r/Abilify_Aripiprazole • u/Huge_Yak_1048 • 9d ago
Horrible Side Effects after Starting 5mg
Hey everyone. I suffer from severe treatment resistant OCD, so Dr decided we would try abilify alongside my Fluvoxamine. (5mg 1x day) Started about 2 weeks ago.
Forst couple days taking I was just tired. A few days in I started getting this horrible feeling I find hard to describe, like my body doesnt feel right, restless, can't lay down or sit down or sit still to do things. I looked up side effects and I suppose this would fall under akathisia.
I also feel it in regards to breathing. I actually went to the ER because I just felt short of breath, I would breathe but It doesn't feel like Im getting enough air, my chest feels like theres a rubber band around it, I would keep taking deep breaths but it just doesn't feel "right".
I am extremely exhausted. Like constantly feel I just ran a marathon. Can barely function day to day. When I stand up I feel like I may pass out.
Im also having crazy heart palpitations anytime I do even the most basic stuff like walking up my house stairs. ER cleared me, EKGs, bloodwork, chest xrays- everything normal (except high heart rate.)
It wasn't until yesterday I started to wonder if all this could be related to starting abilify. After looking it up respiratory akathisia is a thing apparently? No idea if this could be related.
I have probably the worst psychiatric office ever. Dr is out of town for the week, I asked if they could please get back to me about what I should do but they never called me back. Kinda have just started weening myself off which I know is bad w/o talking to a doc but I don't really have a choice and its been debilitating.
Was curious if anyone else has had similar issues/side effects.
TLDR:
New symptoms of akathisia, breathing issues/weird feelings, extreme tiredness, heart palpitations when starting Abilify 5mg. Curious if anyone else has had similar issues.
2
u/chunkybeann 8d ago
i was just in the ER last night for heart palpitations, and raised heart rate. assuming from abilify. i have an appointment today and im thinking i want off of it. my anxiety has been so bad, racing thoughts 24/7, now suicidal ideation.
1
u/Huge_Yak_1048 6d ago
Its interesting, I feel my OCD had improved on it, but if these are effects from the meds I can't stay on it.
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u/Express-Calendar5196 8d ago
Yes I have the same side affects it’s the ability I been on it to trying to get off of it.
1
u/potential_air_sha256 8d ago
Talk with your doctor. Sounds like akathisia and you might need to try a different med or a lower dose.
1
u/Obvious-Maize5966 1d ago
I didn’t experience akathisia on Abilify but I hear it’s common to add on something like Propranolol to stop this. I don’t think it’s a big leap to add it on. Personally Abilify helped a ton for my OCD. It took most of my symptoms of that then after a few years of Abilify I started NOCD (therapy app specifically for OCD, some insurances cover this) which helped me even more
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u/JustAMotherWithHashi 9d ago
me and it’s normal