Sam_I_Am Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Hi there, I am new to the board; this is my first post. Here's the background info: I've been recently Dx with Bipolar II, after years of being Tx'ed for "major depressive disorder" only. I've been taking Lamictal (now 150mg) for 1 year (miracle drug for me), Klonopin 0.5 mg at night for 1 year, and until recently Zoloft 75mg for 3 years. I was having increased mood instability over past few months so first the doc and I titrated the Lamictal from 100 to 150 over the course of a month, then when that wasn't helping, tapered off the Zoloft over the course of 1.5 mos (he thought the SSRI was destabilizing me)-- of course, that's led to some more destabilization, which I hope is only temporary. I ended up having a "mixed state" with some suicidal thoughts (no intent or attempts though) a couple weeks ago-- the Dr gave me 50mg Seroquel samples, which I cut in half, to take at night, to at least help with the sleep, agitation, and anxiety. I found it helpful but also quite sedating the following day, even at 25 mg. I saw the Doc this past Thurs, and he suggested we try to Abilify, since it is generally non-sedating. Neither the Seroquel nor the Abilify is supposed to be permanent, just to get me through the taper/withdrawal to see if I will actually be stable on just the Lamictal alone. OK, on to the Abilify-specific question... He told me to just take 2mg, and to initially take it at night rather than day in case it is sedating, then take in day if it's too activating. Well, Thurs night I did take it at night rather than the Seroquel, and I felt like I drank 2 cups of coffee or was on speed. My heart was racing, and I felt dizzy and nauseous. Fri morning, I still felt nauseous and dizzy, and I ended up even fainting briefly in the shower. (Not sure if this was effects of Abilify or of Zoloft withdrawal, as Thurs was my last Zoloft dose of 12.5 mg-- heck it could even be Seroquel withdrawal even though I was only on 25mg for less than 2 weeks). I still went to work and decided maybe I should take Abilify in the AM-- thought the activating effects could at least help with the fact that I was so tired from not sleeping. Well, then it ended up making me feel sedated-- still felt nauseous and lightheaded, so much that I went home from work early. But still, wasn't sure if the sedation was just being tired or the Abilify. I got a good night's sleep last night and took it in the AM again today-- still had the sedating effects. WTF?! It was activating at night, sedating during the day-- and it's only 2mg!! I'm wondering what time you think I should take it, considering both of these things. Or if you think these effects were even from the Abilify or one of the myriad other factors? It's to the point that I don't feel it's worth it to take it and just want to go back to the Seroquel until I see the doc again next Thurs. Any advice would be appreciated. Sincerely, Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatty Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I felt like I had the flu the first few weeks I was on abilify. It felt like I got run over by a truck. I had to lay down several times a day, but too activated to sleep. I was dizzy, nauseous and fatigued. After that, it helped my bipolar symptoms, mostly apathy and motivation problems stemming from depression and racing thoughts and manic energy. I started at 10 mgs and had to go off of it after a few more months for unrelated reasons, but it really was a good med for me in many ways. I hope you have luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam_I_Am Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 I felt like I had the flu the first few weeks I was on abilify. It felt like I got run over by a truck. I had to lay down several times a day, but too activated to sleep. I was dizzy, nauseous and fatigued. After that, it helped my bipolar symptoms, mostly apathy and motivation problems stemming from depression and racing thoughts and manic energy. I started at 10 mgs and had to go off of it after a few more months for unrelated reasons, but it really was a good med for me in many ways. I hope you have luck with it. Thanks for the input. It's relieving to hear that I'm not the only one who felt simultaneously sedated and activated. I guess it's unrealistic for me to expect to have no negative effects after only a couple days. I guess I had such a good experience with the Seroquel and that it's such a low dose. The compromise I've come up with is to take it in the afternoon, like 2 or 3-- so I won't be too sedated for most of the workday, and then if there are activating effects, it won't be right when i'm trying to sleep. At least that will hopefully help me until my next dr appt. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graduation day Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I would just like to add that I found Abilfy to be sedating only in the beginning. I think after a week or, it went away. It could be the same for you, maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I take it in the morning. It's activating for me. I find that if I miss a dose, I become lethargic the whole day,. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam_I_Am Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 I take it in the morning. It's activating for me. I find that if I miss a dose, I become lethargic the whole day,. Ugh, so frustrating...I took the Abilify at about 3pm this afternoon so it would be neither too sedating in the AM nor too activating in the PM. However, it's 12:30am and I have yet to fall asleep...and that's in spite of the 1mg klonopin i took 3 hrs ago. (And I'm used to only taking 0.5mg-- the pdoc prescribed some extras, said it'd be fine to take 1mg during the zoloft taper). An hour ago, I felt so freakin' tired...but I then I lay in bed and just tossed and turned...my mind sped up but not quite "racing"...heart rate fast...couldn't get comfortable...got up to pee 3 x's in a 30 min time span. I hate to do this but I ended up taking 25mg Seroquel just to get some sleep (lets hope it doesn't lead to the passing out in the shower like it did last time.) Fortunately, I don't have to be to work until a little later tomorrow (10:30am)...is it bad to take both Abilify and Seroquel in the same day? Both are at ridiculously small doses (abilify 2mg, Seroquel 25mg)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatty Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 After you've been on it awhile, the side effects may settle down. You should really ask your pdoc what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sarah Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Hi there, I am new to the board; this is my first post. Here's the background info: I've been recently Dx with Bipolar II, after years of being Tx'ed for "major depressive disorder" only. I've been taking Lamictal (now 150mg) for 1 year (miracle drug for me), Klonopin 0.5 mg at night for 1 year, and until recently Zoloft 75mg for 3 years. I was having increased mood instability over past few months so first the doc and I titrated the Lamictal from 100 to 150 over the course of a month, then when that wasn't helping, tapered off the Zoloft over the course of 1.5 mos (he thought the SSRI was destabilizing me)-- of course, that's led to some more destabilization, which I hope is only temporary. I ended up having a "mixed state" with some suicidal thoughts (no intent or attempts though) a couple weeks ago-- the Dr gave me 50mg Seroquel samples, which I cut in half, to take at night, to at least help with the sleep, agitation, and anxiety. I found it helpful but also quite sedating the following day, even at 25 mg. I saw the Doc this past Thurs, and he suggested we try to Abilify, since it is generally non-sedating. Neither the Seroquel nor the Abilify is supposed to be permanent, just to get me through the taper/withdrawal to see if I will actually be stable on just the Lamictal alone. OK, on to the Abilify-specific question... He told me to just take 2mg, and to initially take it at night rather than day in case it is sedating, then take in day if it's too activating. Well, Thurs night I did take it at night rather than the Seroquel, and I felt like I drank 2 cups of coffee or was on speed. My heart was racing, and I felt dizzy and nauseous. Fri morning, I still felt nauseous and dizzy, and I ended up even fainting briefly in the shower. (Not sure if this was effects of Abilify or of Zoloft withdrawal, as Thurs was my last Zoloft dose of 12.5 mg-- heck it could even be Seroquel withdrawal even though I was only on 25mg for less than 2 weeks). I still went to work and decided maybe I should take Abilify in the AM-- thought the activating effects could at least help with the fact that I was so tired from not sleeping. Well, then it ended up making me feel sedated-- still felt nauseous and lightheaded, so much that I went home from work early. But still, wasn't sure if the sedation was just being tired or the Abilify. I got a good night's sleep last night and took it in the AM again today-- still had the sedating effects. WTF?! It was activating at night, sedating during the day-- and it's only 2mg!! I'm wondering what time you think I should take it, considering both of these things. Or if you think these effects were even from the Abilify or one of the myriad other factors? It's to the point that I don't feel it's worth it to take it and just want to go back to the Seroquel until I see the doc again next Thurs. Any advice would be appreciated. Sincerely, Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ooh_shiny! Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 side effects will settle down. i'm on 4mg right now, but will continue to increase the dose until i get to 10 mg or so. I was stumbling down the hallway trying to get to my bed before collapsing on the first couple days, but now, after about a month or so, I hardly even get leg pain now. I take it right after dinner due to the fact it could cause stomach upset. I dont get sedated or energized by the med. I tried abilify before, and it made me feel like i was going to barf the next morning. But I think it was because I started on too high of a dose (5mg) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entities Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 When I was first prescribed it I took it in the morning, absolutely knocked me out. I couldn't stay awake past 5pm. So I began to take it at night and all was fine. Then I gained 50lbs from either Abilify or Lexapro and I stopped both. Still got the weight though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sean Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 I take it in the morning. It's activating for me. I find that if I miss a dose, I become lethargic the whole day,. that was a nice poem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest corey Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hello my name is Corey, I just started to take Abilify and having a hard time sleeping. only getting about 4 hours of sleep. Have lots of energy and working out like never before. i feel so much better. although i am awake my mind isnt focusing on negitive things. I just wanted to know if it was better to take this during the day or at night? I guess i will just ask the doctor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duelist Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Hi corey, I take my dose in the AM because it's very activating for me, I take 30 mgs of it and it really is the only drug besides risperdal that has helped to quiet