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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Zyprexa on April 11, 2011, at 12:41:21
In reply to Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out, posted by B2Chica on April 11, 2011, at 7:57:27
Well, I take zyprexa and perphenazine! The only problem I've had with perphenazine is very occasional muscle twitch. I take cogentin with it and it hardly ever happens. If I don't take the cogentin its a little more problem. Perphenazine deffinitly did no weight gain. I take 15mg zyprexa and 12mg x3 perphenazine. I took zyprexa for the last 13 years and tried to make a switch to perphenazine about 3 years ago, but found that I could not do without zyprexa. So I've been taking both. Before the perphenazine I was taking a lot more zyprexa, 20-30mg and it was not that effective. So since the perphenazine I do great with the 15mg zyprexa. I actualy like the mix better. I've been maintaining my weight too. I've lost 15 lbs in the last year. I do in part atribute that to my active job, which I started a year ago. Sedation from the two meds is the only other thing, but I like that. It helps calm me and help colect thoughts. And lower anxiety.
If I were you I would take the zyprexa you have. Should stop you from freaking out and stop you from being so paranoid. You should try the perphenazine. Maybe it will work for you and you could stop the zyprexa. Out of all the AAP I've taken perphenazine is the most like zyprexa. Geodon, risperdal, and abilify did nothing good for me. If you take the generic perphenazine, I found that the sandoz version is better.
If you are real worried about taking the perphenazine. Cut the first pill in half and wait 5 hours, to see what happens. You should know if you have a bad reaction.
Posted by B2chica on April 11, 2011, at 13:13:02
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out, posted by Zyprexa on April 11, 2011, at 12:41:21
oh zyprexa i'm SO glad you responded! (BIG HUG) i saw in the archives that you were taking both but i didnt know if you still were.
i know you do great on zyprexa and i do too.
i'm just having alot of difficulty taking that pill.
i guess my mind is beating me at thismoment.it brings me hope that you took and and all is ok.
but i'll have to keep in mind cogentin incase i get any twitches.
are those twitches considered TD?one thing i didnt tell my pdoc is that i cant seem to eat much.
not really an anorexia thing, although the weight loss is nice.
its that my head is telling me NOT to eat. so i get just a little.
i know the zyprexa will fix that. but in a way i dont want it too.i gained 25lbs and since ive been off i've lost about 12lbs. i want to get the rest off before i go back on zyprexa.
i think i'm ready to try perphenazine now that i know you are on it.
someone i know is ok.
i know my anxiety is really driving those thoughts. thus the need for the medication...
and maybe instead of going up to zyprexa 10mg i can stay at 5 (where i dont gain weight) and just include the perphenazine.the weird thing is, i still havent heard from the pharmacy...the medication is still not available. (i went in friday).
i really wonder if i'm not meant to take this medication. that THIS one might cause permanant damage.
....then again. maybe thats just my paranoia, my psychosis, my anxiety?but I THANK YOU Greatly for responding.
b2c.
Posted by SLS on April 11, 2011, at 13:21:45
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out, posted by Zyprexa on April 11, 2011, at 12:41:21
I wouldn't be so afraid of perphenazine. Another drug to consider is thiothixene (Navane). At low dosages (6-8 mg), most people do not experience EPS or weight gain with this drug.
No one is going to be given the responsibility to shove pills down your throat unless you are hospitalized involuntarily. I guess you have to want to get well bad enough to accept the idea that you need treatment. Of the atypical APs, only Geodon and Latuda are weight-neutral. For some people, combining an atypical with a first-generation AP works best.
I appreciate your approach-avoidence position and all of the anxiety that this issue is creating for you. I have been on perphenazine, and I had no side effects from it, although I don't remember the dosage I took.
