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Suggest Treatment For Withdrawal Symptoms Of Abilify
Question: I am in severe withdrawal from abilify 10 mg per day for many years. My doctor only tapered me for 2 weeks. I haven't had abilify for 3 months. I am extremely sick and seem to be getting worse. I am totally incapacitated. Should I start back on abilify and then slowly taper? Please help.
Brief Answer:
The sickness is probably not due to withdrawal
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from HCM
Abilify is Aripiprazole and is an antipsychotic drug. The drug is considered as a relatively safer antipsychotic drug. It's safe to take the drug and also when the drug is stopped the drug doesn't cause serious withdrawal symptoms. Even if withdrawal is seen that lasts for few days to weeks. You have stopped the drug 3 months back and I don't think the symptoms you are having are due to withdrawal.
The symptoms you are having could be possibly occurring due to relapse of symptoms. So I don't think restarting through drug and then tapering again is a good idea. In my opinion low dose benzodiazepines like Klonopin or Xanax can help to control your symptoms. Please talk to your doctor and ask for prescription.
Thanks, hope this helps you please don't hesitate to ask again for more information.
Take care
The sickness is probably not due to withdrawal
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from HCM
Abilify is Aripiprazole and is an antipsychotic drug. The drug is considered as a relatively safer antipsychotic drug. It's safe to take the drug and also when the drug is stopped the drug doesn't cause serious withdrawal symptoms. Even if withdrawal is seen that lasts for few days to weeks. You have stopped the drug 3 months back and I don't think the symptoms you are having are due to withdrawal.
The symptoms you are having could be possibly occurring due to relapse of symptoms. So I don't think restarting through drug and then tapering again is a good idea. In my opinion low dose benzodiazepines like Klonopin or Xanax can help to control your symptoms. Please talk to your doctor and ask for prescription.
Thanks, hope this helps you please don't hesitate to ask again for more information.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I was originally diagnosed with depression. I never had physical symptoms at that time like I am experiencing now, I.e, migraines, nausea, jaw pain, general feeling of flu, so how could it be a return of my original symptoms? How could xanax help all of these physical symptoms? I am not anxiety ridden.
Brief Answer:
You can give low dose Abilify a try.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
I am not aware of your symptoms, but I'd like to tell you that its very uncommon to see withdrawal symptoms at about 3 months. Withdrawal with Abilify is seen but usually in milder form and lasts for a couple of weeks.
Yes migraines, nausea, jaw pain, feelings like flu etc are not the symptoms of depression. Xanax can help because its a benzodiazepine drug and these drugs help to reduce the autonomic symptoms apart from working on anxiety. In most individuals anxiety and depressive symptoms are found co-morbid. Xanax will calm you and you will pass these symptoms.
But since you have never had such symptoms in past then this could be due to absence of Abilify (though I will not say that this is withdrawal) in body. In such case,
other option, which you have already talked is to restart Abilify in very low dose. You can start taking 2 mg of dose and see if improvement of symptoms occur. No harm in giving low dose Abilify a try.
Thanks. Take care. Still have more to ask please ask again.
You can give low dose Abilify a try.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
I am not aware of your symptoms, but I'd like to tell you that its very uncommon to see withdrawal symptoms at about 3 months. Withdrawal with Abilify is seen but usually in milder form and lasts for a couple of weeks.
Yes migraines, nausea, jaw pain, feelings like flu etc are not the symptoms of depression. Xanax can help because its a benzodiazepine drug and these drugs help to reduce the autonomic symptoms apart from working on anxiety. In most individuals anxiety and depressive symptoms are found co-morbid. Xanax will calm you and you will pass these symptoms.
But since you have never had such symptoms in past then this could be due to absence of Abilify (though I will not say that this is withdrawal) in body. In such case,
other option, which you have already talked is to restart Abilify in very low dose. You can start taking 2 mg of dose and see if improvement of symptoms occur. No harm in giving low dose Abilify a try.
Thanks. Take care. Still have more to ask please ask again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Do you think re-starting abilify is the correct treatment? If 2 mg does not help me feel better, than do I adjust it up? Then, how long do I stay on abilify before I start tapering again. This withdrawal is very real and is quite painful and extremely uncomfortable. I need help and a plan. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
You can start with low dose like 2 mg per day
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Yes, this is better option out of others but taking Xanax can also help. The dose of 2 mg is a low dose and is safe to use. It taking 2 mg dose helps to reduce the symptoms then no need to increase the dose further. If the symptoms are occurring due to withdrawal then 2 mg will take care because you are drug free for about 3 months. But if no improvement occurs then increase the dose to 5 mg. If with 5 mg no improvement occurs then consult your doctor again and ask for re-evaluation.
Thanks. Take care
You can start with low dose like 2 mg per day
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Yes, this is better option out of others but taking Xanax can also help. The dose of 2 mg is a low dose and is safe to use. It taking 2 mg dose helps to reduce the symptoms then no need to increase the dose further. If the symptoms are occurring due to withdrawal then 2 mg will take care because you are drug free for about 3 months. But if no improvement occurs then increase the dose to 5 mg. If with 5 mg no improvement occurs then consult your doctor again and ask for re-evaluation.
Thanks. Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. REMY KOSHY
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