Iowella Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Hi all, I'm now 14 1/2 weeks in on the Cipralex, I've gone from under eating and under sleeping to over eating and over sleeping. I've put on around 25 pounds since I started on it. (I really don't need that much weight, although I started at normal weight (or slightly under), thankfully, but it can't continue.) I'm still having suicidal thoughts and times when I really hate myself, I'm even having some times when I'm getting angry, I just feel very moody sometimes. I went through a period before I was put on Risperidone that I was really hyper, and mildly hallucinating, but the pdoc says I definitely have MDD (and not bipolar). I'm just wondering what these drugs are supposed to do? I started on 10mg for 5 weeks and have been on 20mg for 9 weeks (the max recommended dose). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelikejazz Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Hi Lowella, When do you see your pdoc next? I hope he's checking in with you to see how you are doing and if the medication is effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowella Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 I'm seeing my GP on Tuesday, she's the one who's been following me. The Hospital said that she can contact them for a medication consult if she feels it necessary. I'll be seeing a pdoc in a few months I suppose, I live in Canada where it's all about the public wait times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjimjam Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 When did you start taking the risperidone? It could be what is making you gain weight and feel sedated. It can do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelikejazz Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 It sucks that you have to wait. Treatment resistant depression (or depression with suicidal thoughts) should always get a psychiatrist consult. Weight gain is really rare on lexapro (prescribing info says 1.8% compared to 1.5% on placebo). I tried googling the clinical trial info on rispiradone and couldn't find much, but anecdotal data suggests it may be more common. I'm glad you are seeing your GP again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowella Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 (edited) I started gaining weight when I was only on the Cipralex, after it went up to 20mg from 10mg. The Risperidone might not be helping but it started before-hand (I had put on at least 10 lbs before I started Risperidone). I have disordered eating and actually contacted an eating disorder treatment facility last week. I know part of my binge eating was self-harm related, and part of it is issues related to control. The biggest thing is that I'm still suicidally-depressed. Oh and I think the grogginess was the Trazadone, but I had both Trazadone increased and Risperidone introduced at the same time. Edited March 16, 2014 by Iowella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizons Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 I certainly agree that the depression still being so severe is a bigger concern than the weight gain. I know there are some other anti-psychotics which are generally considered to have better anti-depressant effects than Risperidone. Zyprexa and Abilify immediately come to mind, though you probably need a different anti-depressant at this point. You've been on the Lexapro long enough that it should be working, if it's going to work. I hope you're able to get something more helpful soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Moving this to anti-depressants. You'll probably get a lot more feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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