I guess the first questions are what is your primary diagnosis, and how these antipsychotics effect you therapeutically. How do they help? When did you last feel well?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on April 11, 2011, at 13:24:45
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » Zyprexa, posted by SLS on April 11, 2011, at 13:21:45
Posted by SLS on April 11, 2011, at 13:30:54
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » Zyprexa, posted by B2chica on April 11, 2011, at 13:13:02
I'm glad that Zyprexa was able to ease your mind. The worst thing that happens is that you discontinue the drug if you don't like what it is doing to you. Tardive dyskinesia is not as much of a problem with this drug than with most of the other first-generation APs.
- Scott
Posted by B2chica on April 11, 2011, at 13:56:25
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » Zyprexa, posted by SLS on April 11, 2011, at 13:21:45
im just now feeling effects of 900mg of gabapentin. i am much calmer and can think more rationally. and i think i can take the perphenazine if i can find it.
my last known dx was psychotic depression.
i have had dx of bipolar in the past but i never get euphoric. i get very aggitated and active negativity toward myself. MAJOR suicidal ideation. and then theres my little illusions (no hallucinations mind you) :)
but i see shadows and things that look like people/s;irits like whitewashed, i see bugs and moving things and i have auditory illusions mostly mixed in the sounds of other things. i often hear voices but they are mostly what i call 'cafeteria noise'. and the odd sounds here and there and old time radios. but thats not every day. and even if they scare me sometimes, i'm aware that they are not real.zyprexa always works for me. but since my AD hadn't kicked in they had to up zyprexa to 10, thus gaining 25lbs.
i could go back to 5 but i'm having difficulty (as mentioned) taking it. my pdoc said to try perphenazine as it is supposed to be weight neutral.
i said ok. but i might have trouble taking it as well.when i texted him today he approved more gabapentin and said my physcial response is expected and that i need to get on med as soon as available. lBut thats the thing, none of the pharmacies had it. it had to be ordered...i STILL haven't heard from them. is that weird? i feel like someone is telling me i shouldn't take it.
then just take the zyprexa right? i dont know why i cant.
i just cant.
it makes me sad and scared...but i cant.
i want too...but i cant. i'm afraid of it...and i dont know why.i
Posted by B2chica on April 11, 2011, at 13:59:01
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » B2chica, posted by SLS on April 11, 2011, at 13:30:54
THANK YOU so much for that.
that's the kind of stuff i need to hear.
im very scared of TD.
i think i'm feeling better about it now.
really think gaba is helping.
but it also makes me wonder if i need it if the gabapentin does its job...thank you SLS you rock :)
b2c.
Posted by SLS on April 11, 2011, at 15:20:27
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » SLS, posted by B2chica on April 11, 2011, at 13:59:01
Like I said, if you don't like the way you feel on perphenazine, you can always discontinue it.
You know, it might help to allay your fears if you can get in touch with them and list them. Some of your fears are probably very rational. Others may not be. It would be difficult to address them in the absence of pertinent information.
What are you most afraid of with Zyprexa? What stops you from taking it?
What are you most afraid of with perphenazine?
Unfortunately, with mental illnesses, there are very few guarantees. I hope perphenazine does the job for you.
- Scott
Posted by B2chica on April 11, 2011, at 15:23:18
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » Zyprexa, posted by SLS on April 11, 2011, at 13:21:45
>>"No one is going to be given the responsibility to shove pills down your throat unless you are hospitalized involuntarily. I guess you have to want to get well bad enough to accept the idea that you need treatment."
(although that is one of my biggest fears)
but
this is the issue but i'm battling between whats real and whats in my mind.
i want to get well. but how is my question.
im not normally concerned with my little visual auditory stuff cuz its never really effected me. maybe for a few seconds or so but not bad. however the paranoia is getting pretty tough. but i feel that if i fix my anxiety then all will be better.
though i think i know in my heart of hearts i do infact need an AP.
so why is it so hard.
cuz i'm battling the war in my mind.
same reason i get to my dinner plate and cant even think about eating. not that i'm not hungry, its not that i want to loose weight but i have this fear. that i'm being told that i cant eat. not just yet. dont touch it. maybe have a drink of milk...BUT not too much.
its weird. and i think thats where in my logical mind i know i'm off. and need medication.
but then that feeling starts again those thoughts in my head.
creating the fear and anxiety.i KNOW i trust my pdoc more than anyone.
i KNOW he would do me no harm.
