![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 22 to 46 of 69. Go back in thread:
Posted by lynn3 on May 9, 2003, at 7:52:37
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by DrMom on May 5, 2003, at 11:34:26
I have been on Abilify since November, the agitation was getting really bad about a month ago. My doc cut my dose from 15 mg to 10mg every day, also added a sm. dose of seroquel (50mg) at bedtime. The agitation is gone! It amazes me how they tweek these meds to help a person.
Posted by smg on May 11, 2003, at 9:39:20
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by lynn3 on May 9, 2003, at 7:52:37
Sorry to hear that there are so many of us on Abilify. I have not experienced the akathisia that so many seem to have. I'm being treated for bipolar disorder and Abilify is one of the many meds that I take(Prozac, Risperdal, Depakote, Cogentin if needed). My main problems are dizziness and sleepiness. Sometimes I feel that I could sleep for days. I don't know which is worse, the illness or the cure.
Posted by SLS on May 11, 2003, at 10:48:46
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by smg on May 11, 2003, at 9:39:20
> Sorry to hear that there are so many of us on Abilify. I have not experienced the akathisia that so many seem to have. I'm being treated for bipolar disorder and Abilify is one of the many meds that I take(Prozac, Risperdal, Depakote, Cogentin if needed). My main problems are dizziness and sleepiness. Sometimes I feel that I could sleep for days. I don't know which is worse, the illness or the cure.
For what reason are you taking two antipsychotics?
- Scott
Posted by Ms.Zebra on May 11, 2003, at 14:13:05
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by smg on May 11, 2003, at 9:39:20
I just started Abilify (15mg) about one week ago and ever since my irritability has increased, and I am not sleeping through the night. I get to sleep just fine, but I wake up several times. I can not tell if these are side effects from the medication or not. Has anyone else experienced increased irritability?
Posted by colinear on September 1, 2003, at 8:38:15
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by lynn3 on May 9, 2003, at 7:52:37
> I have been on Abilify since November, the agitation was getting really bad about a month ago. My doc cut my dose from 15 mg to 10mg every day, also added a sm. dose of seroquel (50mg) at bedtime. The agitation is gone! It amazes me how they tweek these meds to help a person.
this is very helpful. i am going to tell my pdoc about your med situation and maybe it will work for me. the agitation with abilify is very frustration but i am going to stick it out a while longer. for now it is better than the rapid cycling horror show that is bpII!
Posted by cybercafe on September 1, 2003, at 18:39:25
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation » lynn3, posted by colinear on September 1, 2003, at 8:38:15
> > I have been on Abilify since November, the agitation was getting really bad about a month ago. My doc cut my dose from 15 mg to 10mg every day, also added a sm. dose of seroquel (50mg) at bedtime. The agitation is gone! It amazes me how they tweek these meds to help a person.
>
> this is very helpful. i am going to tell my pdoc about your med situation and maybe it will work for me. the agitation with abilify is very frustration but i am going to stick it out a while longer. for now it is better than the rapid cycling horror show that is bpII!
you found that abilify worked for bp? ... mind if i ask.. what dose you are taking? that is great news
Posted by Daniel J. on September 2, 2003, at 13:38:10
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by lynn3 on May 9, 2003, at 7:52:37
My 15 year old son was started on Abilify (1st) med 2 mo ago. He took 5mg Lexapro and 5mg of Abilify. This didn't work well for him. There were terrible tremors after 2 weeks and he still wasn't eating or
sleeping much. Now he is taking Zyprexa. I honestly thought the Abilify was helping but the Lexapro was causing problems. Has anyone experienced bad tremors while taking Abilify only? Lexapro side effects?
Posted by colinear on September 2, 2003, at 21:36:43
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by cybercafe on September 1, 2003, at 18:39:25
> > > I have been on Abilify since November, the agitation was getting really bad about a month ago. My doc cut my dose from 15 mg to 10mg every day, also added a sm. dose of seroquel (50mg) at bedtime. The agitation is gone! It amazes me how they tweek these meds to help a person.
> >
> > this is very helpful. i am going to tell my pdoc about your med situation and maybe it will work for me. the agitation with abilify is very frustration but i am going to stick it out a while longer. for now it is better than the rapid cycling horror show that is bpII!
>
>
> you found that abilify worked for bp? ... mind if i ask.. what dose you are taking? that is great newsI started taking 10mg once a day and the effects were immediate. I felt great for the first time in a very very long time. BUT... the agitation kicked in and I felt like I was going to explode or implode or just go berzerk. So, I got some Ativan to help me through, but it only helps so much, so I took it upon myself to titrate my Abilify dose down to 5mg, which was somewhat better. After a few days though, I titrated down to 2.5mg per day and with an Ativan here and there the agitation is much more manageable. All I can say, especially to those folks that are suffering from bp... try Abilify! It works. You will feel alive again. The rapid cycling stops. It is glorious.
