Thought I was doing much better...
 

I want to start off by letting you all know I'm safe.

I went up to 20mg of Abilify and it was helping with my mood, slowing my thoughts, and I had NO s/s ideation. But I still had quite a bit of psycho-motor agitation, anxiety and wasn't sleeping well.

Today, things are starting to tick back up AND I'm starting to believe that people in white vans and blue minivans are watching me. I know this is not normal. And I'm much more agitated.

I put in a call to the psych office. I see pdoc tomorrow.

To make matters worse, I just hit the Medicare donut hole, and a switch to Seroquol was planned because I don't qualify for financial assistance and can't afford Abilify....
Stress!
If necessary, we will have to find a way to pay for the Abilify, or I'll have to go back to the hospital until they straighten my meds out.

I'm at 20mg of Abilify now... they only dose up to 30. I may have to go back to the hospital anyway. Que sera sera.

Thanks for the ears,
Kay

Kay

I hope you start to do better. I know very little about Abilify, but wonder
if you could get help from the manufacturer also. Sometimes they have
plans. I do know quite a bit about Seroquel, it had a calming effect on
my youngest when he was on it. And my oldest just started it and its helping.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Thank you for the encouragement regarding Seroquol.

And I will contact the Abilify manufacturer once I figure out pdoc's plan for me tomorrow.

Good advice!
:hug:

Dear Kay,
I've been thinking of you.

I just wanted to post this link to a Sticky post from the Medications forum relating to tips for free medications just in case you find you need help getting your Abilify.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread13042.html

I think that Bristol-Myers Squibb manufactures Abilify (mentioned in Abbie's post No 8) and as far as I know they have a patient assistance programme. Not sure how it works though.

take care.

One of the medications that I'm on is Seroquel. It does have a calming affect on me. I don't enjoy the affect,but it helps me to not be to stressed out. I've been taking it for 5,or 6 years on top of 2 other medications. BF:hug::hug::hug:

Hi Kay,

I am sorry you are facing more challenges.
So glad you can get in to pdoc soon.:)

It may be that Seroquel is more calming?
Many find Seroquel calming, when they find Abilify and/or Geodon too "activating," with restless side-effects.

I am sorry about the expenses associated with meds.
Is there any prescription coverage in your state of residence?
Is Medicaid prescription coverage an option?

I get some good breaks on brand name meds prices through various manufacturers. I hope this is an option for you. :)

Take excellent care of you!
:hug:
DejaVu

dear kay,
this is delusional thinking. (manic)
I am glad that you are getting into your pdoc tomorrow.
seroquel helped with anxiety for a friend of mine.
I do hope you get a break soon.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Hi, Kay,

I hope that the pdoc appt is fruitful.

Sometimes it does take a second visit to the hospital and
more time back and forth with the pdoc and even some more med
adjustments to get things worked out so you can get back onto an even keel.

Keep taking care of yourself while hoping for the best.

You are working hard. :hug::hug::hug:

M

I have enough Abilify for Tuesday.

Pdoc acknowledges that I am getting worse, said a bump to 30mg would surely help with the paranoia, but 50/50 chance it would help with the agitation and anxiety.
She thinks Seroquel would be a better fit for all sx. And she was hesitant to recommend increasing the Abilify because it might not help 100% and it may put me out more $$$ in the long run.

I'll still be on Abilify until Tuesday while I titrate up on the Seroquol.

I found coupons online (can I say the site or pharmacy?) that are going to save me hundreds by not going through my insurance... Saving $150 on the Seroquel alone.

I guess that's the plan.
At least I have a plan now. And that's a good feeling. Less to fixate on.

Thanks to all,
Kay

thanks for the update kay.
((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Kay

I'm not positive but I believe Seroquel also has a patient assistance plan.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Hi Kay,

Glad you have a plan in place. :)

If you find certain places/settings overly stimulating, maybe limit your exposure until you are feeling more stable?
Overstimulation and prolonged exposure to bright light can add to mania.

I hope you have a calming, relaxing weekend.

Continue taking excellent care of yourself.

:hug:
DejaVu

I took 50mg of Seroquel last night, got a lot more sleep, but woke up rather sedated. My rapid thoughts were somewhat slowed down, but everything else was still there.
Come noon, I'm amped back up though.

I have some concerns about staying on 20mg of Abilify while the Seroquel is increased again to 100, then 200, then 300mg because of the sedation.
I run out of Abilify Monday... And was never told to stop it, or taper off.

I tried Seroquel in the past and had a bout of syncope at 150mg, but had been drinking VERY heavily at the time. Pdoc knows this. Thinks it's worth a re-trial. I think I'm going to try 150mg before the 200mg.
I do have a lifeline because of the MS. That makes me feel a little safer.

