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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 30. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by iowamoo on May 16, 2014, at 18:58:35
Ok here we go again weeeeeee!
Has anyone taken both if these meds and preferred one over the other and if so how so?
Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2014, at 23:02:37
In reply to lamictal or risperdal, posted by iowamoo on May 16, 2014, at 18:58:35
Different classes of med lamictal mood stabalizer & Resperidol an atypical antipsychotic.
I once took low does of lamictal. But had excessive salivation at 50mg and discontinued. Phillipa
Posted by Beckett on May 16, 2014, at 23:53:00
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » iowamoo, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2014, at 23:02:37
Wow, both are so different. I recall you think you're dealing with bipolar disorder. Do you have a specific dx? Anyway, risperdal does not do what lamictal does. After trial and error my symptoms have improved with the addition of lamictal (fingers crossed). I no longer use Risperdal, but not for any real intentional reason. I try to streamline my meds. Currently there is less mood variability and maybe an antidepressant effect. (It does not work as an antidepressant on me.) Risperdal was not as helpful for me as lamictal. It took a little while to titrate lamictal to 200 mg and a few months to make a palpable difference. My dx is BPII.
Posted by Beckett on May 17, 2014, at 1:10:57
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal, posted by Beckett on May 16, 2014, at 23:53:00
>I recall you think you're dealing with bipolar disorder. Do you have a specific dx?
Never mind. I read your previous thread.
Posted by iowamoo on May 17, 2014, at 10:47:01
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal, posted by Beckett on May 17, 2014, at 1:10:57
All I can say is that I took 1/4 of the .25 last night before bed and I slept good and not that I don't normally sleep fairly good I did sleep good and I not feel my usual tiredness today.
Within an hour after waking up I had the whole kitchen cleaned, microwave cleaned, made breakfast, opened all the curtains and sat down to eat! I've not really sat down since then and that was at 5:24 when I woke up and now 9:45 so yeah I've been busy and this is what Risperdal does to me which is great otherwise I sit and sit and sit ALL day long!
I know it is only a tiny dose but it helps so either I am extremely sensitive to it or I don't need much, either way I am happy!
Posted by LouisianaSportsman on May 17, 2014, at 15:02:11
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal, posted by iowamoo on May 17, 2014, at 10:47:01
Risperdal is one of those meds that can be effective even when it is dosed "low" so maybe you have a good thing going here! Good luck, moo! :)
Posted by phidippus on May 17, 2014, at 18:58:02
In reply to lamictal or risperdal, posted by iowamoo on May 16, 2014, at 18:58:35
You need to understand these medications do vastly different things. You can't compare one to the other and say one is better than the other. They both do different things. In my opinion, you should take both.
Eric
Posted by iowamoo on May 18, 2014, at 8:42:29
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » iowamoo, posted by phidippus on May 17, 2014, at 18:58:02
ok I am getting the point here finally that these are two DIFFERENT types of meds, it is sinking in what you are all saying. However I originally went to my Dr. because of my moods and the Risperdal was the first words out of her mouth to help me with the moods. My moods are of anger fits, I say very hurtful things to others, example: my 10 year old granddaughter came over with these horrible looking earrings that were totally UN AG AGE appropriate and I told her to take them OFF! She says "moms like them" I said "when you are here you are not to wear them, they are hideous and ugly" I hurt her feelings badly whereas on Risperdal I would of either ignored it or said something nice about it but you think it stopped there? noooooo....I then went to my phone fuming mind you and text mom and TOLD her that these earrings are too old for a ten year to be wearing, really this is not my biz anyway. I just go off on people and I cant shut my big mouth, I say hurtful things to my grandkids and my kids and my husband. This is not right nor acceptable behavior as I've lost trust with my daughter who is now afraid to tell me anything because I go off on her if I don't approve and oh to see her smile or hear her happiness when I can say to her "I'm happy for you" my approval to her is very important as we are extremely close. So why would my Dr. immediately think to put me on Risperdal when I show up in her office telling her of the phones I've thrown, the holes I've put in the wall, the water I've dumped in my computer to fry it out because I've been frustrated with it? Why would she come up with that med instead of a "mood stabilizer" per se? Can anyone answer that?
