Need some info on Meds

Basically my Pdoc is thinking of giving me the quetiapine once i am into a healthy routine, but he says that Abilify may be another option if the weight gain is some thing that really worries me.
I have mild psychosis (a voice in my head when very depressed) the symptoms emerging of Bipolar 1 and severe depressive episodes, along with severe anxiety.
I'm not asking for a professional opinion.
Just thinks it helps knowing what people think of these drugs, once they have actually taken them. Not just a 'useful,' fact sheet!
so has anyone taken either of these, good experiences or bad?
or had any tried both, which worked better?

I was on abilify for social anxiety and depression. It helped a lot with the anxiety and was OK with the depression (but I have yet to be put on a med that really helps my depression). Weight gain is common with abilify too but I don't know how bad in comparison to others. for me it had some of the least side effects of any of the meds I had been on.

I preferred abilify. Didn't gain weight and it greatly helped my depression.

I have been on both. I have always taken Citalopram (Celexa) for my AD which is like a wonder drug.However, it made me manic my pdoc wanted to add a mood stabilizer. I had tried the quetiapine first, but it made me like a zombie, excruciatingly tired all the next day, i even fell asleep at work. I also had a panic attack while on it because it really made my body feel strangely anxious. It helped me sleep, well..actually it felt like i woke up from being comatose, not really good sleep. I was switched to abilify very recently and have started on a very very very small dose, i haven't noticed any side affects so far. What i was told is the abilify not only acts as a mood stabilizer, but it also boosts the effectiveness of antidepressants. I was also told it has a way lower chance of causing weight gain.

I'm on Abilify. It didn't cause any weight gain however, when I was on a high dose (30mg) I did develop akathisia (need to move legs constantly). When I dropped back to 15mg it all but disappeared. Abilify was just the push beyond my antidepressant that I needed to decrease my depression. I would hate to go off it.

Abilify worked for my paranoia. Also the rages I would have and extreme irritability. I'm on so many meds for depression, I'm not sure what exactly helps. I think it does help my depression, too. It did not cause weight gain with 15mg.

I want to try Abilify. Any thoughts on a combo of Lamital and Abilify?

I am on exactly that, Suga, and it has changed my life...the lamictal because it is such a great mood stabilizer, and i've had no side effects from it. Widgets, the Abilify, however, made a HUGE impact on my behavior. I used to have frightening rages...gone. I used to get paranoid...gone. I used to have frequent severe mixed episodes...almost gone. Plus, I am off antidepressants altogether. I am perfectly happy with my med regimen. One note, though I am on a high dose of Abilify (30mg) and I think that is why I can stay off an anti depressant.

I am only the Lamictin at the moment, and experience nasty depression and mixed episodes. I can be very irritable and unpredictable; hence I'd like to add soemthing.

Everyone is different so you won't know until you try. I am on a very low dose of abilify because I am too sensitive to most meds. So far the Abilify has not helped me. Good luck with your meds!

I am on these two plus klonopin for anxiety. Lamictal worked great - but I was still getting paranoia and some depression. We added Abilify a couple of months ago at a very low dose. Each increase in dosage helps my paranoia. I still have it, but it's getting markedly better. I might need another increase just to top it off. I'm only on 5mg currently. I've had some minor manic episodes since being on it, but no depression. I'm currently just flat - which everyone tells me is normally called "normal"

No weight gain that can be attributed to meds - just a sudden decrease in exersize due to an injury. I just switched to taking lamictal and klonopin at night, and abilify in the morning. I think taking everything at night was not allowing me to sleep well so I have been really fatigued lately. We'll see how the different times works out. Other side effects that have effected me include tremors. Although they do affect the ability to pour things, use a screwdriver, write without shaking etc, I can live with them. As long as they don't get worse. However, I am going to be bringing this up with my dr. today as I understand there may be a med that can help control the shaking. We'll see.

I like the combo and really hope my dr. does not change them. He stays with the same meds for a very long time before trying something new, so I really don't think they're going anywhere.

I agree that it is usually trial and error, mostly error !! Most meds suit some people and not others. I have been on Quetiapine for about three years. It has been good in that it helps my sleep. I am sure it has quite a few side effects and I am now wondering if is the best thing for me. I have never tried Abilify. I will be asking my pdoc next time if there any alternatives to the Quetiapine.