But I’m really torn and confused.
I want to switch my primary antipsychotic Risperdal to Abilify exclusively
Right now my doctor prescribed 2mg of Abilify as an add on to the 4mg of Risperdal I’m taking and other meds.
The Abilify seems to be stabilizing my moods well but I still find it to be activating and I’m afraid that if I increase the dose it will be too activating for me to stay on it.
2mg is also giving me insomnia.
Does anyone know if higher doses of Abilify are more activating and stimulating than lower doses like 2mg?
I see my psychiatrist in 2 weeks and I’ll get a better sense then but man I wish I knew what to do now!
I dont know if itll help, but im on abilify. 400mg which works out to be about 15mg daily. And its too activating for me at night. Insomnia is bad. With fluoxetine i get sleep but my day night cycle is basically reversed
Abilify was not really very activating for me either. More than likely, you are just going to have to try it and see how it affects you as, since we always say, everyone is different.
If you’re doing bad on abilify as addon i dont think it will be better off risperidone honestly. my theory is that adding abilify might make the risperidone weaker thats one of my fears of trying it again
were you on only abilify before without psychosis? if it was only anxiety why not take anxiety meds, abilify is worth it for the improvements in negative symptoms imo
I was on 30 mg of Abilify back in 2013 and I hated it at that dose. Horrible mania, insomnia, and significant weight gain.
I’m not trying to scare you off, but just think you need to have a good conversation with your pdoc at your next visit. Write down all your different concerns.
Why do you want off Risperidone, out of curiosity? I’m doing better positive-symptom-wise on 4 mg, but I’m two days into 6 mg and it’s starting to kick in nicely.
I dont get scared off by others’ bad reviews, since we’re all different, but I thought you’ve been stable long term on Risperidone. Absolutely no disrespect intended, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want.
I understand your confusion and hope your pdoc can answer your questions and uncertainties.
@anon28552576@Aziz Im doing extremely well on Risperdal and I’m thinking more and more of remaining on Risperdal as my primary AP and continue remaining on 2mg of Abilify as an add on only
I’m really afraid that I’ll find the higher doses way too activating.
I’m pretty sure my doctor is reluctant to place me on the higher doses of Abilify anyway.
I’ll talk to her about it though and see what she thinks.
I was on an abilify injection for years. Was very restless and had bad anhedonia. But aside from that i had the will and energy to do what needed to be done day to day. Slept fine most nights on it though. Couldnt nap for the life of me during the day though. I would wake up every morning at like 5am . Felt clear minded too. Im now on latuda and very sleepy all the time now. Less anhedonia though. And no restlessness.
Yeah I am waking up at 5am almost every morning on Abilify.
According to Bard increasing the dose will worsen the activation and insomnia but I want to clear it with my pdoc
I went on abilify exclusively after bringing it up, I think its a bit too activating now I can’t sleep without taking something. It is good for the mood though, am In a better on it than on other antipsychotics.