Posted by Michael on July 25, 2007, at 17:57:52
In reply to Abilify users I need your feedback, posted by KayeBaby on July 20, 2007, at 8:06:15
> A few weeks ago I started a small amount of Abilify 2-5mg. I discontinued after about 3 weeks because I started getting tired suddenly.
> I thought maybe I had built up a sleep deficit from taking Abilify but I found out that I had a simmering ear infection that could account for the sudden tiredness.
>
> I have been off Abilify for a couple of weeks and slowly lost my momentum. On the med I had been getting things done. I had motivation and my mood was great. It seemed my other meds worked better. (Emsam,occasional 100mg provigil, 2-5mg dexedrine) Off of it-nothing seemed to work right. I became demotivated again and rather depressed.
>
> I started the Abilify back up at 2.5 mg and noticed an immediate lift to my mood, 3 days later I am feeling much better, sleeping less (was oversleeping)motivation is improving.
>
> The problem is-I am scared to take this med. I do not have any psychosis. I have dysthymia, ADD, anxiety.....
Hi,I have a similar diagnosis - dysthymia, some add-like symptoms, not much anxiety...
I had largely the same experience as you... I added it to welbutrin. Did much better, though sleep was thrown off some; didn't sleep much at night (maybe 4 hours?) and slept a couple/few hours during the day.
I was hoping that the akathisia, or restlessness would diminish with time, along with the sleep issues... which it seemed to be doing.
I went from 2.5 mg to 5 mg, (after 2 weeks) and I experienced the opposite effect - that is to say, it sedated me. I stopped for a while, (a couple weeks, maybe) and started again @ 2.5 mg again, but I still experienced the sedation this time.
So, I'm wondering how you're doing now? Has the sedation returned for you?
Does anyone know, does the stimulation typically change to sedation as the dose is raised? Or simply over time? It was such a drastic reversal - from stimulation to sedation - that I don't understand how & why the change happened.
Perhaps 2.5 mg / day was too much, as time passed and it built up in my body? Maybe taking it a couple times a week would've been better than every day? ...don't know if that makes any sense?
[does anyone take it less frequently than daily?]
In any case, I hope you're still getting a benefit from it... Any feedback or insights that you or others may be able to offer would be greatly appreciated.
... I really had my hopes up - it helped so much initially, w/energy & motivation, etc. ...and then it was like a sleeping pill, knocking me out...? Does that make any sense, or tell me anything about HOW my brain is [not] working?
Thanks,
michael
poster:Michael
thread:770698
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070719/msgs/771945.html