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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on April 4, 2003, at 8:00:43
I take Risperdal on an as needed basis for cyclothymia, not psychosis. I've been taking it for a week now.
This morning I woke up to find myself thrusting my tongue in and out against my teeth and lips. When I realized what I was doing, I was able to stop the motion by concentrating on it, although I could feel the muscles trying to move. After I woke up completely, the problem went away.
I of course looked it up this morning, and I don't think I would characterize the movement as "snakelike". It was definitely more of a thrusting. I'm pretty sure I'm just being a hypochondriac. I was on 100 mg Thorazine for a year when I was 12 or 13 with no bad effects.
Should I even bother my pdoc about this? I'm pretty sure I've already got hypochondriac written in my chart, since he's always talking about my "exquisite sensitivity" to medications. :(
Posted by utopizen on April 4, 2003, at 11:15:04
In reply to Risperdal - Hypochondria I'm sure, posted by Dinah on April 4, 2003, at 8:00:43
Since "hyperchorndia" is a medical condition treated by psychiatrists, your doctor should be treating you for it, not belittling you for having it.
But you are NOT being a hyperchondriac in this case. Tongue thrusts are a symptom of tardive dyskinsia. Call your doctor and proceed accordingly.
Posted by jemma on April 4, 2003, at 12:12:31
In reply to Re: Risperdal - Hypochondria I'm sure, posted by utopizen on April 4, 2003, at 11:15:04
One thing I've learned is that tolerance of one drug does not guarantee tolerance of another, no matter how similar they seem. And tardive dyskinesia is not something to minimize - the nerve damage can be permanent. A thrusting or protruding tongue is a very distinctive symptom of tk, and it's very normal for sensorimotor reactions to first manifest themselves when you're asleep.
I know it can be hard to confront a doctor who already tends to minimize and question drug responses, but your wellbeing is paramount. Meanwhile, if the risperdal is not essential, I would consider reducing the dose immediately. If you're taking any benzo or dopamine agonist like ritalin or adderall, they are all protective against tk.
- jemma
Posted by xjs7 on April 4, 2003, at 12:25:52
In reply to Risperdal - Hypochondria I'm sure, posted by Dinah on April 4, 2003, at 8:00:43
I think it is a bad idea to take antipsychotics on an as-needed basis. I read a study (sorry, I don't have a link right now) that concluded that the risk of TD was increased when people with psychosis stopped and started their AP's instead of taking them all the time. If you really need Risperdal then you should take it all the time.
I am concerned about your tongue-thrusting. I would suggest that you contact your doctor as soon as possible. I hope this helps.
xjs7
Posted by lauran on April 4, 2003, at 14:57:43
In reply to Re: Risperdal - Hypochondria I'm sure, posted by xjs7 on April 4, 2003, at 12:25:52
I also read that study but cannot find the link. I took Seroquel for 15 months, at bedtime and as needed. I stopped the Seroquel abruptly (no one told me to taper it) 3 weeks ago and I am having horrible anxiety, agitation and restlessness that dominates my entire day. I am hoping that this will pass eventually.
Please do not ignore any symptoms that may point to experiencing tardive dykinisia or akathisia. I agree that you should contact your doctor.
Posted by sienna on April 4, 2003, at 16:45:11
In reply to Risperdal - Hypochondria I'm sure, posted by Dinah on April 4, 2003, at 8:00:43
Hi Dinah,
Yup i think i would call my doc too. They should know of any sideeffects you are having and i am taking that same drug and believe that in the patient literature it says to contact your doc immediatilly if you have that side efect.
Tkae care hun
Sienna
Posted by Dinah on April 4, 2003, at 16:47:04
In reply to Re: Risperdal - Hypochondria I'm sure, posted by jemma on April 4, 2003, at 12:12:31
He said it was probably the Risperdal and that if I was finding it helpful to just take it every other day instead of every day.
But since I don't really think it's necessary for me, I think I'll just stop. I don't use it for psychosis. Just to help with anxiety and agitation in some of my mood cycles. Not worth the risk I think.
Posted by sienna on April 5, 2003, at 12:48:43
In reply to Re: I did call my doctor, posted by Dinah on April 4, 2003, at 16:47:04
Good Dinah,
I think thats probably a good idea. There are other meds that can help those issues. I don tknow which ones but i know there are a bazillion meds out there hehe, and somethigh should help you. Im on Risperdal and havent noticed any side effects other than sedation. But i have to take it for psychosis. Hopefully one day there will be some med that is reallly safe even for psychosis.
Take care
sienna
Posted by Dinah on April 5, 2003, at 18:53:41
In reply to Re: I did call my doctor, posted by sienna on April 5, 2003, at 12:48:43
Oh I do hope they come up with some improved meds soon! I would say that they know more about other illnesses than psychiatric ones, but after spending a lot of time with doctors when my dad was sick a couple of years ago, I came to the conclusion that they probably don't know as much as we think about anything.
I rather suspect I've inherited my dad's liver. They can't quite figure out what's wrong with his liver, or mine, but both are enlarged and have high liver enzymes. Perhaps that's why I react to medications at very low doses. Or maybe I am a hypochondriac. :)
Unfortunately, this is the first drug that has worked for this particular problem. Sigh. But as my husband says, my meltdowns are only temporary and I can live through them. Sigh.
Posted by Krissy P on April 6, 2003, at 0:27:09
In reply to Re: I did call my doctor, posted by Dinah on April 4, 2003, at 16:47:04
Hi Dinah,
I'm really glad you called your doc. Do you think that the Resperdal helped your cycling enough to get past the side effect you speak of to try without it?
I want you to feel better!
kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> He said it was probably the Risperdal and that if I was finding it helpful to just take it every other day instead of every day.
>
> But since I don't really think it's necessary for me, I think I'll just stop. I don't use it for psychosis. Just to help with anxiety and agitation in some of my mood cycles. Not worth the risk I think.
Posted by Krissy P on April 6, 2003, at 0:30:43
In reply to Re: I did call my doctor » sienna, posted by Dinah on April 5, 2003, at 18:53:41
*hugs* Dinah,
I was told at one time that I was a hypochondriac and ya know-isn't our bodies? LOL
I'm glad that you are taking care of your body hypochondriac or not ;)
*sigh* is right, but please hang in, I feel for you and God Bless you and your dad:0)
kristen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Oh I do hope they come up with some improved meds soon! I would say that they know more about other illnesses than psychiatric ones, but after spending a lot of time with doctors when my dad was sick a couple of years ago, I came to the conclusion that they probably don't know as much as we think about anything.
>
> I rather suspect I've inherited my dad's liver. They can't quite figure out what's wrong with his liver, or mine, but both are enlarged and have high liver enzymes. Perhaps that's why I react to medications at very low doses. Or maybe I am a hypochondriac. :)
>
> Unfortunately, this is the first drug that has worked for this particular problem. Sigh. But as my husband says, my meltdowns are only temporary and I can live through them. Sigh.
Posted by Dinah on April 6, 2003, at 9:36:05
In reply to Re: I did call my doctor » Dinah, posted by Krissy P on April 6, 2003, at 0:30:43
Posted by judy1 on April 6, 2003, at 18:44:45
In reply to Re: I did call my doctor, posted by Dinah on April 4, 2003, at 16:47:04
I'm glad you stopped it Dinah, it's definitely not worth the risks of permanant symtoms. i had a lot of problems with risperdal also, if this is a particularly anxious time for you- how about increasing benzos? take care, judy
This is the end of the thread.
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