Cogentin isnt working enough

I was started on Cogentin due to Akathasia from my Haldol .. I take the Cogentin and it lasts about 4-6 hours and then im a restless mess again

I called my Pdoc hes probably going to put me on Inderal also ... Anyone take it ?????? or taken it in the past ?

I once thought :
I refuse to take a medication to control side effects from another ,,,BUT Haldol has really really helped me ,, its weight neutral and I feel more stable for the first time since I started being treated for Bipolar.

Im enjoying feeling stable and not an emotional mess ...

Thanks everyone

So, you'll be taking Congentin AND Inderal? My pdoc gave me a script for Congentin but I never took it because I became too paranoid about the side effects. I know, how will you know unless you try? I also have a hard time with taking a medication that counteracts the side effect of another medication. Basically, it's which side effect is more tolerable. Do you experience dry mouth and blurred vision, or any other effect for that matter, with Congentin?

I didnt notice any side effects from cogentin ... I already have dry mouth so ....

I just picked up my Inderal ,, an Yes ill be taking Cogentin and Inderal same time . Heres hoping it helps Id love to sit thru a program on tv or sit still for more than 10 mins at a time.

I do hope you get relief from akathisia. I experienced it when I was on a high dosage of antipsychotic. It got to me so bad I ended up taking myself off of them but stayed on my antidepressant which was not a good idea and ended up relapsing and am now back on them again. Sigh. It's a vicious cycle. But I'm glad that you are working with your pdoc to get it resolved. I'm crossing my fingers that it works well for you.

Thanks

When I was put on Prozac I had terrible akathisia. At that point it wasn't known SSRI's could cause it but I had a very brave doc at the time. He didn't know how to treat akathisia from SSRI's but for some reason I did (before the age of Internet and all...), so I suggested Inderal which actually helped!! Not at a 100 % rate but any relief was good.

Now akathisia usually passes with SSRI's but can stay with neuroleptics. That is a bit of concern since it means you can't stop the akathisia meds. I wouldn't worry about the Inderal, it is a benign med generally (unless you already have problems with low blood pressure or it causes you nightmares), I would actually worry more about the Cogentin. I know adding one more med feels bad, but since you already added the worst of them, don't worry about numbers... That is less important than tracking what the Cogentin does. Its effects can come even years after you started it.

If Haldol is what helps, I mean.. it's a harsh old med, but if it is the best for YOU, who can argue with that? We're not all textbook examples that can take the newest most fashionable (and most expensive) meds.

Don't worry about adding Inderal. Try it and see if it helps. Quality of life matters, numbers.. forget it. I always hated math anyway.

I have read good things about good old haloperidol and as you say, it is weight neutral - a big deal. I took cogentin with geodon because my doctor erroneously believed that I would otherwise develop pseudo-parkinsonism. My next doctor dismissed this idea, took me off cogentin and I did just fine. But I had taken Cogentin this way, unneeded, for 18 months, without a single side effect. I feel stupid having taken so much of unneeded medication, but here you go - one example when Cogentin did not hurt in any way.

Christina, I really hope it helps. Akasithia is soo sucky, might as well have real bad psychomotor aggitation.

I'll keep my fingers crossed, I would hate foe you to have to loose the one med that seems to be actually helping.

(((((Christina)))))

Im here to report the inderal and cogentin mix has indeed taking care of my problems ,, Im beyond HAPPY !!!!! you dont realize just how horrible it is to be a restless mess 24/7 until ,, its goneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

*** doing the happy dance ***