Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 220 Location: gulf coast =), USA
abilify to replace seroquel Posted: 02-28-08 00:36am
almost off seroquel... down to 50 mg for
next 2 days. i was taking 600 mg of
seroquel for the past 5 months or so,
which worked in some ways. it helped me
sleep but it made me gain weight and i
felt sedated with a thick tongue .
now that i'm almost off, i feel more
energized and alert, which i want to
maintain. my concern is getting on abilify
and losing my energy . i don't know much
about it and would appreciate any advice.
my dr. said that abilify doesn't cause
fatigue and weight gain...?? so, what's
the word on the street
thanks!
ps - i also take lamictal 200mg, cymbalta
60mg and klonipan 6 mg daily
|
antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 918 Location: IL
Thanks: 45
Thanked:16
Posted: 02-28-08 22:24pm
Hi puzzld,
No first hand knowledge with my kids with
abilify but it is the cadillac of the
antipsychotics. No weight gain, more level
moods, better energy, less sedating than
some of the other antipsychotics. These
are all things my husband has told me
(he's a pharmacist) about that medication.
Our insurance only pays a percentage of
the cost so it would be really expensive
for my boys to be on that med.
Give it a try. The worst to happen is that
it is not a great fix for you and you need
to try a different med. It is supposed to
be wonderful. Let us know. I would like to
hear how you do with it!
|
Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5542 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 89
Thanked:31
Posted: 02-29-08 11:01am
Yes, definitely let us know how it goes!
|
puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 220 Location: gulf coast =), USA
Posted: 03-01-08 09:54am
glad to hear some positive info about this
med.... thanks. i pray it works/helps. i
took my first dose last night. i'm feeling
a bit off and my lips are numb and
zapping... also, i think i have been very
manic since coming off seroquel...? i'm
just recognizing the mania side of
life.... as i was never aware of my mania,
i just thought, awesome, i'm not depressed
today. i seem to flip flop lots too.
xoxo
ps - yeah... the med is $625 roughly w/out
insurance. don't get me started on health
insurance... arg! i do have major medical
but it is expensive... go figure.
|
antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 918 Location: IL
Thanks: 45
Thanked:16
Posted: 03-01-08 21:42pm
Puzzld,
Sounds like you do a lot of rapid cycling
with your bpd. This makes life so
difficult. I hope you do well with the
abilify. I wish there were more options
out there for treatment. The options are
limited and it seems like the roller
coaster ride goes on and on.
Insurance companies stink. Our insurance
co. will pay for 30 mental health visits
per year. That means to a psychiatrist,
psychologist, or counselor. We get 60 per
life time per person covered! 60 per LIFE
TIME! How unreal is that? What if you had
diabetes and were limited in the same way?
How about a cardiac condition? Untreated
bpd can lead to deaths. Why is it that
mental health conditions are so
underfunded and so scantily insured? I
guess more people will have to die before
anyone does anything about it. Sad. In the
meantime, my husband and I live hand to
mouth. No savings. Meds. and doc visit
cost money - lots of it. Sigh. What is to
be done?
I would like to know how you feel on your
med in a couple days. I pray it works
well. That med is the final one for us to
try on the boys. If you do well then
perhaps it is worth the money. Let us
know! Hugs.
|
Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5542 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 89
Thanked:31
Posted: 03-03-08 21:15pm
wow that is really expensive.
|
puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 220 Location: gulf coast =), USA
Posted: 03-05-08 13:23pm
well... after i took that first dose and
had adverse reactions, i decided to
temporarily keep taking the low dose of
seroquel until i see my dr. tomorrow and
discuss. i made this decision bc i was
hosting my first cookout in honor of my
mother's b-day and i didn't want to feel
sick and tired.
my financial situation is critical. i've
been unemployed since Jan 22nd, 2008. i
was a sr. art director making decent $
with major med, which i still have but
they raised my rate to $800 mth, my hub
put me on his plan... same company. i have
to find a job fast. my husband and i can't
afford to pay this amount for very long. i
wonder how long i will be down and out
from switching meds?? i'm very scared and
confused.
