[Healing the Damage]

So, I just started on Abilify on Monday night. I am supposed to take 1mg each night this week, then take 2mg each night next week, then 3mg, then I see my psychiatrist again.

So far, I've taken it three times, and I don't like it. It feels as though my head is full of cotton, like everything is fuzzy and it is hard to think. It is also a lot harder to concentrate on things.

Is this normal?

[Blue_Bird]

I was on 5mg of Abilify before and it gave me horrible akithisia, not what you're describing but I would let your doc know.

[Healing the Damage]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

I was on 5mg of Abilify before and it gave me horrible akithisia, not what you're describing but I would let your doc know.

I have no idea what akithisia is....?

[Blue_Bird]

Originally Posted by Living in Chaos

I have no idea what akithisia is....?

Oops it's spelled akathisia, here's a link to some info on it. Like I said, that's just my experience with Abilify, a lot of people have that. Yours sounds different, just check with your doctor and they can see what to do.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akathisia

[Healing the Damage]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

Oops it's spelled akathisia, here's a link to some info on it. Like I said, that's just my experience with Abilify, a lot of people have that. Yours sounds different, just check with your doctor and they can see what to do.
Akathisia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks for the link. I took a look at it, and I don't think that is anything similar to what is happening. I am not restless, more just it feels like someone has replaced my brain with cotton fluff, making it hard to think and concentrate - which is really not good considering I work with kids.

As it's only been three days, is it possible it is just because I just started taking it? Should I try it the rest of this week and then call my psychiatrist on Monday if it continues? Should I just stop taking it?

Thanks.

[Goldcrest]

I have taken Abilify in the past at a higher dose and didn't have that effect. Having said that I always get quite a lot of side effects with these drugs and most of them settle down after a while. If you are worried it wouldn't hurt to call your psychiatrist.

[Victoria'smom]

My son had fuzziness for about a week.

[Healing the Damage]

Thanks for the input, all of you. I will try it again tonight and see how tomorrow goes, and then might call my psychiatrist.

[ZolaB]

I have been taking Abilify since October 13, first with 2.5mg and then 10 days later to 5 mg. The first three days I was so drowsy, I couldn't function. This dissipated, and I slept better, and felt calmer, more...content, mellow, than I have for years. The past week of so have trouble with insomnia. Multiple or early awakening, can't get back to sleep. At 5 am up and at 'em, too much initiative and get up and go for someone who is usually sluggish. Overall it has helped my mood, and motivation. Don't know what to do about the insomnia, worrisome, because prolonged insomnia has kicked me into a manic state before.

[Healing the Damage]

I wound up not taking it on Thursday or Friday, and haven't taken it yet tonight (debating if I should or not). I feel as though I am better able to think now than I was before, even after only taking it for three days. I didn't think it would have that much of an effect that quickly... I see my therapist on Monday, and am going to ask if my psychiatrist is there to talk to him about it for a few minutes.

[Love&Toil]

Best wishes sorting out your meds. I have been on 4 mg of Abilify for awhile and it has felt like..... nothing. Just takes the edge off my worst irritability.

[Healing the Damage]

Originally Posted by Love&Toil

Best wishes sorting out your meds. I have been on 4 mg of Abilify for awhile and it has felt like..... nothing. Just takes the edge off my worst irritability.

Thank you! I am going to see my therapist tomorrow morning, and I will ask if my psychiatrist is available for a few minutes, or if he can call me, to talk to him about this problem.