I could get a referral to an endocrinologist to go on another med to treat it, or I could change meds altogether. What would you do? I am currently on 3MG of risperidone. I have the option of non-generic medications.
I think the standard practice is to add a small dose of abilify . They were considering having to do something with me if my prolactin went up again but it fell from 720 to about 686 .
It seems to me that while remaining high it can fluctuate .
I know very little about hormones but I think that the brain scientists are finding out about the strong relationship that hormones have with SZ. I take 1-2mg a day of Risperdal and I will supplement with L-arginine and a complex of the other amino acids that help restore testosterone levels, but I start to get prostrate problems from that, that seem to subside when I don’t take the amino acids so regularly. I feel that too much prolactin causes me to be less decisive.
I was on Geodon when my prolactin level went pretty high.
My Dr recommended an MRI and they said I had a pituitary tumor, until the “specialist” said no, she didn’t see anything, but my pdoc got excited and quickly switched my meds to Abilify.
What medications are known to effect prolactin to less of an extreme than risperidone?
Fire monkey suggests a small dose of Abilify along with your Risperdone. Fire Monkey does a lot of medical research for this sites benefit, but I would rather just talk than find a cure, in my particular case anyway.
Hi
Normally they use a dopamine agonist like cabaser. If you want to try supplements bodybuilders(yes they have these issues due to steroids) swear that large doses of B6 vitamine is helpfull. I used to take 400 mg of vitamin e which is supposed to help. There is this plant called VItex which works good, also widely available. I recomend this herb, but be aware of side effects.Then supplement with a little Zink maybe also.
I personally have had bad experiences with prolactin and abilify.
I take risperidone and although my prolactin levels are not very high, they are elevated a bit and I am getting some of the prolactin related side effects, like sexual dysfunction etc…
Risperdal/risperidone is one of the worst offenders of increasing prolactin levels - almost all of the other atypicals are easier on prolactin levels - especially Abilify, which actually is sometimes prescribed a long risperidone to lower prolactin levels.
All of the antipsychotics have side effects, this is what I am dealing with - switching to another antipsychotic may or may not prove to be as helpful as Risperdal - but if its not high prolactin levels, its cardiac, metabolic, EPS, Akathisia or thyroid issues - seems like one cannot really win
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