Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 337740

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Re: Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness

Posted by jparsell82 on April 20, 2004, at 23:19:05

In reply to Re: Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness, posted by awatts on April 20, 2004, at 20:40:30

I got a pill cutter. This Abilify must be powerful. I cut it into thirds and it's still almost unbearable.

 

Re: Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness » jparsell82

Posted by Rainee on April 21, 2004, at 6:47:18

In reply to Re: Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness, posted by jparsell82 on April 20, 2004, at 23:19:05

Abilify is really strong I had too stop kicked me into impulsive behavior and ebayed my way into big time debt..bad, bad drug for me. Now I'm picking up the pieces of the mess I made. UGGGGG

 

Re: Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness

Posted by justplainflakey on April 21, 2004, at 7:31:13

In reply to Re: Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness » jparsell82, posted by Rainee on April 21, 2004, at 6:47:18

I had the same problem with impulsiveness last year when I was on abilify solo. Ebay saw a lot of my business too, fortunately I stuck to low dollar items and didn't run up too much of a bill.

 

sorry that happend to you too... » justplainflakey

Posted by Rainee on April 21, 2004, at 14:41:07

In reply to Re: Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness, posted by justplainflakey on April 21, 2004, at 7:31:13

I made a bad mess I had packages arriving left and right and did most of this in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep.

 

Re: sorry that happend to you too...

Posted by justplainflakey on April 21, 2004, at 14:56:47

In reply to sorry that happend to you too... » justplainflakey, posted by Rainee on April 21, 2004, at 14:41:07

Exactly! It sounds as if it was really rough for you. I'm sorry that you are paying for your meds effects literally. I hope that in spite of that you are feeling better now.
Now that I'm taking a med combination I don't have so much of a problem as before. The first three days that I restarted abilify this time I did a few impulsive things: cut my own hair, bought clothes, ect. But then things were better, I like stuff, but can stop and think before I jump into something. Basically, I feel a lot more like I did before meds.
Thanks.

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet

Posted by Lazarus on April 21, 2004, at 17:40:58

In reply to Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness, posted by jparsell82 on April 19, 2004, at 12:22:21

Abilify is a great med once you get past the akathisia, and you will get past it. I have found that it has good anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects. Also, it makes me less inhibited. I socialize much better with others and with much less fear. Lastly, it has stopped the horrible rapid cycling. For me it is truly a miracle drug.

Lazarus

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet

Posted by cybercafe on April 22, 2004, at 7:01:57

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by Lazarus on April 21, 2004, at 17:40:58

> Abilify is a great med once you get past the akathisia, and you will get past it. I have found that it has good anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects. Also, it makes me less inhibited. I socialize much better with others and with much less fear. Lastly, it has stopped the horrible rapid cycling. For me it is truly a miracle drug.
>
> Lazarus


yeah i take about 2 mg abilify + 30 mg parnate + lorazepam + clonazepam + ritalin and i have FINALLY managed to get my bipolar + anxiety + ADHD under control .... no better than under control.... my life is awesome.... ZERO SIDE EFFECTS except perhaps increased motivation (thanks to abilify... you definately feel the increased motivation once the "wired tired" etc side effects go away)

to each his own... but if you can hang in there and give it a fair shot, please do so

 

Re: Abilify-Cybercafe

Posted by Lazarus on April 22, 2004, at 15:36:17

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by cybercafe on April 22, 2004, at 7:01:57

> .... my life is awesome....

Congratulations on your progress!

Lazarus

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet » Lazarus

Posted by jparsell82 on April 22, 2004, at 16:00:02

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by Lazarus on April 21, 2004, at 17:40:58

> Abilify is a great med once you get past the akathisia, and you will get past it. I have found that it has good anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects. Also, it makes me less inhibited. I socialize much better with others and with much less fear. Lastly, it has stopped the horrible rapid cycling. For me it is truly a miracle drug.
>
> Lazarus

Too late, I just absolutely couldn't stand the way I was feeling. My legs wouldn't stop moving. I was so impatient, restless and frustrated that it was making me mad. Even when I cut the 10mg into thirds. Did you have this type of experience(this bad) when you first started Abilify? How long did it take to go away? I'm not sure if I'm gonna start it back up... I go to the doc on Saturday.

