Haloperidol Compared to Alternatives

For Psychosis: I was given this medication for bi-polar to replace ALL A-TYPICAL ANTI-PSYCHOTICS that cause weight gain. I heard typical anti-psychotics don't cause weight gain. So I told my doctor to give me a typical anti-psychotic and she gave me haloperidol 2mg.....the good news is that my psychosis or my depression or whatever got much much better. The bad news is that I cant stop moving around. If I sit down, I can only stay down for 5 to 10 minutes then I have to get up and when am sitting down I move around a lot. My psychiatrist told me to live with it. It's either weight gain or unstoppable moving. What a witch. But eventually the shaking stopped for some reason and I don't move around anymore. Go figure. I also didn't gain weight so that's good

For Psychosis: Only medicine that controls my psychotic symptoms. Does cause some akasthesia. No other side effects noted. The atypical antipsychotics caused weight gain, rapid heart rate, and aggression. Glad I was prescribed an old school tried and true medicine.

For Psychosis: Ah, I have a mixed review of Haldol. I started it years ago for psychosis. I've been on many different antipsychotics and for me the older typical ones work better than the newer atypicals. For a while I was so sick I was on both Haldol and Thorazine. That combo really helped a lot. After years of 15 mg of Haldol a day I developed pseudoparkinsonism. I would shake, I had trouble walking, I couldn't write (couldn't form the letters with a pen), and I was drooling all the time. My doctor told me I wasn't allowed to drive for 6 months. Eventually it got to the point that my neurologist began to question the pseudoparkinsonism diagnosis -- she thought I was developing actual Parkinson's Disease. I think I'm done with Haldol.

For Psychosis: For years, my Dad had really bad anger issues. He continually kept my Mom in turmoil with his fits of rage to the point that one day she had a Stroke. It was horrendous. When both of them went to a Nursing Home, my Dad was evaluated and diagnosed as being psychotic. The Doctor prescribed Haldol for him and within 3 days, he was a brand new person. He was calm, he laughed, and he was such a joy to visit with. He remained this way until he passed away 5 years later. If he had been given this medicine years before, I feel my Mom would have lived another 20 years.

For Bipolar Disorder: I was on a very high dose (64mg/day) for two years. At first, it was wonderful. My Dr. told me it was a mood stabilizer, and for me it did just that. For a while. After a few months, I started taking naps in the day - HIGHLY abnormal to me. Then after the naps, I started to go to bed earlier, and earlier. Then one day I realized I was sleeping 17 hours out of the day! Since I followed my Dr's intruction, and we weaned my off, my days are bright again! No naps, chores are getting done, I am not neglecting my hygeine, picking up forgotten hobbies, living, THRIVING! And absolutely no withdrawl.

For Bipolar Disorder: Keeps the crazies at bay (mostly) - the delusions, etc.