Posted by katekite on June 26, 2002, at 15:24:40
In reply to Re: risperdal AND zyprexa? » judy1, posted by AllieD on June 26, 2002, at 8:55:06
Hi,
Both risperdal and xyprexa can be good in some situations: one the other for severe anxiety that is unresponsive to safer drugs, pychoses, psychotic depression, tourettes, and I'm sure a few other things too.
If your diagnosis is bipolar II however, you should try the mood stabilizers first.
I find people tell me they were often put on anti-psychotics in the hospital or in a crisis and that's why they are still on them months or years later. One of the reasons for this is because they can be so sedating and in an emergency that can be really good. After the crisis is over it can be great (a stabilizing force), ok (helping sleep and not hurting) or not good at all (impairing thinking and making life dull and hazy), depending on your chemistry.
The best use of antipsychotics for people who are not psychotic, I think, is after they are stable on one or two other things and just aren't quite all the way ok yet. Then you can play around with a touch of one or another. It didn't sound to me as if you felt really stable, though.
My advice (on a subject you didn't actually ask for advice on, LOL) is to pursue a diagnosis like those greyhounds pursue the fake bunny. (sorry don't know why that particular analogy came to mind). How can you be effectively treated if your diagnosis is up in the air? Just because a drug helps you sleep does not mean it is treating you most effectively.
Have you taken the mmpi or other similar extensive test? If BP II is a possibility you would also be wise to rule out attentional problems completely (if its a possiblity after trying the quiz at www.mindfixers.com, then its a whole different class of drugs to try). Also make sure you have had a complete physical exam with assurances that your thyroid and adrenals are working normally. For psychological testing its best to be on the minimum of drugs.
Having said all that, it probably sounds as if I'm being discouraging about the atypical antipsychotics in general, and I don't mean to be. If they feel like they are helping that's certainly good, since it's good when anything finally helps some. They are supposed to be good for anxiety for some people in very small doses, and for sleep sometimes. Someone mentioned they are like sledgehammers though, and that's true. There are other drugs with less risk of long lasting side effects, that may well treat whatever is going on with you more effectively.
Make certain you have a diagnosis that really explains who you are and what you've been going through -- that makes sense and that encompasses your moods and energies and thoughts and the way you feel physically.
Take care,
kate
poster:katekite
thread:110700
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020617/msgs/110840.html