[tabby]

does anyone take abilify? my doc just put me on it & i was just wondering if anyone else takes it?

[abilifyguy]

I take it. It has been a miracle drug for me. Took away mood swings, brain fog and heightened my concentration at work. Also gave me more energy and stamina. The only side effect I experienced was difficulty sleeping. The doc gave me something else to help me sleep, so now all is well. Good luck! It takes about 2 weeks to reach steady state in your system, but you'll notice the effects before then.

I've been on 20 mg of Abilify for about 4 years now. When I feel a mania coming on I increase it to 25 mg for one week (as prescribed by my doc) to counteract the mania & it works. Helped with delusional thinking & irrational thoughts that led to irrational behaviors. (Though I have had one relapse while on it & had to add Wellbutrin one winter when the depression hit, but I went off it in the spring). I also take Lamictal, Concerta, Provigil, Trazadone, & Klonopin. The combo has worked for me, but I DID gain 50 lbs. since being on the Abilify & I'm trying to address that now. Don't want to get off the Abilify--it works too well for me. Hope it will work for you. I know A LOT of people on it (& unfortunately, a lot who have gained weight, too). Good luck.--Suzy

[PlanningtoLive]

I take it as well. I'm on 10mg. per day and it has done wonders along with my other meds. Give it time and it will help you. Good luck.

[valcat]

Hi Everyone!
I visit this site off and on and I have recently been hospitalized because of my depression so I thought it would be good to get feedback on some of the meds that I am on.

My doctor thinks I am bipolar even though I have really only ever had one manic episode. I am currently taking abilify, lamictal, lithium, and tapering off of effexor xr. I have only been taking abilify for a week and I can tell that I do feel better. My concentration on work is very improved.

Of course, I am concerned about weight gain from any meds...but for now I'm just glad something is working.

--valerie

Valerie: glad you are feeling better. Sometimes the doc need to "play around" with the meds to get it just right so be patient. It took me a year to get some stability (bp 1). Take care.--Suzy

[abilifyguy]

Valcat, it's good to hear you are feeling better. I take abilify and noticed the same improvement of concentration at work. I'm also reducing my effexor xr. Abilify is associated with weight loss as well as weight gain. Just watch your portion sizes and snacks! The only side effect I've had (with 30mgs) is difficulty sleeping. Be patient and let the adjustments work themselves out. You might notice more improvement from the abilfy over time. Good luck!

[tabby]

thanks everyone. the abilify is giving me shakes & tremors & the doc said it will go away with time. has anyone had this side effect cuz my hands get really shaky at times.

[PlanningtoLive]

I have tremors very badly, and I'm not sure if it is from the Abilify or my Geodon, but they haven't gone away - just the opposite in fact. I can be sitting or standing perfectly still and be shaking. Hope yours disappears like your doc said.

Take care.

[tabby]

i have a feeling the tremors are not gonna go away & if they dont im gonna quit taking it. i cant handle this & always feeling restless. my hands are shakin like crazy typing this always having to go back & erase letters i push by mistake. screw this im gonna quit takin it tomorrow i dont care what doc says. i will take moodiness over this anyday. they put u on this stuff like a guinea pig & expect u to go thru these side effects. hes offered lamictal but he does not get samples of that & i cant afford it. are u gonna stop taking yours?

[PlanningtoLive]

I know the tremors are terrible........they are actually getting worse. I haven't made mistakes when typing or stuff like that, but if I am still and not busy, I start to shake. Right now I'm staying on it - I'm stable and I need to be that way plus I'm getting samples of this from my T. I have no insurance and can't afford a Rx for anything else.

I hope your doc prescribes something else for you. If he does, let me know what so maybe it will help me too. Thanks.

[tabby]

i decided it was the trazadone giving me the tremors. i quit taking it & am still on the abilify & tremors went away. its a terrible feeling & especially when u have unsupportive spouse & they say mean things about the shaking. i wish he could go thru what i go thru.

[abilifyguy]

The tremors are bad enough without someone being mean about it, too. I'm glad you found a solution to the tremors. abilify is a good drug for what it does. Trazodone can be replaced with something else. I've never heard of trazodone causing tremors, but it just goes to show that for anyone YMMV. Good luck getting a good night's sleep!

I take Abilify, Lamictal & Trazodone as well as several other meds. I've been really lucky & never had the tremors. I definitely would quit whatever drug was doing that to you, but you may need to taper off with your doc supervising you. Good luck.--Suzy

Hello Tabby -
I am a sufferer from Bipolar who was for years on various medications, and could not remember things I had just said or done, but brought up a daughter with help from social services, and felt frustrated at being ill. She survived and wrote in her university dissertation about her experinces.
Now my life is far better, as I am without the side effects. I consider myself normal, and even work. Socially I am 'abilified' to interact with people, in other words, I'm living. Only regret is what the family had to go through before.
You are onto the most exciting thing in medicine.