[Tsukiko]

About a month ago, my dr placed me on 5 mg. Abilify for my bipolar disorder and I have experienced some good results. I am much calmer and not nearly as out-of-control as I was before. However (and this is a big however) I am now so restless that I can barely hold still and sleep is difficult because I feel the need to constantly move.

I also take Adderall for ADHD and I thought, in the beginning, that the mixture of Adderall and Abilify could be the reason for the restlessness, so my dr took me off the Adderall for 2 weeks to see if the symptoms would improve. Not only did they not improve, they got worse without the Adderall. Turns out the Adderall was the only thing keeping me from being on the move all the time. On one even during those 2 weeks, I paced for hours. I was incredibly sleepy yet I couldn't stop moving.

I went for another check-up on Monday of this week, and told my dr about the 2 weeks. Much to my surprise, instead of taking me off the Abilify, she upped the dosage to 10 mg. and lowered the Adderall from 20 mg. to 15 mg. Am I stupid or does this seem counterproductive to anyone else? She explained it to me, but the explanation was long and complicated and I missed most of it because I was thinking about how dumb it seemed to up the dose.

Has anyone else had this experience? If so, does the restlessness and other side effects go away after a while? I'm really hoping that they'll go away after a couple of months. If not, I'm taking myself off the Abilify because this restlessness is driving me bat-crap insane.

[wildflowerchild25]

I had the same problem with abilify and actually went into a mixed episode. It was not good and it did not lessen over time. If you've already been on it a month I doubt the situation will improve, but it could. Cogentin might help, but it might be wise to go off the abilify altogether. But make sure you discuss with your doctor before you do.

[lilypup]

I was put on Abilify IP. The doc gave me valium or something short term to deal with the restlessness.

I just saw a commercial on TV about a drug which worked for restlessness on Abilify. Sorry don't remember the name of it.

[sonjaward809]

I get really restless after I take my Abilfy and am currently on 10mg. It feels like I HAVE to move, like tension is being built up in my muscles then I kind of snap into weird movements to help relieve the tension. It's a horrible feeling, it's kept me up sometimes too. I hate it!! It's mainly in my arms, but sometimes travels down to my legs. It hasn't gotten any better for me, so I'm not sure if it will ever go away. I'm going to see if my doctor will change my medications around as I'm also having involuntary muscle movements. My body will spasm and jerk like crazy when I'm sitting or laying down. One part after the other.

I hope you get some relief!! You can try taking benadryl when it happens, that's what I do and it calms down the feeling quite a bit. your doctor shouldn't of increased the dose cause that could possibly make it worse. I believe they're supposed to give you something to "counteract" the side effect. It's a form of EPS, Extrapyramidal symptoms, from what I've looked up. It's called akathisia.

[Sunflower123]

I take 5 mg of Abilify and fortunately haven't had this problem. I was on another medication last year (can't remember what it was) and felt the same restlessness and constant movement. My pdoc prescribed propanol and it stopped all of that. Sending big hugs.

[Tsukiko]

thank you for commenting! I think I'm having mixed episodes as well. Despite not being nasty or aggressive, I have been irritable. I've been putting that down to lack of sleep, though. On other hand, I am fine one moment and then a complete mess the next then back up again the moment after. So, yeah, I'd say I'm having mixed episodes.
I will look into Congentin. Thank you very much for the suggestions.

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I had the same problem with abilify and actually went into a mixed episode. It was not good and it did not lessen over time. If you've already been on it a month I doubt the situation will improve, but it could. Cogentin might help, but it might be wise to go off the abilify altogether. But make sure you discuss with your doctor before you do.

[Tsukiko]

Thank you for taking time out to reply. Please forgive my ignorance but what is IP? Is it like an extended release? *knows she's making herself sound totally stupid*

Originally Posted by lilypup

I was put on Abilify IP. The doc gave me valium or something short term to deal with the restlessness.

