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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 22, 2011, at 22:27:42
Still taking 200 Lamictal, but I dropped the 15 Abilify. Surprisingly, all Hell has yet to break loose.
I think I realized how tranquilized I was once I dropped from 30 to 15. Although at some level I knew I was impaired, I didn't realize just how apathetic I was until the dose was reduced. Then I was more aware of my lingering problems on the 15. So I quit. It hasn't been quite a week yet, so there's probably a good bit of Abilify (or maybe some metabolite) floating around, but yeah, I'm done for now.
I think adding Lamictal was the best thing ever. It helps with my agitation, it helps with my low mood; it even seems to be helping the neuroleptic withdrawal (which, admittedly, I should have done gradually) go smoothly.
The voices are about the same. I'm not big on diagnoses, but if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that my problem is social isolation+chronic, low grade trauma+pre-existing inclination to psychosis, dissociation, anxiety, and low mood.
Lamictal is being used now for PTSD. I can see why. I wonder maybe a lot of this "psychotic disorder" stuff that I was given Abilify (usually at or near 30 daily) for could have been treated better with Lamictal all along?
I had a shrink once who would justify crazy med changes by saying that my "symptoms have changed." Then again, she also blamed cognitive impairment from a sedating 5 drug cocktail on my "illness." Maybe this time my "symptoms" really have changed? I just read over some old posts of mine from back in the day. I was a drugged up, self-absorbed, hypomanic mess. I remember feeling trapped in a sort of inner-prison, on or off meds. I don't feel that way anymore.
Maybe that personality disordered, pill popping,pseudoneurotic shizophrenic grew up to be an OK guy with PTSD and occasional voices? I guess I'm going to find out...
Posted by SLS on October 22, 2011, at 22:51:25
In reply to I stopped Abilify, posted by Christ_empowered on October 22, 2011, at 22:27:42
Hi C_E.
I hope you do well for having discontinued Abilify. I tried to do the same last year. I was okay for over a month before I began to deteriorate. I improved immediately after taking my first 20mg loading dose. However, I am being treated for bipolar depression.It might be a good idea to keep a log of your treatment and symptoms.
If you do relapse, do you have a plan as to how you would treat your condition(s)?
Wishing you the best...
- Scott
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 23, 2011, at 0:38:10
In reply to Re: I stopped Abilify » Christ_empowered, posted by SLS on October 22, 2011, at 22:51:25
Hey, SLS/Scott
Thanks for the support. I feel weird posting this, like I'm some crazed lunatic who's refusing lucidity pills. The truth is more complicated. I understand that in psychotic disorders neuroleptics are usually used, and they're usually used indefinitely. I get that. The thing is, I question a)whether what I have is truly a psychotic disorder, or just a mixture of predisposition to fits of psychosis (like bipolar or cycloid psychosis) and b) whether Abilify (or any neuroleptic) comes out on top in the risks:benefits balancing act.
I guess I'll have to see.
I have a huge stockpile of Abilify (I get mine on the cheap from an Indian pharmacy), so if I start freaking out and I really need to calm down, I can pop a 30 tab or let a 30 M-tab melt in my mouth and chill out. Previous experience has shown me that taking 30 will knock the crazy right out of me and somehow make it easier to sleep (I guess by decreasing agitation and suppressing the psychosis).
Posted by floatingbridge on October 23, 2011, at 3:49:06
In reply to Re: I stopped Abilify, posted by Christ_empowered on October 23, 2011, at 0:38:10
Good luck, CE.
Lamictal for PTSD? Interesting. I hadn't come across that.
I'm hoping the monotherapy works for you!
Posted by Phillipa on October 23, 2011, at 10:53:12
In reply to Re: I stopped Abilify » Christ_empowered, posted by floatingbridge on October 23, 2011, at 3:49:06
CE what's you plan for the isolation if you feel that is the biggest issue? Are you getting out more? Didn't you say you were also going to look into going to school. I do hope that you find you don't need the abilify. Phillipa
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