my dr. always says, 'you are sick... do i
need to write this down for you to show
people... you need to do this... oh, now
you need to take that.... you are SICK'. i
know he's trying his ars off to help, he
does care and i do trust him but it's
easier said than done.
also, i'm a newlywed! my husband grew up
bever cleaver style, me.... no, lots of
dysfunction. he and his family are very
supportive. my hub has been from the day
we started dating but he's taxed after 3
years of picking up the slack! and the
stress of it all is too much for him
sometimes. he tries his best as do i....
but i fear for my marriage. it's not his
fault, he's never had to deal with
anything remotely like this and i know he
is struggling to cope. i don't want to
lose my husband we've been through
so much from the beginning. we used to say
that our obstacles have brought us closer
together. but, now we don't say that
anymore. how can we? we are growing
distant. we do have great days where we
laugh, goof off, etc.
while we were engaged, we found out that i
was infertile... huge upset for us both.
we stopped talking about baby names and
such. i had fertility surgery 10 days
after our honeymoon, Oct. 19th, 2007.
while recovering, i had a breakdown and
ended up catatonic. we went to my dr. and
then we found out that i'm bp! so my next
check up w/fertility dr. was hard. he
explained that he was able to open my
tubes and remove the massive tumor from my
uterus. he said we should try asap to
conceive as the first 3 months i will be
most fertile. then in one year most likely
the scarring would return. i held back my
tears and took a deep breath and explained
our current bp diagnosis and meds i have
to take. which, of course, u can't take
while preg, or at least i won't. sigh. i
haven't had time for counseling and i
haven't been able to digest and move
forward emotionally. i think my dr.'s
constant pleading for me to get to his
partner who's a psychologist/counselor is
working. i have to do this now! my
husband, unfortunately, refuses
counseling. even his mother is trying to
knock sense into him to go but he says
that he's not the one who is ill. then the
next sentence out of his mouth is, 'i just
don't know how to cope with all of
this'!!!
sorry for the rambling... had to get it
out, again.
very, very, puzzld
|
Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5542 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 89
Thanked:31
Posted: 03-05-08 13:51pm
I grew up in a family with mental illness
and my hubby grew up in a "cleaver family"
too. It's hard to get him to understand.
He thinks people should just be able to
"get over" things and doesn't understand
that sometimes people need more than
that.
I feel your pain!!
Why don't you try (once you start to see a
psychologist) just bringing him along and
tell him it's for your sake? Maybe being
exposed to the process and hearing a
psychologist talk to him will help him
understand more and help him realize that
he'll need help sometimes too. Not to
mention it would be a lot easier for you
if he was invovled in your treatment.
Good luck
|
puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 220 Location: gulf coast =), USA
Posted: 03-05-08 15:42pm
Georgia59
wrote:
I grew up in a family with
mental illness and my hubby grew up in a
"cleaver family" too. It's hard to get him
to understand. He thinks people should
just be able to "get over" things and
doesn't understand that sometimes people
need more than that.
I feel your pain!!
Why don't you try (once you start to see a
psychologist) just bringing him along and
tell him it's for your sake? Maybe being
exposed to the process and hearing a
psychologist talk to him will help him
understand more and help him realize that
he'll need help sometimes too. Not to
mention it would be a lot easier for you
if he was invovled in your treatment.
Good luck
great idea! he did go with me once to see
my psychiatrist...
thanks =)
xoxo
|
antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 918 Location: IL
Thanks: 45
Thanked:16
Posted: 03-06-08 00:19am
Puzzld,
I am so sorry to hear that you are having
such a rough time. I think Georgia59 has a
wonderful idea. Try it.
Has your doctor tried any mood stabalizers
with the antipsychotics? Just a thought.
Is disability a possibility for you? Even
temporary disability can help to ease the
financial burden. Your doctor can fill out
a form and this will speed the process up
and really will increase your chances of
getting some assistance. It could be just
enough to get you through the period of
adjustment to your meds.
