![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by yesac on December 11, 2006, at 12:30:51
I've been having really severe attention problems lately. I was wondering if anyone has experienced that while taking Abilify. It's complicated because I already have ADD, but it seems to be even worse lately... I've been taking Abilify for a few weeks (but now I've stopped it)... so I've started wondering if Abilify could cause or worsen attention problems.
Posted by med_empowered on December 11, 2006, at 13:35:11
In reply to Abilify attention problems, posted by yesac on December 11, 2006, at 12:30:51
yup. Neuroleptics tend to make people dumb(er), so if you have pre-existing attention problems, those could get worse. All the atypicals made me stupid while I was on them, so I'd really recommend staying away from them unless you feel an absolute need to take neuroleptics.
Posted by yesac on December 11, 2006, at 14:17:22
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems, posted by med_empowered on December 11, 2006, at 13:35:11
> yup. Neuroleptics tend to make people dumb(er), so if you have pre-existing attention problems, those could get worse. All the atypicals made me stupid while I was on them, so I'd really recommend staying away from them unless you feel an absolute need to take neuroleptics.
That's what I thought... but it's interesting because you don't really see it listed as a side effect anywhere. I haven't had any problems with Seroquel (or the other atypicals)-- at least I don't think so, but it's hard to tell-- but Abilify is making things seriously bad in terms of attention. It's also complicated because I'm extremely depressed/distressed which obviously affects attention as well. So I thought that by blaming Abilify, maybe I was just looking for an excuse. I don't know though. My attention is REALLY bad, like worse than ever. What bothers me is that I've been off of it for a few days, and my side effects (including the attention problems) haven't really gotten better. How long should it take? Maybe I'm just being impatient expecting them to resolve after a few days.
I'd like to get off Seroquel. I've been trying to for the past 7 or 8 months, but it hasn't worked out.
Posted by TrishP on December 11, 2006, at 15:49:50
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems » med_empowered, posted by yesac on December 11, 2006, at 14:17:22
Yes, yes, yes. I have a slight case of ADD and Abilify makes it almost impossible to watch TV, read a book or concentrate at work. I find myself flipping the channels constantly. I can't seem to focus.
Wellbutrin was GREAT for my slight ADD, but it made me irritable. I go back to the doc in Jan. and it might be worth doing soemthing about.
Posted by med_empowered on December 11, 2006, at 16:16:52
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems » med_empowered, posted by yesac on December 11, 2006, at 14:17:22
Im not a doc or anything but..I can see how seroquel might be part of the attention problem. For me, seroquel was so mind-numbing I was almost unable to make change when going to the bank. It was terrible.
Sometimes fewer drugs=better results. Its an oft-overlooked fact in modern psychiatry. Have you tried awareness training or some sort of meditative practice? Short-term, its a pain (I'm just starting myself), but long-term, it seems like the effects are very, ver worthwhile. Its good for ADHD, but also helps pretty much any other psychiatric/emotional disturbance imaginable.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2006, at 17:43:29
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems, posted by med_empowered on December 11, 2006, at 16:16:52
Med aren't you off all meds now? How did you manage that and what prompted it. Love Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on December 11, 2006, at 22:54:58
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems » med_empowered, posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2006, at 17:43:29
Yeah, I'm off all meds. I had a hospital stay and while there I realized that alot of psychiatry was full of s**t. its a long story, but I came to think that although meds can be helpful, and some people do better on meds, alot of the meds are useless and harmful, and alot of the stuff we're told as "patients" is degrading and ultimately counterproductive (for example: I don't think being told you have a "diseased brain" and need meds to "fix" whats wrong with you provides the self-esteem one needs to face down life).
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2006, at 22:58:01
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems, posted by med_empowered on December 11, 2006, at 22:54:58
I just e-mailed you. Please answer this time. Okay? Love Jan/Phillipa
Posted by theo on December 11, 2006, at 23:03:48
In reply to YES - Abilify attention problems, posted by TrishP on December 11, 2006, at 15:49:50
> Wellbutrin was GREAT for my slight ADD, but it made me irritable. I go back to the doc in Jan. and it might be worth doing soemthing about.
What version of Wellbutrin were you taking regular, SR or XL?
Posted by TrishP on December 12, 2006, at 6:56:16
In reply to Re: YES - Abilify attention problems » TrishP, posted by theo on December 11, 2006, at 23:03:48
> > Wellbutrin was GREAT for my slight ADD, but it made me irritable. I go back to the doc in Jan. and it might be worth doing soemthing about.
>
> What version of Wellbutrin were you taking regular, SR or XL?
>
>
I took both. I liked the SR better - twice a day. The XL seemed to wear off by the afternoon.
Posted by yesac on December 12, 2006, at 14:10:31
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems, posted by med_empowered on December 11, 2006, at 16:16:52
> Im not a doc or anything but..I can see how seroquel might be part of the attention problem. For me, seroquel was so mind-numbing I was almost unable to make change when going to the bank. It was terrible.
Well, like I said, I'm trying to get off of it. I haven't picked up on any obvious attention problems due directly to Seroquel, but then again, I haven't been looking for them. On the other hand, it seemed very obvious to me that my attention problems had worsened on Abilify (and still haven't gotten much better). It's so hard to tell since I already have pretty bad attention difficulties to begin with.
> Sometimes fewer drugs=better results.
I completely agree.
