Posted by abstract on November 28, 2004, at 11:20:59
I have been working with my pdoc and therapist over the last 2 months trying to figure out whats going on in my head. I take Effexor (150/day for 2 yrs), Provigil (200-400/day for about 1 month). I am not diagnosed with bipolar but my moods were rapidly swinging over the last month. I was depressed and had no interest in doing anything (hence the provigil which has helped) and within 10 minutes I could be happy again (not hypomanic however) before another crash 5min to 1 hour away.
About 1 1/2 weeks ago pdoc told me to try abilify 5mg/daily which i did for about 3-4 days until it started causing anxiety (not very bad anxiety but didnt know it would get worse). She told me to stop taking it which I did. The anxiety went away by the next morning. About 3 days after I stopped I HAD THE MOST INCREDIBLE 4 days I have had in a very long time (years). I was not euphoric but very happy and very energized and told my wife that if I could have this every day I would take it and call it done. She was also happy to see me like this as I work from home and she would see PHYSICALLY when my moods would swing. It was crazy.
My body was tingling all over which didnt bother me - I just figured it was the meds settling in. This great mood lasted about 4 days. Now its gone. Im very frustrated and dissapointed because no other medication has done this before (and ive taken many). The only thing that was new to the mix was Abilify but was stopped about 3 days before this happened. I know this because I have been keeping a med journal over the last month to help 'troubleshoot' this problem. I understand Abilify has a half life of app. 75 hours. Could this be what I needed all along but maybe less dosage? Im planning on taking it again today - 5mg but then tomorrow 2.5mg/day and the next day as well to see if I can reproduce the results with less anxiety.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Ryan
poster:abstract
thread:421276
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041128/msgs/421276.html