So Frustrated

Well, isn't that just the pits. Two in a row. Where's the phone? I'm callin him

I have an Abilify chapter in my book. Super depressed, increased my Cymbalta to the max. dose. The nurse practitioner seeing me trotted off to get the pdoc overseeing me. He called it taking initiative, and that it was too much Cymbalta. Put me on a low dose of Abilify with Cymbalta. Went from super depressed to a hypo mania for a change. I got tons done, and needed little sleep. New woman. A tiny dose, then increased to a low dose, mind you. Can't remember what all happened next. Just not sleeping for a couple days and tired. Stopped working altogether even on a hefty dose of 30 mg. Expensive as all get out. It is one of the latest, advertised on TV as what to do when your antidepressant isn't enough.

But things do work differently on me than on most. With the samples, maybe its a trial to see the response. Will switch you later. My pdocs were very quick to attribute the fact that my depression wasn't fixed by antidepressants to a diagnosis of Bipolar II. Maybe old school, though less than 5 yrs ago. Pdocs have been getting an ass kicking for prescribing without a definite diagnosis.

Was that a group of pdocs? Maybe you will end up moving to someone else, tho I remember you aren't surrounded by them in Pa. When do you go back?

I googled "discount rx cards", just now, printable online. No qualifying. Someone on the forum took a bunch to the pharmacist and he ran them in the register, looking for the best on her drug. She got a very hefty savings she says. I never tried it. Priced all local pharmacies, found Sam's Club to be the lowest. Then they closed. Alas

So sorry about your disappointing experience. Take heart, Abilify may be your wonder drug, give him the info he is looking for, and lead to a diagnosis and better treatment. My pdoc's weren't concerned with " little things", like social anxiety, at first. Mostly a therapist thing, or its treated with low dose benzos, etc. Pdocs want to identify the big picture, then narrow down on the rest.

Hope others will respond regarding the Abilify.
Wish I was more help. Thought about you today and was holding positive vibes.
Sandy

Post Edited (Trying to Understand) : 10/4/2010 10:50:46 PM (GMT-6)

Abilify is used both to augment anti-depressants and at times as a mood stabilizer, but mostly just for depression or people with  bpII.  My doctor put me on abilify last year to augment my anti-depressants and in response to a new diagnosis of bpII (I am now diagnosed with bpI.  It was expensive.  I think it must really help some people since it is so widely prescribed, and I would recommend following your drs. orders.  I had side effects on it and had to get off of it, but had those fairly soon into beginning to take it so I would think you would notice soon if you do.  I hope your dr. scheduled a follow-up not too far off and you can talk to her/him about your concerns about what will happen once the office samples run out.  But in the meantime, like ttu says, you might as well find out if this works as that information can be helpful even in prescribing a different drug. 

Thanks to everyone that responded.

I am going to follow the pdocs instructions and give it a try. I took it yesterday and today along with the Lexapro. So far all I really have is an upset stomach. Hopefully that will be it for side effects but who knows. I have an appointment with him on Monday in case I have problems with the meds and also so he can decide whether to raise the dosage or not. I am hoping that by then he may have some time to think about a diagnoses but I am not holding my breath. I have been telling myself that it is good that he didn't just have an instant diagnoses on the first visit. I am probably going to take the wife with me. She says that I don't realize the severity of my symptoms, so she may be able to help clarify from her view. It is tempting to lead the pdoc to a diagnoses because I am pretty sure it is Bipolar but since I am not a doc I am trying not to push in a certain direction. Just one that makes sense to me. So far he has me with either severe depression or bipolar. I just want the correct diagnoses and treatment.

I also don't know if it has anything to do with the Abilify or not but last night I got very irritable. Like the world was standing on my last nerve. No patience at all. I slept and now today I feel like I am going back in the depression. The nervous energy has been gone a few days and now today, all I want to do is sleep. I am back to selling my little business and feel like I am sliding back into the hole(depression). I feel just like I did before.

I will probably look up RX discount cards that you mentioned Sandy, but I already looked up Abilify prices. $500 for 30 2mg pills. I don't think I am going to find a discount card that will put a dent in that. I am going to discuss it with the pdoc on Monday.

Tim

Tim
Good, going back Monday and your wife will be going with. I think that giving you an appt so soon shows that he's concerned, wants to "see" how you're acting for a second time, and re evaluate the Abilify before just upping the dose. And he started you low, the right way. I'm thinking better of him now.
Yes, I know about the Abilify being costly. Put quite a strain on my 401K those 2 yrs. Try not to focus on that right now, especially since he's giving you samples. When you tell him that you are concerned about that, he may have another drug to put you on. This being a trial to see how it effects you, enabling him to arrive at a diagnosis. This can't be the only drug available that will help you. The psych drugs are powerful, and you're bound to feel them taking hold in your brain.
I don't recall how I felt at first, was too far gone at that point. Hope I understood you that you are sleeping more.
Did you take your meds with some food, or after eating? If not, that might help.
Post again
Sandy

It's genetic -
I did not down a pot of coffee, I just felt like I did but thank you for the tips. I will keep them in mind and try to cut out the pepsi. I had gone to caffeine free before but ended up back drinking the regular stuff. Either way I am know that soda isn't good for anyone. I don't drink alcohol at all so at least i am doing that right.

Sandy -
All I want to do is sleep. I can't because of the kids but if I was here by myself I would not have gotten out of bed at all. My energy spurt is gone I slept about 6 hours last night and had a very hard time staying awake today. Especially in the morning. I was like this before just forgot about it somehow. Sleep 6 or 7 hours and feel like I didn't sleep at all. I am starting to think that maybe I was feeling better than I thought when I had the energy. I don't know how I could just seem to forget how bad I felt but it is coming back to me now.

Tim