> Have you tried awareness training or some sort of meditative practice? Short-term, its a pain (I'm just starting myself), but long-term, it seems like the effects are very, ver worthwhile. Its good for ADHD, but also helps pretty much any other psychiatric/emotional disturbance imaginable.
Yes, I've been trying to get into meditation/mindfulness over the past few months. I saw Jon Kabat-Zinn speak, and I've been reading books and listening to tapes about meditation (and some guided meditations). You're right-- it's supposed to be good for all these problems-- mental, physical, spiritual, everything. But so far I haven't seen any positive results. I'm not sure how long it takes and how much meditation you actually have to do. I've been doing it a bit sporadically.
Posted by yesac on December 12, 2006, at 14:19:34
In reply to YES - Abilify attention problems, posted by TrishP on December 11, 2006, at 15:49:50
> Yes, yes, yes. I have a slight case of ADD and Abilify makes it almost impossible to watch TV, read a book or concentrate at work. I find myself flipping the channels constantly. I can't seem to focus.
Yes, that's exactly how it is for me. I mean, normally I have a hard time reading, sitting still, paying attention in meetings. But it's gotten out of control! I can hardly watch TV. Movies are next to impossible. I've been at a couple of plays recently and I found myself looking at my watch thinking "when is the intermission!" It's really really bad. I really hope that since now I'm off the Abilify, these problems will get better.
> Wellbutrin was GREAT for my slight ADD, but it made me irritable. I go back to the doc in Jan. and it might be worth doing soemthing about.
Good luck. Are you still taking the Abilify?
Posted by TrishP on December 12, 2006, at 14:53:29
In reply to Re: YES - Abilify attention problems » TrishP, posted by yesac on December 12, 2006, at 14:19:34
> > Yes, yes, yes. I have a slight case of ADD and Abilify makes it almost impossible to watch TV, read a book or concentrate at work. I find myself flipping the channels constantly. I can't seem to focus.
>
> Yes, that's exactly how it is for me. I mean, normally I have a hard time reading, sitting still, paying attention in meetings. But it's gotten out of control! I can hardly watch TV. Movies are next to impossible. I've been at a couple of plays recently and I found myself looking at my watch thinking "when is the intermission!" It's really really bad. I really hope that since now I'm off the Abilify, these problems will get better.
>
> > Wellbutrin was GREAT for my slight ADD, but it made me irritable. I go back to the doc in Jan. and it might be worth doing soemthing about.
>
> Good luck. Are you still taking the Abilify?I am for now - not sure for how much longer!
Posted by Sebastian on December 13, 2006, at 9:52:45
In reply to Abilify attention problems, posted by yesac on December 11, 2006, at 12:30:51
I only found it to be true when I was taking the medicine it went away after a few weeks to a month. I found it realy hard to concentrate while taking the abilify. Couldn't concentrate in school and I felt realy dumb. I don't have ADD.
Posted by Jon Rollins on December 15, 2006, at 19:16:46
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems, posted by Sebastian on December 13, 2006, at 9:52:45
Most of you are wrong about abilify. My psychiatrist/pharmacologist prescribed me abilify for atypical depression and I have adhd. It is a mood stabilizer in a way and it also helps the negative affect, like lack of inertia and apathy. Abilify can help attention problems for people who are depressed and for people who have adhd. It is a dopamine agonist and antagonist, increasing dopamine levels where needed and also decreasing dopamine levels also, if needed. It is the only drug that does this type of thing, responding to your chemical balance in two different ways depending on your needs. It also acts on serotonin, and it lacks most of the side effects that the other atypicals have, like weight gain and blahness, etc.
Posted by meAgain on December 15, 2006, at 23:21:21
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems, posted by Jon Rollins on December 15, 2006, at 19:16:46
does abilify work better if you take it night or daytime, or does it matter. does it make anyone else tired, it seems to give me a sudden burst of alertness then quickly leads to drugged out sleepy state, anyone experience this? thanks
Posted by Sebastian on December 18, 2006, at 11:05:15
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems, posted by Jon Rollins on December 15, 2006, at 19:16:46
I've just started Abilify and I totaly agree. I can't wait to get off the zyprexa and stop being so tired. Strangly enough I'm not experiencing much withdraw from the zyprexa. I skiped a dose and all the other times I took only half the dose, and I feel better. This is different from when I tried abilify the first couple of times. Last times my anxiety was high and I panicked and felt awfull, no sleep. But now I think I can do it with very little to no zyprexa. This is amazing for how long I've been on it. I feel so much more alert. Its only been 1 week on Abilify this time and I'm very optimistic.
I've also noticed they changed the size and shape of the pills. I wonder if that is of any differnece from the small pills they had before?
Posted by Sebastian on December 18, 2006, at 11:14:59
In reply to Re: Abilify attention problems, posted by meAgain on December 15, 2006, at 23:21:21
What I found that worked well was taking half the dose in the morning then half at supper.
Posted by meAgain on December 18, 2006, at 13:40:58
In reply to Re: YES - Abilify attention problems, posted by TrishP on December 12, 2006, at 14:53:29
Has anyone tried coming off Abilify?were there bad side effects like most other drugs?
Posted by Sebastian on December 20, 2006, at 11:34:54
In reply to Re: YES - Abilify attention problems, posted by meAgain on December 18, 2006, at 13:40:58
I've never had a problem coming off abilify, done it atleast 3 times.
Posted by meAgain on December 21, 2006, at 11:11:45
In reply to Re: YES - Abilify attention problems, posted by Sebastian on December 20, 2006, at 11:34:54
thanks for your feedback!
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.