![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 0:07:23
Okay, this is weird-
I feel very, painfully tired from the Risperdal, yet also have racing thoughts from it, and I can't sleep.
I'm taking it for social phobia. Klonopin works, but doc is trying to avoid it.
I entered the ER today about bugs crawling under my skin. Doc told me to see my dermatologist tomorrow to confirm things, but he said it can't be anything like lice because I have no marks. He was quick to ask if I've felt stressed lately. Um, try 19 years, but whatever.
So I guess thing is proof anxious types who go untreated really do get "sick" more often.
Anyway, the Klonopin never made me tired- if I was already tired but had racing thoughts, it would quell those so I could sleep, but it never made me tired. If anything, it energized me. I might have bipolar. Um, yeah, so I bet I'll call my pdoc tomorrow and he'll give another one of his "umphs that's odd." I'm like, "geez, umphs don't treat me, doc" in my head...
Posted by Rainbowlight on March 6, 2003, at 1:36:47
In reply to Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 0:07:23
Don't you hate it when you go to the ER and they patronize you and act like your crazy? And it always has to be some doc who is fresh out of med school and is young enough to ALMOST be one of your kids! LOL! It sounds like the Klonopin worked much better for you. How long have you been taking the Risperdal? I took it for quite awhile for anxiety. I took it at bedtime. It never did make me drowsy or help me to sleep. Is your doctor hesitant to give you the Klonopin because it is a benzodiazepine? My pdoc won't give me Klonopin at all, and I like the med too.
Posted by vagen on March 6, 2003, at 2:22:39
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by Rainbowlight on March 6, 2003, at 1:36:47
Hey, I have been on Risperidone for a month and I am itching like fire. I have this rash that I can't get rid of. Doc did prescribe Cogentin to stop the SE and to make the rash go away --but now that is not working. ANd I am dry as hell.
I can't stand the EPS anymore.
But for a time it did work as a great MS for me. (the risperidone).I am at my wits end. Have tried everything I think now.
Oh yea: I sleep wonderfully with the risperidone.
go figure.
Posted by viridis on March 6, 2003, at 4:15:57
In reply to Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 0:07:23
Maybe this is a dumb question, but couldn't you just refuse antipsychotics (long-term health concerns would be a legitimate reason) and insist on Klonopin (much safer)? Or find a doctor with enough common sense to realize that Klonopin is what works for you (not necessarily easy, but worth it in the long run).
I finally learned to give up on doctors who are narrow-minded and/or don't know what they're doing. It only took me about 11 years...
Posted by djmmm on March 6, 2003, at 8:19:04
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by vagen on March 6, 2003, at 2:22:39
You all have strange doctors...typically if you get a rash from a med, it's a sign of a possible severe allergic reaction or liver problems. EVERY monograph insists that a medication be immediately discontinued (if a rash is present) and a doctor consulted.
Klonopin is a very safe and effective drug, and like the MAOI class of meds, it has a very undeserving bad reputation
Posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 14:41:09
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by djmmm on March 6, 2003, at 8:19:04
I'm calling up my GP today, and asking if she wants to take over my meds or at least refer me to a good p-doc. She immediately asked me "if he was a good p-doc" or not a few months ago when I started to see her. Said many don't have good p-docs. So she's sympathetic to me it seems, which is more than I can say about my p-doc, I don't care if he went to Harvard Med and everyone in Boston knows him.
I gave up a few months ago and asked to see a p-doc. He agreed to see me for a 1-hr. consult, where he basically said it was weird for my pdoc not to have given my Klonopin long-term after a 1 1/2 years of failing everything else.
My life, it's livable on Klonopin, but my pdoc only gives me it prn, .5mg (I need 1mg) 15 doses, once a month, if that.
Oh, and I'm on .5mg Risperdal 3x day, just started yesterday. NO anxiety reduction, how long should I wait before giving up?
Posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 14:56:21
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by djmmm on March 6, 2003, at 8:19:04
I just wanted to add, my doctor is prescribing me Desoxyn with no concern, and antipsychotics (I last tried Abilify for two weeks, felt no differently, but did get akathasia so stopped). Yet Klonopin? Oh, only prn.
