[hartbroken]

Ok, I've been on Abilify for about 10 years. I have schizoaffective -bipolar type. How do doctors know that symptoms are for a life time? They keep you on the meds because they get perks from the manufacturer. It's like every other doctor/pharmecutical relationship out there. They want to keep you medicated.

I'm not saying I'm going to cut anything cold turkey, because that would be crazy. And dangerous. But my psychiatrist is bent on the fact that he won't let me wean down from 20mg of Abilify to any other amount. I'm on state aid so I can't be choosy with doctors.

I would like to know how many of you have successfully weaned off of Abilify and didn't have symptoms later. I know the lithium I take would stay put for bipolar. But I'd really like to know if it's been done successfully before with Abilify?

[Travelinglady]

I took Ability for just a bit and then went off of it, since it didn't seem to be helping me. I have no doubt that it can be weaned off of. I'm just wondering why you are wanting to do so.

I personally believe that disorders such as yours are life-time disorders, just like my bipolar is a life-time one. Are you feeling relatively stable and symptom-free right now? I believe it would be because of the meds, if you are.

I am no big fan of drugs either, but I don't think most doctors just want to keep us hooked on them through some sort of personal gain.

What do you other folks have to say about it?