Here is a link that I've read about reviews for Risperdal for "mood stabilizing" I understand it is NOT a mood stabilizer but it does work as one not only for me but for others as well:http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/rxlist_view_comments.asp?drug=risperdal&questionid=fdb9846_pem
Posted by Christ_empowered on May 18, 2014, at 12:26:37
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal, posted by iowamoo on May 18, 2014, at 8:42:29
I ***have*** to take a full dose (30mgs right now) of Abilify for my brand of crazy. Not ideal. If I could avoid antipsychotics, I would.
I'm also starting--get ready for this--lamictal. Started at 50, going to 100 in a couple weeks, on top of trileptal (1200) and the Abilify (30), plus loads of supplements (Orthomolecular, quite possibly the best thing ever).
Anyway, as I see it, you're in a high risk group for tardive dyskinesia because you're female, a bit older, and have a mood problem. You've already experienced what sounds like akathisia. In some people, akathisia can become permanent--its called "tardive akathisia," and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of good data on it. If it happens, it appears that just throw sedatives, maybe opiates if you're lucky, at you and hope for the best. Such is the nature of psychiatry in the 21st century.
Lamictal, over time, can have anti-anger and anti-agitation properties. You have to increase the dose slowly, but unless you get a rash, once you hit 100-200, it'll keep moods more level and help a lot with low moods, without causing flatness or agitation like many antidepressants do.
Lamictal is weight neutral (neither gain nor loss, as the phrase implies). Lamictal is generic now and super cheap. Lamictal doesn't cause TD or akathisia.
My personal opinion is to do this: low dose your Risperdal while you build up the dose of lamictal per your doc's instructions. Once you get on the dose your doc recommends--probably 100-200, maybe as high as 400--see about stopping the Risperdal, except when you need it. I'd keep Risperdal on board for as-needed use for when you're seriously freaking out (or about to).
This is my advice. I am NOT an MD, I have no training, etc....I'm just a "crazy" person in recovery.
Good luck! :-)
Posted by ed_uk2010 on May 18, 2014, at 17:32:48
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal, posted by iowamoo on May 17, 2014, at 10:47:01
> All I can say is that I took 1/4 of the .25 last night before bed and I slept good and not that I don't normally sleep fairly good I did sleep good and I not feel my usual tiredness today.
>
> Within an hour after waking up I had the whole kitchen cleaned, microwave cleaned, made breakfast, opened all the curtains and sat down to eat! I've not really sat down since then and that was at 5:24 when I woke up and now 9:45 so yeah I've been busy and this is what Risperdal does to me which is great otherwise I sit and sit and sit ALL day long!Haven't you really answered your own question there? You have found a med that works at a very low dose. Why do you need to change it?
Posted by phidippus on May 18, 2014, at 18:09:43
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal, posted by iowamoo on May 18, 2014, at 8:42:29
You've got a hot temper, which may be your bipolar manifesting as mania, which the Risperdal treats. If it was a true mood stabilizer it would treat your depression as well, which it does not. Lamictal, on the other hand treats both mania and depression, making it a true mood stabilizer.
Eric
Posted by iowamoomoo on May 18, 2014, at 19:35:55
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » iowamoo, posted by phidippus on May 18, 2014, at 18:09:43
I am NOT depressed one little bit. I am a very happy person. I watch my 3 year old grandbaby and I love her to pieces, I have the patience of a saint with her so WHY can't I with others? I just deleted my ten year old grand daughters Facebook shd cell phone that I pay for because her mother thinks nothing is wrong with what she posts or the hanging out with a fifteen year old girl but because I totally disagree shd disapprove of somethings she posts and she hides her texts messages from me so I took it all away from her. Did that make me crazy because I feel crazy for what I did yet justified.
Posted by phidippus on May 19, 2014, at 14:35:29
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » phidippus, posted by iowamoomoo on May 18, 2014, at 19:35:55
Censoring a 10 year old does not seem crazy to me.
How often would you say you are irritable?
Eric
Posted by iowamoomoo on May 19, 2014, at 15:05:30
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » iowamoomoo, posted by phidippus on May 19, 2014, at 14:35:29
Sometimes I am NOT irritable at all for days then the least little thing will set me off for days at Time again, it sucks.
Posted by phidippus on May 19, 2014, at 19:05:37
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal, posted by iowamoomoo on May 19, 2014, at 15:05:30
You may have intermittent explosive disorder. People with this disorder have explosive outbursts randomly.
