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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on January 2, 2006, at 22:50:03
Some people here seem to think that 0.75mg of Risperdal helped me, but what I need to know is *why* it would help me.
I don't consider myself to have ever been truly psychotic. So, why would it help me?
What if it were given to normal healthy people? Would it affect them? How would it affect them? (Sorry I'm not up to snuff on all the research like some of you are)
How do I tell whether it was just me or the drug?
What are the possible theories for why and how it would help me? OK, if and only if it helps me, what does this mean for me? Would this really mean that I have something similar to people who are psychotic?
Deneb, weary of anything called an "anti-psychotic"
Posted by JenStar on January 2, 2006, at 23:05:14
In reply to *Why* would Risperdal help me, posted by Deneb on January 2, 2006, at 22:50:03
hi Deneb,
I know that "psychotic" is a scary word with ugly historical connotations.But many drugs are labeled as treating a main cause, but are also prescribed successfuly for a variety of other symptoms too. (For example: The first time I was prescribed Ativan for anxiety, I freaked out b/c the med pamphlet said it was often used to reduce nausea in chemo patients.)
I know you don't want to think of yourself as "a psychotic." And you're not! You're a great, complex person who happens to have some issues. If Risperdal helps, then take it. Who cares what it's labeled for, right?
I know it's hard to get past the stigma. But if it helps, it helps. And you deserve to feel better.
JenStar
Posted by Racer on January 2, 2006, at 23:14:39
In reply to *Why* would Risperdal help me, posted by Deneb on January 2, 2006, at 22:50:03
Deneb, if it works, who cares what the drug is called? I know that doesn't help, but I'm working on believing it myself.
I have unipolar depression, anxiety disorder, and anorexia (though my weight is UP -- way too high, thus part of my current crash), NO psychotic symptoms of any sort, nothing to suggest anything like bipolar, nothing -- just depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder. Today my brand new psychiatrist started talking about the drugs we'd be trying as soon as I either have a baby or give up. Heavy talk about atypical antipsychotics -- which she says work great for anxiety, and augment antidepressants.
Although I can certainly see being uncomfortable with that, especially since I have some discomfort with it myself, but honestly -- if it helps, try not to worry what its called. And Deneb? It does help you.
Posted by med_empowered on January 3, 2006, at 2:15:26
In reply to Re: *Why* would Risperdal help me, posted by Racer on January 2, 2006, at 23:14:39
hi! The atypicals are different from the old drugs. The old drugs were also known as the "major tranquilizers," b/c they were useful on pretty much anyone who was making too much noise or being a problem. The new ones are better, for some people--at low doses, they can help with depression (the old drugs tended induce depression, although they can also be used as Antidepressant add-ons).
Plus, drugs in psychiatry tend to cross diagnostic boundaries. Some bipolar people are on Zyprexa. Some people with schizophrenia respond well to Depakote as part of their treatment. My only advice would be to **minimize** your exposure to APs and keep the dose as low as possible when you do take them...I think as-needed, very low dose Risperdal (or another atypical) may be reasonable for some people.
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 3, 2006, at 10:55:48
In reply to *Why* would Risperdal help me, posted by Deneb on January 2, 2006, at 22:50:03
> Some people here seem to think that 0.75mg of Risperdal helped me, but what I need to know is *why* it would help me.
It's listed at RxList as a tranquilizer.
> I don't consider myself to have ever been truly psychotic. So, why would it help me?
>
> What if it were given to normal healthy people? Would it affect them?Absolutely. It is a strong medication.
> How would it affect them? (Sorry I'm not up to snuff on all the research like some of you are)
"RISPERDAL® is a selective monoaminergic antagonist with high affinity (Ki of 0.12 to 7.3 nM) for the serotonin Type 2 (5HT2), dopamine Type 2 (D2), 1 and 2 adrenergic, and H1 histaminergic receptors. RISPERDAL® acts as an antagonist at other receptors, but with lower potency. RISPERDAL® has low to moderate affinity (Ki of 47 to 253 nM) for the serotonin 5HT1C, 5HT1D, and 5HT1A receptors, weak affinity (Ki of 620 to 800nM) for the dopamine D1 and haloperidol-sensitive sigma site, and no affinity (when tested at concentrations >10-5 M) for cholinergic muscarinic or ß1 and ß2 adrenergic receptors."
Learn about the drug:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/risperid.htm
> How do I tell whether it was just me or the drug?
You could listen to all the observers who are trying to advise you. Everybody is saying the same thing.
Or, you could journal. Record every day what drugs you took (if any) and how you felt, whether you thought about certain things (or not), etc.
Or you could listen to people who are objective.
> Would this really mean that I have something similar to people who are psychotic?
No.
> Deneb, weary of anything called an "anti-psychotic"
RxList calls it a tranquilizer.
"Brand Name: RISPERDAL
(or RISPERIDONE)
Generic Name: RISPERIDONE
Drug Class: TRANQUILIZERS "
Posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2006, at 17:41:39
In reply to Re: *Why* would Risperdal help me » Deneb, posted by Larry Hoover on January 3, 2006, at 10:55:48
Lar, that's something I didn't know. I always thought it was an antipsychotic too. Tranquilizer that's interesting. Fondly, Phillipa ps. Deneb you were doing well when you were on it so please take it again.
Posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2006, at 17:44:42
In reply to Re: *Why* would Risperdal help me » Deneb, posted by Larry Hoover on January 3, 2006, at 10:55:48
Lar, I don't see drug class tranquilzer. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by cecilia on January 4, 2006, at 1:25:04
In reply to Re: *Why* would Risperdal help me, posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2006, at 17:44:42
I don't see the mention of Risperdal as a tranquilizer either, it's only FDA approved for schizophrenia and bipolar mania. But lots of drugs are prescribed off-label, so if it works for you better than the much safer benzos, then take it. Labels don't mean much, most of the drugs prescribed for bipolar are actually only approved for seizure disorders. Cecilia
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 4, 2006, at 5:03:36
In reply to Re: *Why* would Risperdal help me, posted by cecilia on January 4, 2006, at 1:25:04
> I don't see the mention of Risperdal as a tranquilizer either, it's only FDA approved for schizophrenia and bipolar mania.
I quoted the search page at RxList, which lists it as a tranquilizer class drug. I know the approvals are for disorders, but the drug class is a separate issue.
Posted by Dinah on January 7, 2006, at 10:23:52
In reply to Re: *Why* would Risperdal help me » cecilia, posted by Larry Hoover on January 4, 2006, at 5:03:36
Definitely a tranquilizer. And strangely has antidepressant qualities for me too.
I'm not psychotic, but it works well for me.
This is the end of the thread.
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