Thats why i'm going to do everything i can to take the perphenazine.
(if it ever comes in...still haven't heard from pharmacy).
buti do trust him.
i trust him more than my mind right now.Thank you Scott for helping me out. for talking to me.
i think sometimes i just need to talk things through to really figure out what i need to do.
to vent and let out all the crazy so that i can decipher through and make a right decision.your the best.
and thank you dear friend.
b2c.
Posted by emmanuel98 on April 11, 2011, at 20:07:50
In reply to Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out, posted by B2Chica on April 11, 2011, at 7:57:27
I took perphenazine. They gave it to me in the hospital to try to calm me down while I washed out from lexapro to go on an MAOI. I was up to 36mg. As soon as I got out, my p-doc dropped me to 12mg. I had no side effects and, best of all, no weight gain. It made me a little calmer, less anxious, but didn't really help with depression the way risperdal, zyprexa and abilify did.
The bad side effect from perphenazine, which happens rarely and is dose dependent, is tardive dyskinesia. This is when you develop some twitch or something that doesn't go away when you go off the drug. A more common side effect, but less serious, is akathesia, a feeling like you're going to jump out of your skin if you don't keep moving around. This happened to me, but not once I dropped the dose and, anyway, when I took benadryl, it went away.
Perphenazine is an older anti-psychotic, one of the few that is still prescribed -- less sedating than others. My p-doc told me that geodon has a 5% market share of anti-psychotics and perphenazine has a 4% market share.
Posted by emmanuel98 on April 11, 2011, at 20:18:32
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » SLS, posted by B2chica on April 11, 2011, at 15:23:18
I live in Boston, where most pharmacies stock most everything, because there are all sorts of doctors and hospitals around and all kinds of prescriptions. But if you don't live in a major medical center, I would imagine it would take a few days to get perphenazine, since most pharmacies probably don't keep it in stock. Just call the pharmacy. They should know when it's scheduled to arrive. It's not like they're going to call you when it comes in.
Posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2011, at 21:22:57
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out, posted by emmanuel98 on April 11, 2011, at 20:18:32
How are you doing now as know what a hard time you had stabalizing finding right med? Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on April 11, 2011, at 21:38:49
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » Zyprexa, posted by B2chica on April 11, 2011, at 13:13:02
Yes, its TD. What I would do is take less of the zyprexa and some perphenazine. I find it hard to belive that they don't have any perphenazine. If I go in they usualy have a couple days supply of what ever I want and will have the rest by tomorow. What dose of perphenazine are you to take? Are you in the US? Just give the pharmacy some time. I was warry of taking perphenazine at first and took a low dose of 2mg the first night. In the hospital they put me on a drug that gave me uncontrolable swalowing. I think that is NMS. They took me off it right away and the swalowing went away. I don't know what drug it was, but was fearfull it might of been perphenazine. But I guess not.
Posted by emmanuel98 on April 12, 2011, at 0:34:03
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out » emmanuel98, posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2011, at 21:22:57
> How are you doing now as know what a hard time you had stabalizing finding right med? Phillipa
Not so great.I was hospitalizd for a week recently and they wanted me to try bi-lateral ECT. I told them that if I was still depressed after school ended, I would consider it. but I don't want to do it. The cognitive problems are scary
Posted by B2chica on April 12, 2011, at 9:33:22
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out, posted by Zyprexa on April 11, 2011, at 21:38:49
yes in the US.
i'm on a emailing and text program that they let me know. in fact i got an email yesterday that one of my Rx is ready for refil. kinda nice.
but i'm definately going to call today as i still have not heard anything.
and from what i know its a really low dose. starting at 2mg bid.
