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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Amandafran on November 19, 2006, at 1:05:16
I need to know any info or opinions on the use of Abilify. I am using it to get rid of my internal thoughts and mind racing difficulties...how does it make you feel as far as side effects? Does it have a side effect of euphoria? Is it habit forming? I just was wanting opinions from people that might have used the drug. I am hopefully going to get on it tomorrow...my therapist seems to think it is something that I might benefit from. SO...any advice or opinions would be great. thanks. Anyone who has had good or bad experiences with it..if you could just let tell me about it just so I can know what I might be getting myself into I would really appreciate it.
AF
Posted by emme on November 19, 2006, at 7:11:23
In reply to Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by Amandafran on November 15, 2006, at 17:52:14
Hi. I can say positive things about it. It's acted as a good antidepressant for me with minimal side effects. It didn't give me euphoria per se, but it did lift some of the heaviness and apathy. I did not need it for mind racing, so your experience may be very different.
The antidepressants I've taken (I won't list them all here) have either pooped out on me, given me intolerable side effects, or worsened my depression. I've been on Abilify over a year and although the antidepressant/motivating effect was more spectacular at first, it has not yet pooped out. (Knock on wood.)
The positive effects started within about 4 days. The wicked startup insomnia stopped after about 8 weeks. It has a long half life, so every-other-day dosing is an option for anyone requiring super-low amounts.
I take it with Lamictal. My main remaining complaint is tiredness that I don't believe is caused by the Abilify (I tried going off it for a week and was still tired and way more depressed). I take focalin as needed to help with fatigue and xanax as needed when my anxiety pops up.
Good luck with it.
emme
Posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2006, at 12:01:10
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify » Amandafran, posted by emme on November 19, 2006, at 7:11:23
Rather stimulating in the beginning you might want to start low? Love Phillipa
Posted by lymom3 on November 19, 2006, at 13:27:04
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2006, at 12:01:10
I will second that I like Abilify. I'm still new to it, about 2 weeks but the effects are good. I take with a low dose of Lamictal. I actually can be nice to people, not be mad about everything. I'm much more even tempered. It doesn't knock me out like Topamax did...I was totally exhausted on that.
I already have some insomnia issues and I have recently been given meds to help me sleep. I suspect that part of my problem might be the Lamictal but from everything that I've read, the insomnia will pass if I can hang in there.
I too have been on so many meds that it's to the point of being ridiculous but I know that I'm getting more done with Abilify and I'm doing little things like taking walks and listening to music again; the kind of things you do when you're feeling like you're supposed to.
Posted by fenix on November 19, 2006, at 14:55:21
In reply to Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by Amandafran on November 15, 2006, at 17:52:14
I was on it once a long time ago and only for about a week. It was helpful in treating my anxiety, but it gave me a temporary akathisia which is why I got off of it quickly.
Posted by theo on November 20, 2006, at 22:33:36
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by lymom3 on November 19, 2006, at 13:27:04
What time of day do you take it, morning or night?
Posted by theo on November 20, 2006, at 22:34:34
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify » Amandafran, posted by emme on November 19, 2006, at 7:11:23
When do you take the Abilify, morning or night?
Posted by emme on November 21, 2006, at 6:53:46
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify » emme, posted by theo on November 20, 2006, at 22:34:34
> When do you take the Abilify, morning or night?
Night. At the beginning I took it in the morning. When it stopped being very activating, I switched to night. I'm not sure it made much difference one way or the other.
em
Posted by lymom3 on November 21, 2006, at 6:58:39
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify » theo, posted by emme on November 21, 2006, at 6:53:46
I take mine at night. Have insomnia problems so not sure if this is contributing or not. I am a much nicer person and less likely to fly off the handle since starting Abilify. The extreme irritability is a constant for me; good days, bad days, anything can piss me off in a heartbeat. It's nice to be able to talk and not be mad.
Posted by Quintal on November 21, 2006, at 9:26:13
In reply to Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by Amandafran on November 15, 2006, at 17:52:14
Abilify gave me akathisia - severe inner tension and restlessness - that stoped me eating and sleeping. I had to quit it after a few days because it was so bad. I never had this problem with Solian, Seroquel, or Zyprexa.
Q
Posted by TrishP on November 21, 2006, at 13:55:27
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by lymom3 on November 21, 2006, at 6:58:39
> I take mine at night. Have insomnia problems so not sure if this is contributing or not. I am a much nicer person and less likely to fly off the handle since starting Abilify. The extreme irritability is a constant for me; good days, bad days, anything can piss me off in a heartbeat. It's nice to be able to talk and not be mad.
What dose do you take now? What dose did you start at? So far I'm still on 2 mg at night. Just started 2 weeks ago. It still make me hyper the next day. I'm hoping that will go away.
