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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sigolene on November 24, 2000, at 5:05:48
I would like to know if the feeling of emptiness is a symptom of schizophrenia, and if it would respond to a neuroleptic treatment ?
Sigolène
Posted by stjames on November 24, 2000, at 14:15:13
In reply to emptiness and neuroleptics, posted by Sigolene on November 24, 2000, at 5:05:48
> I would like to know if the feeling of emptiness is a symptom of schizophrenia, and if it would respond to a neuroleptic treatment ?
> SigolèneJames here....
I think the newer ones are more effectine on negative symptoms.
james
Posted by shellie on November 24, 2000, at 15:29:57
In reply to emptiness and neuroleptics, posted by Sigolene on November 24, 2000, at 5:05:48
> I would like to know if the feeling of emptiness is a symptom of schizophrenia,
Sigolene, I do see any mention of emptiness as a symptom of schizophrenia in its definition. The closest would be flattened affect, which I think may have some relationship, but is actually different.
Posted by SLS on November 24, 2000, at 17:51:57
In reply to emptiness and neuroleptics, posted by Sigolene on November 24, 2000, at 5:05:48
> I would like to know if the feeling of emptiness is a symptom of schizophrenia, and if it would respond to a neuroleptic treatment ?
> SigolèneDear Sigolène,
Who told you that are you schizophrenic?
- Scott
Posted by R.Anne on November 24, 2000, at 20:36:05
In reply to emptiness and neuroleptics, posted by Sigolene on November 24, 2000, at 5:05:48
> I would like to know if the feeling of emptiness is a symptom of schizophrenia, and if it would respond to a neuroleptic treatment ?
> Sigolène##########
Can you explain more of what you mean by a feeling of emptiness? I'm trying to understand it more.
Posted by Sigolene on November 25, 2000, at 2:52:32
In reply to Re: emptiness and neuroleptics, posted by R.Anne on November 24, 2000, at 20:36:05
SLS,
No one told me I was schizophrenic, but my psychiatrist said i should take Zyprexa for emptiness feeling. So I concluded she thinks i'm schizophrenic (neuroleptic = schizophrenia)
Sigolène.R.Anne,
By emptiness feeling, it's very difficult to explain what i mean. I'll try. Sometimes i feel that the world is totally empty. Because there's no one or nothing i could desire to do or to be with. I feel on an extrem loneliness, (even if there's someone around me). I feel like if i was disappearing. It's an horrible feeling very difficult to explain by words.Sigolène.
Posted by natg on November 25, 2000, at 15:42:27
In reply to Re: emptiness and neuroleptics SLS and Anne, posted by Sigolene on November 25, 2000, at 2:52:32
> SLS,
>
> No one told me I was schizophrenic, but my psychiatrist said i should take Zyprexa for emptiness feeling. So I concluded she thinks i'm schizophrenic (neuroleptic = schizophrenia)
> Sigolène.
>
> R.Anne,
>
> By emptiness feeling, it's very difficult to explain what i mean. I'll try. Sometimes i feel that the world is totally empty. Because there's no one or nothing i could desire to do or to be with. I feel on an extrem loneliness, (even if there's someone around me). I feel like if i was disappearing. It's an horrible feeling very difficult to explain by words.Sigolène.Sigolene:
I think I can relate.
I took Risperdal for 3 months and I have to admit it was the best medication ever. For the first time in my life I felt connected to the world.
You may benefit from Zyprexa or Risperdal-- just my opinion.I had to stop it because of the side effects, milk leakage and irregular menses. The same problem I've had with Prozac and Paxil.
Anyway, if I don't ever find anything else that works, I will probably go back to Risperdal.
Good Luck and know that you are not alone!
Nat
Posted by SLS on November 25, 2000, at 17:30:10
In reply to Re: emptiness and neuroleptics SLS and Anne, posted by Sigolene on November 25, 2000, at 2:52:32
Dear Sigolène,
You are not schizophrenic.
> No one told me I was schizophrenic, but my psychiatrist said i should take Zyprexa for emptiness feeling. So I concluded she thinks i'm schizophrenic (neuroleptic = schizophrenia)I would not be afraid to ask your doctor if HE thinks you are schizophrenic.
The "emptiness" feeling might be residual dysthymia (mild depression). Low dosages of certain neuroleptics can treat this. The best ones are Zyprexa, Risperdal, amisulpride, and sulpiride.
Just as an "anticonvulsant" can be used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, an "antipsychotic" neuroleptic can be used for depression, dysthymia, and other affective and anxiety disorders.
neuroleptic = antipsychotic (schizophrenic) = antimanic = mood stabilizer = antidepressant = antiemetic = antihiccup = other stuff.
