h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

PS How long have you been on the Abilify, Elaine? Gee, I hope I don't have nausea, because I remember having that really badly when I was on lithium. Ugh.

I will be on Abilify and Zyprexa at the same time for a little while, as we make the transition. I tried Seroquel a while back, and it made me cough terribly, so I had to stop that.

Thankyou for your prompt reply. I have been on abilify for about a week now. I"m also taking seroquel and zoloft (an antidepressent). I hope all goes well for you.....one thing you got to know about abilify is that it has different side effects for different people. Some times it can make you very sleepy, I am in another category where it makes me stay up all night...which is why I take seroquel. Also you might get dehydrated if the place you are staying is very hot, so drink lots of liquids and wear light clothing. IT effects how the body controls its core temperature, making it harder to cool the body. I haven't had that experience yet. It also makes you anxious but I only have a very minor experience with that side effect. However Ihear that the side effects only last during the first few weeks of starting. So don't worry!

Plus are you taking 10mg starting? I researched on the net where people say that they cut the 10mg in quarters and slowly increase it to minimize side effects.

I have only good things about abilify so far,with all my researching. So good luck to both of us!!!

Elaine



my personal home page
www.geocities.com/medusa_rages

This is good timing, we are both starting to take it, and can compare notes and stuff - great!

Hmm, I don't know what dose my doc plans to start me on. He is a really good doctor, listens to me and takes my wishes into account. If I have bad side effects, I'm sure he will let me cut the dosage like that - that is good to know I can chop the tablets.

Zyprexa has worked pretty well for me, and it is a relief to know I can go back to it if I have to.

*heads off to look at your page*

Have you ever read Einstein's Dreams? Lovely poetic book about the nature of time. I am rereading it for my church book club next week.

Chow. JE

Hello again JEllen! Hello to you too, Elaine! I also suffer from schizophrenia. Currently I'm on Leponex and an antidepressant, cipramil. All considered I'm doing quite well the moment. I'm 32 and was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1992 and have been on quite a variety of medications up till now. I think in many ways things are now going better than ever with me, thanks to medication that does seem to help, a great psychiatrist, support from my family, and a gradual improvement in my ability to 'deal' with the outside world and better employing my abilities and talents in ways people can appreciate.

Hello The Return of the Unmentionable...

Just from those 7 sentences, you sound like an amazing person. I'm happy to hear things are geting better than ever!!!!!!

Juliana

Willem IS amazing
Talent and compassion oozes from him!
*waves*

Hi JEllemJ42. I found this on Abilify http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/abilify.HTM You'd probably seen and heard all that before but I was having a look for myself not having heard of this one before.

Changing meds is always a worrying time, not knowing if the new one will work for you, not knowing if the lower dose or some case clearing you system of all the drugs your currently on will leave you so vulnerable as to be unsafe.


I was olanzapine once too. It was quite effective for me in terms of stopping the self harm and making the suicidal thinking easier to cope with. However it worsened my eating disorders. I gained ten stone. So I was moved onto Seroquel when I finally got a new consultant that would listen to me. And until the last few weeks that seemed to be helping alot.

Anyway. Sorry for barging in with nothing useful to say. I'm just always interested in what people are on and how they are working for them.

Bon chance...

"Einstein's Dreams" Oh tell me more

Hope things are going well JEllen.
Sorry to cut you off last night, hope to talk again soon.

Stealth, you aren't barging in at all. Any comments are welcome.

Abbi, don't sweat it when our instant message sessions get cut short sometimes. We always manage to pick up where we left off, and if I really need to get through to you, I can always email. It is always fun to instant message, especially to see Elvis shake, rattle, and roll.

Going to see the doctor tomorrow. If all goes as planned, will come away with an Abilify prescription. So will start new med tomorrow or the day after.

No big changes from the lower Prozac dose - just a lot of sleepiness.

JEllen

Good Luck and keep us posted

Hope it goes well

, JEllen!!!

Good luck JEllen
Be thinking about you,take care
xxxxSan

UPDATE ON MEDS

Well, so far, it is not going so hot. I am having insomnia from the Abilify, and a goodly amount of nausea. I can't believe I have only taken one tablet, last night, and I am still throwing up. From one pill! and I am supposed to go up on my dose in 2 weeks.

It is much too soon to rule anything out, but I'm not sure how many days I can take being sick to my stomach like this. It is a powerful temptation to switch back to Zyprexa.

I really want to go see the new Spiderman sequel, but dare not for a while. Don't think the other audience members would appreciate it.

JEllen

You are still throwing up?
I think you should report that to your Dr. tomorrow.

Oh no, JEllen! I'm sorry to hear the abilify isn't going down well. I'd tell the doc right away too. And maybe you can start on a lower dose? Cut them in half if they don't come smaller?

Doesn't sound good Ellen, I'd let the know!

Oh JEllen that is such a shame and you had invested so much hope into this. Maybe going half doses will help, hope you see the doc soon.