Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 984466

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 44. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 3, 2011, at 20:10:48

so i've been suffering from mirapex induced anhedonia for a year and a half now... and i wemt to the psychiatrist today and she prescribed an antpsychotic (risperidal). now im guessing her thinking behind this is to block off the dopamine receptors that mirapex desensitized to make them more sensitive again. now ths is kinda scary to me because, anytime i have side effect from a med, it stays with me even after discontinuing the med, and i sure know that risperidal can cause some bad side effects. but what do you think about that idea? i would really apreciate anyones thoughts on ths :)

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by Christ_empowered on May 3, 2011, at 21:34:50

In reply to What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 3, 2011, at 20:10:48

Do you know why she gave you the risperidone? Did she explain it? Usually antipsychotics are for...you guessed it...psychotic disorders. Does she suspect some sort of severe OCD? It seems to me, without knowing what was said during your session, that your shrink is just trying to get you to calm down. Low-dose risperidone can do that.

As for the dopamine thing...if I remember correctly, your brain does adapt to antipsychotic D2 blockade by increasing receptor density or something. The downside is that if you withdraw quickly, you have problems, particularly if you were on a standard to high dose.

There's a condition--tardive psychosis--caused by neuroleptics. I don't think its been researched all that well, but the concept has been around since the 70s (I think). I'd be careful with your risperidone dosage.

Good luck.

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 3, 2011, at 21:56:32

In reply to What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 3, 2011, at 20:10:48

well she knows ive been pretty numb and blank feeling, so she should know i dont need to be calmed down... but she didnt tell me exactly why shes prescribing it. i just figured it was to make my receptors sensitive to dopamine again. but it also blocks off the receptors from dopamine... im hoping if the even more intense apathy it will most likely can be helped by something that will raise dopamine levels, since my receptors will be sensitive again.

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » Christ_empowered

Posted by SLS on May 3, 2011, at 23:17:36

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by Christ_empowered on May 3, 2011, at 21:34:50

> Do you know why she gave you the risperidone? Did she explain it? Usually antipsychotics are for...you guessed it...psychotic disorders.

You are right, of course. However, I think it would be more productive to consider these drugs as being tools that may have multiple therapeutic uses.

It is good that you laid out the serious side effects that these drugs (neuroleptics) can produce.

I have no idea if using Risperdal to reverse a hypothetical Mirapex-induced anhedonia would work.


- Scott

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938

Posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 1:26:22

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 3, 2011, at 21:56:32

Poser, could you ask her why she is prescribing this med? What she hopes to accomplish or symptom(s) she is treating?

Maybe you can call her.

Fingers crossed for you.

fb

(Did abilify ever come up for discussion?)

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 2:03:54

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938, posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 1:26:22

yeah i think i might call her. i wish i would have asked her more questions about it and why she was prescribing it. and no abilify never came up. im not so sure about abilify tho, i know its a partial agonist at d2 receptors, but ii dont thnk my D receptors like being stimulated by meds at all right now... but i am going to call her about what she plans to accomplish with what she prescribed... and thanks for wishing me well :)

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938

Posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 2:09:31

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 2:03:54

You're very welcome. Sounds like she might be a good pdoc. Maybe?

I often think of very important questions After leaving my pdoc's office.

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938

Posted by mellow on May 4, 2011, at 6:59:58

In reply to What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 3, 2011, at 20:10:48

If it makes you feel better I love risperidone. I find the D2 blockade to be pretty nice. My situation may be different though. I suffer a lot of paranoia and ruminate on negative thoughts a lot. It's extremely painful to say the least. Risperdone really helps a lot with my negative thinking spiraling out of control and turning into OCD. If you don't like it you can always discontinue. You will probably sleep better for sure. So that's a plus.

Good luck!

mellow

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » mellow

Posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 10:18:49

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938, posted by mellow on May 4, 2011, at 6:59:58

Mellow & poser,
There are a number of people here who really find risperdal is a very good med for them--that it works! I've seen it bashed online a bit lately, (along with AP's in general). Poser, maybe it will help, and if my assumption is correct, you'd know fairly quickly.

Will you let us know how it goes?

