cache-monkey Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 Hey all, I've been running through the various atypical APs. Mostly for anxiety/depression and to avoid the hypomania that happened the last time I went on an AD without a moodstabilizer. I seem to be having the same problem with the three APs that I've tried (Seroquel, Zyprexa, and now Geodon). Namely, akathisia: restlessness/jitteriness, increased agitation, bouncy legs. I understand that this is a somewhat common side effect of the APs. What I'm wondering is: will it resolve on its own at some point? Or should I expect it to more or less be present until I reduce my dose or stop the med completely? Also, my pdoc prescribed amantadine as a possible way of reducing it (and to help with quitting smoking). Has anyone tried this/found it to be helpful with akathisia? Thanks! cache-monkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sun_zoom_spark Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 Hey cache monkey- I was thinking about starting a thread on this very subject yesterday. I was having a very tough time with akathisia and Seroquel. I cut my dose in half last night and it wasn't as pronounced today as yesterday. I have been on Seroquel for 4 months and am currently on 100 mg. I had severe akathisia on Abilify and quit it after 2 months. It was driving me manic crazy. There was no way I was going to keep taking it. This was my second try on Abilify. I've just noticed the akathisia on Seroquel with in the last week or two. I've been on 100 mg. for 2 months and it's just starting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cache-monkey Posted July 15, 2005 Author Share Posted July 15, 2005 Hey sun_zoom_spark, Sounds like we're both pretty sensitive to the akathisia. I got a little bit of that from Seroquel at 50 mg! It was worst on Zyprexa, intolerable at 2.5 mg. Heck, I even got it from BuSpar (which also has D-2 blocking action). Right now I'm at the lowest dose of Geodon (plus 600 Lithium and 1.25 Klonopin), and it seems to come and go. Based on my experience with BuSpar, I'm a little concerned that it'll stick around for some time. I was on that for about 6 months and would get it for about an hour or two after dosing the whole damn time. I'm hoping the amantadine will do the trick. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to lower the Geodon by splitting the 20 mg capsules. Let me know if things get better for you. Best, cache-monkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sun_zoom_spark Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I wonder if people with severe panic/anxiety issues are especially prone to akathisia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocracoker16 Posted July 16, 2005 Share Posted July 16, 2005 I wonder if people with severe panic/anxiety issues are especially prone to akathisia? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Panic and anxiety issues masked my akathesia for a long time. I am on Seroquel 600 mgs now. I have minor akathesia, but I currently don't take anything for it. I have used Benadryl on a PRN basis. I have tried Cogentin a few times and I really didn't like some of the anticholinergic properties like dry mouth and constipation. Abilify was the worst atypical for me. When I was on Haldol, I did take amantadine for severe akathesia. It really did the trick for me. I discontinued it after a few months, because of frequent upset stomach and nausea. It was a real shock without it and I had to stop the Haldol. Katie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sun_zoom_spark Posted July 16, 2005 Share Posted July 16, 2005 Panic and anxiety issues masked my akathesia for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBella unregistered Posted July 16, 2005 Share Posted July 16, 2005 Got it on Seroquel, worse on higher dosages. Nothing on Zyprexa. Let me know how the amantadine works out! If it is fanciful, I'm going to talk to the pdoc about recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cache-monkey Posted July 16, 2005 Author Share Posted July 16, 2005 When I was on Haldol, I did take amantadine for severe akathesia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cache-monkey Posted July 16, 2005 Author Share Posted July 16, 2005 I've been treating my akathesia w/ extra benzos when it gets bad. The only problem is there comes a time where benzos don't work, just like dysphoric mania. Akathisia, anxiety and dysphoric mania all 'feel' similiar to me like they are intregal to each other. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So you're on Lithium, a benzo, and an AAP, too? That's my current cocktail. I totally know what you mean about the akathisia-anxiety-dysphoria nexus. (I'm starting to feel like you're my doppelganger...) I'll keep you posted on the amantadine trial. Best, cache-monkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cache-monkey Posted July 19, 2005 Author Share Posted July 19, 2005 As an update, I've found out that Amantadine is not helpful for me. I went from akathisia to full-blown unable-to-focus anxiety. Lowering the Geodon dose has helped somewhat, but I'm thinking that D-2 blockers are the opposite of what I need. One of my main goals here is to quit smoking without going into a depression; D-2 agonists have been shown to reduce smoking behaviour, while D-2 blockers do the opposite. Now, I just have to get my p-doc on board with this idea... ~cache-monkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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