Risperdal

[potchrazebie]

hi inspirations
I agree with your statements. I was really addressing Angie's comments, I wasn't specifically refering to your post. Actually I hadn't even noticed the way you worded it!
I guess what I meant was that it is important to consult with a doctor primarily, and take the board suggestions with a grain of salt. Remember that you are not necessarily getting a wide cross-section sample of people with B-P here.

[angie75]

Originally Posted by index.html

Could I check myself by looking at my tongue in the mirror now that I know what to look for?

I would have a doc check. You could have a psych doc check, but if you were to have a lot of symptoms that conerned you (invuluntary movements, pulling sensations in your neck, back arching etc), I am sure your doc could refer you to an appropriate neurologist. As much as I think everyone should make informed choices, TD is a rare disorder, and it is true that if caught early it can often be reversed.

Angie

[angie75]

Originally Posted by potchrazebie

"Looking in mirror": It might not hurt but I wouldn't rely on it. Ask your psych. You might want to consider that if you did check yourself and saw any movement, you might panic and/or stop the med yourself, where in fact there may be no problem.

The use of the term "generally" in a clinical sense, means in the majority of cases. If a psych catches it while(and if) you are still only rolling tongue, it may not be too late to stop or switch meds.

I am sorry if it souns like I always want to be right, I guess you could say I just don't want to be wrong! :smile: But I feel it is important on this board to be careful when dispensing information about meds. I think it is used more for emotional support, whereas one should always consult a doctor about medicine issues. DSM-IV and some of those "pill books" are also an authoritative source. What concerns me is posts such as "Hi guys, what med should I take?" or "Hey, do I have bi-polar?" (<- if your face looks like this you may have bi-polar..ha ha).

I am not by any means suggesting that anyone stop taking any meds w/out being under doctor supervision, and I hope it didn't come accross that way. I just hope people make informed choices. Choices that can be made as a team with your doctor. That comes from personal experience. The 1st few times I was on anti-psychotics drugs, I was not at all given info about their risks, and was yound and away at school, w/out my main suports. I may not have made the same choices given all the info.

This board is mainlt for suuport, true. However, someone asked me a question about TD, and I have answered it. Yes, someone should consult a doc about medical issues. I think sometimes people want a place to start off.
It is also true that I am not a "typical" or "general" case of TD. Plus, I am not unaware that TD is a relateively rare disorder. I guess some of us are just lucky

Angie

[inspirations]

Originally Posted by potchrazebie

I guess what I meant was that it is important to consult with a doctor primarily, and take the board suggestions with a grain of salt. Remember that you are not necessarily getting a wide cross-section sample of people with B-P here.

I definitely agree

[index.html]

Originally Posted by angie75

I think sometimes people want a place to start off...

Yes and it's so much quicker/easier to ask questions of people who have actually been through it than to have to do the research on your own, starting from scratch. In either case, I will take what I find out and then discuss it with my doctor before making any decisions.

Angie, would you mind a couple more questions about TD? I'm wondering if a family history of it or Parkinson's might increase the risk. Also wondering if there's any history of it in your family.

I'm taking a low dose (5mg) of Risperdal for sleep. I'm not thrilled with the TD risk, however small, but then I'm also not thrilled with the "black box" liver warnings that go with the Depakote (also currently taking) or the risks of addiction with something like Klonopin if that was used instead of Risperdal.

I *REALLY* appreciate your input!