Yes, Bizi, you are right.
I can call in the morning.


Tonight I decided to take approx 1/4 of the amount on the label ("Take 0.25 ML by mouth at bed time.")

I took .06 with Hubby's help.


=-=-=-

I am not sure how I feel because I got distracted by a bunch of ants in my computer room and spent a lot of time vacuuming and wiping things down and putting things away.

I even woke up Hubby with the vacuuming.:eek:
I figured he can sleep anytime but this is the first time I spent so much
time vacuuming and cleaning my room in a long time.:):):)


M

The concentration of the risperdal should be on the bottle along with the dose (it is likely 1mg/mL). My vials for B12 injections and MS meds always had it on the label. It's good to know the concentration, but I wouldn't take it into account when deciding how much to take.

There is no way to actually compare the two drugs dose-wise. I think your pdoc has probably decided this class of drug is best for you, and she's just trying to prescribe the lowest dose possible hoping you will be able to tolerate it and get some benefit from it now, or when you can tolerate it at higher dosages.

Risperidone Oral Solution - FDA prescribing information, side effects and uses

The initial recommended dose for children is 0.5mg, and 2-3mg for adults, but those recommendations are for acute bipolar mania. She's using it off-label, which is really common with this class of drugs…
I was taking risperdal off-label for a while, and I don't think I ever took more than a 1mg tablet a day.


You were distracted, but I'm glad that you didn't feel any negative side effects.

It's amazing how much **** you have to go through… I wish things were much easier for you, Mari :hug::hug::hug:

I am not trying to compare it with Seroquel
 

This is what the bottle says:
Risperidone 1 MG/ML
Take 0.25 ML by mouth at bedtime

===========

My issue with the dose is that I wanted to take a small amount in the beginning and before night time /late afternoon to gauge my reaction and possibly to help with my anxiety about new meds related to sleep.

Hubby thinks the syringe is cheap (we practiced with it) and not good with accuracy or tiny doses.
Last night we tried to do 0.6 but it was likely that we got a lot less than that because I only got a very very tiny effect from the drug (nothing mostly)

Hubby is gone until 10:00 P.M. tonight.
Maybe we can work together for me to take the whole 0.25 when he gets home.

At our one and only appt, pdoc discussed both Seroquel and Risperidone
and settled on Seroquel.
She thought that they both would help with the things I see and hear when I am trying to sleep.

M

well it does sound like a small dose.
bobby I think takes that too.
good luck tonight with hubby's help.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

I only slept three hours since last night but I do feel calm (maybe less anxious and depressed since the Seroquel /Risperdal a week and a half or so ago.)

I took 0.20 ml of the Risperdal (The bottle says 0.25)

=-=-=
Hubby was tired and got impatient with the liquid and the syringe, saying that they should just give me pills.:( DUH He was not in a listening mood again but his involvement was a net gain for me because I needed him.

(He gets frustrated and thus annoying as heck when things do not make sense to him.)



M

I'm glad that you're feeling a little calmer, but I wish that you got more sleep.

1mg was a therapeutic dose for me for maintenance therapy and I have a high tolerance for meds. I don't know what the liquid equivalent of that would be, but I'd imagine you could see some benefit from the at 25mg. I hope you can tolerate it at that dose :hug:

I'm sorry that your husband got impatient with you last night. I'm glad he helped you even if he couldn't understand your rational for choosing the liquid form of risperdal. My husband is not a good listener either, especially when he is frustrated.

Since you're going to be taking the liquid regularly, it may be worthwhile to invest in a better syringe, one that is easier to draw up and measure smaller amounts of solution. That would make things so much easier. I'm sure you can find one on Amazon or an online drug store. You might want to spring for expedited shipping so you're not stuck with your current situation for too long.
I will see if I can find something suitable online.

Not asleep yet
 

The Risperdal did not help me sleep.:confused:


Two hours ago I took ten mgs of Ambien that I have left over from my PCP.
Maybe I can go back to bed to try to sleep.

A better syringe is a good idea, Kay.