I just saw a commercial on TV about a drug which worked for restlessness on Abilify. Sorry don't remember the name of it.

[Tsukiko]

YES! Thank you! I am so glad other people understand what I'm talking about, though sorry that you go through the same experience.

My dr has put me on Klonopin to take when I have these random, huge anxiety attacks and I've been taking half of one of those in the evening. It seems to help somewhat with the sleeping issue. When it is taken during the day, though, I'm sleepy and jittery at the same time. The combination is miserable.

Originally Posted by sonjaward809

I get really restless after I take my Abilfy and am currently on 10mg. It feels like I HAVE to move, like tension is being built up in my muscles then I kind of snap into weird movements to help relieve the tension. It's a horrible feeling, it's kept me up sometimes too. I hate it!! It's mainly in my arms, but sometimes travels down to my legs. It hasn't gotten any better for me, so I'm not sure if it will ever go away. I'm going to see if my doctor will change my medications around as I'm also having involuntary muscle movements. My body will spasm and jerk like crazy when I'm sitting or laying down. One part after the other.

I hope you get some relief!! You can try taking benadryl when it happens, that's what I do and it calms down the feeling quite a bit. your doctor shouldn't of increased the dose cause that could possibly make it worse. I believe they're supposed to give you something to "counteract" the side effect. It's a form of EPS, Extrapyramidal symptoms, from what I've looked up. It's called akathisia.

[Tsukiko]

I am glad to hear that you aren't having the restless side effect, Jennifer! A couple of years ago, I experienced a similar situation to what is going on now. My dr had me on Risperdal and the insomnia sent me wild. I'm going to assume that since Risperdal and Abilify are both atypical antipsychotics, I'm just not able to handle that kind of drug. This is tough because all the mood stabilizers I've tried don't seem to work at all. Oh well. Gotta keep trying until we find what will work.

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

I take 5 mg of Abilify and fortunately haven't had this problem. I was on another medication last year (can't remember what it was) and felt the same restlessness and constant movement. My pdoc prescribed propanol and it stopped all of that. Sending big hugs.

[lilypup]

Sorry, IP is "in patient" or in the hospital

[raspberrytorte]

Abilify was the first AP I was put on, many years ago. I had the same problem. My provider at the time took me off of it. I hope your situation resolves soon! I'm not sure if it's a side effect that will go away over time. Has your doctor put you on a med to help with it?

[bioChE]

For what it's worth, you might want to keep an eye on the Klonopin. It has the ability to cause short-term, mild depressive symptoms. If you're only taking it at night however, it's unlikely to be a problem.

[Tsukiko]

Thank you for your response, Raspberry. The only medication I'm currently taking that would help with the side effects of the Abilify is Klonopin and it wasn't specifically prescribed for it, but it does help me to sleep.

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

Abilify was the first AP I was put on, many years ago. I had the same problem. My provider at the time took me off of it. I hope your situation resolves soon! I'm not sure if it's a side effect that will go away over time. Has your doctor put you on a med to help with it?

[Tsukiko]

Thank you so much for this information! I had no idea that Klonopin could cause mild depressive symptoms. I will do some research about that.

Originally Posted by bioChE

For what it's worth, you might want to keep an eye on the Klonopin. It has the ability to cause short-term, mild depressive symptoms. If you're only taking it at night however, it's unlikely to be a problem.

[Vaporeon]

Other than weight gain, I have not had problems taking Abilify, which is great considering that every other antipsychotic I've taken has been horrible for me in one way or another. I don't know if I'm restless from it but I'm easily bored so I'm not sure if Abilify is really the culprit. I've taken sleep meds before but I'm not currently on any.

[Tsukiko]

I am easily bored as well now that I'm on the Abilify. When I'm finally able to sit still for any amount of time, I can't focus for long and I lose interest quickly. Being a film buff, this is miserable.

And the weight gain...ugh! My appetite is ferocious now and I gained 5 lbs in a little over 2 weeks.

