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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Alvin on May 18, 2005, at 20:21:40
Anyone have good abilify experiences, and if so for how long, and was it used as monotherapy for anxiety, soft bipolar? If you are no longer using, any difficulty withdrawing? My psyc doc is suggesting I try low dose (2.5 mg)- i'm a bit concerned about cognition and weight gain but hear it is supposed to have a good profile in that area. I like the way it seems to work as dopamine/serotonin stabilizer.
Posted by Sabina on May 19, 2005, at 7:14:48
In reply to Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ?, posted by Alvin on May 18, 2005, at 20:21:40
I'm having a very good Abilify experience now, though not as a monotherapy. Should you be interested, you can check out my other current meds here: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050510/msgs/498247.html
I can't speak as to "soft" bipolar, but I don't gamble away the family fortune or try to seduce the bag boy at the grocery store when unmedicated. Then again, I cycle like Lance Armstrong and hear voices...so you decide.
I am on a very low dose (5mg; sometimes every other day, due to it's phenomenally long half life) and I've had no problems with appetite change or cognition; the latter of which is most notable considering that I'm also on Topamax.
Good luck to you.
Posted by Alvin on May 19, 2005, at 11:21:09
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ? » Alvin, posted by Sabina on May 19, 2005, at 7:14:48
Thank you Sabina, I'm pleased to hear that it is working for you. I may try it later this summer when I'm closer to my goal weight, just in case a side effect for me turns out to be unwanted weight gain.
Posted by Declan on May 19, 2005, at 23:40:25
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ? » Alvin, posted by Sabina on May 19, 2005, at 7:14:48
Ah you made me laugh. Seducing the bagboy....I'd just love to be able to do it.
Declan
Posted by zero on May 21, 2005, at 12:20:49
In reply to Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ?, posted by Alvin on May 18, 2005, at 20:21:40
My DX's: BPII (soft bipolar) + Anxiety (Social Phobia, Panic Attacks, GAD).
Added Abilify 2.5mgs/day approx. 2 months ago and it is of great help. It helps my mood, but doesn't make me manic. I am not so "rejection sensitive" as before. Helps with background GAD - ruminating type anxiety. I no longer wake up each morning with a sense of overwhelming dread.
No weight gain or loss. A bit of hands shaking for 1st 2 weeks. Also found I can't take it at night 'cause I wake up after 3 hrs or so and can't get back to sleep - now I take in AM.
Best,
zero
My meds:
Abilify (2.5 mgs./day)
Klonopin (2 mgs./day)
Tegretol (300mgs./day)
Neurontin (400mgs./day)> Anyone have good abilify experiences, and if so for how long, and was it used as monotherapy for anxiety, soft bipolar? If you are no longer using, any difficulty withdrawing? My psyc doc is suggesting I try low dose (2.5 mg)- i'm a bit concerned about cognition and weight gain but hear it is supposed to have a good profile in that area. I like the way it seems to work as dopamine/serotonin stabilizer.
Posted by ed_uk on May 21, 2005, at 13:01:15
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ?, posted by Alvin on May 19, 2005, at 11:21:09
Hi Alvin!
You asked me about Abilify in your post below. I wasn't sure how to answer because I wasn't quite sure what you were asking lol :-) What would you like to know?
Kind regards,
Ed.PS. I will have to reply quickly because I'm studying for exams at the moment- I might take a while to reply.
Posted by Alvin on May 21, 2005, at 17:03:25
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ? » Alvin, posted by zero on May 21, 2005, at 12:20:49
Thank you so much Zero; you sound very similar to me in your diagnosis, but I think you have more anxiety than I do. I do experience a lot of rejection sensitivity so it sounds like something that may really be helpful to me as well. Thank you again. You give me hope.
Posted by Alvin on May 21, 2005, at 18:05:52
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ? » Alvin, posted by ed_uk on May 21, 2005, at 13:01:15
Thanks for your note Ed. I'm new to the board but I'm impressed by your neurological expertise (which I clearly lack, so that's probably why you didn't understand my question) My question relates to ABilify and how its mechanism on dopamine/serotonin receptors differs from Prozac. I did very well on Prozac for a short time up to a certain point when I started to develop serotonin syndrome. (Below is a link explaining serotonin syndrome caused by ssris)
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/serotonin-syndrome-ADF.htm
P.S. I wish you greatest good luck on your exams; though I don't know you, it makes me happy to hear of your pursuits - are your studies related to your impressive knowledge of neurolgical matters?
> Hi Alvin!
>
> You asked me about Abilify in your post below. I wasn't sure how to answer because I wasn't quite sure what you were asking lol :-) What would you like to know?
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.
>
> PS. I will have to reply quickly because I'm studying for exams at the moment- I might take a while to reply.
Posted by Alvin on May 21, 2005, at 21:16:08
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ? » Alvin, posted by ed_uk on May 21, 2005, at 13:01:15
Thanks for your note Ed. I'm new to the board but I'm impressed by your neurological expertise (which I clearly lack, so that's probably why you didn't understand my question) My question relates to ABilify and how its mechanism on dopamine/serotonin receptors differs from Prozac. I did very well on Prozac for a short time up to a certain point when I started to develop serotonin syndrome. (Below is a link explaining serotonin syndrome caused by ssris)
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/serotonin-syndrome-ADF.htm
P.S. I wish you greatest good luck on your exams; though I don't know you, it makes me happy to hear of your pursuits - are your studies related to your impressive knowledge of neurolgical matters?
> Hi Alvin!
>
> You asked me about Abilify in your post below. I wasn't sure how to answer because I wasn't quite sure what you were asking lol :-) What would you like to know?
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.
>
> PS. I will have to reply quickly because I'm studying for exams at the moment- I might take a while to reply.
Posted by ed_uk on May 22, 2005, at 6:50:33
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ? » ed_uk, posted by Alvin on May 21, 2005, at 21:16:08
Hi Alvin,
Prozac and Abilify are very different. Prozac increases the concentration of serotonin between nerve cells, it does this by inhibiting the serotonin reuptake transporter.
Abilify blocks certain serotonin receptors and stimulates other. The major action of Abilify is to bind to dopamine receptors in the brain. Abilify is able to activate these dopamine receptors slightly, but not nearly as much as dopamine itself.
Kind regards,
Ed.>...are your studies.......
PS. I'm doing pharmacy at university.
Posted by Alvin on May 22, 2005, at 9:37:43
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ? » Alvin, posted by ed_uk on May 22, 2005, at 6:50:33
Thank you Ed. Hopefully on a low dose of abilify, I'll avoid the bruxism I experienced from zoloft and the serotonin syndrome of Prozac, and not experience other more disturbing side effects! Thanks for taking time out from your studies....
Posted by ed_uk on May 22, 2005, at 10:20:26
In reply to Re: Dying to know: Good Abilify Experiences ?, posted by Alvin on May 22, 2005, at 9:37:43
Hi!
Be sure to start Abilify with a nice low dose, maybe 2.5mg/day,
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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