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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 Sheilac on April 24, 2008, at 15:55:21
My doc has added a low dose of Abilify to help brighten my mood. I currently take Seroquel, but since my sex drive died, I am trying to lower my dose to see if that helps.
Should I be concerned about long term effects like weight gain or being unable to get my sex drive back if I stay on these 2 drugs?
I may just try a low dose of Abilify with Xanax as needed.
Posted by jms600 on April 24, 2008, at 16:22:39
In reply to Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel?, posted by Sheilac on April 24, 2008, at 15:55:21
I don't have any experience with Abilify, but do know that the movement effects are a lot less common with Seroquel than they are with the older Typicals. I'm not saying they never ever manifest, just that they are less common.
I have read on here that some people have been taking the Seroquel for a couple of years without any problems at all, so hopefully you should be ok!
Best of luck!
Posted by med_empowered on April 24, 2008, at 20:05:10
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel?, posted by jms600 on April 24, 2008, at 16:22:39
Abilify is the newest med on the market, so long-term...its anybody's guess. So far, from what I've read, it seems pretty much like people benefit from it and there's not much in terms of movement disorders and such.
Combining 2 antipsychotics makes everything more unpredictable. Then again, at lower doses, seroquel is basically a glorified antihistamine, so maybe it won't complicate the picture that much.Anyways, I'm personally doing pretty well on Abilify, so I give it 2 thumbs up (I'm on 20mgs/day, though). If you do it lower-dose, you might want to see about a short-term benzo or something in case you get agitated...
Good luck.
Posted by obsidian on April 24, 2008, at 20:50:13
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel?, posted by med_empowered on April 24, 2008, at 20:05:10
>Then again, at lower doses, seroquel is basically a glorified antihistamine, so maybe it won't complicate the picture that much.
and THAT is why I question why I am taking this low dose seroquel!!
and yes, seroquel has caused me to gain weight over time and the sedation is ridiculous
Posted by med_empowered on April 24, 2008, at 21:59:49
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel?, posted by obsidian on April 24, 2008, at 20:50:13
How much seroquel are you on?
Posted by obsidian on April 24, 2008, at 22:10:36
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel?, posted by med_empowered on April 24, 2008, at 21:59:49
50mgs
Posted by Justherself54 on April 24, 2008, at 23:51:06
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel? » med_empowered, posted by obsidian on April 24, 2008, at 22:10:36
25 mg seroquel does it for me sleep. The only time I had to raise it to 50 was to help with Nardil insomnia. I've never taken it during the day as I suspect I would just doze off all day. I haven't noticed any problems so far (here's hoping there aren't any).
Posted by yxibow on April 25, 2008, at 2:44:14
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel? » med_empowered, posted by obsidian on April 24, 2008, at 22:10:36
> 50mgs
Weight gain isn't necessarily from the drug itself. I have weight gain, but its from the inability to control food intake.
I'm not saying that there can be a propensity for lipid change, and some people may be more genetically disposed to it.
Since that's a pretty small dose for lipid change, just examine for a day approximately how many calories you're actually eating, and if it is more than you have before. If you cut out a few hundred a day, you may possibly lose weight. At least that's what I hope, but I take far more.
-- best wishes
Posted by Basia on April 25, 2008, at 14:05:52
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel? » obsidian, posted by yxibow on April 25, 2008, at 2:44:14
I've just been off work for 3 months after switching to Seroquel from Sulpiride and I've actually lost weight through just eating lightly and going to the gym five times a week, just forcing myself to. I had a very tough time adjusting, hence the 3 months off work as I was hallucinating a lot (won't go into detail but hellish). I definitely think it's a hunger thing as I'd feel starving and just eat loads of oranges. It worked. I am now taking 550mg.
I am okayish now, back to work and tapering off the Valium that helped with the panic attacks. My sex drive is getting back to normal too, but that may be due to easing off of stress. I reckon Benzos killed my sex drive more than any AP. I was on Sulpiride for 10 yrs but had to switch due to sky high prolactin. For some strange reason, that never affected my libido. It was all I thought about most of the time! :)As for sedation, it went for me. I never take it during the daytime. At first, I slept for 10 hours at night but now I don't even feel groggy in the morning.
Posted by yxibow on April 26, 2008, at 0:45:20
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel?, posted by Basia on April 25, 2008, at 14:05:52
> I've just been off work for 3 months after switching to Seroquel from Sulpiride and I've actually lost weight through just eating lightly and going to the gym five times a week, just forcing myself to. I had a very tough time adjusting, hence the 3 months off work as I was hallucinating a lot (won't go into detail but hellish). I definitely think it's a hunger thing as I'd feel starving and just eat loads of oranges. It worked. I am now taking 550mg.
The fibre in oranges is great (Citrucel, e.g.) , but yeah, they have carbohydrates> I am okayish now, back to work and tapering off the Valium that helped with the panic attacks. My sex drive is getting back to normal too, but that may be due to easing off of stress. I reckon Benzos killed my sex drive more than any AP. I was on Sulpiride for 10 yrs but had to switch due to sky high prolactin. For some strange reason, that never affected my libido. It was all I thought about most of the time! :)
>
> As for sedation, it went for me. I never take it during the daytime. At first, I slept for 10 hours at night but now I don't even feel groggy in the morning.
The sulprides aren't always considered true APs but I'm glad that it is working for you.-- good luck
-- Jay
Posted by yxibow on April 26, 2008, at 0:46:14
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel? » Basia, posted by yxibow on April 26, 2008, at 0:45:20
> > I've just been off work for 3 months after switching to Seroquel from Sulpiride and I've actually lost weight through just eating lightly and going to the gym five times a week, just forcing myself to. I had a very tough time adjusting, hence the 3 months off work as I was hallucinating a lot (won't go into detail but hellish). I definitely think it's a hunger thing as I'd feel starving and just eat loads of oranges. It worked. I am now taking 550mg.
>
>
> The fibre in oranges is great (Citrucel, e.g.) , but yeah, they have carbohydrates
>
> > I am okayish now, back to work and tapering off the Valium that helped with the panic attacks. My sex drive is getting back to normal too, but that may be due to easing off of stress. I reckon Benzos killed my sex drive more than any AP. I was on Sulpiride for 10 yrs but had to switch due to sky high prolactin. For some strange reason, that never affected my libido. It was all I thought about most of the time! :)
> >
> > As for sedation, it went for me. I never take it during the daytime. At first, I slept for 10 hours at night but now I don't even feel groggy in the morning.
>
>
> The sulprides aren't always considered true APs but I'm glad that it is working for you.
>
> -- good luck
>
> -- Jayoops -- I meant atypical
Posted by Basia on April 26, 2008, at 5:54:42
In reply to Re: Long term problems with Abilify or Seroquel? » yxibow, posted by yxibow on April 26, 2008, at 0:46:14
Sure, they are benzamides I believe and target more specific receptors.
In the 90s I tried all the atypical stuff like Zyprexa, Clozapine, etc. They all made me stuff my face and feel like sh*t.
I would say stick with it if you really need it and can deal with it - an add on benzo helped for me to start with. The worst side effects do go away and the time it takes varies from person to person.
My constant hunger has now gone. However, constipation is an issue with Seroquel but I just don't care - it's a minor side effect and can be dealt with.
I also find it a great anti-depressant, unlike Sulpiride, possibly due to my prolactin going down to 57 Ml/Ul compared to 3000 ml/Ul.
I am glad i stuck with it for 3 months as I couldn't face the medication merry-go-round all over again when my full time pay ran out after 3 months off sick and turns into half pay.
This is the end of the thread.
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