Posted by Christ_empowered on May 9, 2012, at 18:10:52
In reply to Re: Abilify making my depression worse! .. for real?? » Christ_empowered, posted by Alexei on May 9, 2012, at 16:33:58
I think you do have to hit 300+ for neuroleptic effects with seroquel. Then again...I'm not entirely sure. I think The Last Psychiatrist has a number of seroquel-related posts you might want to check out.
My experience with AAPs is actually minimal. When I finally realized that I needed a neuroleptic, I also found that I couldn't tolerate most on the market. Zyprexa=akathisia. Seroquel=rage and dysphoria. Risperdal=EPS, cognitive dulling. Abilify=best of the bunch.
I will say that I've found that the Orthomolecular approach helps me tolerate Abilify better. Even at 15, I'd get mildly stiff gait and a bit of dulling. Now, I need 30 to stop agitation, but with all the vitamins and botanicals on board, I benefit without any noticeable side effects.
Anyway, I just thought I'd throw that out there for you, because the Orthomolecular approach has also been used to prevent TD, which is *always* an issue when using a neuroleptic, no matter what any "expert" says.
I can't think of a good atypical for you. I *hated* Risperdal and its kind of a fattening medication, but very low doses can act against agitation, anxiety, and some forms of depression. Risperdal made me dysphoric, but then again...most AAPs do. Its generic now, so if you cap the dose at, I dunno, 1-2mgs/day, probably in divided doses, at least at first, that might work. Its not terribly sedating and it does help "take the edge off" things for a lot of people.
Zyprexa...is tricky. I'm glad it gave me akathisia at a low dose, because that stuff kills people. Then again, I've heard some people use it strictly PRN for freak outs, when they need a break. Its sedating and helps depression for some people. I think its kind of overrated, but then again...it gave me akathisia, lol.
There are a bunch of new AAP drugs on the market that I know nothing about. I don't think any of them are approved, at any dose, for unipolar depression or even the depressed phase of Bipolar I. I think right now, its all schizo-whatever and Bipolar I mania.
Have you tried Lamictal? Low-dose lithium? Maybe...BuSpar, probably at the higher end of the dosage spectrum? Just some thoughts.
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