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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by AnnaL on January 10, 2003, at 15:13:21
In reply to Cost of Abilify, posted by viridis on November 30, 2002, at 19:39:05
for anxiety and mild depression. anyone else taking abilify for that diagnosis?
Posted by angeliz02 on January 16, 2003, at 21:35:46
In reply to Re: Cost of Abilify, posted by gregg on December 1, 2002, at 22:18:02
> For comparsison purposes, the price for 5 mg of Zyprexa (the low end of the normal daily dosage range)is about $9, according to my wife's receipt from Kaiser Permanente. Thank God I only have to pay $5 for a month's supply! It's an outrage that so many people in this country don't have insurance to cover these costs.
I found this site.....It might help some with the cost of Abilify. My son was just prescribed it on a trial basis we haven't started it yet because I am still researching and yes, the cost is outrageous.www.needymeds.com/abilify.html
that is the site.....I hope it is legitimate and helps someone.
Posted by Vanidosa on January 20, 2003, at 9:47:01
In reply to Re: Just Started Abilify Today--for Depression/Anxiety, posted by Surly on January 7, 2003, at 13:54:52
I've had a very hard time staying asleep. I wake up sometimes at three or four, no matter when I've gone to bed, and I feel like I have to go running or something like that to calm the physical anxiety and sleeplessness. I've been on abilify for a little over four weeks now. There is really no information out there except for PR from the pharmaceutical companies. Does anyone have any other research or medical journals to recommend?
Posted by sebastian on January 20, 2003, at 12:50:39
In reply to Oops, Shelli and Surly, posted by Vanidosa on January 3, 2003, at 22:51:25
Vanidosa
I had the same problems as you with the Abilify. I had a hard time getting to sleep, every day it was latter and latter. the anxiety as I was taking it got worse. and I always felt like I had to be doing something.
I stoped after the 2 weeks and went back to the Zyprexa.
I read somewhere on here about how Abilify creates anxiety, they had a link to a web page.
Sebastian
Posted by andys on January 20, 2003, at 14:52:32
In reply to Re:sleep and physical anxiety, posted by Vanidosa on January 20, 2003, at 9:47:01
I just quit abilify after 4 weeks, because the insomnia just got worse and worse, down to 4 hours a night. I have done lots of reaearch on abilify, which I have cut and pasted into a document, which I can send to you if you ask: [email protected]. But don't ask for it unless you're really serious, I've been really low energy lately. Also for the real "techies", I have an article called "dopamine system stabilizers" which goes into the philosophy behind this new class of meds, that abilify has started.
Remember, keep requests to a minimum, but glad to do it for those really in need. Thanks.
Posted by River1924 on January 20, 2003, at 17:25:36
In reply to Re:sleep and physical anxiety, posted by andys on January 20, 2003, at 14:52:32
I'm trying a low dose (7.5mg) every other day. (It has a half-life of about 3 or 4 days.) I stopped my SSRI and TCA in case I was getting too much serotonin. (That can cause restlessness.) Wish me luck. Abilify has good qualities. River.
Posted by Vanidosa on January 22, 2003, at 19:00:56
In reply to Re: Abilify, posted by sebastian on January 20, 2003, at 12:50:39
Sebastian & Andy,
Thanks so much for the info. It makes me feel better to know that other people have experienced the same thing with abilify. My doctor had told me that it's very rare for people to have those side effects. It helps to hear what you guys have to say. Thanks a lot.
Vanidosa
Posted by ShelliR on January 22, 2003, at 21:17:06
In reply to Re: Abilify, posted by Vanidosa on January 22, 2003, at 19:00:56
I quit both abilify and lexapro because one was making me feel so shakey inside. It's been two weeks since lexapro and over a week since abilify and today was the first day with considerably less shaking. (more like hard to stay inside my skin type symptom). I was starting to think it didn't have to do with the drugs, but it was unusual for me to feel like this. I'm curious how long it will take for your symptoms to go away. I think abilify must have a long half life.