This makes no sense whatsoever. I just left a message with my GP asking her to take over my meds or offer me a referral. Why would a p-doc give out methamphetamine with no hesitation but after a year and a half of realizing nothing whatsoever works but Klonopin, he's too hesitant to prescribe that? I even had a consult with a colleague of his who told me he's talk some sense into him after I told him Gabitril, which was prescribed to avoid Klonopin, put me into a psychotic episode. So that's the only reason why I kept seeing him-- I figured that his colleague would have better success at convincing him than I did.
Well apparently nothing's getting through to him. Now my pdoc says I should not bother about girls because if a girl isn't comfortable with my anxiety, she shouldn't be friends with me. What on earth kind of thinking is that?!!?!? I'M not comfortable with my own anxiety, for goodness sakes.
Whatever "gain" I'm getting from avoiding Klonopin must be pretty good, because he's willing to put me into psychotic episodes for them I guess. And this Risperdal is making me very tired, but I still have anxiety anyway. Klonopin didn't make me tired. And I tried to convince him K doesn't make me dulled, but he still thinks I have to choose between ADD or anxiety as a priority at every appt., I guess he thinks treating my anxiety will hurt my ADD. This guy is nuts.
Posted by Jack Smith on March 6, 2003, at 15:09:08
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee, posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 14:56:21
Where are you? Your doc seems to be extremely odd. I have never heard of such a benzo-phobic p-doc. Most p-docs rave about benzos so long as they are used correctly and in patients with no history of addiction. What decade is this doctor living in? Even most GP's would be more open to prescribing benzo's.
Get a referral for someone else. Didn't your pdoc's colleague recommend klonopin and nardil??? Why have you not explored nardil? It seems perfect for your symptoms. I also seem to remember you telling us that your pdoc discounted nardil altogether. At that time, however, you described him as "well-respected" and you told us to "get off the nardil bandwagon."
Your doctor's comments about girls are extremely insensitive. What world does he live in? I agree with his statements if this was a perfect world but it's not and, like it or not, girls are not just going to magically be interested in you when you cannot talk to them!
I really suggest a new doctor quick. YOU DESERVE BETTER. Anti-psychotics should not be used until you have AT LEAST tried benzo's. Moreover, MAOI's are a better option than antipsychotics. You are young, the quicker you get control of this the better. You need agressive treatment but not stupid treatment. If you have to, use whatever savings you can if your health plan won't give you a better doctor. THIS IS YOUR LIFE!!!!!!
>This guy is nuts.
Unfortunately, I agree.
JACK
Posted by Jack Smith on March 6, 2003, at 15:12:02
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee, posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 14:41:09
> Oh, and I'm on .5mg Risperdal 3x day, just started yesterday. NO anxiety reduction, how long should I wait before giving up?
>You should give it up NOW! There is NO need to be on Risperdal when you know that you respond well to another, safer treatment--Klonopin. Risperdal certainly has its place but if you know there is a treatment that works for you, you should be using that. Period.
JACK
Posted by agencypanic on March 6, 2003, at 17:43:13
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee, posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 14:41:09
> Oh, and I'm on .5mg Risperdal 3x day, just started yesterday. NO anxiety reduction, how long should I wait before giving up?
>I started taking Risperdal about one month ago. I started at 1mg 2x/day and am now taking 2.5mg/day. I found that it took at least
one week before I started to notice any positive effects. I'm hoping that I haven't yet reached maximum possible benefits from it.
The website says that 4-6 weeks is usually when this occurs. Good luck.
Posted by utopizen on March 6, 2003, at 23:24:26
In reply to Get a new doc ASAP » utopizen, posted by Jack Smith on March 6, 2003, at 15:09:08
> Your doctor's comments about girls are extremely insensitive. What world does he live in? I agree with his statements if this was a perfect world but it's not and, like it or not, girls are not just going to magically be interested in you when you cannot talk to them!
>And in a perfect world, my pdoc would be out of a job anyway : )
Posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 0:19:14
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee » utopizen, posted by viridis on March 6, 2003, at 4:15:57
Hi, :-)The only dumb question is the one never asked:-)
I hope this helps, when I was hospitalized (after a long time stable) last October, I was put on Risperdal and I was WIDE AWAKE. I refused it and the doc was pissed-tooo bad. I ultimately signed out AMA as I was higher functioning and there were no groups to help me with how I was feeling. I would suggest to find out what works for YOU, talk to your doc, and be assertive. Some docs don't listen (been there done that!) I hear you! It only took me 11 years too-exactly like you. I also take Klonopin and it works for me. I wish you the best and hope this helped?
