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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 24, 2004, at 1:29:41
Well,
This is how it's been the last few days.
I've ben on 5 mg. of Abilify for 5 weeks. I started 5 mg. Zyprexa 1 1/2 weeks ago. I got a benefit within a couple of days but I think it's ebbing.
I've always felt a lot of anxiety on the Abilify. It does help with motivation so I've accepted the trade off. The zyprexa, which I take at night, has made me more passive and easy going, but I'm a little groggy, detached and sedated. I still feel a lot of the abilify anxiety.
I'm wondering if I upped the abilify, if it would counteract the zyprexa groggieness or just make me more anxious. If I upped the zyprexa to regain the benefits from when I started it, I wonder if it would be too sedating. Or if I upped both, if that would be a very good or very bad idea. Any input is appreciated.
My Dx is Major Depression w/psychotic features, Dysthemia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Borderline Disorder. I'm not currently in a depression period, near as I can tell.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 24, 2004, at 1:42:04
In reply to Time to up the dosage? Zyprexa and Abilify., posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 24, 2004, at 1:29:41
AD's and mood stabilizers (tegretol, lithium, ect.) et al are out form ant reasons. Strictly antipsychotics.
Posted by Sebastian on March 24, 2004, at 12:17:38
In reply to Time to up the dosage? Zyprexa and Abilify., posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 24, 2004, at 1:29:41
Uping the Abilify will increase anxiety. It would also counter the grogyness. Uping Zyprexa will not remove anxiety.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 24, 2004, at 22:42:36
In reply to Re: Time to up the dosage? Zyprexa and Abilify., posted by Sebastian on March 24, 2004, at 12:17:38
> Uping the Abilify will increase anxiety. It would also counter the grogyness. Uping Zyprexa will not remove anxiety.
You are right. I went ahead and tried it anyway, increasing both to 10 mg. Needless to say it turned me into a groggy nervous wreck. It would be nice to reach a theraputic dose on something someday....
Posted by HappyGirl on March 26, 2004, at 0:18:00
In reply to Time to up the dosage? Zyprexa and Abilify., posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 24, 2004, at 1:29:41
Hi SDJ:
>>> I've ben on 5 mg. of Abilify for 5 weeks. I started 5 mg. Zyprexa 1 1/2 weeks ago. I got a benefit within a couple of days but I think it's ebbing. <<<--- You may need to give the Zyprexa more time, ... just one and a half wks. sounds like not enough to discover its effectiveness. ---
>>> I've always felt a lot of anxiety on the Abilify. It does help with motivation so I've accepted the trade off. The zyprexa, which I take at night, has made me more passive and easy going, but I'm a little groggy, detached and sedated. I still feel a lot of the abilify anxiety. <<<
--- In my knowledge, 'Abilify' is one of APs that has 'stimulant' effectiveness that in turn gives you 'motivation,' 'energy' and also might be good for 'ADD' in some way, ... but I can't be sure, ...
On the otherhand, Zyprexa is a good med., but never offers you 'energetic' part, rather a kind 'slowing down' that makes you NOT to 'manic,' at least in my case,
As to the 'up' the dosage, I pretty much doubt, more Zyprexa you take, the more sedating/zombi you may get, --->>> I'm wondering if I upped the abilify, if it would counteract the zyprexa groggieness or just make me more anxious. If I upped the zyprexa to regain the benefits from when I started it, I wonder if it would be too sedating. Or if I upped both, if that would be a very good or very bad idea. <<<
--- Risperdal, like the Zyprexa, ... might be good for you, because this med. is more potent than Zyprexa, if you feel sedating more than you can handle, especially at work, although those sleepiness/grogginess goes away with time, ... maybe over the period of 2-4 wks., but those statistics varies from person to person. Just only you do NOT feel right on Abilify and Zyprexa combo., you may ask your pdoc. for other AP, that seems more likely 'Risperdal,' because you may need more potent AP than Zyprexa. ---
>>> I'm not currently in a depression period, near as I can tell. <<<
--- For that, Abilify might have been more helpful than Zyprexa, because in your case, 'stimulant' form of AP seems MORE beneficial due to your past experience(good) from Ritalin(in my recollection from your past thread regarding 'Ritalin' use in your childhood). ---
H.G.
Posted by Sebastian on March 26, 2004, at 19:56:06
In reply to Re: Time to up the dosage? Zyprexa and Abilify., posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 24, 2004, at 22:42:36
Try sticking with zyprexa and getting rid of abilify. Then start another medication for energy, one that does not cause anxiety. I take wellbutrin. Keep the zyprexa at the original dose.
This is the end of the thread.
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