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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 17:32:35
I'm starting to wonder to what extent my problems with concentration might have something to do with the Abilify that I'm taking. I seem to recall having less difficulty concentrating in the months that I spent not taking any medication after the onset of my psychosis, although it's hard to remember exactly what my concentration was like then.
For those here who are taking Abilify or have taken it, what effect do you think that the medication might be having (or might have had) on your concentration. Is there anyone here whose concentration was good while they took Abilify? Has anyone here discontinued Abilify and noticed an improvement in their concentration?
Any responses would be appreciated.
Tomatheus
Posted by PaulM78704 on January 19, 2014, at 19:59:19
In reply to Abilify + concentration, posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 17:32:35
My doctor suggested Abilify to me, though I never tried it largely due to cost. But also it seems such a strange drug, used in many adjunct therapies although originally intended for treatment of schizophrenia.
I certainly don't understand how it would help your condition. The official guide says "Common side effects of Abilify that may occur are dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, excess saliva or drooling, blurred vision, weight gain, drowsiness, and constipation." So yes, those might affect your concentration!
Have you tried Modafinil (ProVigil, NuVigil)? That should help concentration and cure daytime sleepiness.
Posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 21:05:47
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration » Tomatheus, posted by PaulM78704 on January 19, 2014, at 19:59:19
Paul,
Thank you for your reply. The main thing that Abilify seems to help me with is my psychosis, but yeah, I think that it could very well be making some of my other symptoms worse or at least not improving them.
I haven't tried Provigil or Nuvigil, but I have tried a similar medication called adrafinil, and I became quite a bit more psychotic on it. So, I've been looking to avoid modafinil and other stimulants.
Anyway, thank you again for replying to my thread. I hope that you'll have a good night (or day, depending on where you live).
Tomatheus
Posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 21:07:57
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration, posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 21:05:47
Posted by LouisianaSportsman on January 19, 2014, at 21:09:29
In reply to Abilify + concentration, posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 17:32:35
I noticed my concentration improved after I decided to changeover from aripiprazole to lurasidone. (which due to 5-ht7 action improves working memory). Overall, I thought Abilify was the holy grail of psychoactives until I discovered Latuda.
Posted by LouisianaSportsman on January 19, 2014, at 21:20:45
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration, posted by LouisianaSportsman on January 19, 2014, at 21:09:29
> I noticed my concentration improved after I decided to changeover from aripiprazole to lurasidone. (which due to 5-ht7 action improves working memory). Overall, I thought Abilify was the holy grail of psychoactives until I discovered Latuda.
Consider augmentation of Keppra (levetiracetam) and memantine to your regimen. They both improve cognition and may improve some of your symptoms without the mania of amphetamines, eugeroics, or bupropion.
Posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 21:34:04
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration, posted by LouisianaSportsman on January 19, 2014, at 21:20:45
LouisianaSportsman,
Thank you for your reply. It's interesting what you wrote about Latuda. That's starting to look like it might be something worth trying.
I have tried memantine (with Abilify), but I didn't stay on it for long due to increased fatigue. I'll have to take a look at Keppra.
Have a good night,
Tomatheus
Posted by LouisianaSportsman on January 19, 2014, at 21:46:04
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration » LouisianaSportsman, posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 21:34:04
> LouisianaSportsman,
>
> Thank you for your reply. It's interesting what you wrote about Latuda. That's starting to look like it might be something worth trying.
>
> I have tried memantine (with Abilify), but I didn't stay on it for long due to increased fatigue. I'll have to take a look at Keppra.
>
> Have a good night,
> TomatheusI was thinking about guanfacine too, but I think that would also make your fatigue worse.
Donepezil (Aricept) is worth looking into as well, but it's a long shot.
What about bupropion SR 75mg. BID? Would that cause mania?
Posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 22:19:29
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration, posted by LouisianaSportsman on January 19, 2014, at 21:46:04
LouisianaSportsman,
Thank you for your most recent reply.
