Post by zachsmom on Jan 16, 2005 14:41:26 GMT -5
My son recently started on Abilify 2.5 mgs. at night then after 2 weeks raised to 5 mgs at night. In the morning he takes 54 mgs. of Concerta. He is almost 9 and weighs about 61 lbs. The abilify stabilized his mood/temperament/hyperactivity even thru the next day for the most part, but did not address the focusing issues at school. He minds now without throwing a fit every time I ask him to do something. It's like all of the things I have been trying to teach him he is now able to draw from. I have not had any negative comments from his teachers regarding his behavior.
He was the type to have horrible rebounds when meds wore off in the p.m. He also seemed to build up a tolerance to Concerta alone and with Strattera. His doctor felt like perhaps he was cycling i.e. he would have bad days for no reason whatsoever even when on his meds. We have tried adderall, ritalin la, strattera, imipramine, focalin. So far this has been the best combination ever. He just got back from a Y-Guides camping trip and he got along with the others and minded better than ever before. All of the other dads could tell a difference in his behavior as well.
The only negatives in the beginning were sleepiness and an itchy scalp. I have found giving him the Abilify at night helps the sleepiness. The scalp itchiness is getting better as well (not sure if it is the med or the cold dry weather). He was constantly hungry when on the Abilify alone, but when taking Concerta, it balances out/suppresses the food cravings. It is so nice to see him be able to eat. He has gained a little bit of weight which is a good thing for him as he was so thin!
I almost hate to share this info as I am always afraid the results will not last. So far it looks very promising. We started about 2 1/2 weeks ago. We seem to have 24 hr. coverage with this combination. To franksmom, perhaps you might consider lowering the dose of Abilify your son is on and try it at night.
He was the type to have horrible rebounds when meds wore off in the p.m. He also seemed to build up a tolerance to Concerta alone and with Strattera. His doctor felt like perhaps he was cycling i.e. he would have bad days for no reason whatsoever even when on his meds. We have tried adderall, ritalin la, strattera, imipramine, focalin. So far this has been the best combination ever. He just got back from a Y-Guides camping trip and he got along with the others and minded better than ever before. All of the other dads could tell a difference in his behavior as well.
The only negatives in the beginning were sleepiness and an itchy scalp. I have found giving him the Abilify at night helps the sleepiness. The scalp itchiness is getting better as well (not sure if it is the med or the cold dry weather). He was constantly hungry when on the Abilify alone, but when taking Concerta, it balances out/suppresses the food cravings. It is so nice to see him be able to eat. He has gained a little bit of weight which is a good thing for him as he was so thin!
I almost hate to share this info as I am always afraid the results will not last. So far it looks very promising. We started about 2 1/2 weeks ago. We seem to have 24 hr. coverage with this combination. To franksmom, perhaps you might consider lowering the dose of Abilify your son is on and try it at night.