M

so you think that 1mg of risperdone is about equal to 100mg of seroquel?
hence the order for .25ml=.25mg of risperdone=25mg or seroquel????
just curious
bizi
sorry don't want to mess you up.
bizi

I thought Risperidone made people sleepy
 

Hi, Bizi,

No. I am not comparing.

=-=-=-=

I will take her full 0.25 ML Risperidone. I wonder whether or not it will make me sleepy tonight.

M

I hope it takes the edge off.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Hubby helped me deal with the syringe.


I took 0.24 ML of Risperdal (We could not do the full 0.25 ML on the bottle label because of the stupid ridiculous syringe.)
Also the wide bottle, with only a little bit of liquid at the bottom, is hard to work with.

==
Does this med make some people sleepy?
. . . not feeling sleepy . . . .maybe dose could be increased.

M

Drowsiness is a side effect, but I'd imagine it's dose-dependent.

When I went into the hospital the first time, they had me taking the risperdal and 1mg of klonopin at the same time every night. It did put me out, and I ended up on a regular sleep cycle, which was impossible before. The routine stuck even though I don't take it anymore. But I was on a higher dose, started out in a controlled environment, and I don't face the same challenges that you do, so obviously your situation is different.

I can't blame you for being eager to get results quickly, but I would try the approximate .25ml dose for a couple more days before increasing it just to make sure you're in the clear re: side effects. Then because you're taking the liquid, it's probably a good idea to check with your pdoc to see how much she thinks you should increase your dose. I have a feeling that increases in the oral solution are in small increments, and you don't want to end up taking too much by accident.

Four hours of Sleep. Woke up with huge NAUSEA
 

Never ever going to take the Risperdal again.
I woke up feeling like I was dying with stomach pain.

It has been six hours of this. It finally started to lesson.
It occurred to me that is a side effect of the Risperdal.

I looked on-line and called the pharmacist.
Pharmacist said to take with food :eek:
I said I am never taking it again.


M

oh man....
so sorry.
I wish it helped you.
sorry it did not.
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

I'm so sorry Mari. That sounds terrible, and it's too bad that it interrupted your sleep too, because you need it :hug::hug::hug:

If the nausea WOKE YOU UP and were in that much pain, obviously taking it with food would NOT fix the problem. I don't blame you for refusing to take it anymore.

You must be so discouraged after having bad experiences with two meds in a short period of time. It's a good idea to let your pdoc know what happened, but it's perfectly reasonable if you decide to give yourself time before you try another med. The dosing alone has been stressful for you :hug::hug::hug:

I wish that the risperdal had worked out for you :hug::hug::hug:

When you're ready, you can try something else…
But your pdoc is going to have to give more consideration to your drug sensitivities- not just prescribing low doses, but choosing meds with less severe side effects that fall into the "common" column. I know that is hard, but she sounds competent, and therefore probably capable of creativity.

I hope you feel better :hug::hug::hug:

I emailed the pdoc describing what happened and how awful it was and
that I was taking my regular Verapamil, Klonopin, Gabapenti until I saw her at our appt on August 1.

Here is what the pdoc wrote back:
Take a little bit less tonight. I am sure that will subside.



I am choosing to ignore her.
Without the three days of the activating Risperdal, I slept today
from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm -- NINE hours.:) :Zzzz::Zzzz:




M

wowowowow!!!!
9 hours!!!!!
awesome!!!!!
bizi

The cleaning lady said that I was different in a good way and that maybe the
pdoc is helping.

I took 0.06 ML of risperdal with chic peas and rice a little earlier tonight.
Right now I am feeling those pins and needles and stinging sensations in my face and arms and shoulders.
I want the pdoc to see that I am making an effort to work with her.




M

I'm so glad that you slept for that long Mari :)

I think it's great that you were willing to trust your pdoc, take her advice, and were brave enough to try the lower dose of risperdal after the bad experience you had :hug::hug::hug:

I hope that the smaller dose works out :hug::hug::hug:

sorry for the pins/needles in your face....
sigh
bizi:hug:

I started looking for an easier syringe for you to use, and looking some over, a 5ml one would be the best. I searched for "5ml oral medication syringes," and there are a lot out there, but I didn't know if your med is in a vial and you are using a needle or not… ?

yes
 

Kay,

1. Something like this on amazon would work: Amazon.com: BD ORAL SYRINGE CLEAR 1/BX 5ML BECTON DICKINSON: Industrial & Scientific

What makes it tricky is that the bottle is only has a little bit of the liquid and you have to turn the bottle to its side to get the liquid into the syringe. I try a few times (practice) before I show hubby that I have the 0.06 ML. Then I put the drops from the syringe into a little glass with water and drink the water.

