Anyone taken aripiprazole before?

[CutiePatooties]

I’ve started it 5 days ago and last night I woke up in the night and couldn’t get back to sleep for a couple of hours and today I’ve gone to sleep at midnight and woken up at 5am absolutely wide-eyed and buzzing really. 5 hours sleep might be enough, but I’m used to sleeping for 8 or 9 hours.

Did anyone else have disturbed sleep and if so, how long until it passed?

I’m on them, sleep is normal though. By normal i mean i don’t get much anyway but the tablets haven’t affected it. what time do you take them?

Oh sugar - I’ve just read your comment and realised I forgot to take one today! I’ll have to go and have one now (thanks so much for commenting or I would have not taken it).

I take them at 9am every day, although, now that’s changed to 1pm 😂

@Pibolar
My dd16 has been prescribed them by Camhs psychiatrist.
Can I ask if you have noticed increased impulsiveness after starting them? Also, has it had any impact on appetite or weight.
My dd struggles with emotional regulation and can be quite impulsive with spending, risky behaviours and also binge eats.
I read that aripriprazole increases these behaviours and am anxious about starting her on them.
She isn't diagnosed with personality disorder but they say she is showing emerging behaviours for eupd which will not be diagnosed until 18.

@CutiePatooties good luck with sleeping tonight then 😂 that’s why I asked as they’re activating so my guess is it’s probably best to take them in the morning. I took Quetiapine before which made me sleep for 14 hours straight.

@DarkChocHolicI take mine for bipolar. no more impulsive than normal. My appetite has dropped which I’m actually quite glad of because I’m overweight and could eat for England. Weight has gone down slightly as a result. I’ve read the same so I would just keep a close eye on things and if you’re not happy with the side effects then ask to change to something else.

I tried them but came off them and started something else. Can't recall if that was due to adverse effects, or not working for me. Sorry that isn't very helpful. I have tried so many many different medications to get my bipolar under control, that they all merge into a big blur.

@DRS1970 can you remember what you’ve tried and what worked it didn’t work? I’ve tried Quietiapine and Aripiprazole, both worked but Q made me sleep for way too long and A is making my vision blurred when I up the dose.

What worked and what didn’t work that was meant to say

I have tried most things at one time I would guess, as it has been a long journey. I currently use Lithium with Sertaline and Mirtazapine for my Bipolar, and I use Quetiapine occasionally for anxiety. Quetiapine can be problematic with sleepiness and oversleeping at the higher doses, but I don't use it regularly, and only a very low dose when I do. I am not sure how helpful that is, as everyone varies in what they require. But GL anyway.

@DRS1970 thank you, anything is helpful. Worried i might end up on lithium.

how long is long?

A lot of people freak out at the thought of Lithium. But it is fine if you take it as prescribed, and keep up to date with quarterly blood tests. I have been taking it since around 2014. It took out my highs, but wasn't effective with my lows on its own. My depressive symptoms were somewhat resistant to treatment. So it took quite a bit of trial and error to find the best combination for me. But don't be put off by lithium, it is fine if you respect it.

@CutiePatooties how did you sleep last night after taking your meds late?

@DRS1970 that’s what worries me, I suspect there’s ADHD in the mix, I can’t even take my tablets properly, even with setting alarms etc

@Pibolar I feel you with the ADHD thing. I’ve sent off my referral forms last week and I’m terrible with remembering meds as you saw yesterday.

I slept brilliantly which is odd, as I took the tablets 4 hours later so thought I’d be up all night.

I’m loving how productive I am on these! I’ve cleared out 3 rooms and the house is beginning to look spotless. I’m making everyone’s meals from scratch when I used to get quick junk food or DH cooked as I wasn’t motivated. I constantly need to be doing something now, which I much prefer. I have noticed that includes eating 😂 if I have nothing to do, I’ll eat. Need to find a hobby now.

I did but got akathisia and had to stop it. I have tried loads of antipsychotics but they all gave me bad side effects. I am now on lurasidone which surpringsinly doesn't give me side effects.

@poignant Do you know how long it took for you to develop akathisia as a side effect?

I’ve been on mine for nearly a week now and I do feel like I want to keep doing things and feel more hyperactive and have had disturbed sleep where I wake up buzzing. I’m nowhere near akathisia stage at the moment, but worried it could go that way and I love how aripiprazole is making me feel so I’d hate to have to stop it.

Maybe you should take them later if that’s working better for you.
yes I agree, it’s amazing, I’ve got loads done since I started them. I’ve just decorated ds room, currently putting bed together. Always feel like I need to be doing something, but I think it’s bordering on restlessness. I wish I could take more as they’re not completely working but I get blurred vision.
I’ve lost my appetite a bit, which I’m grateful for, otherwise I’d be the same 😂

@CutiePatooties I don't remember when it started but it developed slowly until it was unbearable. It went away after I stopped it.

The restlessness and the wide awake rings a bell with my DD who was initially prescribed promethazine as an anti psychotic.
She had difficulty sleeping and even after a complete night of no sleep was buzzing in a scary way the next day.
She also reported blurry vision when the dosage was upped.
She refused to take promethazine after that.

@CutiePatooties
Was wondering how you are getting on with the aripiprazole?
Most likely to start dd on it next week.
I know everyone reacts differently and I am trying to not panic at the moment.

Xx

@DarkChocHolic it’s massively helped with my low/paranoid moods and episodes with my EUPD. I know you said you’re worried about impulsiveness - my overall impulsiveness has decreased massively, but I still want to binge eat all day. The doctor just told me to have healthy snacks whenever I get the urge so I now have lots of carrots, cucumber, raw peppers with humous and various fruit then loads of vegetables with dinner. I’ve lost 3lbs so far.

My sleep is now fine - since changing from taking it at 9am to 1pm, I nod off at bedtime straight away and stay asleep until it’s time to get up.

For the first time in ages, I’ve taken care of myself and my home without having DH doing it all. My self care has massively improved, I’m way more positive and productive.

I’m only on 5mg right now.

xx

@CutiePatooties
Thank you so much for replying.
Glad to know it's helping you and I wish you well as you recover and I hope you continue to feel loads better.

DD has her ADHD assessment next week and depending on the outcome I will start her on aripriprazole.
Didn't want to start her and then realise she may need adhd medication too.

@DarkChocHolic ahhhh, how odd that my GP has sent off a referral for an assessment to see if I have ADHD as well (although they’re also looking at possible autism with it).

I would do the same in your position with your DD though, especially as she’s being assessed next week. I’ve been told I could be waiting up to 6 years to be seen.