My Canadian Doctor (an International specialist and holder of a Research Chair) told me today to drop from 10 mg to 5mg so my physiological restlessness will come under control.
I believe him.
This is my 1st entry into "chat land;" I sense there is too much misinformation e.g. a "professional" telling someone to drop Abilify totally to end their restlessness. It could be throwing out "the baby with the bath water." I say 1st try lowering your dose. We're all different in our chemistry, but a cynicism and/or a anti-drug bias does not help us get better. We need to be open.
I do look foreward to a response to my question from someone with personal experience - someone like me who has been in the front lines of Depression for too long and wants relief, however it can be found.
2007-07-20 09:08:10 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Hmmm. I had the same problem with Abilify. I was so restless and had increased anxiety. In my case, lowering the dose did not help. I had to stop the medication all together.
People are different. One med that works great for one person may cause havoc in another.
2007-07-20 09:27:29 · answer #1 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, Abilify takes several days and possibly weeks to work in ones system. Therefore, you wouldn't be able to tell a difference overnight if you changed your dosage of medication. Secondly, I'm sorry but your doctor sounds like an idiot. I have seen Abilify do incredible things in my patients and the only time it is decreased by 5 mg is when we are weaning someone off of it for good. When you started this medicaiton I sincerly hope your doctor increased it SLOWLY as if he didn't this would cause you severe restlessness and anxiety. Since decreasing it you state that your symptoms have decreased but make sure you aren't in too small of a dose b/c it is possible it won't work at all. Good luck!
2007-07-20 12:44:19 · answer #2 · answered by La-Te-Da 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My side effects (mostly restlessness and fatigue) were terrible on 5 and 10mg. The solution my doctor came up with was to raise my dose to 15mg. The nasty side effects stopped. I'm now on 20mg. My doctor said that Abilify is one of those drugs that tend to make some people feel worse when on a low dose like 5 or 10mg.
2007-07-21 10:40:00 · answer #3 · answered by Pico 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't particularly noticed this, however, it is very possible. I would continue to work with your doctor for the right treatment dosage. I have noticed that the benefits seem to be the same whether I'm on 5 mg or 10 mg. I'm sure your doctor will work to treat you effectively on the lowest possible dose.
2007-07-20 09:14:21 · answer #4 · answered by ஜSnazzlefrazzஜ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It goes without saying that your physician is correct. Oftentimes it is necessary to reduce the uncomfortable side effects. Then it is possible to increase the dosage at a future time. I don't consider myself an "expert" in depression but I certainly have a lot of experience with it. I ignored its symptoms for years and barely managed to survive. Surprisingly I became very successful in my career but it finally caught up and almost devoured me before I would agree to treatment with medications. best wishes to you
2007-07-20 09:14:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You go read the package insert use a damn dictionary if you have too. Then tell me if Abilfy is the wonder drug.
2007-07-20 09:13:21 · answer #6 · answered by JOHN 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