My thoughts are with you and your husband.
Hugs.
|
puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 220 Location: gulf coast =), USA
Posted: 03-06-08 10:25am
antigone
wrote:
Puzzld,
I am so sorry to hear that you are having
such a rough time. I think Georgia59 has a
wonderful idea. Try it.
Has your doctor tried any mood stabalizers
with the antipsychotics? Just a thought.
Is disability a possibility for you? Even
temporary disability can help to ease the
financial burden. Your doctor can fill out
a form and this will speed the process up
and really will increase your chances of
getting some assistance. It could be just
enough to get you through the period of
adjustment to your meds.
My thoughts are with you and your husband.
Hugs.
hey, thanks.
i'm still confused about which is a mood
stabalizer and which is antipsychotic i
take an anti-depressant, cymbalta -
lamictal? - seroquel? - and anxiety meds.
i think disability is a possibility but my
hub won't even hear it. not sure if i'm
better off on unemployment or not. i get
$235 wkly.... not even half my salary.
and, just this AM hub said find a job by
the end of this month or we are going in
separate directions i don't like
ultimatums, it just puts more pressure on
me and it's counterproductive. i do think
i should look into disability and i'll
discuss with my dr. today.
xoxo
|
Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5542 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 89
Thanked:31
Posted: 03-06-08 14:13pm
It is confusing, I think some are used for
both.
|
puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 220 Location: gulf coast =), USA
Posted: 03-06-08 14:56pm
i see. will google it and ask dr.
missed my appnt. it was yesterday...
thought it was today. so i go on monday.
it's all gravy though
|
antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 918 Location: IL
Thanks: 45
Thanked:16
Posted: 03-08-08 02:03am
Ok, the mood stabilizer is lamictal. This
falls in the drug category of being an
anticonvulsant. It so happens that they
stabilize moods thus called mood
stabilizers. The seroquel in an atypical
antipsychotic. It is one of the newer
antipsychotics and has fewer side effects
than the first generation antipsychotics.
Does that clear up some of the med.
confusion? I can answer any other
questions about them (the perks of being
married to a pharmacist and being a
nurse)
I am sorry to hear that you missed your
appt. I know you really want to get things
straightened out. Hey, ask your doctor
about samples. The drug reps. give the
doctors samples by the bag full. This is
really a big money saver. If your doctor
doesn't have any ask him to request some
from the reps.
Does your husband really believe life will
be so much better if you two split? I hope
he was just blowing off steam. You really
need to focus on getting better.
Let us know how your appt. goes. Hugs.
|
puzzld
Supporter
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 220 Location: gulf coast =), USA
Posted: 03-15-08 12:14pm
antigone... thanks for the info. yes,
that did clear up med. confusion.
yeah, hub was just blowing off steam. i
understand that now, but at the time it
was painful to hear for the first time in
our short marriage. but it's all good
i'm doing OK with the switch to abilify...
surprisingly good. but i'm only reaching
the first week of switching.... i've
already noticed that my memory is getting
better and my energy levels, too. so, i'm
very hopeful and my spirit is high!
thank you everyone for the support =)
xoxo
|
CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2393 Location: ,
Thanks: 111
Thanked:156
Hi there puzzled Posted: 03-16-08 14:15pm
Long time no chat. Cycles are really hard
to deal with. My doc started my off on
100mg of Lamictal and said I could go up
to 200 if I wanted. After about 2 weeks I
was feeling like I was on a cloud. Then it
happend. Down I went thinking about my X
husband. OK, now time to up it to 150mg,
so I did. Gonna see how that works and
then if not, up to 200mg I go.
I need to find out more about this
"abilify. I really don't want to go on an
antipsychotics if I scan avoid it.
Glad you are feeling some what better
puzzled. I know since you lost your job
its been hell for you.
