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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mary B on June 5, 2000, at 14:51:07
Hi,
I'm new to this board. I used to suffer from depression but have been on Prozac now for a few years and it's worked wonders for me. However, that's not what I'm writing about today. I have a question that I want to put out to people who have experience with Risperadal (spelled right?).My dad is 80 years old and went thru V.A.T.S. surgery for lung cancer last August. Prior to that surgery he had been pretty active and in good health. After the surgery he was told to resume his normal activities within a week (the surgery was not radical open-the-chest kind of surgery.) Well, he didn't and just sat in his chair day after day, sleeping, and "convalescing." Well, to make a long story short, he has resumed some activity, but not much because he is in pain. He eats very little and is losing weight steadily. All of his doctors say that there is no further sign of cancer at this time so we're guessing he is losing weight because of how little he eats.
Now I know that my dad may be depressed. He may also be malnurished, which can also cause depression-like symptoms. I want to help him and nothing the doctors are giving him help (appetite stimulant, Boost, Ensure, Zoloft0. My question is this: Has anyone had experience with Risperadal increasing appetite? I know that it is an anti-psychotic and it helped a family member of mine through an eating disorder by helping her not to fear eating.
I may be grasping for straws here, but any info anyone may have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Mary B.
Posted by ChrisK on June 5, 2000, at 16:11:51
In reply to Risperadal and appetite, posted by Mary B on June 5, 2000, at 14:51:07
Mary B.,
To start I wish the best for your father. I went through an episode with my father and Cancer.
I have taken Risperidal in the past and it left me very sedated and not in the mood for any food.
Zyprexa is an anti-psychotic that has a reputation for putting on weight (and yes I do take it daily). It can be a replacement for Risperidal. It tends to lead to a little bit of cravings for carbohydrates.
It's just an idea. Maybe he would react better to it.
Chris
Posted by CraigF on June 5, 2000, at 18:58:09
In reply to Re: Risperadal and appetite, posted by ChrisK on June 5, 2000, at 16:11:51
I am still trying to find the right dose of Risperidone in treatment of my depression. I find that initially, my carb cravings are very strong, but recently, even though my dose is not increasing, I am feeling more sedated and (today) downright nauseous.
It seems to have dramatically different effects at different dosages.
I would consider Remeron. After one day my appetite was insatiable but it made me quite drowsy. Another doctor told me they save it for inactive, older patients that are often too depressed to eat.
Posted by Cass on June 5, 2000, at 19:27:34
In reply to Risperadal and appetite, posted by Mary B on June 5, 2000, at 14:51:07
Increased appetite was the reason I discontinued Risperdal. I had few other side effects which my doctor found encouraging, but I craved high carbohydrate foods and was quickly gaining weight. I wanted to try something else rather than deal with the increase in weight. I hope your Dad recovers well. Take good care of yourself, too.
Posted by JohnL on June 6, 2000, at 3:06:39
In reply to Risperadal and appetite, posted by Mary B on June 5, 2000, at 14:51:07
Zyprexa is a close alternative to Risperdal. Zyprexa is well-known for its side effect of weight gain and appetite stimulation. 2.5mg to 5mg would be a likely range to have a good effect and not produce too much sedation. It can be taken around 4 or 5p.m. for a good night's sleep (takes a few hours to kick in) and hardly any, if any, daytime sedation, and a boost in weight.
Another good alternative would be the antidepressant Remeron. A range of 7.5mg to 15mg an hour before bed would probably be a good range. Both Remeron and Zyprexa shut down certain receptors in the gut, which results in increased appetite. They may have some effect on body metabolism too, resulting in weight gain. Not always, but the weight gain with either drug is fairly common. Either drug would go nicely with Zoloft too.
JohnL
Posted by Lin on June 6, 2000, at 12:12:02
In reply to Risperadal and appetite, posted by Mary B on June 5, 2000, at 14:51:07
Hi...I'm on Zyprexa now (and Depakote) and I've been on Risperdal, and for me, the Zyprexa stimulates my appetite FAR, FAR more than the Risperdal did. In fact, I started out on Zyprexa but had to go off of it because of the appetite stimulation. Risperdal did not have this effect on me AT ALL. I've never really had issues with food and overeating, so the effect of the Zyprexa was very dramatic. I thought about food almost all the time and literally dreamed about meals. I also craved foods that I don't usually eat. So, in terms of an appetite enhancer for your father, I vote for Zyprexa (granted, I am only one person). Unfortunately, for my psychiatric sx, Risperdal did not work as well as Zyprexa, so I had to go back on the latter. I've found another med that curbs the side effect (I am going to post about it), though, so I am feeling better about the cravings.
