Your experiences with PRN.

[Steel Maiden]

I have PRN clonazepam 0.5mg but I find it hard to take as it gives me cognitive dysfunction for 24 hours afterwards. I read textbooks for several hours a day, this gives me pleasure and I cannot cope with not being able to read textbooks, or play a tough game of Scrabble (another favourite hobby of mine) due to temporary cognitive dysfunction.

I am considering to ask for PRN haloperidol as that has helped in the past without giving me cognitive dysfunction.

I take PRN for my autism, when I'm having a severe meltdown that is putting myself (and sometimes others - I hit my support worker again recently) in danger. I have meltdowns every day but I only take PRN for the most dangerous meltdowns, so 2 or 3 times a week.

I know the pharmacology of meds, but what I want from this thread is your experiences with PRN and how it has / hasn't helped you, and what you use it for.

I am not asking you to tell me what PRN to ask for. I will make my mind up about what to ask my psychiatrist.

I want to stay safe and reduce the challenging behaviour as I don't want to get arrested.

[tiptoes]

I take quetiapine PRN when agitated/hypomanic. I find if I can power through the first half an hour or so it doesn't affect my cognition too much and I'm still able to continue at work etc but if I'm unable to keep busy and alert during that first period my cognition does suffer for the next 6-12 hours.

I have concerns about being able to function cognitively too because I do find that being able to study and to work is very important to me and my well being. It does me that sometimes I don't take my PRN as promptly as I might and sometimes have to prodded in that direction by other people so I do understand your concerns. My team have been very good at ensuring that my symptoms are managed with minimal impact on my cognitive ability and I hope that your psychiatrist is willing to listen to your concerns too.

[random.swirls]

I take prn when I am really struggling and it helps. At times it can knock me out a bit the next day but I guess the pay off is it helps me feel better and that keeps me safe so it's worth it.

[tiptoes]

I agree with Cam re. the pay off. When my symptoms are playing up that limits what I can do too. I may be sedated by PRN and not that functioning but was probably not that functioning before taking it either. At least with the PRN there is a chance I might be able to get on with things.

[DestroyMe]

I was on the same PRN [clonazepam] a few years ago and had to have it switched to another PRN because I found it not helpful at all in terms of anxiety and it made my rage episodes so much worse. Though the PRN I am on now [and have been taking for 3 some odd years I've found helps a lot more

[Steel Maiden]

Thanks all. I'm pursuing risperidone as a daily med to see if that helps with my challenging behaviour. I'll keep the clonazepam prn.