Risperidone and lamictal for Bipolar disorder? URGENT PLEASE HELP?

Question

I was prescribed risperidone and lamictal for bipolar disorder by my psychiatrist.

So he wants me to take the sample packet of lamictal for a month right now with the risperidone, and then completely go off the lamictal after the month is up.

Does this make sense? I am really scared that this is the wrong medicine for me, and I am having horrible anxiety. i need to know what i should do.

Answer 1

Hi Corey. What I would suggest is to call the doctor up tomorrow and discuss your doubts about the medications. I unfortunately am not familiar with those medications, but if he has been working with you this is the course of treatment he has decided for you.



From reading the Wiki's it sounds like this is a proper course of action, the Risperidone needs to be introduced into your system and in the meantime the Lamictal is used to help control mania and mood swings and once the Risperidone is in your system then the Lamictal is no longer needed.



I thought that I was Bi-Polar but now I know I have boarder-line personality disorder and I am sorry that I am not of more help since I don't have the same symptoms as you.



What you need to ask yourself are these questions



Do I trust my doctor with my care/well-being/medication?



Would you rather not take the medications because you are anxious that maybe they are not the right ones, or would you take a chance it will help you?



I can't tell you what to do, in the meantime think about good things, things that make you happy, read, watch a good movie, call up a friend, or anything that will take your mind off of this and call him first thing in the morning. In the meantime, if he did not give you a 24 hour hot line, call this number

1-800-273-TALK

1-800-273-8255



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risperidone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamictal

Answer 2

You were right to worry. See: http://www.drugs.com Interactions check function: Moderate Interactions

Risperdal, Risperdal Consta, Risperdal M-Tab, ... ****risperidone,****



Go there, and print a copy for your P DOC. A good P DOC would have checked. "the sample packet of lamictal" indicates possible involvement in an incentive scheme; see section 1, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris as applicable. View the index on the home page, and check out your disorder (sections 10, or 40?).



I suggest getting diagnosed by a clinical psychologist, who believes in the use of minimal medications and asking for a referral to a suitable psychiatrist, NOT your current one, who I would regard with some suspicion.

Answer 3

I take Lamictal for 2 years now.I can't say it is a Miracle drug.But i have noticed on my third day without taking it i become irritated.Bipolar it's not that easy to kick.But i don't understand why your doctor would take you off the drug after just one month.It takes 3 month for most drugs to kick in.The risperidone should control your anxiety,your doctor may need to increase dosage.Good luck.

Answer 4

It's ok, it looks like he wants to stablize you on the lamictal for a month, that's ok.

The Risperidone, it takes a few weeks to really work. So, once it does, u won't need the other one.

I have a girlfriend on that, it's a really good drug.

Answer 5

Anti psychotics are one of if not the most common type of medication used to treat bipolar and Risperidone is quite commonly used too. > Here is an article I found on it - Like Zyprexa and the other atypical antipsychotics, Risperdal was developed primarily to treat schizophrenia and psychosis but is approved to treat acute bipolar mania and mixed episodes (mania and depression). Risperdal can improve symptoms of schizophrenia and psychotic breaks that may occur in bipolar, including the following: •Hallucinations (audio and visual) •Delusions •Disorganized thinking •Paranoia It may also improve conditions such as social isolation, limited motivation, and reduced speech activity for some people. Risperdal can also improve symptoms related specifically to mania, including the following: •Irritability •Elevated mood •Impulsivity •Racing thoughts •Inflated self esteem •Decreased need for sleep Like other medications in this class, Risperdal can help in the treatment of bipolar in two ways – by treating the mania and by reducing cycling (the switch from baseline mood into either mania or depression). Although Risperdal has not been approved specifically to treat childhood bipolar, it has been approved to treat children and adolescents for irritability related to autistic disorders – temper tantrums, rapidly changing moods, aggressive behavior, and self-injury. It’s also been used to help treat Tourette’s syndrome. This class of medications (the atypical antipsychotics as a group) has come to be used broadly to address issues of severe mood regulation deficits including uncontrollable tantrums and rages in both children and adults, even without a clear diagnosis of one of the FDA approved indications for using Risperdal: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. I often describe it to my patients as a powerful “engine coolant” that helps to tone down highly aroused emotions and the behaviors associated with those emotions. Hope this helps :) ♥

Answer 6

Risperdal Wiki

Answer 7

I guess everyone is different. I had been on prozac forever. It stopped working & my doctor put me on 2 other meds & kept me on the prozac. Then I was told to wean myself off the prozac. Like take away 1 day a week at the beginning then 2 a week & so on. I've always been told never to just STOP taking a medicine like that before. You have to wean yourself off of it. Ask your family doctor. Mine is the one who told me how to do it.