[thickntired]

Hello Boys & Berries,

Due to financial reasons I had to discontinue Abilify - which I love. Can anyone tell me about their experiences with Risperidone?

Does this cause weight gain or will it make me a zombie

Thanks in advance!

Peace & Hugs,

TnT

[LostMom3]

Originally Posted by thickntired

Hello Boys & Berries,

Due to financial reasons I had to discontinue Abilify - which I love. Can anyone tell me about their experiences with Risperidone?

Does this cause weight gain or will it make me a zombie

Thanks in advance!

Peace & Hugs,

TnT

It can cause weight gain if you don't exercise or stay active. The dosage that my doctor has me prescribed to can make me zombiefied. So, I have cut back on my dosage. There are several other side effects. You may want to google it and see what all they are. Talk to your pdoc too.

[hamster-bamster]

I had:

-- inability to reach orgasm
-- Parkinson-like symptoms at high dose (6 mg)
-- horrible acne
-- low energy - a small tasks seemed unsurmountable

It was effective as an anti-manic agent, though.

I hope you will fare well on it. With Parkinson-like side effects, Cogentin can help. With acne, Tazorac (which is a good cream to use even if you do not break out).

Or, and in the beginning of titration up I had orthostatic hypotension and received tons of electrolyte solution via IV - I was at the hospital.

I did not gain weight on it.

[emgreen]

As is the case with most meds, results may vary. I, too, had to discontinue Abilify because it seemed to trigger my anxiety. I was on Risperidone for only a month before I went off it. It did make me feel like somewhat of a zombie but, again, results may vary.

I'm currently on Lamictal, Seroquel & Zyprexa. These meds seem to quiet the anxiety, but I've gained nearly 50 pounds since starting on the Zyprexa & Seroquel. On the whole, however, I've just swallowed the bitter pill (yuck-yuck) & tried to take the weight gain as a more desirable side-effect than those I've experienced on other meds. Please know that if you decide on Risperidone you might have beneficial effects. Good luck finding something that works for you...Risperidone might just do the trick.

[Moose72]

I had milk production and had to quit.

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by Moose72

I had milk production and had to quit.

Wow, Moose. I read about that, glad you're on different meds and don't have to deal with that anymore.

So far it made me groggy & hungry, but I take it a bedtime. I just had an extra cup of coffee this morning

Thanks for your reply.

Peace & Hugs

TnT

[LucyG]

Several years ago when I was still on meds a talk radio show I was listening to was discussing ripseridone. The guest, and I don't remember if he was a Pdoc or what, was saying how it can cause massive weight gain of up to 100 lbs as well as cause diabetes. I just googled that to make sure my memory was correct, and it was.

The reason some meds cause weight gain/loss is because they adjust the body's weight set-point in the brain. This can be compared to adjusting the thermostat on your furnace so that it says on longer/shuts of sooner until the room reaches the new desired temperature. Same thing with your hunger. If the med raises your set-point, you're going to be more hungry until you gain up to the new weight, and if it lowers it, you won't be hungry until you lose down to the new weight. Diet and exercise have very little bearing on overcoming it. I once read an article by a Pdoc saying the way to combat the weight gain associated with meds is to just learn to go hungry. If anyone has ever tried that, you know it usually backfires which is why so many people end up heavier after going on a very restrictive diet.

I started 1mg of risperidone and it turned me into a zombie. We cut it down to 0.5mg but that didn't help so I stopped it after 2 weeks. It may have worn off after a few more weeks but it was majorly interfering with Uni so I had to stop it. Unfortunately you will only know by trying it out and it may not be as sedating for you.

Wishing you all the best with it,

*Willow*