Posted by alanjacobs on January 13, 2007, at 5:19:26
In reply to Re: ABILIFY + EPS » alanjacobs, posted by yxibow on January 13, 2007, at 1:50:01
The effects I experienced were the slight protrusion of my tongue and some uncontrollable frowning and facial movements. Mostly the frowning though.
So when you say the "General Scale of Strength of A typical" you are showing that Abilify is in the middle of the pack but below Zyprexa and Seroquel?
I understand the low percentage of actually getting TD, still worries me though.
My PDoc told me that 20 years ago similar medicines would have been prescribed with congentin at the same time.
TD really scares the crap out of me because I don’t think I could live with it, maybe just how I am feeling now.
Some Background on me
Was diagnosed bipolar 4 years ago. Had some real lousy treatment at U of Penn, which included 3 P Docs leaving me during a 10 month period of time. I got so upset with them I stopped going and took myself off my meds which had helped very little.
Through U of Penn I was on lamictall and celexa first, then some seroquel in small dosage (25mg) for sleep. I still felt like crap and the seroquel gave me the worst hangover in the morning. So I went off the seroquel and the celexa and moved to Effexxor, still nothing at all. At this point I stopped not because the drugs but because Of the Docs kept changing on me and I felt the general care there was sub par. That was maybe 16 months ago.
During the time with no therapy and no meds I of course got worst and worse.
In November I decided to find someone on my own. Found a therapist over the net and went for a visit. I like her a lot and think she really listens understands and is helping me. The P Doc I began to see was someone she had recommended to me. I like him a lot. The first visit I met with him and his nurse-practioner for a total of 2 hours. I told them my history and the medicines I had been on that had not worked.
His first thoughts were Prozac and Abilify. I took this regiment for two weeks and I started feeling really good. Probably the best I have felt in 5-6 years. Then the problems start. I was frowning one Friday night a little, was not sure what it was from. Took my abilify and went hunting the next day. While hunting I noticed it was getting worse and worse and that my tongue felt swollen and was pushing to exit my mouth a bit. This really bothered me to say the least. When I got home I looked up side effects of Abilify and the one it closely resembled was Tardive. But I had also red tardive usually appears much later after long periods of taking these type of drugs. I called the doctor who I luckily had an appointment with a few days later. I told him I stopped taking the abilify. He was fine with that. When I went for my visit and explained what was going on he said Ill give you some cogentin and that should reduce the symptoms right away and we will just stay on the Prozac and see how you do. Well the cogentin worked great 2-3 days later I was back to normal except for my mood which had gone down the tube once again. SO I met with him Tuesday of this week. He said since we had such good mood results with Abilify we should try it again this time also with ongoing cogentin.
Jay you seem very knowledgeable, Whets your background if I may. Your reply was probably the most informative I have ever received on here.
Please ask me more if I did not answer you fully.
Ps. He also gave me some lunesta to try Seems to work pretty well so far.
Thanks
poster:alanjacobs
thread:721839
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070113/msgs/721911.html