Don't know if the combo of such a high dose of Abilify and doubling doses of Seroquol daily is going to be too much for me at least in the am.

Jeez, I wish I was together enough to think of all this before the weekend.

She'll be in the office Tuesday, and I can call in Monday if I need to. I won't have to decide 150 vs. 200mg until Sunday night.

Ugh. This has been going on for a month and a half. Enough already! :mad:

Kay

kay, my friend who took seroquel took it broken up into 3 daily doses, might that help?
bizi

Ohkay and bizi,

When I check prescribing info on Seroquel, I find:

Seroquel XR - Extended release: once every 24 hours
Seroquel - Immediate release: once every 8-12 hours, as prescribed

Kay, is it possible to contact the prescribing doctor and/or the doctor-on-call for that practice if you have concerns about your current medication plan?

Thinking of you.
Offering calm, supportive energy.

:grouphug:
DejaVu

are you still drinking? I had so much trouble with seroquel...i was like a zombie...i tried abilify but had involuntary movements. I have been on risperdal for over 12 years now. It made me gain weight and possibly caused my diabetes but it has really worked for me. I have been on both one and two mgs. I have never been psychotic and sometimes paranoid but i have been extremely obsessive and sometimes paranoid. I am wondering if you have ever tried it?
you are so brave
bobby

I am pretty sure my youngest took seroquel twice a day. It was needed
for anxiety and seeing things.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Kay,

Yikes about the syncope although I can see why the pdoc wants to try again.

Call a pharmacist re not tapering the Abilify.

Sometimes the a.m. sleepiness passes after a week or two or three. I depends on so many things.
--
Otherwise, are you getting good sleep? Enough sleep?

Be well.

M

I slept pretty well last night :)
And I'm a little less active today :)
And I actually don't feel quite as sedated as I did yesterday despite taking 100mg vs. 50mg. Perhaps it was the extra sleep I needed.
Don't get me wrong. There's PLENTY of room for improvement, but I'll take it!!! :)

Bizi,

So far, she just has me prescribed for once a day (regular tabs). She may change that though, depending on how I respond to it as a mono-therapy? or how sedating it is as I get used to the drug as the dosage has to be increased (I'm sure I'll have to go beyond 300mg/day)?

Mari and DejaVu,

In retrospect, I think I was on the extended release caps. I was taking capsules before, and regular Seroquel only comes in tablets. That will probably make a big difference re: risk of syncope I'd imagine.
Just in case, I'm going to take 150mg of Seroquel tonight instead of 200. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Bobby,

I was on Risperidal and had to go off of it because I had weakness in my arms and legs and I already have a gait disorder... I knocked out one of my front teeth. I was on Lithium at the time, too and had a lot of neuro problems as well- later had to stop lithium too because of major toxicity.

I hope that I'll have enough Seroquel on-board by Tuesday so there's no major fall-out when I run out of Abilify.
But I have pdoc's number.
So far, encouraged, or at least trying to be encouraged by the results :)

Thanks Again :grouphug:
Kay

Oh...

Since I started shutting my blinds, the white vans have stopped parking outside across from my slider door, but the blue minivans are still there off and on. One of the blue ones hasn't moved, even at night, so I think that one might be okay. They must live here and not go out like me.

I'm looking out the windows less often though.

Hi Kay. I was put on Abilify about 6,or 7 years ago,and I had weird side affects.
They took me off of it,and put me on Seroquel. The doctor in charge of my case told the Nurse Practitioner to give me a high dose before bed. I've been taking it for about 6,or seven years.

My thoughts the next day are slower to produce anxiety,though I have anxiety most all of the time. It also helps me to sleep,though it's not a sleeping medication as far as I know. BF:hug::hug::hug:

Kay,

You sound more comfortable about things today.

And I am happy to hear that you slept.

Mari

BF,
I'm glad to hear that someone else has survived the switch from Abilify to Seroquel :winky:
When I was in the hospital, they prescribed 50mg as a prn at bedtime, so they do use it off-label as a sleep med.

Mari,
I am more comfortable today.
In fact, my husband threw a drunken fit a little while ago and it didn't trigger me... go figure.
I think sleep will come easily again tonight.

Bobby,
You asked me in a previous post if I'm drinking. I'm sorry I forgot to reply to that. I'm not. And I hope I'm strong enough to never drink again.

Kay

dear kay,
you sound a whole lot better.
(((((HUGS))))))
bizi

I decided to suck it up and take the 200mg of Seroquel last night...
I want to be at 300mg when I stop the Abilify in case there's a fallout...

