Posted by bleauberry on December 14, 2008, at 11:13:30
In reply to Risperdal off label use, posted by Deneb on December 14, 2008, at 1:13:09
A common misperception amont doctors and patients is that drugs are only intended for their FDA approved uses. Each FDA approval requires millions of dollars and years of time, not to mention the political games behind the scenes. If a pharm company were to get FDA approval for everything a drug could possibly do, it would be in clinical trials for decades and cost billions. They just can't do that. So the most likely use of the med is focused on. In this case, Risperdal for schizophrenia.
Risperdal, or any of its cousins, can and do play a role in treating other symptoms, including things like anxiety, phobias, delusions, personality disorders, depression, anorexia, insomnia, autism, and treatment resistant depression when used to augment an antidepressant. They can also worsen any of the above. It varies widely from person to person because while each body is basically the same, there are dramatic differences in genes and environmental insults.
I have said it here often, that I think it is a common trap for patients and doctors to stay within a confined "bubble" of treatment options depending on the "supposed" diagnosis. There is no black and white, there is no right or wrong, there is no surefire strategy. The diagnosis itself is purely subjective, and will vary from one doctor to another. Therefore I feel it is important to expand the list of treatment options beyond just the ones that are "supposedly" good for a particular "diagnosis".
When all normal and logical treatments failed:
People with anxiety have improved on amphetamines.
People with fatigue have improved on antipsychotics.
People with anxiety have improved on lithium.
And the list could go on and on.I would not put much credence in your diagnosis and I would not spend any effort in wondering why or how it works for. Just be glad that it does. With your newfound lease on life, go out and take advantage of it at every moment of every day.
The world is full of accidents. In your case, Risperdal is what I call a "happy accident". :-)
poster:bleauberry
thread:868642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081214/msgs/868720.html