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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Lazarus on September 30, 2003, at 18:43:53
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! AbilifySebastian » Lazarus, posted by Sebastian on September 30, 2003, at 11:50:26
> I imagine the 15 mg pills are hard to cut into 1/6? How do you do it, like a pizza pie?
Cutting the 15 mg Abilify pills into sixths is impossible; the best I've been able to do is cut them into fourths (1/2 then 1/2 again), resulting in a 3.75 mg pill. Cutting a 10 mg Abilify pill into fourths yields a 2.5 mg pill. That is why I sometimes take 2.5 mg and at other times 3.75.
Often I don't feel any effect from the 2.5 mg dose; I need to take 3.75 mg in order to "feel it". I would like to take 5 mg but I have akathesia at that dosage.
I have the same problem with Zyprexa. I would like to take 5 mg but was prescribed only 2.5 mg daily. Now my doc has told me to reduce my dose to 1.25 mg (1/2 of a 2.5). As a result I'm not sleeping well...too many vivid dreams, etc. It's not so much withdrawal, rather I am probably returning to the state I was in before beginning Zyprexa treatment. I like the way Zyprexa blunts your emotions.
I hope you are doing well on your dosage of Zyprexa (5 mg daily?).
Lazarus
Posted by Lazarus on September 30, 2003, at 18:53:56
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify, posted by cybercafe on September 30, 2003, at 1:16:56
> You're taking 3.75 mg, n'est-ce pas? Are you experiencing any panic at that dosage? Help!
>
> nope... but i've had a few weeks to get used to it
>
> i also take benzos, so i might not be able to tellCyber,
I'm not on any benzos. Sometimes my psychiatrist will give me 10 mg Librium capsules but I am all out of them. I just have to put up with the anxiety as it happens. I have some Equagesic tablets (Equanil plus aspirin) but I reserve them for really bad headaches only.
Lazarus
Posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 1:28:08
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify Sebastian, posted by Lazarus on September 30, 2003, at 18:43:53
>into fourths yields a 2.5 mg pill. That is why I sometimes take 2.5 mg and at other times 3.75.
.. so that must be why you are experiencing this transient effects...
> Often I don't feel any effect from the 2.5 mg dose; I need to take 3.75 mg in order to "feel it". I would like to take 5 mg but I have akathesia at that dosage.what is it that you intend to "feel"? because it takes about 15 or 18 days to reach peak plasma level, plus some extra time for your brain to adapt, so i don't think you can expect to feel an effect right away
but you feel akathisia the first time you take an increased dose? hmmmm..... any idea how long it takes to get used to it?
Posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 1:29:28
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify Cybercafe, posted by Lazarus on September 30, 2003, at 18:53:56
> I'm not on any benzos. Sometimes my psychiatrist will give me 10 mg Librium capsules but I am all out of them. I just have to put up with the anxiety as it happens. I have some Equagesic tablets (Equanil plus aspirin) but I reserve them for really bad headaches only.
yeah, i am used to taking benzos twice a day.. my life would be very restricted without them
Posted by lesliekay on October 1, 2003, at 6:28:03
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify Cybercafe, posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 1:29:28
I have been reading your conversation with interest. I am on abilify...curious though how you two get clinical efficacy from those small doses. I think it is a wonder drug and I have akathesia. It took me months of trial and error to treat it but now it is perfect.
abilify 15
klonopin 1
cogentin 1
all day this works . no anxiety no movement its perfect. I take other meds but this is the main thing....Try it if you need to, it is great
leslie
Posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 9:04:57
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify Cybercafe » cybercafe, posted by lesliekay on October 1, 2003, at 6:28:03
> I have been reading your conversation with interest. I am on abilify...curious though how you two get clinical efficacy from those small doses. I think it is a wonder drug and I have akathesia. It took me months of trial and error to treat it but now it is perfect.
well i managed to get efficacy from a small dose of zyprexa, only 2.5 mg .... and it seems like 3 or 4 mg of abilify would be an equivalent dose
> abilify 15
> klonopin 1
> cogentin 1
> all day this works . no anxiety no movement its perfect. I take other meds but this is the main thing....Try it if you need to, it is great
> lesliei am interested in the cogentin, but i know my dad had bad side effects when he took it......
ummm.. question, have you taken other APs, and what doses did you need? (i'm trying to compare abilify dosing to others)
great to hear from you!
