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What Causes Anorexia, Headache Behind The Ears And Anxiety Post Withdrawal From Risperidone?

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Posted on Thu, 14 Jul 2016
Question: When I was young I was diagnosed with ADHD and was put on risperdone. I have taken this drug at .25 to .5 mg from about age 5 to 22 now. When I was about 17 I was diagnosed with Bipolar mania still taking the same drug. I recently had a lapse in my pill taking which hasnt happened in 5 years where I missed my pill for 54 hours. Since being back on risperidone I havent felt the same. Yesterday I didnt eat all day and it didnt bother me at all. Today I have a headache slightly behind my hears and up about an inch. I have been feeling more anxiety and paranoia that i havent felt in a very long time. My question is should I consider taking a new drug or is something else wrong?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Actually, this is not a side effect of the drug -- it is withdrawal from the drug. Your body is used to risperidone and your stopping it for 54 hours has caused some withdrawal symptoms. The solution is to continue taking risperidone exactly as you were before, and in a few days or so these withdrawal symptoms will go away. No worries!

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (17 minutes later)
It has been 4 weeks and Im still off. I didnt have to deal with this much anxiety before and its hard to control it. Before, the risperdone helped me get my head straight but now its almost making it harder because i cant tell which thoughts are reality. what im trying to say is before i missed my pills i had a rhythm and i knew what worked for me, but now ive lost it and gained some funky thoughts that i dont like. now im doing damage control and trying not to lose it where before i lived. i havent had an episode in 5 years but now i feel unstable again and i dont like it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Your feelings of instability are likely related to being off risperidone. You need to restart it immediately. Talk to your prescribing doctor about restarting and possibly even increasing the dose.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Causes Anorexia, Headache Behind The Ears And Anxiety Post Withdrawal From Risperidone?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. Actually, this is not a side effect of the drug -- it is withdrawal from the drug. Your body is used to risperidone and your stopping it for 54 hours has caused some withdrawal symptoms. The solution is to continue taking risperidone exactly as you were before, and in a few days or so these withdrawal symptoms will go away. No worries! Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.