Have to give up Risperdal.

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I know many people post about how terrible it is, but every body is different, and for me it has made a real, positive difference. The only reason I have to finally give it up is because of the weight gain. That part of it just cannot continue. I've gained 60 pounds (27.2 kg)! But I'm still scared about going off of it, because of how I used to be (always in tears, shut down, and more panic attacks). I'm so frustrated that what works for me has to have such a downside.

Risperidone made me feel weak and shaky. I only took it for 3 weeks.

But I hear you. On Seroquel (quetiapine) I gained 30 kilos. I've since stopped taking it but now my struggle is losing the excess weight. It has not budged at all and it's been 2 years. It could be due to the lithium I'm taking, not sure.

I hope the weight comes off easily for you. And maybe a new medication can be found that helps with your panic attacks?

Your doctor may replace it with another antipsychotic with fewer side effects like sulpiride or abilify maybe. This is what happened in my case. But I was on risperdal for only about 6 months.

We did decide to try Abilify, and I've been on it now a little more than a week. Initial nausea and jitters are wearing off, and I think it could be comfortable. I'm a lot less fatigued than with the Risperdal.

Metformin can be added to limit the weight gain associated with antipsychotics. Its an option that you can research on your own if you are interested.

There is always Saphris, an antipsychotic with the least weight gain of any atypical antipsychotic.

Since you are from Washington, I'd suggest you research CBD oil as either a replacement or adjunctive to antipsychotics.

Did you ever try Geodon? I used to be on Risperdal and the weight gain was pretty atrocious, but it wasn't nearly as bad on Geodon.

Geodon/Zeldox (ziprasidone) was excellent for me until the doctor found that I had heart problems on it. They weren't heart problems I could feel so I thought it was a real bummer that I had to give Geodon up.