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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Julia on December 31, 2000, at 12:39:24
I am currently on doxepin 200mg and ativan 2mg daily for agitated depression.I was on mellaril until a few days ago:it was helping but I could not tolerate the side effects.I am now on risperdal 0.5mg twice a day,for the last couple of days.I have also been on T3 for the last week.Since going on the risperdal I have felt very low and agitated.Some of the agitation could be from the T3.But would withdrawing from mellaril or going onto risperdal give me the awful feelings of despair; and will these feelings go once I have been on risperdal for a bit longer?help please.thanks
Posted by judy1 on December 31, 2000, at 21:03:16
In reply to mellaril to risperdal-symptoms, posted by Julia on December 31, 2000, at 12:39:24
Hi Julia,
I've been on both meds, I assume you are being taken off of mellaril because of it's cardiac complications. Mellaril was extremely sedating for me, risperdal has the opposite effect. You are on a pretty low dose, you didn't mention any psychotic symptoms- has this been a problem? If not, why doesn't your pdoc up your benzo dose? If you do have hallucinations, etc. (my problem), than seroquel is more sedating than risperdal, although in my case risperdal at 2mg bid was more effective for auditory hallucinations. Were you tapered off of mellaril or just switched over? Depending on how long I take an AP, I sometimes taper- so you could be right that withdrawal may be a factor. As an aside, I feel I've gotten manic on risperdal- so I definitely don't think it has a depressing effect. I hope you start feeling better soon- Judy
Posted by Julia on January 1, 2001, at 1:38:27
In reply to Re: mellaril to risperdal-symptoms » Julia, posted by judy1 on December 31, 2000, at 21:03:16
> Hi Julia,
> I've been on both meds, I assume you are being taken off of mellaril because of it's cardiac complications. Mellaril was extremely sedating for me, risperdal has the opposite effect. You are on a pretty low dose, you didn't mention any psychotic symptoms- has this been a problem? If not, why doesn't your pdoc up your benzo dose? If you do have hallucinations, etc. (my problem), than seroquel is more sedating than risperdal, although in my case risperdal at 2mg bid was more effective for auditory hallucinations. Were you tapered off of mellaril or just switched over? Depending on how long I take an AP, I sometimes taper- so you could be right that withdrawal may be a factor. As an aside, I feel I've gotten manic on risperdal- so I definitely don't think it has a depressing effect. I hope you start feeling better soon- JudyI came off mellaril beause it made me feel generally awful.I was only on a lowish dose(50-75mg)but did not taper.I don't have psychotic symptoms,I was on the mellaril for the agitation,which it did seem to help,but I am now very agitated again,and wondering if risperdal will make this better if I give it a few more days-I've had 3 days worth so far. The agitation gets unbearable at times,and is only partly helped by the ativan(I don't want to take too much ativan if i can help it) Julia
Posted by judy1 on January 1, 2001, at 12:19:50
In reply to Re: mellaril to risperdal-symptoms, posted by Julia on January 1, 2001, at 1:38:27
Oh Julia, you shouldn't be on an anti-psychotic for an agitation problem unless you are manic. There are a whole lot more side-effects with AP's than benzos- is the benzo phobia yours or your pdoc's? If it's yours, try to find a way around it, yes you can build a tolerance but they are so effective for agitation it just makes sense to use a higher dose of ativan now and SLOWLY taper off when you feel better. Risperdal is an agitating drug in most people; it is indicated when there are symptoms of psychosis and when one experiences that, you tend to put up with side effects. I really, really would get another opinion- hopefully with someone knowledgeable about comorbid anxiety and depression. Please let me know how you do, and DON'T be afraid of benzos, they can be a lifesaver. Take care, Judy
Posted by Julia on January 3, 2001, at 0:35:30
In reply to Re: mellaril to risperdal-symptoms » Julia, posted by judy1 on January 1, 2001, at 12:19:50
Judy,I have talked to my pdoc again,who has taken me off risperdal because he thought it might be making me flat and depressing my mood.I am wary of taking too much lorazepam,but take your point about benzodiazepines.I wondered if klonopin would be a better option? I see it's used a lot in the US ,but not in the UK where I am .but a longer acting benzodiazepine might be better option than lorazepam. incidentally I did find that mellaril helped the agitation,I'm not sure How,but I did find the side effects too much to take. Julia
Posted by judy1 on January 3, 2001, at 19:09:27
In reply to Re: mellaril to risperdal-symptoms Judy, posted by Julia on January 3, 2001, at 0:35:30
I'm glad you spoke to your pdoc and stopped the risperdal; hopefully you'll see an improvement soon. I'm on klonopin, it is longer acting than ativan, and has really helped my panic disorder. Some pdocs feel it has some mood stabilizing properties, so you may want to consider it. Take care, Judy
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