Posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 7:06:03
In reply to Re: Abilify » SLS, posted by BethM on February 18, 2003, at 0:17:11
> Thank you guys so much for the advice. I've tried every atypical and thorazine, haldol, navane, etc. I've even tried clozaril. Nothing worked like abilify did. I'm afraid to add a mood stabilizer because I need my mind to be sharp for my work. Perhaps there is a drug out there that's good for manic delusions, but that lets you keep your mind?
I think it is imperative that you employ a mood-stabilizer. The cycle of mania -> schizo -> depression must be interrupted. Depakote should work. Neurontin might. I did not find it to be cognitively disruptive at 3000mg. Of course, everyone has a unique psychobiological structure. Some people find that Depakote somewhat depressing, but not everybody. You won't know until you try. You can always stop taking it, with the side-effects to disappear almost immediately.If I were me (and I can assure you that I am) I would try Klonopin immediately. If it doesn't agree with you, there are Ativan and Xanax as alternatives.
You must avoid unecessary stress. Even after remission is achieved, stress can cause a "medication breakthrough" relapse, despite the continuation of treatment.
My friend claims that adding Effexor made an incredible difference, but I didn't ask her for details. I'll try to find out for you if it helped with depression only or schizoid features. Remember, interruption of the cycle is critical. To remove depression from the loop might help to accomplish this. I don't know. She says that her episodes have been less frequent, so it appears that Effexor has not triggered mania or accelerated her cycling.
Don't give up. I am sure there are alternatives that you have not yet explored. Perhaps adding Risperdal to Abilify is an option. You could take Abilify early in the day and Risperdal at night.
This is probably a good order to try things:1. Klonopin (first choice - anticonvulsant properties; Ativan
2. Mood stabilizer: Depakote; Neurontin; Lamictal; Trileptal
3. Add Risperdal or Seroquel, or whichever AP helped most.
4. Take a look at molindone (Moban). It is a pharmacologically unique AP.I wish I had a more definitive suggestion for you. These are my best guesses.
Please remain optimistic.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:201260
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030214/msgs/201435.html