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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lauran on April 12, 2003, at 15:25:05
I was on Seroquel for 15 months for racing thoughts and severe anxiety. We switched to Abilify and I had a severe akathisia reaction. I stopped all AP's 5 weeks ago and am still experiencing agitation, insomnia and restlessness. Anyone else had a similar experience? How long before you began to feel somewhat normal again?
My theory is that I experienced akathisia from the Abilify but was at the same time reacting to abruptly stopping the Seroquel during the switch. A double whammy it felt like. It is getting just a bit better and in my readings I've seen where it can take several weeks to months to return to baseline after stopping AP's. Any encouragement would help!
Posted by Ritch on April 12, 2003, at 18:48:50
In reply to AP withdrawal reaction?, posted by lauran on April 12, 2003, at 15:25:05
> I was on Seroquel for 15 months for racing thoughts and severe anxiety. We switched to Abilify and I had a severe akathisia reaction. I stopped all AP's 5 weeks ago and am still experiencing agitation, insomnia and restlessness. Anyone else had a similar experience? How long before you began to feel somewhat normal again?
>
> My theory is that I experienced akathisia from the Abilify but was at the same time reacting to abruptly stopping the Seroquel during the switch. A double whammy it felt like. It is getting just a bit better and in my readings I've seen where it can take several weeks to months to return to baseline after stopping AP's. Any encouragement would help!If you were on fairly high doses of Seroquel that could be very likely. den2 and linkadge mentioned Remeron (above) helping with movement disorders caused from SSRI's. You might also consider a low-dose of Depakote or Neurontin to help with it until it subsides. I had a similar disaster with Risperdal and then Seroquel and Remeron was what I flipped to (with Klonopin and Neurontin) so I could sleep and get myself together. It did take a couple of months.
Posted by judy1 on April 12, 2003, at 21:58:43
In reply to AP withdrawal reaction?, posted by lauran on April 12, 2003, at 15:25:05
absolutely, a withdrawal reaction. benzos helped me also get through the withdrawal, klonopin and xanax, and it took a few weeks. best of luck-judy
Posted by lauran on April 13, 2003, at 11:38:01
In reply to Re: AP withdrawal reaction? » lauran, posted by judy1 on April 12, 2003, at 21:58:43
Thanks Ritch and Judy. Your experiences really have helped me to understand what is happening. It is good to know that it might take several weeks for this to begin to subside. I will just hang in there. AP's are useful but I think as patients we should be thoroughly informed as to possible withdrawal symptoms and to taper very slowly off of them.
Posted by disney4 on April 14, 2003, at 17:05:16
In reply to AP withdrawal reaction?, posted by lauran on April 12, 2003, at 15:25:05
Have you tried vitamin e to help you through this withdrawl? They say it can help with withdrawl symptoms from AP's.
Posted by lauran on April 15, 2003, at 12:23:08
In reply to Re: AP withdrawal reaction?, posted by disney4 on April 14, 2003, at 17:05:16
Thanks for the tip. I recall reading this somewhere as well. I will try it.
This is the end of the thread.
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