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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hffcookie on March 30, 2005, at 12:00:57
Hi everyone
I haven't posted my last 2 days of "abilify diary' because i have been outside gardening and enjoying the spring weather. I haven't enjoyed gardening, one of my most favorite past times, the last three years. So, that should tell you a little bit about how the abilify is working.
On day 5 I woke up and literally felt like something was a little different. I didn't realize what it was until I stepped outside and thought "I should plant some pansies." Then i realized that i woke up without any depression for the first time in three years. Sure, i would say "i should plant pansies" at other times in my depression, but that usually was combined with "but i know i am not going to" or "i wish i could," and that always made me feel like a guilty sort of loser. So i went out without any anxiety, rather i had and have been feeling pleasure in doing these things again! I cannot tell you how the return of pleasureable reward and emotion has been these last two days. I have cried, but it was because i realized it had been so long since i had felt like this, so it was a good cry.
Anyway, the one thing that makes me think that Abilify really is my "wonder drug" is that I don't feel overly or inappropriately happy, and i don't feel overly or inappropriately sad. All of this with only a dry mouth and a headache or two (which i think was a sinus/allergy/spring planting thing anyway).
I know we all have very different responses to our meds and what works for me may not nec. work for you but if you were thinking about augmenting your meds to treat an especially resistant depression with abilify, you may give it a try. the only question I have is that my doc told me that i will only use this for 3 months...well, i have found a therapist (different board for that one) so hopefully, now that i am able to get something out of therapy, it may be ok to stop the abilify in a few months. well, that's all. thanks you all for the support. a couple of weeks ago i was at my lowest low and this board and the members gave me an immeasureable amount of comfort so thanks again. I am going to go to the zoo with my husband who has the week off! Be well everyone.
Holly
Posted by banga on March 30, 2005, at 12:14:46
In reply to Abilify diary Day 7 It's working, It's Working!, posted by hffcookie on March 30, 2005, at 12:00:57
I am so glad with your sucess!! Great that you feel motivation. Isn't it nice?
I too am on low dose Abilify for depression/anxiety, and with each day I see that it may be doing more than the antidepressives. I could use a little more motivation, but the relief from anxiety paralysis certainly has me doing things again. Tha is what may anxiety does--i am either paralyzed in my worst moments, or run from stress. The best I could do was "feel the fear and do it anyways." Though not out of that, I am much better.
I wish you continued success!
(Oh--just as a forewarning, just in case!! after about a week I developed some dystonia--sort of a twitch of my head... But this subsided after another week or so. So just to say--if any odd side effects develop at this point-dont worry too much, they could abate.)
Posted by fires on March 30, 2005, at 14:01:15
In reply to Abilify diary Day 7 It's working, It's Working!, posted by hffcookie on March 30, 2005, at 12:00:57
> Hi everyone
>
> I haven't posted my last 2 days of "abilify diary' because i have been outside gardening and enjoying the spring weather. I haven't enjoyed gardening, one of my most favorite past times, the last three years. So, that should tell you a little bit about how the abilify is working.
>
> On day 5 I woke up and literally felt like something was a little different. I didn't realize what it was until I stepped outside and thought "I should plant some pansies." Then i realized that i woke up without any depression for the first time in three years. Sure, i would say "i should plant pansies" at other times in my depression, but that usually was combined with "but i know i am not going to" or "i wish i could," and that always made me feel like a guilty sort of loser. So i went out without any anxiety, rather i had and have been feeling pleasure in doing these things again! I cannot tell you how the return of pleasureable reward and emotion has been these last two days. I have cried, but it was because i realized it had been so long since i had felt like this, so it was a good cry.
>
> Anyway, the one thing that makes me think that Abilify really is my "wonder drug" is that I don't feel overly or inappropriately happy, and i don't feel overly or inappropriately sad. All of this with only a dry mouth and a headache or two (which i think was a sinus/allergy/spring planting thing anyway).