 

Re: Abilify-jparsell82

Posted by Lazarus on April 22, 2004, at 17:30:17

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet » Lazarus, posted by jparsell82 on April 22, 2004, at 16:00:02


> I was so impatient, restless and frustrated that it was making me mad. Even when I cut the 10mg into thirds. Did you have this type of experience(this bad) when you first started Abilify?

Yes, I experienced akathisia when I first began Abilify treatment, though not as badly as you experienced. I average 3.75 mg daily (the range being 2.5 - 5.0 mg).

>How long did it take to go away?

Six months. I put up with the akathisia because at least I felt alive; Zyprexa made me feel dead.

>I'm not sure if I'm gonna start it back up.

Try 2.5 mg daily to start. It now comes in 5 mg tablets which can easily be split with a good pill cutter.

Good luck,
Lazarus

 

Re: Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness

Posted by tyagua on April 22, 2004, at 23:37:13

In reply to Abilify experiences?? agitation, restlessness, posted by jparsell82 on April 19, 2004, at 12:22:21

I had akathasia the same intensity you do. It was a wicked thing and I am sorry you had to experience it. I couldn't hang in there the way they wanted me to. I tried but after two weeks I was in my pdocs office begging for mercy. So I can sympathisize. Good Luck and take care- Ty

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet

Posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2004, at 3:32:55

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet » Lazarus, posted by jparsell82 on April 22, 2004, at 16:00:02

> > Abilify is a great med once you get past the akathisia, and you will get past it. I have found that it has good anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects. Also, it makes me less inhibited. I socialize much better with others and with much less fear. Lastly, it has stopped the horrible rapid cycling. For me it is truly a miracle drug.
> >
> > Lazarus
>
> Too late, I just absolutely couldn't stand the way I was feeling. My legs wouldn't stop moving. I was so impatient, restless and frustrated that it was making me mad. Even when I cut the 10mg into thirds. Did you have this type of experience(this bad) when you first started Abilify? How long did it take to go away? I'm not sure if I'm gonna start it back up... I go to the doc on Saturday.
>
>

maybe abilify isn't the drug for you... but have you considered

1) start at lower dose
2) add beta blocker
3) add anticholinergic
4) add benzo

etc etc etc

 

Re: Abilify-jparsell82

Posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2004, at 3:34:54

In reply to Re: Abilify-jparsell82, posted by Lazarus on April 22, 2004, at 17:30:17

>
> > I was so impatient, restless and frustrated that it was making me mad. Even when I cut the 10mg into thirds. Did you have this type of experience(this bad) when you first started Abilify?
>
> Yes, I experienced akathisia when I first began Abilify treatment, though not as badly as you experienced. I average 3.75 mg daily (the range being 2.5 - 5.0 mg).
>
> >How long did it take to go away?
>
> Six months. I put up with the akathisia because at least I felt alive; Zyprexa made me feel dead.

6 months??? i think i felt this wired tired feeling for perhaps 3 weeks (guessing), and then after that it was just a motivated feeling to do things ... a great feeling ... of course i was already taking benzos for anxiety and had some zyrpexa in my system as i was coming off it so maybe these helped a bit??


>
> >I'm not sure if I'm gonna start it back up.
>
> Try 2.5 mg daily to start. It now comes in 5 mg tablets which can easily be split with a good pill cutter.
>
> Good luck,
> Lazarus
>
>

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet

Posted by awatts on April 23, 2004, at 14:05:07

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2004, at 3:32:55

> maybe abilify isn't the drug for you... but have you considered
>
> 1) start at lower dose
> 2) add beta blocker
> 3) add anticholinergic
> 4) add benzo

Good idea. Valium and Inderal might be a good combination. Abilify can be so great that you need to give it a chance.

