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OK, I had a pdoc appointment today.

I explained that I've been off Risperdal for over a month because my patient assistance renewal hasn't come through yet. He suggested that I try the standard AP Melloril as a substitute since it's available as a generic and by taking it I'd not be submitting myself to the whims of the drug company PA programs.

Has anyone here been on it or know anything about it?

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My brother who has passed away, was prescribed mellaril in the late 1970s. He was very symptomatic and it didn't seem to do much for his symptoms, just slow him down. He never stuck with anything very long, though, so maybe it would have helped if he gave it more time. I have no idea what his dosage was.

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I'm surprised that Haldol wasn't suggested. Risperdal is derived from Haldol, if I'm not mistaken. I don't have a lot of experiences with folks on Mellaril. I recall hearing that it has probably the strongest anticholinergic effect of the AP's. And no use of antacids. And don't handle the stuff for too long--contact dermatitis can happen. It might also make your chin turn purple ; )

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In the 70's I took Mellaril, Thorazine, Haldol, Lidone, Stelazine, and probably some others I've forgotten.

As I recall, they all were about the same to me, except for Haldol which just blew me away at the dosages they had me on after my first episode, in a bad way. With all of them, even at high dosages, and pre-lithium, I was still so energized that I was running the steps of the hospital to burn off energy. It kind of flummoxed the doctors**.

Until the advent of the AAP's, I would take Thorazine* for sleep to combat hypomania and ward off mania. It seemed to work pretty well for that. Honestly, I don't know that the older AP's are that bad at least for sleep. I didn't need cogentin for the dosages of Thorazine I've been on as an outpatient.

This anecdotal info probably doesn't help much.

*Edit: As an adjunct to lithium. Thorazine seemed pretty "mellow" to me.

**Actually, I should say the resident. The 2d time I was sick I arrived raving at the doorstep of the university hospital. They put me in a cell, but I knew that gig from my first time. After 4 days, the resident I had the first time [a very sexy (to me anyway) but devout Baptist, and whom I was in much in love with], came in and said "OK, we'll let you out but you can't run because people are scared of you now. You don't have any money so you can either stay here and be treated by a resident free of charge or we'll have to send you to the state hospital." I opted for the university hospital. The 2d resident could apparently not be dissuaded from her initial diagnosis, which led to a long time before they tried lithium.

By the way, I have never been violent, but I have been threatening I guess.

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To each his/her own I guess. To tell the truth it is hard to remember much about the Mellaril.

Also, I think I need to start a blog to get all my personal shit out of the way if I am compelled to tell it.

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VE, I feel like I should know this, but what symptoms are you looking for an AP to address?

Well, the official reason listed on the sheet the pdoc gives me post session ins "thought organization," but it helps with OCD related intrusive thoughts as well as the ADHD related problem of getting stuck on one task and being unable to switch

You can get 60 generic Risperdal 2mg tablets for $25 at Costco. You can also get 60 4mg tablets and split them for $23 at Costco. Walmart would probably be about the same. You can do mail order from Costco.

Mellaril might end up being more expensive just because it's not used much anymore.

Legit Canadian pharmacies have decent prices on AAPs too.

Cool. I didn't realize the price had come down that much. If I don't hear something soon from the PA people I'll just buy the shit. Thanks.

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Yes, risperdal has decreased significantly in price since becoming generic.

Go buy some before trying a typical, seriously (granted, I am very anti the typicals based on my experience) but hell, get what you know works rather than jacking around.....

Anna

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I just wanted to add that while Thorazine seemed mellow to me, my wife mentioned to me last night that she thought there was a marked difference in me when on Thorazine versus Seroquel. She said Thorazine resulted in a flatness of affect that was visible on my face. I guess I was too focused on not going to mania to remember this.

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They had me on, as I recall, 40 mg Haldol the first time I was sick. As an outpatient I got a job as an assistant roofer (putting on shingles). I think I set a record for number of cigarettes smoked on roof tops.

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