Bipolar Disorder Support Group

personally I found it one of the best meds I have taken... it worked fantastically for a while but then it could have possibly made my agitation worse (or my agitation was escalating and I needed an increase but we didn't go down that avenue just changed to abilify)

what is it you fear?

I took it for awhile. It didn't help me, but I didn't have any bad side effects either. I really hope it does help you. I know starting a new med can be scary, but you never know, it might just be your miracle drug. I know it helps a lot of people. Best wishes!

I found that risperdal was hard to adjust to, but I have found that during these times of high stress it has helped me alot. It gives me a calming feeling at times ( not calm enough) , but things could be alot worse. My doctor has put me on invega and is increasing my risperdal and I think this is bringing me out of this episode. Hope it works for you.

Thanks all for your feedback. It is really appreciated.

Ruby~I'm not exactly sure what my real fear is. I got on so well with Abilify (which I had to stop because of cost) I am just worried about trying anything new. I also don't want to go through the terrible weight gain that I had in the past (trivial I guess, but true).

All in all I've built potential small problems into huge ones and gotten myself freaked out.

My husband isn't helping. He doesn't want me on any meds. I think he is having trouble with the whole mental illness thing.

its no small matter... I was terrified of trying any meds at all initially and I know how scary it is trying a new one... I've just increased my abilify and feel worried about it... I think its a really rational feeling... especially when we read about the potential side effects... if you can put it into perspective and hopefully this may be a great med for you.. I had no side effects and no weight gain... I know we are all different but hopefully again this will be a good med for you

Good Luck x

Risperdal didn't do anything for me, but it screwed w/ my hormones. It's hard to substitute Abilify. Stinking HMO's. My shrink put me on Seroquil instead and it is great.

Thanks all, again, for the input. It helps to have the support. I took it and didn't die immediately..lol..so I guess all is well. We'll see how I do on it long-term.

i absolutely hate it and i can't wait for my next pdoc visit so he can get me off of this crap. They thought they just needed to up my dosage and they did and it didn't work. I was fine on abilify but ever since they switched me to risperdal i've been crying like a baby and having mood swings like crazy. Lol sorry, i'm venting.

Don't be sorry to vent. Venting is good..lol. I'm sorry you've been having problems. I miss my Abilify, but I've only been on the Risperdal a couple of days and don't know how I'm going to react yet. Thanks for sharing!

I found risperdal to be a life saver for me. Almost immediately when I started taking it I began to straighten out. It did not help the depression though. That beast had a life of it's owen. Howver it capped the mania and straightened out my head. I guess I was a little psychotic before it but afterwards I was like a new person!