(i think) they have the script and i dont really remember. i remember him saying i'd break it in half in the morning but not sure at night?you guys are all making me feel much better about taking it.
ill let you know before i take it. and then let you know couple days after to make sure someone knows i'm ok. :)
thanks
b2c.
Posted by B2chica on April 12, 2011, at 14:47:16
In reply to Re: Perphenazine, PLease help...freaking out, posted by Zyprexa on April 11, 2011, at 21:38:49
i finally got a text and email saying my Rx is in.
i'm going to wait and take it wed night and just take off work thursday. thats my b-day.
what a way to spend it huh. trying out new meds.
well, at least i'll get to take a day off.thanks everyone.
b2c.
Posted by SLS on April 12, 2011, at 15:58:08
In reply to Re: Perphenazine in, posted by B2chica on April 12, 2011, at 14:47:16
> i finally got a text and email saying my Rx is in.
> i'm going to wait and take it wed night and just take off work thursday. thats my b-day.
> what a way to spend it huh. trying out new meds.
> well, at least i'll get to take a day off.
>
> thanks everyone.
> b2c.
Hopefully, your birthday will symbolize a new beginning.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2011, at 19:51:30
In reply to Re: Perphenazine in, posted by B2chica on April 12, 2011, at 14:47:16
Happy Birthday!!!! Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on April 13, 2011, at 0:53:42
In reply to Re: Perphenazine in, posted by B2chica on April 12, 2011, at 14:47:16
Hey, happy birthday :)
I wish you something pleasurable on Thursday as well as a calm mind.
Best wishes :-)
fb
Posted by B2chica on April 13, 2011, at 8:14:54
In reply to Re: Perphenazine in » B2chica, posted by floatingbridge on April 13, 2011, at 0:53:42
Posted by floatingbridge on April 13, 2011, at 11:26:06
In reply to thank you all! wish me luck. (nm), posted by B2chica on April 13, 2011, at 8:14:54
Posted by Zyprexa on April 14, 2011, at 12:44:54
In reply to thank you all! wish me luck. (nm), posted by B2chica on April 13, 2011, at 8:14:54
Posted by floatingbridge on April 14, 2011, at 13:05:13
In reply to Re: How is the perphenazine trial going??? (nm) » B2chica, posted by Zyprexa on April 14, 2011, at 12:44:54
And a good birthday, too.
Hugs,
fb
Posted by B2chica on April 15, 2011, at 7:50:26
In reply to Re: How is the perphenazine trial going??? (nm) » B2chica, posted by Zyprexa on April 14, 2011, at 12:44:54
Hi Zyprexa
well,i took my first dose wed night and only felt a mild mild sense of somnolence, didnt take any xanax (just due to irrational fear) and didnt sleep that well. next morning took second dose, stayed home from work ready for anything and...nothing. not even slightly tired.
so this is good right? or is it. however i also haven't noticed any major effect on my anxiety.
i am taking morning dose today as we 'speak'. so i guess i just wait and see.
i see pdoc for follow up on next friday.
i guess he'll decide whats best, up med or stay for a while longer.
i keep hearing its a potent drug but i'm on such a small dose (2mg bid) so i'm not sure really what its supposed to be helping with.but OMG thank you SO much for you support during my crazed anxiety freak-OUT about the med.
*********
the crazy thing is. i did some searching and i actually think ive been on it before??
with my first pregnancy i had hyperemesis and after a few months of nothing working and my weight dropping they finally tried a new drug that i had to inject into my saline bag which i THINK was perphenazine! at first i thought it was like premethazine (like in the cough syrup) it sounded something like that. but now reading online that it can Sometimes be used with patients with hyperemesis...i just really wonder!
id have to call my OB's office and check i guess.sorry so long
Thanks for everything
b2c.
Posted by Christ_empowered on April 15, 2011, at 8:08:22
In reply to Re: How is the perphenazine trial going???, posted by B2chica on April 15, 2011, at 7:50:26
At low doses, you can take perphenazine with other stuff (sometimes even other antipsychotics) to calm down; its basically a tranquilizer at low doses.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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