constant state of alertless often with adrenelin pumping, nerves jumping-being extremely on guard and I find it can cross into a bit of paranoia-real paranoia. Hypervigilence is being able to hear a pin drop when you sleep and having nightmares, too. My doctor treated it with risperdal and now seroquel. One hormone that risperdal effected was Prolactin and even at .50 mg. There was breast cancer in my family and I've heard that if you have it in your family or have had it yourself it may be better to avoid increases in Prolactin(there is a hypothesis that it may cause breast cancer). I think it also effected my m.cycle as it seemed to never end-this has also been reported as a side effect. The ETC meant that along with those particular hormonal changes I had psychological changes that were defeating the purpose of the drug. Wanting to eat a lot (I think from hormonal changes) and m.cycle "moods" often. I haven't had the prolactin induced leakage that I had while on .50 and .75. and 1 mg. of risperdal. I think my hormonal situation is improving now. We will see-it may still be too early to tell. Thanks for your feedback! ;-)
r.anne
poster:R.Anne
thread:49829
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50367.html