Basically, I stopped taking my anti-psychotic (risperidone) about... 6 or 7 weeks ago now? not entirely sure. I skipped a couple of psych appointments because I was feeling 'fine', despite voices etc. I even started feeling things on my skin again, which happened last time just before I was sectioned. So, went to see a psych I haven't ever seen before, who was luckily really nice, but she's put me back on risperidone. 2mg for the first day, then 4mg per day for the rest of that week, then up to 6mg per day after that.
My question is: how many of you take this drug and drive? I'm at uni at the moment and there is so much going on that I absolutely cannot miss, and if this is going to screw up whether or not I can get there, I'd rather risk not taking it and doing my uni stuff. I didn't take today's (I was meant to start it this morning) because I had work this morning and I didn't want to be sedated for it. I'm just so antsy about it, I have no idea what to do.
If you started back on risperdone, you shouldn't really drive as it might make you drowsy. But maybe you can ask your doctor to change the times at which you take it or even if it helps, split the dosages between morning or night? Also you might wanna discuss to ur doctor about the dosage, whether you think it's too high and it affecting your studies. Hope that helps a bit
Before I got banned from driving due to mh issues, I was told that I had to be on it 3 months before I was allowed to do so.
I found it very sedating when I had it even worse than the quetiapine that I am on now, but I suffered a lot with side effects with this drug. With the quetiapine I suffer a bit from sedation, but I dont find it bothersome if I am extremely strict with myself about each time I take it. I make sure I take it within half an hour of the same time every day. Otherwise I find (especially if I am late with the night dose), the next day I am very drowsy.
I agree with the fact you should talk to your psych about the dose. When I was on it, I was on 4mg until the side effects got so severe that I was taken off it. So 4 mg may be better for you and work better than 6 mg. Obviously then if your psych or you thinks that after a while that you could do with a higher dose, then you should go back onto 6 mg.
Wannabe CPN : -)
"He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life." - Homer Simpson "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" Sanity is a nasty disease. The world would be a happier place without it. - Rilic
RIP Kat 4th July 1987- 11th June 2013
Well, I'm on it, but on a lower dose. I started with 1mg a day and I'm on about 3mg a day at the moment and I've been driving on it.
I take mine for different reasons though, I believe and the dose is a lot lower, so I'm not sure how much use I'll be. The psych is aware that I do drive though and has never mentioned not doing so.
With psychiatric medications often they tell you to not drive IF the medication makes you drowsy. Its obviously a personal and hard to define rule.
I would discuss it with your dr and ask their opinion. Tell them how it affects you and go from there. Personally I would feel better with their support on driving.
Right now, because you're only just starting the drowsiness will be more apparent, I would personally give driving a miss. Can you get a Dr's note if the medication makes you unfit to work for the first week or so? It sounds like if you don't take it you will be off sick anyway.
You should check out the small print in your insurance policy, if you have a condition which impacts upon your concentration and thus ability to drive (hearing voices will definitely be counted as such) and you don't take your prescribed medication to control the condition your insurance may be invalid.
My great aunt has diabetes and decided to avoid her medication because she didn't like the side effects, long story short she had an accident because not taking the medication impacted upon her concentration. The police notified her insurance company and she was forced to pay out from her own pocket for the accident because the insurance company said the policy was invalidated by her not taking her medication.
This is something to be mindful of.
Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
I am banned from driving due to 'you are not currently mentally stable as you experience hallucinations and delusions which are likely to distract'. so yeah, maybe you should inform them of your illness? i dunno.
RE the resperidone, well it made me really tired, even on 1mg (and lactate ><) so i guess it depends how drowsy it makes you. it also give me servere blurry vision so i couldnt even see about 2m ahead. so also something maybe to watch out for.
I guess it all depends really. The drowsy might wear off. Or taking a high dose at night (say like 4mg) then 2mg in the morning.. if you can... check with psych!!!!!
