The Agony of Akathisia: A Personal Account

The agony of akathisia: a personal account. This post really hits me in the heart. It’s very personal because I have akathisia. It’s 3 AM and I’m writing this post because I can’t sleep and I’ve got nothing else to do.

I go for several nights where I don’t sleep and then I crash. The movements are so bad I just can’t stand it anymore. Basically, I have trouble walking anymore because my legs hurt.

I’m slowly (and painfully) whithering away. It has sent me into a depression and isolation beyond measure. I don’t like being around anyone anymore.

To tell you the truth, I don’t know how much more I can take. When I was first diagnosed with it, I was still in good spirits. That left my mind a while ago. Some people would rather kill themselves than live like this. It’s not like it hasn’t happened before.

Consequently, characterizing by a feeling of inner restlessness and an inability to sit still, is the meaning of akathisia.

Therefore, people with akathisia often experience a strong urge to move their legs or body, and may have difficulty staying still or sitting for prolonged periods.

What is the Cause of Akathisia?

The agony of akathisia: a personal account from me. Akathisia can have various causes, but it is most commonly associated with the use of certain medications, particularly antipsychotic medications and some antidepressants.

Relating to the medications’ effects on dopamine receptors in the brain, is the belief.

Other potential causes of akathisia may include drug withdrawal, substance abuse, or underlying neurological conditions.

Additionally, some research suggests that genetic and environmental factors may also play a role in the development of akathisia.

Akathisia Antipsychotics

Caplyta Akathisia

At length, using to treat schizophrenia in adults, Caplyta (lumateperone) is an atypical anitpsychotic medication.

Akathisia is a potential side effect of Caplyta, characterized by an inner restlessness and a strong urge to move.

Abilify Akathisia

Abilify (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is associated with a risk of causing akathisia as a potential side effect.

Comparatively, I used to be on Abilify a few years back. Good thing I wasn’t on it for a long period of time back then or I probably would have had akathisia back then.

Zyprexa Akathisia

This is the one that did me in. This is the culprit. And the med isn’t even doing what it’s Supposedly, the med isn’t even doing it’s job. So, why the f*ck am I still taking it?

When I get paid, microdosing here I come. Subsequently, if there are so many side effects from meds, than why do doctors prescribe them. I know…MONEY!! I’m so done with doctors and their meds.

I changed my diabetic med (which cost about $200) to Yerba Mate gummies ($18). Which would you choose?

Emphatically, it’s better than taking Metformin which was making me sleep 14-16 hours a day. I got the name of the gummies off of TicTok. I went from sleeping too much to not sleeping.

Rexulti Akathisia

Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.

Akathisia is presently listing as a potential side effect of Rexulti. Likewise, how can companies put these meds out there with this type of side effect. I know…MONEY. Money is the root of all evil.

Akathisia and Zoloft

Akathisia is a potential side effect of certain medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft (sertraline).

Even so, let me guess, Big Pharma doesn’t care about the side effects as long as they make lots of money. Screw everybody else. Can you feel the anger in my words. More like disgust.

Akathisia Symptoms

The agony of akathisia: a personal account from me. Furthermore, akathisia symptoms are most likely to appear soon after you’ve started antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medications. Increasing your dosage by your healthcare provider also produces akathisia

The main symptom of akathisia is a feeling of internal restlessness or jitteriness. Generally, people with akathisia feel a strong compulsion or need to move — mainly, their lower extremities from their hips to their ankles.

If you have akathisia, you may:

Firstly, cross and uncross your legs repetitively.
Swing your legs constantly while sitting.
Shift from one foot to the other repeatedly while standing.
Rock while you’re sitting.
Lastly, pace back and forth often or march in place.

But, to other people, these signs and movements may appear as a persistent fidget.

Classifications of Akathisia

Healthcare providers classify akathisia in a few ways based on its time of onset and duration, including:

Acute akathisia: When akathisia develops during the early days of starting a medication, usually antipsychotic medication, or shortly after an increase in dosage, it’s considered acute akathisia. It usually lasts for fewer than six months.
Chronic akathisia: When akathisia signs and symptoms last for more than six months, it’s considered chronic akathisia. Chronic akathisia can last for several months or even years.
Tardive akathisia: When akathisia has a delayed onset after starting certain medications or increasing the dosage — usually more than three months — it’s considered tardive akathisia. It’s associating with tardive dyskinesia.
Withdrawal akathisia: However, akathisia may arise following the reduction of dosage or stopping the use of certain medications. Considering this to be withdrawal akathisia.

Akathisia and Schizophrenia

The agony of akathisia: a personal account from me. Schizophrenia is the reason I’m taking Zyprexa, but not for much longer. I’m so tired (literally) of sleepless nights and the constant movements.

Indeed, I like how when the psychiatrist found out about the movements, she didn’t tell me it was from the Zyprexa. I learned that through my primary care doctor.

