MageCorwin Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Hey right now I'm on 1500 Lithium and 6 Risperidone. It's been about 3 weeks on this combo dosage and I am still having some symptoms that I just can't shake. I'm trying to improve my focus and concentration. I'm having trouble finishing tasks and keep getting obsessed with side projects. I'm afraid to go up anymore on the Lithium (toxicity) , although pdoc says I'd be fine. And I don't wanna go up on the Risperidone cause the pi sheet says there is not much more benefit past 6. So...I was thinking of asking my pdoc if it would be ok to add on a small amount of Abilify like 2 or 5. Has anyone heard of this combination before? or is there another recommendation i can talk about with pdoc? I was only thinking Abilify cause there's usually samples at the smaller doses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 The symptoms that you are still having are problems with concentrating and focus or are you still having problems controlling your bipolar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MageCorwin Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 The symptoms that you are still having are problems with concentrating and focus or are you still having problems controlling your bipolar? Yes at least i think it's related to my bipolar. I just can't seem to get things done. I am able to complete 1 or sometimes 2 things per day, but they are things that I should be doing everyday. It just seems that no matter what I start to do, I can't clear my head enough to see whats next (ETA: Or I keep getting distacted with other tasks). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 I think it's going to be a hard sell to get a pdoc to prescribe a second AAP unless you have uncontrolled mania or psychotic symptoms. And I'm not sure that Abilify will eliminate your symptoms, although it does have an antidepressant effect. Can you take antidepressants or do you have bad reactions to ADs? To be honest, I am having the exact same symptoms, and I haven't found an answer yet. And I take Abilify. Of course, your reaction could be completely different. It couldn't hurt to discuss this with your pdoc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveyoursanity Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Honestly, I take Abilify, and it's never been a huge help with the stuff that you mentioned. Unless you're getting distracted because you're ruminating or hallucinating, I'd look into one of the stimulants or stimulant-like drugs. I hear good things about Provigil/Nuvigil, and I've not heard of it causing mania, but that's just hearsay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Yeah, I don't see the addition of another AAP really being the best choice. I'd talk to your pdoc and do some brainstorming together about other options. An ADHD med may end up being best.. (Strattera is another non-stimulating one) "getting obsessed with side projects" sounds like it's along those lines; or if it's a depression-type fog, perhaps an anti-depressant.. Effexor/Wellbutrin sort of thing. Those two can often be taken by someone with Bipolar. I'd be hesitant to add the Abilify even if the problem is depression-based, simply because of the amount of Risperidone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MageCorwin Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Arg! I knew there wouldn't be an easy solution. I was also thinking abilfy cause that's what I was taking the last time my head was clear, but you're all right I had different symptoms to manage back then so it may not be of much help at this time. When I saw my pdoc last week he said although I have still been having some problems he wanted to wait until next time to make additional changes. And the only problem I have noticed is...well we already talked about it. And I guess I am just frustrated cause I have not felt like myself for the past 2 years and I'm tired of waiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveyoursanity Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 And I guess I am just frustrated cause I have not felt like myself for the past 2 years and I'm tired of waiting. Sing it, sister! (non-gender-based sister ) Although at this point I'm not even sure what's "myself" anymore. I mean, I think there's a real, happy-or-at-least-content person buried underneath all this crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MageCorwin Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Sing it, sister! (non-gender-based sister ) Although at this point I'm not even sure what's "myself" anymore. I mean, I think there's a real, happy-or-at-least-content person buried underneath all this crap. Is there a like button on this board? Well, I click my "Like" button for your post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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