Medication Question - Risperidone

[smile5]

Hi, I wonder if you can help me. I need some help knowing whats going on.

I have been on Risperidone 1mg for over 3 years now. I was keen to come off because I feel I no longer need to take it.

Now I was aiming to take it one night then miss a night and repeat that. Last night I missed it for the first time.

Today Ive felt so bad, Ive felt on edge, a bit shaky and feeling sick on and off. The feeling sick feels like it is coming from anxiety. Also I only got about 4 hours sleep. Usually with taking the Risperidone I fall asleep within 5 minutes.

Now I know Risperidone is not addictive and Im only on a low dose.

Is it possible missing that one dose can effect me like that. Ive just taken my tablet for tonight about 20 mins ago and Im not feeling as anxious.

I dont know how Im going to cope with coming off of the medication if Im going to suffer this easily.

[teenytineytori]

Are you going off of the medication with a medical professional's advice?

If you are not doing this with a doctor, talk to the doctor. risperdone may not be addictive but it may not be the right time or the correct way to come off of it.

If you are already talking to the doctor, let them know about your symptoms and anxiety. Maybe as they take you off of the risperdone they can put you on a more mild anxiety medication as anxiety is the cause you of you feeling sick. Then in time you can come off of that.

[PassedExpectations]

i'm not sure how to help the symptoms, but when i came off it i felt pretty off for a day or so... but still better to talk to your doctor and see how much is normal, and what you can do to minimize the anxiety, etc

[88shelz]

i hope you are trying to come off with doctors acknowledgement.
comming off risperidone was awful for me.
i spent two weeks physically ill along with terrible anxiety

[Jetforce]

I totally agree teenytineytori...you really should consult your doctor before deciding to decrease or eventually end up not taking your risperdone. I'm sure the doctor prescribe the risperdone for a specific purpose. Maybe you should talk to ur doc about it and find other alternatives which you think is more suitable for you. Hope that helps.

[Animad]

Firstly, any antipsychotics, though not addictive in a fashion, do alter the chemistry of your brain. Stopping taking them alters the chemistry that that that has made up, nevermind what dose you're on so it does cause symptoms if you miss a dose, yes. Really, also, whilst taking the med you need to talk to a doctor before you come off as it is likely that the med itself is making you feel better. If you stop taking it youe signs that originally made you go on it can come back with avengence and it may be you have some of those still just don't notice as you've had them so long. Because of this and the fact that your brain does become dependent on it, ANYTHING you do in terms of altering thr dosage or comng off it should only be given by a doctor who knows your history/ has your notes and can fully evaluate it whether this is a good time for you to come off and how to wean you off so you feel fewer sde effect such as you felt when you missed a dose. Because of this, I would strongly advise that you keep taking it until you see your doctor and discuss it with them and they should be able to advice the best way that you come off; things like this should never really be done cold turkey and especially not without talking to your doctor.

So yep, carry on taking it as normal if you can, get an appointment with your doctor and then see what the best thing for you would be.

[smile5]

Thanks for the advice, I had seen my psychiatrist first time round, but I then thought she was on holiday. However managed to speak to her again and now Ive altered my dose to 1mg, have noticed the lack of sleep, but hopefully that will be it. Will see how it goes. This thread can be locked now, thanks.

[Animad]

Closed on the thread-starters request