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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 alienatari on October 13, 2007, at 22:21:48
hey all.
I have been on so many medications, its not funny but I think most of them have been unnecessary. But with the antipsychotics, I think it has been unjustified. My first psychiatrist said that I was paranoid. Put me on solian (gave me akathisia but the doctor said it was anxiety and kept increasing my dosage, that wasnt fun) then it was seroquel at 800mg, then abilify. I ended up in a psych ward and the doctor there took me off antipsychotics and said I had social phobia not paranoia. Put me on ativan which worked well. I couldnt afford to see this doctor as an out patient because he was expensive and I dont have much money. So I went to another doctor who is actually his friend and whom he worked with. He said that Ativan is too adictive ( i was only taking it as needed, not every day) and instead put me on valium and abilify. Also said I didnt have social phobia and that it was paranoia. After that, I could not take the side effects of abilify anymore and so he put me on 5mg of haloperidol. This seemed to work but I was a bit of a zombie and the EPS sucked, was on benztropine for a while to help with that. Finally stopped haloperidol and he wanted me to go to hospital and try clozapine!!! I said no and he put me on risperidone. Was on that for about 1 year and it didnt do anything for my social phobia/paranoia whatever it is. I have come off that now, and I think I have withdrawal akathisia but I havent seen a doctor so not sure (not that they hardly any of them ever even know what akathisia is).Its a lot milder compared to the akathisia I have had before but I really dont know what to do. I have tried valium without much success. I have read they use ativan but I dont have any. In the past they gave me inderal but that seemed to make things worse. I guess I could try benztropine.
Anyone know how long withdrawal akathisia usually lasts?
Apart from the akathisa, vomiting and diarrhea that I have had coming off my meds (was on lithium, risperidone, valium and clomipramine) I seem to be a lot better.
Posted by linkadge on October 13, 2007, at 22:49:00
In reply to antipsychotics and akathisia, posted by alienatari on October 13, 2007, at 22:21:48
Hey, you've got to know yourself!
You've got to judge how you felt on and off antipsychotics, and how that compares to just ativan.
You've got to know how you feel about both the social phobia diagnosis and the paranoid diagosis.
The symptom of paranoia is kind of ambigious. It is just a symptom. It could be a symptom of a number of disorders.
Antipsychotics are not really intended for anxiety! If he feels you have an anxiety disorder, it may be good to try other stuff.
Benzo's are probably safer than AP's.
Anyhow, I think you've really got to think deeply into yourself and see which diagnosis makes more sence. When you determine that, don't settle for the other diagnosis.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 13, 2007, at 22:49:29
In reply to antipsychotics and akathisia, posted by alienatari on October 13, 2007, at 22:21:48
You've been through a lot and I'm glad you are doing better. Hopefully someone will jump in and answer the akathesia question for you. Good luck and love and hugs Phillipa
Posted by alienatari on October 13, 2007, at 23:44:33
In reply to Re: antipsychotics and akathisia, posted by linkadge on October 13, 2007, at 22:49:00
Thanks linkadge.
I really dont think I am psychotic but I believed it for so long.
I went to a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety which became depression and GAD, then OCD, then bipolar II, then bipolar I, psychosis and it just goes on and on.
Antididepressants never worked on me at all. Neither did the antipsychotics. The benzo's have helped, I guess ativan the most and xanax the least (xanax made me so angry).
Still on lithium but cant wait to stop it. Apart from being physically sick from stopping these drugs I am a lot better mentally. Its amazing what psychiatrists make you believe.
> Hey, you've got to know yourself!
>
> You've got to judge how you felt on and off antipsychotics, and how that compares to just ativan.
>
> You've got to know how you feel about both the social phobia diagnosis and the paranoid diagosis.
>
> The symptom of paranoia is kind of ambigious. It is just a symptom. It could be a symptom of a number of disorders.
>
> Antipsychotics are not really intended for anxiety! If he feels you have an anxiety disorder, it may be good to try other stuff.
>
> Benzo's are probably safer than AP's.
>
> Anyhow, I think you've really got to think deeply into yourself and see which diagnosis makes more sence. When you determine that, don't settle for the other diagnosis.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
Posted by alienatari on October 13, 2007, at 23:45:42
In reply to Re: antipsychotics and akathisia » alienatari, posted by Phillipa on October 13, 2007, at 22:49:29
Thanks Phillipa *hugs*
Just took some valium for this awful feeling but it doesnt do much. Almost took some benztropine but im scared of it because of the side effects.