In my humble opinion, it is about time that we all - especially the medical community - regard drugs as simply being compounds that possess specific properties and produce different effects. That's all they are.
Example:1. Depakote is an anticonvulsant with mood stabilizing effects.
OR
2. Depakote is a compound (drug) possessing anticonvulsant and mood stabilizing effects.
I prefer number two. It helps to prevent people (even doctors) from reaching the wrong conclusions in the same way as you have done."My doctor prescribed Depakote, an anticonvulsant, so I must have epilepsy."
I am currently taking Zyprexa as an augmenter (helper) to my antidepressants. I definitely feel that it was helping for awhile. I may have to LOWER the dosage to get the best effect.
depression = 2.5mg - 5.0mg
schizophrenia = 5.0mg - 20.0mgSigolène, I am 95 percent sure that you do not have schizophrenia - not that there is anything wrong with that. Of course not! It is simply an important diagnostic distinction to help choose effective treatments. But you may want to ask your doctor why he prescribed Zyprexa. Of course, doctors make mistakes too.
Personally, I have never been wrong. Once, I thought I was wrong, but it turns out that I was mistaken.
Sincerely,
Scott
Posted by JohnL on November 25, 2000, at 17:47:50
In reply to emptiness and neuroleptics, posted by Sigolene on November 24, 2000, at 5:05:48
> I would like to know if the feeling of emptiness is a symptom of schizophrenia, and if it would respond to a neuroleptic treatment ?
> SigolèneI think that would be a good choice. Try Zyprexa. If after a month you have any side effects that you aren't getting used to, then you should try Risperdal. And if you're into the overseas market thing like some of us, Amisulpride would probably work great with the fewest side effects of them all.
If someone is prescribed a neuroleptic it doesn't mean they are schizophrenic. Zyprexa is not only for schizophrenia, but it has been approved for use as a bipolar mood stabilizer, and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting it is helpful in depression and/or anxiety. A lot of people who take neuroleptics are not schizophrenic. Just stick with the newer atypical ones like Risperdal, Zyprexa, or Amisulpride to avoid some of the troubling side effects of earlier generation neuroleptics. The newer ones are also more effect on symptoms similar to what you described. (emptiness, no desire, no purpose)
In any case, I think a newer neuroleptic stands a good chance of working a lot better on your symptoms than an SSRI antidepressant would. Just a hunch. And to keep on the back burner for possible consideration later--either in combination with an antidepressant or a neuroleptic--Ritalin or Adderall.
John
Posted by R.Anne on November 26, 2000, at 22:50:53
In reply to Re: emptiness and neuroleptics SLS and Anne, posted by Sigolene on November 25, 2000, at 2:52:32
> SLS,
>
> No one told me I was schizophrenic, but my psychiatrist said i should take Zyprexa for emptiness feeling. So I concluded she thinks i'm schizophrenic (neuroleptic = schizophrenia)
> Sigolène.
>
> R.Anne,
>
> By emptiness feeling, it's very difficult to explain what i mean. I'll try. Sometimes i feel that the world is totally empty. Because there's no one or nothing i could desire to do or to be with. I feel on an extrem loneliness, (even if there's someone around me). I feel like if i was disappearing. It's an horrible feeling very difficult to explain by words.Sigolène.Sigolene,
Thanks, now I see better. I have felt the way you described here and I don't think that is schizophrenia but could it be rather a strong uncomfortable feeling that comes along with a deep hurt from something? That's what it's been for me anyways. I read the part about the neuroleptic=schizophrenia and I take a neuroleptic even though it is for something besides schizophrenia. I'm sure this is so with many others, too. The neuroleptics are used for many things.
Posted by Rebecca on November 27, 2000, at 21:07:10
In reply to Re: emptiness and neuroleptics^^Sigolene, posted by R.Anne on November 26, 2000, at 22:50:53
Sigolène,
I think I've had similar experiences. feeling that everything is empty and not entirely real, no other people exist.
for me it's more a physical sensation than an emotion.
I've tried low-dose Zyprexa (I was allergic) and Risperdal (it caused galactorrhea), and am now on a low dose of Seroquel (quetiapine). I haven't noticed any dramatic changes.
I'm heading more and more toward affirming those sensations rather than considering them aspects of disease and trying to eradicate them. What if the sensation of emptiness is actually an experience of true reality? The issue of how to deal with such feelings (it can be very uncomfortable--physically and mentally--for me, too) in a constructive way still remains.
I know there are practicing Buddhists reading this board, so perhaps they could step in with some insight.
This is the end of the thread.
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