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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by bbmod on June 25, 2003, at 9:47:55
In reply to Re: Abilify:bbmod, posted by HOFW on June 25, 2003, at 3:24:57
Good info. Thank you. I printed it off to show the doctor. Tremors are continuing (upper trunk, too). Wow. Could I relate to the shaking lips!
> The doctor added cogenitin(benzatropin) to control the side effects (tremor in sleep, shaking of lips, akasthasia etc.), it seems to reduce the side effects to a good degree, let me know If you need additional info. Thanks
>
> > My husband is taking 15 mg of Abilify- and has experienced similar tremor problems at night. I perceive them as similar to seizures involving his entire body. He doesn't waken during the episode and has no memory of it in the a.m.
> > He seems very groggy the next day. Like you, I recognize the positive results from Abilify but feel grave concern for this side effect.
> > > My wife has been taking abilify for 5 weeks, she started at 15mg, reduced to 10 mg and currently at7.5 mg.
> > >
> > > The main side effects are restlessness (akasthasia), shaking/tremors/movement of hands in sleep and blurred vision.
> > >
> > > The doc has added cogenitin to suppress the side effects and that helps with the restlessness but the other side effects remain.
> > >
> > > Has anyone experienced the shaking/movements/tremors in sleep??
> > >
> > > I think Abilify helped her on lot of positive/negative symptoms, ability to think logically, clearly, participate in conversations etc.
> > >
> > > Let me know If anyone needs additional info.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by lynn3 on June 25, 2003, at 22:02:22
In reply to Re: Abilify , posted by bbmod on June 25, 2003, at 9:47:55
I had akathesia and insomnia with the abilify 12.5 mg /day. My doc added 50mg of Seroquel at bedtime and it took the symptoms away.
Posted by Sebastian on June 26, 2003, at 9:25:01
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by cybercafe on June 23, 2003, at 23:49:14
>wow.. so even with zyprexa you still couldn't sleep? hmmmm... without meds do you tend towards insomnia or over sleeping? ... myself i tend to sleep too much so i wonder if abilify might be just right for me
Ya, I can't sleep without the Zyprexa, I tried once with just the Celexa and had a simmilar problem as with the Abilify. The Wellbutrin prevents me from over sleep. Totaly without meds, insomnia.
>nope abilify isn't available here yet... :(
Are you in Canada?
>was the akathisia worse than the insomnia? ....
Insomnia was the worst.
Posted by cybercafe on June 27, 2003, at 21:56:04
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on June 26, 2003, at 9:25:01
thanks for replying bro, your insight is INVALUABLE!> >wow.. so even with zyprexa you still couldn't sleep? hmmmm... without meds do you tend towards insomnia or over sleeping? ... myself i tend to sleep too much so i wonder if abilify might be just right for me
>
> Ya, I can't sleep without the Zyprexa, I tried once with just the Celexa and had a simmilar problem as with the Abilify. The Wellbutrin prevents me from over sleep. Totaly without meds, insomnia.I know most people report insomnia on abilify but a lot of them might be insomniacs to begin with i think.....! i sleep quite a bit so maybe i won't have problems.... or ! why not just take zyprexa + abilify?
> >nope abilify isn't available here yet... :(
>
> Are you in Canada?yeah.... maybe i'll drive down to buffalo to get some. i wonder if it's gone down in price at all... $13 US a pill? that's quite a lot
> >was the akathisia worse than the insomnia? ....
>
> Insomnia was the worst.great! i was really worrying about akathisia ....
did you try anything to treat the insomnia?
Posted by cybercafe on June 27, 2003, at 21:58:37
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by kotsunega on June 20, 2003, at 15:46:14
Hey kots how is the abilify working for you?
Does it help with ADD symptoms like inattention and impatience?
good luck bro
Posted by Sebastian on June 28, 2003, at 13:44:22
In reply to Re: New to Abilify, posted by cybercafe on June 27, 2003, at 21:56:04
>did you try anything to treat the insomnia?
I treated the insomnia by taking Zyprexa, stoping the Abilify was even better. My sleep was awfull on the Abilify I would wake up and feel as though I didn't even sleep.
