Nordica: Abilify confusion

[Nordica]

I am getting ready to begin a taper for 2 mg of Abilify, but am a bit terrified since I have tried reducing the dosage - 2 mg - before and ended up with debilitating depressive symptoms and had to return to the medication.  At the time, I wasn't aware that the symptoms might have been from withdrawal and just assumed that my depression was lying in wait and the only way of keeping it at bay is to stay on the drugs indefinitely.  I am finally fed up with the weight gain and the effects on my memory and want to try again to get off the medication.  Has anyone successful eliminated Abilify and, if so, do you have any words of advice and/or encouragement?

[Gridley]

Hello, Nordica and welcome to SA.  I'm glad you found your way here and especially before you begin your taper of Abilify.

 

How are you feeling at the moment?

 

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This will also be helpful:

 

Tips for tapering off aripiprazole (Abilify)

 

  

 

 

 

[Nordica]

Thanks for your reply.  I'm feeling fine now.  A little apprehensive because I have tried to quit Abilify in the past, and I had to reinstate it because of the return of depression and anxiety.  I now realize that my taper was way too aggressive and I must go A LOT slower.  I'm not very patient though so the tapering period will be difficult.

[ChessieCat]

Hi Noridca and welcome from me too,

 

I realise that I have provided you with a lot of links, but because you are feeling apprehensive I want to provide you with the information so you understand what is involved and how to taper carefully.  When we understand something it isn't as scary.  I've put the links in a rough order of which to look at first so just start with the first topic and work you way down the list as you are able to. 

 

One very important thing to remember is to only make 1 change at a time.  So if you want to take a supplement, don't start taking it at the same time you make a dose reduction because if there is a problem you won't know what is causing it.

 

Also, if you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms which continue for few days after a reduction it means that you are going too quickly.  You will need to be patient and listen to your body.  Being a member of SA is really good because when we start getting impatient we can post about it and other members can help us to remain patient.

 

This is your own Intro topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.  Please update your signature whenever you make a change so that it remains current and we can see your history at a glance.  Thank you.

 

Now for the really long list of links, but trust me, they are helpful

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know
 

Preparing to Taper

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Rhi's "Start Small, Listen to Your Body" Taper Plan

 

Tapering Calculator - Online

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Keep Notes on Paper

Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

Is it withdrawal or relapse?  Or something else?

How do I know it's withdrawal and not relapse?

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Stabilising After a Reduction - What Does That Mean?

Withdrawal Normal Description

[Nordica]

Wow!  Thanks for all the information.  I appreciate your taking the time to help keep me informed.  If all goes well, I'm going to start tapering next week and plan to GO SLOW.  I understand this can take a long time and I would rather be slow than hurry it up and have debilitating reactions.  I am nervous -- but hopeful.

[Ali4]

You will do great, specially from all the support here! Slow and steady. Ali 

[Gridley]

Nordica, you will do well.  You have a great attitude.  

[RealMe]

Hello Nordica,

Just wondering how you are doing with your taper.  I was on the lowest dose of abilify when my psychiatrist told me to stop taking it due to cervical dystonia.  Because it was the lowest dose, he said I could just stop taking it.  Argh!  This was before I found this site and learned about slow tapering to minimize withdrawal symptoms.  The suffering was incredible, but I'm glad to report that I have been off of Abilify since August and off Trintellix for almost two months. He tried a few other medications to help me, but I developed tinnitus.  I am stabilizing on Fluoxetine 10 mg. and plan to taper that in a few months.  I just wanted to let you know that despite very difficult withdrawal, I was successful in stopping Abilify.  Unfortunately, the dystonic reaction and tinnitus are still active, but I am glad to be free of most of the meds and have hope for the recovery of my central nervous system.

[Nordica]

Dear RealMe --Thanks for checking in. I am doing so so on my taper. It is difficult to realize it will take such a long time and in the meantime the weight gain has been very distressing. Did you experience that while on Abilify?  When you went off abruptly what did you experience?  I tried several years ago to stop 1mg cold turkey and had off the charts anxiety. Very uncomfortable. Had to go back on. Now hoping that a slow go will do the trick.  

