Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 200116

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Re: Abilifys #1 side effect is..........

Posted by Emme on February 15, 2003, at 8:54:47

In reply to Re: Abilifys #1 side effect is.........., posted by megg on February 15, 2003, at 7:44:40

At first I thought it was the most activating thing I had ever tried (except maybe Geodon). Now I'm soooo tired. I don't know if my body is changing its response to the drug, I'm just tired from other things and being worried in general, or I'm cycling. I hoped for normal energy. At first I thought "wow, this had antidepressant effects". NOw I'm depressed again. Whaddaya think? Will things even out? I'm only taking something like 1-2 mg (I'm the microdose patient.).
Emme

 

Re: Abilifys #1 side effect is.......... » missinglynxx

Posted by laurarn on February 15, 2003, at 12:06:15

In reply to Re: Abilifys #1 side effect is.........., posted by missinglynxx on February 14, 2003, at 17:13:12

I've already used the "Bill Gate's drug" line. Thanks for the funny material. I have been on Seroquel for a year and it has helped me. My concern is that it de-motivates me in terms of interacting with other people. I just sort of "blah" out.

I think Abilify is worth a trial. While I do need something with AD properties, I also need something to hold my thoughts together when they race on uncontrollably. I'll keep you posted.

I was a bit taken aback at jojones reply. Thanks Dr. Bob for helping with that.

 

Abilify side effects » Emme

Posted by utopizen on February 15, 2003, at 17:12:39

In reply to Re: Abilifys #1 side effect is.........., posted by Emme on February 15, 2003, at 8:54:47

Emma,

Abilify made me dead tired the first 3 days, then it started making me wide awake after that passed.

I could go to sleep fine, but when I woke up from my roommates I couldn't go back to sleep for hours.

Being in college, I have to deal. So I'm going to start taking it in the AM instead of PM. Get this- I figured out a way to start AM dosing titiration (scaling) without waking myself up in the middle of the night during my adjustment period.

I was thinking at first I would go from my usual 9PM dose to a midnight dose one night, the second night a 3AM dose, the third a 6 AM dose.

Well if I just go backwards in the day, I can do this without waking up to take the 3 AM dose!!

I just took a 6PM dose, and tomorrow I'm taking a 3PM dose. And then on subsequent days I'll take a 12PM dose, and finally a 9AM dose.

This way, too, if I find it ends up making me sleepy instead, I can easily go from 6PM back to 9PM.

 

Re: Abilify side effects » utopizen

Posted by megg on February 15, 2003, at 17:29:02

In reply to Abilify side effects » Emme, posted by utopizen on February 15, 2003, at 17:12:39

wow that sounds complicated... and I forget to get the milk when I go to the store for it, so I think I will stick with my bedtime dose. (luckily I my roomate is a morning person, and goes to bed early ;)

 

Re: Abilifys #1 side effect is.......Laurarn...

Posted by missinglynxx on February 16, 2003, at 2:53:48

In reply to Re: Abilifys #1 side effect is.......... » missinglynxx, posted by laurarn on February 15, 2003, at 12:06:15

Well IM assuming you have drug coverage with your insurance plan,, I would try the Abilify. its both an agonist of Dopamine (where it is TOO low) and blocks it in areas of the brain where it is too high.. ITS very high Tech
The Japanese discovered it ----> Otsuka is the Manufacturer in cahoots with Bristol Meyers Squibb
On test subjects there was no weight gain over 6 weeks, I find It doesnt make me talk too much, but I do enjoy people more . Im hypercritical .Plus I have that *everyone is out for my money * mentality. Try the Abilify,,, it might be right up your alley Take care

 

Re: Abilify side effects

Posted by missinglynxx on February 16, 2003, at 2:57:16

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects » utopizen, posted by megg on February 15, 2003, at 17:29:02

Thats a good scheme Utopizen. I split mine with a knife and take it twice a day...I loathe the price..I want MY MONEYS WORTH,,, I dont have Michael Douglas's Stock Portfolio,

 

Re: Abilify side effects

Posted by utopizen on February 16, 2003, at 9:26:54

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects, posted by missinglynxx on February 16, 2003, at 2:57:16

> Thats a good scheme Utopizen. I split mine with a knife and take it twice a day...I loathe the price..I want MY MONEYS WORTH,,, I dont have Michael Douglas's Stock Portfolio,
>>

I have a PPO (premium, non-HMO thing) and even with it I get charged $25/month-- very few drugs are $25 co-pays for me.