Big Hugs,
Carrie
|
antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 918 Location: IL
Thanks: 45
Thanked:16
Posted: 03-16-08 15:29pm
Carrie and Puzzld,
Have either of you added EPA/DHA (fish
oil) to the mix with your meds? It is not
a quick fix but over time you will notice
your moods even out a bit. Many adults
with bpd take 4 soft gels a day. My
children take one in the AM and one in the
PM. When I run out I sure see a difference
in them. The big plus is that it provides
cardiac protection and memory benefits. If
you don't eat a lot of fish this is
something you may want to consider.
I am trying a new herbal supplement for my
son, Ian. He is always cycling and has so
many bouts of irritability and frustration
that life is difficult for all. I have
tried another product by this company for
one of my other sons who has ADHD. He says
that it works better than anything else he
has taken, including straterra. I decided
to try a product that helps level out
moods. I'll let you know how it seems to
work. The products are FDA approved. That
doesn't mean anything to me. They approve
drugs that kill and shun vitamins that
provide nutrients we all lack so.... Just
an FYI.
I hope you are both feeling better. Life
is never dull with bpd, is it?! Let me
know how you are both doing. Maybe we can
find nirvana for bpd together!
|
CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2393 Location: ,
Thanks: 111
Thanked:156
antigone Posted: 03-16-08 15:46pm
I can't take Omaga oils. I had a
subaracnoid hemerage back in 2003 and was
told I could not take them. I am on on
81mg ASA. I do drink 1-2 nutritional
drinks a day. Made sure there was no oils
in them first. I am not cycling as much as
I was before Lemictal that's for sure. It
has really dominished drasically. I guess
just curtain things like other set me off.
I have always been a passive agrggressive.
As of late, I am just the opposite. I go
off at the drop of a hat. Not fun. In the
grocery store, ect.......can't hold my
tounge. LOL Wish my mouth sometimes had a
zipper.
All in all, the medication has really
helped that cycle too. I'm calmer and not
as sensitive. I can't take any suppliments
due to the fact of all the meds I am on.
12 to be exact. Couple of them two to
three times a day. Look at my profile and
you will see why.
Carrie
|
antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 918 Location: IL
Thanks: 45
Thanked:16
Posted: 03-17-08 08:19am
Carrie,
Did you have an aneurysm rupture that
caused your subarachnoid bleed? That is
the most common cause of subarachnoid
hemorrhage. Are you permitted to eat fish?
I can think of no reason the doc would
restrict you from taking fish oil or
eating fish. Did he/she give you a reason
for this? Just curious. I used to work in
a neuro ICU for years. Saw lots of
patients with ruptured aneurysms.
|
CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2393 Location: ,
Thanks: 111
Thanked:156
antigone Posted: 03-17-08 09:02am
Actually no. I had 2 MRI's and an
arteriogram and it showed no aneurysm at
all. I had a bigh fight (veral) with my
sister and before I knew it I was on the
floor followed by a headache on a scale of
1-10 about a 50. Then started vomiting
probably about 400-500 cc's. Plus it being
at the brain steam my neck was horrific.
Yes, doc told me no oils. Yet my neuro
putme on 81mg ASA. I would think they
would have put me on plavics or something.
Plus I have a few white matter lesions and
though I had MS and really still don't
know for sure. I did not put alot of trust
in my first neuro so I changed and he is
great. He is even monitering my pain
management so I don't have to go to pain
clinic for my buldging disc's L-3,4. I
just had surgery for a 55%+ fracture of
L-1 with a compresion to T-12. Lot's of
fun going on here.
It was a small hemorrhage in a small
vessel. It healed in about 48 hours. But I
was still on bedrest for a week. Was in
ICU then moved to neuro ICU.
down to 50 mg for
next 2 days. i was taking 600 mg of
seroquel for the past 5 months or so,
which worked in some ways. it helped me
sleep but it made me gain weight and i
felt sedated with a thick tongue 
.
now that i'm almost off, i feel more
energized and alert, which i want to
maintain. my concern is getting on abilify
and losing my energy 
. i don't know much
about it and would appreciate any advice.
my dr. said that abilify doesn't cause
fatigue and weight gain...?? so, what's
the word on the street 
