Posted by Ritch on July 2, 2003, at 13:27:16
In reply to My pdoc suggests abilify, I am so confused, posted by nmk on July 2, 2003, at 12:40:49
> After a pretty successful few months on 1200 Trileptal, it started to poop-out and the depression/anxiety/agitation have returned. I tried titrating up to 1500mg of the trileptal but I was extremely nauseous. My doctor suggested throwing 15 mg of abilify in the mix for the anxiety so I filled the prescription, hopped on the web, and what I read scared me out of my mind. It is known to cause increased anxiety, hand tremors, and severe insomnia in some and I decided not to take it. I am taking 25 mg of seroquel at night and feel that I am adding too many atypical's to the mix.
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> The only med that is getting me through each day is 1 mg of ativan. It helps with the anxiety and depression more than any other med. My pdoc suggested i switch to the new xanax xr but it did not provide near the AD qualities as the ativan.
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> Also, I went to see an MD yesterday who specializes in holistic meds and natural hormone therapy. Since my moods correspond with my monthly cycle, I thought I would give this a shot. He took a ton of blood and now I need to wait three weeks for the results. He "promised" I would feel better on a natural regimine of progesterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones.
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> Sorry to go on about all of this but I don't know what to think at this point. Do I try another AED? Do I try another AD? Do I scrap it all and stick with the ativan? Do I trust this new doc who claims that I will feel better?
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> I am so desperate that I have left two messages with a pdoc in MA requesting a consult (I live in MI). She is an expert in the area of reproductive hormones and the effects on mood. I will fly across the world if I have to.
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> Thanks for listening:)
> NicoleJust an opinion here, but... If you are scared to take the Abilify-don't. Even if it doesn't cause much trouble you will be vigilant about the side effects and that's a hassle in itself. You mentioned Ativan helping more than anything else. Maybe you just need to take Ativan twice-thrice daily (keep your money from the Xanax XR people)-lorazepam is pretty damn cheap. I'd go with the pdoc that is a specialist in hormones before I would mess with the holistic stuff-esp. if you are bipolar. If you go that route-you will be in conflict with your current pdoc-have to hide stuff-thyroid hormones-what a mess-just an opinion.
poster:Ritch
thread:238742
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030701/msgs/238759.html