![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by francineus on April 30, 2008, at 18:15:25
My husband started abilify yesterday and seems really miserable...angry, hating life. Any suggestions? Is this typical?
Posted by med_empowered on April 30, 2008, at 21:03:48
In reply to Abilify start up., posted by francineus on April 30, 2008, at 18:15:25
hey. sorry about the side effects. What's he taking it for? Has he been on other antipsychotics for any extended period of time? WHat dosage is he on?
A lot of people seem to have start up akathisia with Abilify. My shrink says that its more common with lower doses (I'm on 20mgs/day myself). Some people switching from other antipsychotics have problems with increased psychosis.
I'm not a doc, so I can't say if its normal or not, but being pissy and surly kind of fits the picture of start up agitation. Has his doc offered up anything to see him over this period, like Valium or something? Increasing the dosage might help; supposedly, you can start Abilify at an "effective" dose (10-30mgs/day) right off the bat.Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on April 30, 2008, at 22:48:22
In reply to Abilify start up., posted by francineus on April 30, 2008, at 18:15:25
May I ask what he's taking it for diagnosis? Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on May 1, 2008, at 4:56:30
In reply to Re: Abilify start up., posted by med_empowered on April 30, 2008, at 21:03:48
> supposedly, you can start Abilify at an "effective" dose (10-30mgs/day) right off the bat.
I started off at 20mg without much trouble. I had a period of mild to moderate "restlessness" and insomnia early in treatment, but no akathisia.
Akathisia includes the inability to sit or stand still, with constant rocking motions while seated and "walking in place" shifting weight from one foot to the other while standing. There is constant pacing. Akathisia is subjectively intolerable and people describe it as "crawling out of their skin. It may be that what I experienced was a mild form of akathisia, but I doubt it. I had none of the aforementioned side effects; my point being that I'm not sure we should be using the word "akathisia" so loosely.
See the Barne's Akathisia Scale.
- Scott
Posted by francineus on May 1, 2008, at 14:11:27
In reply to Re: Abilify start up., posted by SLS on May 1, 2008, at 4:56:30
He is taking it for bipolar disorder. Is also on Lamictal and has been feeling impatient and agitated. He does not want to take benzos. Has pretty serious depression.
Posted by med_empowered on May 1, 2008, at 16:42:16
In reply to Re: Abilify start up., posted by francineus on May 1, 2008, at 14:11:27
I've heard that B-6 in high doses is good for akathisia. Personally, niacinamide (several grams/day) helps me deal with Abilify and life in general. Aside from that...I don't know what to tell you. Has he tried Atarax or Vistaril? Those might help calm him down if he doesn't want a benzo. Bendaryl might also help.
Posted by bipolarspectrum1 on May 2, 2008, at 5:39:31
In reply to Re: Abilify start up., posted by francineus on May 1, 2008, at 14:11:27
Hi,
Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in..when i first started abilify i felt it was overly activating and made me uncomfortable... my pdoc and i determined i was experiecning some akathisia and i scoured the literature and found that vit b6 is often used, and this has worked for me to help control this side effect, allowin me tolerate abilify...
Just an anecdote, I'm not sure your husband is experiencing this common side effect at all..
I've heard from many people, once again anecdotes here, that abilify has some strong side effects which often pass with time, so one has to be patient... I wish u and ur husband luck..
bps
Posted by Zyprexa on May 6, 2008, at 17:29:37
In reply to Abilify start up., posted by francineus on April 30, 2008, at 18:15:25
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.