[OlivesMom]

Happy Saturday! Hope everyone is hanging in there and staying safe. <3

I have been on Cymbalta and Lithium since October 2019. I don't notice much of a difference and I know medications for depression, mood stabilization as well as anxiety are often times trial and error.

During my last therapy session the doctor decided to change things up a bit. I have no problems trying something new and working towards an effective medication plan.

She decided to take me off of the Cymbalta and Lithium; prescribing Zoloft and Abilify as replacements. I know all medications inherently come with side effects, and some are less than desirable. However, the Abilify leaves me very uneasy as I have read over and over again how patients have gained significant weight, serious laziness and vigorous sexual arousal. In other words it makes you fat, lazy and horny. I don't need any additional help in any of those departments.

Please share with me any of your experiences with Abilify (and or Zoloft or other medications) in dealing with the symptoms of your BPD.

Thanks in advance,

- A

[WastingAsparagus]

Hey, and welcome to PC!

Abilify has been weight-neutral for me, and is for a lot of people (not saying it is totally weight-neutral) -- it still has the potential to cause weight gain, but not as much as certain other drugs in its same class like Zyprexa.

Abilify has been a life-saver for my depression (in combination with other drugs).

Also, can you ask your doctor to gradually ease you onto Abilify? So that you don't experience any side effects, or if you do, you would not experience them as much? Also, can you ask your doctor whether you can only change one of the meds at a time? Because it's often smart to go slowly, and also to only change one thing at a time. I'm not saying don't change two things at a time, but rather, that it's smart to go slowly and to make changes slowly so that you can judge objectively what the effects of the meds are. Anyway, I hope you find what you're looking for on PC!

[bpforever1]

I take Abilify and am doing well now. Off it, I become psychotic/manic. I have gone off it 7 times and always ended up becoming psychotic. I've been on the shot too but there is too much protein in my blood and urine so am back on the pill form. I teach online and am by myself taking care of myself. Nobody is near me. I believe, I am able to do this because of Abilify's effectiveness. It keeps me stable and also has some neuroprotective effects. I think it is a good medication with not much side effects. I am chubby but exercise and eat healthy. I have increased my stamina because of my routine. I believe Abilify has helped me recover many times from psychosis. I have a tendency to be non-compliant when I become slightly psychotic. This time, I'm going to see my psychdoc regularly and tell my family about taking my medication daily. I think it has been working for me. I feel fine. Sometimes, I feel somnolent and tired. But, I combat this with exercise and caffeine.


I used to take Zoloft too and it did wonders for my depression. I have not taken AD's though for about 15 years now. My tendency now is to become manic/ psychotic. This is the reason why Abilify is effective for me as well as help me not become depressed as well.


Best wishes!!

[Sometimes psychotic]

I’ve gained about 35 pounds on it but it’s considered to be one of the more weight neutral APs....

[Aviza]

Abilify was weight neutral for me. I lost weight while taking it. As i tried to lose weight. It did make me stayic. Lacked emotions. Became addicted to gambling.