[still_crazy]

hi. I was on 30 mgs/abilify for a long time. Now, I"m working my way up to 200mgs/lamictal, and I've been down to 20mgs/Abilify for a while. The initial jump from 30 to 20 was kinda rough--10mgs cut, no taper--but my brain bounced back, and I like 20 more than 30.

for those of you w/ bipolar I or similar problems, how low have you been able to go on Abilify? as you reduced the dosage, did it become less sedating, more stimulating/"activating," or just...less tranquilizing?

I keep reading that 10mgs is a fairly standard minimum for "serious" problems, but...it also seems that dosing w/ tranquilizers varies wildly. i just want to come up with something of a game plan, because 20mgs is better than 30, but its still -definitely- a tranquilizer.

thanks. :-)

[Wild Coyote]

I'm not much help to you because I am slowly increasing, not decreasing.

I have noticed during an increase from 6mg. to 8mg., I feel drowsy. I had been taking Abilify in the AM; however, I am now trying it in the PM in hopes of avoiding AM drowsiness. (The drowsiness had lasted until noon or 1 pm, while taking it in the AM.)

I may increase it more. It depends. I am looking for an "activating" effect. I want to increase relatively slowly, in order to possibly find the least amount that may do the trick.

I hope others come along and reply. This post had quickly made it to page #3. Posts move along rather quickly.

As always, my best to you!

WC

[still_crazy]

hi. thanks. have you tried lowering your dose? I read about this one shrink who would give a very low dose of abilify every 2nd or 3rd day, to provide a more stimulating effect.

20mgs isn't terrible. I would just like to see about going as low as possible, which is supposed to be the goal for tranquilizer treatment ("lowest effective dose").

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by still_crazy

hi. thanks. have you tried lowering your dose? I read about this one shrink who would give a very low dose of abilify every 2nd or 3rd day, to provide a more stimulating effect.

20mgs isn't terrible. I would just like to see about going as low as possible, which is supposed to be the goal for tranquilizer treatment ("lowest effective dose").

Interesting!

Thanks for this, I'll keep it in mind.
My shrink does a lot of "unconventional" things with meds, using some super low doses, some once a week doses, etc., depending upon the client's response. He would be open to this option.


WC

[Guiness187055]

I found myself manic at 15mg and not much better at 20mg. I am on 30mg now and have been for about 4 months no signs of mania. It just makes me feel a little flat. I am also on 200mg of lamictal.

[still_crazy]

yeah...I think one's symptoms would be a -big- factor in determining the best tranquilizer, ideal dosage, etc. I've had a couple (bad) manic episodes, but severe, agitated depression is pretty much the main problem, so maybe a lower dose would be better (?).