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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lepus on February 5, 2007, at 20:15:39
My pdoc has prescribed a low dose of Abilify (taper up to 5mg) for my panic attacks. I'm housebound from anxiety.
I'm currently taking 1mg of Klonopin 3x a day.
I've been on everything practically except for MAOIs.
I can't seem to take any SSRIs or SNRIs. I just came off a trial of Cymbalta which caused me extreme nausea, chest pain and heart palpitations.
I just don't seem to respond to meds like normal people.
But what I'm wondering is if anyone has ever had any success with Abilify for anxiety. I can't take many of the anti-psychotics due to blood sugar issues.
From what I've read on here it seems like Abilify causes anxiety but does not alleviate it.
I feel like I'm at the end of the line. I'm also sick of being a guinea pig. This has been going on too long.
If anyone has a good experience let me know.
Thanks.
Posted by med_empowered on February 5, 2007, at 22:28:21
In reply to Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by lepus on February 5, 2007, at 20:15:39
here's the thing...antipsychotics, generally speaking, really ARE NOT good for anxiety. They make schizophrenics more anxious alot of times--its not just akathisia, its a distinct sort of anxiety induced by the lowered amount of dopamine circling around. The reduced dopamine you find in people treated with antipsychotics (particularly at high doses and/or with older meds) is similar to what you see in people with Parkinson's. People with parkinson's often experience a unique sort of anxiety possibly due to lack of dopamine.
I see where your doc's going with this, but I think its a bad call.
Just a thought--shrinks get pissy when you refuse meds. Maybe if you acted like you were trying it and didn't respond or had side effects you could please them and avoid going through hell. Just a thought.
Posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2007, at 22:51:00
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by med_empowered on February 5, 2007, at 22:28:21
I don't get it either as ambilify is stimulating from what I've read. Med has a good idea though. Love Phillipa
Posted by lepus on February 5, 2007, at 23:45:14
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by med_empowered on February 5, 2007, at 22:28:21
> here's the thing...antipsychotics, generally speaking, really ARE NOT good for anxiety. They make schizophrenics more anxious alot of times--its not just akathisia, its a distinct sort of anxiety induced by the lowered amount of dopamine circling around. The reduced dopamine you find in people treated with antipsychotics (particularly at high doses and/or with older meds) is similar to what you see in people with Parkinson's. People with parkinson's often experience a unique sort of anxiety possibly due to lack of dopamine.
>
> I see where your doc's going with this, but I think its a bad call.
>
> Just a thought--shrinks get pissy when you refuse meds. Maybe if you acted like you were trying it and didn't respond or had side effects you could please them and avoid going through hell. Just a thought.Then what the *bleep* is he thinking? How is he assuming this will help me? I'm not schizophrenic. I haven't even been diagnosed as bipolar. I have severe anxiety outside of my comfort zones and depression. That's it as far as I know.
I don't understand his thinking and wish someone would enlighten me.
I'm really at the end of my treatment options. What does a person do when they've tried:
-tricyclics
-various mood stabilizers like Depakote, Trileptal(sp?), Neurontin
-several SSRIs and SNRIs
-benzos work but not completely and they are causing depression and brain fogI guess MAOIs are all that is left and I don't know how feasible those are for me given I'm already on a bit of a restricted diet. I also think my current pdoc would be hesitant to try those on me.
What is left for me? I can't get to therapy consistently enough for it to help! I'm going to die this way!
Posted by dbc on February 5, 2007, at 23:53:59
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by lepus on February 5, 2007, at 23:45:14
Im in the same boat as you panic disorder/agoraphobia + AD/HD-Inattentive. This leaves me in a completely screwed position as theres absolutely no chance of me treating the ad/hd while having a panic disorder. Leaving me pretty useless.
Im also a non-responder to SSRIs/SNRIs and i got my doctors to swear they wouldnt put me on any more after the effexor and remeron cocktail. Thats really going where no man has gone before with those drugs and if you dont respond to that you dont respond to those class of drugs.
If someone tried to script me an anti-psychotic for panic i do belive i would be choking someone. I even said no to buspar because the reality is that its a failed anti-psychotic. Im allready non functional enough without being a drooling thorazine zombie.
Posted by Emme on February 6, 2007, at 7:05:24
In reply to Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by lepus on February 5, 2007, at 20:15:39
Actually, it hasn't been bad for my anxiety. It doesn't make it worse and may be helping it some. It has certainly been effective for depression without too many side effects. YMMV, of course. Good luck if you decide to try it.
emme
Posted by lepus on February 6, 2007, at 14:04:16
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder? » lepus, posted by Emme on February 6, 2007, at 7:05:24
Thank you for your input, emme.
Posted by ed_uk on February 6, 2007, at 14:52:43
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by lepus on February 5, 2007, at 23:45:14
>I'm already on a bit of a restricted diet
What sort of restricted diet?
Ed
Posted by Emme on February 6, 2007, at 14:55:04
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by lepus on February 6, 2007, at 14:04:16
> Thank you for your input, emme.
You're welcome. If you do go ahead and try it, be prepared to potentially deal with a few weeks of insomnia. I needed something to help me sleep for a while, but the insomnia resolved. Many people complain of akathisia with this drug, but I really haven't had a problem. So you never know...
