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Posted 9/25/2007 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Here I go again with new meds, my pdoc actually switched one of my meds yet again.  I am now going to take 10mg of Abilify, and I guess I am a little scared.  I was on Geodon for a little over 3 months, and my pdoc said it is not something I should take on a long term basis.

So I am hoping things go well with Abilify and I don't have to switch to something else. confused

Posted 9/25/2007 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
why shouldn't you take it on a long term basis? Why change it now?

serafena
Posted 9/25/2007 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Serafena,

I think I found out why he would say that, when I went on the pfizer site it states that's it is not know what long terms effects of Geodon are. I think it is because Abilify has been around a while longer. Plus he said it has lower side effects, I hope that turns out to be true.
Posted 9/25/2007 10:40 AM (GMT 0)
how are you sleeping on abilify?
Posted 9/25/2007 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya Olivia,

 

How have things been going for you the last few days? Yeah, I know the feeling of starting a new med. I keep thinking...Yea...this might be the one!

 

I hope everything goes well for you on this new med. Keep me posted on how you're doing. I think of you a lot!

Posted 9/25/2007 5:55 PM (GMT 0)

I take 20mgs of Abilify.  It's the only med that I've had any luck with.  Between it and the wellbutrin I take I have noticed an increase in my anxiety level, but I have benzos for that.  Most people have no problems with it at all.  I did have some extreme drowsiness when I first went on it.  Lasted all of three days and then passed.  Now I have a little sleeping difficulty but I've noticed the longer I take it, the more that subsides.  My pdoc gave me the choice of going on Geodon or back on Abililfy and I picked the latter even though I knew it would raise my anxiety level.  It's evened me out more than any other med.  This is the most stable I've been in a year or more.  And I was in pretty bad shape this time last year.  I hope you have as much luck with it as I have. 

Posted 9/26/2007 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I just started Abilify last night, so far it is not as bad as I thought. It upset my stomach a little and has made me really, really drowsy. Ellie, I hope it goes away in a few days. Sleep has not been too much of a problem yet, but it's too early to tell. I'll let you know how I feel by next week. Thanks for all your help and inquiries.
Posted 9/26/2007 4:27 AM (GMT 0)

im kind of wondering now about the geodon. i was switched from abillify to geodon for a few reasons but mostly becasue i was having sideeffects from abillify like twitching. the geodon has saved me mentally but what are the long term side effects of it, if anyone knows? i honestly dont know much about the med, i dont know why i never researched it but if anyone ias more info on it please let me know.

thank you

bunny

Posted 9/26/2007 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
BunnyP,

I was only on Geodon for about 4 months, I wish I could tell you what the long term affects are, but I cannot. I did not have too many side effects on Geodon, and that is why I liked it. But for one reason or another my pdoc switched me to Abilify. Funny, we are taking the opposite meds. There might be someone on this forum that might be able to answer your questions. Your pdoc is the best source of information though.
Posted 9/26/2007 9:56 PM (GMT 0)

thanks olivia, ill start a new topic

bunny

Posted 10/6/2007 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Out of curiousity do how soon do the side effects go away after you start Abilify. I have been on it for almost 2 weeks and it has been worse the 2nd week than the 2st. I was taking 10mg at 1st and barely had side effects, now at 20mg no amount of caffeine keeps me from getting drowsy. Thanks. :)
Posted 10/6/2007 2:05 AM (GMT 0)

for me, the abillify never made me tired at all but thats not unusual for me, nothing, not pain meds or sleep meds make me tired.

sorry i cant be of more help :*

bunny

Posted 10/6/2007 2:46 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Olivia,

Just want to say I am thinking of you.  I hate side effects so much, I hope they are starting to ease for you.  It's so awful.  Hang in there, we are all here for you.

Posted 10/6/2007 9:51 PM (GMT 0)

Ooooh Pooooh Olivia,

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so crappy on the 2nd week. I don't know anything about abilify. When is your next appt. with your pdoc? I hope it's not too far away. Can you call his office on Monday and leave a message for him to call you back? He may want you to immediately go back to the 10mg or he may say give the 20mg more time. But at least you will know...and not go through anything needlessly if you don't have to.

I hope things get better for you!

Posted 10/6/2007 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your support.

My appointment is not till Friday, so I was planning to call on Monday and ask to lower my dose 10 or 15mg and still see him on friday anyway. I'll let you knw what happens, usually caffeine is my best friend but not the last few days.

I called today, and I am down to 10mg, hopefully that will make the side effects appear less.

Posted 10/10/2007 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Olivia,

 

Eeek! Sounds like your really having issues with this new med!  :o(  Monday he lowered you back to 10mg and now you are having sleep issues. How are you feeling during the day besides tired?  Oh how I hate the back and forth of adjusting a new med! I hope he has a good plan for you tomorrow. Let us know what happens.  I'm sorry you are going through all of this. Always thinkin of you! 

