Abilify for bipolar 1

[weaver71]

Due to going psychotic on Lithium and having flat affect from Lamictal, I have been off all meds for several months now. My Psychotic Break a year ago this month lead me to try meds, but quite them, once I felt stable enough. I went to see my doctor and discovered I have 3 fractured vertebrae in my back, which explains a lot, my physical limitations trigger me. Anyway, I have had some cycles, since I stopped all meds, but i have plans in place and was able to manage without major consequences, though I hurt my families feelings by what I said. My doctor suggested I try Abilify as unit-therapy, but I am scared to try any meds at this point, though I have heard of folks having success with it.

My question, if I can manage with minimal consequences, without meds, is that a good coarse of action? SamE and Tryptophan with Omegas has helped me, but I do still have cycles. It could be that i simply haven't hit a major episode yet. My doctor says I may think I am doing okay, but I don't know what it is like to ACTUALLY feel stable on meds. She thinks I would be far more functional and consistent, if I can find the meds that works for me. I fear my resistance to meds will make them less effective, I am trying to get over this bias, though my experience so far is that they don't really make my quality of life better. I'm not sure I want to go through years of switching meds and experimenting with my mind. Any thoughts?

[weaver71]

I tried the Abilify and ended up having a bad reaction. Not sure what happened, but I thought ravens were dive bombing me in bed and I had horrible tremors. I had to brace myself to turn off a lamp and not knock it of the table. That is when I knew that something was wrong. My wife also niticed my shaking, even though I tried to hide it. I'm okay, but this is why I am so resistant to trying new drugs and each failure makes my quality of life worse. I feel good right now, so I think I will simply enjoy it while it lasts, for now. Back to the drawing board.

[SuperMommyOfTwins]

"I'm not sure I want to go through years of switching meds and experimenting with my mind." I've been there, done that!  I understand your resistance.  I've spent years adjusting and readjusting to medication and it isn't fun.  But your quality of life once you're on the right medication or combination is so much better.  It is worth trying.  Abilify is a good medication to start with.  It tends to work much quicker than other psychiatric drugs.  For me I could feel it kicking in after about 1 week.  Most take between 2 weeks and 1 month.  I did not have any significant side effects.  I wish you well, God bless!  

[weaver71]

I am bipolar 1 and mania is a bigger issue than depression for me. I used to spend about 75% of the time in mania and 25% depressed. Since I had a psychotic break, due to sustained mania, it is more like 50/50. Mixed states are the worst and I have only had them a few times. I am not sure it is a FACT than bipolar spend 75% of the time depressed, maybe for bipolar 2, but my observation, it is unique for each person. I would be manic for up to 6 months sometimes, then be depressed for as little as a week or two. Sometimes I sleep 2 hours, sometimes 10, I don't think there is standard for how bipolar effects people, it really is an individual experience and that is why there is no standard of treatment available. Glad your meds are working SidneySmith, but I would be careful comparing your experience and treatment to anyone else's. Just my opinion.

[SidneySmith]

What percentage of the time do you feel depressed?  

Do you ever feel suicidal?

What percentage of the time do you experience mania?

How much sleep are you getting per night?

Here is a fact: Bi Polar Patients Spend 75% of the time depressed and 25% of the time in a manic phase.

For those of you struggling with depression as a bipolar who have tried  everything but still can't shake it, my doctor prescribed me Emsam (Go do your own research on the net). It's a clear patch that you put on your arm once a day. Within days I was feeling better than I have in over a decade. It is very expensive and your insurance company may deny it at first. But your Psychiatrist needs to write a letter explain this is the only drug that works. I am on Seroquel, Lamotrigine, Klonopine, and Emsam. Many years of tweaking, but I feel better than ever.

[thatquietgirl]

If you are still cycling, I would consider going back on meds.  I have been off meds for about five years, but when I did that, I promised myself if I started cycling again I would get back on them.  Now, I've been dealing with a depressive episode and am trying desperately to get an appointment.  I was completely stable with rare exceptions over the past five years, which was why therapy and very careful tracking of my symptoms and sleep was enough.  If you're having episodes to any degree, I would consider medication as this doesn't get better with age and allowing yourself to cycle does affect your brain quite immensely.