I do not know what you mean by "needle.'


=-=-
2. The risperdal is activating so I was again up for well over 24 hours.
I got some house cleaning done and went out for a couple of errands.
Tonight around 10:00 pm I took the risperdal with rice and chick peas (take with food pdoc said) and my regular meds and went to the computer and apparently fell asleep sitting in my chair. Then I woke up at 3:00 a.m.:confused::(


3. My sleep is so messed up now lately.
I had 10 mgs of Ambien left so I cut the pill in half and I expect to be a sleep in a little while.
Appt with pdoc is August 1.

M

I saw the exact same syringe on Amazon.

If your med came in a vial, you would have need a syringe with a needle attached (like diabetics use) to draw the solution because you wouldn't be able to get access to the med otherwise. In retrospect, I realize that's an asinine idea on my part, since you aren't injecting yourself… I'm sorry Mari, I'm not always all there. Drawing up small amounts of meds with a syringe with a needle is much easier though, and the contents could be injected into your water… don't know if you could get one/some OTC though.

I don't know the dimensions of the container the risperdal comes in, but a smaller and taller container, if at all possible, might make things easier… maybe a tall clear shot glass?

Your pharmacist may have some good suggestions, too. I imagine you're not the first person to have this issue. They may have a different container for you… they have lots of different containers. It sounds like it would be difficult for anyone to draw up the proper dose given the current situation.

I've read the side effects for risperdal, and apparently it can be activating for some people. Can you try, have you tried, are comfortable trying taking the klonopin with the risperdal? It might be something worth talking to your pdoc about. That's how I was taking it.

I'm sorry that this is aggravating your sleep problems even more- just what you don't need. My hope is that it's only temporary, or your pdoc has a suggestion to minimize the problems it's causing you :hug::hug::hug:

Good luck with this.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

heavy sigh
((((HUGS))))
bizi

energy level higher (Sorry if this is long)
 

I take the meds about the same time--10:30 or 11:00 pm (Risperdal, Klonopin 2.5, Gabapentin, Verapamil


=-=-=
After not sleeping for more than 24 hours, with the Ambien I slept four hours.

Even so, my energy is high:

1. I was talking a mile a minute with tdoc but I was focused and not jumping around. She asked for clarification twice.

2. I have been shopping for back to school stuff like I usually do but I think I might be a little bit over budget and buying things I do not necessarily need --
like spending a lot of time at the mall: throws for cool weather, jewlery on clearance, extra infinity scarves (We can wear them here in Oct when it is
cool but not cool enough for huge sweaters)

3. I went to the craft store Michaels for a reasonable errand but while there I spent over 100 dollars on drawing supplies and books because off and on I have considered a drawing class.
Tonight I figured I do not need a class -- I can learn via Youtube and via the books.

4. I spoke to a student via phone while sitting in a the car in a drive thru line for food. I was much more focused than usual and took notes for a letter that he wants me to write for him. I felt "on" -- not depressed/too unfocused/tired/brain fogged.


5. Tonight at home I learned in one minute how to connect my phone to Bluetooth.
Then I did more techie things with my phone (downloaded music, made playlists) that I am usually too low energy to handle and end up ignoring / putting off.

=-=-=-
I got in a fight with Hubby because he was being an jerk.
OH, Wait,
that is usual / normal.


M

wow, how do you like this energy?
bizi
I slept from 1130 till 3am now am up for the day.
bizi

At this point, do you feel like the risperdal has triggered a hypo episode, or do you feel like it's more a side effect of the med?

It sounds like there could be some benefits from the med like better focus (a definite plus), but some of the behavior such as the shopping sounds a little more like hypo behavior.

