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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sisterfriend on June 17, 2003, at 11:45:24
In reply to Re:sleep and physical anxiety, posted by Vanidosa on January 20, 2003, at 9:47:01
My husband has been taking Abilify for 3 weeks now and has the same restlessness-- his Dr. prescribed Lorazipam (Ativan) to take at bedtime which seems to be working perfectly. He can take up to 3 a day, in quarters or halves depending on the situation (feeling jumpy or nervous) and he takes one or two of those three before bedtime and is asleep within a half an hour. Hope that helps.
> I've had a very hard time staying asleep. I wake up sometimes at three or four, no matter when I've gone to bed, and I feel like I have to go running or something like that to calm the physical anxiety and sleeplessness. I've been on abilify for a little over four weeks now. There is really no information out there except for PR from the pharmaceutical companies. Does anyone have any other research or medical journals to recommend?
Posted by clusterfscked on June 20, 2003, at 13:07:03
In reply to Re:sleep and physical anxiety, posted by sisterfriend on June 17, 2003, at 11:45:24
Not only am I new to this board, but I'm new to Abilify as well. I was taking 800 mg of Tegretol alongside 400 mg of Wellbutrin SR, but the Tegretol didn't seem to be doing much more for me than a placebo. So, my psychiatrist decided to put me on Abilify and after taking it only one time -- admittedly perhaps a bit too soon to judge -- I am wondering if that was a wise move.
I took my first dose (15 mg) yesterday at about 10:30a and began going downhill from there. Within about an hour, I was so tired that it felt like I had been up for at least a week. I went and layed down but was only able to sleep for approximately 2 hours because I kept tossing and turning. After waking up, my stomach felt like it was being shifted around by one of those taffy machines at that fair and it also felt like someone was sticking an icepick into my stomach. My whole body also felt shakey, as though my legs were too weak to hold me and my hands / arms couldn't hold anything heavier than a piece of paper.
I managed to make it through the afternoon and evening though and longed for a good night's sleep. WRONG! I woke up at least every hour and spent all of the night shifting around in bed. In fact, it seemed as though I was acting my dreams out IN bed, that's how significant my shifting was. This is what I say -- I can handle the sleep issue, that's not a real big deal. I cannot however handle the nausea and icepick feeling that I experienced.
I've noticed from these threads that it's pretty much a hit and miss type of situation. Some people have been able to wait the symptoms out and finally experience the good attributes of this drug, while others didn't really see it happening. I have Bipolar Disorder / Anxiety Disorder / Depression and so far the drugs I have taken (Depakote, Lithium, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, Tegretol, Ativan, Zyprexa) have not been worth much to me. I hope that these symptoms are merely initial symptoms because I absolutely cannot function with how I felt yesterday.
Posted by kotsunega on June 20, 2003, at 15:46:14
In reply to New to Abilify, posted by clusterfscked on June 20, 2003, at 13:07:03
I think if it was me, I'd be calling my doctor and explaining what I am experiencing. I know others have posted that they've had some nasty effects from Abilify. I have not had any problem with it.
Sorry you're having a difficult time
-kotsunega
Posted by bbmod on June 21, 2003, at 16:48:55
In reply to Re: Abilify , posted by HOFW on January 29, 2003, at 1:36:17
My husband is taking 15 mg of Abilify and has experienced similar tremor problems at night. I perceive them as similar to seizures involving his entire body. He doesn't waken during the episode and has no memory of it in the a.m.
He seems very groggy the next day. Like you, I recognize the positive results from Abilify but feel grave concern for this side effect.
> My wife has been taking abilify for 5 weeks, she started at 15mg, reduced to 10 mg and currently at7.5 mg.
>
> The main side effects are restlessness (akasthasia), shaking/tremors/movement of hands in sleep and blurred vision.
>
> The doc has added cogenitin to suppress the side effects and that helps with the restlessness but the other side effects remain.
>
> Has anyone experienced the shaking/movements/tremors in sleep??