> You've been through a lot and I'm glad you are doing better. Hopefully someone will jump in and answer the akathesia question for you. Good luck and love and hugs Phillipa
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 14, 2007, at 7:15:26
In reply to Re: antipsychotics and akathisia, posted by alienatari on October 13, 2007, at 23:45:42
what dose did akathisia start with solian? just wondering as i am trying to get that drug, and already have leftover akathisia, stiffness and constant diurnal bruxism/teeth scribbling.
when i was in the hospital asking for cogentin/benztropine constantly did help, as did ativan/lorazepam. that leads me to wonder if certain anticonvulsants may work as a more long-term benzodiazepine-like remedy to take regularly.
they say betablockers (e.g. propanolol) help specifically for akathisia, but i can't say they worked especially well for me. may still be worth a shot.
Posted by Netch on October 14, 2007, at 10:27:49
In reply to how early in dose did solian cause akathisia? » alienatari, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 14, 2007, at 7:15:26
If you are depressive bipolar with paranoid tendencies lamictal might help.
/Netch
Posted by Netch on October 14, 2007, at 10:30:19
In reply to how early in dose did solian cause akathisia? » alienatari, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 14, 2007, at 7:15:26
Sorry iforgotmypassword, the post was meant for alienatari.
/Netch
Posted by valero on October 14, 2007, at 12:56:38
In reply to how early in dose did solian cause akathisia? » alienatari, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 14, 2007, at 7:15:26
Why on earth would you risk more adverse effects from A.P.'s if you had the choice? ( It sort of sounds like you might) Typical or atypical A.P.'s. they all saddle you eventually with these nasty protracted side effects like teeth grinding, stiff muscles, pains, dysphoria, panic attacks, agitation, not to mention the more serious effects like diabetes, weight gain, tardive movement disorders, the list just goes on and on. Back in the days when I tried them, you'd typically be presribed 3 different A.P. drugs to take at once. Took years to get rid of the minor effects ( tooth grinding so bad I splintered some of my front teeth!) was just lucky to escape the permanent ones.
Posted by alienatari on October 14, 2007, at 20:15:27
In reply to how early in dose did solian cause akathisia? » alienatari, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 14, 2007, at 7:15:26
Believe it or not, started at 100mg. Was really bad at 700mg or so.
Benztropine has helped me in the past so has lorazepam but I cant get lorazepam. Beta blockers make it worse for me, dont know why and I have never read about it before but they do.
Seems to be easing a bit today thank God.
> what dose did akathisia start with solian? just wondering as i am trying to get that drug, and already have leftover akathisia, stiffness and constant diurnal bruxism/teeth scribbling.
>
> when i was in the hospital asking for cogentin/benztropine constantly did help, as did ativan/lorazepam. that leads me to wonder if certain anticonvulsants may work as a more long-term benzodiazepine-like remedy to take regularly.
>
> they say betablockers (e.g. propanolol) help specifically for akathisia, but i can't say they worked especially well for me. may still be worth a shot.
Posted by alienatari on October 14, 2007, at 20:17:53
In reply to Re: how early in dose did solian cause akathisia? » iforgotmypassword, posted by Netch on October 14, 2007, at 10:27:49
Thanks, but I dont think I am bipolar. Not depressed at all anymore. Lithium has worked for my depression if i get depressed again I think Ill take that again.
> If you are depressive bipolar with paranoid tendencies lamictal might help.
>
> /Netch
Posted by alienatari on October 14, 2007, at 20:19:46
In reply to Re: how early in dose did solian cause akathisia?, posted by valero on October 14, 2007, at 12:56:38
I never had the choice. It was AP's or nothing plus they had me convinced i was psychotic. I would have preferred to just take Ativan.
> Why on earth would you risk more adverse effects from A.P.'s if you had the choice? ( It sort of sounds like you might) Typical or atypical A.P.'s. they all saddle you eventually with these nasty protracted side effects like teeth grinding, stiff muscles, pains, dysphoria, panic attacks, agitation, not to mention the more serious effects like diabetes, weight gain, tardive movement disorders, the list just goes on and on. Back in the days when I tried them, you'd typically be presribed 3 different A.P. drugs to take at once. Took years to get rid of the minor effects ( tooth grinding so bad I splintered some of my front teeth!) was just lucky to escape the permanent ones.
Posted by alienatari on October 14, 2007, at 20:24:42
In reply to Re: how early in dose did solian cause akathisia?, posted by valero on October 14, 2007, at 12:56:38
If you hate them so much (which I do too) what was your reason for taking them?
> Why on earth would you risk more adverse effects from A.P.'s if you had the choice? ( It sort of sounds like you might) Typical or atypical A.P.'s. they all saddle you eventually with these nasty protracted side effects like teeth grinding, stiff muscles, pains, dysphoria, panic attacks, agitation, not to mention the more serious effects like diabetes, weight gain, tardive movement disorders, the list just goes on and on. Back in the days when I tried them, you'd typically be presribed 3 different A.P. drugs to take at once. Took years to get rid of the minor effects ( tooth grinding so bad I splintered some of my front teeth!) was just lucky to escape the permanent ones.
This is the end of the thread.
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