Risperidone

[laylah]

Has anyone here ever taken this med? The doc prescribed it in lieu of Zyprexa due to financial reasons. I just started it last night, cut the 3mg in half. I feel ansy, didn't sleep at all well, and am anxious. Does it get better with time, as my body adjusts? I cannot stand to have "that" feeling in the pit of my stomach, non-stop! Anyone?

Jenn

edited for spelling.

[mopinko]

1. can't help you, but

have been wondering if it might be useful to have a thread about meds- what worked, what didn't, how long you took it, etc.

feel better.

[laylah]

5. Thanks mopinko...

what a good idea.

[Tobin S.]

2. That was my one of my first meds

Also known by the brand name Risperdal. I had to take it at the maximum recommended dosage for it to control my symptoms. That wouldn't have been a problem if it didn't also make me sleep 15 hours a day.

Later I was given a drug in the same class as Risperdal called Geodon. I've been taking it for the last 6 years and I'm very happy with it. It just makes me feel normal. When I was initially started on the drug I had a few side affects, but they went away within a few weeks. That may be what will happen with your risperidone. I'd try to give a couple of weeks if you can tolerate it.

The atypical anti-psychotics tend to be the most effective and have fewer side affects. Both Risperdal and Geodon are atypicals. The problem with them is that they tend to be expensive. My Geodon costs $350 a month before my insurance pays their share.

[laylah]

6. Didn't sleep well again tonight

but I will do as you suggest and give it a couple of weeks. I guess the Risperidone is generic Risperdal, which my insurance covers at $5 a 'script, vs the $35 for the zyprexa. I'll see how this is in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

[mdmc]

3. here is what I know

Risperdal seems to work good but seems to have some edgey side effects. I often see it used with some sort of downer - perhaps vistiral, benadryll, or a sleep med..

risperdal seems to give people energy, or at least make it hard for them to sleep..

I know many people that have had success with it.

peace and low stress,,,

[laylah]

7. thanks for responding, mdmc.

i fear i'm going to be one of those that get "energy" from it. i do take it with an ativan at night, per doc's orders, but have still had 2 very restless nights on it. i'll see what time brings. i have to be at work by 6:30 am so this isn't a good thing right now. i don't function well on little sleep. only time will tell.

thanks again for responding.

[mdmc]

10. interesting laylah

I was going to mention that i would not mix it with ativan, as ativan seems to have similar properties (an edgy energy feeling).

I either take xanax or ativan. xanax to chill, ativan to lower stress and still have energy.

I wouldn't take ativan HS (at hour of sleep). Ativan gives me energy.

Perhaps you can switch up your sleep med to xanax or ambien cr or even benedryll...

could it be the ativan that makes you edgy?

[MrMonk]

4. Risperdal helped stabilize my mood swings.

It also had a slight sedative effect. However, over time I developed involuntary muscle movements and was taken off of it. Its replacement (Invega) is a tweaked version of the same drug and provides the same benefit without the side effects, but it is expensive as hell.

[laylah]

8. I'll see what my insurance will cover on the Invega

and keep it in the back of my mind for an alternative if this restless sleep doesn't subside shortly.

Thanks for responding.

[mopinko]

9. i'll just pipe in here about sleep.

take this side effect very seriously. call your doc to report it. maybe s/he will write you some ambien or something like that. there is just no way to overcome mood swings without sleep. none.
if i had a magic wand, anyone with depression or mood swings, or anyone hospitalized for psyche issues would get a sleep study. the misery out there caused by undiagnosed sleep problems is downright epic.

[Maraya1969]

11. It sounds like you are having restless leg syndrome. These meds cause them all

the time. I have it and I take Requip but there is a drug called Cogentin, (sp)that is supposed to work on the side effect part.

The restless legs can make you crazy. At least they have for me. I finally got some relief by taking double the Requip dose that was prescribed, (I checked online and it is also used to Parkinson's at very high levels)

Don't drink caffeine!