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2011, at 10:51:43

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » mellow, posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 10:18:49

Personally I'd also want to know why it was prescribed. I just don't take antipsychtics lightly. I feel the medication name says a lot. Find out if your doc thinks you have some psychosis as once I asked mine she said no hence none for me. Phillipa

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » Phillipa

Posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 11:48:13

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2011, at 10:51:43

Phillipa,

Lots of people take AP's without psychosis. I just quizzed my pdoc about this yesterday. No one has ever noted psychosis for me, but I have been given AP's twice. So it's most likely not about that, but more that it is a chemical tool.

Of course, asking questions about the whys of one's treatment is really important.

Otoh, psychosis, while I feel (perhaps erroneously) that I can sense it when I see it, what is it? I guess I use a spectrum model. For example, I have lots of anxiety, maladaptive thinking, ptsd even. So for whatever percentage of the time, what kind of reality am I living in? I've been very reactive lately. I asked my pdoc--look, there is something very wrong with my brain, this might be my father's issue (high reactivity and weak executive type functioning). He
talked me down from that.

It's so easy to use psychosis as a way to scare oneself, just the way people use the term borderline. I am learning to ask, is this a helpful view or question?

Am I making some sense here? :-/

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 14:28:03

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938, posted by mellow on May 4, 2011, at 6:59:58

"if you dont like it you can always discontinue" yes that's true. thats what was in my head when i first started taking any meds that affect your mood..unfortunately, every single med ive taken, and the effect it had on my emotions, has stayed with me to this day. for the past 5 years all ive been living with the awful hell the 1st set of meds i took caused me, and trying to find a way to undo it. i mean, ive read about many people that had anhedonia caused by mirapex, but their brain got over it in like a month.. and im sure this sounds unreal, but i took buspirone last week, ne time, it made me feel horrible, and i still feel exactly like i did an hour after i took it...

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938

Posted by SLS on May 4, 2011, at 14:38:41

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 14:28:03

> "if you dont like it you can always discontinue" yes that's true. thats what was in my head when i first started taking any meds that affect your mood..unfortunately, every single med ive taken, and the effect it had on my emotions, has stayed with me to this day. for the past 5 years all ive been living with the awful hell the 1st set of meds i took caused me, and trying to find a way to undo it. i mean, ive read about many people that had anhedonia caused by mirapex, but their brain got over it in like a month.. and im sure this sounds unreal, but i took buspirone last week, ne time, it made me feel horrible, and i still feel exactly like i did an hour after i took it...

Have you ever tried a stimulant?


- Scott

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938

Posted by floatingbridge on May 4, 2011, at 15:04:09

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 14:28:03

poser, I imagine you've shared some of this with your doctor. Is she (you said she?) aware how much you struggle with med sensitivities and post-discontinuation issues?

I can only speak for myself, but I don't take med trials lightly, either. You aren't alone in your concerns at all. I hope you can get through to your doctor and air
out your concerns to your satisfaction. I am curious what she says about prescribing risperdal and how that fits into your treatment strategy if you are interested in posting about it. Hang in there.

fb

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 15:05:02

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938, posted by SLS on May 4, 2011, at 14:38:41

yes, the first meds i was prescribed were cymbalta and adderall. the adderall was amazing for a month til it caused anhedonia. long story short, i stumbled upon cyproheptadine, and it helped to give me like 70 percent of my feelings back. i waited 2 years to see if id improve, but i didnt improve much. thats when i tried mirapex... and once again i have anhedonia.. tried cyproheptadine again and it helped but this time, only a small amount and my tolerance got too high to it....

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938

Posted by SLS on May 4, 2011, at 15:26:43

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 15:05:02

Anhedonia is a symptom of depressive illness. It is possible that the course of your illness has changed trajectory, leaving you more depressed than you had been previously. In any event, I don't think it is productive to look to treat anhedonia as a separate condition. Try treating the anhedonia as if it were a symptom of a depressive disorder. Treat the depression, and the anhedonia might diminish.

You might want to combine Wellbutrin with Abilify if you can't tolerate SSRIs / SNRIs.