I suggest a $4 investment in a pill cutter. It still won't cut perfectly in half because Abilify isn't scored for some reason, but it's better than hacking it. good luck! I'm still waiting for it to "kick in".

 

Re: Abilify side effects » utopizen

Posted by missinglynxx on February 16, 2003, at 9:38:53

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects, posted by utopizen on February 16, 2003, at 9:26:54

> > Thats a good scheme Utopizen. I split mine with a knife and take it twice a day...I loathe the price..I want MY MONEYS WORTH,,, I dont have Michael Douglas's Stock Portfolio,
> >>
>
> I have a PPO (premium, non-HMO thing) and even with it I get charged $25/month-- very few drugs are $25 co-pays for me.
>
> I suggest a $4 investment in a pill cutter. It still won't cut perfectly in half because Abilify isn't scored for some reason, but it's better than hacking it. good luck! I'm still waiting for it to "kick in".
>

Sure I understand . well if this is any consolation, I had the best day Ive had in 6 months, partly due to the Abilify. This occured about the 7th day that I was :on: this medication at 15 mgs a day. I assume you take 10 or 15....Hopefully you will stay Lean and mean on the Abilify..HOPE it helps cure you, Utopizen!@@@

 

Re: Abilify side effects

Posted by Jeff Oblivion on February 18, 2003, at 13:04:43

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects » utopizen, posted by missinglynxx on February 16, 2003, at 9:38:53

I have been taking Abilify for over a week now. I am taking 15mgs once a day. Is this a really low dose? It made me drowsy right after I took it for the first two days. Now it doesn't have many side effects at all. It feels like I'm not taking anything, which is exactly how I would like for my medication to feel. But I am wondering. Is 15mgs too small of a dose? I have schizoaffective disorder bipolartype and am on Trileptal as well. Thank you.

 

Re: Abilify side effects » Jeff Oblivion

Posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 16:32:55

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects, posted by Jeff Oblivion on February 18, 2003, at 13:04:43

> I have been taking Abilify for over a week now. I am taking 15mgs once a day. Is this a really low dose? It made me drowsy right after I took it for the first two days. Now it doesn't have many side effects at all. It feels like I'm not taking anything, which is exactly how I would like for my medication to feel. But I am wondering. Is 15mgs too small of a dose? I have schizoaffective disorder bipolartype and am on Trileptal as well. Thank you.


Hi Jeff.

My experience with Abilify has been exactly the same as yours. I started taking it three days ago at 20mg. I don't really notice any side-effects right now, with the possible exception of increased appetite. We'll see where that goes. I hope it treats me better than Zyprexa in that regard. I gained 20 pounds on Zyprexa in three weeks. Also, I experienced some itching yesterday and the day before. It's pretty much gone now.

I have a treatment-resistant chronic bipolar depression. I'm using Abilify for its antidepressant effects. How about you?

Here's what it says in the drug monograph / package insert:

****************************************

Usual Dose

The recommended starting and target dose for ABILIFY is 10 or 15 mg/day administered on a once-a-day schedule without regard to meals. ABILIFY has been systematically evaluated and shown to be effective in a dose range of 10 to 30 mg/day; however, doses higher than 10 or 15 mg/day, the lowest doses in these trials, were not more effective than 10 or 15 mg/day. Dosage increases should not be made before 2 weeks, the time needed to achieve steady state.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/abilify_ids.htm

****************************************


Good luck with Abilify!