Posted by Sebastian on October 1, 2003, at 11:33:12
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! AbilifySebastian, posted by cybercafe on September 30, 2003, at 15:56:36
Your supposed to fill it with a job!
Posted by Sebastian on October 1, 2003, at 11:38:44
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify Sebastian, posted by Lazarus on September 30, 2003, at 18:43:53
Sounds like you want to take less abilify and more zyprexa? Are you supposed to switch? Is it for more energy? If so, why not try a different aprotch. Like 2.5 - 5 mg zyprexa with a stimulant, like wellbutrin or some thing?
Posted by Sebastian on October 1, 2003, at 11:44:41
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify Sebastian, posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 1:28:08
Or you could cut abilify: 10 mg pills into 1/4. Then the 15 mg pills into 1/4, and cut a small edge off of it and take with the 1/4 of a 10 mg?
Posted by Sebastian on October 1, 2003, at 18:08:09
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify » lesliekay, posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 9:04:57
I just went up to 80 mg Celexa!
Supposed to help my social anxiety?
Sebastian
Posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 22:08:11
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Celexa, posted by Sebastian on October 1, 2003, at 18:08:09
> I just went up to 80 mg Celexa!
>
> Supposed to help my social anxiety?
>
> Sebastianyeah i'd say celexa helps with social anxiety.... let us know how it goes :)
Posted by Lazarus on October 2, 2003, at 16:57:57
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify Sebastian, posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 1:28:08
> but you feel akathisia the first time you take an increased dose? hmmmm..... any idea how long it takes to get used to it?
If an AP causes akathisia I always experience it immediately; not later like some people. For example, I experienced akathisia on 0.25 mg of Risperdal and 20 mg Geodon and these are low doses.I don't know if the akathisia on Abilify goes away at the 5 mg level, as I never continue to take it long enough to find out.
In addition to a horrific anxiety disorder I have a phobia of medications. I don't trust them. Sometimes I look at them and see poison pills. How do I know that they are not damaging me? Taking the pills makes me feel like a slave to others.
Lazarus
Posted by Lazarus on October 2, 2003, at 17:13:10
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify Sebastian » Lazarus, posted by Sebastian on October 1, 2003, at 11:38:44
> Sounds like you want to take less abilify and more zyprexa? Are you supposed to switch? Is it for more energy? If so, why not try a different aprotch. Like 2.5 - 5 mg zyprexa with a stimulant, like wellbutrin or some thing?
The impression I get from my doc is that he would like to see me transition to Abilify from Zyprexa. He has not given me an explanation as to why.
I took Wellbutrin daily for many years. In the last eight months I have stoppped taking it as I realized that it was making me manic, very manic and thus exacerbating the rapid-cycling.
Instead of the Wellbutrin I am now taking 9 mg Strattera (1/2 of an 18 mg capsule). In certain ways it is better than Wellbutrin in that it helps one to focus as well as providing antidepressant action. Too much of it though and I feel overly stimulated and can't sleep.
Personally, I think it's too many pills and I feel like a hopeless mess today.
Lazarus
Posted by lesliekay on October 3, 2003, at 2:49:49
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify » lesliekay, posted by cybercafe on October 1, 2003, at 9:04:57
> > I have been reading your conversation with interest. I am on abilify...curious though how you two get clinical efficacy from those small doses. I think it is a wonder drug and I have akathesia. It took me months of trial and error to treat it but now it is perfect.
