A question and Risperdal & Seroquel.?

Question

Months ago I took Risperdal, just recently I took Seroquel and I am not exactly sure why but now I do not take any, my question is is it worth taking them again or is there something better out there? Does anyone have any experiences? Should I ask to try Seroquel or Risperdal again? I do hear voices and sometimes they are rather violent and scary, I can see them sometimes and feel them, as with other things I see. I can not think very clearly and often do not sleep or eat well and am often very sad or afraid. I am very confused and wonder wheather I am dreaming/sleeping or if it is real. Lots more hard to describe but I will say that. Any ideas, questions, answers shared experiences, e-mails etc. will be appercated. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

I forgot to add strange ideas and that these voices hear my thoughts and they can control my thoughts (which I usaully yell at them for) and that some objects and numbers and patterns have special information and things for me to find out which brings a lot of stress and makes me cranky. I used to see Doctors but not anymore for some reason.

Answer 1

GO TO A DOCTOR NOW!

YES, you do need medication for this. It is not normal, there should only be one person in your head--you.

I have long-term depression (since 1989) and I have taken many drugs for it, including Seroquel. I mainly use Seroquel to help me sleep, one of its major side effects is good for that. But, recently I built up a tolerance to it and had to switch. The list of medications I have taken is as long as your arm. In all that I found that some work, some don't, some have side effects that suck, and others aren't so bad. Also some may have a limited effective lifespan. They either don't work or they stop working after some time.

Your doctor is your advisor, but YOU need to be in charge of YOUR treatment. If it isn't working then TELL them that. They want to help, but can't unless you tell them what is wrong. I write up a short paper before I see a doctor. The doctor only has 15 minutes to see you and has other patients waiting in line. The paper explains what I WANT TO COVER. It tells the doctor what I think is the problem, and suggests treatments that I want to explore. I do it on my computer so the Doctor and I have a written record of the session. I have had doctors say yes, and some say no to what I put in my paper, but they all sit there and read it; some even like it. Of course I try to keep it down to only a few paragraphs, and I always include the list of medications that I am on. When you go to a hospital or a HMO you may get prescribed several prescriptions by different departments. If you give the doctor your list of current medications, why you are taking them, and in what dosage; then it makes it easier for him to notice any problems. It can also prevent an overdose or compatibility problem—like grapefruit juice and blood pressure pills. EVERYDAY someone in a hospital receives the wrong drugs or the wrong dosage.

Finally, MY MEDICATION IS MY AMMUNITON. In my fight to get well I use my meds to do it. I take my meds to get better and I use it as ammo to win this fight, or at least hold my own. If I don't get my meds then I get real cranky and demanding. Don't be afraid to take the drugs, use them. Learn about them and know what they do. For example Seroquel is a Serotonin uptake inhibitor. It increases the amount of Serotonin--a chemical in the brain that affects brain functions. Doctors don't know exactly what is going on, but just as your brain can create opiates to make you feel better, an increase in the Serotonin level can effect mood and provide control or address a problem, which is caused by a lack of Serotonin. It may not be Serotonin for you or Seroquel, you may need another drug, but no drug will work if you don't take it.

Answer 2

It looks like you're having just the same problem as I have, and all I can tell you regarding that matter is that I can understand that you don't really seem to be wanting to take them, since you ask if there's something better out there. A few weeks ago I would have recommended you to try abilify, which is a newer atypic drug...it is known for having less side effects than risperdal and seroquel (I gained 20 pounds on risperdal and even more on seroquel). Unfortunately it didnt work for me, but I think its worth giving it a try. If you don't want to take any neuroleptics anymore, I would suggest you try what I'm doing, I have a spray now which is called aura protection and I have another one which is called aura cleaning. Its supposed to act on the aura that seems to be hurt from past wounds and having a scratch in it where all the negative informations come in, become a trauma which results in voices. You know you're hypersensitive to whats around you because you dont have protection, or a filter, psychiatrists will agree with that, and that accumulates over the day and when we're under stress then the voices come.

So I would suggest that if you want to try. I am currently trying this without the meds and it seems to work well, but I dont have it long enough to tell you if it really works. all I know is that I dont want to take those meds, because I feel like a zombie if I take them. I will also go and make acupuncture next week, I've heard that it helped some people with pains and other problems and a friend of mine said they may be able to block the channels where this bad information gos through or something like that.

Stay in touch if you want to know more, my email addy is displayed on my page.

Answer 3

I am Bipolar and I take Seroquel and used to take risperdal (yuck). Not only does the resperdal not work on me it made it impossible for me to sleep I was worse off taking that drug so I told my doctor and he put me back on the seroquel. Seroquel is an Anti-Psychotic that helps you to avoid becoming psychotic. It is a pretty good drug but it is very sedating and should be taken at bedtime. Read the instructions...it says that people have been hit by cars because they take their Seroquel and then go out. I read that somewhere. I would believe it though. Its an alright drug with little side effects. Keep in mind that what is good for one person may not be good for the other. Good Luck

Answer 4

My mother suffered the same symptoms. She was on Risperdal for a few weeks and doing great. Then she refused to take it and ended up in the local geriatric psych unit. They tried Seroquel - but it did nothing to get rid of the symptoms ( hearing voices, talking to herself, lack of sleep, etc.. Once she went back on the Risperdal she was normal again. It was like getting our mother back. Please see your doctor. If he or she took you off the meds - I would get a second opinion. Mental illness is no different than having a physical one - especially when it comes to psychoses. I hope you didn't stop on your own. If your doctor prescribed high blood pressure meds - I assume you would stay on them. Same thing with anti-psychotics.

Answer 5

I think you have received some great advice and knowledge so far, I do hope you will take it and see a doctor about getting back on some medication to help you and maybe even some therapy. Both of my children are disabled, both have autism and my son also has cerebral palsy. Since he started puberty his violent tendancies increased and his "episodes" similar to yours started to increase. And his doctor put him on Risperdal. It has been smooth sailing for some time now. I do hope you find peace and tranquility, its just not fair for you to have to go thru all this when its just not necessary. Best of luck to you, God bless.

Answer 6

Hi, why did you stop taking your medication? You are currently suffering the symptoms of psychosis and need to get back on them as soon as possible. I have taken Seoquel (Quetiapine) but the side effects were awful. I now have a monthly injection of Risperidone and am able to function reasonably well. reading your question brought back how I used to feel. Please re-engage with Mental Health services. Anti psychotic medication does have side effects but I am prepared to put up with them as I was so terrified before.