Started Abilify yesterday

I started 2mg of Abilify yesterday and I had insomnia. I took the pill at night though so I took it during the day today but as soon as I did I became so sedated. I don't know if it is because I didn't sleep last night or because of the medication. I am completly useless right now. I was so hoping this medication would work for me. I know it is only the second day but I am feeling so sluggish. If anyone has experience with abilify, did you have insomnia or grogginess during the day as a side effect? Did these side effects go away? Should I give it more time? I am already wanting to give up because I was already feeling bad and now I am feeling worse.

Sorry your not finding the relief you were searching for. But abilify for me didn't cause any of those side effects. I would give it more time.

I have that feeling from Geodon. I was on Abilify before and don't recall feeling sluggish or tired during the day. I don't recall insomnia either.

Abilify has been a wonder drug for me...I take 20mg per day & suffer no ill effects. It's an effective anti-psychotic & also helps fight depression. It also isn't accompanied by the weight gain caused by other meds. If you're only on 2mg, I doubt that's a large enough dose to cause the symptoms you're describing. I'd give it time.

I've had this experience with other drugs, and almost always, time helps. Hopefully, you can stick it out a while and maybe it will help. It's always tough at first, though. Good luck!

Pdoc added Abilify to my meds about 2 years ago. I gave it a shot for 8-12 weeks but I felt it did nothing different. Like a placebo. YMMV.

Abilify made me very zombie like, gained 15lbs in two weeks on a very vey low cal diet. All antipsychotics are classed as major tranquilizers so it is not too suprizing if you feel sedated or sluggish considering that. That wears off for some people over time as they build tolerance, and for others like myself it does not, and others don't experience this. It did little to nothing for my psychosis or mania on a high dose, just made me feel like a wild horse being tied down. Just goes to show how differently they affect people. I also had really bad akathisia on it, as well as very low blood pressue and body temperature regulation problems, all common side effects of AP's. I have tried abilify a few times and it was always the same for me.

I actually cut my dose to 1 mg because I felt 2 mg was too sedating yet was experiencing insomnia as well, a strange feeling. I have been on it a week now. I feel my depression is lifting but I am still dealing with the side effects. I am hoping they will go away. What dose were you on?

Last time I was on it I started at 15mg and worked up to 30mg over two weeks. 15mg is typical starting dose for acute mania. If mania is not present and either depression is or no mood episode is than starting dose is usually 2mg-5mg like you are on. Maybe try ro wait it out a bit but if you see no imporvement shortly maybe it is not for you. I know my pdoc kept telling me I would build tolerance to the sedation but I tried many AP's very unsuccesfully in that department. I also had insomnia as I was pretty manic, but still felt very sedated, you are right it is a pretty strange feeling.

It's always a good idea to write it down and track your mood, sleep, anxiety etc daily when having a med change so that you can see how it is really effecting you, sometimes easier to see on paper.

The very first time I was given an AP I was told to take it as soon as I got home. So I did, I managed to sit in a chair and stare at the wall for four hours, because I could not move my body or think. I had to be at the school to pick up my kids..yikes!! Some of us are more sensitive to the sedating qualities of these meds.

I was presecribed 2 mg for bipolar depression which I am going through a depressive episode right now. The sedation effect has worn off but I am not sleeping well. Otherwise my depression has lifted and I am feeling better. So I am hoping the insominia will go away so I can stay on it. ALso hope I don't gain weight but If I am feeling this happy I will deal with the weight. I have been depressed my whole life. So I honestly think I could be fat and happy and still exercise and eat right. At this point in my life my mental health is my number one goal. I have wasted too many years being nonfunctional due to major depression. Thank you for sharing your story

Abilify made me feel very groggy to the point I had a hard time thinking and dealing with daily life. I had to go off of it because of that.