Dusk Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) I started taking Abilify 7.5 mg. again approximately a month ago due to some paranoia. It worked for a few weeks and then pdoc upped it to 10 mg because of awful anxiety and returning paranoia. It isn't working and it's causing akathisia so I'm calling him tomorrow. He is really good with taking my thoughts into consideration when prescribing, so I'm trying to find out which antipsychotics cause the least side effects. I thought this would be a good place to ask, so do you guys have any ideas? Thanks. ETA: As my signature shows, I've tried a lot of meds, but some of them weren't given a chance to work for various reasons. So if you see I've tried one that you've found to be good, please let me know anyway. Edited March 6, 2014 by Dusk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 No one can really answer your question with certainty. It depends on your reaction to the med and everyone reacts differently. For example, I take 30 mg of Abilify and I have no side effects except a slightly increased appetite. Other people get side effects. So you really have to try them to find out which is the best for you with side effects you can live with. By the way, akathisia can be treated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusk Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 Thanks jt. What do they treat akathisia with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forgetmenot220 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 jt said it right, things work differently for different people. Haldol gives me little to no side effects unless my dose gets too high and Saphris only made me tired at the very start and now, nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamjustme Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 i would like to try latuda and lamictal. is it tomomax that helps with weight ? i'll have to look it up. that would be something else i'm curious about and possibly willing to try... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Thanks jt. What do they treat akathisia with? Propranolol for one, but there are other options. Talk to your pdoc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifluous Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Thanks jt. What do they treat akathisia with? Propranolol for one, but there are other options. Talk to your pdoc. there's also cogentin, artane and benedryl... i personally have had, for akathisia, most success of late with propranolol. but i agree with jt on talking to your psychiatrist as medication response can vary so much...i know at least one person per medication listed who finds it to be effective for akathisia...and you might have to try more than one. (cogentin works best for me for the rigidity/dystonia part of eps...propranolol for the akathisia, for example) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Latuda has been great for me, but as always your mileage may vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paranoidling Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) - Edited May 1, 2022 by Paranoidling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjs190 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) Latuda is known to come with a minimal side effect profile, the most commonly reported symptom is akathisia, which is what you're experiencing with your Abilify. Seroquel was very sedating for me and it made me sleep too much. Abilify caused jitteriness and akathisia. Latuda caused akathisia and anxiety. Risperdal has been clutch! Can't even tell I'm taking it, but I also only take 0.5 mg, which is a low dose. I am considering increasing to 0.75 mg or even 1 mg. I have noticed no side effects, but do take it at night, so I suppose mild tiredness is usual with it. I have never tried Zyprexa, Saphris, Clozaril, Fanapt, or Geodon, so I can't speak to their side effects. Edited March 7, 2014 by mjs190 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I find, believe or not, the older typicals (Haldol, loxapine, etc) have less side effects, but can cause EPS or tardive dyskenesia. I'm on a typical injection, so I take Artane just in case. For akathasia, mellifluous nailed the meds they use for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusk Posted March 7, 2014 Author Share Posted March 7, 2014 Thanks everyone. My pdoc called a few hours ago and is calling in Seroquel for me. I haven't tried it since I was 15 (I'm 28 now) so we'll see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Risperdal Weight gain Stopped menstruating Lactation Zyprexa Gained HUGE amount of weight Falling asleep as soon as I sit down Seroquel Postural Hypotension Dizziness Sleeping ++++ (^ 1st 3 only when I started it) Weight gain High cholesterol Restless legs Abilify Anxiety Agitation Restlessness Akathisia Insomnia Irritability Haloperidol No significant side effects Chlorpromazine No significant side effects Despite my having quite a few side effects with Seroquel, it is the best AAP for me and these side effects are either only minimal or have gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spadez87 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I started taking Abilify 7.5 mg. again approximately a month ago due to some paranoia. It worked for a few weeks and then pdoc upped it to 10 mg because of awful anxiety and returning paranoia. It isn't working and it's causing akathisia so I'm calling him tomorrow. He is really good with taking my thoughts into consideration when prescribing, so I'm trying to find out which antipsychotics cause the least side effects. I thought this would be a good place to ask, so do you guys have any ideas? Thanks. ETA: As my signature shows, I've tried a lot of meds, but some of them weren't given a chance to work for various reasons. So if you see I've tried one that you've found to be good, please let me know anyway. Ive have tried seroquel, abilfy and latuda. Latuda is the only one i can say that has had minimal and bearable sides. i dont know if it is doing anything for my bipolar depression though. Its seem to contol my spaz episodes somewhat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifluous Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 i find the typical antipsychotics best for "hallucinations/delusions" and the typicals needed for the disorganization discombobulation jumble. the only atypical that's really been decent for me is zyprexa though. for the former, haldol is solid...prolixin worked for quite awhile....stelazine and loxipine i don't remember anything bad from...i just discontinue(d) a lot, but they had far fewer side effects but were effective. abilfy if the one antipsychotic i've not had as it's said to be activating for certain sorts of folks and i'm apparently of that sort. good luck, dusk x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusk Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 rowan, thanks so much for the list. I can sooooo relate to the Zyprexa and Risperdal weight gain. Anytime I've ever gained a significant amount of weight, it's been due to an antipsychotic. Thanks for all the info everyone. I think the Seroquel has helped my anxiety so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtac Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Seroquel is the only AP I can tolerate at normal dosage, both IR and XR. I know there's a big debate over XR vs IR efficacy, and I find that IR makes me eat 1000 calories and pass out. After the initial drowsiness period, the XR doesn't cause any problems except a slight sleep hangover if I take it too late. The XR works better for my mood too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanry78 Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Saphris has done me absolute wonders but I am hearing good things about Latuda lately too .. Latuda just made me feel space out. With saphris I feel very clear minded and immensely less anxiety - many fewer mixed episodes, down side is it puts me slightly on the depressed side. Nothing I can't handle though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in_media_res Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 My pdoc prescribed geodon in response to a suicidal depression and an obsession and deep-seated anger with my ex-therapist (who abandoned me). I feel my symptoms are similar to PTSD. My doctor has suggested I avoid it because of cardiac risks (particularly bradycardia). I'd just as soon not take anything. I'm pathalogically afraid of weight gain and have had poor results with past meds. Are there any options, or am I just wasting everybody's time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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