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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 TrishP on November 29, 2006, at 15:22:51
Ok - the 5mg of Abilify has made me feel tired most of the day. I took it at 9:00 last night and now it is 3:00 in the afternoon and I am feeling easily aggravated and irriatated.
I can't have this drug make me fly off the handle.
I was only depressed before I took this drug. It has taken me out of my depression but made me aggressive!
The doc says to take a small dose of depakote!
I can't get any fatter!
Posted by Quintal on November 29, 2006, at 15:55:38
In reply to I spoke too soon!!!, posted by TrishP on November 29, 2006, at 15:22:51
Depakote is hardly a drug without major side effects in itself and the underlying probelm (akathisia?) is quite serious! If the Abilify is having such a strong effect to cause this type of EPS there is a risk, I don't know how great exactly, but there is a risk of developing a permanent movement disorder with long-term treatment. It may dissappear during continued treatment only to reappear when you stop taking the drug years later.
Your experience with Abilify seems to be quite similar to my own. I don't know how you've tolerated it this long!
Posted by TrishP on November 29, 2006, at 16:20:04
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!! » TrishP, posted by Quintal on November 29, 2006, at 15:55:38
> Depakote is hardly a drug without major side effects in itself and the underlying probelm (akathisia?) is quite serious! If the Abilify is having such a strong effect to cause this type of EPS there is a risk, I don't know how great exactly, but there is a risk of developing a permanent movement disorder with long-term treatment. It may dissappear during continued treatment only to reappear when you stop taking the drug years later.
>
> Your experience with Abilify seems to be quite similar to my own. I don't know how you've tolerated it this long!So, is the irritabiity caused by the akathesia?
Posted by Quintal on November 29, 2006, at 17:06:22
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!!, posted by TrishP on November 29, 2006, at 16:20:04
Yes, it's an expression of the same restless inner tension. It becomes aggravating when the sedation of the night time dose wears off.
Q
Posted by TrishP on November 29, 2006, at 18:47:13
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!! » TrishP, posted by Quintal on November 29, 2006, at 17:06:22
> Yes, it's an expression of the same restless inner tension. It becomes aggravating when the sedation of the night time dose wears off.
>
> QWell, I'm very frustrated. The doc says to take benedryl for now and hope that it wears off in about 2-3 weeks. Meanwhile, I hope I don't bite someone's head off at work!
What I'm I supposed to do?
Would adding a small dose of Lexapro or Cymbalta help?
Posted by Quintal on November 29, 2006, at 18:59:05
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!!, posted by TrishP on November 29, 2006, at 18:47:13
>Would adding a small dose of Lexapro or Cymbalta help?
Both these meds may make the akathisia worse as they can be very stimulating in themselves. Benzos would be better if you have access to them, and Benadryl as the pdoc recommends also.
Q
Posted by blueberry on November 29, 2006, at 19:18:10
In reply to I spoke too soon!!!, posted by TrishP on November 29, 2006, at 15:22:51
I've been typing you responses for about an hour and I keep erasing them because I see they are way too long and lecturing. I'll just keep it simple.
Antipsychotics are bad news. I think they are great for emergency room use, serious schizophrenia, or saving someone's life.
I've been taking them in low doses for 10 years. Even the low doses and the safety of the new antipsychotics did not protect me from their longterm damage. I'm almost weaned off now and wishing I had never gone down that road. I cringe when someone else is just starting down that path.
Posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2006, at 19:25:50
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!! » TrishP, posted by blueberry on November 29, 2006, at 19:18:10
Blueberry are you referring to the zyprexa? I thought you did well on low doses? Love Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on November 29, 2006, at 23:55:57
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!! » blueberry, posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2006, at 19:25:50
I tend to agree w/ blueberry. I did two trials of Abilify, and I bitterly regret the time I spent numbed by antipsychotics. Unless you're quite psychotic, you can probably find a drug that isn't a neuroleptic to cope.
If your doc is advising you to use benadryl, he's pretty much admitting that this problem is drug-induced, and caused by abilify; the benadryl trick has been common for a long time to reduce akathisia and other reactions to neuroleptics. Personally, I think you may want to consider a different med.