- Scott

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 16:33:29

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938, posted by SLS on May 4, 2011, at 15:26:43

the way i look it, at it, i never had depression or anything before i started meds. i only thought i did. it was just normal teen problems. the state of mind im in occured because of the meds.. it cant be a coincidence that the anhedonia that started while i was taking meds was not caused by the meds. my doctor told me yesterday that we're running out of options for me to try...

and with the cyproheptadine, it was as if it made my brain more tolerant of dopamine, such as the dopamine that my brain naturally produces. and in the past when it helped me with the anhedonia caused by adderall.. right before taking the cyproheptadine my brain was completely numnb to all effects of the adderall. right after my course on cyproheptadine, which lasted about a month, i figured id try adderall one time.. and i could feel the effects of it fully.

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 16:38:44

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938, posted by SLS on May 4, 2011, at 15:26:43

now you're right, i do need to treat the depression i have right now. the doctor and i, from experimentint with meds, have figured out that my depression is dopamine related. i dont do well on ssri's or snri's. but because of the mirapex making my receptors unresponsive to dopamine, taking any med now causes the receptors to become less and less sensitive... while making me worse.. blahh i just dont know..

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by Zyprexa on May 5, 2011, at 4:20:11

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 4, 2011, at 16:38:44

I've had many med trials with APs. Yes they have a long lasting effect on me even after I discontinue them. The best thing to do is take the first dose on a day you don't have to do anything, like a weekend. Maybe start with a reduced dose the first time to see what it does. And the shorter the trial the shorter the side effects last after discontinuation. They do go away it just takes some time, could be years but usualy goes away. I took abilify for 2 weeks and the withdraw effects lasted 1.5 months. Later I took abilify for 6 months and its taking years to get over it. I'm stable again now but still not back where I started. I got TD from an AP I took in the hospital and It took about 4 years for it to totaly go away. I took geodon and it gave me blured vision, took about 4 months to go away after discontinuation.

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » Zyprexa

Posted by SLS on May 5, 2011, at 5:23:29

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by Zyprexa on May 5, 2011, at 4:20:11

> I've had many med trials with APs. Yes they have a long lasting effect on me even after I discontinue them. The best thing to do is take the first dose on a day you don't have to do anything, like a weekend. Maybe start with a reduced dose the first time to see what it does. And the shorter the trial the shorter the side effects last after discontinuation. They do go away it just takes some time, could be years but usualy goes away. I took abilify for 2 weeks and the withdraw effects lasted 1.5 months. Later I took abilify for 6 months and its taking years to get over it. I'm stable again now but still not back where I started. I got TD from an AP I took in the hospital and It took about 4 years for it to totaly go away. I took geodon and it gave me blured vision, took about 4 months to go away after discontinuation.

I can't imagine how frustrating and demoralizing your experience with APs has been. I would say that yours have been atypical reactions to these drugs. That doesn't make them any less real, of course.

What were the lingering effects of Abilify?


- Scott

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 5, 2011, at 15:17:36

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by Zyprexa on May 5, 2011, at 4:20:11

yahh i cant imagine being made worse than i am right now.. im just pissed at what these meds have done to me.. every single thing ive taken has stuck with me years after stopping it. im completely numb already :(

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938

Posted by floatingbridge on May 5, 2011, at 15:57:01

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 5, 2011, at 15:17:36

Poser, I was thinking about your posts and this thread in particular along with all sorts of random thoughts of my own.

Thinking about a treatment strategy that includes medication if that is your choice, (it should always be a personal choice imo), and other elements as well.

You still have neuroplasticity. I happen to believe studies that suggest this. So what can you do? I know you are in an awful fix right now, the intensity of which I don't feel I underestimate.

What can we do to promote brain and nerve health?

What can you do for yourself in your unique situation?

I like that you can see a trajectory of your condition. Teen within normal spectrum of distress medicated with unfortunate results. You presented symptoms of ADD or ADHD plus stuff I didn't pick up on. But you can see your beginning in context. Do you think therapy alone would have helped? (I ask
because of the regret read into your posts. And the anger.) Whether therapy helped then, wasn't tried, whatever, it could help now. If it isn't helping a bit right now, could you have a more helpful therapist. Could you work your therapy more effectively?

