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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Torrey on February 13, 2004, at 6:18:34
Hello people, just wondering your views on this. My main DX is OCD, but its felt that I am somewhat delusional (both by therapsit and PDoc). I had experience with the old anti-psychotics (Thorazine, Haldol, etc) and they were horrible, in terms of side-effects. Not just while taking, but for YEARS afterwards.
But its been over ten years, and I keep hearing that the NEW AP's are MUCH better. I'm willing to try it again, but wondering which way to go. Was thinking of trying Seroquel, as it seems to have a fairly good rep, and might help me to sleep (a major problem for me).
Posted by chess on February 13, 2004, at 12:59:05
In reply to Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics?, posted by Torrey on February 13, 2004, at 6:18:34
i work as a counselor in a psychiatric rehab group home, no med backround but i can tell you what i've seen with my clients:
clozaril is amazing, i've personally seen it help people in a terrible state (similar to that movie with deniro and williams, can't think of the name of the movie right now), but it can cause low white blood cell count and many clients refuse to try it because they don't want to go for the weekly blood draws
seroquel is good, more sedating than others, clients take large dose at bedtime
zyprexa and risperdal seem to be liked equally well by clients, but i've seen zyprexa be more helpful
jury is still out on geodon and abilify, they seem to help clients who have more "mild" schizophrenia
some of my colleagues consider geodon and abilify "sugar pills" because of the stronger efficacy we see with clozaril-seroquel-zyprexa-risperdal, but i think this might be unfair due to the relative new introduction of geodon and abilify and because every individual reacts differently to different meds, so don't give up trying different meds at different doses if you have to until you find one that helps you and that you can tolerate, btw cogentin seems to be favored by all my clients to control the side-effects caused by antipsychotics
Posted by Sebastian on February 13, 2004, at 23:13:57
In reply to Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics?, posted by Torrey on February 13, 2004, at 6:18:34
I have not tried seroquel. I take zyprexa for PTSD, psychosis (drug induced), depression. It works the best for me. I've tried risperdal and abilify. Risperdal actualy gave me holucinations. Abilify was anxiety riden and no sleep.
Posted by Sebastian on February 13, 2004, at 23:16:27
In reply to Re: Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics?, posted by chess on February 13, 2004, at 12:59:05
What would cogentin do for zyprexa side-effects?
Posted by chess on February 14, 2004, at 9:00:37
In reply to Re: Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics? » chess, posted by Sebastian on February 13, 2004, at 23:16:27
> What would cogentin do for zyprexa side-effects?
it seems that cogentin (benztropine) helps block the parkinsons-like side-effects that the antipsychotics can produce (things like tremors, gagging, or any other muscle movements that the antipsychotics are interfering with)
all my clients say that cogentin, and unfortunately smoking cigarettes, help to counter the side-effects of antipsychotics (i'm guessing it's a dopamine-thing between the antipsychotics and cogentin and the nicotine from cigarettes)
Posted by Sebastian on February 14, 2004, at 12:03:57
In reply to Re: Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics?, posted by chess on February 14, 2004, at 9:00:37
Yes I smoke. Side-effects are not real bad.