Posted by lepus on February 6, 2007, at 17:49:54
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder? » lepus, posted by ed_uk on February 6, 2007, at 14:52:43
I have to watch my carbs. Insulin issues. I'm not diabetic but I am insulin resistant.
Yes, I know this is a concern with these drugs. The pdoc said Abilify was supposed to have the least effect on blood sugar.
Still I'm wondering if I should start. I'm thinking of trying a different route entirely and dealing with a naturopath and and therapist.
I'm just so sick of these drugs.
Posted by lepus on February 6, 2007, at 17:55:10
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder? » lepus, posted by Emme on February 6, 2007, at 14:55:04
The akathisia is what has me really concerned along with any potential blood sugar issues. I'm just not sure how well I'm going to be able to deal with anything activating that has me feeling like I want to crawl out of my skin.
I just feel so backed into a corner and have no idea what direction to take. I've been on so many drugs over the years with little relief. The benzos and imipramine have been the only drugs to really work but again, they didn't clear it entirely and for some reason my pdoc is hesitant to use imipramine.
Just very, very scared.
Posted by med_empowered on February 6, 2007, at 18:22:19
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by lepus on February 6, 2007, at 17:55:10
im not a shrink, but ive taken "atypical" neuroleptics (including abilify) and I say...if you can find an approach besides taking an antipsychotic (new, old--doesn't matter) take it.
And the naturopath idea is a pretty good one.
Posted by Sebastian on February 8, 2007, at 19:25:26
In reply to Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by lepus on February 5, 2007, at 20:15:39
I'm taking abilify right now. It does nothing to my anxiety. I still panic on it. i would suggest low dose zyprexa, thats anouther med I take. Yes it raises my blood sugar and appatite. But, even realy low doses do a lot of good, and don't effect my blood sugar too much. I take 5mg a day now, once in a while I take a full 10mg pill. I don't take diabeties medication. I'm not too hungry, but one of my problems was that I could not eat, and I got pain in my stomake.
Abilify just makes me want to be around people. So it does help some.
Ivan
Posted by rina on February 9, 2007, at 11:05:05
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2007, at 22:51:00
> I don't get it either as ambilify is stimulating from what I've read. Med has a good idea though. Love Phillipa
I don't get it either. Abilify is suppose to be sort of a stimulant but I sleep like a newborn baby, irritable and sweat like a man on deathrow.
Posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 10:12:01
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by Sebastian on February 8, 2007, at 19:25:26
I'm so frustrated and irritated at my meds and my pdoc. I don't think this Abilify is working, it's been two weeks and my mood is still swingin like a monkey without a banana. Help!! Plus this lamictal is just lying dormant in my system doing nothing as well. My pdoc says she doesn't want to add anything until my mood is stabilized. Duh!! That's why I want her to try something else. I'm all out of suggestions. Sigh...
Posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 10:18:49
In reply to Re: Abilify for panic disorder?, posted by dbc on February 5, 2007, at 23:53:59
> Im in the same boat as you panic disorder/agoraphobia + AD/HD-Inattentive. This leaves me in a completely screwed position as theres absolutely no chance of me treating the ad/hd while having a panic disorder. Leaving me pretty useless.
>
> Im also a non-responder to SSRIs/SNRIs and i got my doctors to swear they wouldnt put me on any more after the effexor and remeron cocktail. Thats really going where no man has gone before with those drugs and if you dont respond to that you dont respond to those class of drugs.
>
> If someone tried to script me an anti-psychotic for panic i do belive i would be choking someone. I even said no to buspar because the reality is that its a failed anti-psychotic. Im allready non functional enough without being a drooling thorazine zombie.I couln't have said it better myself. This Abilify does nothing for my rapid cyling moods. As soon as I had a hypomanic episode two weeks ago from the Effexor xr she placed me on this no working, sleep inducing, awful drug.
Posted by Sebastian on February 12, 2007, at 11:40:57
In reply to What Do I Do Now?, posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 10:12:01
Try zyprexa.
Posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 11:44:05
In reply to Re: What Do I Do Now?, posted by Sebastian on February 12, 2007, at 11:40:57
> Try zyprexa.
I just don't want anything with weight gain. I don't even have the strength to exercise anymore. Is anyone interested in chatting with me online? Maybe I can get a better clarity of things.
Posted by Sebastian on February 12, 2007, at 17:54:59
In reply to Re: What Do I Do Now?, posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 11:44:05
Try low dose zyprexa with abilify. you don't need much zyprexa. Abilify will energize you. This is what I'm doing. You might be alright with just the zyprexa at a real small dose. They have a 2.5mg pill which is the smallest dose. I have found relife at half that before.
Just an idea.
Sebastian
Posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 19:33:39
In reply to Re: What Do I Do Now?, posted by Sebastian on February 12, 2007, at 17:54:59
> Try low dose zyprexa with abilify. you don't need much zyprexa. Abilify will energize you. This is what I'm doing. You might be alright with just the zyprexa at a real small dose. They have a 2.5mg pill which is the smallest dose. I have found relife at half that before.
>
> Just an idea.
>
> SebastianThanks Sebastian, I'll mention that tomorrow when I see my pdoc.
Posted by Sebastian on February 14, 2007, at 19:54:28
In reply to Re: What Do I Do Now?, posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 19:33:39
What happened at your pdoc?
This is the end of the thread.
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