The Emperor Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 So I've been taking Abilify for anxiety and depression for over a year now. I've made my way up to just 15mg and am probably going off it next month. Or at least I hope so. I've felt better for a while now. I was wondering, for those of you who've had to go off an AAP, did you have to taper off of it, or did you just go cold turkey? If you have gone off of one, what was it like? I know my experience will vary from yours, just figured I'd like to hear some stories since I don't know what at all to think about discontinuing an AAP. Thanks if anyone answers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netsavy006 Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I would think it's best bet to go off of it slowly, rather than cold turkey. I understand that Abilify does have a long half life, and I'm not sure if AAPs cause withdrawal, but I'd still go slowly because it's been your system for a year, and going off it would change your brain chemistry so it's better IMO to go slow to allow your body to adjust to decreasing dosages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I think it really differs from person to person and med to med. For me, I went off of Abilify at 15mg. Felt sort of "ugh" for two days.. nothing too bad or specific. Mostly laid in bed till it passed as I had nothing planned. I think that in general, going off the lower doses are easier than going off of the higher ones. If there's no pressing need to go off at 15mg, you can work your way down with the aim of having as little of a reaction as possible for you. As a comparison, Geodon was the worst med for me when getting off. I don't think you can really know what your response will be until you try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moody Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 yeah, I think it is really different depending on the med and the person. I have gone off risperdal a few times now, and sometimes I get a little anxiety for a few days, sometimes no withdrawal symptoms at all. But I had the worst time ever going off of Abilify, and I was only taking 2mg. Even though I did a super slow taper, I had horrible withdrawal symptoms for a whole month until I started risperdal. I think that is unusual though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweetest1 Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I didn't have any real problems going off of the AAP's I've been on. However, none of them were abilify. I hope to go off geodon (zeldox) in the new year, so I'll be watching this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muriel Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Why are you going off of it if you're finally doing well? I remember the years you spent trying to get to the point where you could be doing well. You're risking the meds not working if you go off and have to go back on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 If I switch AAP's I just go from one to the other, and haven't had bad side effects from that. Going cold turkey sucks, I did once on Zyprexa and kept waking up covered in cold sweat, shivering and shook all day. Won't do that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 Why are you going off of it if you're finally doing well? I remember the years you spent trying to get to the point where you could be doing well. You're risking the meds not working if you go off and have to go back on. Because I'm doing better. I think I'm learning pretty decent coping skills through therapy, so I think it's time to try. P-doc says that the mood issues are anxiety related, so since I've learned better coping skills, I want to give it a try. Losing weight is a big perk, er, incentive tbh. I know that sounds shallow, but I think I'm WAY over-medicated for just anxiety. I just want to see how I'd do without them I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 When I switched from risperidone to Abilify, my doctor just had me drop the risperidone and start the Abilify. When I dropped risperidone, I was taking 4 mg so it wasn't a tiny dose. I think I did have some rebound anxiety or else the anxiety was coming from the Abilify. Why are you hoping to go off Abilify? You mentioned that you've felt better for a while now, but what if the reason you are feeling better is because of the Abilify? If I were you I'd go off slowly to make sure I could catch it if it suddenly started screwing up my mood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 I didn't have any real problems going off of the AAP's I've been on. However, none of them were abilify. I hope to go off geodon (zeldox) in the new year, so I'll be watching this thread. Did you taper off them, or just quit them suddenly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muriel Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 You have to taper off of Abilify, usually at about the same rate you titrated it. You'll want to go slowly anyhow to see if your symptoms start returning. AAPs are used for anxiety for a lot of people who can't tolerate SSRIs for whatever reason. You've had more going on than just pure anxiety anyway. It's your brain, but I think this is such a bad idea after all the work you put in finding the right meds. A few extra vanity pounds