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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by surfaced on February 13, 2006, at 1:11:08
anyone on Abilify? my doc wants me to take it with Effexor to stablize my mood..i was given risperdal in the past but i only took it a couple of days because i was completly zombied out when i took it. does that go away?
Posted by TJO on February 13, 2006, at 6:04:23
In reply to has anyone been on Abilify ?, posted by surfaced on February 13, 2006, at 1:11:08
Hi,
I take Abilfy 30 mg in the am. And took Risperdal in the past although I didnt find it to be sedating. The Abilify gives me dry mouth occasionally but no other side effects. I did have a touch of akathesia in the begiining but that went away. Akathesia is something like being restless and not happy where you are but not happy doing anything else either. Mine was rather mild, only lasted for about 10 minutes at a time very infrequently the first few days.Risperdal - I took it as an antipsychotic and took 3 mg daily. It works very well to get rid of mania. However it also does a good job of putting on weight. I switched to Seroquel, which I am much happier with.
Tammy
Posted by redscarlet on February 13, 2006, at 10:35:21
In reply to has anyone been on Abilify ?, posted by surfaced on February 13, 2006, at 1:11:08
I take Abilfy 2.5 mg in the am for my bipolar illness.
I'm trying 5 mg today to see how that works out.
It does give me a little akathesia from it so I hope the 5 mg will not make it worse.
I would recommend if you do start Abilfy that you start with a VERY low dose then work your way up.
In fact my doctor told me last Thursday that the Abilfy drug rep told him they are coming out with a 2 mg pill.
So start low.HTH, have a good day... :-)
Posted by yxibow on February 14, 2006, at 2:27:22
In reply to has anyone been on Abilify ?, posted by surfaced on February 13, 2006, at 1:11:08
> anyone on Abilify? my doc wants me to take it with Effexor to stablize my mood..i was given risperdal in the past but i only took it a couple of days because i was completly zombied out when i took it. does that go away?
If you're like a lot of people, Abilify will give you the opposite -- Akathisia. I couldn't stand it after a while, I was disappointed because of its novel effects I figured it wouldn't. But another here said it went away after a while. So maybe you'll have better luck. In the meanwhile if you get it, Akineton or Artane are a good help until it dissipates, if it does.
Posted by theo on February 15, 2006, at 22:56:35
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » surfaced, posted by redscarlet on February 13, 2006, at 10:35:21
I got the 2mg pills today. I was also taking the 5mg and cutting them for 2.5mg, not to convenient. I'm glad they came out with these 2mg pills!
Posted by redscarlet on February 16, 2006, at 7:32:14
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » redscarlet, posted by theo on February 15, 2006, at 22:56:35
Hi Theo ~ Yea it not easy cutting the 5mg in half even with a good pill splitter.
I'm glad to hear you got the 2mg pills. I'll get those at my next pdoc appointment next month.Have a GREAT day... :-)
Posted by redscarlet on February 19, 2006, at 14:30:58
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » redscarlet, posted by theo on February 15, 2006, at 22:56:35
Well I'm stopped the Abilify I just can't take the akathisia from it !
I can't keep my legs still to save my life and it's driving me CRAZY !
The only time I have any relief is when I'm sleeping but once my sleeping meds wear off it starts right back up.Theo ~ Do you have any problems with akathisia from the Abilify ?
Posted by theo on February 19, 2006, at 15:38:35
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » theo, posted by redscarlet on February 19, 2006, at 14:30:58
Before throwing in the towel with Abilify, I would try the new 2mg pills. I can't explain why, but I feel much better now that I am taking the 2mg pill versus breaking 5mg pills and taking 2.5mg. No akathesia.
It's amazing how such a microdose can make a difference.
Posted by redscarlet on February 19, 2006, at 17:41:53
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » redscarlet, posted by theo on February 19, 2006, at 15:38:35
Thanks Theo ~ I will try and get the 2mg pills at my next pdoc appointment on March 9th.
But I just don't think I can take this akathisia until then. Maybe I will try and cut the 2.5 mg in half and try that.
I know I haven't had any Abilify for two days and I still have the akathisia !
Sure hope it goes away soon so I don't go totally CRAZY !!! :-|
Posted by platinumbride on February 19, 2006, at 18:52:51
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » theo, posted by redscarlet on February 19, 2006, at 17:41:53
I too am having a time of it with akathisia and abilify.
My sister, however, did not and does not.Neurontin and klonopin help, but not nearly enough.
When my sis was feeling anxious, her doc upped her dose 5 mgs. And her anxiety abated. Go figure.
Diane
Posted by theo on February 20, 2006, at 7:55:54
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » theo, posted by redscarlet on February 19, 2006, at 17:41:53
I would cut the 2.5mg in half, I did. That will be a true test versus bailing out completely. Hang in there and keep me posted. Can you call your doc and ask him for the 2mg instead of waiting until March 9th?
Posted by redscarlet on February 20, 2006, at 12:15:42
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » redscarlet, posted by theo on February 20, 2006, at 7:55:54
Thanks Theo ~ I will try cutting the 2.5 mg in half and take that but I must say I'm scared but I'll do it.
After two whole days off the Abilify today I feel the akathisia is a little bit better, just a little but I'll go ahead and take some.
