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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Benzini on July 7, 2005, at 12:12:17
I've had success with a combination of low-dose abilify (5mg in the morning) and Klonopin (brand 0.5mg twice a day) in reducing drastically symptoms of social phobia and related atypical depression. I tried non-brand Klonopin before and it didn't do much. Granted this is only week two, but I feel much better than before. Negative self-talk and extreme self-consciousness around people is much reduced. Anyone else have similar results. Can I expect a poop-out at some point? Any feedback would be appreciated.
P.S.
I'm very sensitive to dopaminergic meds. Both Nardil (45mgs) and, to a lesser extent, Effexor (300mgs) resulted in paranoid delusions.
Posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2005, at 14:03:07
In reply to Abilify and Klonopin combo for Social Phobia, posted by Benzini on July 7, 2005, at 12:12:17
hi! I've taken both abilify and klonopin, and I think the combination can work well. While I'm wary of using anti-psychotics long-term, especially with non-psychotic disorders, low-dose (below the usual 10mg threshold) Abilify seems to be helpful for a number of problems (depression, anxiety, mood swings, etc.) while producing a minimum of side effects. As for poop out...taken long term, the Klonopin will lose some of its "oomph". It wont necessarily stop working--long-term benzo use doesnt seem to require very much increase in dosage--but it will become less potent over time. Antipsychotics seem to have some odd tolerance syndrome all their own...in schizophrenia, for instance, its common to see first episodes respond to minimal dosages of an antipsychotic, while later episodes and maintenance treatment require ever higher doses of the medication (example: lots of first episode schizophrenics respond well to 5mgs of zyprexa. A couple years down the road, these same people may require 20mgs/daily). So...its a mixed-bag. If SSRIs have worked for you in the past, they may be worth trying again along with the Abilify. In my experience, low-dose abilify+ssri= anxiety/depression relief..FAST. Since you dont wanna play with your dopamine, something very clean should be used--celexa and lexapro both come to mind. Adding Buspar could also help, especially if you opt to use an anti-depressant. Good luck!
Posted by zero on July 10, 2005, at 0:32:13
In reply to Abilify and Klonopin combo for Social Phobia, posted by Benzini on July 7, 2005, at 12:12:17
I recently tried low-dose Abilify (2.5mg/day in AM) along with Klonopin (Watson generic - 2mg./day) for my dx. of bipolarII/social phobia (also take low-dose Tegretol & low-dose Neurontin).
Results were:
1. for 1st 3 weeks the Abilify added a really gentle & nice antidepressant effect plus some anti-anxiety (I felt almost completely "OK")
2. after 3 weeks Abilify lost its antidepressant effect but was still helping w. anxiety
3. after about another 3 weeks, Abilify was just making me more depressed, like most antipsychotic drugs do, so I stopped it.I'm *very* sensitive to all antidepressants (have tried most of them - they make me hypomanic/manic and very anxious).
I had a brief "reprieve" which pooped out - I'm very disappointed.
Hope your good effect lasts!
Regards,
z.> I've had success with a combination of low-dose abilify (5mg in the morning) and Klonopin (brand 0.5mg twice a day) in reducing drastically symptoms of social phobia and related atypical depression. I tried non-brand Klonopin before and it didn't do much. Granted this is only week two, but I feel much better than before. Negative self-talk and extreme self-consciousness around people is much reduced. Anyone else have similar results. Can I expect a poop-out at some point? Any feedback would be appreciated.
>
> P.S.
> I'm very sensitive to dopaminergic meds. Both Nardil (45mgs) and, to a lesser extent, Effexor (300mgs) resulted in paranoid delusions.
Posted by Benzini on September 14, 2005, at 12:39:50
In reply to Re: Abilify and Klonopin combo for Social Phobia, posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2005, at 14:03:07
To follow up to my earlier post, combinination of klonopin and low-dose (2.5mgs) Abilify pooped out after 2 months. Initial energizing, pro-social effects gradually disappeared, and by the end of the trial I was so drowsy and apathetic (and ten pounds heavier than when I started) that I discontinued the Abifily. Rebound depression has ensued from the withdrawal. I am currently on 1mg of Klonopin and 600mgs of Lithium. Pdoc wants me to go on Wellbutrin since he thinks dopaminergic meds do help me. I am reluctant to try given that a trial of Nardil a year ago made me temporarily paranoid psychotic. Any thoughts or suggestions?
This is the end of the thread.
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