Risperdal Compared to Alternatives

For Bipolar Disorder: I took Risperdal for three years for my Bipolar, and it seemed to work really well and that is why I stayed on it for so long but I eventually started to gain weight very rapidly I was 190 lbs (I am a 5'4" female) and I was completely lethargic all the time, I wasn't necessarily depressed but just apathetic and cold. My psychiatrist helped wean me off it (It is not addictive it just causes withdrawal symptoms) and even before I was completely off it I had lost 15 lbs. I am now 40 pounds lighter and its been about two months. My friends and family say my emotions are much more "colorful" and I seem more emotionally engaged. I know that it has worked for many people though and it helped me a lot when the symptoms started appearing.

For Bipolar Disorder: I've taken the medicine for a month and I do notice my mood is a lot better. I have gained 16 pounds almost. It makes me very hungry when I take it. My doctor moved me from 0.05mg per day to 1 mg per day because of my horrible anxiety. It does help but not all day. I plan to still give it more time. The weight gain is not exactly good though.

For Bipolar Disorder: First I want to thank you all for your helpful reviews. It helped me to do my own research so I can suggest my choice of treatment to my psychiatrist, rather than just trusting the one he suggests. After being diagnosed bipolar 2, he suggested another med. I strongly advocated for Lamictal. I tapered up to 200mg, on a conservative schedule. I've had good results over the past 9 months. It definitely has lowered the instances of hypomania, or at least deescalated the intensity. It's done little to address the depression or anxiety, so we've agreed to add anti-depressant. Again, he suggested Cymbalta, which I opposed due to the all the information regarding withdrawal syndrome. We agreed on a low dose of Prozac which is going well so far.

For Bipolar Disorder: I'm taking Lamictal for bipolar type 2. I have been mentally ill for years and only started getting help recently. I've tried Prozac, Wellbutrin, zoloft within the last year and none worked. I started taking Lamictal about 4 months ago and have been on the dose of 300mg a day for about 2 1/2 months. It has made me feel much more stable, not perfect… But much more stable. My stable mood is depressed, so I still am adding an anti-depressant to my list of medications. I'm 25 years old.

For Bipolar Disorder: I usually take a combo of meds to help stabilize my mood. Lamictal is Ok for irritability but my mind is never clear. Depakote ER seems to be stronger and more effective but it effects my liver enzymes. I'm weaning off Lamictal and starting Trileptal but the transition has been terrible. I'm glad Lamictal is helping others but it is not effective for me.

For Bipolar Disorder: I have been fighting mood swings and depression for years and have tried all the antidepressants which for the most part didn't work and sometimes made me worse and more crazy, so I went to clinic and was lucky enough to tell this to a random doctor, she said it common for doctors to prescribe antidepressants for bipolar by mistake, I took a questionnaire that basically suggested I was Bipolar. I saw my regular doctor after this and he agreed and put me on Lamotigrine and it was like the lights went on, I am three days in and so amazed how I feel with no noticeable side effects I am stable and not constantly self talking and feel bad weak and discouraged , it works for what it was made for, keep looking and get diagnosed for the right thing because you can spend years taking the wrong medicine. Wow