- Scott

 

Re: Abilify side effects » SLS

Posted by missinglynxx on February 18, 2003, at 18:24:02

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects » Jeff Oblivion, posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 16:32:55

Thats exciting Scott that your MD prescribed Abilify.. I take 15 mgs per day,,, Broken into 2 pieces >> You might want to divide it ?


for a more intense reaction. The side effects are ONES I can deal with,,,,!! love that.
Good luck with you health, Scott

 

Re: Abilify side effects » SLS

Posted by Jeff Oblivion on February 18, 2003, at 21:40:03

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects » Jeff Oblivion, posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 16:32:55


>
> Hi Jeff.
>
> My experience with Abilify has been exactly the same as yours. I started taking it three days ago at 20mg. I don't really notice any side-effects right now, with the possible exception of increased appetite. We'll see where that goes. I hope it treats me better than Zyprexa in that regard. I gained 20 pounds on Zyprexa in three weeks. Also, I experienced some itching yesterday and the day before. It's pretty much gone now.
>
> I have a treatment-resistant chronic bipolar depression. I'm using Abilify for its antidepressant effects. How about you?
>
> Here's what it says in the drug monograph / package insert:
>
> ****************************************
>
> Usual Dose
>
> The recommended starting and target dose for ABILIFY is 10 or 15 mg/day administered on a once-a-day schedule without regard to meals. ABILIFY has been systematically evaluated and shown to be effective in a dose range of 10 to 30 mg/day; however, doses higher than 10 or 15 mg/day, the lowest doses in these trials, were not more effective than 10 or 15 mg/day. Dosage increases should not be made before 2 weeks, the time needed to achieve steady state.
>
> http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/abilify_ids.htm
>
> ****************************************
>
>
> Good luck with Abilify!
>
>
> - Scott


Thank you for the monograph information, Scott. I should have kept the one that came with my bottle, but I didn't really think about it. I just threw the bag away.
Anyway, I'm taking Abilify to help with hallucinations, mostly auditory. I'm also hoping it will work with my trileptal to keep the bipolar aspect of my schizoaffective disorder in check. It gave me the urge to start exercising again, which is good because I have been really lazy lately. It's only been 3 days since I have been back on my workout routine after, I would say, about 3 months. The funny thing that, after I exercise, instead of getting a high from it, I just feel kind of tired and maybe even a little depressed. It's pretty weird because that's not how I remember my body reacting to a good work out. It might be because I have become so out of shape in the last three months, just sitting there at my computer for twelve hours a day. That's not much more exercise than sleeping and eating all day. So maybe that will get better as time goes on or I will just get use to it. I'm not going to stop working out nor quit the abilify. I only remembered to mention that in this post because I just finished exercising not too long ago.
So Abilify is making you hungry, huh? I think I noticed something like that at first. It's not as bad as zyprexa was to me though. I can handle eating a more normally now. I am determined to lose the weight I gained with zyprexa, around 40 pounds.
Well good luck with the Abilify, yourself, and take care. It's a good thing the itching went away too.

-Jeff

 

Re: Abilify side effects » missinglynxx

Posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 21:47:03

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects » SLS, posted by missinglynxx on February 18, 2003, at 18:24:02

> Thats exciting Scott that your MD prescribed Abilify.. I take 15 mgs per day,,, Broken into 2 pieces >> You might want to divide it ?


My doctor said that the side effects of Abilify are not dosage-dependent. He thought it logical to go right for the target dosage, especially since it takes quite a while for it to reach steady-state levels. So far, he seems to be right.

The mean elimination half-life for Abilify is 75 hours (146 hours for poor metabolizers). For this reason, once-a-day dosing is recommended.

How have you been doing?

Take care.


- Scott

 

Re: Abilify and cogentin

Posted by ShelliR on February 18, 2003, at 22:03:41

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects » missinglynxx, posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 21:47:03

My doctor called in cogentin last night, but my street's not plowed yet, so I can't get it from the pharmacy. Has anyone else added cogentin to abilify? My insides are shakey both from abilify, then straterra and I can't settle down to do any work, read, etc. Does anyone use cogentin for shakiness anymore. Neither valium or klonopin did anything, but I never heard cogentin mentioned on this board. (btw, he prescribed it at my request).