At one point, my head started to tilt to the left and stayed like that for quite some time. It was like that because I’m so off balance.

Therefore, pulling me over and they want to do a sobriety test on me, I won’t pass.

Akathisia and Parkinson’s Disease

The agony of akathisia: a personal account. Akathisia can occur in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, particularly as a side effect of certain medications used to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Characterizing it by a feeling of inner restlessness and an inability to sit still. The symptoms of akathisia can be distressing and may impact the overall well-being of individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

I don’t persay have Parkinson’s Disease, but I have the symptoms of it. I know, it’s confusing. My memory is really bad. I get confused easily.

In any case, put that on top of the anxiety and it’s a recipe for depression and a lot of sleepless nights. It’s ironic, I was just listening to a song called “Madness.”

I feel like I’m going mad. If this keeps up (hopefully it won’t), I’m in serious trouble. It’s been going on long enough now. Besides, I would have been microdosing now if she wouldn’t have scammed me.

Akathisia at Night

That’s when akathisia is the worst, is at night. You’re trying so hard to relax and not move around all the time, but it’s no use.

Nonetheless, legs are twitching all over the place. I take Artane for the movements. It helps somewhat. I used to take it years ago, but my body started rejecting it. Now, I only take it when the movements are bad.

It’s now 5 AM and I’m still wide awake. I would give anything just to sleep normally. Given that, you don’t realize how precious sleep is until you don’t have a normal pattern anymore.

I’ll probably crash midday or tonight. Maybe, once I move, my sleep will improve. I don’t like being in this house anymore, too much negativity. I need a fresh start.

Consequently, there is a narcissist (last post) who lives here and it’s becoming impossible to live here. I’ll do whatever I have to do to get out of here.

Antipsychotic Induced Akathisia Treatment

Medication for Akathisia

The agony of akathisia: a personal account from me. Sure, why not give us more medicine after taking a med that caused akathisia in the first place. That’s real smart. Sure, I’ll take more side effects. Doctors!?

Meds For Movements

Beta-blockers: Particularly, medications like propranolol or metoprolol can help reduce the symptoms of akathisia by blocking the effects of adrenaline.
Benzodiazepines: Overall, these medications, such as lorazepam or clonazepam, can help reduce anxiety and agitation associated with akathisia.
Anticholinergic medications: In brief, drugs like benztropine or diphenhydramine can help reduce muscle stiffness and tremors associated with akathisia.
Antipsychotic medications: In some cases, adjusting the dosage or switching to a different antipsychotic medication can help alleviate akathisia symptoms.
Botulinum toxin injections: In severe cases of akathisia, injections of botulinum toxin into the affected muscles may provide relief.

I like that last one. Years ago (oh, here we go again), I used to receive injections for my medicine. I felt good the first day, but that was it.

The side effects were horrible. And it’s not like I could stop taking the med to feel better. That went on for a few years until I had enough. He switched me to a different med. A lot of good that did!

Sum It All Up

The agony of akathisia: a personal account. Akathisia is not typically permanent. It is a side effect of certain medications, particularly antipsychotic drugs, and it often improves once the medication is discontinued.

Also adjusting the dosage. In some cases, switching to a different medication can also alleviate akathisia symptoms.

However, in rare cases, particularly when the underlying condition is severe or long-standing, akathisia may persist even after discontinuing the causative medication.

I’m not trying to bring anyone down with my negative attitude. It’s just the fact that I’m sleep deprived which is causing the negativity. Sorry.

I shall find out if I improve when I start microdosing and get off these meds and their terrible side effects. Happy microdosing! Until next time…

Articles About Akathisia

-Akathisia

https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/what-is-akathisia

-Akathisia vs. Tardive Dyskinesia: What Are the Differences?

https://www.verywellhealth.com/akathisia-vs-tardive-dyskinesia-5220817#:~:text=Tardive%20dyskinesia%20usually%20involves%20involuntary,and%20forth%20or%20excessive%20pacing.

-What Is Akathisia?

https://www.verywellmind.com/akathisia-definition-restless-movement-disorder-380558#:~:text=Akathisia%20is%20generally%20treatable%20if,months%20for%20symptoms%20to%20resolve.

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions

“Patients suffering from akathisia often use electrical metaphors or descriptions such as “electricity going through my veins” or “shocks in my head”. Words like excruciating, torture, and indescribable are commonly used. Patients often say they would rather die than live with akathisia… these individuals seen to be describing physical phenomena, as if they are being tortured from the inside out.

“There’s no sense of DOOM and DARKNESS like what is felt during Akathisia. It’s inexplicable. I knew if I didn’t just die from it, I would kill myself if it didn’t let up. I was so sure I absolutely had to die. Because I could NOT STAND feeling that way one more minute.”

“The feeling of suffocation was worse; at the peak it felt like I was being burned alive. I couldn’t stop crying. I wanted to die, every fiber of my being wanted to be dead.”