... Friday. I'm starting my my third day. I'm already feeling the effects! He told me I would probably end up in the hospital. What my husband and I don't understand is why he didn't titrate me down. Has anyone else abrutly stopped taking Abilify? What did you experience? After I detox from Abilify he is putting me on Saphris and Invega. Is anyone else taking this combo? If so, how is it working. I am considered treatment resistant, and the effects of the schizo affective disorder has me suicidal. I had a near fatal attempt in December. I'm scared and tired. I sleep about 1.5 and 2 hours per night. The voices and hallucinations are already bad. Please post if you have been through this. My name is Sherri
Schizoaffective Disorder - My doctor has just taken me off Abilify. He told me to stop taking it on?
- Asked
- 3 Feb 2013 by Teddysgirl1993
- Updated
- 19 Dec 2017
- Topics
- abilify, post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, doctor
Responses (3)
Dearest Sherri,
I have no experience with schizoaffective disorder, but do know about Abilify. It has what is called a long half life which means it stays in the body a long time as it slowly leaves. None the less, whenever my doctor has decreased my Abilify she has done so by tapering. So without knowing how much Abilify you were on daily, it is difficult to say why the doctor would do something that would land you in the hospital. Seems kind of contradictory. You honestly might benefit from being in the hospital while detoxing rather than running any risk while you change medications. Maybe a phone call to the doctor to explain how you are feeling already and to get clarification is appropriate.
Laurie
I do have PTSD, and at one point almost ended up in the hospital (should have been put in the hospital) due to thankfully a temporary loss of recognition of reality, that with large chucks of the day being blocked out (not medication related). While I have no idea what that was all about (ok, not totally true, but a long post in and by itself if explained), I do know that you need to find another doctor ASAP as your current doc (actually, replace the o with an i in this case) is completely irresponsible! My doctor would NEVER just stop ANY medication that effects the brain as they all (almost) have some sort of withdrawal! If it had to be abruptly stopped due to involuntary twitching, I can understand that, however, another medication could be prescribed that would lessen the blow.
No. Abilify was titrated down from 30mg to zilch over about 6 months.
Although I do question your doctors delivery-- "you'll probably end up in the hospital"--and can testify hospitals can be rough, the purpose is to supervise crisis med interventions.
Ironically, it was upon restarting Abilify that psychosis began, and I exhibited symptoms the med is supposed to treat.
If I were in your shoes, I think I would be just as scared and tired as you.
Do some research (or have someone less weary do it for you). If you do go to a hospital, sign yourself in so you have an option to sign yourself out, and once more stable tell the social worker whether you like your doctor. They may help find you a new one. Definitely look at reviews before going.

Further Information
- Abilify Information for Consumers
- Abilify Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Abilify (detailed)
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I've been taking 45 mg per day. The doctor is taking me off of it because I'm still having problems with hearing voices and hallucinations. Not sure why he took me off the way he did, but he did tell me I would probably end up on the hospital.
45mg is 15mgs over the recommended max and is obviously an extremely high dose to just stop cold turkey. Seems to me the doctor is being abit careless and cavalier about your care. Please do seek the care of the hospital if it becomes necessary.