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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 mrt23 on February 28, 2004, at 19:44:46
I started abilify 11 days ago, slowly ramping up the dosage.
As background information, I will tell you that I have Asperger's syndrome along with difficulties organizing thoughts and getting things done . My ability to focus is fine, but I have problems sorting out what's relevant and am easily burned out in class. I am also hypersensitive to sounds.
My practitioner told me of previous success with a young girl with a similar condition. She apparently had acheived significant gains in comprehension and a better outlook. He claims that I'm far too rigid and inflexible in various ways, and as of late, I agree.
Anyway, my experience thus far on abilify has been unpleasant. It started with tiredness, and then moved to intense akathesia, irritation, and insomnia. Now, it's at moderate akathesia and irritation, the same level of insomnia, and additionally increased sadness.
Perhaps I do feel a little more lucid in terms of what I can write, but not being able to be comfortable in any position is very troublesome.
Is this going to pass? Is the sadness a direct effect from the medication or indirect (indirect as in, could have I become more aware and connected to emotion)?
Posted by justplainflakey on March 4, 2004, at 15:52:18
In reply to started abilify, questions., posted by mrt23 on February 28, 2004, at 19:44:46
> I started abilify 11 days ago, slowly ramping up the dosage.
>
> As background information, I will tell you that I have Asperger's syndrome along with difficulties organizing thoughts and getting things done . My ability to focus is fine, but I have problems sorting out what's relevant and am easily burned out in class. I am also hypersensitive to sounds.
>
> My practitioner told me of previous success with a young girl with a similar condition. She apparently had acheived significant gains in comprehension and a better outlook. He claims that I'm far too rigid and inflexible in various ways, and as of late, I agree.
>
> Anyway, my experience thus far on abilify has been unpleasant. It started with tiredness, and then moved to intense akathesia, irritation, and insomnia. Now, it's at moderate akathesia and irritation, the same level of insomnia, and additionally increased sadness.
>
> Perhaps I do feel a little more lucid in terms of what I can write, but not being able to be comfortable in any position is very troublesome.
>
> Is this going to pass? Is the sadness a direct effect from the medication or indirect (indirect as in, could have I become more aware and connected to emotion)?I am intersted in your post because I had similar problems with abilify when I took it last year (restlessness, insomnia). Finally I am back on Zyprexa which has its own drawbacks. I liked the abilify so if anyone konws how to get sleep on it please post. I tried sleeping pills and they don't work for me.
I found that my emotions were strained from lack of sleep so anything that will help sleep will probably help.
Good luck.
Posted by mrt23 on March 4, 2004, at 17:18:20
In reply to Re: started abilify, questions., posted by justplainflakey on March 4, 2004, at 15:52:18
> I am intersted in your post because I had similar problems with abilify when I took it last year (restlessness, insomnia). Finally I am back on Zyprexa which has its own drawbacks. I liked the abilify so if anyone konws how to get sleep on it please post. I tried sleeping pills and they don't work for me.
> I found that my emotions were strained from lack of sleep so anything that will help sleep will probably help.
> Good luck.I've given the abilify some more time and the situation remains mostly unchanged. I'm on a total of 10mg right now. My mood has picked up somewhat, but the restlessness and insmonia is still very prominent. I'm going to see my pdoc tomorrow to see if he has any ideas. If not, I may just end up going off the medication.
Posted by justplainflakey on March 4, 2004, at 18:43:05
In reply to Re: started abilify, questions., posted by mrt23 on March 4, 2004, at 17:18:20
>
> > I am intersted in your post because I had similar problems with abilify when I took it last year (restlessness, insomnia). Finally I am back on Zyprexa which has its own drawbacks. I liked the abilify so if anyone konws how to get sleep on it please post. I tried sleeping pills and they don't work for me.
> > I found that my emotions were strained from lack of sleep so anything that will help sleep will probably help.
> > Good luck.
>
> I've given the abilify some more time and the situation remains mostly unchanged. I'm on a total of 10mg right now. My mood has picked up somewhat, but the restlessness and insmonia is still very prominent. I'm going to see my pdoc tomorrow to see if he has any ideas. If not, I may just end up going off the medication.
Good luck tomorrow, I hope you get encouraging news from your pdoc. Part of my problem withabilify might have been withdrawal from Zyprexa. None the less we all deserve to be relaxed and happy.
Posted by mrt23 on March 5, 2004, at 16:00:59
In reply to Re: started abilify, questions., posted by justplainflakey on March 4, 2004, at 18:43:05
> Good luck tomorrow, I hope you get encouraging news from your pdoc. Part of my problem withabilify might have been withdrawal from Zyprexa. None the less we all deserve to be relaxed and happy.
>Ok, I saw him today and he told me that it's a common side effect of abilify. He told me to take benadryl at night time for the insomnia, and to take amantadine for the akathesia (I'm not sure how long I'm supposed to be on the amantadine). Hopefully this will sort this out and then I can begin to realize the benefits of abilify, if they're there.
Posted by justplainflakey on March 6, 2004, at 3:58:47
In reply to Re: started abilify, questions., posted by mrt23 on March 5, 2004, at 16:00:59
>
> > Good luck tomorrow, I hope you get encouraging news from your pdoc. Part of my problem withabilify might have been withdrawal from Zyprexa. None the less we all deserve to be relaxed and happy.
> >
>
> Ok, I saw him today and he told me that it's a common side effect of abilify. He told me to take benadryl at night time for the insomnia, and to take amantadine for the akathesia (I'm not sure how long I'm supposed to be on the amantadine). Hopefully this will sort this out and then I can begin to realize the benefits of abilify, if they're there.
I am hopeful that these new med additions solve your side effect problems, I really think that abilify is a good med with fewer long term side effects as I understand. Let me know how the benedryl and amatadine work for you.
Posted by mrt23 on March 9, 2004, at 0:14:51
In reply to Re: started abilify, questions., posted by justplainflakey on March 6, 2004, at 3:58:47
The amantadine helps with the akathesia about 95%, but at the same time makes me feel disoriented. It's difficult for me to function like this, I may end up having to go off the medications entirely.
Posted by justplainflakey on March 9, 2004, at 3:31:11
In reply to Re: started abilify, questions., posted by mrt23 on March 9, 2004, at 0:14:51
Sorry to here it. As I understand it benzodiazopenes also help, but I know what you are saying. Sometime this acclamating to drug business doesn't seem worth it when days and weeks go by and you aren't yourself and can't function. I tried abiliby for 11 months last year have had a four month break now and may try again later this spring. Don't know yet.
Posted by gooses_2 on March 10, 2004, at 17:11:57
In reply to Re: started abilify, questions., posted by justplainflakey on March 9, 2004, at 3:31:11
i had trouble sleeping on the abilify, we cut the dose in half and upped the ativan. have you tried ativan?? i take both at night because the feeling of wanting to crawl out of my skin is too much for daytime. but they pretty much cancel each other out at night
Posted by mrt23 on March 10, 2004, at 17:34:53
In reply to Re: started abilify, questions., posted by gooses_2 on March 10, 2004, at 17:11:57
Yea, I've tried ativan and it works, but I don't want to get hooked on a benzodiazapine - so I don't take it all the time.
Benadryl seems to work for sleep, but dries me out.
This is the end of the thread.
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