Does abilify work

HI I am new to this site on bi polar disorder. I am 52 years old, and for years and years I couldnt understand as to why my moods shifted from good to bad within an hour to two at a time. Feelings of great joy, then boom, feelings of sadness.I used to self medicate with opiates to try to soften things up, but it just made things worse. Went to psych and was diagnosed with bi polar disorder. I am now on 20 mg of lexapro and 5 mg of abilify. The abilify has not kicked in yet, I really do not get a lot of sleep maybe 5 hours at the most as you see what time it is. Does anyone out there know if abilify really does work, I have only been on it 4 days and feels like it has not kicked in. Please help. Thanks to all.

[ILADVOCATE]

Abilify is an antipsychotic used as a mood stabilizer that is helpful for some people. Give it a chance. One side effect that's common from Abilify is that it is activating instead of sedating so it can keep a person up at night so if this is happenning you could ask your psychiatrist if you could take it in the morning. Keep a mood tracker and sleep tracker as well and bring them the results and they could see what to do from there. Generally at least a month is needed before they can determine whether a medication is helping. Speak to them about this.

[keekee57]

Thank you doc, I will try it in the morning. I did do some further research on ability and it too explained that it keeps you up at night and it is non sedating. I just wonder why my doc told me to take it at night, thats sounds weird. Maybe he didn't want me to mix it with my other meds, lexapro, verapamil, water pill and vitamins. But I will give it a try in the morning. thank you

[cowgirlnerd]

YES YES YES...give it time.   I take mine at night because after taking for awhile, it gave me a sedative effect.  GLADLY, my insomnia is better.  When I first tried it, I didn't like it all - made me feel just a little odd  (Stoned to be exact)...but have adjusted and love it now.

I was rapid cycling back and forth and it helps level me out.  I still have issues, but not as bad.  

The nurse told me if I could tolerate it during the daytime to take it during the day - so I think either is fine.  Whatver works.  

Good luck!

[leopard19]

I have bipolar disorder as well and am on abilify.  I take it with remeron at night. It works great and has few side effects! However, Lexapro is dangerous for people who have bi polar disorder. It can have the tendancy to make you manic.  While I was on Lexapro, I was wired and agitated all the time.  So try a different anti depressant. Remeron is great esp for sleep. But, I've also heard Wellbutrin is great...and doesn't make you gain weight...so give that a try.  Good luck to you.

[leopard19]

I have bipolar disorder as well and am on abilify.  I take it with remeron at night. It works great and has few side effects! However, Lexapro is dangerous for people who have bi polar disorder. It can have the tendancy to make you manic.  While I was on Lexapro, I was wired and agitated all the time.  So try a different anti depressant. Remeron is great esp for sleep. But, I've also heard Wellbutrin is great...and doesn't make you gain weight...so give that a try.  Good luck to you.