>
> I think Abilify helped her on lot of positive/negative symptoms, ability to think logically, clearly, participate in conversations etc.
>
> Let me know If anyone needs additional info.
Posted by bbmod on June 22, 2003, at 9:46:38
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by kotsunega on June 20, 2003, at 15:46:14
I appreciate your concern and HAVE talked to the doctor about the tremors. Last night was his upper body, trunk, not extremities, and lasted about one minute. The psychiatrist doesn't know what they are, suggests it might be a restless leg syndrome. I'm not sure what to do next.
He's on several other meds and I don't feel like we have a sense of which is causing what....I'm new to this board so it's very interesting to see the responses to some of the other meds he's on, all of which seem to have pretty complex side effects (lithium, lamictal, strattera, klonopin, in addition to abilify)
Feeling pretty frustrated....don't know how to help him.....
Posted by Sebastian on June 22, 2003, at 17:38:32
In reply to New to Abilify, posted by clusterfscked on June 20, 2003, at 13:07:03
clusterfscked
How was the Zyprexa? I had all the same side-effects as you on the Abilify. Zyprexa is the only thing that works, for me. What dose were you on, did you take any AD's with it?
Sebastian
Posted by cybercafe on June 22, 2003, at 18:36:46
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » clusterfscked, posted by Sebastian on June 22, 2003, at 17:38:32
> clusterfscked
>
> How was the Zyprexa? I had all the same side-effects as you on the Abilify. Zyprexa is the only thing that works, for me. What dose were you on, did you take any AD's with it?
>
> Sebastian
hey sebastian, what made you quit abilify, was it akathisia or insomnia ?
did you try taking any other meds to help with that?
i wonder if it might be possible to take zyprexa and abilify at the same time
Posted by kotsunega on June 22, 2003, at 21:52:57
In reply to Re: Abilify , posted by bbmod on June 22, 2003, at 9:46:38
> I appreciate your concern and HAVE talked to the doctor about the tremors. Last night was his upper body, trunk, not extremities, and lasted about one minute. The psychiatrist doesn't know what they are, suggests it might be a restless leg syndrome. I'm not sure what to do next.
> He's on several other meds and I don't feel like we have a sense of which is causing what....I'm new to this board so it's very interesting to see the responses to some of the other meds he's on, all of which seem to have pretty complex side effects (lithium, lamictal, strattera, klonopin, in addition to abilify)
> Feeling pretty frustrated....don't know how to help him.....I recollect reading a post on this board that suggested taking benedryl or another prescription antihistamine to combat side effects. Here's the post: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030125/msgs/137494.html It's just a couple of lines. I don't know if you should do this without your doctor's advice, of course, but wanted to let you know this may be an option. Best wishes for everything working out.
-kotsunega
Posted by bbmod on June 23, 2003, at 0:24:06
In reply to Re: Abilify , posted by kotsunega on June 22, 2003, at 21:52:57
Thank you kotsunega! I'm gathering info for doc this week and will share your suggestion.
Posted by Sebastian on June 23, 2003, at 22:36:44
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by cybercafe on June 22, 2003, at 18:36:46
I took both at the same time, no good, I didn't like the effects. Maybe I should have taken the full dose of Zyprexa like the doc suggested.
Major insomina, every night up later and sleeping less. Think I just don't function without my 10mg dose (Zyprexa that is). Anyways I've lost almost all the weight, 50 lbs, I still want to lose another 10 and be at 166 again. I take Wellbutrin now and that motivates me so I'm not as tired. I've even cut my smoking in half, wish I could quit that.
So have you switched to Abilify, and totaly off the Zyprexa?
Sebastian
Posted by Sebastian on June 23, 2003, at 22:57:40
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by cybercafe on June 22, 2003, at 18:36:46
Yes I had Akathisia too, but at the same time it was like I was being robbed of energy?