Shelli

 

Re: Cogentin » ShelliR

Posted by xjs7 on February 18, 2003, at 22:27:46

In reply to Re: Abilify and cogentin, posted by ShelliR on February 18, 2003, at 22:03:41

I use Cogentin 1 mg BID and it works great for tremor (which I have naturally and is not drug-induced), and EPS (which is from my Geodon). I have been on Cogentin for 10 months and highly recommend it for shaking and stiffness, drug-induced or not drug-induced. I tried a benzodiazepine (Ativan) first and it didn't work on the tremor at all. I hope this helps.

xjs7

 

Re: Abilify side effects

Posted by missinglynxx on February 19, 2003, at 1:25:02

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects » missinglynxx, posted by SLS on February 18, 2003, at 21:47:03

> > Thats exciting Scott that your MD prescribed Abilify.. I take 15 mgs per day,,, Broken into 2 pieces >> You might want to divide it ?
>
>
> My doctor said that the side effects of Abilify are not dosage-dependent. He thought it logical to go right for the target dosage, especially since it takes quite a while for it to reach steady-state levels. So far, he seems to be right.
>
> The mean elimination half-life for Abilify is 75 hours (146 hours for poor metabolizers). For this reason, once-a-day dosing is recommended.
>
> How have you been doing?
>
> Take care.
>
>
> - Scott
>


How am I doing. Oh Im a little discouraged. Like when the tight end drops the ball going for the goal Line. I took a few BUSPAR as part of my "grand experiment". Friggin mix made me Paranoid for 5 hours. THEN I lifted weights to get it out of my system.........

For some reason that Stampede insident really upset me. I hate accidents (freak ONES)
I guess I can relate to accidents LOL, having taken Lexapro and nearly falling down from its Power... your basic Nitroglycerine.
well Ill go watch Exorcist III with George C Scott.. it caught my eye,
You guys recover soon!

 

Re: Cogentin. Very helpful, thanks so much. (nm) » xjs7

Posted by ShelliR on February 19, 2003, at 9:43:56

In reply to Re: Cogentin » ShelliR, posted by xjs7 on February 18, 2003, at 22:27:46

 

Re: Abilify and cogentin

Posted by cybercafe on February 20, 2003, at 0:24:06

In reply to Re: Abilify and cogentin, posted by ShelliR on February 18, 2003, at 22:03:41

> My doctor called in cogentin last night, but my street's not plowed yet, so I can't get it from the pharmacy. Has anyone else added cogentin to abilify? My insides are shakey both from abilify, then straterra and I can't settle down to do any work, read, etc. Does anyone use cogentin for shakiness anymore. Neither valium or klonopin did anything, but I never heard cogentin mentioned on this board. (btw, he prescribed it at my request).
>
> Shelli

oh shelli do you have bipolar and ADHD as well?

how do you find abilify is for concentration/inattentiveness?

 

Re: Abilify and cogentin » cybercafe

Posted by ShelliR on February 20, 2003, at 2:27:32

In reply to Re: Abilify and cogentin, posted by cybercafe on February 20, 2003, at 0:24:06


> oh shelli do you have bipolar and ADHD as well?
> how do you find abilify is for concentration/inattentiveness?

Not bipolar; severe unipolar depression for years--controlled by nardil. Then nardil pooped out, probably has to do with perimentapausal hormones. I have some symptoms of ADHA, but tested negative. More important, stimulents all made me feel like hell. I do have DD, nos and some of the characteristics are similar to ADHA.

The abilify did nothing for my concentration because it felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin.

