Going off risperdal?

[Art78]

I have to stop taking this drug!! It can cause breast cancer (many women have died young in my family) it depletes you of estrogen. Being a single woman of 41, my estrogen is GOLD! And I have been taking it for 11 yrs!!
My dose is 1mg daily. But I have cut them in half now, only because I can't quit cold turkey. Otherwise I would.

 

[Tawny]

Can your psychiatrist not prescribe an alternative?

I hope the reduction goes well but you should let someone know what you are doing so they can monitor any changes, even if that is a friend. We don't always realise when becoming unwell.

Are they safe to split in half? Some tablets cannot be broken as it effects how they release the dose.

 

[Tawny]

I worry about long term side effects too. I have blurred vision from my medication sometimes and also problems with periods. I also get headaches. They all do something bad to us eventually, it is about finding the one that is less of a problem.

I'm sure there is something else you can take?

 

[Art78]

Thanks, I have told everyone even my counselor. I have had my primary Dr. ( Whom I don't like and thinks I'm bat shit crazy.) I am also having some physical problems because I haven't felt comfortable talking to him. I am dealing with it now and am seeing a specialist.
Good thing is my counselor got me an appointment this Tues to see a psychiatrist in their office. So I don't even have to see my Dr.
My bipolar has taken a new face about 3 yrs ago. My Dr upped my lamictal which has really done the trick. For 3 yrs I haven't been depressed. Just multiple mania and terrible panic attacks (which are gone now.) I have been completely stable for almost 2 months.
Also I have been having small heart racing the past month. Kind of a scary feeling when it happens ( may be respirdal but have never felt it before.)

 

[Tawny]

I was thinking, whilst offline... my cousin Anne, she is 40, so healthy, no family history of cancer, and she has breast cancer. Although caught early, i am not confident she will reach 45. I think there are so many factors involved in cancer, we can never blame one thing.

I'm sorry i don't know much about medication and not risperidone, but i would personally prefer not to be on an antipsychotic. If you can manage without one, that is preferable healthwise. It depends on the severity of episodes though. Antipsychotics have saved my life in the past but i have not had a major relapse in about 5 years. I'm due one

 

[Art78]

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she can fight it. I had cervical cancer 6 yrs ago. I had a hysterectomy and am so thankful I could keep my ovaries and it did not spread. I read risperdal can cause cervical cancer, but I know well enough there were big factors. I smoke and had hpv -so there you go. But there are other reason why I want to stop the risperdal. My heart has also been racing sometimes, which is new.