[*Laurie*]

Hi, I know that medication effects can be different for everyone. With that acknowledged, I have a question about Abilify. For those who are or have been on it, what is/was your dosage? If you went from a low dose to a higher dose, did you notice any improvement of your symptoms on the higher dose? Thanks for your replies

I was on 15mg when I was taking it. I think 10mg for the first week then up to 15 until I stopped about 6 months later. I can't say I noticed much of a difference in that first week but then I would have still been getting used to it...

I was on 10 mg. I didn't have any effects - no desired effects, no side effects.

[*Laurie*]

Thanks HSkye and Breadfish. Hmm. It seems that most people don't notice much (either side effects or good effects) from Abilify.

I'm still curious to hear from those who are on/have taken 20mgs. or more.

I definitely noticed something from the abilify, it was pretty activating and did help my mood. I just can't say I noticed much difference between 10 and 15mg..

[Angelique67]

I was increased relatively quickly from 10mg to 30mg of Abilify and I felt absolutely nothing. So, since I was IP in April, they took me very quickly off of it, and onto invega, very quickly. I liked the invega from the start because it made me feel like in a dream world.

You're right, I didn't notice anything on abilify - but I also didn't notice anything on the 11 other meds I've been on (not counting benzo's). So I'm not sure if you should use me as an example.

[*Laurie*]

Thank you all!

[Wonderfalls]

I think it's too broad a generalization to say that "most people" don't notice much from Abilify. My wide reading is that it does affect most people--whether they like it or not is a different story. It brought me out of a prolonged mania starting at only 5mg. Later when I got on it again at 15mg it worked but gave me severe akathisia. Cogentin controlled that but at a dose which affected my vision so I switched back to Seroquel. I actually liked it better because it was more actifying.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Wonderfalls

I think it's too broad a generalization to say that "most people" don't notice much from Abilify. My wide reading is that it does affect most people--whether they like it or not is a different story. It brought me out of a prolonged mania starting at only 5mg. Later when I got on it again at 15mg it worked but gave me severe akathisia. Cogentin controlled that but at a dose which affected my vision so I switched back to Seroquel. I actually liked it better because it was more actifying.

Wellll...I'm going to stick with 'most people' because that's what I've noticed here on PC. Most people who post about Abilify seem to be pretty neutral about the med. It's true that there could be many people who, like me, are not quite sure whether Abilify is working or not.

Thanks for your info, Wonderfalls. It's good to know that Abilify was at least somewhat helpful for you.

[Wonderfalls]

Didn't mean to annoy you. I really don't know much about what's been posted on this particular site, as you observe.

[*Laurie*]

You didn't annoy me. I appreciate your input.

[SingDanceRunLife]

When I was on it I think I was on 10mg and it was horrible. It made me more depressed than I had ever been up to that point in my life. So I'm an example of side effects being noticeable.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

When I was on it I think I was on 10mg and it was horrible. It made me more depressed than I had ever been up to that point in my life. So I'm an example of side effects being noticeable.

Hi SDRL, What were your side effects?

[Wonderfalls]

I wasn't, as you surmise, judging by this particular website; I certainly concede that you know more about it here than I do.

[kecanoe]

Abilify helped me survive crippling depression. I was only on 5mg, it was used as an adjunct to the ADs I was on. After the depression lifted and I got off Abilify, it seemed as though Abilify numbed both the good and the bad feelings. While on it, I didn't really feel much different, there was no amazing lifting of the depression. But I think it did help me survive.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by kecanoe

Abilify helped me survive crippling depression. I was only on 5mg, it was used as an adjunct to the ADs I was on. After the depression lifted and I got off Abilify, it seemed as though Abilify numbed both the good and the bad feelings. While on it, I didn't really feel much different, there was no amazing lifting of the depression. But I think it did help me survive.

Thank you kecanoe. I recall other people having the same experience with Abilify.

I'm feeling more depressed at 20mg than I was at 10mg. I'm thinking I need to drop the dosage down.