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet

Posted by justplainflakey on April 23, 2004, at 15:00:59

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by awatts on April 23, 2004, at 14:05:07

Like everyone is saying, abilify can be an outstanding option. I realize that each of us is different and meds can therfore work differantly for any individual, but there are other ways of dealing with the akathasia such as those previously suggested. If you react like I did after 2 months or less of being off of abilify you will want to try it again because nothing else seems normal.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet » cybercafe

Posted by jparsell82 on April 23, 2004, at 17:48:59

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2004, at 3:32:55

> > > Abilify is a great med once you get past the akathisia, and you will get past it. I have found that it has good anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects. Also, it makes me less inhibited. I socialize much better with others and with much less fear. Lastly, it has stopped the horrible rapid cycling. For me it is truly a miracle drug.
> > >
> > > Lazarus
> >
> > Too late, I just absolutely couldn't stand the way I was feeling. My legs wouldn't stop moving. I was so impatient, restless and frustrated that it was making me mad. Even when I cut the 10mg into thirds. Did you have this type of experience(this bad) when you first started Abilify? How long did it take to go away? I'm not sure if I'm gonna start it back up... I go to the doc on Saturday.
> >
> >
>
> maybe abilify isn't the drug for you... but have you considered
>
> 1) start at lower dose
> 2) add beta blocker
> 3) add anticholinergic
> 4) add benzo
>
> etc etc etc

Maybe Abilify just doesn't go right with my body. Yeah I tried adding Inderal and Bentyl at the same time(plus I take Klonopin 3x/day) for the akathisia but still had the extreme restlessness. I had motivation... but it was a weird motivation that I didn't like. I was also in a bad mood... completely anti-social. One a side note at the same time I was starting the Abilify I was also starting Lamictal... I don't know if that would add to the problem. I go to the doctor tomorrow. I'm currently just taking Klonopin and Lamictal. I'd like to add something maybe dopaminergic or provigil to help my ADD and maybe try a low dose of Lexapro although I haven't had to good of results with Ssris. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

Abilify for bipolar - mania without euphoria or

Posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2004, at 21:50:38

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by awatts on April 23, 2004, at 14:05:07

i find that at low doses of abilify, i get a little hypomanic.. but i can't feel any euphoria and my libido is somewhat diminished... other people notice the same thing?

in general i am surprised that i am taking parnate and don't have a stronger libido

 

Re: Abilify for bipolar and dysphoria

Posted by Lazarus on April 26, 2004, at 17:59:45

In reply to Abilify for bipolar - mania without euphoria or, posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2004, at 21:50:38

> i find that at low doses of abilify, i get a little hypomanic.. but i can't feel any euphoria and my libido is somewhat diminished... other people notice the same thing?

Abilify does not affect my libido at all. Strattera, however, completely kills it.

Excessive amounts of sun is what is causing my current hypomania. Like you, my current hypomania is dysphoric rather than euphoric. An appointment with my pdoc yesterday did not result in an explanation as to why I'm dysphoric. He said to take Gabitril, 2 to 4 mg. twice a day. It's too soon to present an analysis of it.

Lazarus

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet

Posted by andie7 on April 26, 2004, at 21:17:55

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2004, at 3:32:55

Can I jump in on this thread? I started Abilify four weeks ago and have been horribly impulsive and speedy since! I started on 2.5 mg for a week then up to 5mg. I have basically hit mania, I think. Staying out, binge drinking, getting in trouble. I'm usually a responsible person but it seems like I can't stop the "GO GO GO" feeling with the Abilify. I'm going back to the pdoc tomorrow. I've heard such great things about the drug, I hate to quit. But if its going to put me into mania I guess I don't have a choice.

Andi

I'm also on Trileptal 450mg and Zoloft 200mg q d.

 

Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet-Andie

Posted by Lazarus on April 27, 2004, at 14:53:08

In reply to Re: Abilify-Don't give up yet, posted by andie7 on April 26, 2004, at 21:17:55

Abilify has strong anti-depressent effects. If you're taking Abilify you may not have to take Zoloft. I suspect that it's the Zoloft that's exacerbating your mania, not the Abilify.

Lazarus

 

Re: Abilify for bipolar and dysphoria

Posted by cybercafe on April 28, 2004, at 9:14:17

In reply to Re: Abilify for bipolar and dysphoria, posted by Lazarus on April 26, 2004, at 17:59:45

> > i find that at low doses of abilify, i get a little hypomanic.. but i can't feel any euphoria and my libido is somewhat diminished... other people notice the same thing?
>
> Abilify does not affect my libido at all. Strattera, however, completely kills it.
>
> Excessive amounts of sun is what is causing my current hypomania. Like you, my current hypomania is dysphoric rather than euphoric. An appointment with my pdoc yesterday did not result in an explanation as to why I'm dysphoric. He said to take Gabitril, 2 to 4 mg. twice a day. It's too soon to present an analysis of it.

oh i should clarify

a) abilify kicks butt
b) my current mania is not dysphoric (bad) just not as pleasurable as without meds... it's still great to see all of these opportunities around me and want to take advantage of all of them
c) i could easily go back to complete stability by raising my dosage back to 3 mg? or so

 

Re: Abilify for bipolar and dysphoria

Posted by Lazarus on April 28, 2004, at 22:28:46

In reply to Re: Abilify for bipolar and dysphoria, posted by cybercafe on April 28, 2004, at 9:14:17

>
> abilify kicks butt

Yes, yes, yes, it's my favorite med.