>
> I know we all have very different responses to our meds and what works for me may not nec. work for you but if you were thinking about augmenting your meds to treat an especially resistant depression with abilify, you may give it a try. the only question I have is that my doc told me that i will only use this for 3 months...well, i have found a therapist (different board for that one) so hopefully, now that i am able to get something out of therapy, it may be ok to stop the abilify in a few months. well, that's all. thanks you all for the support. a couple of weeks ago i was at my lowest low and this board and the members gave me an immeasureable amount of comfort so thanks again. I am going to go to the zoo with my husband who has the week off! Be well everyone.
>
> Holly
Finally! A success story here. What other meds do you take?>>pist (different board for that one) so hopefully, now that i am able to get something out of therapy, it may be ok to stop the abilify in a few months.<<
Stop? Why? Aren't you worried about a recurrence?
Thanks
Posted by hffcookie on March 30, 2005, at 14:29:02
In reply to Re: Abilify diary Day 7 It's working, It's Workin, posted by fires on March 30, 2005, at 14:01:15
Hi! Thanks for the supportive post! i am on (daily) Effexor 300mg (Wellbutrin made me have intense nightmares etc.) Remeron Sol-Tabs 45mg, Adderall 40-80 mg day and now abilify, 5 mg.
I don't know why my doc said that I should only use abilify for a short time. I think there may be studies that show it works only for breif periods with refractive depression...i'm not sure. Best of luck!
Holly
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 30, 2005, at 15:40:58
In reply to Re: Abilify diary Day 7 It's working, It's Workin, posted by hffcookie on March 30, 2005, at 14:29:02
I think the reason your doc may not want to keep you on Abilify long term is because of the risk of tardive dyskinesia. I think the risk increases as the dosage or length of treatment increases. It's great that it's working for you, though, and I wouldn't worry about TD short term on such a low dose.
Posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2005, at 17:10:55
In reply to Re: Abilify diary Day 7 It's working, It's Workin » hffcookie, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 30, 2005, at 15:40:58
Glad it's working for you. Fondly,Phillipa
Posted by KaraS on March 31, 2005, at 0:48:27
In reply to Abilify diary Day 7 It's working, It's Working!, posted by hffcookie on March 30, 2005, at 12:00:57
> Hi everyone
>
> I haven't posted my last 2 days of "abilify diary' because i have been outside gardening and enjoying the spring weather. I haven't enjoyed gardening, one of my most favorite past times, the last three years. So, that should tell you a little bit about how the abilify is working.
>
> On day 5 I woke up and literally felt like something was a little different. I didn't realize what it was until I stepped outside and thought "I should plant some pansies." Then i realized that i woke up without any depression for the first time in three years. Sure, i would say "i should plant pansies" at other times in my depression, but that usually was combined with "but i know i am not going to" or "i wish i could," and that always made me feel like a guilty sort of loser. So i went out without any anxiety, rather i had and have been feeling pleasure in doing these things again! I cannot tell you how the return of pleasureable reward and emotion has been these last two days. I have cried, but it was because i realized it had been so long since i had felt like this, so it was a good cry.
>
> Anyway, the one thing that makes me think that Abilify really is my "wonder drug" is that I don't feel overly or inappropriately happy, and i don't feel overly or inappropriately sad. All of this with only a dry mouth and a headache or two (which i think was a sinus/allergy/spring planting thing anyway).
>
> I know we all have very different responses to our meds and what works for me may not nec. work for you but if you were thinking about augmenting your meds to treat an especially resistant depression with abilify, you may give it a try. the only question I have is that my doc told me that i will only use this for 3 months...well, i have found a therapist (different board for that one) so hopefully, now that i am able to get something out of therapy, it may be ok to stop the abilify in a few months. well, that's all. thanks you all for the support. a couple of weeks ago i was at my lowest low and this board and the members gave me an immeasureable amount of comfort so thanks again. I am going to go to the zoo with my husband who has the week off! Be well everyone.
>
> Holly
Yay! That's great news. I've never heard of anyone only taking Abilify for 3 months though. I'm sure your pdoc is being very conservative in order to prevent TD but if he's afraid of that, then why prescribe it at all? Oh, well, I'm glad you're feeling good and enjoying life again.Take care,
Kara
This is the end of the thread.
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