Posted by med_empowered on March 26, 2006, at 14:21:24
In reply to Re: PLZ HELP ME :~(, posted by MARTY on March 24, 2006, at 23:28:37
hi! OK, here's my first problem: you're not psychotic. That makes the use of an antipsychotic kind of..troublesome. You don't even have Bipolar I disorder (where neuroleptic use is sometimes helpful). I think you should try dropping the atypicals.
Some people react poorly to APs, even the atypical ones. I had severe akathisia on 2.5mgs/day of Zyprexa. I decided to stop taking any and all antipsychotics instead of trying to medicate around the problem--adding drugs on top of drugs can really just create new problems.
WHy won't your doc RX clonazepam anymore? Yes, it is a controlled substance, but its also a tried-and-true treatment for problems like yours. Risperdal *IS NOT* well-established as a treatment for problems like yours, and it seems to be highly problematic. Unless you have a substance abuse problem, there's really not good reason to withdraw well-tolerated, efective treatment (also, clonazepam is much CHEAPER than risperdal, something you and your insurance company would both appreciate). My suggestion would be to find another doctor, since this one seems to be perfectly comfortable putting you through hell for no good reason.
Other suggestions: withdraw the atypical (but keep taking the anti-cholinergic for a little while after withdrawal), try to get on Klonopin or something similar for the anxiety, and do lots of talk therapy. Also, I know it sounds fruity and new-agey, but maybe consider nutritional and alternative methods to complement your medications; at the very least, they'll probably be harmless (and certainly more pleasant than Risperdal). At the very best, they could be quite helpful.
Good luck!
poster:med_empowered
thread:624235
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060322/msgs/624819.html