Lazarus

 

Re: Abilify for bipolar and dysphoria

Posted by cybercafe on April 30, 2004, at 13:22:42

In reply to Re: Abilify for bipolar and dysphoria, posted by Lazarus on April 28, 2004, at 22:28:46

> >
> > abilify kicks butt
>
> Yes, yes, yes, it's my favorite med.
>
> Lazarus
>

dude i love this drug! solves so many problems for me... mood stability, and allows me to take stimulants (for ADD) without any psychosis ...
and no side effects except increased motivation!!!
i can't beleive i can get away with such a small dose!!

i used to take, for example, huge amounts of depakote, be tired ALL the time, fall asleep at work, and it still did nothing to get rid of my daily euphoria/depression switches ... not to mention raising my cholesterol like crazy etc....

when i went to have general blood work i FREAKED at how fast my cholesterol went down so low after switching from depakote->zyprexa->abilify ....

anyway... gotta make a trip to buffalo soon.... anyone wanna join me? :) anyone live in buffalo want to hang out? .....

i really wish someone would legalize abilify for canada and the UK ... i try telling people there is NOTHING like it, but regulatory bodies, while not willing ot hear what i have to say or having a clue what they're talking about, confidently state that i should easily just be able to take a different antipsychotic, there is no need for a special order, etc....

Ugggggggggggg

 

Re: Abilify-Best AP on the market

Posted by Lazarus on April 30, 2004, at 19:27:34

In reply to Re: Abilify for bipolar and dysphoria, posted by cybercafe on April 30, 2004, at 13:22:42


> i can't beleive i can get away with such a small dose!!

Abilify is high potency....I take only 2.5 to 5 mg daily and it provides excellent mood stability.

> anyway... gotta make a trip to buffalo soon.... anyone wanna join me? :) anyone live in buffalo want to hang out? .....

Sorry, but I live in Los Angeles. :)

>regulatory bodies state that i should easily just be able to take a different antipsychotic, there is no need for a special order, etc....

They are wrong. There isn't another antipsychotic on the market which is like Abilify. Zyprexa is a heavy, depressing drug, Seroquel is ineffective, Geodon can result in sudden death and Risperdal gives akathisia and in rare cases TD. Abilify, on the other hand, is light, motivating and highly effective in controlling symptoms. It really is the best antipsychotic on the market.

Be well my friend.

Lazarus

 

Re: Abilify-Best AP on the market

Posted by cybercafe on May 1, 2004, at 8:02:36

In reply to Re: Abilify-Best AP on the market, posted by Lazarus on April 30, 2004, at 19:27:34

>
> > i can't beleive i can get away with such a small dose!!
>
> Abilify is high potency....I take only 2.5 to 5 mg daily and it provides excellent mood stability.
>
> > anyway... gotta make a trip to buffalo soon.... anyone wanna join me? :) anyone live in buffalo want to hang out? .....
>
> Sorry, but I live in Los Angeles. :)
>
> >regulatory bodies state that i should easily just be able to take a different antipsychotic, there is no need for a special order, etc....
>
> They are wrong. There isn't another antipsychotic on the market which is like Abilify. Zyprexa is a heavy, depressing drug, Seroquel is ineffective, Geodon can result in sudden death and Risperdal gives akathisia and in rare cases TD. Abilify, on the other hand, is light, motivating and highly effective in controlling symptoms. It really is the best antipsychotic on the market.
>
> Be well my friend.

Dude that is an awesome summary! I should print it out and throw it in their face and see what they have to say. Apparently it is physically possible for me to ask for gov't assistance to pay for a trip to buffalo, but it would take months of red tape. Arrrrg

Best wishes bro


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