Shelli

 

Re: Abilify and cogentin

Posted by cybercafe on February 20, 2003, at 23:53:09

In reply to Re: Abilify and cogentin » cybercafe, posted by ShelliR on February 20, 2003, at 2:27:32

>
> > oh shelli do you have bipolar and ADHD as well?
> > how do you find abilify is for concentration/inattentiveness?
>
> Not bipolar; severe unipolar depression for years--controlled by nardil. Then nardil pooped out, probably has to do with perimentapausal hormones. I have some symptoms of ADHA, but tested negative. More important, stimulents all made me feel like hell. I do have DD, nos and some of the characteristics are similar to ADHA.
>
> The abilify did nothing for my concentration because it felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin.
>
> Shelli

oh ... what's ADHA and DD?

 

Re: Abilify and cogentin » cybercafe

Posted by ShelliR on February 23, 2003, at 11:18:28

In reply to Re: Abilify and cogentin, posted by cybercafe on February 20, 2003, at 23:53:09

>
> oh ... what's ADHA and DD?

I meant ADHD (Attention deficit hypoactivity syndrome).

DD is dissociative disorder, nos (non-specified). I have different parts inside (children of different ages) who have their own personalities and the voices sound like children's, not like mine as an adult. Almost all the time I am conscious when they talk and I don't lose time or I would be diagnosed as DID (dissociative identity disorder)--the old name was multiple personality disorder.

> > > how do you find abilify is for concentration/inattentiveness?

I don't know if I'm feeling any effects of abilify yet since I had stopped it, then just restarted two days ago at 7.5 mg. My concentration has been horrible, but Thursday my dad had a horrible allergic reaction to chemotherapy (he has lung cancer) and he's now in intensive care, not breathing on his own. It was so sudden and I'm out of town at my mom's right now, so everything feels out of wack.

Shelli

 

Re: Abilify and cogentin

Posted by Ashlar on November 22, 2003, at 4:26:32

In reply to Re: Abilify and cogentin » cybercafe, posted by ShelliR on February 23, 2003, at 11:18:28

Hi
I began using abilify 15 mg 3 days ago, for auditory hallucinations, and i cant sleep. im sooo tired yet i cant sleep. i get a couple of hours each day. i just took my 4th tablet now...

does this drug work?? anyone with auditory hallucinations can tell me? i lost my job and my social life because of this crap, i hope this stuff works.

 

Re: Abilify side effects

Posted by Ashlar on December 1, 2003, at 6:35:05

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects, posted by Jeff Oblivion on February 18, 2003, at 13:04:43

Im getting off this abilify. i never felt worst in my whole life.

 

Re: Abilify side effects

Posted by MommyDevil on December 5, 2003, at 12:27:02

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects, posted by Ashlar on December 1, 2003, at 6:35:05

My daughter (13) just started taking Abilify a week ago and seems to be responsive to it but also seems sick (physically). Although her symptoms come and go...she has an upset tummy when she eats, a low grade fever, sweats and headache, plus she is tired. I am curious if anyone else has had bad side effects like this. She has missed almost a week of school and I am considering just taking her off everything. She also takes Zoloft 150mg daily. Any advice???

 

Re: Abilify side effects

Posted by raisedbywolves on April 14, 2005, at 20:22:05

In reply to Re: Abilify side effects, posted by MommyDevil on December 5, 2003, at 12:27:02

I have just started Abilify, in addition to my longtime prescriptions for Paxil and Trazadone.

My first 15mg dose was seven days ago and I felt effects almost immediately - took it at bedtime, couldn't get to sleep, real fidgety, "crazy legs," couldn't get comfortable. The next day (maybe I was loopy from no sleep, or ...) I acted out quite a bit, making faces, dancing around, sing-song-y voice, etc. After the next night I called the MD and she recommended 1/2-ing the dose to 7.5mg. It's better, but I still have the fidgets, day and night. Muscle stiffness is also a problem, and lower back pain I've been able to manage before is now becoming unmanageable. On the "up(?)" side, where I once was dangerously shy around strangers, now I find myself chatting up almost everyone I meet. I *think* most people find it charming, but my roommate (who is the original chatter-upper of the world) say I embarrass her. Maybe she's jealous?

Anyway, I am to call my MD tomorrow and report how the lower dosage is doing. I hope she doesn't reduce it further because I am currently quartering a 30mg pill as it is.


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