[KrissB13]

The pdoc has prescribed me on a lamotrigine and abilify and I have been doing a lot of research on the two. I know medication can have different effects on each individual but I was hoping to hear from others what they thought.
Specifically about the abilify. I know this may sound superficial, but I am very fearful of the weight gain. I know it is likely to happen and I am okay with a few extra pounds but what scares me is gaining a lot of weight. I already struggle with low self esteem and I think gaining weight would only make it worse..
I look forward to reading your responses.

[Chuva]

Hi Kriss,

To me, Abilify is a very good medication. It helps me a lot. As regards the weight gain, I've been told by all of my doctors that it is very rare with this med (although I have gained weight).

[secretgalaxy]

I hate it. With a strong passion. It caused me to have akthsia (sp??) and worsened my hallucinations. But latuda worked. Different medications work for different people I guess :P

The weight gain wasn't a problem with me as I was biking 10-15 miles a day and was going to physical therapy. As long as you are active and control your cravings by not having them in the house will definitely help.

[Angry1541]

Abilify made me hypo all the time...very little sleep, but I didn't need it....it was constant until I got super tired from lack of sleep and crashed.

[raspberrytorte]

It gave me akashia (or however you spell it. That inner restlessness feeling) and an annoying eye twitch that wouldn't go away. I wasn't on it that long, so don't know about the weight gain thing. In the short time I was on it (maybe two weeks?) I didn't gain any weight though. Good luck!

[HALLIEBETH87]

Abilify worked fine for the week I took it but then the allergic reaction set in so I can't take it.

I wish you well

[Woolly Bugger]

Abilify has worked very well for me for the past several years. At least I think it has, because, with several medications, it can be hard to tell which is doing what. At the very least I can say that I have not experienced weight gain or any other serious side effects.

That said, I am now in the process of switching from Ability to Latuda, because I have a lot of anxiety and intrusive thoughts, and my doctor feels that Latuda will be better for me than Abilify because of this.

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I took it for about 6 months and gained 25lbs! Still haven't been able to get them off. I also really didn't notice that it made a difference in my mood. I also got body twitches but they primarily went away after I got off it. Good luck!

[Capriciousness]

Abilify was a bad med for me. I had the aka thing (yeah that word is so freaking weird i can never remember how to spell it) and it was just so awful.

i also gained weight. I since did the genetic testing i talked about here

https://bipolarfirst.wordpress.com/2...e-gamechanger/

and found at that I am predisposed to the weight gain and to the side effects of APs so I was right! and now science has proven it. wahoo.

Good luck with your decision!

[Rose76]

Is your pdoc trying to start you on two new meds at the same time? If you do that, you won't know which med is doing what . . . or which drug might not be doing anything.

I would recommend you take the lamotrigine by itself for at least a month before adding any Abilify. You might be satisfied with how the lamotrigine is working without it. At least this way you'll know the difference.

I have a love/hate relationship with ability. It made my paranoid delusions calm to an acceptable level, but caused a huge weight gain (about 30lbs). I became depressed from the weight gain because it caused horrible pain (I have fibro and arthritis) so I stopped taking my meds. I dropped 15lbs in a month without trying. But my symptoms are returning so I started taking it again. I hate this.

[Pearl9327]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

I have a love/hate relationship with ability. It made my paranoid delusions calm to an acceptable level, but caused a huge weight gain (about 30lbs). I became depressed from the weight gain because it caused horrible pain (I have fibro and arthritis) so I stopped taking my meds. I dropped 15lbs in a month without trying. But my symptoms are returning so I started taking it again. I hate this.

Same here. Abilify calms me down and stops me from yelling and screaming. But it causes me to gain weight, and I am beginning to pack on the pounds again, which is terrible. Then again, I've been eating the wrong foods so there you go.

[Eliza Jane]

Abilify saved my life. It works for me in a way that nothing else does.

I don't know about weight gain. I'm heavier than when I started, but it has been many years and I don't eat right or exercise, so I'm not sure Abilify has anything to do with it.

Love this med!

[~Christina]

I gained 10 lbs in a matter of days and shot my Blood sugar way up ( Im not diabetic) Tossed that stuff right away

I'm glad it helps some people

[tanto]

I used to take Abilify with Seroquel. I started having vivid hallucinations and extreme mania with narcoleptic symptoms... We stopped immediately... however this is a very rare side effect...