--Lin> Hi,
> I'm new to this board. I used to suffer from depression but have been on Prozac now for a few years and it's worked wonders for me. However, that's not what I'm writing about today. I have a question that I want to put out to people who have experience with Risperadal (spelled right?).
>
> My dad is 80 years old and went thru V.A.T.S. surgery for lung cancer last August. Prior to that surgery he had been pretty active and in good health. After the surgery he was told to resume his normal activities within a week (the surgery was not radical open-the-chest kind of surgery.) Well, he didn't and just sat in his chair day after day, sleeping, and "convalescing." Well, to make a long story short, he has resumed some activity, but not much because he is in pain. He eats very little and is losing weight steadily. All of his doctors say that there is no further sign of cancer at this time so we're guessing he is losing weight because of how little he eats.
>
> Now I know that my dad may be depressed. He may also be malnurished, which can also cause depression-like symptoms. I want to help him and nothing the doctors are giving him help (appetite stimulant, Boost, Ensure, Zoloft0. My question is this: Has anyone had experience with Risperadal increasing appetite? I know that it is an anti-psychotic and it helped a family member of mine through an eating disorder by helping her not to fear eating.
>
> I may be grasping for straws here, but any info anyone may have would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Mary B.
Posted by Cinni on April 19, 2006, at 16:32:45
In reply to Re: Risperadal and appetite, posted by Lin on June 6, 2000, at 12:12:02
Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew of the other med used to curb the side effect of weight gain that Lynn is talking about? (See post below)
> Hi...I'm on Zyprexa now (and Depakote) and I've been on Risperdal, and for me, the Zyprexa stimulates my appetite FAR, FAR more than the Risperdal did. In fact, I started out on Zyprexa but had to go off of it because of the appetite stimulation. Risperdal did not have this effect on me AT ALL. I've never really had issues with food and overeating, so the effect of the Zyprexa was very dramatic. I thought about food almost all the time and literally dreamed about meals. I also craved foods that I don't usually eat. So, in terms of an appetite enhancer for your father, I vote for Zyprexa (granted, I am only one person). Unfortunately, for my psychiatric sx, Risperdal did not work as well as Zyprexa, so I had to go back on the latter. I've found another med that curbs the side effect (I am going to post about it), though, so I am feeling better about the cravings.
> --Lin
>
>
>
> > Hi,
> > I'm new to this board. I used to suffer from depression but have been on Prozac now for a few years and it's worked wonders for me. However, that's not what I'm writing about today. I have a question that I want to put out to people who have experience with Risperadal (spelled right?).
> >
> > My dad is 80 years old and went thru V.A.T.S. surgery for lung cancer last August. Prior to that surgery he had been pretty active and in good health. After the surgery he was told to resume his normal activities within a week (the surgery was not radical open-the-chest kind of surgery.) Well, he didn't and just sat in his chair day after day, sleeping, and "convalescing." Well, to make a long story short, he has resumed some activity, but not much because he is in pain. He eats very little and is losing weight steadily. All of his doctors say that there is no further sign of cancer at this time so we're guessing he is losing weight because of how little he eats.
> >
> > Now I know that my dad may be depressed. He may also be malnurished, which can also cause depression-like symptoms. I want to help him and nothing the doctors are giving him help (appetite stimulant, Boost, Ensure, Zoloft0. My question is this: Has anyone had experience with Risperadal increasing appetite? I know that it is an anti-psychotic and it helped a family member of mine through an eating disorder by helping her not to fear eating.
> >
> > I may be grasping for straws here, but any info anyone may have would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Mary B.
>
>
Posted by Cinders on December 28, 2008, at 19:15:08
In reply to Risperadal and appetite, posted by Mary B on June 5, 2000, at 14:51:07
> Hi, I have had a little experience with Risperadone, and it definately made me gain weight. All of the anti-psycotics seem to. I gained 20 lbs. in a little over a month and then gave up on it. I don't know that it is so good for typical depression though. Paxil, made me gain weight too, and anti-depressant. I don't know if this helps, but hope so.
Cindy
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