schizophrenia...wrong diagnosis...treatment

my wife and i believe my son was diagnosed wrongly with schizophreia, the doctor started a treatment with paxil 10 mg oral, and risperodine 2 mg oral. we are checking for a second opinion, but we are not sure if he should or not keep taking the medicine, is only 7 days since the firts dosis. he is 18 years old, but evrytime he takes it is worts....please any advice,,,,thank you..

[ParamedFlorena]

I would ask for a second opinion, but I'd call the one who prescribed the meds and ask if the side effects are normal to experience until I got the second opinion.


Reading on Risperidone at drugs.com, the following is written about side-effects:


Risperidone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using risperidone and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;
- restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
- tremor (uncontrolled shaking);
- trouble swallowing; or
- feeling light-headed, fainting.

Less serious side effects may include:
- mild restlessness, drowsiness, or tremor;
- sleepiness, dreaming more than usual;
- blurred vision;
- dizziness or headache;
- weight gain;
- problems with urination;
- nausea, dry mouth, constipation; or
- decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.


I hope your son gets a correct diagnosis. It is a serious diagnose, so a 2nd opinion is something I'd seek as a parent - not because I didn't trust the diagnosis, but because it is important to get it double-checked for the right treatment.

Good luck
Florena

[xanweaner]

Was your son taking any other medication prior to this diagnosis? Has he been using recreational drugs?

Definitely get a second opinion...if you believe that the drugs are making him worst than he was prior to taking them, you need to call this Dr. and let him/her know what's happening....
Is he a danger to himself or others right now?

I'm sorry for you and your family's pain - I hope you can get some good care for your son.
Best,
xan

[JB174]

I took Risperdal Consta and Lithium for 7 months while being in the hospital.  When I got out of the hospital, boy was I sorry!  My cognitive abilities were down about 70%. I also had sleeping problems and chronic fatigue.  When I read a book, I had no memory retention of what I read.  If you value your son's life, take him off all the drugs, drugs are poison, and take him to a homeopathic doctor.  All drugs have side effects, and if taken too long, the side effects lead to permanent biological damage.  Back in the 1880s, all mental hospitals were run by homeopathic doctors, and they prescribed cell salts.  All of the patients got well, without side effects.  Risperdal Consta can cause diabetes, heart damage, and tardive diskinesa (uncontrollable muscle movements).  I have heard that paxil causes hostile behavior.  Taking these drugs opens up pandora's box.  They will create new health problems, and the health problems will be nasty, chronic, and incurable.   I stopped taking all of my drugs after I left the hospital, and the sleeping problem and chronic fatigue still remain.

[cornyguy]

How long back did you stop the Risperdal as i too am experiencing sleeping problem while tapering Risperdal.I am on 0.5 mg now and am 4 days away from stopping Risperdal on advice of my Psychiatrist.Are you on any meds now?.Pls let me know.

[whodunnit]

Hi,

I know nothing about either the illness diagnosed or the med. There is a forum for this you might try too.

But, if you are right and he deteriorates after each dose then it is certainly time to reassess.

I would ring a hospital and describe the reaction(s) he is having. Listen to them pending getting in to see a doc face to face. If there's a real nasty problem, emergency ward is best, always.

As to the diagnosis try using Google to fins the symptoms od the diagnosed illness. Be honest when you read them and be prepared to accept the truth, whatever it is.

No question that docs get both a diagnosis and med wrong. Dangerous indeed and you should be applauded for taking notice and trying to help.

Over the last 10 years I've probably had 4 times when I rang my own pdoc when I was either worried ir distressed by a med.

His advice on each occasion? "Stop the med and see me soon as you can". It is rare that stopping a med will hurt more than taking it and the doco you got with the druh should tell you of the issues there.

I'd just stop it and ring a hospital and make an appointment for a new doc.