[RealMe]

I did not experience weight gain on Abilify probably because I was following a very strict regimen of primarily vegetables with a little bit of protein (about 12 ounces total per day of meat, cheese, yogurt, soybeans), 3 tablespoons of fat (olive oil, butter or mayo), and a little fruit (strawberries, pineapples, mangoes--no bananas).  When I came off Abilify, I lost about 7 pounds quickly.  I had no appetite; I had diarrhea; and the regimen I had been on was not enough food.  I had to increase my calories to stop losing weight.

 

I had heard that Abilify packs on the pounds before I took it, and that is why I kept such a strict diet of no bread, pasta, or sweets.  What I didn't know, and what I regret with all my soul, is that elderly patients on Abilify can develop dystonia (among other tardive symptoms).  When my hands started to shake, I didn't think much of it; I figured it was age.  When my head started to jerk and shake, I told the doctor; and he told me to stop taking Abilify.  Since I was on the lowest dose, he said I could just stop it without too much trouble.  I probably don't need to tell you, coming off Abilify was hell.  I told the dr., and he said, "we will get you through this depression."  Until I found SA I didn't realize it was withdrawals.  I was tempted to go back on it because it was so painful but, thank God, I stuck it out.  My psychiatrist says the dystonia is not caused by Abilify.  I see no point in arguing.  It's permanent, and there's no going back.  I didn't have it before, and I have it now.

 

I was also on Trintillex, and I started to taper off that as well.  I'm not sure of the time frame, but he put me on Seroquel first.  I found out that was also an anti-psychotic, so I stopped taking that after about 5 days (ct).  He put me on 150 mg. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Fluoxetine (Prozac) 20mg.  After a week, he increased it to Buproprion 300 mg., and that's when the tinnitus started.  I stopped the Bupropion (ct) and dropped the Fluoxetine to 10 mg.  I took Propranol (Inderal) for a couple of weeks for the tremors, but it did not help, so I stopped that as well.  I am trying to stabilize on Fluoxetine 10mg.  I feel despondent about the constant ringing in my ears and wake up wishing I were dead.  I have anxiety, but there is a little bit of hope that maybe I will get better or habituate to the tinnitus.  I'm supposed to have botox injections for the cervical dystonia on November 20th.

 

My appetite is better, but not what I used to experience.  I gained back the 7 pounds I had lost by deliberately increasing my caloric intake.  I'm maintaining my weight now, not gaining or losing.

 

 

[RealMe]

Yes, you are wise to do a slow taper of the Abilify.  Good luck to you.

[RealMe]

Nordica, How are you doing with your taper and weight issues?

 

[geoffwich]

I'm curious about all this as well...

 

Abilify is a horrible trap. The withdrawal that occurs when you go from 1 mg/day to nothing is like a nightmare that won't end. The last time I tried it, it was three weeks of solid hell before I gave up and went back on it. But the smallest dose the drug comes in is a 2 mg pill which, when split in half, results in a tiny shard that can't really be split further. So a slow taper from 1 mg is impossible, right? This is probably a deliberate move on the part of the pharmaceutical company to keep people "hooked."

[Gridley]

Making a liquid is a way to micro-taper below 1 mg.

 

Using an oral syringe and other tapering techniques
How to use oral syringes, gelatin capsules, powdered tablets, and do-it-yourself liquid solutions
 
How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules
General instructions on making a homemade liquid suspension

[RealMe]

Yes, I agree about Abilify being a horrible trap.  Hopefully, the moderators will have some advice about tapering.  I stopped it cold turkey on the advice of my psychiatrist (read above).  I made things worse by taking other medications that were prescribed as I was in withdrawal.  Please try to find out how to taper slowly, and good luck to you.  If I had any idea of the risks, I would never have taken Abilify.  I keep trying to let go of the anger I feel because it always comes back to anger at myself for not taking more responsibility for what I was putting into my body.  I was trying to feel better.  That desire is what is motivating me now.  Please let me know how you are doing.

 

[Cleerity]

Hi Nordica,

 

I am not sure if you are still reading on this forum, but thought I would send a message to see how you are doing with the Abilify?  I have taken 2mg of this since 2012.  Thanks to the help of this site, I learned how to make my own liquid solution so that I can titrate down slowly.  I just recently finished the crossover from tablet to liquid and will start making small decrements pretty soon.  Despite this being a very popular drug, there are relatively few people here that are working on reducing it.  So, I thought I would check in with you to see how things are going for you.  I am also in the KC Metro region.  I wish you a peaceful holiday!

 

Best,

Cleerity