Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 868571

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High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic

Posted by uncouth on December 13, 2008, at 18:13:48

Hi,

Is anyone taking high-dose abilify for bipolar 2 / major depression (e.g. 20mg or higher). I'd be interested in hearing how you got to that level and how subjectively you feel it acts compared to a lower level of 5 or 10mg if you've been on that too.

Did Akithasia kick in, and if so, at what dose, and for how long? Did the higher doses help or hinder any ADHD/anhedonia symptoms?

I find that Abilify is a very efficacious drug for me, I notice what it's doing (stopping obsessive thoughts and ruminations -- it acts on the thoughts more than a/d do I feel) so i'm trying to figure out the best dose at this point.

Uncouth

 

Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic » uncouth

Posted by whitmore on December 13, 2008, at 19:49:46

In reply to High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic, posted by uncouth on December 13, 2008, at 18:13:48

Have never tried Abilify, Uncouth, so can't answer your question, I'm afraid. But would you answer a question for me? Are you taking Abilify as monotherapy for your OCD/depression(if these are your diagnoses)? I have the same diags., but have only ever tried SSRI's--which have caused all sorts of sexual problems, and had limited success. My doc. would like me to try an atypical and suggested Abilify, but I've always assumed it would be as an augmentor. If it works as monotherapy, I might be interested...Thanks. Whitmore

 

Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic

Posted by uncouth on December 13, 2008, at 20:30:10

In reply to Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic » uncouth, posted by whitmore on December 13, 2008, at 19:49:46

i think its a good augmenter though some people i believe are starting to use it as monotherapy.

i def. take it as an augmenter, to 80mg parnate and 300mg lithium.

your a/d is your hardware upgrade
your atypical antipsychotic is your software upgrade
your lamictal/lithium/mood stabilizer is your power supply surge protector

 

Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic » uncouth

Posted by Phillipa on December 13, 2008, at 23:48:31

In reply to Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic, posted by uncouth on December 13, 2008, at 20:30:10

What an interesting analogy so no monotheraphy? Love Phillipa

 

Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic

Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on December 14, 2008, at 1:26:25

In reply to High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic, posted by uncouth on December 13, 2008, at 18:13:48

Abilify...

ugh...15mg made me so "not with reality" i got angry just because i was like that. And, i had to deal a whole day with feeling that.

Zyprexa is much more tolerable, but i stopped, because you gain weight incredibly, and it can cause diabietes.

If it helps you, take it. I hate Abilify, i went work one day....when i first "started" it, it drove me nuts, i went nuts. You talk about gettin angry with your doctor....

rj

 

Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic

Posted by Cady on December 14, 2008, at 4:09:56

In reply to High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic, posted by uncouth on December 13, 2008, at 18:13:48

Sorry, can't answer as I haven't taken higher doses. But could I ask you or anyone if you have seen any increasing trend in benefits and/or side effects while moving up thru lower doses? I am seeing some results at 5mg (the only dose I've been on) but am considering increasing to see if I can get more. No side effects so far.

BTW I read on a drug ratings/reviews site that if you go up very slowly on Abilify (2.5 mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg), you will minimize side effects and perhaps maximize benefits. It seems plausible to me b/c this is true of Topamax, which I have tried.

 

Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic

Posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 14, 2008, at 14:49:53

In reply to Re: High Dose Abilify and NOT Schizophrenic, posted by uncouth on December 13, 2008, at 20:30:10

I took up to 30mg for severe unipolar depression. We ended up at that dose b/c at a lower dose it was helping me, but i still had symptoms.

Side effect-wise it wss pretty good. The only problem I had was with sleepiness, which may have been the abilify or may have been the lithium or lexapro.

Now I'm down to 7.5 mg because I have been doing well for a while and we thought we'd see if I could be maintained on lower doses of medication.

Let me know if you have any more ?'s!!

Best,
EE


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