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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 13:09:47
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too much?, posted by Ilene on October 27, 2005, at 23:50:45
ilene-- do you mind if i ask what you were taking that much abilify for? and what kind of doctor prescribed that dose for you? (ie, a medication specialist, PCP, all-purpose psychiatrist, etc.) i'm glad you had no side effects, but don't the risks of antipsychotics increase along with the dose?
Posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 13:15:42
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu, posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 5:10:01
buns-- i've found that most pharmacies i've gone to carry haldol or will order it.
which two antipsychotics are you taking currently?
the problem with suggesting adding haldol and going down on my abilify dose is that i only see my doctor once a month, so when i do, there is so much else to talk about. also, he's fairly young and spends most of his time in research and not seeing clinical patients, so i think those types of doctors are more likely to mistrust haldol because of the bad side effects they've heard of anecdotally. most psychiatrists i know who see a lot of clinical patients and who might be of the older generation know that haldol, especially at low to moderate doses, can be helpful. i think the goal is to have me off neuroleptics altogether, not to increase the number from one to two, but i agree with your suggestion and would be open to trying it. i'm just on a whole pharmacy of meds already, so the drs are reluctant to add more meds. thanks for the suggestions. cb
Posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 13:40:31
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu, posted by med_empowered on October 28, 2005, at 5:47:13
hey med_empowered--
i don't know why i'm being rx'd the max dose. this has never happened to me before; with antidepressants and antipsychotics, especially, i've always been on the very low end of the dosing spectrum. when i was on zyprexa, 2.5mg was too much, on risperdal, i took 0.5 to 1mg, and also low doses of seroquel and haldol and the others.
my dr. admitted that i don't have acute mania, so except for the fact that i'm still having some hallucinations, i don't know why i've been increased to the max.
besides 30mg of abilify, i'm also on a mood stabilizer. it used to be 300mg of topamax, and now, because i asked to switch back to lithium, which is my gold standard, i'm on 600mg of lithium. i don't know if that's a therapeutic dose or not. i used to take up to 1800mg, but i've also been very toxic a lot and once needed dialysis because i had a lithium level of 4.2+. i'm also on klonopin 2mg at night and 50-100mg of trazodone and 15mg twice a day of dexedrine. then, i'm on a bunch of meds for medical conditions. i'm not sure what the abilify does for me, if anything.
did abilify do anything for you?
thanks, cb
Posted by ed_uk on October 28, 2005, at 15:17:42
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu, posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 5:10:01
Hi Buns!
Glad to hear you're still doing well :-)
What sort of hallucinations do you have? Voices?
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on October 28, 2005, at 15:21:17
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » med_empowered, posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 13:40:31
Hi CB,
Out of all the antipsychotics you've tried, which was the most effective? Which had the least side effects? I remember you saying that you took 1mg/day Haldol.
~Ed
Posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 15:27:10
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » CareBear04, posted by ed_uk on October 28, 2005, at 15:21:17
hey ed,
you have a great memory-- i did take 1mg/day of haldol. and i think that of all the APs, haldol was the most effective for me. it slowed my thoughts down and took away anxiety without making me sleepy. with abilify, i haven't had any side effects, but i can't say for sure that it's doing anything good, either.
Posted by ed_uk on October 28, 2005, at 15:49:21
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » ed_uk, posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 15:27:10
Hi CB,
Have you tried 0.5mg haloperidol? It might work as well as 1mg.
~ed
Posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2005, at 17:46:10
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » ed_uk, posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 15:27:10
CareBear, What part of the counry do you live in? Just wondering because I have to change pdocs. And wondered if a University Doc was any better. Or one affiliated with a hospital. Any suggestions? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Lazarus on October 28, 2005, at 18:19:17
In reply to Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too much?, posted by CareBear04 on October 27, 2005, at 10:19:18
Don't give up on the Abilify. The risk of tardive dyskinsia is much lower than with the other newer APs (Zyprexa, Seroquel, Geodon, Risperdal) and the older APs (Haldol, Thorazine). Try taking the smallest dose of Abilify possible. I take 5 mg daily for bipolar disorder and it is an excellent medication.
Good-luck.
Lazarus
Posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 19:06:51
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » xbunny, posted by ed_uk on October 28, 2005, at 15:17:42
> Hi Buns!
