[scooterb]

I have a diagnosis of clinical depression and acute anxiety disorder. I've been working on finding the right medication to help with the side effects of my mental illness; especially the panic attacks and never ending anxiety.
My doctor and I agreed to try something different then lorazepam because of it's addictive properties. A couple of months ago I began taking a very low dose of the Risperdahl twice a day. Immediately I became more depressed sobbing for days, so confused I would look at the calendar 5 times an hour and still not be able to tell you the day. Would go to the bank and hand them a debit card for a different bank. I really got scared when I couldn't swallow starting last week and had had headaches ranging from moderate to sever daily.
I gave the medication a chance. I remember having similar issues with Serequel and Zyprexa while being hospitalized and forced to take these medications at high hospital doses.
So, I was polite but explicitly described my side effects and my logic for mot taking this medication or any ones similar.
It's only been a few days, but I feel as though I have my sanity back. On this medication I was losing all the progress I've made in coping with my mental health and could easily see me being a helpless inmate of a state hospital in no time.
Can anyone relate to this?
Scooterb

[kaliope]

good for you refusing to take a med that takes you out! if you are depressed and anxious thats what antidepressants and antianxiety medications are for. i think risperdal is an antipsychotic. i understand not wanting to get addicted. i got off klonopin for the same reason and requested buspar instead for my anxiety. it worked great. my newest pdoc put me on clonodine for anxiety, which is a blood pressure med and its doing well to take the edge off as well.

my chart is big because i refused to put up with side effects. i value my mind. if something took away my ability to function in the slightest bit that was it. i was done with it. i need to be able to think clearly.

[Elana05]

I had some weird side-effects from even tiny doses of some drugs. I felt oddly high on both Celexa and Luvox and had zero motivation to get out of bed. But then sertraline worked fine. Just wanted to give you my support. Each med has its pluses and minuses and its no good if the minuses outweigh the pluses. I always think "the doc isn't the one taking this med, I am." In this case you should do what feels right to you.

[Travelinglady]

Even without the side effects you mentioned, I am determined not to take any more anti-psychotic drugs for my Bipolar II. I've been on zyprexa, seroquel, risperdal, etc. You know your body best, and it's not like you're refusing to take any medication at all!