>
> well i managed to get efficacy from a small dose of zyprexa, only 2.5 mg .... and it seems like 3 or 4 mg of abilify would be an equivalent dose
>
> > abilify 15
> > klonopin 1
> > cogentin 1
> > all day this works . no anxiety no movement its perfect. I take other meds but this is the main thing....Try it if you need to, it is great
> > leslie
>
> i am interested in the cogentin, but i know my dad had bad side effects when he took it......
>
> ummm.. question, have you taken other APs, and what doses did you need? (i'm trying to compare abilify dosing to others)
>
> great to hear from you!I have taken others,nothing really worked well
Zyprexa 20
risperdal 4
I used to take cogentin 2 twice a day and I had a rough time..I have realized that I only need 1 once a day leslie
Posted by cybercafe on October 3, 2003, at 3:24:31
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify » cybercafe, posted by lesliekay on October 3, 2003, at 2:49:49
> > > abilify 15
> > > klonopin 1
> > > cogentin 1
> > > all day this works . no anxiety no movement its perfect. I take other meds but this is the main thing....Try it if you need to, it is great
> > > leslie
> >
> > i am interested in the cogentin, but i know my dad had bad side effects when he took it......
> >
> > ummm.. question, have you taken other APs, and what doses did you need? (i'm trying to compare abilify dosing to others)
> >
> > great to hear from you!
>
> I have taken others,nothing really worked well
> Zyprexa 20
> risperdal 4
> I used to take cogentin 2 twice a day and I had a rough time..I have realized that I only need 1 once a day leslie
>okay that makes sense. i probably need less abilify because i needed less of the other APs (like only 2.5mg zyprexa).
be well
Posted by cybercafe on October 3, 2003, at 3:26:42
In reply to Re: Abilify Cybercafe, posted by Lazarus on October 2, 2003, at 16:57:57
> I don't know if the akathisia on Abilify goes away at the 5 mg level, as I never continue to take it long enough to find out.
i guess you could always try to tough it out with a benzo or cogentin if you wanted to go that route
> In addition to a horrific anxiety disorder I have a phobia of medications. I don't trust them. Sometimes I look at them and see poison pills. How do I know that they are not damaging me? Taking the pills makes me feel like a slave to others.yeah well i dont' like taking pills either BUT what is the alternative? i wouldn't even consider trying to hold down a semi normal life without medication.... not for a while
tried that once, for the longest time, didn't work out for me
Posted by Lazarus on October 3, 2003, at 14:51:36
In reply to Re: Abilify Cybercafe, posted by cybercafe on October 3, 2003, at 3:26:42
> > I don't know if the akathisia on Abilify goes away at the 5 mg level, as I never continue to take it long enough to find out.> i guess you could always try to tough it out with a benzo or cogentin if you wanted to go that route
I don't have any benzos. That's just as well because I'm a recovering alcoholic and I've been told to avoid them. However, I have this rapid cycling which is separate from the alcoholism. Bipolar Disorder really complicates my life; I wish I didn't have it. When under stress I just want to be "zonked out" or high or manic or something. Anything but reality.
Thanks for the advice and your comments.
Lazarus
Posted by Eggy on October 3, 2003, at 21:31:17
In reply to Re: Sebastian ! Abilify, posted by cybercafe on September 21, 2003, at 2:11:17
OK I tried to read the whole thread. But it kept going on and on and on like two women on a partyline. It was worse than watching As the World Turns! So just tell me flat out....
How was the Abilify?
Did ya get the leg cramps or not?
Did it alleviate any symptoms?
Cause new ones?
Sleep?
Weight?
Sex? I like sex. So I don't want that messed with!Give me the scoop please. I'll just love ya forever!
Posted by Lazarus on October 3, 2003, at 21:51:27
In reply to Abilify AKATHISIA, posted by Eggy on October 3, 2003, at 21:31:17
> OK I tried to read the whole thread. But it kept going on and on and on like two women on a partyline. It was worse than watching As the World Turns! So just tell me flat out....
