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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Enigma on September 22, 2007, at 6:59:01
The first drug after about 25 failures that has actually controlled my irritability problems, AND my severe depression, and of course, I can barely sleep now. I can't nap, can barely get a 1-2 hours (tops) in a row at night, have invomnia (for me - can't get to sleep) and sleep disturbances (re-occurring frustrating dreams, can't stay asleep, etc.
It's so bad, my memory is negatively affected (from lack of deep sleep), I'm exhausted and wired all at the same time. It's kinda like a living hell. Sure, I could add the drug to the giant pile of failed meds, but never before has one med helped my depression and irritability. Not I'm getting irritable anyway, and haven't memory holes (like ECT did to me) from the lack of sleep.
I tried going down to only 1 pill a day, 2 mg. That didn't help. Side-effects are right there. I tried many sleep aids, both OTC and prescription, with no luck. Even tried Melatonin. I'll still have to try 4 mg of Klonny, or Clonazepam (sp?). I feel like I don't have a grip on reality..
Will this side effect ever go away? Problem is, you can function well with such little sleep, well, at least I can't, and I don't know much longer I can live like this.
Please help.
Posted by Emme on September 22, 2007, at 9:27:15
In reply to Abilify - do the side effects ever improve, posted by Enigma on September 22, 2007, at 6:59:01
Hi. How long have you been on the Abilify? Your situation may very well improve. The terrible insomnia and frequent waking went away for me after about 8 weeks. While waiting for the insomnia to resolve, I found a low dose of Seroquel very helpful. Ambien, Lunesta, and Rozerem did not help me with sleep, but may work for you. A dash of Seroquel works extremely well, although I rarely need it anymore. Don't give up on Abilify yet! Good luck.
emme
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2007, at 11:37:09
In reply to Re: Abilify - do the side effects ever improve » Enigma, posted by Emme on September 22, 2007, at 9:27:15
I certainly empathize with you on no sleep. As after only 2 days I'm in some wierd place as I can't go without sleep. But I'd try Emme's suggestions first as you say it's helping depression or did I misread? Good luck. Keep us posted. Phillipa
Posted by Enigma on September 22, 2007, at 16:34:16
In reply to Re: Abilify - do the side effects ever improve » Enigma, posted by Emme on September 22, 2007, at 9:27:15
> Hi. How long have you been on the Abilify? Your situation may very well improve. The terrible insomnia and frequent waking went away for me after about 8 weeks. While waiting for the insomnia to resolve, I found a low dose of Seroquel very helpful. Ambien, Lunesta, and Rozerem did not help me with sleep, but may work for you. A dash of Seroquel works extremely well, although I rarely need it anymore. Don't give up on Abilify yet! Good luck.
>
> emmeThanks Emme and Phillipa.
I've been on the Abilify for about 3 weeks. I might even have some Seroquel left over from when I used to take it. My wife read that Benzo's (I forget what class Seroquel is in) may help with sleep too. I still have a bunch of Klonopin I can try.
Sleeping pills never helped me with the insomnia Nardil gave me, having tried all but Rozerem.I started Abilify and Selegiline for depression and mood stabilization. I'm an atypical bipolar II. I already quit the Seleg. for now as I can't deal with the sweating side-effect, and, Abilify alone did wonders for both the irritability and depression.
I just woke up from a nap, since I barely slept at all last night. I usually can't nap, but I did take 2mg of Knonopin before, and then I was able to nap. I'm only on 1/2 my dose of Abilify, hoping it will still work, and maybe the side-effects wouldn't be so bad, but latter isn't true, so maybe I'll go back to my regular dose. I was going to stay on the low dose until my body got used to it.. not sure if it "works that way" or not.
Take care.
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2007, at 21:50:33
In reply to Re: Abilify - do the side effects ever improve, posted by Enigma on September 22, 2007, at 16:34:16
Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic as well as abilify. Do the google med checker and see if you can take two atypical antipsychotics at the same time or call you doc and ask. Phillipa
Posted by Netch on September 23, 2007, at 8:33:58
In reply to Re: Abilify - do the side effects ever improve » Enigma, posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2007, at 21:50:33
Seroquel or Remeron may improve your sleep
Posted by Enigma on September 23, 2007, at 9:38:54
In reply to Re: Abilify - do the side effects ever improve » Enigma, posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2007, at 21:50:33
I took to Klonnies, or K-pin, as I like to call it... and I slept pretty good, but I've only been on 1/2 the dose of Abilify, so we'll see what happens when I move up.
Sadly, I drank (out with a buddy) the other night, and the alcohol did NOT agree with the Abilify, at least for me. I felt very dizzy, nauseas, etc.. I had to stop drinking and stick to water for the rest of the night. I was hoping this was one med I could still socially drink on... guess not for me. I could never drink on any MAOI I took, and many others (which is normal, I know).
What's a low dose of Seroquel?
Posted by stargazer2 on September 24, 2007, at 9:33:46
In reply to Abilify - do the side ... thanks for the help!, posted by Enigma on September 23, 2007, at 9:38:54
Posted by Emme on September 24, 2007, at 10:14:04
In reply to Abilify - do the side ... thanks for the help!, posted by Enigma on September 23, 2007, at 9:38:54
Posted by Enigma on September 24, 2007, at 16:42:58
In reply to Abilify - do the side effects ever improve, posted by Enigma on September 22, 2007, at 6:59:01
Well, I tried Klonopin, 4mg (I used to take it to help me sleep and for anxiety and irritability), and actually slept that night!
I always also tired the entire next day, which doesn't happen to me on K-pin alone.
I lowered the dose to 2mg (I have 2mg tabs) and slept well again (I think), and was exhausted the next day again. I think mixing the two drugs is causing this.
I even fell asleep in my chair, at my pc, then had to go take a nap, even after 7 hours of sleep.I'll take the sleep over the insomnia any day, but this complete 180 is driving me nuts. I feel like a walking drug lab/guinea pig/etc. I went from not being able to sleep and not being able to nap, to having no energy and being exhausted.
Still have to see if I have any Seroquel, but I have a feeling the bottle is empty, and I'm not sure my pdoc will write me any. It's worth a shot I guess.
My mood had even gone downhill again, which is odd, as K-pin, if anything, usually made me feel a little better.
Oh well. I'll use up the last few days of 2mg Abilify, and move up to the 5mg tabs I have (which was the original plan). I owe a call to my doc anyway, but I hate calling him, as he's impossible to reach, and makes you feel like you are interrupting him from brain surgery. Then there's the part were he barely listens.. find another doctor you say? Don't even get me started...
This is the end of the thread.
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