I don't think you're bipolar.
Eric
Posted by iowamoo on May 19, 2014, at 20:46:06
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » iowamoomoo, posted by phidippus on May 19, 2014, at 14:35:29
It really varies, syndrome sometimes daily stou for a fee days to a week then snap out just like that and feel giddy and happy then suddenly a total bitch and telling people off. Dr says either bipolar 2 or cyclothymia, either way I settled down a bit today on day 3 of risperdal and up all night with my mind churning, I settled down some today with a little painting project I did but can still feel some edge but able to keep my mouth shut, I just can't wait for this to kick back in because i'm emotionally spent!
Posted by phidippus on May 20, 2014, at 22:17:25
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » phidippus, posted by iowamoo on May 19, 2014, at 20:46:06
Sounds like mania. Especially about being up all night with your mind churning. Tell me, do your thoughts ever race?
You really should try Lamictal and Risperdal together.
Eric
Posted by ed_uk2010 on May 22, 2014, at 13:49:14
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » phidippus, posted by iowamoo on May 19, 2014, at 20:46:06
Hi again,
Whether you're bipolar or not, Lamictal is predominantly useful for reducing depressive symptoms. It is officially approved for reducing depressive relapses in bipolar disorder (as well as for epilepsy). Lamictal is not reliably anti-manic. Equally, I'm unsure how useful it would be for irritability. Among the 'mood stabilisers', lithium, valproate (Depakote) and carbamazepine (Tegretol) may be more useful for reducing aggressive outbursts. I suspect that whichever you took you would not need a high dose, and as a result side effects would be minimised. On the other hand, if Risperdal works on its own after a few days, there may be no need to add any additional medication at all.
Posted by iowamoo on May 22, 2014, at 14:10:46
In reply to Re: lamictal or risperdal » iowamoo, posted by ed_uk2010 on May 22, 2014, at 13:49:14
I don't have depressive symptoms.per serving but I get very irritable mean and rude. I'm now on day four and already feel such a relief to have such control back! My Dr. Won't add anything else in like lamicatal unless he sees the need for it and so far he don't. I will just stick with the .25 and see how that goes but right now I'm only on half of that and am content so may just hang here till something changes God or bad praying nothing changes!
Posted by iowamoo on May 25, 2014, at 9:20:47
In reply to id take lamictal, posted by Christ_empowered on May 18, 2014, at 12:26:37
Each.time I do a dose adjustment albeit it is only 1/4 of a pill still I go through these changes which are usually mood changes and I will be in a bad crabby mood for about 3 days and you would think I'm not even taking this med them I finally even out till I increase again. Is this normal?
Posted by phidippus on May 25, 2014, at 11:50:17
In reply to dose adjustments, posted by iowamoo on May 25, 2014, at 9:20:47
Some mood fluctuations are to be expected when you're not on a mood stabilizer and your diagnosis is bipolar.
Eric
Posted by iowamoo on May 25, 2014, at 12:01:46
In reply to Re: dose adjustments » iowamoo, posted by phidippus on May 25, 2014, at 11:50:17
I meant that when I start each new dose 1/4 dose at a time that each new dose I go through mood changes for a few days. Is that normal ?
Posted by iowamoo on May 25, 2014, at 12:18:15
In reply to Re: dose adjustments » iowamoo, posted by phidippus on May 25, 2014, at 11:50:17
I am on rispersal and each time I increase there're dose by only 1/4 of the pill I Get more Moody for a few days till I adjust, is thisnormal?
Posted by phidippus on May 25, 2014, at 12:47:55
In reply to Re: dose adjustments, posted by iowamoo on May 25, 2014, at 12:01:46
I don't think the mood changes have anything to do with the new dose-they have to do with your illness.
Eric
Posted by tom2228 on May 25, 2014, at 12:51:42
In reply to Re: dose adjustments » iowamoo, posted by phidippus on May 25, 2014, at 12:47:55
I think mood changes after starting a new med or changing dosages are absolutely normal, as the brain must adjust to the chemical change that has occurred. Things should level out within a few days and benefits will increase over the next days to weeks and further continued use.
For example with antidepressants, many people feel worse/ have increased side effects before the brain/ body adjust and the med starts working and the depression and sides get better.
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