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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 17:39:07
basically, I'm going to try taking my neuroleptic (Abilify) only when needed. I figure, tranquilizers are fast acting, so why not? Plus, I'm not crazy *all* the time--its mostly a stress-related issue.
I stopped taking it daily a while ago--a week, maybe more. Kinda started feeling good, called up my ex-therapist and called him a mind-f*cker, etc. That was fun. Then I started to feel kind of agitated and I didn't sleep for 2 days. So I took 30mgs for 2 days, got some sleep, and now I feel just dandy.
What do you guys think? Abilify is the only neuroleptic I've been able to tolerate, but it still makes me feel tranquilized and kind of "blah" over the long haul. I read about people with schizophrenia in "Mad in America" who would take their antipsychotics only when needed. That's what I'm basing this on.
Thanks
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 18, 2011, at 18:17:08
In reply to my new Abilify dosing plan..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 17:39:07
What does your psychiatrist think about this plan?
I can see the sense in taking a benzo "as needed" buy not sure about an AP - not sure how long it takes for the neuroleptic effect to kick in, as opposed to mere sedation. Think of doxepin or amitriptyline, you get sedation within an hour of taking a pill, but the antidepressant effect takes longer, I'm thinking the same might be true of abifily?
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 18:40:41
In reply to Re: my new Abilify dosing plan..., posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 18, 2011, at 18:17:08
My psychiatrist doesn't know. He think more=better in terms of antipsychotics, at least Abilify, so I don't think he'd be all that pleased.
I respond quickly to tranquilizers, always have. This leads me to think that I don't really necessarily need the long-term D2 blockade; occasional tranquilization with a neuroleptic is really all I need, I think.
You're right that it takes several weeks for the D2 blockade to start doing its thing in the brain. That said, as Dr.Peter Breggin has written, many of the "therapeutic" effects of antiupsychotic can be observed right after administration. That's why they use injections of Haldol (mixed with other stuff if you're lucky) in mental hospitals to calm people the hell down.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 18, 2011, at 21:52:15
In reply to Re: my new Abilify dosing plan..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 18:40:41
Yeah, a friend is an RN in a facility for the agitated aged, they refer to Haloperidol as "vitamin h"
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 22:44:36
In reply to Re: my new Abilify dosing plan..., posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 18, 2011, at 21:52:15
that's sad. I hope when I get old they don't pump me full of haldol (or other nasty drugs). I wonder why they don't just dose 'em up with high potency BZD drugs, like lorazepam or something. Seems more humane.
Posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2011, at 0:44:36
In reply to Re: my new Abilify dosing plan..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 22:44:36
CE just my opinion based on what's happened in the past don't feel you should stop the abilify. When does the schooling online start? Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 19, 2011, at 5:29:03
In reply to Re: my new Abilify dosing plan..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 22:44:36
Actualy, the Australian government has clamped down on the use of tranquilizers of all sorts in nursing homes - because a lot were being dispensed not for the benifit of the patient, but because they made life easier for the stuff.
Antipsychotic and benzo use is now monitored, and if it goes above benchmark levels, questions are asked (and federal funding can be withheld)
Posted by zonked on June 19, 2011, at 7:37:04
In reply to Re: my new Abilify dosing plan..., posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 18, 2011, at 21:52:15
> Yeah, a friend is an RN in a facility for the agitated aged, they refer to Haloperidol as "vitamin h"
One time when I was hospitalized (again, for *depression*! Without agitation) it seemed like the attending wanted everyone in there, regardless of complaint, to be put on Haldol-Ativan-Cogentin while still in triage/psych ER.
I refused the Haldol and Cogentin but happily took the Ativan.
-z
Posted by zonked on June 19, 2011, at 7:40:25
In reply to my new Abilify dosing plan..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 17:39:07
>
I read about people with schizophrenia in "Mad in America" who would take their antipsychotics only when needed. That's what I'm basing this on.
<That book was enough (after verifying some of the claims) to make *sure* an antipsychotic would never enter my body unless I developed psychosis.
I don't agree with Breggin (the anti-psychiatry psychiatrist) on a lot of things, but I do agree with him about big pharma & antipsychotics...
-z
This is the end of the thread.
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