Just added Abilify

[lindeelou]

I've just had Abilify added to my cocktail of Lamictal and Clonazepam, hoping that it is going to lift me out of the current depression. Basic not wanting to get off the couch, go out, brush my teeth, talk on the phone, get out of my nightgown, and feelings of hopelessness. ( standard depression stuff ) Just, this has gone on a long, long time. I only get up, bathed and dressed if I have an appointment out of the house. Otherwise, it's me and the dog. That's it.
I got the patient information that comes with the medicine and I swear this was 18" x 36" double sided tiny print of everything you can imagine.
Can anyone give me their results from starting Abilify, both good or bad?
I did read that it can cause weight gain. I'm at a normal weight, but I wonder what sort of weight gain I might expect.
Pamphlet is not helpful in that areas either.

[cowgirlnerd]

I just changed from Abilify to Geodon because I had ill effects with Abilify.  I felt stoned all of the time and had terrible racing thoughts.  

Good luck on your new cocktail though, I hope it works well!!  It all affects us differently.  You should talk to your pdoc regarding any concerns.

[ILADVOCATE]

Temporary movement disorders such as akathesia and dystonia are very common. Those can be treated with a side effect pill. If a person develops any abnormal movements that are diffferent from the ones that have before or especially if the movements dont' come and go with the dosage of the medication but are continuous and random and involuntary those should be called to the attention of your psychiatrist immediately. They should do a movement disorders test at regular intervals regardless. The potential of long term movement disorders for all atypical antipsychotics is 1% to 2.5% per person per year. For typical antipsychotics such as Haldol its 5% per person per years. That's what my psychiatrist informed me. That can occur with all currently antipsychotics except for Clozaril. That can be monitored for but its important not to confuse temporary movement disorders with anything worse as those are very common. The other long term side effect of concern is diabetes but that can be kept in check by eating a healthy diet, checking your weight and getting tested for that at least once a year. If that should start to occur that can be reversed with a regulated diet. Most other side effects listed that would sound unnerving are adverse side effects meaning they are statistically rare and a person should not be concerned about them. These are the two of concern and that can be discussed with your psychiatrist. The short terms side effects for Abilify are basically the same as any other antipsychotic except it can be activating instead of sedating.

[lindeelou]

Ah, twitching. That will go nicely with my hand tremors.

[wj74]

Reading the patient info is scary! I've had twitching and that's about it.