Shelli
Posted by andys on January 23, 2003, at 6:19:05
In reply to Re: Abilify » Vanidosa , posted by ShelliR on January 22, 2003, at 21:17:06
Yes, Abilify has a HUGE half-life. It's over 70 hours! (I don't have the energy to look it up right now, but I believe it's 76 hours). I just quit it, due to side effects, and am getting side effects 2 days later (to be expected). I assume it's going to take 4-5 days for the side effects to calm down. Hang in there...
Posted by River1924 on January 23, 2003, at 6:59:33
In reply to Re: Abilify » ShelliR, posted by andys on January 23, 2003, at 6:19:05
Akathisia: the desire to move and inner restlessness as a side-effect of psychotropic drugs. (In my case, the inability on abilify to sit still and read more than 2 pages of a book.)
Abilify's ability to cause restlessness (and it seemed to get worse after a few weeks) has made me give up on it.
Plus, I've gained 10 lbs at the same time without eating more. Ug.
Posted by Surly on January 23, 2003, at 12:46:49
In reply to Re: Abilify: I give up (for now), posted by River1924 on January 23, 2003, at 6:59:33
Did anybody notice that their muscles were tired and sore? I too gained a few pounds, even though i work out regularly (5 days a week). My workouts suffered drastically because my muscles hurt so bad.
Posted by sebastian on January 24, 2003, at 14:57:37
In reply to Re: Abilify » ShelliR, posted by andys on January 23, 2003, at 6:19:05
It took me a little over 2 weeks for the Abilify side effects to go away, mainly the anxiety.
Sebastian
Posted by ShelliR on January 24, 2003, at 15:43:34
In reply to Re: Abilify, posted by sebastian on January 24, 2003, at 14:57:37
> It took me a little over 2 weeks for the Abilify side effects to go away, mainly the anxiety.
>
> SebastianWas it anxiety, or was it an internal shakiness? Did it all stop? What are the positive effects of abilify for you?
Shelli
Posted by River1924 on January 24, 2003, at 19:54:17
In reply to Re: Abilify » sebastian, posted by ShelliR on January 24, 2003, at 15:43:34
Although your message was directed to sebastian, I want to point out some of Abilify's positive benefits for me (even though I stopped it due to the really annoying almost painful restlessness(akathisia) ...plus some weight gain.)
I don't have schizophrenia but my anxiety and depression manifests like the negative symptoms of schizophrenia ...negative symptoms in schizophrenia are affective flattening (blahness, boredom, lack of emotional response to situations), alogia (difficulty putting words together, muteness), apathy, avolition (lack of interest or motivation (in my case, that includes sex)), social withdrawal, and underachievement.
Abilify really helped all those things. Each of the negative symptoms has its opposite and those good qualities manifested to some degree (in only 4 weeks!) I was quite a different person.
So, ultimately, I'm very disappointed now that I have to stop.
Posted by ShelliR on January 24, 2003, at 20:22:53
In reply to Re: Abilify, posted by River1924 on January 24, 2003, at 19:54:17
I'm sorry; it must be such a disappointment. Valium didn't help with me, so I don't suppose mixing it with an anti-anxiety drug would do much good.
Shelli
Posted by 1313 on January 24, 2003, at 22:23:30
In reply to Re: Abilify » River1924, posted by ShelliR on January 24, 2003, at 20:22:53
this is my fouth week on abilify and we have just lowerd the dose to 10mgs today I don't know anyone else to talk to but when I lay down to sleep I can feel my heartbeat. It makes it very hard to fall asleep. It is 11:00pm. At 10:00 I was exausted because I did not sleep the night before but now I can't rest. I tried ativan last night... it didn't help. I know there is a long half-life to abilify so I am going to wait four days to judge the new dose. sometimes I feel anxious but other times I feel calm. I hope the calm will primarily prevail on 10 mg. Is there anybody out there on 10mg what is it like for you?is anyone GLAD they are on abilify???!!!
thank you for your response!!!!
