Higher dose definitely has more side effects. Stay on lowest dose as possible.
2 Likes
I don’t think only 10% of people get side effects on antipsychotics, I believe the percentage is way higher than that
2 Likes
That’s the impression that I’m getting too. I think the percentages are just marketing jargon.
1 Like
Good advice, thank you. I will recommend to my doctor that I start on a low dose. I always ease into using any drug.
1 Like
Yikes, I’m so sorry to hear that you have to live with that.
I went through a few months of very bad symptoms, but I didn’t understand what was happening. It was a mess.
Now that I have better control, I have cold feet about the meds, but I’m scared of a relapse so I’m definitely going to talk to my doctor about it.
In my two years of being on 3 mg of risperidone (the only AP I’ve been on besides the geodon I was given in the hospital during the psychotic break that started it all) it has caused me agitation at times and has contributed to significant weight gain. I do recommend those two problems over full-blown psychosis, of course.
I really hope you can get on a med that helps you without side effects that are detrimental to your life, preferably without having to try out too many.
It’s definitely possible. 
1 Like
Thank you! Sorry to hear about the weight gain. I just lost a bunch of weight so I’m really scared that I’m going to get put on a med that will make me fat again. I also have high blood pressure already, so I’m scared of the ones that have rapid heartbeat as a symptom.
In general, I’m just scared shittless.
2 Likes
It is a frightening prospect to have to get on a such a heavy duty type of med, I completely get where you’re coming from.
Hopefully you can avoid weight gain. Speaking for myself, my appetite increased and never really shut off, so to speak, and I craved carbs almost exclusively.
There are probably ways to combat that. I was actually able to lose weight last year by ignoring my cravings but then life happened and I turned to food to cope, and well… I guess I can’t exactly blame risperidone for that.
1 Like
My side effects from invega sustania and citalipram haven’t been very apparant lately, though I did gain some wieght lately.
1 Like
What is the weight gain like?
Do you just mysteriously gain weight even if you follow a relatively healthy diet? Or, do you just get uncontrollable appetite cravings?
At home, I pretty much only have food that corresponds to my Paleo diet. I avoid all breads and mostly eat organic vegetables and lean meats. I wonder if I can beat this side effect by only eating vegetables, lol
1 Like
Uncontrollable cravings; I went for the unhealthiest options possible because I just didn’t care anymore. After years of showing restraint regarding my eating thanks to an eating disorder prior to getting on meds, I simply lost all inhibitions concerning food. I won’t rule out the eating disorder playing a part as well.
1 Like
I can relate. I went through a really gross binge-eating phase when I was younger due to my depression symptoms. I can remember when the depression was the worst of my mental issues.
Never thought I would say this, but I miss those days.
1 Like
I usually get convulsions from AP but my doctor add tegretol to it which helped me alot also biperden also one of my usual meds either pills or injection
Thanks god i am fine
Also my doctor change new meds every several months and increase or decrease dose 