Posted by cybercafe on June 23, 2003, at 23:48:26
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on June 23, 2003, at 22:36:44
> I took both at the same time, no good, I didn't like the effects. Maybe I should have taken the full dose of Zyprexa like the doc suggested.
wow.. so even with zyprexa you still couldn't sleep? hmmmm... without meds do you tend towards insomnia or over sleeping? ... myself i tend to sleep too much so i wonder if abilify might be just right for me
> So have you switched to Abilify, and totaly off the Zyprexa?
nope abilify isn't available here yet... :(
Posted by cybercafe on June 23, 2003, at 23:49:14
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on June 23, 2003, at 22:57:40
> Yes I had Akathisia too, but at the same time it was like I was being robbed of energy?
was the akathisia worse than the insomnia? ....
Posted by Rhiannonpa on June 24, 2003, at 5:46:57
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by kotsunega on June 20, 2003, at 15:46:14
I agree...call the doctor FAST. It sounds like you are experiencing some very Serious Adverse Events. The weakness in your legs really caught my attention.
Good luck & Brighter Blessings with your meds.
Rhiannon
>
> I think if it was me, I'd be calling my doctor and explaining what I am experiencing. I know others have posted that they've had some nasty effects from Abilify. I have not had any problem with it.
>
> Sorry you're having a difficult time
>
> -kotsunega
Posted by HOFW on June 25, 2003, at 3:24:57
In reply to Re: Abilify » HOFW, posted by bbmod on June 21, 2003, at 16:48:55
The doctor added cogenitin(benzatropin) to control the side effects (tremor in sleep, shaking of lips, akasthasia etc.), it seems to reduce the side effects to a good degree, let me know If you need additional info. Thanks
> My husband is taking 15 mg of Abilify- and has experienced similar tremor problems at night. I perceive them as similar to seizures involving his entire body. He doesn't waken during the episode and has no memory of it in the a.m.
> He seems very groggy the next day. Like you, I recognize the positive results from Abilify but feel grave concern for this side effect.
> > My wife has been taking abilify for 5 weeks, she started at 15mg, reduced to 10 mg and currently at7.5 mg.
> >
> > The main side effects are restlessness (akasthasia), shaking/tremors/movement of hands in sleep and blurred vision.
> >
> > The doc has added cogenitin to suppress the side effects and that helps with the restlessness but the other side effects remain.
> >
> > Has anyone experienced the shaking/movements/tremors in sleep??
> >
> > I think Abilify helped her on lot of positive/negative symptoms, ability to think logically, clearly, participate in conversations etc.
> >
> > Let me know If anyone needs additional info.
>
>
Posted by bbmod on June 25, 2003, at 9:47:55
In reply to Re: Abilify:bbmod, posted by HOFW on June 25, 2003, at 3:24:57
Good info. Thank you. I printed it off to show the doctor. Tremors are continuing (upper trunk, too). Wow. Could I relate to the shaking lips!
> The doctor added cogenitin(benzatropin) to control the side effects (tremor in sleep, shaking of lips, akasthasia etc.), it seems to reduce the side effects to a good degree, let me know If you need additional info. Thanks
>
> > My husband is taking 15 mg of Abilify- and has experienced similar tremor problems at night. I perceive them as similar to seizures involving his entire body. He doesn't waken during the episode and has no memory of it in the a.m.
> > He seems very groggy the next day. Like you, I recognize the positive results from Abilify but feel grave concern for this side effect.
> > > My wife has been taking abilify for 5 weeks, she started at 15mg, reduced to 10 mg and currently at7.5 mg.
> > >
> > > The main side effects are restlessness (akasthasia), shaking/tremors/movement of hands in sleep and blurred vision.
> > >
> > > The doc has added cogenitin to suppress the side effects and that helps with the restlessness but the other side effects remain.
> > >
> > > Has anyone experienced the shaking/movements/tremors in sleep??
> > >
> > > I think Abilify helped her on lot of positive/negative symptoms, ability to think logically, clearly, participate in conversations etc.
