Have you tried other antipsychotics? I was on Seroquel as it was the only one I could take without akathisia (even risperdal gave me akathisia, but on a weaker scale that cogentin helped - normally cogentin never helped on the others) anyways I just stuck with it because I was afraid of getting akathisia again and well it just worked. My pdoc decided to try me on a newer antipsychotic called Saphris and I did very very well on it - it has been so much better. I am so glad I tried this one. But yea you risk a lot - like what if it just doesn't work, y'know?!

Oh and I dunno about you, but I loooove being passive and calm. Now sleepy and fat, no.

Why can't we really have it all!?!?

suid-afrika...lekker.
ek woon in kaapstad vir baie jare.

i don't think that thin and totally crazy sounds very nice at all.
i think i would suggest a med switch also, but then you face the possibility of the disease returning in the time it takes to safely ween off risperdal and begin the new med.
good luck. i hope you find the answers.

Being bipolar and schizo I know the pain of going from one end to the other and back. The pendelum swings slower now for me and not so far to each side. I plan to reach the center soon and try to stay there. (at least for as long as I can) I went from thin to fat and from speedy to slug.. all the while still trying to maintain a grip on who I was. I wanted the thinner, less numb version of me. It comes with a price. Now I struggle more with my mind and less with the Meds. Stay aware of yourself and find your balacing point. Don't let the condition or the Meds rob you of what you want to be. I hate that I have become so monotone in my personality. no sadness but neither no joy.. all is one emotion.. stable like the drugs I take to get me there. I really hope you find a mix of mind and pill that allows you to be the wonderful person you know yourself to be.

Seraquel makes me tired next day too..I don't like napping during the day or going back to bed an hour after I've gotten up- gets in the way of daily activities, voices continue- fewer at first but they are back. My emotional response is a lot better..used to trigger cardiac issues now they don't..we cool and mellow for now