Bipolar Support Group

i have been on lithium, clonzapam, atavan and depakote. i had to go on depacoate cause the lithium stopped working after 2 years and i had to go off the depakote cause of the stomach problems assosated with it. Now i'm suppose to go on risperdal. along with the lithium still and i stopped taking the lithium cause it didn't work anymore by itself or with the depakote. I have gained 60 pounds in this past 6 months and my eating habbits haven't changed all these drugs do is make me gain weight. does anyone know what to expect with risperdal?

I would have no idea. I am however sorry about the struggle to find the right meds it seems like it never fails. Just wanted to give some kind words...

Lexis

I took risperdal several years ago, but cant remember the side effects. I did however gain 170lbs on Zyprexa and when I came off of that I dropped all the weight leaving my body with stretch marks from head to toe. I am so sorry that youre going through this. Its just something we gotta do to get to where we gotta go. It totally sucks, I know. I hope you find your peace soon. Side effects are one of the reasons why some of us dont reach our life expectency. Sometimes they go away within the first few weeks - that I do know. Geez. Good luck, and keep talking.

mistif

Hello, I took Risperdal several years ago and I don't remember any side effects. Good Luck!

Hello and I hope too that you will find the right meds and feel better. Take care..

Thanks to you all for your insight! Hope I can find a way to get things straight and loose this weight. It just sucks cause along with the bipolar meds I have pain meds for my cancer and a lot of times i have to suffer with the pain cause of interactions. God I would give anything to be manic I was manic for 10 years and now with the meds I'm more depressed. Thanks again!

Thank you, nice to hear from someone who knows what it's like expecially with the weight gain. Unfortunetly no matter what I do i can't loose the weight even though I went off the Seraquil which is when the weight gain started. But then again they all have that side effect, and I'm on alot of them. But Thank You!

Rae1974

I've been taking Risperdal for the past 3 years and unfortunately, weight gain is one of the side effects. Dizziness, nausea, sleepiness and dry mouth are some additional side effects. Keep in mind that what affects one person may not affect another. When I started taking Risperdal 3 years ago, it made me feel extremely tired and I gained quite a bit of weight. However, I'm currently taking it and am no longer experiencing those effects. If you have any specific questions about how Risperdal may or may not affect you, you may want to ask your pdoc about this. He or she may be able to give you specific examples of how Risperdal has affected his or her patients. You may also want to do a Google search for "Risperdal + side effects" to get a general idea of what to expect.

Post edited by: neondreams, at: 08/14/2009 03:17 PM

Risperdal did me no good, I think maybe I had an allergy to it or something. I was really drugged and I would stumble and even fall over. Then again I was also on lithium so I don't want to fully blame the risperdal, and I haven't heard of anyone else who had my reaction.

Sorry to hear that you also are dealing with cancer. Boy, it must be real difficult for you being depressed and also dealing with an illness like that. I hope you are not in too much pain or are in a position where you feel too dependent. All can just contribute to your depression, Im sure you know. I can't imagine how you must feel. Good luck and stay connected with this group if you can. It has already been such a help for me and Ive only been with it for approximately 2 weeks. A great thing to know that others know EXACTLY what you are talking about and can advise you or answer questions regarding meds, symptoms, whatever like no one else...