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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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
Posted by LynnN. on November 30, 2003, at 21:10:49
In reply to Re:sleep and *increased energy and drive*!!!, posted by LynnN. on July 7, 2003, at 3:31:45
Well, I eventually went off the Abilify because it had me too HYPER! I couldn't sleep or relax. So now I am on Depakote and that seems to be working for me.
Lynn
Posted by HotmailLori on November 30, 2003, at 21:54:06
In reply to Re:sleep and *increased energy and drive*!!! » LynnN., posted by LynnN. on November 30, 2003, at 21:10:49
Ohhh. Depakote made me very sleepy and goofy. I'm glad it's working for you. So far I'm just extra tired all day BUT* I have insomnia. Usually if I have insonmia I'm hyper..but now I'm just tired. I don't know if this Abilify is going to work for me.
> Well, I eventually went off the Abilify because it had me too HYPER! I couldn't sleep or relax. So now I am on Depakote and that seems to be working for me.
>
> Lynn
Posted by HotmailLori on November 30, 2003, at 21:58:42
In reply to Re: Abilify: weight, akithisia, posted by jackberry on November 20, 2003, at 5:32:04
Posted by lynn3 on December 5, 2003, at 8:17:25
In reply to Is Abilify only used to treat Schizophrenia? (nm), posted by HotmailLori on November 30, 2003, at 21:58:42
I don't have schizophrenia but severe depression, I have been on abilify for a year now. I am feeling much more stable and able to function during this time. I take 15mg every day. I got hyper and gained some weight at first but now lost the weight and take cogention as needed for restlessness.
Posted by 1313 on December 6, 2003, at 20:56:30
In reply to Re: abilify working long term, posted by aussie lady on August 15, 2003, at 10:07:28
I AM 1313 I LOST MY PASSWORD AND WOULD LIKE TO STOP RECEIVING ANY FURTHER POSTS FROM DR. BOB....PLEASE E-MAIL ME MY PASSWORD SO I MAY GET OFF THIS SITE! THANK YOU 1313
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 9, 2003, at 1:17:22
In reply to LOST PASSWORD, posted by 1313 on December 6, 2003, at 20:56:30
> I LOST MY PASSWORD...
I responded at PBA:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031120/msgs/287911.html
Bob
Posted by dubious on December 10, 2003, at 14:26:06
In reply to Re: Is Abilify only used to treat Schizophrenia?, posted by lynn3 on December 5, 2003, at 8:17:25
no...its also used to treat bipolar disorder. although it is technically an atypical antipsychotic, my doctor classifies it as something different and unique because of its distinct properties.
I actually just started taking it for extreme anxiety, depression and depersonalization.
I already feel the effects.
Posted by Phoenixx on December 19, 2003, at 0:05:04
In reply to What dx was it prescribed for? » andys, posted by Vince on November 29, 2002, at 22:52:36
Hello, I am new to psycho-babble. I was prescribed Abilify a few weeks ago for "bipolar mood disorder type I with psychotic features," and it is working really well for me. I seem to be noticing things that I have been leaving unhandled in my life, and having the energy to address them. (I am not having an episode at this time.) It was prescribed to replace Zyprexa, because I have gained an ungodly amount of weight on that one.
Posted by Phoenixx on December 19, 2003, at 0:14:01
In reply to Abilify -- cost is prohibitive!/ Anxious?, posted by Vanidosa on January 3, 2003, at 16:36:47
When I started Abilify, it sedated me right to sleep for the first two days I took it. I had been told that I could take it at night if that happened, so I switched my dosing schedule. Then, a few days later, I was up all night playing minesweeper on the computer. It happened again the next night, so I switched back to mornings. Now, I don't notice any unpleasant side effects, although I definately do have more energy and a desire to keep busy at something. This is actually a good thing, because I have had a tendency to "zone out" and not get anything done for years, which I blamed on my medication. The bottom line is that I really like it. Fortunately, I have insurance that covers everything except a $2.00 co-pay per prescription.
Posted by Phoenixx on December 19, 2003, at 0:28:53
In reply to Re: Abilify: weight, akithisia, posted by 1313 on November 18, 2003, at 20:02:19
I wish you the best, and I appreciate your not wanting to say anything bad about a medication that might help someone else. But I feel that I ought to share this.
I felt the same way you do about Zyprexa. That was 150 or so pounds ago. I had always been heavy, but all of a sudden, I was unable to walk (even got an electric wheelchair from medicare) and my legs swole up with lymphedema and developed weeping sores through which I got strep into my blood. I almost died. I topped out at 479 lbs, and I don't know how I got there. Now, I am getting treatment for the lymphedema and physical therapy to help me walk again, and I have lost 64 lbs in a couple of months. (Almost dying is a great motivator. It's different than when you are thinking of killing yourself - been there too)I was told by my health care provider that my zyprexa could account for as much as 100 lbs of my weight, and so I'm off it now, and very happy with Abilify. I feel better, and I have more energy, and my appetite is greatly reduced.
Now, I realize that all of this probably has nothing to do with you, but you brought up the subject, and I wanted to tell my story in case knowing what I learned the hard way might help someone else.
Posted by JLM on December 19, 2003, at 1:36:07
In reply to Re: Abilify: weight, akithisia, posted by Phoenixx on December 19, 2003, at 0:28:53
Geez, sorry to hear about your troubles, that's horrible :(
I have heard more than one report of extreme weight gain with Zyprexa. How common is this? I have also seen references to treatment emergent diabetes, which is definitely not a good thing.
There is a recent NY Times article that talks about how state Medicaid programs are pulling Zyprexa from their formularies. Highly interesting.
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