The more Zyprexa I took with the Abilify the more managable the Abilify, but, still the Abilify was no fun. It was like taking acid, if that makes sence?
I even made a second atempt at the Abilify some three months after going back to Zyprexa, boy did I ever regret it in the morning, my brain didn't function all day at school, yes akathisia was a problem, not concentrating and running around just because I thought I had to be doing something.
You know what realy sucks? I have a whole $340 dollar bottle of the stuff that I'm not going to use?!
Posted by kotsunega on June 28, 2003, at 14:48:07
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » kotsunega, posted by cybercafe on June 27, 2003, at 21:58:37
> Hey kots how is the abilify working for you?
>
> Does it help with ADD symptoms like inattention and impatience?
>
> good luck broHey cybercafe!
Abilify continues to work well. No insomnia; no akathisia at 30 mg/day for several weeks now. I can't really tell if it helps ADD symptoms - it may do that a little bit, but since I'm taking Ritalin, it's somewhat hard to tell what's affecting symptoms. I think the thing that impresses me the most about Abilify is the total lack of feeling like I am taking a drug at all, but it's controlling my mania all the same. I guess I just feel really "normal". Wish it worked for everybody like it does for me.
regards,
-kotsunega
Posted by cybercafe on June 28, 2003, at 14:53:01
In reply to Re: New to Abilify » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on June 28, 2003, at 13:44:22
> >did you try anything to treat the insomnia?
>
> I treated the insomnia by taking Zyprexa, stoping the Abilify was even better. My sleep was awfull on the Abilify I would wake up and feel as though I didn't even sleep.hmmm.... how long were you on the abilify (3 weeks??) and how much better did things get with time?
> The more Zyprexa I took with the Abilify the more managable the Abilify, but, still the Abilify was no fun. It was like taking acid, if that makes sence?never tried acid :(
> I even made a second atempt at the Abilify some three months after going back to Zyprexa, boy did I ever regret it in the morning, my brain didn't function all day at school, yes akathisia was a problem, not concentrating and running around just because I thought I had to be doing something.hmmm... wow, i thought zyprexa was known for causing a "brain fog", abilify is even worse?
"I thought I had to be doing something" -- hey, that sounds like motivation to me, I could use some of that!
> You know what realy sucks? I have a whole $340 dollar bottle of the stuff that I'm not going to use?!i'm so jealous :)
Posted by cybercafe on June 28, 2003, at 16:07:30
In reply to Re: New to Abilify cybercafe, posted by kotsunega on June 28, 2003, at 14:48:07
> Hey cybercafe!
>
> Abilify continues to work well. No insomnia;Dude I am glad to hear you're doing well.
And as always I appreciate the info!
>no akathisia at 30 mg/day for several weeks now. I can't really tell if it helps ADD symptoms - it may do that a little bit, but since I'm taking Ritalin, it's somewhat hard to tell what's affecting symptoms. I think the thing
so when you took ritalin + zyprexa you didn't have any ADD symptoms? and now that you're taking Abilify + ritalin you also don't have any ADD symptoms?
hmmm... what were your ritalin, zyprexa dosages?
i wonder if you were taking more ritalin than me OR if your ADD isn't as bad (i can't work, HATE red lights, waiting in line, etc really impatient) i'm taking 5 mg zyprexa + 40 mg SR morning and 30 mg SR afternoon ... maybe i should just take more ritalin, i don't know
did you find the ritalin makes you kind of euphoric?>that impresses me the most about Abilify is the total lack of feeling like I am taking a drug at all, but it's controlling my mania all the same. I guess I just feel really "normal". Wish it worked for everybody like it does for me.
questions.... does it effect libido?
how many hours you sleep now (and is it refreshing) and how many did you sleep without meds? (me i tend to sleep like 12 hours without meds also 8-12 hours with 5 mg zyprexa)do you get an antidepressant effect from abilify?
sorry for all the questions bro .... i am just DIEING to get on a good drug and START my life!
Posted by clusterfscked on June 29, 2003, at 0:50:34
In reply to Re: New to Abilify cybercafe, posted by cybercafe on June 28, 2003, at 16:07:30
Hey, everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I have been on the Abilify now for approximately a week and am doing much better in comparison to how I felt the first couple of days. After I made my initial post, I decided that I would take it the next day before going to bed. That way, if any of the feelings I had described came back, I'd already be in bed so it wouldn't matter *that* much.
