aripiprazole and exhaustion(and really unmotivated) am I depressed?

Arienette · 09-03-2016, 02:11 PM

I'm on 20mg,

and it's helping stabilise my mood which is great, so I'm quite sure i want to stay on it,

but i'm exhausted all the time. i'm sleeping 12 hour nights

and want to constantly eat

and i'm gaining weight from not eating that much as i'm being quite strict so i'm barely exceeding my RDA but i'm gaining weight.

has anyone else had this experience, and how do you cope with it?

I just can't be bothered to do anything.

Arienette · 09-03-2016, 10:30 PM

Yeah I am eating enough. I've started calorie counting again so I can be aware of how much I'm eating. I'm trying to be healthy about it though.

I've stopped taking promethazine as of tonight because I obviously don't need it anymore and apparently that can effect appetite.

I think I do a lot of mindless eating also so calorie counting is forcing me to be aware of what I'm eating.

I spoke to my cc and she suggested maybe reducing the aripiprazole. In 2 minds about this. I would like to I case it is that causing this situation however also I've just stabilised mood wise etc and I really think it is helping with my negative behavioural impulses.

So in one way I don't want to reduce it but she said the psych in the team wants to see me for a review anyway so I can speak to her about it then. X

Aubergine · 10-03-2016, 08:48 PM

Similar to Carmen, I had the opposite happen when I was on this medication (also at 20mg.) I came off it in the end because I couldn't sit still and it didn't get better.

I have had the extreme exhaustion and hunger with olanzapine though, so I know how debilitating and upsetting it can be. For me, eating small and regular meals was better than eating three bigger meals a day. Also keeping healthy things to snack on that I could access immediately (carrot sticks, celery etc) was helpful.

I hope you manage to sort something out that's helpful.

Arienette · 10-03-2016, 09:24 PM

Thanks. When I see my team next I'm gonna ask for a referral to weight management support rather than coming off it or reducing it because I recently just stabilised.

I felt better today for not taking the promethazine though although I felt quite weak until I'd eaten a lot so I have a lot to burn to get evens but I'm trying to balance in vs out using my Fitbit and my fitness pal.

Arienette · 11-03-2016, 02:01 PM

I wonder if maybe i'm just a bit depressed at the moment because I have little interest in things, I'm really unmotivated, and I just cba to do anything much.

Also, I'm really needing my comforting things at the moment for some reason and I keep having nightmares.

Maybe I'm just stressed about something...

whirlpools · 11-03-2016, 04:54 PM

I don't know. When I read this thread and the one in GSA depression did spring to my mind. It's strange how many ways depression can manifest. I think it's definitely something to consider and bring up with your team.

Arienette · 11-03-2016, 05:53 PM

It is hard to tell. I don't know what's wrong with me. It's like everything is a massive effort at the moment.

I know I'm stressed about my appointment with my cc and therapist next week bc they're going to want to talk about things I don't want to talk about.

My cc phoned me today and they're reducing my aripiprazole to 15mg so I'll see if that helps at all.

I don't feel depressed but other things are pointing in that direction. Tbh I feel quite numb and just tired. X

Ballerina123 · 12-03-2016, 12:05 PM

At work we teach that anti psychotics, in general, can cause lethargy, numbing of emotions, lack of motivation and increased appetite

Usually aripiprizole is better for these side effects but depending on the person it can cause these effects too.

I am more tired and more hungry on aripiprizole.

So it could be the meds.
However you know your illness and maybe it could be your mood.

Maybe see how reducing it goes.

Arienette · 13-03-2016, 10:46 AM

Thanks. I guess it could be either. I don't feel unwell that's why I was confused. X