Posted by CareBear04 on February 14, 2004, at 15:21:44
In reply to Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics?, posted by Torrey on February 13, 2004, at 6:18:34
Seroquel made me very very sleepy during the day as well as at night. So did Zyprexa, and that had the extra benefit of blowing me up like a balloon. I have to say, though, that Zyprexa is pretty effective. Risperdal didn't seem to do much for me. It may have slowed down the obsessive thoughts a little, but I can't say for sure that it was the Risperdal. I actually liked Abilify, though I'm not sure it did much. It didn't feel like being on an AP at all! It is somewhat activating and appetite-suppressing. Hope this helps, CB
Posted by agencypanic on February 14, 2004, at 17:42:54
In reply to Re: Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics? » Torrey, posted by CareBear04 on February 14, 2004, at 15:21:44
> Seroquel made me very very sleepy during the day as well as at night. So did Zyprexa, and that had the extra benefit of blowing me up like a balloon. I have to say, though, that Zyprexa is pretty effective. Risperdal didn't seem to do much for me. It may have slowed down the obsessive thoughts a little, but I can't say for sure that it was the Risperdal. I actually liked Abilify, though I'm not sure it did much. It didn't feel like being on an AP at all! It is somewhat activating and appetite-suppressing. Hope this helps, CB
I'm taking Geodon for schizoaffective disorder. I guess that it helps me, but really only at a very high dose, beyond the suggested maximum. I didn't want to keep taking
that high of a dose, so I backed off of it somewhat and it was only then that I realized that it had been working alright. I am now trying Abilify--have only been on it for a week, so I can't really give an opinion about it yet. I can
say that I feel more fearful and haunted by obsessive thoughts and random voices. This could just be the result of my body missing that extra bit of Geodon, I don't know for sure. I'm taking 15mg of the Abilify.
In the past I've taken Risperdal, but found that it didn't do anything for me. Sorry for the rambling response.
Posted by lauram on February 15, 2004, at 14:13:05
In reply to Re: Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics?, posted by Sebastian on February 13, 2004, at 23:13:57
I am Bipolar and taking Seroquel 75mg at bedtime. It helps me to sleep and controls my hypomania. I read your exerience regarding Abilify and wanted to let you know that was my experience too. After one month on this med my anxiety/agitation went through the roof! I ended up staying awake for days at a time, even after stopping the med. Be very careful to those taking this med. It may work very well for you but watch for the anxiety and lack of sleep. If this is the case, contact your doc as soon as possible.
Posted by Sebastian on February 15, 2004, at 15:27:34
In reply to Re: Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics? » Sebastian, posted by lauram on February 15, 2004, at 14:13:05
I agree! Your thoughts can get the better of you on Abilify. You feel great at times, but most of the time you feel awfull, anxiety, worries, no good sleep. Even taking it with other AP's like zyprexa, Abilify can have the same bad effects right on top of the zyprexa. I strongly oppose taking abilify. I've tried it many times and never injoyed the effects psychologicaly that it has. Sure the not sleeping? all the time is nice compared to sleeping all the time, energy, alertness, too alert. Is a nice change. You even feel more emotionaly connected, which feels great, sort of. But I don't think that is the way to go with this type of medication. I don't think it is healty for the illness you are trying to treat. The truth is you are just making the illness worse. I think.
Posted by Torrey on February 15, 2004, at 19:53:30
In reply to Re: Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics?, posted by Sebastian on February 15, 2004, at 15:27:34
Thanks for the responses - it helps to know how these are for patients, and not just what the drug companies say. So far, it looks like I'll go with either Seroquel or Zyprexa - and avoid Abilify. :)
Posted by slance6226 on February 16, 2004, at 9:22:07
In reply to Re: Best Of The New Anti-Psychotics?, posted by Sebastian on February 15, 2004, at 15:27:34
> I agree! Your thoughts can get the better of you on Abilify. You feel great at times, but most of the time you feel awfull, anxiety, worries, no good sleep. Even taking it with other AP's like zyprexa, Abilify can have the same bad effects right on top of the zyprexa. I strongly oppose taking abilify. I've tried it many times and never injoyed the effects psychologicaly that it has. Sure the not sleeping? all the time is nice compared to sleeping all the time, energy, alertness, too alert. Is a nice change. You even feel more emotionaly connected, which feels great, sort of. But I don't think that is the way to go with this type of medication. I don't think it is healty for the illness you are trying to treat. The truth is you are just making the illness worse. I think.
Wow - someone directed me to this thread as I've been asking about Abilify side effects. I've been on it 4 days and want to jump out of m skin. It's awful. Called my pdoc this morning and he's called in a prescription for something to counteract the side effects. When I pick it up I'll post what it's called and let people know if it's helpful. Already my mind is "quieter" so I don't want to give up... but the SE's are awful.
This is the end of the thread.
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