Risperidone, Seeking advice on anti-psychotics used as mood stabilizers Options

[miss anthropic]

Well, you may remember me as Miss Bliss. Somehow, I changed my name to Miss Anthropic and haven't figured out how to change it back to something a little less Bipolar.

Maybe I should change my name to Missed Periods. That's the current side effect of taking Risperidone. My MD said to switch to something else, but the P-Doc said that this is common and didn't believe that it warranted a med switch if it seems to be working.

So far, almost a year stable but with debilitating low energy/lethargy.

He suggested to take my dosage down from 4 mg to 2 mg.

I was hoping to try Tegretol because, from everything I've read, it's the only mood stabilizer that I haven't tried.
He said that since I have "psychotic features" that I should probably stick with a drug in the anti-psychotic class to maintain mood stability.

I've read that these drugs are sedatives/transquilizers and am concerned that the side effects will signifcantly impair my quality of life.

What should I do? Should I get a second opinion? Should I just continue with the Risperidone in smaller doses and add the Tegretol. They took me off of Medical/Medicare and now I have to pay for my meds out of pocket from my meager disability check. I cannot afford two meds right now.

I tried to get an appointment with a specialist and, after I gave her my history (frequent breakthrough manias, hospitalizations and even a trip to the dreaded jail), she said she "had to think about it" and never called me back.

I feel like I am ready to go back to work. I'm trying to start temping next week, but I was hoping that I would have gotten switched to Tegretol and that it would work for me. Depakote has worked in the past. I've had good years, but seem to be in a 2 year pattern with needing medication adjustments/changes. This seems somewhat common from what I've read - must have something to do with the chemistry and the body's adaption to medication regimens.

Anyway, I am scared of the prospect of having to take anti-psychotics as my mood stabilizers because they make me so very sleepy. So very tired. You are getting sleepy just thinking about it. Yes, I feel hypnotized - cut off from my spirit and creativity and personality and emotions (for better or for worse). I'm so frustrated!!!

Do you have psythotic features? Are they only a part of your manic psychosis or do you suffer from paranoid delusions even when otherwise stable? Do you take anti-psychotics? What is your level of functioning?

I want some hope/inspiration.

Please write.

Alicia

[meem]

Maybe you could try again to reach the specialist you mentioned. Or try someone else. You need to talk to a pdoc about this.

Welcome to this little corner of cyberspace forums. Hope you come back and let us know how you're doing.

[Randy]

Hi Alicia,

I very much remember you as MissBliss! That account is still active, so if you've just forgotten the password I can set it up for you.

I'm so sorry you're off Medicare. If I was to have to pay for all my meds, I'd probably not be alive.

I was on Risperidone for several years and my experience was like yours; I didn't have mania but was in a constant state of minor depression; apathy. I've never had psychotic episodes, but my doc still felt it was a great med for me. I was at 4 mg and got it reduced to 2 mg, which made a great improvement for feeling so tired. It didn't clear it all up, but did reduce it.

I'm now on Seroquel and, man, I'm more exhausted than when on Risperidone. But I've actually had periods of almost happiness. Still not sure which I prefer.

Sorry, I know nothing about Tegretol.

Drop by any time!!

Randy

[miss anthropic]

Hi Alicia,

I very much remember you as MissBliss! That account is still active, so if you've just forgotten the password I can set it up for you.

[/size]Yes, I would like to change my name back. My email is still the same.

I'm so sorry you're off Medicare. If I was to have to pay for all my meds, I'd probably not be alive.
[/color]I later found out that they had just taken have of my disability check as a one-time copayment. I applied for Medicare Part D and was accepted so that's all okay.



I was on Risperidone for several years and my experience was like yours; I didn't have mania but was in a constant state of minor depression; apathy. I've never had psychotic episodes, but my doc still felt it was a great med for me. I was at 4 mg and got it reduced to 2 mg, which made a great improvement for feeling so tired. It didn't clear it all up, but did reduce it.

[color="#2E8B57"][size="3"]I'm now in the (slow!) process of switching doctors. It's frustrating. I cannot believe that I have to feel this bad in order to stay healthy.

I'm now on Seroquel and, man, I'm more exhausted than when on Risperidone. But I've actually had periods of almost happiness. Still not sure which I prefer.

Sorry, I know nothing about Tegretol.

Drop by any time!!

Randy

[miss anthropic]

Maybe you could try again to reach the specialist you mentioned. Or try someone else. You need to talk to a pdoc about this.

Welcome to this little corner of cyberspace forums. Hope you come back and let us know how you're doing.

Nothing to report just yet. I'm still in the process of trying to switch doctors.