So, the restlessness showed up the second night (as expected), but there weren't any real ill effects such as the 'ice pick' feeling that I had been witness to the previous day. With these new 'results', I continued taking my 10mg dosages every night before bed. I am *still* shakey though and that is something that I can't seem to shake <<pun intended>>. Someone here mentioned that it was like being on acid for them. I FULLY understand that! It *is* like being on LSD without the visual effects -- the Abilify feels like the strychnine (sp?) that the LSD releases into your blood stream during a trip.
For those of you who haven't taken LSD before, imagine shaking up a can of soda and not opening it right away. Imagine that you *are* that can of soda -- you have all of that energy locked up inside of you that you can't release. That's what it feels like to me anyhow. It's as though my CNS is working overtime, as if to overcompensate for something. <<shrugs>>
Anyhow, that's my update. Oh, to the person who asked about the Zyprexa (sorry for forgetting your name): It made me feel as bad if not a little worse than the Abilify (same family, right?). I wasn't ever able to get past the side effects of that one.
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 29, 2003, at 15:52:41
In reply to Re: New to Abilify cybercafe, posted by clusterfscked on June 29, 2003, at 0:50:34
> Hey, everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I have been on the Abilify now for approximately a week and am doing much better in comparison to how I felt the first couple of days...
Thanks for your contributions, but could I ask you to re-register under a different posting name? Thanks,
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Posted by neverendingcycle on June 30, 2003, at 15:10:13
In reply to Re: please re-register, posted by Dr. Bob on June 29, 2003, at 15:52:41
My son has been on abilify for less than a week and I all of a sudden have a new child at my house. He's fourteen and we have been battling with different medications for right at ten years and finally he's happy and not sooooooo scared anymore. He even asked to be taken somewhere this morning and we couldn't even get him to come out of the house. His Dr knew of the shakes and the restlessness that would occur the first few weeks and gave him another medicine to counteract those side effects and we have had nothing but the most positive effects I have seen in a long time. Other medicines have worked somewhat but only for a limited time. We kept having to up the dosage until he was maxed out. It's almost unbelievable. I am scared to get to excited about due to the "not knowing" as far as long time use of abilify but hope it keeps working.
Posted by nsaw on June 30, 2003, at 20:25:32
In reply to abilify, posted by neverendingcycle on June 30, 2003, at 15:10:13
Congratulations! My bro has been on abilify for two weeks now, and it is only now starting to take effect. All the very best, and keep us posted please.
N
Posted by LynnN. on July 7, 2003, at 3:31:45
In reply to Re:sleep and physical anxiety, posted by andys on January 20, 2003, at 14:52:32
Hi. I read that you researched some Abilify information. I would like to see this information if you still have it, and if you have time to send it to me. If you are too busy, don't worry about it! :-) I just started Abilify about a week ago for schizoaffective disorder, and it seems to be working well for me (for the time being!). It is true that I need very little sleep and wake up in the middle of the night. But this weekend I was like Superwoman!!! I ran around cleaning closets, hanging up drapes, washing windows, shopping, etc. And it was hot, but I felt like a kid...I really didn't feel the heat (I DID make sure I drank lots of water and took breaks in the air conditioning, rested, etc.) And I notice that my aches and pains are much less. I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia type symptoms.
Lynn
Posted by pianolady on July 24, 2003, at 1:59:33
In reply to abilify, posted by neverendingcycle on June 30, 2003, at 15:10:13
I am working on a paper in a psychopharmacology class on using abilify with children. My pdoc is also considering putting me on abilify. I would be interested in how it is going for your son and if he is seeing different side effects than the other people who have posted here? Also, has it been effective? If you don't mind saying, what is your son diagnosed with?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Posted by helping my mom on August 9, 2003, at 11:04:03
In reply to schizotypal personality disorder, posted by marepax on June 3, 2003, at 20:52:29
Marepax...
