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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lelanda on September 11, 2008, at 15:11:54
I have been having breakthrough depressive symptoms and some serious zoning out so I thought it was the Abilify. My cocktail is Wellbutrin 150 in the morning and 100 in the p.m. and Abilify 5mg and Clonopin .5. So i reduced the Abilify to 2.5 and now I can't concentrate for crap and/or read anything, my eyes float all over the place. Is this because I reduced the Abilify or is the depressive cycle just getting worse? I have BpII (or so they say this time around). I do have an appt tomorrow, but it seems like forever away. Help please! I feel desperate.
Posted by med_empowered on September 11, 2008, at 18:41:19
In reply to Decreased Abilify-feel worse, posted by lelanda on September 11, 2008, at 15:11:54
It could be the reduced abilify...it could be a worsening of depression...it could also be your brain adjusting to having less abilify in your system...it really depends.
If I were you, I'd try avoid antipsychotics (not matter how "atypical") unless you're: a) psychotic b)uber-manic or c)highly agitated to the point that you can't function.
Instead of Abilify, you could try BuSpar...it has some actions that are similar to atypical antipsychotics, only the side effects usually suck less and you don't have to worry about neuroleptic malignancy syndrome (you should google that if your doc didn't warn you about it...which he probably didn't...b/c shrinks never talk side effects when rx-ing antipsychotics).
Another option, from my perspective: up your klonopin and/or add in something to help you focus, like a methylphenidate or amphetamine product or straterra...even something like tenex. I just don't understand why you were on Abilify for what sounds like soft bipolar.
Posted by lelanda on September 11, 2008, at 18:53:45
In reply to Re: Decreased Abilify-feel worse, posted by med_empowered on September 11, 2008, at 18:41:19
the pdoc put me on Abilify because I was so agitated that I could hardly function and if I did it was reflexive. But that was a year and half ago. She left me on it as part of the cocktail so I wouldnt have any more of the hypomanic symptoms. I was on 10 mg and then we went down to 5 mg cause I was a walking zombie. If it is the Abilify leaving my system, how many days does it usually take to wear off? I cant remember from last time. How would increasing the Klonopin help? Would it be safe to manage 'soft bipolar' with just Wellbutrin and Klonopin? I figured I would need some sort of mood stablizer and I have tried almost all of them and could not tolerate the side effects.
Posted by Roslynn on September 11, 2008, at 19:50:12
In reply to Re: Decreased Abilify-feel worse, posted by med_empowered on September 11, 2008, at 18:41:19
My pdoc has used both Abilify (to try to augment my antidepressants) and Seroquel (to try to calm me down when I was panicky) but I only have treatment resistant depression, possibly a slight soft bipolar component.
I thought it was the new thing to augment with antipsychotics?
Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on September 13, 2008, at 23:46:08
In reply to Decreased Abilify-feel worse, posted by lelanda on September 11, 2008, at 15:11:54
It's indicated that Abilify does this. Its a new-moodstablizer/antipsychotic.
I took 10mg i was prescibed, i got so "zoned", you talk about the mind firing back with anger. I fliped out, didnt understand what "the head boss" where i work, came to speak with me.
Try Zyprexa 2.5. But it causes much weight gain, and decreases blood sugar. That's your choice.Lamictal.....
-rj
Posted by lelanda on September 14, 2008, at 0:20:46
In reply to Re: Decreased Abilify-feel worse, posted by rjlockhart04-08 on September 13, 2008, at 23:46:08
I am actually starting to feel better on the Abilify 2.5, I think I needed a few days to process it out of my system. I tried lamactial and got the rash. I am considering going off the Abilify altogether. I am going to take my time with the taper. My doc did increase my Wellbutrin to 350mg so that is also helping with the depressive symptoms. Thanks for your response.
This is the end of the thread.
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