Please keep me posted:-)
Kristen------------------------------------------Maybe this is a dumb question, but couldn't you just refuse antipsychotics (long-term health concerns would be a legitimate reason) and insist on Klonopin (much safer)? Or find a doctor with enough common sense to realize that Klonopin is what works for you (not necessarily easy, but worth it in the long run).
I finally learned to give up on doctors who are narrow-minded and/or don't know what they're doing. It only took me about 11 years...
Posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 0:24:17
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by djmmm on March 6, 2003, at 8:19:04
Hi, IBTD on this>"You all have strange doctors...typically if you get a rash from a med, it's a sign of a possible severe allergic reaction or liver problems".-my doc is a very nice person-just a Poor doc-ex-having to look in the PDR to see how much Lamictal to give me-which, to me, says she has no experience, I do believe that when docs prescribe a new med to their patients, they don't know if they will get a rash or not-it's a double-edged sword. BUT, I DO AGREE with "Klonopin is a very safe and effective drug, and like the MAOI class of meds, it has a very undeserving bad reputation"
WHY oh WHY does Klonopin have such a bad rep? Because it works and docs would be out of the job researching and using people for guinea pigs? I don't know man LOL I wonder.
All the best,
Kristen:-)
-------------------------------------------------EVERY monograph insists that a medication be immediately discontinued (if a rash is present) and a doctor consulted.
Klonopin is a very safe and effective drug, and like the MAOI class of meds, it has a very undeserving bad reputation
http://www.socialfear.com/klonopin_discontinuation.html
Posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 0:30:11
In reply to Get a new doc ASAP » utopizen, posted by Jack Smith on March 6, 2003, at 15:09:08
Oh JACK? my doc says 2mg is too much Klonopin! What do you think? Talk about a benzo-phobic-she wants me to wean down to 1mg a day-that's it-I don't know......Even my pdoc prescribed Ativan-she has no problem. Why are docs like this?
As long as a person is withdrawn slowly and under a docs care-when and if that time comes, what is the big deal?
frustrates the heck out of me-some docs.
Also, I get EXTREMELY intimidated when I ask about another med. I asked about GEODON last visit and she remarked "What?-You wanna try every drug on the market" UUUGGHHH I think I need a new doc What do you think?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Kristen:-)
-------------------------------------------------
Where are you? Your doc seems to be extremely odd. I have never heard of such a benzo-phobic p-doc. Most p-docs rave about benzos so long as they are used correctly and in patients with no history of addiction. What decade is this doctor living in? Even most GP's would be more open to prescribing benzo's.
Get a referral for someone else. Didn't your pdoc's colleague recommend klonopin and nardil??? Why have you not explored nardil? It seems perfect for your symptoms. I also seem to remember you telling us that your pdoc discounted nardil altogether. At that time, however, you described him as "well-respected" and you told us to "get off the nardil bandwagon."
Your doctor's comments about girls are extremely insensitive. What world does he live in? I agree with his statements if this was a perfect world but it's not and, like it or not, girls are not just going to magically be interested in you when you cannot talk to them!
I really suggest a new doctor quick. YOU DESERVE BETTER. Anti-psychotics should not be used until you have AT LEAST tried benzo's. Moreover, MAOI's are a better option than antipsychotics. You are young, the quicker you get control of this the better. You need agressive treatment but not stupid treatment. If you have to, use whatever savings you can if your health plan won't give you a better doctor. THIS IS YOUR LIFE!!!!!!
>
> >This guy is nuts.
>
> Unfortunately, I agree.
>
> JACK
Posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 0:33:30
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee » utopizen, posted by Jack Smith on March 6, 2003, at 15:12:02
Hiya JACK (again)You have some great words here AGAIN:-)
I'm on Seroquel, it has made me gain weight and if I take anything more than 200mg-I feel groggy all day and I get bloated.
Do you really think that there is no need for an AP if one is on a benzo? please advise me?