Posted by colinear on September 2, 2003, at 21:42:50
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by Daniel J. on September 2, 2003, at 13:38:10
> My 15 year old son was started on Abilify (1st) med 2 mo ago. He took 5mg Lexapro and 5mg of Abilify. This didn't work well for him. There were terrible tremors after 2 weeks and he still wasn't eating or
> sleeping much. Now he is taking Zyprexa. I honestly thought the Abilify was helping but the Lexapro was causing problems. Has anyone experienced bad tremors while taking Abilify only? Lexapro side effects?I take Abilify and the only side effect that I have experienced is the agitation that I documented in earlier posts. I also took Lexapro for about 6 months (20mg) and never experienced any trembling. My guess is that taking these two drugs in combination is not a good thing.
Posted by cybercafe on September 3, 2003, at 0:49:58
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by colinear on September 2, 2003, at 21:36:43
> > you found that abilify worked for bp? ... mind if i ask.. what dose you are taking? that is great news
>
> I started taking 10mg once a day and the effects were immediate. I felt great for the first time in a very very long time. BUT... the agitation kicked in and I felt like I was going to explode or implode or just go berzerk. So, I got some Ativan to help me through, but it only helps so much, so I took it upon myself to titrate my Abilify dose down to 5mg, which was somewhat better. After a few days though, I titrated down to 2.5mg per day and with an Ativan here and there the agitation is much more manageable. All I can say, especially to those folks that are suffering from bp... try Abilify! It works. You will feel alive again. The rapid cycling stops. It is glorious.oh .. you are only taking 2.5 mg a day? wow that isn't very much
glad it works for you :)
Posted by lesliekay on September 3, 2003, at 4:10:03
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation » colinear, posted by cybercafe on September 3, 2003, at 0:49:58
I have rapid cycling bp disorder and I take Abilify for it and it is wonderful...I also have akathesia. This is exactly what I take and it is perfect now, no tremors, no anxiety, nothing...
1.I wake up in the morning and take 1mg of Cogentin and 1mg of Klonopin
2.Later I take all my meds which are 15mg of Abilify, 100mg of topamax, 10mg of Lexapro
3.then if I drink too much coffee or if I have some breakthrough agitation which is rare, I take 2mg of Ativan
This works perfectly for me and I am not tired or wired or anything...and I can sleep.
Leslie
Posted by cybercafe on September 5, 2003, at 2:15:13
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by lesliekay on September 3, 2003, at 4:10:03
> I have rapid cycling bp disorder and I take Abilify for it and it is wonderful...I also have akathesia. This is exactly what I take and it is perfect now, no tremors, no anxiety, nothing...
what dose /how long was it before you started getting akathisia?
> 1.I wake up in the morning and take 1mg of Cogentin and 1mg of Klonopin
hmm... mind if i ask how much cogentin you take and what are hte side effects like?
> 2.Later I take all my meds which are 15mg of Abilify, 100mg of topamax, 10mg of Lexapro
> 3.then if I drink too much coffee or if I have some breakthrough agitation which is rare, I take 2mg of Ativan
> This works perfectly for me and I am not tired or wired or anything...and I can sleep.cool.. how much sleep do you manage to get on the abilify?
Posted by lesliekay on September 5, 2003, at 2:55:17
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation » lesliekay, posted by cybercafe on September 5, 2003, at 2:15:13
I got akathesia pretty much right away. I only take one mg of Cogentin a day, period. If I take more I get really blurry vision and eye pain...a total inability to focus. It took me 6 wks to sleep through the night again on Abilify. It was frustrating as hell, but worth it. The results I get from Abilify are worth anything I have to do for it. I am a completely refractory case..I have been sick for 18 yrs..and this is the first drug that I have responded to.
Posted by colinear on September 7, 2003, at 18:02:27
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by lesliekay on September 5, 2003, at 2:55:17
>I am a completely refractory case..I have been sick for 18 yrs..and this is the first drug that I have responded to.
same here. the agitation is horrific though. i have heard of some people taking seroquel at night (like 50mg) in order to stop the extreme restlessness. I wonder if straterra would work for the lack of concentration one gets when they are on abilify...
Posted by colinear on September 7, 2003, at 18:03:49
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation » colinear, posted by cybercafe on September 3, 2003, at 0:49:58
>
> > > you found that abilify worked for bp? ... mind if i ask.. what dose you are taking? that is great news
> >
> > I started taking 10mg once a day and the effects were immediate. I felt great for the first time in a very very long time. BUT... the agitation kicked in and I felt like I was going to explode or implode or just go berzerk. So, I got some Ativan to help me through, but it only helps so much, so I took it upon myself to titrate my Abilify dose down to 5mg, which was somewhat better. After a few days though, I titrated down to 2.5mg per day and with an Ativan here and there the agitation is much more manageable. All I can say, especially to those folks that are suffering from bp... try Abilify! It works. You will feel alive again. The rapid cycling stops. It is glorious.
>
> oh .. you are only taking 2.5 mg a day? wow that isn't very much
>
> glad it works for you :)i am now up to 15mg per day of abilify. it works great on depression!!!! i just wish i could get rid of this berzerker agitation and restlessness!!!
