[V_Equinox_K]

Hey crew,

About two months ago, Abilify was added on top of my two other medications to handle my stupidly medication-resistant severe depression. Ever since then, I have had massive amounts of trouble waking up. Whenever I wake up, it's like there is a physical blanket over me and I feel heavy and fall back asleep easily. The odd thing is, I take my Abilify in the morning, and not at night. Once I'm able to get up and take my medicines, everything is fine. It's so odd that my medication would make me groggy HOURS after taking it. I understand that it builds up in my blood stream, but all the same...

I've always had sleeping issues, and I've had to try tons of different sleeping medications. However, I'm certain this grogginess/sleepiness is not due to those medications, because I've actually been able to fall asleep without the medications for various reasons (pulling all-nighters the night before, being just purely emotionally and physically exhausted, and so on).

My boyfriend is taking Abilify too, and he has the same issue. He'll get home after work and just crash out for hours, or sleep through an alarm.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and if so, what you've done to handle it.

[hope2929]

While I have never tried Abilify, I have heard other people having this problem while taking it. I have used other antidepressants in the past that have made me feel this way, even when I took them in the morning. It may be having a long term affect on you throughout the day and night.

If your boyfriend is experiencing the same problem, it seems highly likely that it would be from the Abilify. I am assuming this may be a way of the body adjusting to the medication. If it persists and it is bothering you enough, it may be helpful to talk to your doctor about switching medications. Feeling groggy is not a good feeling nor is it helpful for depression.

[ginaaa22]

I didnt notice a change in my sleeping patterns from abilify. I was told to take it during the day because it is activating and shouldnt make you sleepy.

[sparkles1]

Abilify is an anti-psychotic used for mood stabilization. I have been on it for years and have never noticed these symptoms you describe. Sounds more like the depression, but I would tell your doctor about it. I have sleep problems too and even take my abilify at night and still no more sleepy than usual.

[Altered Moment]

I have never had this problem with abilify. Took it for two years.

I found Abilify extremely sedating when I first started taking it. That sedation wore off though, fortunately. It is now FDA-approved to help with clinical depression if your regular antidepressants are not working. I took it for its antipsychotic properties…I wish you and your partner the best.

[V_Equinox_K]

That's so weird that my boyfriend and I are the only ones experiencing this...my doctor recommended I try taking it at night, and by morning it shouldn't be completely metabolized or something. I had some issues with that because it would keep me up because it is stimulating, but I had my sleeping medication raised as well. I also ended up taking half a tablet of the Abilify instead of the full 2mg. The sleep seems to be back under control....and the Abilify is still working well!

[MotherMarcus]

I had to stop taking Abilify after only a short time. It gave me muscle spasms and twitches.