Posted by lymom3 on November 21, 2006, at 14:05:26
In reply to Lymom3..., posted by TrishP on November 21, 2006, at 13:55:27
I'm on 5mg. I take it at night. I have been having insomnia problems for a while so I'm not sure if Abilify is making it worse or not. At any rate I've read others that have said the insomnia passes after about 8 weeks. I don't feel hyper, just more "normal". Everything doesn't make me mad or make me cry.
I can say hi to people that I pass at the store; talk to people at work without it being a chore and communicate with my kids without hollering so it's been a blessing to me. I'm already hyper though so I may just not notice it too....
Posted by TrishP on November 22, 2006, at 6:20:23
In reply to Re: Lymom3... » TrishP, posted by lymom3 on November 21, 2006, at 14:05:26
> I'm on 5mg. I take it at night. I have been having insomnia problems for a while so I'm not sure if Abilify is making it worse or not. At any rate I've read others that have said the insomnia passes after about 8 weeks. I don't feel hyper, just more "normal". Everything doesn't make me mad or make me cry.
> I can say hi to people that I pass at the store; talk to people at work without it being a chore and communicate with my kids without hollering so it's been a blessing to me. I'm already hyper though so I may just not notice it too....
>I agree. I think it has helped me a lot. I no longer fly into rages or cry at the drop of a hat. I sleep better - although I'm starting to get the insomnia. I hvae been taking .5mg of Klonopin at night with my Abilify and it has helped me sleep.
I find it has made me more social. Really helped my personality!
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 22, 2006, at 21:52:39
In reply to Re: Lymom3..., posted by TrishP on November 22, 2006, at 6:20:23
my disposition is not too nice
ambilify might be worth a try
how is it on the libido?
Posted by lymom3 on November 22, 2006, at 22:03:04
In reply to Re: Lymom3..., posted by elanor roosevelt on November 22, 2006, at 21:52:39
I really hate not being nice to the ones who love me the most. It pains me to be that way. I am happy, for now anyways, that I can be kind to them and love them. I have not noticed any effect on libido, appetite, none of the things that meds usually hit with me. No headaches, etc.
Posted by Sonny Liston on November 25, 2006, at 15:16:58
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by lymom3 on November 21, 2006, at 6:58:39
Hey,
What are you being treated for if you don't mind me asking? We exhibit many of the same traits regarding irritability.
> I take mine at night. Have insomnia problems so not sure if this is contributing or not. I am a much nicer person and less likely to fly off the handle since starting Abilify. The extreme irritability is a constant for me; good days, bad days, anything can piss me off in a heartbeat. It's nice to be able to talk and not be mad.
Posted by lymom3 on November 25, 2006, at 15:34:09
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by Sonny Liston on November 25, 2006, at 15:16:58
My current diagnosis is BP II. For years I was treated for every kind of *depression* you can think of. None of the anti depressants ever worked and I am on mood stabilizers with Provigil now.
Even during my *manic* periods it is always more of a mixed episode due to the irritability. I know I'm being that way and I will apologize to anyone when I catch myself but after a while it gets old to everyone....that and some times, some days I can be a road rage jack**s.
No speeding tickets since I have been on mood stabilizers though :) It is a strange yet good feeling to be able to be mad at someone for what they did (or didn't do as with my kids!) and be able to CALMLY tell them what I'm upset about. I haven't been that way ever that I can remember.
I do know my kids, at times, wish for the old me back. I used to blow up but then I'd be over it and forget about it just as quickly...no real consequences for their actions. Now I don't holler at them but I don't let them get by with anything either...
Posted by theo on November 28, 2006, at 22:20:45
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by lymom3 on November 25, 2006, at 15:34:09
None of the anti depressants ever worked and I am on mood stabilizers with Provigil now.
What mood stabilizers are you taking?
Posted by lymom3 on November 28, 2006, at 22:29:08
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify » lymom3, posted by theo on November 28, 2006, at 22:20:45
Anti depressants have never worked for me either. Some at least didn't hurt, but none made it any better. I also take Lamictal at 50mg. I can't go higher because I get side effects like excessive bruising, purple spots and chest pains. I seem to be ok at 50mg. Have added the Abilify at 5mg and also take Inderal for migraines. Pretty good on this combo if I could sleep...
Posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2006, at 22:48:45
In reply to Re: Please give me your opinion on Abilify » lymom3, posted by theo on November 28, 2006, at 22:20:45
I wish I could take the lamictal got to 50mg and the salivation and spitting was horrible. No other side effects. But you can't keep spitting out the door of your car or hold a cup and split constantly. Its an uncommon side effect I learned. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sebastian on November 29, 2006, at 11:32:41
In reply to Please give me your opinion on Abilify, posted by Amandafran on November 15, 2006, at 17:52:14
It made me feel awfull. Could not sleep well. Panic attacks all day. I don't know if these are side effects of abilify or just withdraw from zyprexa. maybe the abilify just does not treat these simptoms.
This is the end of the thread.
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