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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hrguru on April 27, 2012, at 11:17:38
Has anyone else had problems withdrawing from abilify? I was on 5mg for a year and a half, and then switched to Lamictal for my depression. Ever since I came off of the abilify, I've been having irritability, short depressions, and a lot of panic attacks. My doctor was surprised when I told him how hard of a time I've been having coming off this drug.
Has anyone had a similar experience? If so, how long does the withdrawal last?
Posted by bleauberry on April 28, 2012, at 8:02:13
In reply to Withdrawal from Abilify?, posted by hrguru on April 27, 2012, at 11:17:38
I think it can be reasonably expected to have some sort of withdrawals ranging from moderate to severe when stopping just about any psychiatric medication, and especially with antipsychotics.
The picture can become blurred by the introduction of lamictal. It is difficult to know whether a new symptom is a result of a withdrawal from one med or from the adverse reactions of a new med or a bizarre mix of both. Probably both.
I had a rough time getting off abilify after just one week on it. Generally speaking, the longer a patient is on a med the harder it is to get off. A year and a half is a long time.
Posted by SLS on April 28, 2012, at 13:10:45
In reply to Withdrawal from Abilify?, posted by hrguru on April 27, 2012, at 11:17:38
> Has anyone else had problems withdrawing from abilify?
I came off of Abilify 10 mg within a week. I had no withdrawal effects other than a single episode of rebound depression. Many people experience anxiety as a withdrawal effect.
> I was on 5mg for a year and a half, and then switched to Lamictal for my depression. Ever since I came off of the abilify, I've been having irritability, short depressions, and a lot of panic attacks. My doctor was surprised when I told him how hard of a time I've been having coming off this drug.
Why did you switch from Abilify to Lamictal? How did you go about switching? For how long have you not been taking Abilify? Have you ever had panic attacks before?
I don't think what you are describing is necessarily withdrawal. You might be relapsing. It would be easier to guess what is happening if one were to know the answers to the two questions I asked. Without more facts, I would be inclined to restart the Abilify and to combine it with the Lamictal if you found Abilify alone to be inadequate. There is no harm in doing so, and there are people who need both drugs to feel better. I think you need to have this conversation with your doctor.
- Scott
Posted by Lou Pilder on April 28, 2012, at 15:16:44
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from Abilify? » hrguru, posted by SLS on April 28, 2012, at 13:10:45
> > Has anyone else had problems withdrawing from abilify?
>
> I came off of Abilify 10 mg within a week. I had no withdrawal effects other than a single episode of rebound depression. Many people experience anxiety as a withdrawal effect.
>
> > I was on 5mg for a year and a half, and then switched to Lamictal for my depression. Ever since I came off of the abilify, I've been having irritability, short depressions, and a lot of panic attacks. My doctor was surprised when I told him how hard of a time I've been having coming off this drug.
>
> Why did you switch from Abilify to Lamictal? How did you go about switching? For how long have you not been taking Abilify? Have you ever had panic attacks before?
>
> I don't think what you are describing is necessarily withdrawal. You might be relapsing. It would be easier to guess what is happening if one were to know the answers to the two questions I asked. Without more facts, I would be inclined to restart the Abilify and to combine it with the Lamictal if you found Abilify alone to be inadequate. There is no harm in doing so, and there are people who need both drugs to feel better. I think you need to have this conversation with your doctor.
>
>
> - ScottScott,
You wrote,[...Without more facts, I would be inclined to restart the Abilify and to combine it with the Lamictal if you found that Abilify alone to be inadaquate. There is no harm in doing so, and there are people that need both drugs to feel better...].
I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean here. If you could post answers to thhe following, then I could have the opportunity to respond accordingly.
A. Do you now the possible life-threatening conditions that could result by a person taking both Abilify and Lamictal together?
B. If you do, what criteria do you use to state that {there is no harm in doing so}?
C. Could death be a result of taking the two drugs together?
D. What criteria do you use to determine if a person needs the combination to feel better?
E. Could a person feel better by not taking the combination of drugs?
Lou
Posted by SLS on April 28, 2012, at 15:41:57
In reply to Lou's request-dockduzntnhoe? » SLS, posted by Lou Pilder on April 28, 2012, at 15:16:44
This thread isn't about me. If there is some information that you would like to share with Hrguru, I think that you should do so.
- Scott
Posted by Christ_empowered on April 28, 2012, at 17:08:12
In reply to Lou's request-dockduzntnhoe? » SLS, posted by Lou Pilder on April 28, 2012, at 15:16:44
I think any psychiatric medication can cause problems if you stop taking it. With antipsychotics, even dosage reductions, done too quickly, can be problematic.
I don't think there's any way for us to tell you if its your "illness" or the lack of Abilify. Personally, I'd try going back to 5 for a few weeks, then...maybe 2.5 (?) for a few more weeks, then off.
I take Abilify, and I do think long term use changes your brain (just like any other antipsychotic). After a dosage increase to 30, I found 15 was no longer sufficient. In fact, a rapid reduction to 15 led to incredible agitation and low level psychosis. I think it was drug induced.
I hope you can taper off w/o too much trouble. If you don't have severe problems, I would think that avoiding neuroleptics--even Abilify--would be a wise decision.
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2012, at 18:18:06
In reply to abilify withdrawal, posted by Christ_empowered on April 28, 2012, at 17:08:12
Original diagnosis? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2012, at 18:20:22
In reply to Withdrawal from Abilify?, posted by hrguru on April 27, 2012, at 11:17:38
You did give a diagnosis sorry. But why with depression an atypicatal antipsychotic? And didn't know they caused withdrawal. If so why are quite a good number of docs against benzos? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on April 29, 2012, at 2:14:48
In reply to abilify withdrawal, posted by Christ_empowered on April 28, 2012, at 17:08:12
> I don't think there's any way for us to tell you if its your "illness" or the lack of Abilify.
Why did you place quotation marks about the word "illness"?
- Scott
Posted by Alexei on April 29, 2012, at 13:18:02
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from Abilify?, posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2012, at 18:20:22
> You did give a diagnosis sorry. But why with depression an atypicatal antipsychotic? And didn't know they caused withdrawal. If so why are quite a good number of docs against benzos? Phillipa
Excellent point. I've come across many docs who discriminate against benzo's and stimulants, yet will toss around Zyprexa, haldol, stelazine, etc like M&M's... for anxiety/panic.I think it's very irresponsible for a doc to refuse benzo's and stimulants when they are indicated... because of their own bias.
Posted by hrguru on May 2, 2012, at 12:23:43
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from Abilify? » hrguru, posted by SLS on April 28, 2012, at 13:10:45
Thanks for responding to my post!
My doctor switched me from abilify to lamictal, because the abilify was causing weight gain and fatigue. My doctor told me to cut the dose in half, and take 2.5 mg for one month, and then down to 2 mg for 2 weeks, then 1 mg for two weeks, then go off of it. I'm still taking 1 mg, but I will be going off of it soon. I have had panic attacks in the past, but they are rare for me. I usually have them when changing medications, but they have been particularly frequent since I started coming off the abilify.
The reason I think it's the abilify withdrawal that's causing this, is because when I made the first decrease in dosage (from 5 to 2.5), I had the panic attacks and irritability for about three weeks, and then I was fine for about a week. Until I decreased the dosage again.
It could be a relapse, but I am so sensitive to medications, it's hard to tell. And the anxiety, depression, and irritability "episodes" are so short-lived, that it doesn't remind me of my illness. But who knows?! I am just hoping that once I'm totally off the abilify, the panic attacks, etc won't continue.
Again, thanks for your post!
Posted by hrguru on May 2, 2012, at 12:28:43
In reply to Lou's request-dockduzntnhoe? » SLS, posted by Lou Pilder on April 28, 2012, at 15:16:44
> > > Has anyone else had problems withdrawing from abilify?
> >
> > I came off of Abilify 10 mg within a week. I had no withdrawal effects other than a single episode of rebound depression. Many people experience anxiety as a withdrawal effect.
> >
> > > I was on 5mg for a year and a half, and then switched to Lamictal for my depression. Ever since I came off of the abilify, I've been having irritability, short depressions, and a lot of panic attacks. My doctor was surprised when I told him how hard of a time I've been having coming off this drug.
> >
> > Why did you switch from Abilify to Lamictal? How did you go about switching? For how long have you not been taking Abilify? Have you ever had panic attacks before?
> >
> > I don't think what you are describing is necessarily withdrawal. You might be relapsing. It would be easier to guess what is happening if one were to know the answers to the two questions I asked. Without more facts, I would be inclined to restart the Abilify and to combine it with the Lamictal if you found Abilify alone to be inadequate. There is no harm in doing so, and there are people who need both drugs to feel better. I think you need to have this conversation with your doctor.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> Scott,
> You wrote,[...Without more facts, I would be inclined to restart the Abilify and to combine it with the Lamictal if you found that Abilify alone to be inadaquate. There is no harm in doing so, and there are people that need both drugs to feel better...].
> I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean here. If you could post answers to thhe following, then I could have the opportunity to respond accordingly.
> A. Do you now the possible life-threatening conditions that could result by a person taking both Abilify and Lamictal together?
> B. If you do, what criteria do you use to state that {there is no harm in doing so}?
> C. Could death be a result of taking the two drugs together?
> D. What criteria do you use to determine if a person needs the combination to feel better?
> E. Could a person feel better by not taking the combination of drugs?
> Lou
>I don't know if there are life-threatening conditions of taking both, but for whatever reason, my doctor wants to have me on as few meds as possible. I'm not sure if taking both would cause death, but I am on several medications that make me so grogged-out, that I think if I took abilify and lamictal together, I might not be able to get out of bed! :) Or go about my day with enough energy. Like I said, I think my doctor just wants me on as few meds as possible, and it might sound vain, but I really hated the weight gain I got with abilify. Hope this answers your questions, and thanks for replying to my post!
Posted by hrguru on May 2, 2012, at 12:29:59
In reply to abilify withdrawal, posted by Christ_empowered on April 28, 2012, at 17:08:12
Thank you for your advice!
Posted by hrguru on May 2, 2012, at 12:30:51
In reply to Re: abilify withdrawal, posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2012, at 18:18:06
> Original diagnosis? Phillipa
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar type 1, with severe depression.
Posted by hrguru on May 2, 2012, at 12:36:26
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from Abilify?, posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2012, at 18:20:22
> You did give a diagnosis sorry. But why with depression an atypicatal antipsychotic? And didn't know they caused withdrawal. If so why are quite a good number of docs against benzos? Phillipa
Well, sometimes I have psychotic depression, when experiencing a mixed episode, for instance. I'm not sure why antipsychotics are prescribed for bipolar depression, but for some odd reason (for many people, not all) they work. It worked pretty well for me while I was on it, but like I said- it made me tired and caused weight gain. I think it's withdrawal, because everything started when I began to wean off the abilify. But I tend to have withdrawal with most meds I've stopped taking in the past. And you've asked the million dollar question- why are so many pdocs against prescribing benzos? They're so effective and are such great meds. Probably because they can be addictive, but luckily they're not for me. I take them very responsibly. I guess I'm lucky that I have some xanax handy when I have a panic attack.
Thanks for responding to my post!
Posted by hrguru on May 2, 2012, at 12:39:40
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from Abilify?, posted by bleauberry on April 28, 2012, at 8:02:13
> I think it can be reasonably expected to have some sort of withdrawals ranging from moderate to severe when stopping just about any psychiatric medication, and especially with antipsychotics.
>
> The picture can become blurred by the introduction of lamictal. It is difficult to know whether a new symptom is a result of a withdrawal from one med or from the adverse reactions of a new med or a bizarre mix of both. Probably both.
>
> I had a rough time getting off abilify after just one week on it. Generally speaking, the longer a patient is on a med the harder it is to get off. A year and a half is a long time.Thanks for responding to my post! I think you brought up a very good point: that it could be the abilify withdrawal, or just getting acclimated to the lamictal. I will keep this in mind. It's nice to know that someone else has experienced a tough time coming off the abilify as well- although I'm sorry it happened to you! :( Thanks again for your post!
Posted by Lou Pilder on May 2, 2012, at 14:36:06
In reply to Re: Lou's request-dockduzntnhoe?, posted by hrguru on May 2, 2012, at 12:28:43
> > > > Has anyone else had problems withdrawing from abilify?
> > >
> > > I came off of Abilify 10 mg within a week. I had no withdrawal effects other than a single episode of rebound depression. Many people experience anxiety as a withdrawal effect.
> > >
> > > > I was on 5mg for a year and a half, and then switched to Lamictal for my depression. Ever since I came off of the abilify, I've been having irritability, short depressions, and a lot of panic attacks. My doctor was surprised when I told him how hard of a time I've been having coming off this drug.
> > >
> > > Why did you switch from Abilify to Lamictal? How did you go about switching? For how long have you not been taking Abilify? Have you ever had panic attacks before?
> > >
> > > I don't think what you are describing is necessarily withdrawal. You might be relapsing. It would be easier to guess what is happening if one were to know the answers to the two questions I asked. Without more facts, I would be inclined to restart the Abilify and to combine it with the Lamictal if you found Abilify alone to be inadequate. There is no harm in doing so, and there are people who need both drugs to feel better. I think you need to have this conversation with your doctor.
> > >
> > >
> > > - Scott
> >
> > Scott,
> > You wrote,[...Without more facts, I would be inclined to restart the Abilify and to combine it with the Lamictal if you found that Abilify alone to be inadaquate. There is no harm in doing so, and there are people that need both drugs to feel better...].
> > I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean here. If you could post answers to thhe following, then I could have the opportunity to respond accordingly.
> > A. Do you now the possible life-threatening conditions that could result by a person taking both Abilify and Lamictal together?
> > B. If you do, what criteria do you use to state that {there is no harm in doing so}?
> > C. Could death be a result of taking the two drugs together?
> > D. What criteria do you use to determine if a person needs the combination to feel better?
> > E. Could a person feel better by not taking the combination of drugs?
> > Lou
> >
>
> I don't know if there are life-threatening conditions of taking both, but for whatever reason, my doctor wants to have me on as few meds as possible. I'm not sure if taking both would cause death, but I am on several medications that make me so grogged-out, that I think if I took abilify and lamictal together, I might not be able to get out of bed! :) Or go about my day with enough energy. Like I said, I think my doctor just wants me on as few meds as possible, and it might sound vain, but I really hated the weight gain I got with abilify. Hope this answers your questions, and thanks for replying to my post!hrguru,
You wrote,[...O don't know if there are any life- threatening conditions of taking both...].
One of the major issue here is that both can depress the central nervous system. So when both are taken at the same time, you could have a double shot of the chemist's drugs.
I am prohibited here from posting a lot of educational information that I think could show what these drugs are, where they came from and why they were made, as per a directive to me from Mr. Hsiung. You see, a lot of these drugs have constituants in them that are in old drugs. Then if one knows the chemistry of the drug, they could determine if the drug is a new drug, or just a new name for a knock-off of an old drug.
I intend to contimue too post here what I think could save your life or prevent you from getting a life-ruining condition or addiction, providing the rule of three does not apply.
Lou
Posted by Alexei on May 2, 2012, at 14:44:55
In reply to Lou's reply-ehydhubbulschott » hrguru, posted by Lou Pilder on May 2, 2012, at 14:36:06
> hrguru,
> You wrote,[...O don't know if there are any life- threatening conditions of taking both...].
> One of the major issue here is that both can depress the central nervous system. So when both are taken at the same time, you could have a double shot of the chemist's drugs.> Lou
I agree. This is a valid point. A lot of meds are CNS depressants that wouldn't seem obvious.Add too many together and the effect is multiplied. I know I've had trouble breathing on abilify. Swallowing, too .. to a lesser degree.
This is the end of the thread.
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