>
> Glad to hear you're still doing well :-)
>
> What sort of hallucinations do you have? Voices?I get the whole range; voices, unidentified sounds, music, various auditory perceptual effects like echoes (especially hearing (literally) my own thoughts a few moments after thinking them, sometimes with external commentary), lights, patterns overlayed in my vision, things changing visually from one thing into another (it was a bag changing into a dog the other day - really took my breath away, hollywood couldnt have done it better), depth and visual perception distortions, messages from the TV and radio (more of a delusion I suppose), smell hallucinations like burning, chemical smell, rotting meat (never flowers or perfume typical). Most of the time now I am well these are probably correctly classed as illusions since I know they arent real however sometimes I still fall for them. The smell hallucinations are the worst, whether I beleive they are real or not they still make me paranoid and panic. I used to get alot of paranoid delusions of persecution, mind control, I was in the after life things like that, medication seems to have wiped these completely out thank god.
Buns
Posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 19:16:45
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » xbunny, posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 13:15:42
> buns-- i've found that most pharmacies i've gone to carry haldol or will order it.
By how did you find haldol I meant what was your experience with it like? sorry I should have been more accurate.
Buns
Posted by ed_uk on October 28, 2005, at 19:26:53
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » ed_uk, posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 19:06:51
Hi Buns,
Flupenthixol must be working well because you clearly have a lot of insight into your illness. Are you still on 6mg?
~ed
Posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 19:46:18
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » xbunny, posted by ed_uk on October 28, 2005, at 19:26:53
Hi Ed,
>
> Flupenthixol must be working well because you clearly have a lot of insight into your illness. Are you still on 6mg?Yes 6mg of flupenthixol and 20mg of pericyazine. I really rate pericyazine now I have tolerated > 10mg it really chills me out, helps me focus and brings my anxiety down. I used to get this weird 'under attack' type feeling whenever I was out, I was always checking the rooftops for snipers and being really careful to look at people when they walked past to make sure they werent 'agents' or something. I dont do any of that now, I can happily spend an hour out of doors without feeling uncomfortable. If I could only get used to using public transport I would have almost all of my old life back, though I am planning (have been for months) to get a motorbike and get my mobility back that way. The psychiatric services have down graded me to a standard care plan a few weeks ago, though after reading my description of my symptoms I just made I am still kinda struck by the ticking timebomb suggestion my last CPN made lol.
Buns
Posted by CareBear04 on October 29, 2005, at 13:05:39
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » CareBear04, posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2005, at 17:46:10
hi phillipa,
i live in the NE united states where there is a million of every type of pdoc. i've seen several in private practice, and right now, i'm seeing a psychopharmacologist who is on faculty at harvard. i don't think it matters so much what their affiliation, so long as the dr has an open mind and is willingn to try different interventions, even those that are thought to be controversial. it seems to me that once one dr starts a treatment, others are more likely to continue it, as long as you seem reasonably stable. that's probably why i've been on high-dose benzo treatment and stimulant treatment with so many drs, even though most wouldn't have started with that treatment. best of luck in finding a new pdoc and let me know if you have any more questions. cb
Posted by CareBear04 on October 29, 2005, at 13:12:47
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu, posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 19:16:45
buns-- i found the haldol to be kind of soothing without knocking me out or making me feel drugged like other neuroleptics. it just calmed me down and slowed my too-fast thoughts and helped me focus on whwat i needed to do.
Posted by ed_uk on October 29, 2005, at 15:05:04
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » ed_uk, posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 19:46:18
Hi Buns,
You've made so much progress lately :-)
>If I could only get used to using public transport I would have almost all of my old life back.......
What do you fear? Perhaps a slightly higher dose of pericyazine would help. Have you tried 25mg?
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by xbunny on October 29, 2005, at 18:52:14
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » xbunny, posted by ed_uk on October 29, 2005, at 15:05:04
Hi Ed,
>
> You've made so much progress lately :-)
>
> >If I could only get used to using public transport I would have almost all of my old life back.......
>
> What do you fear? Perhaps a slightly higher dose of pericyazine would help. Have you tried 25mg?I get really panicy and paranoid when Im on the bus or train. As soon as I get on I want to get off and once Im stuck on it I just start trying to suss out the other passengers and what their agenda regarding me might be. Even though I know in my head they dont care a thing about me, I still get more and more paranoid and panicy. The whole experience is just unbearable. I have taken my pericyazine dose upto 30mg before and not noticed much improvement but then again maybe I would need to sustain it for a while. The doctor has prescribed enough for me to go upto 30mg a day if I want.
