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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cybercafe on June 21, 2003, at 4:56:28
hey guys i just wonder if i could get some information on what it feels like to be on abilify ... antidepressant? helps focus? increases patience?
Posted by kotsunega on June 21, 2003, at 14:07:19
In reply to Abilify=motivation? what does it feel like, posted by cybercafe on June 21, 2003, at 4:56:28
> hey guys i just wonder if i could get some information on what it feels like to be on abilify ... antidepressant? helps focus? increases patience?
I can only tell you what taking Abilify feels like after a little more than three weeks on it. I am bipolar with ADD. I take Prozac, Wellbutrin, Ritalin, and Synthroid along with the Abilify. I took 20 mg Zyprexa for more than 3 years. After discontinuing the Zyprexa and starting on Abilify, all I can tell you is that it has a slight 'lifting' effect. I feel 'airy'; lighter; and maybe a little more positive in outlook. Now, I can't tell if this is just from stopping the Zyprexa, which did have a heavy effect, or if it is a true benefit of the Abilify at this point. Luckily, I'm one of the ones who has not experienced any of the nasty side effects (akathisia) some have reported after starting Abilify. I will post more as my mileage on Abilify lengthens. Good luck to you if you are considering Abilify.
-kotsunega
Posted by cybercafe on June 21, 2003, at 14:29:20
In reply to Re: Abilify=motivation? what does it feel like, posted by kotsunega on June 21, 2003, at 14:07:19
Posted by cybercafe on June 22, 2003, at 19:02:36
In reply to Re: Abilify=motivation? what does it feel like, posted by kotsunega on June 21, 2003, at 14:07:19
so.. you've been on abilify for 3 weeks... are you still taking zyprexa?
> I can only tell you what taking Abilify feels like after a little more than three weeks on it. I am bipolar with ADD. I take Prozac, Wellbutrin,
dude i am bipolar and ADD too and i am just dieing to find out how you do on this drug!
>Ritalin, and Synthroid along with the Abilify. I took 20 mg Zyprexa for more than 3 years. After discontinuing the Zyprexa and starting on
okay i am taking only 5 mg of zyprexa... i am predominantly depressive, type 1 ... i guess you were most often manic?
>Abilify, all I can tell you is that it has a slight 'lifting' effect. I feel 'airy'; lighter; and maybe a little more positive in outlook.
short question: is this a good feeling? :)
long question:
what do you mean lighter, not light headed, dizzy (physically) but emotionally stimulated.... ?like .. you feel more insulated from outside events... you feel a constant good feeling no matter what you're doing? (i get this from large doses of caffeine... an ADDer temporarily experiencing "normal")>Now, I can't tell if this is just from stopping the Zyprexa, which did have a heavy effect, or if it is a true benefit of the Abilify at this point. Luckily, I'm one of the ones who has not
yeah i don't seem to get as excited about things on zyprexa, but... maybe that's what it means to be "normal"
>experienced any of the nasty side effects (akathisia) some have reported after starting Abilify. I will post more as my mileage on Abilify lengthens. Good luck to you if you are considering Abilify.
so you didn't get any bad side effects at all?
it was easier for you to start than, say, an antidepressant?
oh btw... last question i promise ! :) do you take anything for your ADD?
Posted by kotsunega on June 22, 2003, at 22:12:57
In reply to Re: Abilify=motivation? what does it feel like » kotsunega, posted by cybercafe on June 22, 2003, at 19:02:36
cybercafe wrote:> so.. you've been on abilify for 3 weeks... are you still taking zyprexa?
I have finished taking reduced doses of zyprexa. I started at 20 mg, went to 15 mg, 10mg,then 5 mg and then none.
>
> > I can only tell you what taking Abilify feels like after a little more than three weeks on it. I am bipolar with ADD. I take Prozac, Wellbutrin,
>
> dude i am bipolar and ADD too and i am just dieing to find out how you do on this drug!A fellow BP'r with ADD! Glad to meet you. I'll post updates about my experience with Abilify as often as I can.
>
> >Ritalin, and Synthroid along with the Abilify. I took 20 mg Zyprexa for more than 3 years. After discontinuing the Zyprexa and starting on
>
> okay i am taking only 5 mg of zyprexa... i am predominantly depressive, type 1 ... i guess you were most often manic?Yes, I was manic or mixed states, type 1 (the mixed states is not something I would wish on my worst enemy!)
>
> >Abilify, all I can tell you is that it has a slight 'lifting' effect. I feel 'airy'; lighter; and maybe a little more positive in outlook.
>
> short question: is this a good feeling? :)Yes, it is.
> long question:
> what do you mean lighter, not light headed, dizzy (physically) but emotionally stimulated.... ?like .. you feel more insulated from outside events... you feel a constant good feeling no matter what you're doing? (i get this from large doses of caffeine... an ADDer temporarily experiencing "normal")Yes, it's an uplifting feeling. Like, I catch myself singing to songs on the radio on my way into work in the morning and feeling rather upbeat -- rather than driving along and dreading the drudge of another day of work.
>
> >Now, I can't tell if this is just from stopping the Zyprexa, which did have a heavy effect, or if it is a true benefit of the Abilify at this point. Luckily, I'm one of the ones who has not
>
> yeah i don't seem to get as excited about things on zyprexa, but... maybe that's what it means to be "normal"I think zyprexa is somewhat sedating to the emotions as well as the central nervous system. On abilify, I find myself laughing more.
>
> >experienced any of the nasty side effects (akathisia) some have reported after starting Abilify. I will post more as my mileage on Abilify lengthens. Good luck to you if you are considering Abilify.
>
> so you didn't get any bad side effects at all?No, so far it's been a real smooth ride.
>
> it was easier for you to start than, say, an antidepressant?
>My experience with antidepressants is that they kick in in about 2 weeks and I am amazed to find out how rotten I had been feeling. With abilify, it's perhaps more subtle.
>
> oh btw... last question i promise ! :) do you take anything for your ADD?
>
Yes, I take Ritalin and Wellbutrin. I'm thinking of asking the pdoc to switch me over to adderall as I want to see what effects I get from it now that I'm not taking zyprexa anymore, which really blunted the effects of stimulants for me.Best regards,
-kotsunega
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