Abilify

[PTSD sufferer]

Hi Froggy,

I tried Abilify for about 3 months. I was on a much higher dose than all of you per night, so your on a very, very mild dose. On the higher dose, I had none of the bad side effects listed in the pamphlet. It's used for all types of mental illnesses (Personality, Mood, Delusional Disorders) and also in dementia and autism related illnesses.

I found that Abilify was better than other anti psychotics in that it did not have the sedating side effects or the weight gain. Concentration was also better during the day, which is a must for me. I had been on other meds that did just the opposite and hated it so I thought it was the best of the bunch at the time.

The only downside is that it did not have the 'mood stabilizing' effects of other anti psychotics. I found that my anxiety was through the roof and I could barely sit still I was so agitated when on Abilify. So, I had to go back on more mood sedating meds....shame really considering I have to live with the side effects I hate again :(

 

[Lionheart]

Hi Froggy,

I have been on 10mg Abilify for around 1 to 1 1/2 years with excellent results. I was prescribed this medication for aggression and irritability (ptsd) and it has had a major impact on my life. I am so mellow now and seldom get bent out of shape about anything. I also don't suffer the wide mood swings I was experiencing before. My family has noted such an improvement in my demeanor that they refuse to let the doctor take me off of it and said they would show up at the doctors office with me if the pdoc tries to take me off of the Abilify. hahahahaha:p I have back-up lol :laugh:

PS: A good medication for nightmares is a drug called Prazosin, it is an anti-hypertensive drug so it is not addicting and I experienced no unpleasant side-effects from taking it. It totally eliminated some very disturbing nightmares that I was having before taking the med. I highly recommend it, you may want to ask your pdoc about it.

 

[SpokaneSunshine]

Hi froggie sorry for the delayed rsponse it's been crazy this week. The abilify has worked really well for me. I follow-up with the.doc next month. : )

 

[leira]

Last March, I started the testing around with meds.

I ended up on welbutrin, lexapro, and low-dose abilify. The lexapro is good for anti-anxiety, but it was kind of sedating, so the welbutrin offset that nicely -- but I still didn't have the mood lift, although I was overall more focused and calmer. It wasn't until abilify (2 mg/day) was added that I picked up the mood lift -- believe it's dopamine based unlike the SNRIs and SSRIs.

My only problem is that I am having weight gain, and that's making me unhappy.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Antipsychotics are very powerful drugs. Supposedly the newer atypicals don't have the side effect profile of the older ones, but the truth of the matter is that long term effects aren't known because they haven't been around as long.

I am quite opposed to how this class of drugs is handed out like candy. Oh, your AD hasn't CURED your depression?... Take an AP!

Having said that, it was geodon (another AP) that stabilized me. After a year and a half of use, I started to develop severe muscle pain. Other AP's that I tried did the same. It was another year before the pain fully receded. It was nothing short of terrifying staring at the prospect that an AP could have damaged me for life.

I encourage you to use these drugs for stabilization only. You don't want to end up with a permanent neurological disorder.

Do your homework. Research the drug. Know the potential side effects (most other classes of psych drugs don't have the potential for permanent life altering side effects such as these).

 

[Froggie]

Do your homework. Research the drug. Know the potential side effects (most other classes of psych drugs don't have the potential for permanent life altering side effects such as these).

Hi ScaredOfLonely, all that was done with the psych doc and my pharmacist and even some Internet research. My psych doc was very cautious with this medication as ... you know ... the side effects can be pretty devastating... I'm on 1 mg per day and it works well for me. I don't have all those awful emotional reactions when I have my nightmares and flashbacks. BTW, both those symptoms have been greatly reduced not just because of meds but also with therapy !

 

[zoo123]

Hi Froggy. I am currently on Pristique and Wellbutrin as an add on. Like the several medications I have tried the Wellbutrin does not seem to be helping with my depression. I have been back to the doc so many times I wonder if I'll ever find the right add on for me. I was on Abilify 2 mg and it worked great for my depression. I don't remember ever feeling so relaxed and calm. Negative side effects were I woke up every morning at 4a.m ready to take on cleaning the whole house. Then in the noon time I became so tired it was unsafe to drive. It was also hard to function at work being so tired. My depresssion and the ongoing process of trying so many med that aren't working is really affecting my relationship. After reading your post I am really considering trying a lower dose than 2 mg of Abilify.

 

[Spiderallis]

When I had insurance I was on lexapro and abilify, for depression (just recently diagnosed with PTSD), not sure of the dosages. It's pricey stuff if you're not covered! Really helped me at the time, but it did effect my blood sugar as a diabetic. Gained weight too, I think it was two pants sizes.

 

[AmyO]

I have two of my boys on abilify, and one on sereoquel. They started on it a couple years ago and were doing okay. They gained weight and still have some nightmares. After being taken off of it for a while their symptoms increased and the mood swings were crippling. Both are back on it now and are doing okay except for the weight gain and some compulsivity issues.

That being said...you also have to look at your own body chemistry. What may work for most may not work for others. Although I prefer it to the seroquel that my oldest is on. Mood is fine when he gets his way, but look out if you tell him no. Good luck.