[Shancan]

I haven't posted here in some time. i have been trying to get a grip on things following a BPII diagnosis ... that was then changes to a Major Mood Disorder with depression and anxiety. I have been taking alpha and beta blockers (not at the same time) to help with the adrenaline surges at night which I have now stopped because my depression has gotten so deep. I have tried anti-depression meds and they made me immediately psychotic. Now my pdoc wants to try me on Abilify. I do not want to try this medication at all. I suffer from migraines with aura and was hoping he may suggest Lamictal as I found a study it helps with these types of migraines and depression (Although the thought of the rash terrifies me).
Anyone here have success with Depression and migraines with aura on Abilify ... and the weight gain is it avoidable? I am not prepared to put on any more weight as I am already in the "red" zone for type 2 diabetes. I am not signing up for that!!!
Appreciate the input.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi,

I have migraines and I am on low-dose Abilify (4mg/day).
Abilify has helped somewhat with depression. (Adderall has helped more.)
I have had weight gain with Abilify. The associated 24/7 hunger has decreased now that I have added Adderall.

I also take Abilify for C-PTSD, not only for depression.

I have seen where some people do not gain weight with Abilify, so it's an individualized response.

I became dystonic beyond tolerance at 6mg and above.
This is just my experience with Abilify.

WC

Ability did not work for me. It's super expensive and I packed on a lot of weight, yet remained depressed. However everyone is different. Good luck.

[Wild Coyote]

If you prefer a trial of Lamictal, I wonder why your pdoc would not go along with this?

It seems like it might be worth a trial.

WC

[OctobersBlackRose]

Abilify didn't work for me, just made me agitated and I wasn't sleeping, it was too activating for me. I don't remember if it increased my appetite, but if it did it wasnt as bad as Latuda with appetite increase (Latuda was suppose to be weight neutral, but it wasn't). I am now on Lamictal amd Geodon for my depression, Lamictal is a really good medication, I was originally put on it when I had been misdiagnosed with Bipolar disorder, but when my diagnosis switched back to depression I stayed on it. If you can get your doctor to agree to try you on Lamictal then I'd do it, and also the rash is rare, I was scared of it too when I started on yhe medication, but so far no rash.

Who knows though Abilify may work for you, everyone is different and responds differently to medications.

[Shancan]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

If you prefer a trial of Lamictal, I wonder why your pdoc would not go along with this?

It seems like it might be worth a trial.

WC

I have had some pretty insane reactions to medications. And what ever we agree on I need to start on a compounding dose and build up.
I just keep thinking these medications are going to be a mistake.
Gaaahh.

[Wild Coyote]

Abilify has helped me with depression, at 4mg/day. I cannot tolerate more. It has not helped with migraines.

I have to use very low doses of meds, too. I cannot tolerate many of them.


WC