![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KaraS on March 16, 2005, at 19:11:38
Can adding Abilify to an SSRI increase energy and/or motivation or does it just help to lift mood?
Posted by med_empowered on March 16, 2005, at 19:30:27
In reply to Abilify for motivation?, posted by KaraS on March 16, 2005, at 19:11:38
in my experience, abilify+anti-depressant (ones I've tried in this combo: celexa, tofranil, tofranil+cymbalta, cymbalta alone) really works mainly on certain depressive symptoms (in my case, the abilify helped eliminate psychotic symptoms in depression; some people find it "lifts" a drug-resistant depression). Anyway, the only real difference I found between Abilify and other atypicals when used w/ an anti-depressant (I tried seroquel and zyprexa) was that the abilify had a better side-effect profile (in my case, this meant no akathisia, weight gain, heavy sedation, anxiety, and a reduced amount of cognitive dulling compared to the other atypicals). Your results may be wildly different, obviously, especially if you work on the dosing. My dose ranged from 10mgs-30mgs, combined with full-dose antidepressant(s).
Posted by KaraS on March 16, 2005, at 22:02:18
In reply to Re: Abilify for motivation?, posted by med_empowered on March 16, 2005, at 19:30:27
> in my experience, abilify+anti-depressant (ones I've tried in this combo: celexa, tofranil, tofranil+cymbalta, cymbalta alone) really works mainly on certain depressive symptoms (in my case, the abilify helped eliminate psychotic symptoms in depression; some people find it "lifts" a drug-resistant depression). Anyway, the only real difference I found between Abilify and other atypicals when used w/ an anti-depressant (I tried seroquel and zyprexa) was that the abilify had a better side-effect profile (in my case, this meant no akathisia, weight gain, heavy sedation, anxiety, and a reduced amount of cognitive dulling compared to the other atypicals). Your results may be wildly different, obviously, especially if you work on the dosing. My dose ranged from 10mgs-30mgs, combined with full-dose antidepressant(s).
Thanks very much for your response! My pdoc has recommended it as a possible aumgentor for me so it may be something I will try in the future.Take care,
Kara
Posted by hffcookie on March 17, 2005, at 13:12:41
In reply to Re: Abilify for motivation? » med_empowered, posted by KaraS on March 16, 2005, at 22:02:18
Hi Kara,
I am wondering the same thing as you. Currently I am on Effexor and Remeron for depression and Adderall for motivation etc. My pdoc wants to add 5mg of Abilify but I haven't started taking it yet (want to see how my increased Remeron script works out.) Best of luck to you! I'll check in and see if anyone has more info for us.
Best,
holly
Posted by KaraS on March 17, 2005, at 16:24:35
In reply to Re: Abilify for motivation?, posted by hffcookie on March 17, 2005, at 13:12:41
> Hi Kara,
>
> I am wondering the same thing as you. Currently I am on Effexor and Remeron for depression and Adderall for motivation etc. My pdoc wants to add 5mg of Abilify but I haven't started taking it yet (want to see how my increased Remeron script works out.) Best of luck to you! I'll check in and see if anyone has more info for us.
>
> Best,
> holly
Hi Holly,I may end up on a similar regimen as you soon(Remeron with either Effexor or Zoloft). Wish I could take Adderall but stimulants put me to sleep. I haven't had motivation for so long that I've forgotten what it's like. I hope you have good luck with the increased Remeron. Let me know how it goes.
Take care,
Kara
Posted by JayDee on March 18, 2005, at 16:24:47
In reply to Re: Abilify for motivation? » hffcookie, posted by KaraS on March 17, 2005, at 16:24:35
Kara, what dosage of adderall have you tried that induced sleepieness? what stims in general have you tried?
Posted by SLS on March 18, 2005, at 16:38:39
In reply to Abilify for motivation?, posted by KaraS on March 16, 2005, at 19:11:38
> Can adding Abilify to an SSRI increase energy and/or motivation or does it just help to lift mood?
I find that it helps with motivation.
- Scott
Posted by KaraS on March 18, 2005, at 20:04:19
In reply to Re: Abilify for motivation?, posted by JayDee on March 18, 2005, at 16:24:47
> Kara, what dosage of adderall have you tried that induced sleepieness? what stims in general have you tried?
I've only tried Ritalin and selegiline.
Posted by KaraS on March 18, 2005, at 20:05:07
In reply to Re: Abilify for motivation?, posted by SLS on March 18, 2005, at 16:38:39
> > Can adding Abilify to an SSRI increase energy and/or motivation or does it just help to lift mood?
>
>
> I find that it helps with motivation.
>
>
> - Scott
Thanks. That's really good to hear.K
Posted by scatterbrained on March 20, 2005, at 23:27:52
In reply to Re: Abilify for motivation? » JayDee, posted by KaraS on March 18, 2005, at 20:04:19
Ritalin seemed to put me too sleep as well, HOWEVER adderal doesn't seem to do that for me.
Posted by KaraS on March 21, 2005, at 12:08:02
In reply to Re: Abilify for motivation? » KaraS, posted by scatterbrained on March 20, 2005, at 23:27:52
> Ritalin seemed to put me too sleep as well, HOWEVER adderal doesn't seem to do that for me.
It may be worth a try for me then. I've also tried some dopaminergic supplements that made me feel tired (and sick) as well so I'm not hopeful but I think it's worth a shot. Thanks.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.