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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CEK on April 15, 2006, at 12:44:06
Hi. It's me again with a new combo of meds. My doctor stopped the Seroquel finally and has started me on Abilify and Prozac on Tuesday. The Abilify is 5mg and the Prozac is 20mg. I've never taken these before and was wondering what kind of luck any of you have had with these meds. Have any of you taken them together? ON the info page about Abilify it mentioned adjusting your dose of Prozac if you take these two together but the doctor didn't mention it. The suicidal thoughts have stopped since starting the Abilify but I can't sleep. It takes me 2 hours to fall asleep at night and I wake up every 2 hours after that. I also am having crazy vision problems at night. When I shut my eyes or leave them open in the dark, I see bright lights like a flashlight in my eyes and then see flashing lights. It's very scary and won't stop until I turn the lights on. Once it's dark it starts up again. I don't know if anyone has had this experience before. I also am seeing things out of the corner of my eye that aren't there that really startle me at first. I've never had these problems before. I know it hasn't been long enough on the Prozac to be able to tell a difference, but in about a hour after taking it in the morning, I start to feel achey and fevered. This lasts until late in the evening just to start up again in the morning after taking it. I'm riding it out and haven't mentioned any of this to my pdoc yet. I see him next week Thursday. I hate to call and complain to him about side effects. I was just wanting to ask the experts (ya'll) about what you know and have gone through with these meds. I have complete faith and trust in all of you. Thanks so muck, CEK
Posted by SLS on April 15, 2006, at 14:07:01
In reply to Help please! I need to know more about Abilify., posted by CEK on April 15, 2006, at 12:44:06
> ON the info page about Abilify it mentioned adjusting your dose of Prozac if you take these two together but the doctor didn't mention it.
What info page did you use?
Both drugs are metabolized by the same enzyme. Prozac pretty much hogs it up, so Abilify doesn't get eliminated to the extent it would otherwise. The result is that you need to take less Abilify. Your doctor might be aware of this since he put you on a relatively low dosage of Abilify.
> The suicidal thoughts have stopped since starting the Abilify
It works that way for me too.
> but I can't sleep.
Insomnia is a side effect that more often than not goes away. You might also experience a temporary increase in anxiety. Both of these are usually startup side effects. After a few weeks, they should disappear.
> I also am having crazy vision problems at night.
I don't know what to make of this. I wouldn't discontinue Abilify just yet, though. These drugs really are potent and affect people in various ways. I would report it to your doctor, though. Maybe someone else here knows more about it. Hopefully, it will pass.
The flu-like symptoms are common startup side effects of Prozac. That should pass.
- Scott
Posted by CEK on April 15, 2006, at 23:34:30
In reply to Re: Help please! I need to know more about Abilify, posted by SLS on April 15, 2006, at 14:07:01
Scott, the page that I went to was the information page on Abilify on the internet. It had the whole drug pull out info in Adobe form. I just got a sample from the doctor and it didn't have any info on it at all so I looked it up. I wish that they'd write those things so people like me could understand them better. I don't understand half of it and it's worse with brain fog. It mentioned 3 different drugs and fluoxetine was one of them. I wasn't too worried about it since like you said it was a small dose. I just get kind of freeked out when I read something that the doctor doesn't warn me about. You hear so many things about drug interactions. Are you still on the Abilify? What did you take to help you sleep while you were adjusting to it? I don't want to give up on it yet. I want so bad for it to help. I can already tell a difference. I hope this is a good combo for me. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar 2 with mixed episodes with major depression. I haven't had any luck with any of the other ADs and Seroquel. Maybe this will work. Thank you so much for your responce. It makes me feel better to know that what I am feeling is normal. Thanks, CEK
Posted by SLS on April 16, 2006, at 7:22:20
In reply to Re: Help please! I need to know more about Abilify » SLS, posted by CEK on April 15, 2006, at 23:34:30
Hi.
> Are you still on the Abilify?
Yes. I've been taking it for about 2 years. I take it to help deal with bipolar depression. I noticed that it gave me a bit more mental energy and motivation. It also helps to prevent me from entering anxious suicidal states and curbs feelings of doom.
> What did you take to help you sleep while you were adjusting to it?
I didn't have very much insomnia with it, so I didn't take anything for sleep. I did experience akathisia-like side effects that included feelings of inner restlessness and some anxiety.
You might want to make a list of questions to ask your doctor and bring it with you. That way, you won't forget to tell him about your side effects. I have a list ready at each of my visits.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by exquilter on April 18, 2006, at 23:34:20
In reply to Re: Help please! I need to know more about Abilify, posted by SLS on April 16, 2006, at 7:22:20
My Experiences with Abilify echo Scott's and I also agree with his recommendations.
Exquilter
This is the end of the thread.
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