> > >
> > > Let me know If anyone needs additional info.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by lynn3 on June 25, 2003, at 22:02:22
In reply to Re: Abilify , posted by bbmod on June 25, 2003, at 9:47:55
I had akathesia and insomnia with the abilify 12.5 mg /day. My doc added 50mg of Seroquel at bedtime and it took the symptoms away.
Posted by Sebastian on June 26, 2003, at 9:25:01
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by cybercafe on June 23, 2003, at 23:49:14
>wow.. so even with zyprexa you still couldn't sleep? hmmmm... without meds do you tend towards insomnia or over sleeping? ... myself i tend to sleep too much so i wonder if abilify might be just right for me
Ya, I can't sleep without the Zyprexa, I tried once with just the Celexa and had a simmilar problem as with the Abilify. The Wellbutrin prevents me from over sleep. Totaly without meds, insomnia.
>nope abilify isn't available here yet... :(
Are you in Canada?
>was the akathisia worse than the insomnia? ....
Insomnia was the worst.
Posted by cybercafe on June 27, 2003, at 21:56:04
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on June 26, 2003, at 9:25:01
thanks for replying bro, your insight is INVALUABLE!> >wow.. so even with zyprexa you still couldn't sleep? hmmmm... without meds do you tend towards insomnia or over sleeping? ... myself i tend to sleep too much so i wonder if abilify might be just right for me
>
> Ya, I can't sleep without the Zyprexa, I tried once with just the Celexa and had a simmilar problem as with the Abilify. The Wellbutrin prevents me from over sleep. Totaly without meds, insomnia.I know most people report insomnia on abilify but a lot of them might be insomniacs to begin with i think.....! i sleep quite a bit so maybe i won't have problems.... or ! why not just take zyprexa + abilify?
> >nope abilify isn't available here yet... :(
>
> Are you in Canada?yeah.... maybe i'll drive down to buffalo to get some. i wonder if it's gone down in price at all... $13 US a pill? that's quite a lot
> >was the akathisia worse than the insomnia? ....
>
> Insomnia was the worst.great! i was really worrying about akathisia ....
did you try anything to treat the insomnia?
Posted by cybercafe on June 27, 2003, at 21:58:37
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by kotsunega on June 20, 2003, at 15:46:14
Hey kots how is the abilify working for you?
Does it help with ADD symptoms like inattention and impatience?
good luck bro
Posted by Sebastian on June 28, 2003, at 13:44:22
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by cybercafe on June 27, 2003, at 21:56:04
>did you try anything to treat the insomnia?
I treated the insomnia by taking Zyprexa, stoping the Abilify was even better. My sleep was awfull on the Abilify I would wake up and feel as though I didn't even sleep.
The more Zyprexa I took with the Abilify the more managable the Abilify, but, still the Abilify was no fun. It was like taking acid, if that makes sence?
I even made a second atempt at the Abilify some three months after going back to Zyprexa, boy did I ever regret it in the morning, my brain didn't function all day at school, yes akathisia was a problem, not concentrating and running around just because I thought I had to be doing something.
You know what realy sucks? I have a whole $340 dollar bottle of the stuff that I'm not going to use?!
Posted by kotsunega on June 28, 2003, at 14:48:07
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » kotsunega, posted by cybercafe on June 27, 2003, at 21:58:37
> Hey kots how is the abilify working for you?
>
> Does it help with ADD symptoms like inattention and impatience?
>
> good luck broHey cybercafe!
Abilify continues to work well. No insomnia; no akathisia at 30 mg/day for several weeks now. I can't really tell if it helps ADD symptoms - it may do that a little bit, but since I'm taking Ritalin, it's somewhat hard to tell what's affecting symptoms. I think the thing that impresses me the most about Abilify is the total lack of feeling like I am taking a drug at all, but it's controlling my mania all the same. I guess I just feel really "normal". Wish it worked for everybody like it does for me.
regards,
-kotsunega
Posted by cybercafe on June 28, 2003, at 14:53:01
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on June 28, 2003, at 13:44:22
> >did you try anything to treat the insomnia?
