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Originally Posted by still_crazy
hi. I don't like seroquel. I take 30mgs/Abilify, which is I think the highest a lot of doctors will go. I was briefly on 35mgs daily while introducing an antidepressant, to keep me from freaking out over the first couple weeks.
Point is...at the higher doses, Abilify has calmed me down, but it doesn't really "activate" me or do a whole lot to reduce depression. It doesn't make depression any worse or cause depression, though, which is huge.
I personally don't like the idea of 2 antipsychotics going at the same time. Now and then I'll take 2mgs risperidone with some gabapentin at night, just to soothe the agitation that's left over from the daily medications. That's about it. Its not a long term solution, and taking 2 antipsychotics at the same time can make some side effects worse.
Hope things get better. Have you ever tried Ritalin or Focalin? Those work better for me, especially on Abilify.
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Nope, no Ritalin or Focalin. My pdoc doesn't want me on any stimulants until I become stable. That's why I'm on Strattera, even though it's utterly useless.
My pdoc wants me on 30mg of Abilify, but we're adjusting my Lamictal dose first, I guess. Then if I'm stable after these 2 dosages are maxed out, I get a stimulant.
Ritalin and Focalin sound nice, but I would like to try Vyvanse actually. I've heard a lot of BP people say that it doesn't throw them into mania like Adderall does. (Some people obviously still become manic off Vyvanse, but I've read a lot of great things about it from BP people.)
I wonder if 2 APs may be necessary, only because Abilify fails to prevent my upswings. It's great at stopping those downswings, but I need something for my upswings too.
I used to be depressed 75% of the time, 20% (hypo)manic, and 5% mixed... but now it's more like 30% depressed, 65% manic, 5% mixed. So it's changed.
I've never heard of Loxapine or Perphenazine before, but I'll look into them - thanks. But I'll have to change pdocs if I want either of them, as my pdoc does stick to his policies very well.