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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 Sky Brite Line on May 12, 2008, at 23:19:55
I feel zoned, no emotion, im 5mg. And soon I will be on 10mg.
I dont even know if im Bi-polar. I do know my mind will not stop thinking sometimes. And there are things bother me. My past.
But the past doenst matter, can't change, or compromise in any way. Must think about the "present" but the present sometimes the present can be scary too. Car Wrecks, alot of stuff.
SkyLine
And this abilify, it just i dont feel the "enthusiansm" i did before. Its wierd, i feel blanky blank blank blank.
Posted by Racer on May 13, 2008, at 1:48:09
In reply to Abilify makes me feel wierd, posted by Sky Brite Line on May 12, 2008, at 23:19:55
You've just started this medication, and it will change as you adjust. What's more, based on your patterns of posting here, I think bipolar is probably a pretty accurate call. It sounds to me as though you enjoy that feeling of hypomania, but don't see the down side to it -- and there is a downside, which I think Abilify will help you with.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2008, at 12:20:21
In reply to Give it some time » Sky Brite Line, posted by Racer on May 13, 2008, at 1:48:09
Sky I do agree with Racer think she's spot on. Only other thing you can do is get another opinion right? Love Phillipa
Posted by Quintal on May 13, 2008, at 13:13:48
In reply to Abilify makes me feel wierd, posted by Sky Brite Line on May 12, 2008, at 23:19:55
It doesn't seem as though Abilify is helping you, and you clearly don't want to be taking it, which might be wise. The point of taking medication is to make you feel better, and if it's not doing that then it's time for a change. Feeling zoned out and blank is fairly typical of what antipsychotics do. I don't think it will necessarily improve with time - that's one of the reasons Schizophrenics stop taking their antipsychotics.
If benzos are the only thing that have worked for you, then try to get a pdoc who see them a reasonable option. It doesn't sound as if you're going to make much progress with this pdoc.
Q
Posted by bleauberry on May 13, 2008, at 17:47:24
In reply to Abilify makes me feel wierd, posted by Sky Brite Line on May 12, 2008, at 23:19:55
I agree with everything Qunital said.
Antipsychotics are generally not the kind of things where you feel zoned out and zombied and then later on it kicks in and you feel alive. In clinical trials when APs such Zyprexa, Risperdal, or Abilify were added to SSRIs, for those patients who responded positively they did so signifcantly within a week. While antidepressants can take weeks and months to make their effects known, APs work pretty fast. If you are feeling zoned, well, maybe that will go away in a week or two as you adjust, but I am not betting on that. From what my doc tells me, the "liveliest" AP is ultra low dose Risperdal.
Posted by Racer on May 13, 2008, at 22:12:12
In reply to Re: Abilify makes me feel wierd, posted by bleauberry on May 13, 2008, at 17:47:24
When I said it was worth giving it some time, it wasn't for the effects to change. I think a little time might show the original poster the benefits of the effects in question. It could be that another medication -- lithium, Depakote -- would be more helpful, but it might also be that this is a psychological reaction to the medication.
Also, I don't think that a failure to prescribe benzodiazepines is sufficient evidence to support a recommendation of changing doctors. We do not know why this doctor has made the choices he's made -- we have heard one thing only: "he says it's like drinking gin." Well, in many ways it is -- if you look at the larger picture. Taking Xanax or drinking gin will both lessen subjective experience of distress. But often other options provide more lasting relief.
Don't get me wrong -- I think benzos are very appropriate medications for many, many people in many, many situations. I just think that there are some assumptions being made here which aren't necessarily based in fact. I also think it's worth giving this doctor a chance -- it sounds as though this is the first visit the original poster has had with this guy. It could be that things will change as they get to know one another better.
Posted by Sky Brite Line on May 13, 2008, at 23:53:05
In reply to Maybe if I clarify what I meant?, posted by Racer on May 13, 2008, at 22:12:12
"drinking gin" is exactly what he considereds any kind of benzodiapines. He, all of this posters are like "abilify, seroquel, concerta (i may consider that:)) and alot of abilify signs thought)
I didnt take my abilify and i feel back to life. I hate this medication, its worse than Zyprexa, abilify doenst let me stay up past 11:00pm. I feel like crap when i go to bed. Its not the medication for me, and its going to be hard to get into see him because he's booked for the next 3 weeks!
Sky Line, yes All benzodipines relieve emotional distress when no one knows what pain your going through. And barbititurates, but those arnt used anymore in most medical use.
Thanks all;)
Posted by michael on May 14, 2008, at 18:21:34
In reply to Re: Maybe if I clarify what I meant?, posted by Sky Brite Line on May 13, 2008, at 23:53:05
Fwiw, a smaller dose might be more beneficial... For example, 1/2 of a 5 mg tab. I found that dose to be very stimulating, and 5 mg to be sedating. Of course, I don't know if that's appropriate for your situation, or even if it is, if you would have the same experience as I did...
Just a comment based on my experience.
Michael
This is the end of the thread.
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