Posted by cybercafe on September 8, 2003, at 18:54:50
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by colinear on September 7, 2003, at 18:02:27
> >I am a completely refractory case..I have been sick for 18 yrs..and this is the first drug that I have responded to.
>
> same here. the agitation is horrific though. i have heard of some people taking seroquel at night (like 50mg) in order to stop the extreme restlessness. I wonder if straterra would work for the lack of concentration one gets when they are on abilify...
lack of concentration? hmmm.. i thought abilify was supposed to be good for concentration and motivation
Posted by colinear on September 8, 2003, at 20:01:43
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by cybercafe on September 8, 2003, at 18:54:50
> > >I am a completely refractory case..I have been sick for 18 yrs..and this is the first drug that I have responded to.
> >
> > same here. the agitation is horrific though. i have heard of some people taking seroquel at night (like 50mg) in order to stop the extreme restlessness. I wonder if straterra would work for the lack of concentration one gets when they are on abilify...
>
>
> lack of concentration? hmmm.. i thought abilify was supposed to be good for concentration and motivationabilify has been awesome in treating my depression and it works great for motivation, too. the akathisia is really really bad, though. i go to my pdoc this thurs and i hope she can give me something to reduce it.
Posted by cybercafe on September 8, 2003, at 22:23:01
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by colinear on September 8, 2003, at 20:01:43
> > > >I am a completely refractory case..I have been sick for 18 yrs..and this is the first drug that I have responded to.
> > >
> > > same here. the agitation is horrific though. i have heard of some people taking seroquel at night (like 50mg) in order to stop the extreme restlessness. I wonder if straterra would work for the lack of concentration one gets when they are on abilify...
> >
> >
> > lack of concentration? hmmm.. i thought abilify was supposed to be good for concentration and motivation
>
> abilify has been awesome in treating my depression and it works great for motivation, too. the akathisia is really really bad, though. i go to my pdoc this thurs and i hope she can give me something to reduce it.
ok i am starting abilify tomorrow! at what dose do you start to feel relief from depression and at what dose does the akathisia start in?
Posted by lesliekay on September 9, 2003, at 5:28:38
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by cybercafe on September 8, 2003, at 22:23:01
I hope I'm not too late! I started on 15mg..the akathesia started then...you may not get it at all...let's be optimists! Just try Cogentin, all I need is 1mg a day and I am fine now. I absolutely love this drug. I wouldn't change it for anything.. good luck leslie
Posted by Sebastian on September 9, 2003, at 19:28:52
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by cybercafe on September 8, 2003, at 22:23:01
3.75mg was actual somewhat nice(coming from a guy who didn't like the stuff). 7.5mg getting to be a bit much but still tolerable and somewhat nice. 15mg definant akathisia, would not recomend. Never tried a higher dose!
3.75mg was energising, but not sleep depriving, any time in the day up to supper.
Sebastian
Posted by cybercafe on September 10, 2003, at 0:50:41
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on September 9, 2003, at 19:28:52
> 3.75mg was actual somewhat nice(coming from a guy who didn't like the stuff). 7.5mg getting to be a bit much but still tolerable and somewhat nice. 15mg definant akathisia, would not recomend. Never tried a higher dose!
>
> 3.75mg was energising, but not sleep depriving, any time in the day up to supper.wow... so you actually feel the good effects of abilify right after taking it (rather tahn having to wait 4 weeks or something)?
Posted by cybercafe on September 10, 2003, at 0:52:00
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by lesliekay on September 9, 2003, at 5:28:38
> I hope I'm not too late! I started on 15mg..the akathesia started then...you may not get it at all...let's be optimists! Just try Cogentin, all I need is 1mg a day and I am fine now. I absolutely love this drug. I wouldn't change it for anything.. good luck leslie
might i ask... what side effects do you get from cogentin? .... i always thought anticholinergics were no fun
Posted by Sebastian on September 10, 2003, at 11:56:17
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation, posted by cybercafe on September 10, 2003, at 0:50:41
Fast acting, abilify. You should feel it in hours.
Seb
Posted by cybercafe on September 11, 2003, at 1:53:55
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on September 10, 2003, at 11:56:17
> Fast acting, abilify. You should feel it in hours.
hey dude, abilify made me feel a little tired and a little nauseous today on 4 mg ..... if i continue to take this dose will the side effects go away or iwll they get worse as the amount of drug builds up in my body?
Posted by katiemom on September 11, 2003, at 10:08:03
In reply to Re: Abilify agitation » lesliekay, posted by cybercafe on September 5, 2003, at 2:15:13
When I started Abilify I had terrible agitation, but I took Artane and it went away. The side affect of Artane was dry mouth which drove me crazy, so I stopped it and I noticed that the agitation from the Abilify went away. I'm on 20mg and it has REALLY helped my Psychosis and paranioa. I can concentrate well at my job and not missing days like I was before. I love this drug. I'm also taking 200mg of Topomax, 100mg of Zoloft and 2mg of Klonopin.
Colleen
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.