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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TrishP on December 2, 2006, at 7:38:56
Ok - I'm trying to be a good patient and stick with something for a few months.
When I went to the doctor I was depressed - bad. He put me on Abilify for as a mood stabilizer. It helped my mood and sleep at first.
Now, I am taking 5 mg and have been on it for over a month. I don't sleep as well (when I wake up I can't go back to sleep).
BUT - here's my question. I wasn't irritated and mean before the Abilify so why am I now? How can a drug be working for me if I am a crappy person?
The doc likes to chalk it up to akathesia. True, I haven't gone nuts and had a manic episode, but I miss the nice person I was on SSRIs (Lexapro and Effexor both made me sweet without a care in the world).
I just wish Lexapro didn't give me bladder problems.
I'm thinking of adding 5mg of Lexapro to the Abiify. It will probably kill my sex life, but maybe it would make me a sweet person again without the bladdder pain.
UGH!
Posted by lymom3 on December 2, 2006, at 10:17:47
In reply to Can someone explain?, posted by TrishP on December 2, 2006, at 7:38:56
I think we started Abilify about the same time. It's had the opposite effect on me. I am nicer now than when I started it. My bit*hness is why the pdoc went that way as I'm already am on the max dose of Lamictal that my body will tolerate.
I think the insomnia is getting better...knock on wood. What I am missing right now is that I'm still somewhat tired feeling even with 400mg of Provigil and I can't get enthused about anything. I miss having something to look forward to.
I am going to a concert with my husband Monday. I am old and yes..I'm going to see Bob Seger. I am just indifferent. I should be excited to go as normally that would be a fun event. I know some meds can make you flat. I don't feel depressed, I'm not sad. I know
I need some kind of stimulant added back in for focus...Provigil isn't helping that. I need something else though. As much as I never got any help from anti depressants do you think a low dose of some kind of a/d might work?
I'm kind of back at my point of just wanting to be a mixed state bit*h and chucking all the meds out the window. I used to want to see my family, do things with my kids. I will now if dragged into it and then it is ok or enjoyable but I just don't make plans to do anything because I never know if I'll feel like doing them.
Ugh...sorry for the long post. There are no great answers, I know. I'm just wondering if maybe I shouldn't revist the antidepressants with maybe the Abilify chaser...
Lisa
Posted by blueberry on December 2, 2006, at 14:58:11
In reply to Can someone explain?, posted by TrishP on December 2, 2006, at 7:38:56
Antipsychotics and ssris usually go good together. The only way to find out how the combo would work is a trial. When I was on zyprexa and prozac, zyprexa made prozac work better. I knew what to expect from prozac and I knew what to expect from zyprexa, but the result of them combined had new different characteristics that neither one of them had alone. They also offset each other's side effects so my overall side effect burden was less than either drug alone.
You could choose your favorite ssri and give it a try. Ssri+antipsychotic combo was good to me and safe for 7 years. Sure I ran into some problems after that, but they had to be expected. And overall they are not major problems. Though I like to plan for the longterm in general, I think when it comes to psychiatry we have to consider what is the best thing right here and now. Life is short.
It's a tough call. Your gut instinct is probably telling you what to do. I know you will make a good decision and I hope whatever it is it works great.
Posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2006, at 18:00:48
In reply to Re: Can someone explain? » TrishP, posted by blueberry on December 2, 2006, at 14:58:11
So other than the three you mentioned have you tried any others? Love Phillipa ps luvox is calming
This is the end of the thread.
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