Originally Posted by Vaporeon

Other than weight gain, I have not had problems taking Abilify, which is great considering that every other antipsychotic I've taken has been horrible for me in one way or another. I don't know if I'm restless from it but I'm easily bored so I'm not sure if Abilify is really the culprit. I've taken sleep meds before but I'm not currently on any.

[Gabyunbound]

I think 5mg of Abilify isn't a therapeutic dose, so that's probably why she increased it. Nonetheless she needs to do something for the restlessness.

Abilify gives me the shakes, so I'm on propranolol twice a day; maybe you can ask for that. It's helped me immeasurably.

Good luck!

[Tsukiko]

I'm actually having a decent day in terms of my restlessness. I was able to sleep last night for a while and took a nap during the day today. In addition, I was able to read a book for about 15 minutes before losing interest. Maybe the raise in dosage will actually work! I'm keeping all appendages crossed.

[Woolly Bugger]

I take 15 mg of Abilify, just down from 20! My legs always feel like they have an electric current running through them. I can't sit still and pace all the time. I never made the connection between my restlessness and Abilify. Thank you for pointing it out.

[Sad Mermaid]

This is called AKATHISIA.

Abilify is notorious for causing this side effect. I have not taken it for that reason, because I am extremely prone to akathisia even on AP's that normally do not cause it.

I currently take Atarax that attenuates most of my Seroquel-induced akathisia.

As Atarax is mildly sedative with a very benign side effects profile and no habitation potential, I highly recommend you try it. I would try 25 - 50 mg for starters. Atarax is a strong antihistamine.

[Tsukiko]

No problem, Woolly. I'm really sorry to hear that you are experiencing the same thing.

Originally Posted by Woolly Bugger

I take 15 mg of Abilify, just down from 20! My legs always feel like they have an electric current running through them. I can't sit still and pace all the time. I never made the connection between my restlessness and Abilify. Thank you for pointing it out.

[Tsukiko]

Thank you for sharing this information, Mermaid. I have Zyrtec, which is also an antihistamine. I wonder if it would have the same effect as Atarax?

Originally Posted by Sad Mermaid

This is called AKATHISIA.

Abilify is notorious for causing this side effect. I have not taken it for that reason, because I am extremely prone to akathisia even on AP's that normally do not cause it.

I currently take Atarax that attenuates most of my Seroquel-induced akathisia.

As Atarax is mildly sedative with a very benign side effects profile and no habitation potential, I highly recommend you try it. I would try 25 - 50 mg for starters. Atarax is a strong antihistamine.

[Tsukiko]

I woke up this morning feeling horrible. It seems that the restlessness has improved some but now I'm experiencing flu-like symptoms. My throat is sore, I had the chills, and my body hurt this morning. I was wondering if the increase in Abilify had anything to do with this because I experienced similar symptoms when I first started the medication earlier in the Summer. At that time, I put it down to a cold, but I thought it bizarre that it would occur both times something changed concerning the Abilify. A Google search taught me that these flu-like symptoms are one of the more serious side-effects of Abilify, and I should stop taking the medication immediately, so I'm gonna skip tonight's dose and contact a doctor tomorrow (if I can find one available on a Saturday!) to see if I should cut it out completely.

(Forgive me for that last, run-on sentence but I'm feeling dreadful and my writing skills have gone out of the window.)

The side effects you are having are unacceptable and not realistic to battle long term. I'm glad you are talking to your doctor about this and hope a new meds is tried with better success.

[99fairies]

My 16 (almost 17) year old son is starting abilify next week. I'm so nervous. I wish the pdoc would have prescribed a side effect med as well. I told him he will have to stay away from coffee and sodas or he might feel very restless and anxious. this will be hard for him since he loves red bull. But I will be monitoring him and his mood and actions. I'm glad he is on summer break and at home so I can keep a good eye on him.