I feel for you as my mother was recently hospitalized and will likely be diagnosed with schizo-affective. She lives in Dallas with no support and I am in Chicago. We believe that she has gone nearly 30 years undiagnosed and untreated. It was not possible to get her help until her recent psychotic break.
The first thing I would say is -- take care of yourself. It is the only way you will be able to take care of your son, who definitely needs you more than ever.
Secondly, i am not sure where you are located or what your financial recources are, but we found an organization called The Planned Living Assistance Network -- it was started by two dads who had sons with mental illness and wanted to be sure that they received the same level of care they would provide after they were gone. The Plan offers socialization activities, therapy and case management. And, they work with other resources in your state to provide affordable, managed care to meet the needs of your situation. They have been an absolute blessing for our family. To find out more info, check out:
http://web.nami.org/helpline/plan.htmAlso, your local chapter of NAMI (National Association for the Mentally Ill) is a great resource to find services and education / support.
We are also looking into Abilify. So I'll be interested to learn how your son finds it to be.
Best of luck to you both.
Helping My Mom
Posted by aussie lady on August 15, 2003, at 10:07:28
In reply to Re: schizotypal personality disorder » marepax, posted by helping my mom on August 9, 2003, at 11:04:03
Hi
Abilify has been approved down under and still awaiting govt. benefits for it.
My daughter is on Clozapine and is doing well after 12 months except she has put on so much weight and is grossly obese.
I am encouraging her pysch to put her on Abilify but I would like to hear from anyone who has been on Abilify for over 6 months and what their reactions/feelings are about it. If it comes to the crunch I'd rather my daughter be well and fat, rather than slim and mentally unable to cope.
I look forward to reading your replies
Posted by sandyq on August 26, 2003, at 22:13:18
In reply to Re: Abilify and akathisia, posted by JohnX2 on January 26, 2003, at 0:53:03
Needymeds.com is a wonderful site!
I've used it for the past 2 years and it
has saved me alot of money!
I highly recommend it. Of course, there's
alot of work you and your doctor have to
put into the paperwork for the different
drug companies.
Posted by jtevers on November 18, 2003, at 17:38:49
In reply to Re: Abilify: I give up (for now), posted by megg on January 29, 2003, at 7:18:50
> I just started Abilify yesterday, and I feel great. My doc suggested I use it because I gained 80 pounds in 9 months on risperdal. I did only sleep 3 hours last night, and I felt nauseus, but I feel much more emotion than I than I did on risperdal and have a much more positive attitude. (I woke up with a smile on my face, and cracked jokes with the fam) I am taking meds because I have schizo-effective disorder, and if I am not on them I get really depressed and anxious. I have responded really well to risperdol, no panic attacks or anything for 6 months, But this weight gain just seems to get worse every week and it isn't good for my health. I haven't felt restless at all, but again yall said that it gets worse after a few weeks... my anxious side effects on respidol were horrible for about 2 months before they got better, Hopefully abilify is the answer... Megg
Megg, deb and all:
i, too, am considering a switch to abilify from seroquel ... i have gained a total of 60 lbs. in a few years.
has anyone experienced weight loss after switching to afilify ... perhaps you have megg (after risperdal)? OR weight gain upon the introduction of abilify to your med. regimen?
i am also considering a switch to lamictal from gabapentin / neurontin , which i also suspect has caused weight gain ... any insight?
Posted by lynn3 on November 18, 2003, at 19:22:27
In reply to Re: Abilify: weight, akithisia, posted by jtevers on November 18, 2003, at 17:38:49
> > I just started Abilify yesterday, and I feel great. My doc suggested I use it because I gained 80 pounds in 9 months on risperdal. I did only sleep 3 hours last night, and I felt nauseus, but I feel much more emotion than I than I did on risperdal and have a much more positive attitude. (I woke up with a smile on my face, and cracked jokes with the fam) I am taking meds because I have schizo-effective disorder, and if I am not on them I get really depressed and anxious. I have responded really well to risperdol, no panic attacks or anything for 6 months, But this weight gain just seems to get worse every week and it isn't good for my health. I haven't felt restless at all, but again yall said that it gets worse after a few weeks... my anxious side effects on respidol were horrible for about 2 months before they got better, Hopefully abilify is the answer... Megg
>
> Megg, deb and all:
>
> i, too, am considering a switch to abilify from seroquel ... i have gained a total of 60 lbs. in a few years.