Posted 10/10/2007 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Sukay,

I have having really bad sleeping issues due to the Abilify (I have insomnia and wake up several times a night it has been aweful). I even took 2mg of ativan last night and it is not helping at all. I am gonna see my pdoc on Friday and talk to him about it.

I just feel like I am a complete mess, and I don't know what to do.

Thanks for asking, not so well. I don't even know how I feel anymore, just not good. It was no bad yesterday that I almost checked myself into the hospital. But I feel a little bit better today. Only 1 more day till my pdoc appt, I will fight to hold on till then. I've been lying to everyone and myself than I have been doing well, but it is not true. I don't think Abilify is the right med for me at all.
Posted 10/10/2007 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
A big ol' bouquet of pretty flowers for you Miss Olivia, in red purple and yellow.

Hang in there. You're gonna be okay. Make yourself a cup of tea (no caffeine) and hunker down with a book. Call a friend to come over and watch all 6 Star Wars movies (or better yet, skip #1 -- Jar Jar Binks -- ugh. Now that's depressing.)

We are all pulling for you and you are going to be okay.
Posted 10/10/2007 9:00 PM (GMT 0)

olivia,

i have nothing to add other than some support. it took me a long long time to go back and forth on the med rollercoaster and i know what its like. and i have such sleeping problems from another med im on that i truly understand that as well. just keep goin, youll make it, you only have a little time left to wait and youll get help.

hugs

bunny

Posted 10/11/2007 1:05 AM (GMT 0)

Olivia,

I wish there was something I could actually do for you.  I am here for you.  We all are.  You are being very strong hanin' in like you are.  It's hard for me to say positive things b/c I don't like the meds, but I do hope that somehow this lets up on you and you start feeling the right effects.  Anyway, I have a ton of studying to do, but I am thinking of you.

I am glad to see you are posting about what you're going through.  I am sure that helps :-)

Posted 10/12/2007 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Olivia:

Good luck at the docs tomorrow, and let us know how it goes. We're all back here hoping you feel better soon, fully prepared to make you tea and such if necessary.
Posted 10/12/2007 3:13 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Olivia,

I just wanted to let you know that I remembered what today is too. Please post an update for us. We all want you on the road to better days ahead. (((Hugs)))

Posted 10/12/2007 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

My pdoc appointment went well, after a long discussion we both realized that I have been on a lot of meds in the past.  It was like he named one, and I would tell him why it was bad or it didn't work.  I insisted on him putting me back on Geodon, but he said I had too many risky side effects.  I was diasppointed that I had a lot of side effects from the Abilify, I have heard good things about it.

So it was decided that I will try Tegretol, since I have never been on it.  Only issue  was that the pharmacy did not have it and I would have to wait for it till Monday.  At least I still have my lithium to lean on for the weekend.  Aside from that I will be back on Buspar for anxiety.  I will let you know how the Tegretol goes.  Thanks so much for your supports, cheers and tea offers.  :-)

Olivia

 

Posted 10/13/2007 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Good golly you're body is stubborn, isn't it? So the lithium works okay but the depression's kicking your butt? Hmmm. I've never known anyone on Tegretol. Let us know how it goes and take care of yourself. You're a real trooper to try all this stuff out. It's like a sick chemistry set, after a while, isn't it?

How are other things going? Are you doing okay with school? Are you getting out of the house at all? Socializing?
Posted 10/14/2007 3:45 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Olivia,

How are you doing today? Are your other meds helping you to get through until Monday?  So you went to the doctor and he prescribed a new med for you. Well, sometimes we have to go on that route. I'm sorry the Abilify didn't work out for you, but I am glad that you caught it very early and stood on top of the situation!  I know how you feel. I too have been changed to so many meds! The anxiety of what side effects it may bring but all the hope that this new med might be the one that finally works!

That's how the last 3-4 months have been for me. We AGAIN had to try a new med, Trileptal. I think it is a good choice for me, but it's hard to tell because I had so many stress issues to deal with soon after it was prescribed for me. So I had to wait until all that passed. Then my crohns and some type of flu bug hit me good and that in itself has put a new direction on my  moods!  Now I also had to go back onto my steriods due to my crohns and that will leave me in another new situation with my B/P.

I hope this new med will help you with all that you are going through. We all hate being in that stage of waiting to see if the meds will work or give us some type of side effects that we can't deal with.

I hope all goes well for you. I know you need to get to a better place. Especially with trying to stay in tune for school. How's it going with finding a new therapist? I think once you find one that you really "CLICK" with, that will help you so much too. Well you have all of our support here too so keep posting!!!!

(((((Hugs to You)))))

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