New 'script - Abilify
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| Mon, 02-19-2007 - 8:58pm |
So I posted a few weeks ago that I suddenly couldn't handle trileptal anymore. It worked so well for about a year before it started to make me feel really tired and hungover. I didn't take anything for mania for a few weeks until I saw my pdoc again - not smart, I know, but I couldn't take the tiredness.
Now I'm on abilify and actually afraid to take the first dose. She told me it was an antipsychotic, used for BP and schizoprenia. My only experience with an antipsychotic was seroquel and it propelled me into outer space. I couldn't handle it. I'm a recovering drug addict - which my pdoc knows - and I'm afriad to take anything that might give me even the slightest "high."
So I'm sitting here with the box in front of me. The dosage is 2mg. I really have to take it tonight, but I'm scared. Experience, anyone? Love, Mo.


Hi,
I understand your concern about switching meds-especially when it is a newer med like Abilify. I started taking Abilify about 2-3 months ago. I gained some weight (although that is not supposed to be a side effect). I was very tired mid afternoon for the first few weeks, but that went away. I felt a little slowed down but not enough to make me stop taking it. I did have a heightend sense of anxiety and restlessness- I felt like something on my body had to be moving at all times:toes, feet, leg, hands, me. It was very hard for me to sit still (keep in mind I have an anxiety issue to begin with). So, pdoc cut my dose from 10mg to 5mg two weeks ago. The restlessness has gotten a lot better, I'm not shaky when I do fine motor tasks and I feel a little better but now my sleep is suffering and I've become slightly more active. I don't know how far this is going to go, but this med definitely has some positives for me (by cutting it back I am seeing a difference). I feel it works well, with few side effects.
I know this is just my experience with it but so far it's been a positive one. I hope this helps a little. You can get more information about it at www.abilify.com.
Take care,
Peg
Thanks for your response, Peg. I've taken 2 doses now and I can definitely feel it - not sure how to describe it. I feel that artificial "everything is fine" feeling. So far I don't feel restless or shaky, but I experience those things on a regular basis so I'm not sure I'd notice it.
You gained weight? That's my #1 fear in taking any med. I didn't see that listed as a potential side effect. Could your weight gain have been related to something else? Thanks, peg. Love, Mo.
Hi Mo !
I'm glad you decided to try it and have taken a few doses.
God could not be everywhere, so
Hey Mo!
Well, I have gained weight but pdoc doesn't believe it is from the Abilify, but that is the only thing that has changed since I did gain weight. I was underweight, so it's not a big deal for me (although I still don't appreciate it LOL).
I am finding out just how helpful the Abilify is for me...I had my dose cut from 10mg to 5mg two weeks ago and I notice a big difference. I am more hyper as time goes on. Although I don't feel as "flat" as I did, I know I'm getting hypomanic. I say "flat" because I am so used to being hypomanic and manic that "typical" feels dull. Does that make sense?
Anyway, I hope you find success!
Peg