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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 malcolm forsyth on April 6, 2008, at 23:07:53
My girlfriend is currently taking 20mg of Abilify for schizophrenia. Since taking this drug she has shown a marked improvement in the negative symptoms of her illness. However,she cannot sleep at all. She is now getting very anxious and desperate about her lack of sleep and I am concerned for her wellbeing. She has told the doctor and her family about these problems but they only offer her sleeping tablets or benzodiazapenes which she will not take as she has had a bad experience with these in the past. Is there any non-addictive solution to this problem? Would the addition of a small amount of a more sleep-promoting antipsychotic such as seroquel help?
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2008, at 23:11:45
In reply to ABILIFY - SLEEP PROBLEMS, posted by malcolm forsyth on April 6, 2008, at 23:07:53
Has she taken seroquel before might that not maybe be a better antipsychotic for her? If not discuss with doc and good luck. Phillipa
Posted by emme on April 7, 2008, at 16:36:16
In reply to ABILIFY - SLEEP PROBLEMS, posted by malcolm forsyth on April 6, 2008, at 23:07:53
How long has she been on the Abilify? My insomnia went away after about 8 weeks. Until then, I used low dose seroquel to sleep.
emme
> My girlfriend is currently taking 20mg of Abilify for schizophrenia. Since taking this drug she has shown a marked improvement in the negative symptoms of her illness. However,she cannot sleep at all. She is now getting very anxious and desperate about her lack of sleep and I am concerned for her wellbeing. She has told the doctor and her family about these problems but they only offer her sleeping tablets or benzodiazapenes which she will not take as she has had a bad experience with these in the past. Is there any non-addictive solution to this problem? Would the addition of a small amount of a more sleep-promoting antipsychotic such as seroquel help?
Posted by nfc on April 8, 2008, at 7:37:52
In reply to ABILIFY - SLEEP PROBLEMS, posted by malcolm forsyth on April 6, 2008, at 23:07:53
I'd say the high dose of abilify is causing the sleep problems. abilify is known to cause akathasia in higher doses. I've also heard of people being prescribed seroquel for sleep even though they were already on an antipsychotic med. maybe w/ the addition of seroquel the abilify possibly might be lowered. also give time for her to adjust to abilify. side effects do subside but time is needed. how long depends on how long u want to give the med a chance to work. hang in there the both of you and talk to ur pdoc about these things.
nfc
Posted by med_empowered on April 8, 2008, at 14:11:59
In reply to ABILIFY - SLEEP PROBLEMS, posted by malcolm forsyth on April 6, 2008, at 23:07:53
benzos and sleeping pills might be your best bet. If you keep the usage down to a couple weeks or as-needed, the "addicition" isn't that big a deal. Benadryl and Vistaril/Atarax might also help; I think BuSpar helps some people with antipsychotic-related probs, but I doubt it would do much for sleep.
This is the end of the thread.
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