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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ori on December 20, 2003, at 11:18:40
I've been taking 15 mg. of Abilify since Dec. 2 (about 2 1/2 weeks). My diagnosis is Bipolar I with rapid (quantum) cycling. I'm also on Lithium and Celexa (many years). I was taking Zyprexa with resultant weight gain and lethargy and too much sleep. When a friend switched and dropped over 40 pounds without effort, I asked my psychiatrist about it. Discontinued the zyprexa for 3 weeks hoping I was stabilized, but when the mood swings started, I began taking abilify. Fortunately (?) I am on Medicare and so qualified for Bristol-Meyers Squibb's patient assistance program and received abilify at no cost (through my psychiatrist).
Comparison with zyprexa--I have more energy and it's easier to want to complete projects. Less sitting around and vegging. (Although quitting pot (2 months) and recent diagnosis of sleep apnea also contribute). My sleep at night seems a little erratic still--waking up 3 or 4 times a night, but only needing about 7 hours of sleep with no daytime naps. I seem to be more emotional. Zyprexa locked down my emotions with a heavy-hand, but abilify seems to hold more lightly and I can feel again.
Abilify seems supportive, allowing my own emotional process to be present, while Zyprexa seemed more suppressive.
I like the change--including the weight loss (20 pounds so far).
Posted by Girl1969 on December 22, 2003, at 13:14:54
In reply to My experience with Abilify--thus far, posted by Ori on December 20, 2003, at 11:18:40
Wow, Ori, you sound a lot like me. I am bipolar 1 as well. I quit taking Zyprexa for the same reasons you did and I've dropped 20 pounds in a month. Amazing how that works, eh?
At any rate, I was put on abilify after discontinuing the Zyprexa and I felt the same way..more energy, more emotion, more human. I didn't realize how suppressive Zyprexa had been until I came off it. Abilify didn't seem to help with anxiety for me, however, and I'm now happily taking Geodon.
I'm glad that it's working well for you.
Best of Luck!
Posted by kotsunega on December 23, 2003, at 11:19:28
In reply to Re: My experience with Abilify--thus far, posted by Girl1969 on December 22, 2003, at 13:14:54
I'm glad you both have had positive experiences with Abilify. I switched from Zyprexa to Abilify for six months and found I couldn't sleep and had anxiety problems. Seroquel and Restoril at night were added to my cocktail and that helped me sleep, but it also gave me a voracious appetite, so I didn't lose any weight while off the Zyprexa. I had Ativan for daytime anxiety problems. I've gone back to Zyprexa because I mentally feel so normal on it and can sleep through the night. Plus, I'm not putting out insurance copays for 4 drugs when one will do the trick. Funny how we all react differently to meds, isn't it?
Posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 8:21:09
In reply to Re: My experience with Abilify--thus far, posted by Girl1969 on December 22, 2003, at 13:14:54
How long have you been taking Geodon? Are you still happy with your reults? WHat doseage do you take? Are you taking anything else? I statred taking Geodon and I really like it...hope it continues working for me.
Posted by Sebastian on December 30, 2003, at 11:38:53
In reply to Re: My experience with Abilify--thus far » Girl1969, posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 8:21:09
Does geodon kill anxiety? Like zyprexa? Did you take zyprexa before and find geodon a good substitute?
I'm taking 7.5 zyprexa and 2 abilify. Wondering if I should change the zyprexa into geodon?
Posted by girl1969 on December 30, 2003, at 14:58:44
In reply to Re: My experience with Abilify--thus far » Girl1969, posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 8:21:09
I am taking 40 mgs right now. I am also on lamictil (400 mgs) and celexa (80 mgs). I feel great since I started the geodon. I started taking lamictil at the same time, so it might be a combination.
I am glad to hear that you are feeling good, I hope it lasts for you, too. :)
Girl
Posted by funkymonkey on December 30, 2003, at 15:39:42
In reply to My experience with Abilify--thus far, posted by Ori on December 20, 2003, at 11:18:40
Wow, I am jealous. I cannot take abilify. I took it for one week with no sedation. Then after a week and half I started feeling really strange (this is on 10mg) after the first night I was twitching in the bed (much to my husband's chagrin) and on to seeing patterns in my eyes when shut, twitching and shaking, anti-social and arms legs falling asleep to chest pains and difficulty swallowing! Not pretty, no not at all. After 2 weeks I didn't really have to worry about the anti-social effect LOL!!!!! ~~~ My doc advised I get off it. (Had a similar reaction to Seroquel) Which is okay with me because my insurance only paid partial and left me with a $73 monthly tab! What's next, praytell?
Posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 18:25:59
In reply to Re: questions about geodon, posted by Sebastian on December 30, 2003, at 11:38:53
I don't know about Zyprexa...I am not anxious on Geodon...there is no weight gain associated with Geodon like there is with Zyprexa...or so I have heard...
Posted by fluffy on December 31, 2003, at 11:07:34
In reply to Re: questions about geodon » Sebastian, posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 18:25:59
HI you guys...
Can i butt in with another type of question?
I've been on 2.5 mg of zyprexa for 9 days now. I'm a rapid cycling bipolar II. i definitely feel calmer and more collected. but i'm having trouble with joint pain and stiffness. I have trouble writing, knitting, etc. I have to use extra effort to just type this message.did any of you experience this on atypical AP's? If so, did it fade over time?
I just called my doc to report this side effect, so we'll see what he says...waiting for a call back.
in the mean time, though...any experience with this?
thanks fellow babblers,
Katy
Posted by Sebastian on December 31, 2003, at 11:34:57
In reply to Re: questions about geodon » Sebastian, posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 18:25:59
Would you say it decreases anxiety?
