Abilify - New med

And I am terrified of taking it. I've been on so many meds in the past and I'm pretty sensitive (hence being scared) More so because I was given Saphris and one dose gave me what my new pdoc called a paradoxical reaction, and it made me never want to go near antipsychotics again. Although I've had Seroquel, but the side effects outweighed the benefits.

Anyhow I'm sitting here with this 1/4 pill just looking at it. Starting at 1/4 of 5mg because I'm sensitive and don't want to be up all night with crazy side effects like Saphris did. Probably overreacting and I've done research, I always do with medication before it goes in my mouth. Unfortunately Saphris was just new when the old doc I saw once gave it to me in a 10mg wafer *shudder*

Positive responses or what start up side effects have people gotten? I will take it, just putting it off lol. She said to start it at night and see how I go, I have insomnia and I've read it's more activating so I guess it's a bit of trial and error.

I have insomnia with Abilify. weight gain seems to happen(unfortunately). I am also very sensitive to medications as I have taken soooo many antipsychotics, etc Abilify agrees with me the best so far. I take 30mgs a day.(about two weeks of increasing my dose).
Drugs.com | Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side Effects is a good site to check out side effects.
warm thoughts

I was on abilify before i had to take it it in the morning and i was on abilify and cipralex andno insomnia or weight gain but it increased my suicidal thought i was young back then , if you are scared maybe you could called the pharmacy and ask about it

One of the benefits of Abilify is that it's supposed to be weight-neutral, & have fewer side effects than many APs/ADs. I'm on 30 mg & have had no side effects from this med. If I were to throw away all my meds & keep just one, it would be the Abilify. It's been a life saver for me.

Also, just my opinion, I never look up side effects of medications. I sometimes think that's the best way to develop psychosomatic symptoms, or to exaggerate symptoms that might have nothing to do with the meds themselves. It's my pdoc's job to inform me of common side effects -- which she does.

Oh I totally agree, it can scare you even more. I am pretty well educated with meds from taking so many and researching them but I know what you mean. I'll give it a fair shot, it's just scary taking it for the first time.

I guess I'll have to see how I go. Was the weight gain from an increased appetite? I have an ED so any increase won't be good for me. Already have suicidal thoughts with the depression atm, hopefully it doesn't worsen them.

I always spend time researching them before I take them, and even before knowing what side effects were back when I first took an anti d I was med sensitive. Hence the gradual dosing. My insomnia needs to get better not worse though. It's the racing thoughts and brain that never shuts down that she's hoping will help. It sounds like a good med I guess all I can do is wait and see.

no what i meant is no weight gain from abilify but it does increased my suicidal thought but everyone could get different side effect from meds its really hard to tell

Everone reacts so differently to medication. My sister takes Abilify and she didn't have a problem with weight gain. I think I prefer Abilify to many of the other medications that I have taken. It's definitely worth the try.
warm thoughts

I personally found abilify/aripiprazole very stimulating at first until I got to 10mg. Since you already suffer with insomnia, I would recommend taking the abilify in the morning at first. I didn't suffer many side effects that I can remember. I do remember when I was titrating from 6mg-10mg that I got very restless and agitated, but I don't know if that was a mixed episode or akisthisia. Once I got to 10mg it went away. I ended up taking 15mg and stopped it cold turkey with pdoc's permission without any ill effects.

Wishing you all the best with it. I personally found it very helpful for my auditory hallucinations, though I don't know why you're taking it.

*Willow*

Well night one went ok. Had the 1/4 of 5mg plus 5mg of valium as I wasn't sure if I'd get the restlessness and agitation. It actually made me sleepy, which is rare for me and my insomnia. I even feel calmer and a bit dopey this morning. I know valium doesn't do that, cos I've been on it most days with a mix to help get any sleep.

Might even have a nap, I still woke a couple of times but my cat wanted to go out. There was some odd dreams but I don't remember them which is good.

Will keep the thread posted on how night two goes

I started out on 5mgs of Abilify a few years ago, I am now up to 30mgs with no side effects at all. When I started I had akasthia and had to take cogentin to fix that. I now take requip because I have restless leg/body syndrome, so I don't know if that is taking care of the akasthia too or not. I used to take it in the morning, but when we upped my dose, we switched to the evening. It doesn't make me sleepy or keep me awake. I wish you the best on it, it has really changed my life.

I hate hate hate the akasthia. Feeling restless is a huge part of what bothers me the most. So far so good. Only taken another quarter tonight and if that goes well I'll try the 2.5mg tomorrow night. I'm a crying mess with moods up and down all day again though. Didn't expect it to be a miracle overnight.

Had it just over an hour ago and I'm exhausted. Not sure if it's from that, my brain, life, just wanting to give up. In a bad place tonight.

Well night two was horrible. Barely any sleep even with valium. I'm shaking and can hardly stand. Seems a quite similar reaction that I had with Saphris :-( Can't win.