isn't worth it. I also can't help but mention that being a mother you have a greater responsibility for staying stable. If you were single and without a child who needed a stable mom, I would be more apt to say do what you want. But you owe it to your child to be more cautious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 You have to taper off of Abilify, usually at about the same rate you titrated it. You'll want to go slowly anyhow to see if your symptoms start returning. AAPs are used for anxiety for a lot of people who can't tolerate SSRIs for whatever reason. You've had more going on than just pure anxiety anyway. It's your brain, but I think this is such a bad idea after all the work you put in finding the right meds. A few extra vanity pounds isn't worth it. I also can't help but mention that being a mother you have a greater responsibility for staying stable. If you were single and without a child who needed a stable mom, I would be more apt to say do what you want. But you owe it to your child to be more cautious. You're right. I cannot argue with anything you've said. The main reason is the weight gain, but I've felt that I've been doing better with the skills I'm learning through CBT. My family is also putting a lot of pressure on me. SO claiming I've been a "zombie on the couch" since I've been on medications. They blame everything on the meds. They all want me off them. Everyone thinks I'll do SOOO well without them, so why not try it? I don't know if they've considered that maybe I'm doing well right now BECAUSE of the meds, but whatever. I'm willing to try it. I really thought the only reason I wanted off the Abilify was the weight gain. Now I think I have something to prove to myself and to other people I guess? I don't know. P-doc is convinced it's just anxiety, so I'll go with whatever he says, he's the doctor, not me. I'd argue that with him, though, if I had any balls. I'll make sure my child doesn't suffer. If I start going downhill quick, I'll just pick the meds back up. If a slow taper is the best idea, that's probably what I'll do. I'll see what p-doc has to say. I don't even have to worry about this for another month. I just wanted to know what everyone's experience was with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
confused Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I went straight off risperdal and seroquel with no problems. I don't remember titrating up, either. Your pdoc would know how to do it. If you are doing well, I wouldn't want to change things. I'd rather be a little chubby than be in the hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I think that if there is a big concern of symptoms coming back, a slow taper is definitely what you should do. Even if the pdoc thinks that you can do it quicker, I really doubt they'd argue with you if you said you wanted to go slower. Muriel makes some excellent points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I forgot ONE DOSE of seroquel and it was the worst day... ever . Also, shortest camping trip ever (I forgot to bring that med.) I later tapered slowly of quel so I could switch to saphris and it wasn't fun, but doable. I'd really suggest a slow taper if it was me. Not insanely slow, necessarily, but slow enough that rebound effects don't happen. If your symptoms do return though, you will have to deal with that. Are you prepared to go back on abilify or another AAP if that occurs? Luckily (at least as far as I have experienced) the AAPs aren't realy like SSRIs in that you stop it, and it won't work well the second time. For me, they seem to work about the same after I've stopped them than before. Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SashaSue Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I've gone off several AAP's cold turkey, and never had a problem. But I was always starting another at the same time, which probably made it easier. I have to agree with Muriel though. Anxiety was never your only problem. Basing a decision like this on wanting to prove something to someone is not the best plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 Thanks, guys for the replies so far. I guess it varies a lot. I was assuming that with Abilify's long half-life that I might be able to get away with going off it cold turkey, but I'll see what p-doc has to say about that. I don't even know if he's going to let me go off all my meds since I was supposed to have been well for six months (or this is what he says) before considering it, and I've only been well for three or four at this point. But that was because a med he put me on made me way worse. I think I would have been okay if he hadn't put me on that. Anyway, yeah, slow taper if necessary definitely. AND if I go entirely batshit, I'll go back on the meds, if I can at that point, we'll see. I honestly don't know what I'm basing this decision on. I know that makes me sound like a moron. Maybe I am one. I THINK I may be able to do alright without them. Or at least one of them. I don't even know (and neither does p-doc apparently) exactly what it is that I'm being medicated for. Sorry, I rambled. I plan on going off them in a month, but if p-doc says no for whatever reason, then I won't do it on my own or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Firstly, a caveat - I have to agree with muriel's reservations about your wanting to come off Abilify when it's working. If you're feeling better on the drug, then it's probably a sign that the drug is a) working and therefore b) you should stay on it. I speak from personal experience regarding coming off drugs after feeling better and feeling like I didn't need them...they were bad mistakes. I went batshit last month and I'm very lucky to have escaped relatively unscathed - I narrowly avoided hospitalisation and I didn't destroy any relationships or my progress at uni. Of course, my dx is different from yours, but the basic lesson is that you run the risk of your symptoms returning in full force. Sometimes even if you've developed better coping skills through therapy, it might not be enough when the shit hits the fan. However, if you do insist on coming off Abilify... I came off 22.5mg, and I tapered, so I went 22.5mg - 15mg - 10.mg - 7.5mg - 0. I didn't go 5mg then 0 because 5mg is not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and I didn't want to fork out the extra money, plus my pdoc thought going 5mg - 0 was a bit superfluous. I don't recall any adverse side effects from coming off Abilify. With the majority of AAPs that I've taken, I've titrated downwards except for Invega, but I was just taking the lowest dosage anyways so going cold-turkey was okay. I wouldn't recommend going cold-turkey - it might take longer if you titrate downwards, but IMO it's easier on the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowen Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I've missed Abilify doses here and there when I was on it, and I didn't notice a whole lot. I'd definitely do a reasonable taper, but it shouldn't be a difficult med to come off of (YMMV). When I discontinued it, I went to another AAP, so not really anything noticeable. The first time I discontinued it was for pregnancy, but I was only on five milligrams at the time, so doc had me cold turkey it. No big deal. I do hope you have an emergency plan if things go south. Maybe hang on to some of that Abilify if you have any leftover? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 Thanks. Vapour- that tapering schedule seems sensible. I'm on a relatively low dose, so it shouldn't take very long. I'm totally willing to taper off it if that's what is necessary to ensure that I don't flip my shit. How long did it take you to do that taper? I've missed doses too and been just peachy. I have a stash of 10mg Abilify that I was planning on telling him I had in case he did want to do the taper, just so that my insurance doesn't have to pay for more Abilify for me, but there are a lot in there, I doubt I would need them all. So yes, I will have extra Abilify laying around in case I lose my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 I have a stash of 10mg Abilify that I was planning on telling him I had in case he did want to do the taper, just so that my insurance doesn't have to pay for more Abilify for me, but there are a lot in there, I doubt I would need them all. To my knowledge it's fine to split them. I have. Since that's what you have, a 15mg, 10mg, 5mg, off sounds good to me. Generally, when I do tapers, I do a week. But in general, I like side effects to be nice and resolved before dropping down again.. and that usually only takes 2-3 days. I have it easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 Yeah, I used to split the 5mg pills way back when I was first put on it, so I would assume it's fine to split the 10mg pills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Thanks. Vapour- that tapering schedule seems sensible. I'm on a relatively low dose, so it shouldn't take very long. I'm totally willing to taper off it if that's what is necessary to ensure that I don't flip my shit. How long did it take you to do that taper? It's been a little while so I can't recall with much precision, but perhaps two weeks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisy131864 Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Yeah, I used to split the 5mg pills way back when I was first put on it, so I would assume it's fine to split the 10mg pills. i split my dosage that way and have no problem with it- you can easily split those tiny little suckers if you're that determined to. or get a pill cutter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilacOutsideMyWindow Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I'm late to the party, but I tapered when I went off Abilify. I had been up to 20, then tapered to 15, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5, 0. For me, I was having some pretty nasty akathesia, a non-stop twitchy eyelid, and I thought I'd be just peachy without it. The akathesia started to go away at 10mg. The eyelid slowed at 7.5, and stopped 5. Not much changed from there. Until I hit 0. I was fine a couple of weeks, but then I became a manic rage monster. So back on it I went. This time, I've held steady with 5mg, minus a quick visit to 7.5 to manage a mania blip (and the damned twitchy eyelid came back at that dose again!). Unless something major were to come up, I don't see myself going off this med ever again. I love my stability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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