Posted by Camille Dumont on December 31, 2003, at 17:58:23
In reply to Re: questions about zyprexa/ other atypical AP's, posted by fluffy on December 31, 2003, at 11:07:34
> HI you guys...
> Can i butt in with another type of question?
> I've been on 2.5 mg of zyprexa for 9 days now. I'm a rapid cycling bipolar II. i definitely feel calmer and more collected. but i'm having trouble with joint pain and stiffness. I have trouble writing, knitting, etc. I have to use extra effort to just type this message.
>
> did any of you experience this on atypical AP's? If so, did it fade over time?
>
> I just called my doc to report this side effect, so we'll see what he says...waiting for a call back.
>
> in the mean time, though...any experience with this?
>
> thanks fellow babblers,
> Katy
Hi, I tried Zyprexa 5mg for about a week. I found it a bit insidious because at first I felt fine but as time progressed, the side effects grew worse until I was having mini seizure-like episodes many times an hour, I twitched and could barely talk ... let alone write ... it was as though the thoughts in my head were fine but my hands and mouth simply didn't want to obey me anymore.I talked to a friend doctor and she said that she usually starts people at 1.25mg ... so I was majorly pissed at my doctor for giving me such a massive dose to start ... given that it was just to boost the AD and get rid of some minor psychotic symptoms.
I can't tell you about the duration of the side effects because I stopped after a week and am still waiting to see my doc again. However, you might want to consider lowering the dose by cutting it in half ... I talked to my pharmacist and thats what he suggested ... but the effects were too strong and I was just too scared to try.
Posted by leopard on January 1, 2004, at 7:16:39
In reply to Re: questions about geodon » leopard, posted by Sebastian on December 31, 2003, at 11:34:57
Hi all,
My experience with Geodon has been side effect free...love the stuff...my brother took Risperdal and had many of the side effects you all are describing. There's no harm in trying the Geodon if you are unahappy with the Risp. The anxiety is definitely reduced with the Geodon...the negative thoughts that constantly go through my head are gone...this leads to less anxiety...much calmer and happier...I said this before on another thread but it feels like a warm bath after a life time of cold showers...best way for me to describe how safe and calm I feel.
Best of luck to everyone!! Keep posting with your results.
Happy New Year to all!!
Would you say it decreases anxiety?
Posted by fluffy on January 2, 2004, at 10:36:49
In reply to Re: questions about zyprexa/ other atypical AP's, posted by Camille Dumont on December 31, 2003, at 17:58:23
Hi Camille--
Thanks for your reply. What you describe sounds exactly what I experienced. i just couldn't be so eloquent at the moment due to my hands not cooperating! i saw my doctor today, and we decided to trash the zyprexa in favor of a more "gold standard" approach. i still haven't tried depakote for my bipolar disorder, so it's my next trial.
As far as being angry with your doctor about your dosing...actually, 5mg is a common starting dose. you may just be very sensitive to certain drugs like me. i asked to be started at 2.5 mg, even though my doc was about to give me 5mg samples. psychiatry is unfortunately still a big crap shoot, and all doctors differ in their methods/ biases towards certain drugs/ starting doses, etc.
but maybe if you feel like you could do it, 1.25 may do the trick. i totally identify with your fears of staying on a drug that bit you in the butt! stay in touch with your progress....what is your formal dx?
take care,
Katy> > HI you guys...
> > Can i butt in with another type of question?
> > I've been on 2.5 mg of zyprexa for 9 days now. I'm a rapid cycling bipolar II. i definitely feel calmer and more collected. but i'm having trouble with joint pain and stiffness. I have trouble writing, knitting, etc. I have to use extra effort to just type this message.
> >
> > did any of you experience this on atypical AP's? If so, did it fade over time?
> >
> > I just called my doc to report this side effect, so we'll see what he says...waiting for a call back.
> >
> > in the mean time, though...any experience with this?
> >
> > thanks fellow babblers,
> > Katy
>
>
> Hi, I tried Zyprexa 5mg for about a week. I found it a bit insidious because at first I felt fine but as time progressed, the side effects grew worse until I was having mini seizure-like episodes many times an hour, I twitched and could barely talk ... let alone write ... it was as though the thoughts in my head were fine but my hands and mouth simply didn't want to obey me anymore.
>
> I talked to a friend doctor and she said that she usually starts people at 1.25mg ... so I was majorly pissed at my doctor for giving me such a massive dose to start ... given that it was just to boost the AD and get rid of some minor psychotic symptoms.
>
> I can't tell you about the duration of the side effects because I stopped after a week and am still waiting to see my doc again. However, you might want to consider lowering the dose by cutting it in half ... I talked to my pharmacist and thats what he suggested ... but the effects were too strong and I was just too scared to try.
>
Posted by Camille Dumont on January 2, 2004, at 14:29:36
In reply to Re: questions about zyprexa/ other atypical AP's, posted by fluffy on January 2, 2004, at 10:36:49
Glad to see you are working things out with your doctor. As for me, I was so pissed that I demanded to see my psychiatric evaluation to see if the psychiatrist had suggested Zyprexa. It turns out that she only suggested Seroquel which is way less potent.
Also, since I'm not bipolar but rather depressive with some psychotic features (visual hallucinations and depersonalization), the point of addint the AP was to boost the AD, not the same thing as when its given to prevent full-blown psychotic episodes.
So in the meantime I'm waiting to see the doctor and hoping I can find a better one.
This is the end of the thread.
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