At any rate, it does sound activating, but you are aware of that already, and I know you will be keeping an eye on it. You may want to get in touch with your pdoc if you keep experiencing symptoms such as the overspending that fit in better with a hypo episode :hug:

re too much energy to sleep
 

I see the pdoc Monday, Aug 1.

This is going to sound weird -- but in case she is not good at listening, I will be demonstrating my higher energy level.
I was high energy during the tdoc appt yesterday. I am going to exaggerate that on Monday with pdoc:

interrupt, talk loudly, get out of my chair and move around the room, move the chair . . .
(As my sister would say, this is not my first rodeo.)


In the first visit pdoc, talked about Seroquel and sleep. Seroquel helped with sleep so much that I was a zombie.



M

I was up all night cleaning and straightening up and putting things away.


I just took 1/4 of a 2.0 Klonopin. I hope to settle myself and sleep now. :Zzzz: :Zzzz: :Zzzz:


M

Mari,

I have done the same thing when I've been unsure if I'll be demonstrating the symptoms I've been experiencing at the time of my appointment, or in that setting, or if I'm unsure that a pdoc is astute enough to pick up on them.

You haven't come out and said exactly what you think is going on, so I'm not going to assume what it is you believe, but this sounds like a hypomanic episode triggered by the risperdal rather than a side effect of it to me.

When was the last time you had one? What helped to stabilize your mood at that time?

I hope that you were able to get some sleep :hug::hug::hug:

I usually do not get hypomanic -- only agitated, more energetic
 

Thanks, Kay,

I do not know what is going on.

It might be that I am not depressed and that I am not used to the slightly "up" feeling.
BUT I am not sleeping. AND THIS NOT SLEEPING IS IMPORTANT FOR HER TO FIX.

With the extra Klonopin, I slept about four or four and a half hours (From about 12:00 p.m. to a little after 4:00 p.m.today.)

The appt is Monday/August 1.

=-=-=-=-
1. The main thing that has to happen at the appt is that she faxes a letter to the court house. So everything is tricky. I have to politely get the Jury Duty stuff
resolved and I have to tell her

2. the med is hard to give to myself with the syringe (could easily give myself too much and so forth.)
I will bring the bottle and the syringe for demonstration purposes and hope that she quickly gets/sees what the issue is. She seemed sharp / quick last time I saw her.

3. I am eating more food than I might otherwise because the pharmacist said to "take with food."

That feels like this a lot to cover in one appt with a new (to me) pdoc.


M




(Sorry for bolding. I like bolding sometimes :cool:)

Mari

You may be more upset with the jury issues than you think.

Hopefully getting that resolved will help.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Do you feel agitated?
bizi

*you are allowed to post what ever you like here...no judgement!
bold all you like!

Hi, Donna and Bizi,
 

HI,

I am not nervous about the jury summons being taken care of.
I do know that paperwork for the court has to be done properly and on time.

I am not agitated.

=-=-=
I am not used to the pdoc and she is not used to me.


M

It's a challenging situation given everything going on, but you've already shown a lot of faith and determination to make this new relationship work out.

Just jot down a list of things to cover, possibly including your new symptoms and feelings towards and details about your sleep disorders, in case you get off track.

I think everything will be okay :hug::hug::hug:

K,

The last time was there, I had that completed big packet that they email to
new patients to have ready for the first visit.
It helped the pdoc to be looking over lots of data and such.

=-=-=-=-=

The truth is that I have been improperly medicated since 2004 when my beloved pdoc left town to move across the country so I have
low expectations for any one finding a magic med combo.

My plan for this visit is that she faxes the excuse for Jury Duty to the Clerk of the Court and that is all I care about --- anything else is "extra"


M (today feeling like I am heading back towards depression)

Klonopin
 

:Oops:I forgot to take my extra klonopin but I will take it anyway in a few moments so I can sleep.

After today I should go back to my prescribed daily dose. ;) ;)


M

I hope that your symptoms were transient side effects of the med, and you are adjusting to it now, but it will take at least another day to figure out if that is the case, and you are truly returning to your baseline of depression. It would be great if you are adjusting to the med.

I completely understand that you have a singular objective, and why, but I know that you will address other issues even though you regard them as just gravy.

I hope you are feeling better today and you got some sleep :hug: