Posted by fenix on February 20, 2006, at 5:56:20
In reply to Ruined after Abilify (Continued), posted by Girlnterrupted on February 19, 2006, at 20:11:42
> I posted a few days ago about my ordeal with Abilify after being on it for only 5 days.
>
> From my post: "I was agitated and anxious the whole day, to the point that I couldn't do anything. I stayed in the computer for 7 minutes, and then ran to bed, but then I had to get up and do something else, because nothing would sort of "calm me down." So I quit, and after 3 days I still feel my heart pounding in my chest. I started to drink a little alcohol to calm myself down, and I was surprised to realize I no longer get "drunk." I just get more calm, but not drunk.
> I hope this is not permanent, but it's scary. I hope Abilify didn't mess me up for good. I feel my heart pounding in my chest and can see it if I stand in front of a mirror. It's like a little bump every second. Abilify was a nightmare."
>
> Then somebody mentioned it could be akathisia:
>
> Posted by fenix on February 15, 2006, at 10:12:01
> "Sounds like akathisia to me. Oh, but your doctor probably never mentioned to you about akathisia, why would I not be suprised. I wouldn't blame the psychiatrists though, they are rather smart. Better to be the priest than to be the "inquired"."
>
> I emailed my doctor and told him about my symptoms, and mentioned that I had read something about antipsychotics having the "akathisia" side-effect, and told him I wondered whether this might be happening to me.
>
> This was his response:
>
> " I believe it has now been nearly a week since our last dose of study medication. At this point, I would expect the study medication to have been metabolized and removed from your body. While akathisia is a side-effect of medications like Abilify, it is not permanent. Further, it is characterized by a feeling of restlessness and the need to keep moving one's muscles(particularly in the legs) and is classified under the movement disorders you may remember reading about in the study consent. However, akathisia does not typically involve palpitations or feelings of anxiety as you have described. Further, akathisia does not ordinarily cause insomnia. Based on the information you have written and as I mentionned in my phone message yesterday, it sounds like you have had a worsening of anxiety. This has possibly manifest in palpitations, agitation and insomnia. I know that insomnia has been a chronic problem and you have reported it several times during the study already. It also may be possible that your symptoms of anxiety and insomnia may have increased partly due to the decrease in PaxilCR from 37.5mg to 25mg that I recommended when you briefly attended the clinic on Monday."
>
> The problem is, I do find myself moving my legs often, and I have been grinding my teeth lately. My doctor seems to have "dismissed" akathisia, and he simply assumed I wasn't having muscle movement, without asking me first. I wonder why didn't he ask me that question before assuming I wasn't having that symptom?
>
> I'm so messed up. I have been drinking so much lately just to restore myself. But this medication seems to have done some permanent damage to me. I'm not sure my doctor will believe me, but I'm serious. He'll probably keep saying it's all about the Paxil, but it isn't. These problems started specifically when I started the Abilify, not when I began weaning myself off the Paxil. Oh well. If it's not the "usual response" there must be something wrong with me. I must be lying!!!
Is your doctor very young (hope I don't get another 'be civil' thing... :o)? I have a difficult time believing that he said akathisia is not permanent. Well I will give him the benefit of the doubt because in a way he is right, akathisia isn't permanent. However, tardive akathisia (a form of akathisia)can be permanent.Again, benzodiazepines should enter the picture. Mainly because whether what you are experiencing is withdrawals/anxiety/akathisia, or a combination of those, benzos will be helpful in each case. And it would be a thing to be cosidered if this "anxiety" you describe is as bothersome as you say.
You must remember that doctors are not perfect and that they make mistakes too. Unfortunately, when dealing with drugs that are risky, this doesn't help the situation.
poster:fenix
thread:611191
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060219/msgs/611317.html