[r010159]

What is Akathesia like for you?

I am restless, anxiety is high, discomfort, and a little agitated. When I am lying down, my legs are very restless moving all the time. I do not want to go outside because I am depressed. But is this a mild form of Akathesia?

[BlackSheep79]

I'm going thru this for the first time and it's the worst side effect I've had. It is especially bad at night. I'm just starting my 4th week on latuda. I'm dealing with the same symptoms as you are. I feel like I want to rip off my skin because I am so uncomfortable. My doctor gave me cogentin for this but it takes awhile to build in your system. It's so debilitating for me that I'm on medical leave from work for a month. To me these symptoms feel like a panic attack. Is that how u feel?

BP 1 with mixed episodes/ OCD

For me, akathesia was sheer HELL. The worst feeling I've ever felt. Extreme agitation, anxiety, angst. I hope to God I never experience it again.

[r010159]

Originally Posted by BlackSheep79

I'm going thru this for the first time and it's the worst side effect I've had. It is especially bad at night. I'm just starting my 4th week on latuda. I'm dealing with the same symptoms as you are. I feel like I want to rip off my skin because I am so uncomfortable. My doctor gave me cogentin for this but it takes awhile to build in your system. It's so debilitating for me that I'm on medical leave from work for a month. To me these symptoms feel like a panic attack. Is that how u feel?

BP 1 with mixed episodes/ OCD

In the past it was as extreme as you have mentioned. One time it was the biggest nightmare while awake that I had ever experienced as an adult. I thought of checking myself into a hospital. Right now this may not be truely Akathesia but still uncomfortable.

[BlackSheep79]

Originally Posted by r010159

In the past it was as extreme as you have mentioned. One time it was the biggest nightmare while awake that I had ever experienced as an adult. I thought of checking myself into a hospital. Right now this may not be truely Akathesia but still uncomfortable.

For me it started out slowly and then built up each day. If it gets worse contact your pdoc, they have medicine for this side effect.

[cupcakesncrossbones]

I was recently switched to Latuda approximately a week ago...I experienced akathesia on my 7th day (the dose was only 20mg). I could NOT sit still. I can not describe the uncomfortable feeling in my legs. My anxiety was through the roof! After about an hour, I took 50mg of Benadryl. It is very important to take Latuda with at least 350 calories (I normally take it w/ a yogurt parfait)...in case I don't find time to eat (being a nurse). The night that I experienced the akathesia, I took my Latuda later than normal (around 8pm...as opposed to 3-5pm). That was the only difference. I was scheduled to double my dose the following day but I was scared to do so because I didn't want the akathesia to get worse...or come back at all! My husband was a little annoyed because I couldn't stop moving in bed...but he did rub my legs for me which helped a little w/ my anxiety. I eventually fell asleep. The following day, I called my psychiatrist and asked her what to do. She said that taking the Benadryl was a great idea and she would have recommended that. Also, she said that I should NOT increase my dose, as it sometimes takes people's bodies longer to adjust to new medication. I've now been taking my Latuda with breakfast. It doesn't make me drowsy...so I figured I'd get it out of the way early in the day. Of note, the akathesia that I experienced from the Latuda was NOTHING compared to the akathesia I experienced when taking Abilify! Abilify made me SO uncomfortable and irritable that I literally started developing homicidal thoughts. Once I reported this to the psychiatrist at my day program, I was immediately taken off of it. They did try to counter the akathesia w/ propranolol...although, I would not suggest going that route because propranolol also lowers your blood pressure...and who the hell checks their blood pressure at home. Also, you can only take the propranolol 3x/day. So...I say...take the Latuda in the morning...if you experience akathesia, take 50mg of Benadryl and do NOT increase your dose until your body is used to it. Hope that helped.

[Tucson]

I had the same extreme reaction with Abilify. It was a nightmare. A freind thought I had an advanced stage of Parkinson's. Once the med was discontinued, the symptoms went away.

[THE16THDOCTOR]

Same situation here. Started latuda like six or seven weeks ago having the same side effects abt a week in. The akathisia was excruciating. I've never experienced it I thought it was a panic attack. Restlessness panic weeping unable to sit still. It was a waking nightmare. It happened three times and after the third I stopped taking it. So I've been off it for a week. I couldn't handle it. I took Klonipin to calm down. I feel your pain. I thought I had to go to the er the first two times. Feel better. I personally don't handle antipsychotics well

[Disorder7]

Yup, I would take Benadryl and go to sleep. Jmo.

[~Christina]

There are medications that can relieve the symptoms, Of course then it becomes Do I have to take 1 or 2 extra medications just to take the initial one???

But most often prescribed are Cogentin and Indural .

[ozzy1313]

I have this feeling a lot- I just never knew it had a name. I have always described it as feeling "oochy". Restless, crawly feeling on the inside- anxiety and feeling strange. Happened pretty bad a work the other night and went away after taking a xanax.

Most uncomfortable feeling ever. Just want to crawl out of my skin.

Figured I was the only one and have never said anything to any doctors about it.

[RustbeltRoyalty]

Is Restless Leg syndrome considered akathisia? If it is, then yeah. Antihistamines and caffeine after noon give me RLS at night pretty badly.

[Generic_username123]

Does anyone else with akathisia feel like their restlessness gets worst with loud noises, like with loud conversations or washing machines?

I don't have bipolar but am on anti-psychotic meds after recovering from a psychotic episode which is exacerbating my akathisia and I was just wondering if anyone else felt it was worst in certain situations? Or just all the time?

[THE16THDOCTOR]

Originally Posted by Generic_username123

Does anyone else with akathisia feel like their restlessness gets worst with loud noises, like with loud conversations or washing machines?

I don't have bipolar but am on anti-psychotic meds after recovering from a psychotic episode which is exacerbating my akathisia and I was just wondering if anyone else felt it was worst in certain situations? Or just all the time?

For me that did happen. I only experienced it three times before stopping the med, latuda. It was too intense to put up with. It's like all my senses are heightened and I'm shaking. When something loud happens I do react like that too.