>
> I treated the insomnia by taking Zyprexa, stoping the Abilify was even better. My sleep was awfull on the Abilify I would wake up and feel as though I didn't even sleep.hmmm.... how long were you on the abilify (3 weeks??) and how much better did things get with time?
> The more Zyprexa I took with the Abilify the more managable the Abilify, but, still the Abilify was no fun. It was like taking acid, if that makes sence?never tried acid :(
> I even made a second atempt at the Abilify some three months after going back to Zyprexa, boy did I ever regret it in the morning, my brain didn't function all day at school, yes akathisia was a problem, not concentrating and running around just because I thought I had to be doing something.hmmm... wow, i thought zyprexa was known for causing a "brain fog", abilify is even worse?
"I thought I had to be doing something" -- hey, that sounds like motivation to me, I could use some of that!
> You know what realy sucks? I have a whole $340 dollar bottle of the stuff that I'm not going to use?!i'm so jealous :)
Posted by cybercafe on June 28, 2003, at 16:07:30
In reply to Re: New to Abilify cybercafe, posted by kotsunega on June 28, 2003, at 14:48:07
> Hey cybercafe!
>
> Abilify continues to work well. No insomnia;Dude I am glad to hear you're doing well.
And as always I appreciate the info!
>no akathisia at 30 mg/day for several weeks now. I can't really tell if it helps ADD symptoms - it may do that a little bit, but since I'm taking Ritalin, it's somewhat hard to tell what's affecting symptoms. I think the thing
so when you took ritalin + zyprexa you didn't have any ADD symptoms? and now that you're taking Abilify + ritalin you also don't have any ADD symptoms?
hmmm... what were your ritalin, zyprexa dosages?
i wonder if you were taking more ritalin than me OR if your ADD isn't as bad (i can't work, HATE red lights, waiting in line, etc really impatient) i'm taking 5 mg zyprexa + 40 mg SR morning and 30 mg SR afternoon ... maybe i should just take more ritalin, i don't know
did you find the ritalin makes you kind of euphoric?>that impresses me the most about Abilify is the total lack of feeling like I am taking a drug at all, but it's controlling my mania all the same. I guess I just feel really "normal". Wish it worked for everybody like it does for me.
questions.... does it effect libido?
how many hours you sleep now (and is it refreshing) and how many did you sleep without meds? (me i tend to sleep like 12 hours without meds also 8-12 hours with 5 mg zyprexa)do you get an antidepressant effect from abilify?
sorry for all the questions bro .... i am just DIEING to get on a good drug and START my life!
Posted by clusterfscked on June 29, 2003, at 0:50:34
In reply to Re: New to Abilify cybercafe, posted by cybercafe on June 28, 2003, at 16:07:30
Hey, everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I have been on the Abilify now for approximately a week and am doing much better in comparison to how I felt the first couple of days. After I made my initial post, I decided that I would take it the next day before going to bed. That way, if any of the feelings I had described came back, I'd already be in bed so it wouldn't matter *that* much.
So, the restlessness showed up the second night (as expected), but there weren't any real ill effects such as the 'ice pick' feeling that I had been witness to the previous day. With these new 'results', I continued taking my 10mg dosages every night before bed. I am *still* shakey though and that is something that I can't seem to shake <<pun intended>>. Someone here mentioned that it was like being on acid for them. I FULLY understand that! It *is* like being on LSD without the visual effects -- the Abilify feels like the strychnine (sp?) that the LSD releases into your blood stream during a trip.
For those of you who haven't taken LSD before, imagine shaking up a can of soda and not opening it right away. Imagine that you *are* that can of soda -- you have all of that energy locked up inside of you that you can't release. That's what it feels like to me anyhow. It's as though my CNS is working overtime, as if to overcompensate for something. <<shrugs>>
Anyhow, that's my update. Oh, to the person who asked about the Zyprexa (sorry for forgetting your name): It made me feel as bad if not a little worse than the Abilify (same family, right?). I wasn't ever able to get past the side effects of that one.
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