No issues. YEA!!! :)

I usually avoid mentioning the MS factor because it muddies the water...
BUT I'm having a mild relapse now, just sensory, a little painful, popped up last night.
My neurologist knows I won't take steroids, and he agrees it's for the best because I have bipolar disorder. I'll give him a call today, but I'm probably just going to wait until this resolves itself.

Pain I can deal with- it's just all this *%!$ stacking up- annoying!

"You take the good, you take the bad, you take it all, that's all you have..."

I'm still holding my own.

Kay

Day at a time dear kay.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Last night's incident with my husband is triggering me NOW... WTF.
Thoughts are ramping back up, rolling around again. And I can't sit still at all. I'm agitated. At least I don't think I'm paranoid today.

I'd be happy talking to him anytime about anything he wants/needs to as long as he's not drunk and yelling.
He hasn't been controlling his temper at all throughout this episode.

I've been trying to hide everything that's been going on with me for the last month and a half to the best of my ability to protect him from further anxiety and pressure... I have put him through a lot.

He thinks everything is always about me though, but everything is always about him. He doesn't seem to care that he's triggering me. Or maybe he doesn't realize it. Or maybe he just can't control himself because of his drinking.

Tonight I go up to 300mg of Seroquel, and tomorrow is my last dose of Abilify (16mg). Come Wednesday I will be on:

300mg Seroquel
200mg Lamictal bid
200mg Topamax
1mg Xanax tid, prn
50mcg Synthroid

I have a feeling I will be calling pdoc's office Wednesday.

Yuck.
Kay

P.S. My doctor requested an RN case manager for me because of all my medical and mental health issues. She just called, and is making a home visit Thursday. She seems very nice. Sometimes you need a good advocate.

as if you don't have enough to handle.
fondly
bobby

I am glad that you will have a case manager! that should help, ask for a therapist if that would help you.
bizi

Good news
 

I took 300mg of Seroquel last night, and 10mg of Abilify this morning. I feel a little sedated, but otherwise I'm feeling pretty damned good!!! :):):)

I was seeing the same therapist for at least 8yrs. but she left. I did get a new one. It's hard starting from scratch. But she's SOOO nice.

My husband seemed to want to forget about the incident when he got home from work yesterday.
I told him that things only seem to be all about me because he never wants to talk about anything, but I'm here whenever he wants or needs to, but I don't want to do it when he's drunk or yelling.
He just said, "I know."

Kay

that is so great that she is so nice. i wish you luck. i wonder if your husband ever talked. does he like his job?
bobby

My husband had a very hard time when I was diagnosed with MS (in 2008). I asked him to go to see a pdoc and therapist. He agreed, took 1 mo of Prozac and went to 1 appointment with a therapist...
He has a lot on his plate right now. The social worker at the psych hospital offered him services both times I was there, but he said no.

He's not entirely happy with his job. I don't think anyone is. He travels to different job sites, so some days are better than others.
When he has to work at this one site in particular, he has to be there for weeks at a time. He has to drive 3 hours a day, and the place is just horrible.


Kay

3 hours a day would get to me real quickly.
hoping that he doesn't have that too often.
I am hoping that you guys learn how to better communicate with each other.
It sounds so hard.
bizi

I'm not prize. I have a lot of medical and mental health issues that are difficult for him to deal with. We're both alcoholics. I could write a book, but this isn't the Young and the Restless. I think the important thing is that we're both still trying.

I took 300mg of Seroquel last night, slept well, didn't wake up sedated, and am flying slightly higher this morning.

I only took 4mg of Abilify with my am pills because I'm running out of it. The plan is to discontinue it because I can't afford it anymore (despite all other channels) and Seroquel is going to be my monotherapy (if you don't include lamictal and topamax I already take).

The Seroquel will have to be raised, but pdoc is supposed to be in her office today, and I have an appointment already scheduled for Friday.

----

Spoke to the neurologist. This relapse is mild enough I can just ride it out. I don't even have to go into the office at this point. If things change, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Thanks,
Kay

How high is it safe to go on the seroquel? in divided doses right?
bizi

I'm on 300mg single dose right now.

I really don't know what's a safe dose when it comes to Seroquel.

The sedative effect has been wearing off by noontime...
She'd been increasing by 100mg.
I think I'm going to call the office to ask if I can increase the Seroquel to 400mg tonight to catch this early.
Or she may divide the dose?

I'll keep you posted.

Kay

Good luck today, Kay.

And keep us posted.


M

I have jet fuel coursing through my veins...

Waiting to hear back from pdoc and running out of things to clean...

Message from pdoc:

Stay with 300mg Seroquel pm, start 150mg am tomorrow.

I think this will help...

Like Bizi said, it's common to have divided doses?