[vacantangel]

What started out as very vivid, horrific nightmares that left me so terrified that I didn't want to go back to sleep, turned into an even more horrific withdrawal from Risperdal. I'd only been taking it for about a month and was taking just 1 mg/day so I thought stopping it cold turkey wouldn't be a problem. I wasn't anticipating it would turn into a BAD stretch of withdrawal complete with hallucinations, of which I've never experienced before. But contrary to the advice I was getting from several sources to start taking it again, I was determined that I was going to win over this drug. I've been through withdrawal several times before but other than one other time, this had to be the worst one yet, certainly the first time that I experienced hallucinations, which I didn't even experience before going on Risperdal or while taking it. It was 5 long days of HELL but I've made it out the other side. I'm not completely through it but I've almost finished slaying the dragon. I just have some light-headedness, dizziness and feeling nauseous hanging on. Thank God the worst is behind me. I will NEVER take another anti-psychotic drug again.

[Kathyanita]

welcome back. ..

[jmo531]

Oh AngelGirl. I'm so sorry you had to go through this. I' am glad to see that your back.



We missed you. Terribly!!!

[sometimes]

So sorry you had to go through this. That's like my worst fear, getting hallucinations from a drug when i don't have them myself. Risperdal wasn't helping though? Is that why you had the nightmares? If this was due to withdrawal, and not taking the drug, maybe it would be safe to take an anti-psychotic again, if needed, but withdraw more slowly next time?

Sometimes

so glad to see you back..........

[vacantangel]

Yea, the hallucinations were from the withdrawal, as were those terrifying nightmares. I didn't notice any benefits from taking the Risperdal at all. I'm finished with anti-psychotics but I would certainly advise anybody who is going to come off of one to not go cold turkey as I did. Big mistake that I paid for.

Thanks Kathy, Jen and sometimes for your concerns and welcoming me back. It's good to be back.

Angel, welcome back sweetie. Glad you're ok. Sorry you had to go through that. I guess you could call it a "learning experience." I'm wondering why they gave you an anti-psychotic in the first place. Was it because your depression gets so bad?

Ry

[vacantangel]

Thanks butterfly and sometimes.

Ryan - No, unfortunately it wasn't for my depression. I can't get anything more for that. The Risperdal was to help control my rapid-cycling and hypomanic episodes. Wish they'd concentrate on the other end of the spectrum but that's a lost cause at this point.