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Mental health

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Original poster

Aripiprazole experiences

16 replies

Larabelle6 · 01/12/2023 11:31

Hi,

can anyone share their experiences of this drug?

I’ve recently been prescribed a low dose as a mood stabiliser. I also take duloxetine and trazadone. I’m a week in and so far feel absolutely nothing; no irritability, restlessness nor do I feel calmer and like my mind is slowing down (which is what it’s for).

I thought I’d have to wean off current medication but have since read it can act as a booster to these and wondered what combinations has worked best for others? I don’t feel the duloxetine does anything on its own. Next to try would be venlafaxine or vortioxetine.

thanks in advance

OP posts:

Pibolar · 02/12/2023 23:11

Hi, I’ve just started aripiprazole, nearly 3 weeks in. I’m much more motivated, my ds13 has noticed the difference in me.

i don’t take anything else except propanolol so couldn’t comment on that part of it.

my throat has been feeling tight though which I’m not liking much, not sure if this will pass once I get used to them or if it’s not suitable for me. Have been on Quietiapine which slowed my racing thoughts after about 2-3 months but couldn’t get on with it as it made me sleep for 13hrs a day.

Original poster

Larabelle6 · 04/12/2023 09:55

@Pibolar quetiapine sounds right up my street - one of my main issues is sleep. I can spend 16 hours a day in bed but I can’t sleep longer than 60 mins at a time.

can I take from your username you take aripiprazole for bipolar? I think I’m treatment resistant for anxiety and racing thoughts and that’s why they’re letting me try it. How long did it take for you to notice a difference or is it mainly other people noticing the difference in you? I just feel nothing really- mind still racing and no side effects. I’m really hoping it works. What dosage are you taking? As I’m not psychotic/manic I know I don’t need high dose but wondering if there’s scope to increase mine slightly - I’ll ask the psychiatrist when I speak to him in a couple of weeks.

OP posts:

Pibolar · 04/12/2023 10:14

Hi yes it’s for bipolar. Aripiprazole is activating, Quietiapine is sedating. I’m no professional but Q might be better if sleep is your main issue. I started on 50, the first night it knocked me out within the hour. The sedating effects continued, every night without fail. It took a while to make a difference for the racing thoughts though, but it did work. I was on 100 in the end, a mixture of slow and fast release, which is still a low dose. I noticed the difference.

I’m now on Aripiprazole 5mg, only just started 3 weeks ago, so might be upped. There is suspected ADHD in the mix so am trying this as it’s different to other anti psychotics because it regulates dopamine levels up and down where needed. Both myself and my ds have noticed a difference…. Motivation wise, I’m getting more done. Not sure about racing thoughts yet, bit less i suppose

Stressedgiraffe · 04/12/2023 10:16

I take it too. A low dose of 10mg. I've been taking it for a few years. I'm more focused and don't let things get to me when I take it. Interestingly it's called Ablify in the US and used as a ADHD medication. I have something called cyclothemia ( mild bipolar) and ADHD so it definitely help me.
I take it in the morning.

Pibolar · 04/12/2023 10:18

sorry the Aripiprazole worked within days (for motivation anyway) but having side effects at the moment. Q took longer apart from the sleep, that was instant, in fact one night i was sliding down the kitchen counter and nearly ended up sleeping on the floor, it literally knocked me out!

Pibolar · 04/12/2023 10:18

But A isn’t helping with sleep for me

Pibolar · 04/12/2023 10:19

@Stressedgiraffe did you have side effects? How long did they last?

Stressedgiraffe · 04/12/2023 10:23

My heart felt a bit racy and I feel the urge to do stuff which is why I take it in the morning but tbh I haven't really noticed any.
What side effects are you having and I'll try to remember?

Pibolar · 04/12/2023 10:35

Tired, waves of slight dizziness. Not too bothered about these.

I’m getting the feeling like someone has got their hands around my throat, I feel pressure there and an insane amount of tension in the back of my neck

Original poster

Larabelle6 · 04/12/2023 19:06

Hi @Stressedgiraffe would you mind explaining how your cyclothemia symptoms present? I’ve struggled all my life but at the beginning of trying to figure out exactly what it is. Trying right now to figure out if it’s all in my mind and mental health or if it’s my actual brain: I experience quite a lot of physical symptoms.

@Pibolar so I don’t sleep well at all, always been poor but it’s worse now than ever. I’ve also had 8 consecutive years of children who didn’t sleep through and not the usual 1-2 times per night but hourly. So I definitely need something to knock me out at night but I’m always so bloody tired and unmotivated that the activating side of aripiprazole appeals to me, I guess I am getting more done these days but still struggling to calm the constant thoughts in my head.

OP posts:

Original poster

Larabelle6 · 04/12/2023 19:08

@Pibolar also what dose propanalol do you take? I take 2 10mgs when I feel my anxiety is too much but I’m prescribed that 3 times a day. It can be upped to 40mg 3 times per day if needed.

OP posts:

Pibolar · 05/12/2023 00:45

I’m on 40x3 I’ve spoke to the doctor about upping this and they said it would be ok so long as it didn’t make me feel tired as this would mean I’m taking too much. I’ve been on them for the best part of 10 years. Lifesaver.

Stressedgiraffe · 05/12/2023 11:02

My cyclothemia is fluctuating moods in a short time over a day or days. I was as a student diagnosed with manic depression but it isn't that. It really is a mild version of bipolar. My adhd diagnosis made more sense but the aripiprazol keeps me on an even keel. Not too hyper ( spending money, frantically cleaning, superfocused on things) or depressed when I don't want to do anything. It keeps me focused on what needs to be done without too much focus if that makes sense?
It's supposed to make you sleepy but it keeps me awake which is why I take it in the morning.
I find it really difficult to sleep too and when my insomnia is really bad I take amitriptyline (for migraines) or a couple of cocodamal ( not too often) to reset my body clock.

Pibolar · 05/12/2023 11:16

@Stressedgiraffe does it still keep you motivated and doing things it is that just at the start?

don’t know whether mine is bipolar 1,2 or cyclothmia yet, it’s just a ‘working diagnosis’ of bipolar spectrum disorder. ADHD is suspected but hasn’t been diagnosed officially

Stressedgiraffe · 05/12/2023 11:23

It still keeps me motivated. Occasionally I forget to take it at the weekend and I do notice.
Also I find I don't need to take propananol as I'll just take another aripiprazol as it stops me feeling anxious too. Only if I have a presentation or important thing to do. I feel more anxious on propananol.
Interestingly with adhd some medicines have the opposite effect.
Coffee is a good example with adhd it can slow your heart rate and make you feel sleepy.

Pibolar · 05/12/2023 12:37

Ah that’s good, so it’s worth pushing through the side effects.
i take my propanolol multiple times every day as it for a tremor as well as anxiety, couldn’t function without them.
yep i can definitely relate to that…. Anything with caffeine in it makes me tired

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