Been off of abilify for two months... still experiencing side effects?

[tennisman]

Hi. First off let me say that I have Gastroparesis, which I just found out I had in January. This makes my body take a lot longer to get rid of a drug.

Anyway, I took abilify for an acute psychotic episode I had last fall. The doctors kept me on it for four months just as a precaution. Anyways, I tapered off of it under doctors supervision and have been off for almost two months now.

Unfortuately, I'm still experiencing a lot of muscle ridgidity, particularly in my shoulders and when I stretch I feel as if my muscles are quivering within. Does anyone else have this? How long does it take to be off of the drug before it goes away? Another accompanying symptom I have is lightheadedness 24/7. It gets worse when I go from sitting to standing. I've done some research into what could be causing the ridgidity and so far from what I've gathered Baclofen could be an effective treatment option to treat the ridgidiy if symptoms continue, but I honestly have no idea. I've been referred by my neurologist to see a movement disorders specialist later in the month.

Does anyone know why the drug causes the lightheadedness and muscle ridgidity and how can it be put to an end?
Also, if it's not from the drug what else might this be?

Thank You very much.

[tennisman]

Thanks for the helpful reply.

[ILADVOCATE]

I would see a movement disorders specialist to see if you have tardive dyskinesia (or one of its other variants such as tardive dystonia). There can be withdrawal dyskinesia after stopping Ability but after two months if it has not gone away tardive dyskinesia should be ruled out. Tardive dyskinesia is generally treated with Mirapex, Bachlophen, Requip, Aricept and Botox injections for focal dystonia. Zofran has been shown to work experimentally as well as the natural remedy rhodiola (when taken under the supervision of a neurologist). Clonidine is patch form is markedly helpful for me as well as a person with advanced tardive dyskinesia in addition to some of the other treatments mentioned. But have a neurologist who is a movement disorders specialist confirm it first.