Chemical Lobodomy Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I have been taking Risperdal for just a short time and I feel it has ruined my life. I no longer experience pleasure or joy in anything and I have no libido. How long after stopping anti-psychotics can one expect to get their emotions, pleasure, joy, and love of life back? This feeling won't be permanent I hope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I never experienced the emotional flattening, but my libido returned about two weeks after stopping the drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishididnthaveanhedonia Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 (edited) hey i replied to your post in another topic, but ill do it here to. from what i hear from other people, it can take months before feelings of pleasure return. i personally havent stopped taking my aap because my family wont let me, and ive also tried different aaps (as well as antidepressants) with no improvement. whether this applies to you depends on what your diagnosis is i guess, but i had a psychotic episode and didnt experience this feelings before taking the meds. many people are telling me that it could be a negative symptom, but like i said, this started after i started taking risperidone (like you) and hasnt gone away with other aaps. i know this may sound like its indicative of negative symptoms as it should go away after switching aap's (right?) but columbia's psychiatry page says changing aap's *might* alleviate anhedonia. anyway, sorry for the ramble, but i just wanted you to know that you aren't the only one experiencing this, if thats of any comfort, which i could understand why it may not be. Edited February 25, 2014 by iwishididnthaveanhedonia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upset.the.world Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I wouldn't worry about permanent effects just yet. Risperdal is some potent stuff. For me, it had concentrated in my system within weeks of taking it. After quitting pills, it's important to remember that the body often still has to deal with detoxing completely before it can be completely free from any side effects . Withdrawal can also be an issue and can deceive a person into thinking side effects have worsened when really the body may just still be getting used to the change. I was on Risperdal for two and a half years in high school and I won't deny it was miserable, however necessary it was at the time. I gained thirty pounds, my hair thinned, and I became pretty lackluster like what you're describing. I eventually went off because of toxic build up and saw a drastic change within a month (which is about how long it takes to get totally detoxed from any medication as a rule of thumb for me). Every case is different and every body detoxes at different rates, but if you're having trouble getting back to your normal self after quitting pills, there are ways to aid the process: Try eating foods with antioxidants, like berries, apples, and pecans. Vitamin-C will also help flush your renal system (citrus fruits are often a great addition to any diet; Emergen-C packets from the health section work wonders for me). Perhaps look into N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (NAC), a supplement in the health section that clears out med build up like nothing else (for me, at least). Also, if you're looking to replenish any damage you think Risperdal has done, Omegas (supplements, Chia seeds, avocado, fish, etc.) are a natural brain food, I guess you could say, and it could help get you back to yourself sooner than later. Anyway, I'm not a doctor or anything, but I've had plenty of experience with side effects. The above is just what's been affective for me in the past. Hope you get back to yourself soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnovatingProfessor² Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) I have been taking Risperdal for just a short time and I feel it has ruined my life. I no longer experience pleasure or joy in anything and I have no libido. How long after stopping anti-psychotics can one expect to get their emotions, pleasure, joy, and love of life back? This feeling won't be permanent I hope? I had the same experience with Risperdal (many years ago) then I switched to Abilify. (4 years ago) Joy, love, pleasure and libido did came back. Abilify also causes emotional flattening for me, but if the other side-effects are a way. My opinion is that Risperdal should used for criminals that rape people, not for mental ill people. -- Is there an option to switch to another AP? If you may stop (discuss with pdoc) this AP or switch: AP's working will decreasing from 4 to 8 weeks. It can take months to get it completely full out of the brain. You'll recover if switch or stopped with this powerful AP. It will need some time... Best wishes!! Edited February 28, 2014 by InnovatingProfessor² Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 My opinion is that Risperdal should used for criminals that rape people, not for mental ill people. Risperdal helped me during a very dark period in my life with minimal side effects. I don't like this idea of demonizing meds just because YOU had a bad experience. Risperdal is a good med for many people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnovatingProfessor² Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 My opinion is that Risperdal should used for criminals that rape people, not for mental ill people. Risperdal helped me during a very dark period in my life with minimal side effects. I don't like this idea of demonizing meds just because YOU had a bad experience. Risperdal is a good med for many people. It's just 'My opinion', if your opinion is different you can mention it (like you did). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurap Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) I have been taking Risperdal for just a short time and I feel it has ruined my life. I no longer experience pleasure or joy in anything and I have no libido. How long after stopping anti-psychotics can one expect to get their emotions, pleasure, joy, and love of life back? This feeling won't be permanent I hope? I am going through THE SAME stinking situation, plus I put on weight. I am bi-polar. I am planning to talk to my doctor at the next appointment. Edited July 9, 2014 by laurap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishididnthaveanhedonia Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I have been taking Risperdal for just a short time and I feel it has ruined my life. I no longer experience pleasure or joy in anything and I have no libido. How long after stopping anti-psychotics can one expect to get their emotions, pleasure, joy, and love of life back? This feeling won't be permanent I hope? I am going through THE SAME stinking situation, plus I put on weight. I am bi-polar. I am planning to talk to my doctor at the next appointment. hey, can you keep us updated on what you hear from your doctor? My current pdoc believes me when i say that AAPs caused the anhedonia, but I had another one who refused to believe me. Its reassuring when people validate your experience and, hopefully, the doc will tell you that this isnt permanent. I, for one, have regained my ability to enjoy music since switching from risperidone to abilify and going down on the AAPs, but everything else is still lacking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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