Need help understanding Lexapro and Abilify

[Basha1]

Ive been suffering from severe depression and anxiety for a while now. Though most of it stemms from my past, and im not quite ready to open that pandoras box.  My question, however, is my doc prescribed me Lexapro and Abilify, i need to know if aanyone out there who has taken these meds can tell me what side effects to expect and how long does it take to get into my system.  I have not taken the Ablilify yet, cause, quite frankly im scared to.  Having not been able to find anything on it besides what clinical side effects "might" be, im leary to take it.  The lexapro ive been on just over 6 days now, and i am also curious as to whether anyone else felt seemingly more depressed when fist taking it.  Also, as personal as this is, did anyone notice any sexual side effects, as in, im finding it harder to achieve orgasm.  Anyway i know im rambling and thanks in advance for any and all help you give.

Take Care
Basha
P.S Should i start taking the abilify and you think it will help lvl out the roller coaster ride i seem to be on emotionally?

[Venora Moonwind]

It usually takes 4-6 weeks for the meds to kick and get there full effect.Give them time and you will start to feel better.I have been on zyprexa and celexa for 6 years and it ithas made my quality of life wonderful.I am bi polar so this is a record for me to stay on meds that long.
If you dont feel better in about 6 weeks ,talk to your doc.I was on lots of meds before  I found the right combo. so dont give up and hang in there let me know how you are doing.Come to the forum if you need to talk.I will listen.
Are you going to therapy as well?I still go to therapy and between my meds and the therapy I have a normal life now.I still have emotions ,just not with the extremes I used to have when I was bi polar
Keep in touch
Love Venora

[Duppy]

Lexapro was the first medicine i tryed when i found out about my depression. It did really work for the first two weeks and like you said, it made me feel worse! But it helped alot when it finally began working. After a month of taking it, i felt like t wasnt helping me anymore so now im on Prozac and it is working very very well. So if your pills dont seem to be helping you, i think you should ask about Prozac.

[alicestoyshop]

I just wanted to share that I take abilify 3 mg for help with depression along with Lexapro.  I feel like a new person.  I have energy, I am optimistic and I feel better than I ever have.  It is worth trying.  I was put on it after bouts of depression that landed me in the hospital with an overdose.  I am also an alcoholic, and since trying abilify I have no desire whatsover to drink, which is truly amazing.  I just feel so good, the thought of drinking does not even come to mind. I hear that many people are tired taking the drug, for me it does the opposite.  As far as cost goes, I have signed up for patient assistance, which I already get with Lexapro.  My meds are free through the drug company for Lexapro.  There are these resources from the drug companies for people who cannot afford these needed meds.  

I am much more frightened not to take the abilify, and the dreaded depression returning. It is worth trying it may change your life for the better.

Take care
Tracy

[alicestoyshop]

Also, I began to feel the effects from Abilify right away....

[Msellada]

I am on Lexapro for 10 month, now i am only taking 1 mlg. because i want to finish it. I dont want to depend on something for the rest of my life.
The first 2 days when i started taking lexapro i was dizzy, and i had nausea, and i felt like ****, then it was ok, and after 3-4 weeks I started feeling better.
It helped me, a lot, but now i just want to see how I am gonna live without medication...
Experimental.........
xoxo

[isabelle809]

Well I am talking lexapro  for a year and. Now Dr kuda wanted me to take of lexapro and try Abilify. She think I have bipolar because of my mood swing. My mood swing is depresed, crushed, unfocused. can't talk clear, racing thoughts,laughing for no reason. Not geting the words in my head.Spaced out. So she want me to take Abilify and see what happend with my mood swing. I never heard someone had to take lexapro and Abilify at the same time. Well I don't know what to say. It depends on what situation you have in your Emontional. I was abuse since I was a childhood so. Yes I have pstd.I am just letting you know that you not the only person out there has the problem. Abilify is for Bipolar and Lexapro is for Depression. That I can tell becaues my uncle tom explain it to me clearly. He works at the hospital. That how he know most of the medication and what's for and what's use for.

[branka]

I have been on abilify for 18 months and it is a wonder drug for me, for without I wouldn't be able to cope. I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia but my quality of life is excellent as I respond to the medication well. It takes roughly 6 weeks to truely kick in properly and I don't have any side affects. I also don't have any problems in my sex life either unlike some other medications which could pose a problem in this area. My recommendation is always follow the doctors orders for they are specialists in the field and know what is best for you. Goodluck and I hope you get better. I am on 20 mg abilify and it works well so 3 mg isn't much in comparison.

Goodluck with it all and hope you get better.

[sufan7189]

lexapro and abilify worked pretty well for me, ive noticed that abilify makes me eat(the higher the dose i take, the more i seem to stuff my face) but it does wonders for my mood, i switched off of these two meds now and am taking prozac and wellbutrin, this is because i gained about 20 pouns on these meds in 3-4 months, and i have not changed my diet or anything like that, so just watch out for your weight and other then that they worked well good luck