Abilify Withdrawals

[Punkrockie]

I've been taking 15mg a day of abilify for 20 months and just went down to 10mg for a month and then quit taking it altogether 14 days ago. I was fine, well - I had a migraine on day 6 but other than that I've been fine. Then like 3 or 4 days ago I just got really depressed. I just sit there and stare at the walls all day. Loss of interest in life, job, family, and activities.

I quit taking the abilify because it makes my mouth twitch, it's pretty noticeable too. I've read that this is a symptom of a more serious condition brought on by anti-psychotics called tardive dyskinesia.

So my question is: Is there a rebound effect when quitting abilify? (Basically if I wait a week will I feel better?)

I don't know what to do.. I feel like I have two options: be happy with a twitchy (and possibly more serious) face or be just "functional" and irritable all the time.

Thanks in advance,

[jt07]

Did your doctor tell you that your twitching is TD? There are many meds that cause twitching and it is not necessarily a sign of something more serious. In my case, carbamazepine causes quite a lot of twitching.

I suggest you talk about this with your doctor. He/she is the best judge of whether something is a sign of TD or not.

[Punkrockie]

No, I haven't even talked to my Dr. In fact, I don't even see the initial Dr. who put me on abilify (a psychiatrist). I see a family practice Dr. and he doesn't even check any of my levels like the previous Dr. did. I feel like they have no idea what the hell they are doing and just go with the flow.

You bring up a great point about it possibly not being TD! That gives me hope I'm down with a twitchy face, just not impending doom lol

I'll call the Dr. tomorrow and get in as soon as I can.

Thanks!

[jt07]

I strongly suggest a psychiatrist because I'm not sure a general practitioner is qualified to diagnose whether something is TD or not. At this point, I don't think you have anything to worry about.