Lamictal/Abilify combo

Hello all,

I have some questions about Lamictal and Abilify as a combination. I heard some positive stories about it. Read somewhere that Abilify is also a mood stabilizer, that it helps Lamictal to get your normal self back and also that it helps with the apathy, motivation, energy and to help you see "the meaning of life" again.

I could be wrong, if anyone has experience with this combo, please do share. I feel emotionally numb towards people that should mean the most to me, also have no motivation, maybe this combo would help me regain myself.

Thanks for your help!

My husband takes just this currently. He hasn't had his anti depressant for a while. I would say he still needs his AD but his depression is 'light' for him. His main issues is depression

My son takes this combo with datrana for ADHD. Getting him on abilify was hell but after he loves the combo.

Thanks Miguel's mom for your help. I am not on it still, but it is an option for sure.
I don't really understand what Abilify would do good in my case? Pdoc didn't explain, cus I haven't really got that far yet of actually taking this med.

Abilify also has antidepressant properties.

Yea I read it somewhere that it's hard to tell what Abilify is. It's not totally an antipsihotic, nor antidepressant, but it helps with the mood disorders, like a stabilizer. I'd only get 5mg...if my pdoc decides for it.

I just hope it'll give me proper energy. I mean I sleep and eat well and I have energy, but you know, energy for life though I'm not depressed I feel really weird.

Thanks r010159!

It is an anti psychotic that helps with agitation, anxiety, and calms you without actually being sedating (at least for us). As for the depression my husband just said after a couple of days on it he felt human, everything was just easier to do. My son is less worried so his picking is less, I have not seen him go into crying meltdowns, or staying up for days. There's no threats to harm himself or others since starting the med.

My 5'2" 120 lbs 12 yr old takes 10 mg. My 360 lbs 6'3" husband takes 5 mg. My son and husband have gained 1-2 lbs a month while on it.

It is not the same combo but DD had Abilify (2.5 mg.) added to her Lithium and it has made a world of difference for the better - less depression and less anxiety! It has few side effects as well - at least it has for her!

Good luck!

Nancy

Thank you guys for all your advice and support

I know I mentioned this on your other thread, but I love this combo.

Recently I discontinued the abilify because I am going to start trying to get pregnant, so I am only on the lamictal. I was definitely reminded that that little 5mg of abilify does something really important! I'm managing on the lamictal only, but definitely having moments where I feel a little emotionally out of control (which I didn't have before I stopped the abilify).

Good luck to you!
EJ

I was on the combo with great results till i realized i gained 50 lbs over the course of the time i started abilify. dr said some people have increased appetite, so watch what you eat.

Although I had great results on abilify and said I'd never stop taking it, I've switched to geodon, with the same results and no appetite. I'm losing weight safely, at about 1 lb per week.
.

You have to watch for weight gain and spikes in blood sugar .

I gained 4 lbs in 2 weeks of abilify.

Thanks guys for your reply!

Well I am still just taking Lamictal but will see my pdoc in less than two weeks. Well I just heard Abilify helps with the flatness Lamictal gives you. Cus Lamictal made me feel notrhing, no emotions, and Abilify helps getting that back, feelings and not feeling so numb. But I am still scared since I took SSRIs that vould make me manic I am afraid also of this Abilify.

Lamictal is helping a lot, I sdtill have mood swings but are not so severe. I am still not "me" and today I had to take my 1st benzo cus I was so nervous and felt anxiety at work. Those days of the month are coming and PMS is killing me I guess.

I am hoping for the best, I really want my life, emotions, motivation and the feeling of joy back again. WIll that ever be possible? I am quite succesfull but not feeling anything.

Like I get a job and I'm just like, oh, o.k., so what. And yeah losing feelings towards my BF and family is really horrible. Please, please, I just want my life back. And I'd do anything...

I hop I won't gain wight, I also took PAroxat on which a lot of people gain weight but I didn't...and my apetite is big even now when I'm on just Lamictal I hope that if I go on Abilify I won't gain weight

It worked well for me mood wise, but I had to switch to a different anti-psychotic because the abilify made me gain weight.

Eliza Jane I tahnk you for your good thoughts Yes I checked my last pdoc report, there it says that on my next appointment we'll probably lift my Lamictal on 150mg, and for sure we will add Abilify. I just want to FEEL something you know? Now I'm just like....I don't feel anything. From time to time I do feel some joy and normal feelings....but it goes away quickly.

Do you think Abilify can make me feel again and feel the joy and energy and motivation? it's so weird. It's not like depression...but it's still weird! I TURNED INTO A STONE!

WING thank you for the advice. I do hope I won't have andy problems with weight...I will ask pdoc everything there is to know about Abilify, I don't just want to eat more and more pills without knowing what I'm eating.

Thank you

Miguel's mo, Akama and Christina, big hugs and best wishes to you to, sorry I forgot to write it before... have a great day!