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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fiftylager on April 28, 2006, at 5:26:28
Hi everyone. I was just diagnosed with bipolar and started on lamictal. The dr was going to start me on risperidal too but I'm sensitive to meds and med phobic so he told me to take it as needed. I started the lamictal yesterday and noticed no side effects but I had a cruddy sleep (just didn't sleep very deeply) and I woke up before 6 am.
I'm feeling a little anxious this morning and I know it's probably just in my head and not the lamictal but I feel it none the less. I'm going to try to ride it out and if I don't get better I'll take a klonopin.
My question is has anyone taken risperidal? I'm scared too because it is a powerful med. I'm soppose to take it if I get overwhelming anxiety/agitation or racing thoughts. From what I've read though it can cause anxiety. I'm scared if I take it I'll get severe anxiety and feel like I'm going nuts and basically take 10 steps backwards because I've been starting to stabilize after 3 months of pure hell (possible mixed episode). Anyways, I'm just looking for anyone's experiences out there. Thanks for listening to me ramble.
Crissi
Posted by SLS on April 28, 2006, at 7:34:57
In reply to med phobia....risperidal, posted by fiftylager on April 28, 2006, at 5:26:28
Hi Crissi.
> I'm feeling a little anxious this morning and I know it's probably just in my head
Your brain is in your head, so I guess you're right. It is likely that the anxiety and insomnia you experienced are an initial reaction to the lamictal. It might disappear.
I don't fully understand your doctor's selection of Risperdal as a PRN to treat anxiety. Seroquel is better for that. He must have his reasons. I see Risperdal as being something that you would want to take on a daily basis. That's the only way it will prevent another mixed-state or mania from occurring.
What dosage did your doctor recommend?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on April 28, 2006, at 7:48:46
In reply to Re: med phobia....risperidal, posted by SLS on April 28, 2006, at 7:34:57
I see that someone does indeed use Risperdal as a PRN.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060423/msgs/637725.html
I guess it wouldn't hurt to try.
- Scott
> Hi Crissi.
>
> > I'm feeling a little anxious this morning and I know it's probably just in my head
>
> Your brain is in your head, so I guess you're right. It is likely that the anxiety and insomnia you experienced are an initial reaction to the lamictal. It might disappear.
>
> I don't fully understand your doctor's selection of Risperdal as a PRN to treat anxiety. Seroquel is better for that. He must have his reasons. I see Risperdal as being something that you would want to take on a daily basis. That's the only way it will prevent another mixed-state or mania from occurring.
>
> What dosage did your doctor recommend?
>
>
> - Scott
>
Posted by Caedmon on April 28, 2006, at 10:43:50
In reply to Re: med phobia....risperidal, posted by SLS on April 28, 2006, at 7:48:46
Yeah I was given a choice between Seroquel and Risperdal prn, but I get virtually no side effects from Risperdal (except increased salivation... weird). Seroquel made me feel depressed and horrible, lots of headaches. I might have been able to tolerate it longer if I had done a slow dose increase but I wanted something that I could take right away. (I can jump right to 2mg if I have to, and it feels fine.)
Actually I still have some Seroquel, I did take it 2 nights last winter when I was having a weird little microcycle and couldn't sleep, but that's it. Seroquel does has better evidence for acute use in bipolar disorder; so does Zyprexa.
- C
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2006, at 20:00:50
In reply to Re: med phobia....risperidal, posted by Caedmon on April 28, 2006, at 10:43:50
Crissi I know the feeling of being afraid of meds and side effects. Could you call your pdoc and tell him how scared you are maybe he can reassure you. Or take a smaller portion to see if you have a bad reaction. Just a thought. Love Phillipa
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