Posted by Emme on June 30, 2003, at 8:48:40
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizers (klonopin?) and SIDE EFFECTS! » Emme, posted by chloe on June 29, 2003, at 21:57:25
> > Hi Chloe,
> >
> > Have you tried Abilify? It's not a mood stabilizer, but it has helped me some with depression. I have a friend who is bipolar I and last I heard they were thinking about trying her with a combo of seroquel and abilify. We'll see how that turns out.
> > I'm sorry you're so miserable. Hope you feel better soon.
> >
>
>
> Hi Emme,
> I am glad Abilify is helping your depression. I anecdotely, have not heard such good things about the drug. I heard it caused insomnia and some problems with agitation, stiffness, etc. How are you doing side effect wise? Is it sedating at all? Does it affect your sleep? Have you ever tried seroquel? Lastly, what is the benefit of seroquel and abilify together? Haven't heard of two ap's before...Hi Chloe,
I originally stopped Abilify because the side effects were bothering me and it seemed to have petered out in effectiveness. It does interfere with sleep and caused some restlessness and difficulty concentrating for me. I think some of that can be managed with careful dosing. My pdoc says she has one patient who takes 2 mg every other day and that it helps her a lot.
Lately I've added it back in and I think it's helping the depression again - I think it will end up being something I use sporadically to help over rough spots. I only use about 2-3 mg.
I do take seroquel at the moment. A speck of it (6 mg or less). Originally my pdoc prescribed it to help with sleep (from Lamictal-induced insomnia) and she said it could provide additional mood stabilization. I seem to tolerate it without too much trouble (and that's saying a lot!). If I take more than I really need, it leaves me sedated in the morning. But a tiny amount *really* helps settle me down if I'm too restless or agitated. So maybe it would help you with agitation/hypomania. It packs a bigger punch than clonazepam.
I think these two could be complementary based on my personal experience. I'm behind on learning the pharmacologic mechanisms of the newer APs, so I can't help you with the pharmacologicl reasoning behind combining them. But I'm sure someone here can. At the moment I'm taking both, along with other things. I'll be waiting to hear what my friend thinks of the combo of just those two and if she stays with it.
Emme
poster:Emme
thread:237326
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030624/msgs/238098.html