[*Beth*]

I have been prescribed 5mg Abilify and 1mg Cogentin. I am having a very difficult time with my eyes. It isn't exactly my eyesight; the issue is that my eyes feel so dry, and eyelids so heavy, that it's extremely difficult for me to open them fully. The problem is severe enough that others notice it and ask if I have allergies (my eyes are red, too).

I also feel extreme fatigue. If I could, and if it wouldn't depress me horribly, I would just sleep all day. An additional problem that feels miserable is the sensation of being extremely hot, then chilled. It seems my body cannot regulate temperature.

My pdoc has been no help with this.

I am wondering if anyone has any input? Is it the Abilify or the Cogentin that causes such dry eyes (and nose)? What about extreme fatigue?

[WastingAsparagus]

I don't know that Abilify is known to cause such tiredness--it may be the case with some people, but perhaps it's the Cogentin that is causing your problems? The one time I took Cogentin it was to fix my hand tremor. I felt severe dry mouth from the Cogentin. That is my experience with it.

Also, why did the doctor prescribe the Cogentin? Is it because of restlessness caused by the Abilify?

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by skibum801

I don't know that Abilify is known to cause such tiredness--it may be the case with some people, but perhaps it's the Cogentin that is causing your problems? The one time I took Cogentin it was to fix my hand tremor. I felt severe dry mouth from the Cogentin. That is my experience with it.

Also, why did the doctor prescribe the Cogentin? Is it because of restlessness caused by the Abilify?

Thank you, skibum. My pdoc prescribed Cogentin because I had an episode of akathesia, then a general sense of restlessness/agitation from the Abilify. I also have had an extreme hand tremor. The Cogentin has helped calm that tremor.

[WastingAsparagus]

Yes, that's one of those unfortunate side effects that Abilify can cause. I currently take Abilify and it does cause a bit of a tremor. There are other meds that can control the tremor. Depending on what your pdoc thinks, and based on the fact that you said you had an extreme hand tremor, maybe you should try a different antipsychotic? I also have had akathisia and it's not fun. Maybe just tell the pdoc that you're not happy with the current combination and ask if you can switch meds... I do know that Abilify can help a lot with depression (it has in my case, at least).

[peacelizard]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I have been prescribed 5mg Abilify and 1mg Cogentin. I am having a very difficult time with my eyes. It isn't exactly my eyesight; the issue is that my eyes feel so dry, and eyelids so heavy, that it's extremely difficult for me to open them fully. The problem is severe enough that others notice it and ask if I have allergies (my eyes are red, too).

I also feel extreme fatigue. If I could, and if it wouldn't depress me horribly, I would just sleep all day. An additional problem that feels miserable is the sensation of being extremely hot, then chilled. It seems my body cannot regulate temperature.

My pdoc has been no help with this.

I am wondering if anyone has any input? Is it the Abilify or the Cogentin that causes such dry eyes (and nose)? What about extreme fatigue?

I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you anticholinergic drugs (like Cogentin) have been known to cause stuff like dry eyes and dry mouth.

[still_crazy]

all of the neuroleptics/tranquilizers/antipsychotics mess with the body's ability to maintain a constant temperature. i think its worse w/ the high potency older ones, such as Haldol...but I could be incorrect.

maybe abilify just isn't for you? i don't understand why your psych is so gung ho about keeping you on it all kinds of doses, with cogentin, etc. oh well. shrinks tend to be tricksy rabbits.

my current psych is quite good, and she's open with me...having a tremor = higher risk of TD and other tardive syndromes. that's one reason I wouldn't personally want to stay on a psych Rx that caused adverse effects and suppress them w/ other drugs...there's also tardive akathisia, tardive dysphoria, tardive dementia, tardive dystonia...blah blah blah....

high dose b-vitamins and common antioxidants (massive doses of C, natural form E, etc.) seem to help me tolerate my Abilify, although...with Prozac in the mix, I might go down to 10 (from 20, blah) to see if I can get rid of my own fabulous hand tremor.

i hope things get better for you. :-)

[*Beth*]

Thanks to each of you for the replies. Saw my (weird) pdoc yesterday...she stopped the Abilify. I've given it 5 weeks and it's causing more problems than solutions. Switched to Zyprexa.


As for the cogentin, I'm taking just 1/4 of a mg every day and even at that tony dose, it does help the hand tremor.