> What about bupropion SR 75mg. BID? Would that cause mania?
I took up to 400 mg of bupropion SR well before the onset of my psychosis, and that didn't seem to bring on any mania or do much for my energy, for that matter. I think it would be hard to say how bupropion might affect me now, though.
Tomatheus
Posted by LouisianaSportsman on January 19, 2014, at 23:57:45
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration » LouisianaSportsman, posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 22:19:29
Consider desipramine. It's an activating TCA that solidly effects NE. It's actually been studied for use with ADHD. It may not cause mania at lower doses. Low doses are effective at treating ADHD. I would suggest up to 50mg. More than that may cause anxiety and mania.
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 20, 2014, at 8:20:29
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration » LouisianaSportsman, posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 22:19:29
I take 30/Abilify. I also take 1200/trileptal, which reduces Abilify blood levels......anyway, Abilify helps me simply because its a cleaned up, relatively non-sedating tranquilizer. With agitation out of the way, I can actually do things.
Can you get some amisulpride? To me, it seems like you might need something that tranquilizes a little bit, but also lifts mood. I think low-dose amisulpride might be able to do that (just a wild guess, btw).
I still recommend Orthomolecular. They refer to the "tranquilizer psychosis"--apathy, tremor, disinterest--that keeps people from getting well. Old school OM docs thought the vitamins wouldn't help the tranquilizer psychosis, but I'm not so sure, personally.
Back in the day, docs would add Ritalin or amphetamines to neuroleptics. Keep in mind that schizophrenia was a much, much more heterogeneous category back then because of diagnosing practices, particularly in the US. That said, stimulants at controlled doses can help a lot of people.
Modafanil and the new uber-modafanil might help, but Ritalin/focalin or some kinda amphetamine (maybe Vyvanse or long-acting Dexedrine...I'd take that over Adderall, personally) have been studied more extensively and used more often.
Just food for thought: one of my acquaintances had all kindsa diagnoses and problems. She now takes Seroquel (I wanna say XR) and then Adderall xr. Doing quite well.
Posted by Phillipa on January 20, 2014, at 9:29:06
In reply to Abilify + concentration, posted by Tomatheus on January 19, 2014, at 17:32:35
Not taken ambilify but could you switch to another antipsychotic? Is the antipsychotic necessary especially with hypersomnia? Phillipa
Posted by Tomatheus on January 20, 2014, at 10:54:38
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration, posted by Christ_empowered on January 20, 2014, at 8:20:29
Christ_empowered,
Thank you for your reply. I actually did manage to obtain some amisulpride and to try it at a low dose in addition to my Abilify. I didn't give it much of a trial, as I discontinued the amisulpride after it seemed to stop helping my concentration. I do wonder how amisulpride might affect me on its own. That might actually be something that I'd benefit from.
So, thanks again for your suggestions. You've given me a lot to think about.
Tomatheus
Posted by Tomatheus on January 20, 2014, at 11:05:47
In reply to Re: Abilify + concentration » Tomatheus, posted by Phillipa on January 20, 2014, at 9:29:06
Phillipa,
All of my experiences with antipsychotics to date have been bad, usually involving either an unacceptable increase in my fatigue and hypersomnia or an increase in my psychotic symptoms (yeah, not what you'd probably expect, but that's the response I seemed to have to two APs). Abilify at 5 mg so far has been the only antipsychotic that I've found to be tolerable, if I can even say that about the drug. Latuda (lurasidone) or amisulpride monotherapy might possibly help while still being tolerable, though.
I think that in all likelihood that the consequences of being off antipsychotics would be worse than the consequences of being on Abilify. My outright positive psychotic symptoms might be manageable without antipsychotics, but without the medications I get this unusual effect where it seems like I can sense people's positive and negative vibes, and the negative vibes seem to throw certain feelings of agitation and irritability through the roof. That seems to get me into more trouble than anything else when I'm not taking an antipsychotic. I suppose it's possible that some other type of medication, or maybe a supplement, might help with that, though.
Tomatheus
This is the end of the thread.
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