Posted by andys on January 25, 2003, at 5:49:47
In reply to Re:abilify, posted by 1313 on January 24, 2003, at 22:23:30
We can see a pattern emerging from these postings. I too had intolerable insomnia, which, combined with sedation and restlessness, made me quit, after 4 weeks at only 1/2 pill (7.5 mg.). But I wanted to warn you insomniacs, that although zyprexa and seroquel would help sleep immenseley, they shouldn't be taken with abilify. Since all three have strong Dopamine D2 antagonism, they really shouldn't be used together. Just a reminder.
Posted by 1313 on January 25, 2003, at 7:19:40
In reply to Re:abilify » 1313, posted by andys on January 25, 2003, at 5:49:47
HI! Andy so far i have no akathesia and am sleeping 6 hours per night. on zyprexa I was sleeping 12 hours a night and didn't want to wake up. now I am up without an alarm clock! My problem is by 2:00 I am exhausted and I become increasingly anxious so I cant drive...my problem isnt exactly sleeping but my intense fear that feeling my heartbeat is not a good thing!which keeps me awake till i do or dont fall asleep!
Posted by angeliz02 on January 25, 2003, at 8:22:09
In reply to Re: Abilify, posted by River1924 on January 24, 2003, at 19:54:17
My 16 year old son was put on abilify 4 days ago for to control rages. I have noticed several mentioning insomnia. When did that start? He is sleeping alot more than he use to and seems to get wore out much faster. He takes 7.5mg a day. He has been on several meds including the zyprexa which made him much worse and seroquel which worked for a while.
Posted by River1924 on January 25, 2003, at 10:35:31
In reply to Re:abilify, posted by 1313 on January 25, 2003, at 7:19:40
Although abilify has a long half-life, maybe it might make a difference what time a day you take the med. Maybe there is an unknown short acting metabolite. I'm just talking out the top of my head.
I don't tolerate benadryl but for most people, it helps people with side-effects (according to my doctor.)
Posted by ShelliR on January 25, 2003, at 13:41:10
In reply to Re:abilify » 1313, posted by River1924 on January 25, 2003, at 10:35:31
> Although abilify has a long half-life, maybe it might make a difference what time a day you take the med. Maybe there is an unknown short acting metabolite. I'm just talking out the top of my head.
>
> I don't tolerate benadryl but for most people, it helps people with side-effects (according to my doctor.)
I can't tolerate benadryl either, but it never occurred to me to try abilify with aterex, a similar antihistimine type prescription without benedryl's side effects.
Posted by andys on January 25, 2003, at 14:15:40
In reply to Re:abilify » 1313, posted by River1924 on January 25, 2003, at 10:35:31
I tried taking it at all different times of the day, with no help. But with a 76 hour half-life, it makes sense that time of day wouldn't matter.
Posted by sebastian on January 25, 2003, at 18:34:23
In reply to Re: Abilify » sebastian, posted by ShelliR on January 24, 2003, at 15:43:34
ShelliR
I stoped taking the Abilify and went back the Zyprexa, the anxiety and other effects took over 2 weeks to go away.
Sebastian
Posted by 1313 on January 25, 2003, at 18:48:16
In reply to Re: Abilify » ShelliR, posted by sebastian on January 25, 2003, at 18:34:23
sebastian,
How long did you stay on Abilify before you switched back to Zyprexa?
deb 1313
Posted by River1924 on January 25, 2003, at 21:18:18
In reply to Re: Abilify (sebastian), posted by 1313 on January 25, 2003, at 18:48:16
Found this on the web...
"Potential Problem with Akathisia
According to Larry Ereshefsky, Pharm.D., professor of pharmacy, pharmacology and psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the novel partial dopamine agonist mechanism of action augments the 5-HT1a and 5-HT2 effects of aripiprazole."These effects should lead to greater dopaminergic throughput and cortical activity which is good for thinking," says Ereshefsky. "But it also might possibly explain the increased rates of akathisia at [the] middle doses (15 mg/d) in some studies. There is clearly a greater effect on the Barnes akathisia scale than [from] risperidone, and about half the effect of haloperidol."
Ereshefsy adds, "Akathisia is a potential side effect which bares further evaluation in long-term studies to see whether it abates."
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