the jumbled thinking and intrusive thinking I had all last year when stuck at 20 mgs. I had been stable for like five years on this 30 mg dose and when I had to get a new pdoc and insurance STOPPED covering it like last year in Feb. I was LOST....Had to try seroquel as an emergency med to take abilify's place and it was the worst couple months I'd been through for years. I have never tried it at night and it's always been activating for me, so go with what works for you, I find it's a really good drug for bipolar ll and I hope that I don't have to go without it again....thank heavens the pdoc who wouldn'r write 30 mgs for me is leaving and I have a substitute pdoc now who IS willing to. It's funny though I looked at my bottle and it said take in the evening, boy I tell ya what I'd never fall asleep if I did that! It sounds like morning might work well for you if it's already activating to you corey, best of luck to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wake me when i'm dead Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 am for me. down the hatch with lamictal, dex, and sometimes celexa if i forgot to take it the night before. no problems with it. never tried to take it in the evening. my timing worked well on the first go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wake me when i'm dead Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 am for me. down the hatch with lamictal, dex, and sometimes celexa if i forgot to take it the night before. no problems with it. never tried to take it in the evening. my timing worked well on the first go. yup. that was me not signed in. duh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamB Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Hello! I took Abilify in the morning. It was pretty activating for me at first. However, when I was weaning off one med and starting Abilify it did make me dizzy, pukey, etc. Though, I don't know if that was me coming off a med or going on one. Either way, I would try and stick with the morning if I were you. Though, most certainly ask your pdoc what the deal is. Hopefully these symptoms go away in a week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ANN Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 JUST GOT OFF LAMICTAL (WHICH I LOVED BUT WAS MAKING ME BREAKOUT). NOW I AM ON ABILTY AND IT IS WAY DIFFERENT THAT MY LAST MED. I HAVE BEEN TAKING IT IN THE MORNING AND AFTER 2 HOURS I AM FEELING THE 'FLU'SYMPTOMS ALSO AND JUST CRASH INTO BED-GOING IN AND OUT OF SLEEP. IT HAS ONLY BEEN A FEW DAYS SO AFTER READING EVERYONES POSTS I AM HOPING IT CHANGES AND THINGS GET BETTER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CynicalPeach Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I've been on Abilify for 2 weeks now and the first week was definitely hellish. It made me so tired that i could easily sleep the entire day and I felt like I was in a fog at work. Now the side effects have cleared up and its helping A LOT. I also started taking it at night so that helps with the fatigue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParanoidAndroid Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I was on 2 mg Abilify, then 5 mg, then 2.5 mg in combination with Remeron. At first I thought the Abilify was activating and I took it in the morning as the pdoc suggested. Later I started feeling sedated all day long, I believe this was at the 5 mg and 2.5 mg. I mainly blamed the Remeron for the sedation, but I am on Remeron alone now, and not sedated, so perhaps it was the Abilify. I could never figure out if it was sedating, activating, or both. I also noticed headrushes when standing up, slightly blurred vision, and slightly trembly hands (as if having consumed a lot of coffee, or I also get this with SSRIs). I think Ab did help though, as I don't recall having the ruminative broken records that I struggle with now, during that time. So I may go back on it, who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuzyQz Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Hi everyone I am new - began abilify this a.m.....I am so sick....heart rate is up, feel like anxiety attack from hell, chest tight and nauseate ...my dr. Is out of the country....her p.a. gave me samples ystday and wanted me to come back in a month...HELLO! I would eat charcoal right now to absorb abilify....do I call my internist? Or wait it out....I am trapped in a nightmare ~suzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuzyQz Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Are you all @ work today? I ask for abilify b/c I thought it was an antdepressant....to help my wellbutrin kick me over the pit I am lying in.....soooo what now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I take Abilify in the morning and at bedtime. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netsavy006 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Hi everyone I am new - began abilify this a.m.....I am so sick....heart rate is up, feel like anxiety attack from hell, chest tight and nauseate ...my dr. Is out of the country....her p.a. gave me samples ystday and wanted me to come back in a month...HELLO! I would eat charcoal right now to absorb abilify....do I call my internist? Or wait it out....I am trapped in a nightmare ~suzy Call whoever you can reach in your doctor's office and see what they suggest for you to do. (including the internist) Also try your GP if you have to. (if need be don't continue taking Abilify and if at last resort go to the ER). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayden Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Usually in the morning. I sometimes end up taking it later in the day, but this does not seem to be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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