Thank you so much!-look forward to hearing your view on this.
Kristen------------------------------------------
You should give it up NOW! There is NO need to be on Risperdal when you know that you respond well to another, safer treatment--Klonopin. Risperdal certainly has its place but if you know there is a treatment that works for you, you should be using that. Period.
JACK
Posted by vagen on March 7, 2003, at 0:43:02
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by djmmm on March 6, 2003, at 8:19:04
Hey ya'll, finally spoke with my pdoc again and we stopped the Risperidone. The rash is abating, although it got pretty rough yesterday, it felt like it was going into my eyes......
I was trying it as a MS not for a phobia, but it worked......
until the rash of course. :)
Now, I am feeling withdrawl symptoms.
kinda sucks.
Anyone have ideas of what else to try?
aside from the anticonvulsants?
tried those, had bad reactions
thanks
Posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 1:20:06
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep, posted by vagen on March 7, 2003, at 0:43:02
Hey djmmm, How about Lamictal?? But first, what is your diagnosis? Lamictal does have an incidence of a rash-but I haven't got that reaction. How about Seroquel?
I hope this helps?
Hope to hear back:-)
Kristen> Hey ya'll, finally spoke with my pdoc again and we stopped the Risperidone. The rash is abating, although it got pretty rough yesterday, it felt like it was going into my eyes......
> I was trying it as a MS not for a phobia, but it worked......
> until the rash of course. :)
> Now, I am feeling withdrawl symptoms.
> kinda sucks.
> Anyone have ideas of what else to try?
> aside from the anticonvulsants?
> tried those, had bad reactions
> thanks
>
Posted by utopizen on March 7, 2003, at 10:12:51
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't sleep » vagen, posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 1:20:06
Okay, now tell me if this is sleeping too much:
At night: 10-11 hrs
During day: Wake for 2 hours, followed by 4 hour nap, repeated intermittently
And then there's this odd tingling sensation in my hands...
I wonder if Risperdal is to blame. Lol.
Posted by Jack Smith on March 7, 2003, at 13:16:40
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee, posted by utopizen on March 7, 2003, at 10:12:51
> Okay, now tell me if this is sleeping too much:
>
> At night: 10-11 hrs
>
> During day: Wake for 2 hours, followed by 4 hour nap, repeated intermittently
>
> And then there's this odd tingling sensation in my hands...
>
> I wonder if Risperdal is to blame. Lol.I repeat my earlier post. You know Klonopin works, so take that instead. Are you schizophrenic? Are you psychotic? Risperdal's main indications are for those things. Certainly, there are off-label uses but frankly I am completely puzzled by a doctor who KNOWS you respond to a drug indicated for the very problems you have BUT then decides to give you a drug that he is not sure will work for you and the drug is not officially indicated for your problems. Get a new doc ASAP. Please, I mean NOW. THIS IS YOUR LIFE. Don't let some quack give you a drug for schizophrenia when you have an anxiety disorder and you KNOW THAT YOU RESPOND TO A SIMPLE BENZO. Get out the phonebook and make an appointment for TODAY. As I said, the faster you get control of this problem, the more able you will be to overcome it permanently.
Agressive Treatment, not STUPID treatment.
JACK
Posted by Jack Smith on March 7, 2003, at 13:20:44
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee » Jack Smith, posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 0:33:30
> Do you really think that there is no need for an AP if one is on a benzo? please advise me?
> Thank you so much!-look forward to hearing your view on this.Kristen, as much as I would like to, I can't give you an informed answer. My advice to Utopizen not to take an AP and only to take a benzo was based on the fact that he is not responding well at all to an AP and he has responded to a benzo yet his quack of a doctor somehow thinks an antipsychotic is better for a person with anxiety than is a benzodiazepine which are specifically formulated for anxiety.
In your case, I simply do not know. There are some who have anxiety who need to take AP's along with benzo's and some who only respond to AP's. Sorry I couldn't be of help but I don't purport to be an expert. If you have any other questions, I would be happy to give you my opinion.
JACK
Posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 14:58:40
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee, posted by Jack Smith on March 7, 2003, at 13:20:44
Jack,
I've got a quack of a doc too, because I am on Seroquel, a med used for psychotic and schizo tendencies, which I do NOT have. I'm tellin ya, my doc now is telling me to lower the benzo AND the Seroquel-I don't get it Grrrrrrr
I'll try to figure it out.
