I am BiPolar ll I have suffered all my life w/ deep depression few manic epi.
My daughter was more severe BiPolar l. She was hospitalized.
I took care of her for 6 mos when she was released. They put her on Lithium and then added abilify a week later. The abilify gave her horrible side effects and I never want to see my daughter in that condition again! I detest the drug Abilify. It is a reckless drug in my opinion.
I have been prescribed Lamictal now for 3 years. It is the right med for me.
I am not on the floor with depression and do not gain weight. I wish some could challenge their docs.
Hi Bec,
I just wanted to say that my husband is BP II and he is on abilify. He had side effects too, He is still on abilify but now takes welbiterin also. It is a life saver for him and me. Ther abilify helped with the mood disorder but it left him sad most of the time. So now with the welbuterin, it is another step forward. I take Effexor and he did too at one time but his Pyschiatrist told him she does not like the effects of Effexor and Abilify together. His life is much better these days. I hoper you are doing better as well. Life with these mental issues we have can be the pits. I empathsize with you.
Have a good day! Sherri
I used to take abilify and my side effects were so horrible that i also couldnt function normally..the doc told me to give it six to eight weeks to get it into my system but even after the six-eight weeks went but the horrible side effects were still there..maybe try a different script if side effects dont gradually decrease over time.
best of luck!
i take 5 mgs. abilify and have just been upped due to having cortisone injections 3 days ago with severe mood issues. my side effects include tremor, stiffness and drooling. (nice, right?) anyway, i am going to advise my shrink about the severe lability and argumentative behavior. best of luck whoever has to take this stuff........ cortisone is toxic!
Sounds like you have had a rough ride with meds. I seem to tolerate them pretty well, so i guess you will have to sort it out with your doc, though i wish you the best, I know it can be a long road finding the right combos.
I am on 5 mgs now, so a pretty low dose. I am on Lithium as well, but have previously tried Risperidone and Seroquel. Abilify was thought to be a better option, as I passed out after one dose of Seroquel and on 1/2 mg a day of Resperidone I had severe side effects.
I will call my specialist on Monday and see what he has to say, but I think this is not the medication for me.
Is it possible to try another anti-psychotic medication, which wont have those side effects, unfortunately it is all about trial an error for these meds as some meds work for some and not for others.
I don't know what dose you are on but you could try coming down a bit more, but defiantly talk to your doctor about it.
Best of luck