Buns
Posted by xbunny on October 29, 2005, at 19:00:23
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » xbunny, posted by CareBear04 on October 29, 2005, at 13:12:47
> buns-- i found the haldol to be kind of soothing without knocking me out or making me feel drugged like other neuroleptics. it just calmed me down and slowed my too-fast thoughts and helped me focus on whwat i needed to do.
That sound brilliant! if I were you I would take it. Plenty of people have taken haldol everyday for years and years as far as I know and are ok. I mean everybodies different and you might get long term problems or you might not but if the drug works that well I would throw caution to the wind, cross my fingers and take it!
This is of course what I would do, Im not suggesting that that is the best course for you. Buns
Posted by xjs7 on October 29, 2005, at 21:22:49
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » ed_uk, posted by xbunny on October 28, 2005, at 19:06:51
Hi xbunny,
I have some of the same problems (paranoia, voices, visions, etc. etc). I was just wondering... are you able to work? I haven't been able to complete my education or get a job. But I like hearing about people who are able to. I guess I find it inspiring. I hope you continue to get better.
xjs7
Posted by Ilene on October 29, 2005, at 22:36:13
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too much? » Ilene, posted by CareBear04 on October 28, 2005, at 13:09:47
> ilene-- do you mind if i ask what you were taking that much abilify for? and what kind of doctor prescribed that dose for you? (ie, a medication specialist, PCP, all-purpose psychiatrist, etc.) i'm glad you had no side effects, but don't the risks of antipsychotics increase along with the dose?
I think I started taking Abilify when I was in the hospital for severe depression about a year ago. I don't recall anyone talking to me about it, and I don't know who prescribed it--probably a psychiatric resident. (Sorry, my memory is very bad these days.) I would expect the risk of side effects goes up with the dose. It turned out to be just another useless med.
I.
Posted by med_empowered on October 30, 2005, at 7:12:05
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too much? » CareBear04, posted by Ilene on October 29, 2005, at 22:36:13
hi! In my experience with psychosis (I've gotten the kind of low-grade paranoia you describe yourself as currently having), I've found that a benzo+antipsychotic beats out using higher-dose antipsychotics. With bipolar and schizoaffective, I think the benzo of choice is clonazepam...with mania and schizophrenia, I think lorazepam is the drug of choice, but I imagine it varies from doc to doc...plus, it seems that docs in the UK still use valium, which would probably be ideal(less drug-induced depression..just straight up anti-anxiety). Benzos and antipsychotics work well together long term, too; mixing them helps keep the doses of both drugs minimal while the results can sometimes be very, very impressive (reduced anxiety/agitation, less paranoia, better quality of life). Good luck!@
Posted by xbunny on October 30, 2005, at 7:29:03
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » xbunny, posted by xjs7 on October 29, 2005, at 21:22:49
> Hi xbunny,
>
> I have some of the same problems (paranoia, voices, visions, etc. etc). I was just wondering... are you able to work?Yes I work from home as a computer programmer.
>I haven't been able to complete my education or get a job.
I tried to do my A Level's (16-18 education) but I failed them (they still call it a pass I dont). I never went to university or anything like that. Though maybe one day I would like to do a course in the Open University
> But I like hearing about people who are able to.
I am very lucky that I can work from home if I couldnt I dont know what I would do.
Buns
Posted by ed_uk on October 30, 2005, at 10:17:52
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » ed_uk, posted by xbunny on October 29, 2005, at 18:52:14
Hi Buns,
>I have taken my pericyazine dose upto 30mg before and not noticed much improvement but then again maybe I would need to sustain it for a while.
I agree, provided that you've been on 20mg for at least 8 weeks (to get the full effect), it might be a good idea to increase to 25mg.... then, if necessary, 30mg.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by chand2407 on October 30, 2005, at 20:27:56
In reply to Re: Abilify-- does it work, and how much is too mu » xjs7, posted by xbunny on October 30, 2005, at 7:29:03
u said u work from home. do u receive ssi or disability for this condition. i have a diagnosis of psychotic depression where i constantly have bad thoughts.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 31, 2005, at 10:25:09
In reply to Re: Abilify-- for xbunny, posted by chand2407 on October 30, 2005, at 20:27:56
> u said u work from home. do u receive ssi or disability for this condition...
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding disability to Psycho-Social Babble. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20051029/msgs/573743.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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