>
> How was the Abilify?
> Did ya get the leg cramps or not?
> Did it alleviate any symptoms?
> Cause new ones?
> Sleep?
> Weight?
> Sex? I like sex. So I don't want that messed with!
>
> Give me the scoop please. I'll just love ya forever!There's no need to be nasty.
Posted by cybercafe on October 4, 2003, at 1:44:26
In reply to Abilify AKATHISIA, posted by Eggy on October 3, 2003, at 21:31:17
> OK I tried to read the whole thread. But it kept going on and on and on like two women on a partyline. It was worse than watching As the World Turns! So just tell me flat out....
>
> How was the Abilify?excellent
> Did ya get the leg cramps or not?
no
> Did it alleviate any symptoms?yeah.. mood stability.. and allowed me to take stimulants without psychosis
> Cause new ones?
nope
> Sleep?
i sleep too much as it is ... so being able to get up a couple hours early is a good thing
> Weight?
lost a few pounds
> Sex? I like sex. So I don't want that messed with!
didn't effet libido ... imagine it would increase it at higher dosages (5ht2a antagonism + D2 partial agonism + 5ht1a partial agonism should ALL increase libido)
>
> Give me the scoop please. I'll just love ya forever!
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 4, 2003, at 17:58:51
In reply to Abilify AKATHISIA, posted by Eggy on October 3, 2003, at 21:31:17
> it kept going on and on and on like two women on a partyline. It was worse than watching As the World Turns!
I'm sorry if you didn't find the information you were looking for, but please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down, thanks.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise they may be deleted.
Posted by Eggy on October 4, 2003, at 21:04:21
In reply to Re: Abilify AKATHISIA, posted by cybercafe on October 4, 2003, at 1:44:26
I am sorry if I hurt your feelings.You know what I said about your thread going on and on. I was told I wasn't being civil. I thought your thread was cute. The longest thread I ever saw. I actually liked the way it kept going. None of mine ever went that long! I appreciate the information. Kinda proud that Dr. Bob even read a post of mine.
My Dr. mentioned putting me on Abilify. He actually mentioned it the last 3 times I saw him. I didn't do good on the Zyprexa or Seroquel so I keep telling him NO. But now I think I need it. Thanks again.
Posted by cybercafe on October 5, 2003, at 2:47:07
In reply to Re: Abilify AKATHISIA, posted by Eggy on October 4, 2003, at 21:04:21
> I am sorry if I hurt your feelings.You know what I said about your thread going on and on. I was told I wasn't being civil. I thought your thread was cute. The longest thread I ever saw. I actually liked the way it kept going. None of mine ever went that long! I appreciate the information. Kinda proud that Dr. Bob even read a post of mine.
that's okay you didn't hurt my feeling :)
> My Dr. mentioned putting me on Abilify. He actually mentioned it the last 3 times I saw him. I didn't do good on the Zyprexa or Seroquel so I keep telling him NO. But now I think I need it. Thanks again.who knows? the only thing i'd recommend is start low dose ... OR be prepared for akathisia, discuss posible benzos/propanol/cogentin
Posted by Eggy on October 5, 2003, at 10:24:08
In reply to Re: Abilify AKATHISIA, posted by cybercafe on October 5, 2003, at 2:47:07
Thanks, because I feel really bad after I read how rude I was.
I'll give it a try.
P-doc may give me Cogentin. Ive been thru detox 3 times for opiates. Still have some for emergengys. Just in case.
Posted by cybercafe on October 5, 2003, at 17:17:36
In reply to Re: Abilify AKATHISIA, posted by Eggy on October 5, 2003, at 10:24:08
> P-doc may give me Cogentin. Ive been thru detox 3 times for opiates. Still have some for emergengys. Just in case.hmmm.... there are lots of options for avoiding akathisia..... i wouldn't worry too much about it.... as long as your doc is somewhat reachable
good luck
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