Treating the depression you experience now sounds like some solid advice. Through meds, therapy, and/or ? Even if therapy helps move through regret of mistakes made by you, doctors, well or not so well-intentioned or lucid others (quaintly known as family, school, parental units).

There is a real value, to me at least, in being able to form a coherent narrative of events that one can live with. (I'm still
working on mine.) Positive decisions, including positive risk-taking are more easily made. Like thinking about trying Risperdal, for instance. Get as much facts and info. Information includes you
and your observations, satisfactory discussions with your providers (that can include their narrative of your treatment), and insight and connection to friends or family, even if that has dwindled for the time being.

Facts are, well, facts--but facts are debatable, right? And part of the debate is the contents of that beautiful and scary black box called the human brain.

I hope this reads alright to you, and I certainly hope you know that somehow you are alright or going to be alright, and judging by the responses to your threads, people care about you, and you are worth caring for.

My 2¢ today from a gal that remembers when candy was sold two for a penny.

take very good care, and forgive the lecture; it's partly a genetic feature methinks.

fb

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by poser938 on May 5, 2011, at 21:56:28

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 5, 2011, at 15:17:36

floatingbridge.. there was a problem with your last post. everytime i try to open it.. it says error. maybe if you post it again it will work.

 

Re: for poser

Posted by floatingbridge on May 5, 2011, at 22:42:03

In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea? » poser938, posted by floatingbridge on May 5, 2011, at 15:57:01

The only way I have to repost. For what it's worth. I really can sympathize with your dilemma.

Sometime I get a server error. I click my phone screen (a long press or something like that), and that will pull babble up on another browser window. Hope your day has been alright. Take care. fb

> Poser, I was thinking about your posts and this thread in particular along with all sorts of random thoughts of my own.
>
> Thinking about a treatment strategy that includes medication if that is your choice, (it should always be a personal choice imo), and other elements as well.
>
> You still have neuroplasticity. I happen to believe studies that suggest this. So what can you do? I know you are in an awful fix right now, the intensity of which I don't feel I underestimate.
>
> What can we do to promote brain and nerve health?
>
> What can you do for yourself in your unique situation?
>
> I like that you can see a trajectory of your condition. Teen within normal spectrum of distress medicated with unfortunate results. You presented symptoms of ADD or ADHD plus stuff I didn't pick up on. But you can see your beginning in context. Do you think therapy alone would have helped? (I ask
> because of the regret read into your posts. And the anger.) Whether therapy helped then, wasn't tried, whatever, it could help now. If it isn't helping a bit right now, could you have a more helpful therapist. Could you work your therapy more effectively?
>
> Treating the depression you experience now sounds like some solid advice. Through meds, therapy, and/or ? Even if therapy helps move through regret of mistakes made by you, doctors, well or not so well-intentioned or lucid others (quaintly known as family, school, parental units).
>
> There is a real value, to me at least, in being able to form a coherent narrative of events that one can live with. (I'm still
> working on mine.) Positive decisions, including positive risk-taking are more easily made. Like thinking about trying Risperdal, for instance. Get as much facts and info. Information includes you
> and your observations, satisfactory discussions with your providers (that can include their narrative of your treatment), and insight and connection to friends or family, even if that has dwindled for the time being.
>
> Facts are, well, facts--but facts are debatable, right? And part of the debate is the contents of that beautiful and scary black box called the human brain.
>
> I hope this reads alright to you, and I certainly hope you know that somehow you are alright or going to be alright, and judging by the responses to your threads, people care about you, and you are worth caring for.
>
> My 2¢ today from a gal that remembers when candy was sold two for a penny.
>
> take very good care, and forgive the lecture; it's partly a genetic feature methinks.
>
> fb

 

Re: What Do You Think Of This Idea?

Posted by creepy on May 8, 2011, at 0:36:03

In reply to What Do You Think Of This Idea?, posted by poser938 on May 3, 2011, at 20:10:48

AAPs also antogonize some serotonin receptors and provide some antidepressant effects that way. Maybe your doc thinks the anhedonia / flatness is a depressive symptom?
Meds like trazodone and nefazodone also work on these same receptors but they dont get prescribed a whole lot.


Go forward in thread:


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] 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.