I really don't want to call my doctor, I just called him last Thursday. If I can hang in there it would be better.
Do you feel that the Abilify helps you with depression, that's if you even have depression ? That's the main reason I'm taking it for is the depression I get from my bipolar.Thanks... :-)
Posted by platinumbride on February 20, 2006, at 12:25:51
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » theo, posted by redscarlet on February 20, 2006, at 12:15:42
I think it has definiely helped with the depression from Bipolar II that I have.
But it deefinitely drives me crazy...like i can't sit still.Call your doc. he put you on the med, after all, and he might have something to help the akathisia.
I think I will take my own advice on that one...
Diane
> Thanks Theo ~ I will try cutting the 2.5 mg in half and take that but I must say I'm scared but I'll do it.
> After two whole days off the Abilify today I feel the akathisia is a little bit better, just a little but I'll go ahead and take some.
> I really don't want to call my doctor, I just called him last Thursday. If I can hang in there it would be better.
> Do you feel that the Abilify helps you with depression, that's if you even have depression ? That's the main reason I'm taking it for is the depression I get from my bipolar.
>
> Thanks... :-)
>
Posted by redscarlet on February 20, 2006, at 12:46:47
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ?, posted by platinumbride on February 20, 2006, at 12:25:51
Thanks Diane ~ It's good to know it helps with depression. I sure don't want to be going through all this for nothing !
I'm just taking some Benadryl to help with the akathisia, it helps some.
I may have to break down and call my pdoc back but I'm going to try to see how cutting the 2.5 mgs in half works for a few days then go from there.
Let us know how your doing and what your doctor say's.Hope you feel better soon & Thanks again... :-)
P.S. Stay away from Cogentin for akathisia, it dilated my eyes to the point I could not see for days !
Posted by platinumbride on February 20, 2006, at 13:15:30
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » platinumbride, posted by redscarlet on February 20, 2006, at 12:46:47
My pleasure!
Thanks for the cogentin tip. Jeesh!
I can't do benadryl.I'm a singer and it dries me out too much :(.
I really felt better almost immediately (in terms of depression) at the 5 mg. dose.
I am already cutting 10 mgs tabs in half, so the 2.5 mg is nearly impossible for a clutz like me!
I could cut this akathisia thing totally if I weren't trying to cut down on neurontin (I was taking like 8000 mgs and up daily...self-medicating)
I do hope the benadryl gives you some real relief and that the abilify will make you feel better soon.
As long as I am moving around I can deal, I guess.
Best to you...
Diane
> Thanks Diane ~ It's good to know it helps with depression. I sure don't want to be going through all this for nothing !
> I'm just taking some Benadryl to help with the akathisia, it helps some.
> I may have to break down and call my pdoc back but I'm going to try to see how cutting the 2.5 mgs in half works for a few days then go from there.
> Let us know how your doing and what your doctor say's.
>
> Hope you feel better soon & Thanks again... :-)
>
> P.S. Stay away from Cogentin for akathisia, it dilated my eyes to the point I could not see for days !
>
Posted by theo on February 22, 2006, at 7:41:25
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » theo, posted by redscarlet on February 20, 2006, at 12:15:42
Yes, I'm taking it for depression. That low grade, blah like everything is negative feeling. It does remove this doom and gloom from my life.
Posted by redscarlet on February 28, 2006, at 20:26:51
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » redscarlet, posted by theo on February 22, 2006, at 7:41:25
Well Theo, I gave up....
I stopped the Abilify, I just can't take the akathisia from it !
I tried taking Benadryl to help with the akathisia but it was still there.
So I started taking 25mg of Seroquel in it's place and I feel so much better.
The Seroquel also helps me with sleep so that's a good thing.Just thought I let you know what the out come was...
Have a Good night... :-)
Posted by platinumbride on March 1, 2006, at 5:36:13
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » platinumbride, posted by redscarlet on February 20, 2006, at 12:46:47
>P.S. Stay away from Cogentin for akathisia, it dilated my eyes to the point I could not see for days !
Guess what I got for akathisia. Cogentin! My eyes aren't dilated, but everything is dry in the upper resperatory area. This is a nightmare for a singer (OK, once upon a time singer who is trying it again).
1 tablet was not enough 2 days ago, but the 2 I took last night knocked me right out. All motivation left me.
Are there any options that are not antihistamines? Guess I'll be making this doctor earn every penny by calling and emailing him all the time!!!
Diane
Posted by redscarlet on March 1, 2006, at 15:30:42
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » redscarlet, posted by platinumbride on March 1, 2006, at 5:36:13
Hi Diane ~ Sorry I don't have an answer for you but I hope you feel better soon.
Let us know what your doctor say's
Take Care & I bet your an AWESOME singer... :-)
Posted by platinumbride on March 1, 2006, at 19:04:38
In reply to Re: has anyone been on Abilify ? » platinumbride, posted by redscarlet on March 1, 2006, at 15:30:42
Thank you anyway, Red (my fave color).
Hope you find some relief soon...
Diane
> Hi Diane ~ Sorry I don't have an answer for you but I hope you feel better soon.
> Let us know what your doctor say's
> Take Care & I bet your an AWESOME singer... :-)
>
This is the end of the thread.
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