Thanks so much for your reply. I understand, I'm not a doc either, but I'm thinking I should be with all this stuff.
Thanks JACK:-)
Kristen-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kristen, as much as I would like to, I can't give you an informed answer. My advice to Utopizen not to take an AP and only to take a benzo was based on the fact that he is not responding well at all to an AP and he has responded to a benzo yet his quack of a doctor somehow thinks an antipsychotic is better for a person with anxiety than is a benzodiazepine which are specifically formulated for anxiety.
In your case, I simply do not know. There are some who have anxiety who need to take AP's along with benzo's and some who only respond to AP's. Sorry I couldn't be of help but I don't purport to be an expert. If you have any other questions, I would be happy to give you my opinion.
JACK
Posted by utopizen on March 7, 2003, at 22:26:36
In reply to Re: Started Risperdal for social phoba- can't slee » Jack Smith, posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 14:58:40
I will not take my last Risperdal .5mg for the day today.
Mainly it's for me to concentrate better. Risperdal killed my reading comprehension and ability to write a paper for the past few days I've used it. Klonopin never affected my thinking, although my doc will never be convinced someone can take a minor tranq. and not be "dulled."
I remarked how I didn't have any anxiety while talking in public on Klonopin (plus 40mg of Inderal for racing heart). He said, "well, yeah, it blunts your thoughts so much it'll do that." Then he gives me a major tranquillizer, Risperdal, so we can avoid the Klonopin.
Who's dulling what with who now??
Posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 22:35:03
In reply to Going off Risperdal tonight, posted by utopizen on March 7, 2003, at 22:26:36
Ditto!?
> I will not take my last Risperdal .5mg for the day today.
>
> Mainly it's for me to concentrate better. Risperdal killed my reading comprehension and ability to write a paper for the past few days I've used it. Klonopin never affected my thinking, although my doc will never be convinced someone can take a minor tranq. and not be "dulled."
>
> I remarked how I didn't have any anxiety while talking in public on Klonopin (plus 40mg of Inderal for racing heart). He said, "well, yeah, it blunts your thoughts so much it'll do that." Then he gives me a major tranquillizer, Risperdal, so we can avoid the Klonopin.
>
> Who's dulling what with who now??
Posted by utopizen on March 8, 2003, at 0:32:24
In reply to Re: Going off Risperdal tonight » utopizen, posted by KrissyP on March 7, 2003, at 22:35:03
Well,
If nothing else, I did find Desoxyn works with fewer side effects than Adderall or Dex or Ritalin does, during my time with this doc. But then again, it was my idea to try it (you'd think a child and adult psychiatrist in practice for a few decades would know of the existence of methamphetamine to treat ADD? Well he didn't.)
I've already called up a bunch of docs, one happened to call back. I'm playing a hit or miss game because my PPO's website search doesn't let me specify "psychopharmacology." It would if I called them up and have them give me names, but I didn't feel like dealing with them. Anyway, one lady called back, found I wanted a psychopharma, and said she'd have one of her collagues take me in. Good thing is psychiatrists all know psychopharmacologists to hand you over to.
Well, I have an appt. next Tue with this pdoc guy, I'll go to it and just say if you're not prescribing me K then I've got this other doc that will. It'll probably happen that he'll say good for you, move on. He said to me once "this is usually the time patients move on to a doctor that treats them."
This was 1/2 year ago, or a year from starting with him. At least he recgonizes he's different than other docs... argg. I think he made a promise to God once or something that he'd never prescribe Klonopin no matter what for the rest of his life in anything but prn. I mean, he hasn't even tried increasing my prn qty. He could at least do that!
I think I've had 2 breakdowns with him before in the past 6 months. How can a doc ever see a patient breakdown crying and not treat them properly??
And as for Risperdal, day 3 was today, at .5mg 3x/day. I got relaxed today, very. Of course, also dumb as a tack. I'm curious though, so I'll stop taking it for now so I can actually do a paper over the weekend, but try breaking it into quarters and try .75mg and possible later .25mg and see if I still get stupid on it.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.