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Added 5mg abilify to 50mg Zoloft

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Posted 5/21/2017 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all. So a little about me, I've been on and off zoloft for 15 yrs. In between I've tried Lexapro and Pristiq, but they were not for me. I have always had some OCD and anxiety. Well within the last couple month I got panic attacks, never have been so scared in my life... I've basically had a minor one everyday for the last 2 weeks. My dr just added Abilify to zoloft and wants me to stay on it at least 2 weeks. He says flipping back and fourth trying new meds too soon isn't letting me see if it works or not.... any advice would be great. Hugs
Posted 5/21/2017 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your challenges currently. :/ It is so difficult dealing panic attacks, I know!

As far as your doctor's guidance...he is right. It can take anywhere from 6 up to 12 weeks for some Rx's to come to their therapeutic levels in the system. So, switching before that time because of side effects, or not seeing results can be a misstep.

I am guessing that you reinstated your Zoloft 2 weeks ago? Giving it more time, along with taking your add-on will be a worthwhile goal for a med that will eventually perform well for you...so do your best to hang in there.

To help you manage the anxiety/panic, please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material. You can use this along with your therapy tools to help you maintain during your start up...and beyond!

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key!

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/21/2017 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the warm welcome;) Also i should mention I take up to 3-0.5 Xanax to get through this rough patch, per my DR. I guess I'm just obsessing omthat the abilify is going to make panic attacks worse. And I was back on Zoloft about a month ago and when I tried to increase to my regular 100mg that's when things really went down hill. Now this is the regime I'm at.
Posted 5/21/2017 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
A benzo as needed, temporarily is a good plan...

...and sometimes a previous therapeutic dose may not be the new goal...so really let how you feel determine your target dose. smile

We are cheering you on, so keep.us.updated, okay?

S.C.
Posted 5/21/2017 8:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum you will find good support here from other members who can relate to what you are going through.

I'm sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment as SC mentioned above meds can take a while to kick in so you need to give them time before deciding to change or increase the dosage.

The abilify should help with your anxiety and panic attacks and is quicker acting than an ssri I take a similar medication called Olanzapine and have found it a very helpful add on to my ssri.

Keep us posted

Hibee
Posted 5/22/2017 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Zoloft does the trick for me when it comes to my anxiety. Xanax does not work for me. I'm almost off Xanax now as I'm currently tapering. Benzodiazepines have just stopped working for me in general.

The Zoloft will take some time to work again if you've just started it up once again. I'm up to 100 mg now and holding and it's doing the trick.

Abilify I was on once before and it was not good at all. In fact, I'd tell anyone to stay away from Abilify. Everyone's body is different and people react different ways, so it may not be a dangerous drug for you - but it was very bad for me. Abilify caused me akathisia, which could last permanently if the dose is not stopped. I could not drive because I had no control over my legs at all. I was terrified to do almost anything.
Posted 5/23/2017 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
See that's what I'm scared about that the abilify is making it worse, I feel my anxiety is still there. I'm on 5mg and I have a feeling dr is going to increase that and not the zoloft!! All I know is functioning like this isn't the answer. All day I'm obsessing over anxiety and when I'm going to have a panic attack. Makes working, driving, being a wife and mother seem nearly impossible;(
Posted 5/23/2017 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

Seeking a second opinion, or asking your doctor to make an inquiry for you (with a colleague) is completely fair.

There is a fine line to trusting your doctor, and giving an Rx a fair trial...

...and also knowing your body/mind best...and realizing something is or isn't working for you, as a unique individual.

I wish you the best in determinimg which course is best for you to take!

Peace and progress!

S.C.
Posted 5/23/2017 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, don't let it scare you. Listen to your body and if you feel that it really isn't working, feed that information back the doctor. As SC stated above, looking for a second opinion or asking a doctor to make an inquiry can never hurt.

I don't believe I had experiences with the Abilify increasing anxiety. However, it was very hard to tell because I was such a mess at the time with anxiety through the roof. Of course, the akathisia side effect did not make things better - but worse.

Also, it may be beneficial to write a little diary up. Catalog your anxiety triggers and events. When you up your dosage, record it and record what you are feeling. This may help you figure out whether the Abilify is truly helpful or not.
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