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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by holymama on May 26, 2005, at 13:34:12
I just lowered my lithium dose from 600 to 450, because of a feeling of overmedication or mild depression -- we weren't sure which. I fully expected to feel better and clearer, but instead I've dropped into a scary depression. It's only been two days, but theses things happen fast for me. I get reoccuring suicidal thoughts and weepiness and a heavy, syrupy heaviness.
I caught my pdoc just as she is leaving town until tuesday. She wants me to raise my lithium dose back up to 600 and she wants me to start 1mg risperdal (short term she said) to 'make sure things get going' while she's gone.
Why an atypical antipsychotic??
What will it do?
Posted by yesac on May 26, 2005, at 14:22:10
In reply to WHY RISPERDAL???, posted by holymama on May 26, 2005, at 13:34:12
Atypicals are used now to augment antidepressants. Supposedly several of them (Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal, Abilify...) have antidepressing properties, although I have yet to find that myself.
Anyways, they also can be calming if you are agitated, which you didn't say you were.
One good thing about them, and it sounds like this had something to do with your psychiatrist's decision, is that generally they work pretty quickly. Whereas lithium and most antidepressants can take weeks or longer before you notice any effects, atypicals might only take a few hours, or less.
Posted by holymama on May 26, 2005, at 14:29:18
In reply to Re: WHY RISPERDAL???, posted by yesac on May 26, 2005, at 14:22:10
Thank you, that's good info to know. Hopefully it will work quickly. My moods come and go so quickly, and my meds work usually within the next day or two. My pdoc is usually unbelieving of this. !
Posted by yesac on May 26, 2005, at 14:45:05
In reply to Re: WHY RISPERDAL??? » yesac, posted by holymama on May 26, 2005, at 14:29:18
> Thank you, that's good info to know. Hopefully it will work quickly. My moods come and go so quickly, and my meds work usually within the next day or two. My pdoc is usually unbelieving of this. !
>
Oh yeah, many of the atypicals are also used now as primary or adjunct mood stabilizers, so maybe she thought you need some extra "mood stabilization" after the lithium problems. It seems to me like you could stay at the 450 mg dose and try adding Risperdal, instead of going back up to 600 of lithium AND adding Risperdal. But hey, I'm not a psychiatrist.
Posted by holymama on May 26, 2005, at 20:46:53
In reply to Re: WHY RISPERDAL???, posted by yesac on May 26, 2005, at 14:45:05
well, she (my pdoc) is going away for a very long weekend and wants to cover her butt by making sure my mood improves while she's gone. A dead patient would be a lot of paperwork when she gets back from some rest and relaxation. I'm getting bitter here.
But seriously though, she's increasing my lithium, adding respirdal, and has me on 'suicide watch' by my husband -- I'm not to be left alone, and I'm not to drive. Covering her butt.
Posted by yesac on May 27, 2005, at 13:24:37
In reply to Re: WHY RISPERDAL???, posted by holymama on May 26, 2005, at 20:46:53
> But seriously though, she's increasing my lithium, adding respirdal, and has me on 'suicide watch' by my husband -- I'm not to be left alone, and I'm not to drive. Covering her butt.
Yup, that's what it sounds like. Did you mention suicidal thoughts to her? I think they freak out a bit when they hear stuff like that, which is understandable. It's a fine line between putting their needs before yours and putting yours first (which they should do in most cases). But it's true, if you say anything about suicide, she probably starts to panic, especially since she's going away.When will you see her again?
It's tough because lithium takes a while to kick in... I also just went to a higher dose. And I have been toying with Risperdal as well, which I have taken before but I'm trying again because of severe agitation. It's hard because I feel like it zonks me out to some degree, but doesn't really seem to help the agitation. So I can either be a drugged-out zombie, or I can deal with the agitation (which often makes me feel like I want to murder people or punch people or kick my cats and other such violent thoughts.... not very pleasant).
Posted by holymama on May 27, 2005, at 18:11:21
In reply to Re: WHY RISPERDAL??? » holymama, posted by yesac on May 27, 2005, at 13:24:37
Yes, I did mention suicidal thoughts to her; well, impulsive and irrational wanting to close my eyes and drive into the other lane of traffic thoughts. Is that suicidal? Maybe...
I'm certainly not anymore though. That risperdal kicked in FAST. That and the lithium increase. I slept until noon today (my husband took my kids to school) and still had a hard time getting up. The depressive thoughts weren't there today, just a drugged out sort of feeling with hints of what might be happiness. Until now...7 pm and I'm feeling a little low. It might be time to take the risperdal again. Does it wear off at the end of the day for you?
I think I might describe this drug as getting rid of agitation as well. I had been feeling depressed AND agitated; a horrible combination. Now I'm just a happy drugged person.
This is the end of the thread.
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