Also, with depakote...some docs try to use depakote as a substitute for benzos, since it acts on GABA. The problem is that, even though depakote isn't "addictive," it isn't exactly "safe" either; blood work is required before and during treatment, and the side effects (especially for women) can be pretty intense. I hope your doc took the time to explain all of this to you; if not, you may want to ask him/her what they have in mind for your treatment, b/c the drugs you're being offered are pretty hardcore for a non-psychotic disorder.
Good luck.
Posted by TrishP on November 30, 2006, at 7:00:07
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!! » TrishP, posted by blueberry on November 29, 2006, at 19:18:10
> I've been typing you responses for about an hour and I keep erasing them because I see they are way too long and lecturing. I'll just keep it simple.
>
> Antipsychotics are bad news. I think they are great for emergency room use, serious schizophrenia, or saving someone's life.
>
> I've been taking them in low doses for 10 years. Even the low doses and the safety of the new antipsychotics did not protect me from their longterm damage. I'm almost weaned off now and wishing I had never gone down that road. I cringe when someone else is just starting down that path.I'm not sure Abilify is a great mood stabilizer either. I did great on Wellbutrin/Effexor comobo (even though I hated the short half life of Effexor). I also did great on Lexapro 10mg (except for the extreme bladder/ureathra pain).
I'm thinking of either trying a small dose of Lexapro - 5mg to see if it causes bladder problems OR trying the Effexor/Wellbutrin combo again.
I'm frustrated with my doc. I didn't feel aggitated or ragefull BEFORE I took Abilify. I just can't chalk my explosive fits (I've had a few) to akathesia! And there is only so much benedryl a person can take.
The only good thing so far about Abilify is the sleep.
Ugh! I'm not sure there is a mood stabilizer for me!
Posted by TrishP on November 30, 2006, at 7:06:55
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!! » TrishP, posted by blueberry on November 29, 2006, at 19:18:10
> I've been typing you responses for about an hour and I keep erasing them because I see they are way too long and lecturing. I'll just keep it simple.
>
> Antipsychotics are bad news. I think they are great for emergency room use, serious schizophrenia, or saving someone's life.
>
> I've been taking them in low doses for 10 years. Even the low doses and the safety of the new antipsychotics did not protect me from their longterm damage. I'm almost weaned off now and wishing I had never gone down that road. I cringe when someone else is just starting down that path.Thank you so much for your input. I'm so frustrated with my doc.
I'm not sure I can find a good mood stabilizer. I may need to try a small dose of and antidepressant. The larger dose of Abilify just makes me feel drugged and at the same time aggressive. Weird.
Why do you dislike antipsychoics so much? Have they given you terrible side effects or long term effects?
Thank you for your input!
It is such a struggle trying to find something that works.
Meanwhile, I'll take either a Klonopin or a Xanax to get through work today without yelling at someone!
Posted by Sebastian on November 30, 2006, at 11:57:24
In reply to I spoke too soon!!!, posted by TrishP on November 29, 2006, at 15:22:51
have you tried Geodon? Won't make you fat. Abilify is awfull. Try taking it in the morning, every three days and in doses small as 2 mg.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 30, 2006, at 16:12:46
In reply to Re: I spoke too soon!!!, posted by med_empowered on November 29, 2006, at 23:55:57
mood stablizers are absolutely bad news for me
and the pdocs that prescribed them have been inflexible as to their approach
Posted by blueberry on November 30, 2006, at 17:28:49
In reply to Re: Blueberry..., posted by TrishP on November 30, 2006, at 7:06:55
Trish,
I'm sure longterm antipsychotic use has been needed and helpful to some people. I can only speak for myself and what I've read.
Poopout happens. Zyprexa was wonderful for 3 years, then slowly became useless except for good sleep. It started increasing anxiety instead of giving that mellow warmth. Akathisia maybe? Dunno.
The odds of getting a movement disorder, akathisia, or dyskenisia are 30% the 1st year, and then 10% - 20% each year after. 2nd year=40%. 4th year=60%. 6th year=80%.
After longterm use it is possible to end up with new psychiatric problems that never existed before. That has happened to me. Not to mention the jerking legs, twitching eyes, jittery fingers, or whatever weird things. I hope very much that you can find something to replace it that is safer for longterm use.
This is the end of the thread.
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