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918275 tn?1254068752

EFFECTIVENESS OF ABILIFY

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone can tell me if Abilify has helped for the depressive side of bipolar II?
Also I am wondering about something. I am newly diagnosed and under my psych's care I have only had one hypomanic episode. Preventing hypomanic episodes seems to be what my doc is focusing most strongly on, but what about the depressive side, which is where I have the most trouble.I can be suicidal on the depressive side just as well as the hypomanic side, yet there seems to be not much emphasis being put on bringing me out of the lows.
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Avatar universal
I am on 10mg of Abilify. It has helped me with my manic episodes and psychotic symptoms but doesn't seem to work with my depressive lows. I have to say we seem to be in the same boat.
Helpful - 0
908737 tn?1242630711
I take Lithium as well and I have put on a significant amount of weight with it mainly on the tummy - makes me look like I'm 6 months pregnant! Graqdually losing the weight now but only because of strict diet.
Helpful - 0
505907 tn?1258369340
Abilify didn't do much for me. Made my eyesight blurry and I felt sort of dull. Lamactil was disappointing as well. I think I was expecting too much or maybe the dosage was just too low. I took lithium and maybe I felt slightly more steady but I was still very depressed. I don't believe lithium has weight gain as a side effect. It didn't for me anyway.
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918275 tn?1254068752
The only other meds I am on currently is 1/2 mg risperdal, but my psych visit is later this afternoon and she wants to discuss adding another med, perhaps lithium.
I am very leary about going on Lithium due to weight gain issues which I already have problems with. I wonder why she has not offered me Lamictal? I was glad to hear that Abilify gives you more energy and certainly hope that it will eventually do the same for me. I really need something to help me with the depressed side but I do not want more weight gain issues. Why do we have to trade off being thin and unhappy to being overweight if there is to be any chance of happiness. Ahh if we only could answer that question.
Helpful - 0
908737 tn?1242630711
I take 20 mg of Abilify and have found it helpful in both controlling my psychotic symptoms and in giving me more energy. What other meds are you on? Another medication I take as a mood stabiliser is Lamogitrine (Lamictal) really helps to guard against the depressive side of the illness.
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