>
> has anyone experienced weight loss after switching to afilify ... perhaps you have megg (after risperdal)? OR weight gain upon the introduction of abilify to your med. regimen?
>
> i am also considering a switch to lamictal from gabapentin / neurontin , which i also suspect has caused weight gain ... any insight?
>
>
I gained 15# on abilify, have lost 5# of it now, so it too can make you gain weight. I have been on it for 11 months.
Posted by 1313 on November 18, 2003, at 20:02:19
In reply to Re: Abilify: weight, akithisia, posted by lynn3 on November 18, 2003, at 19:22:27
I have a new policy of saying nothing negative about a medicine or medicines that might help or hurt someone-else!! I will simply state that I am doing well on and will continue to stay on ZYPREXA!!
ALL THREE HUNDRED POUNDS OF ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(5'7")
Lamictal got me through some very tough times and I reccommend it although I currently take Trileptal (a different risk profile)(ask your Dr. I will not explaine my choice) Yes, I am concerned about obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes but right now all are just fine and I am going to make lifestyle changes NOW instead of waiting like a sitting duck!!! IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE WEIGHT BUT YOU MUST BELIEVE IT AND STICK WITH IT EVEN IF YOU "SEEM" TO BE GAINING....I GET EXASPERATED FAST AND I HAVE TO CHANGE THAT MIND SET.....
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU AS YOU VENTURE INTO THE UNKNOWN AND MAY YOU FIND GOOD HEALTH AND PEACE OF MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DEB 1313
Posted by frisky on November 19, 2003, at 19:01:43
In reply to Re: Abilify: weight, akithisia, posted by 1313 on November 18, 2003, at 20:02:19
i hope i'm not repeating anything that's been said, but my son is on abilify and he was experiencing anxiety, so his dr. reduced his dosage and recommended that he take vitamin E and this helped a lot.
Posted by jackberry on November 20, 2003, at 5:32:04
In reply to Re: Abilify: weight, akithisia, posted by frisky on November 19, 2003, at 19:01:43
I started on Abilify 15mg three days ago after being on Seroquel 900mg for a psychotic disorder. The first two days were tough; I had very bad akithisia: reslessness, sweating and insomnia. I think a lot of the insomnia had to do with the abrupt termination of the Seroquel. I have been using a lot of propranolol for the Akithisia and it works VERY well. I am thinking so clearly, I have lots of energy even though I sleep far fewer hours than I did on the Seroquel, and my appetite has subsided dramatically. I just hope it only gets better from here on; I seem to be responding well to Abilify which is great. Are there any others here who have been on it for a long time and feel it gets better with time? I ask because I have read a lot of posts here where people state that their anxiety and insomnia got worse with time…
JackB
Posted by HotmailLori on November 26, 2003, at 21:05:43
In reply to Abilify (aripiprazole) cost is PROHIBITIVE!, posted by andys on November 28, 2002, at 14:53:30
My Doctor just prescribed Abilify for me for the first time. It was $117.59 for the first 11 pills! Thank God he gave me a sample card!
I just filled my prescription to start a trial on aripiprazole. I assumed it would be expensive, but it turned out to be PROHIBITIVE! A 15 mg. tablet (the normal daily dose) is $13.00 per pill! I doubt if many people will be able to afford this potentially great drug. My insurance has a $1000 prescription drug cap, so that leaves me out. And I assume that many insurance companies will dis-allow a drug of this expense. (And many patients in the trials required 30 mg., so that's a whopping $26.00 per day!).
Posted by lesliekay on November 30, 2003, at 6:25:40
In reply to Re: Abilify: weight, akithisia, posted by jackberry on November 20, 2003, at 5:32:04
I am coming up on a year of abilify, this is what happened to me....insomnia for 6 wks..akathisia until now. check this out, I ran out of cogentin for 3 days and nothing happened!!!!!Weight gain coincided with reduction in Topamax dose from 200 to 100...I gained 30 pounds which I just lost 10. good luck les
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