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OrchidFlower Posts: 653
Senior Member
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I finally had my first appointment with my new pdoc. As I had posted before the pdoc had to cancel the first appointment. Meeting him went well. He is very soft spoken and really seems to listen when I talk, looks me in the eye. Something not every doctor I have had has done. However, he feels that my BP could be better managed on a different med or combination. I can not take Lithium (thyroid disease) or Depakote (HHC). This makes treating my BP2 difficult. So, here we go again. I am weaning off the Seroquel and onto Abilify. I am very sensitive to medication, tend to have bad reactions, so we are stepping up the Abilify very slowly, starting at 2mg, as I lower the Seroquel. Anyone here who is taking Abilify have any stories to share about how it works for them, good or bad??? I would love to hear them!!! Everyone has been very supportive while I waited for this first appointment and while I was off my meds (due to no insurance). I wanted to say THANK YOU, I don't think I would have made it with out you.  I am NOT a doctor or a medical professional. Everything I contribute is based on my experience and research, not medical training. My advise is not a substitute for qualified medical care.
~~~Kimberly~~~
Bipolar
Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Thyroid Disease
and others.
Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they ought to be. - William Hazlitt
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hunkydorie Posts: 1526
Senior Member
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I have tried Abiliy and it didn't settle well with me. I vomited just about every day. It was awful! I seem to be doing pretty good with the med regimen that I'm on. I am thinking about getting off of the geodon. I don't think I need to be on all my meds. I want to see if I can be stable on the lamictal and seroquel alone. I don't think I need to be on two anti-psychotic drugs. Good luck to you and I hope your new meds will work for you. Ambien 10mgs./No longer on Seroquel
Geodon 120 mgs.
Levothyroxin 137mcgs.
Lamictal 300mgs and ativan PRN
I am not a physician and only give feedback based on my opinions
Without Christ in my life, I am nothing. |
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Joy75 Posts: 15704
Group Leader
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I am on Abilify and the only side effects I've had are some weight gain and Akathisia for two days. Its' an excellent drug and has worked well for me. I hope it works out well for you and is one that will bring you stability. Hang in there, you are doing just fine. It just takes some time to get there. Joy, 37 years old
Blog:
http://www.joylepley.blogspot.com
Email:
simplyjoyful75@gmail.com
Bipolar type 2 and ADD
300mg Wellbutrin
200mg Lamictal
40mg Viibryd
15mg Abilify
I AM NEITHER A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST. I AM HERE FOR THE SAME REASONS YOU ARE. TO GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT. WHAT I SAY IS PURELY MY OPINION. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.
Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. Its a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life. Carrie Fisher |
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ASO1979able Posts: 6985
VIP Member
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Abilify worked well for me at first, but as we increassed the dosage my anxiety increased. I had to come off of it due to that and weight gain. I hope it works well for you. I am glad to hear that you finally had your appointment and that it went well! I am not a professional, any and all advice that I give is based solely on personal experiences and is not intended to take the place of a medical or mental health professional.
My diagnosis:
Bipolar I Extreme rapid cycling, General Anxiety disorder, Social anxiety disorder, PTSD, Fibromyalgia
My meds:
Equetro 800mg
Klonopin 1mg as needed for anxiety
Celexa 40mg
Atarax
Lyrica 100mg x 3 a day |
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ApRiLGeTsAngry77
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I tried Abilify for a short period of time about 7 years ago. I stopped taking it but don't remember why. I just wanted to tell you to hang in there and I am glad you finally got to see your pdoc. Keep us posted! |
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OrchidFlower Posts: 653
Senior Member
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Thank everyone. I have been on 2mg of Abilify for three days now. No side effects yet, not even an upset tummy. As to the weight gain on Abilify we will see. I gained 60 pounds in the 4 years I have been on Seroquel. In the 3 weeks that I was forced to stop taking it I lost 12 pounds. My pdoc and my PCP found that alarming, such a big weight lose in so little time. So we will see. If the Abilify seem to work my pdoc has said we may try to add Lamictal too. I am trying to be positive about the changes, seeing this as a chance to really feel better for the first time in forever. In the mean time......well you all know what weaning off and on drugs is like. Thanks everyone. I am NOT a doctor or a medical professional. Everything I contribute is based on my experience and research, not medical training. My advise is not a substitute for qualified medical care.
~~~Kimberly~~~
Bipolar
Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Thyroid Disease
and others.
Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they ought to be. - William Hazlitt |
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Catbaloo  Posts: 4834
Group Leader
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I've been taking Abilify for about a month and I love it! As far as my husband and I can tell, there are no side effects for me. I've actually lost a little bit of weight since I've been taking it. I hope it works as well for you as it does for me. I feel better than I have in years, calm but not medicated, if you know what I mean. I think this is what "normal" feels like. My opinions are just opinions, and should be taken as such. I am not an expert on medicines or BP disorder. |
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sarahtroy Posts: 12576
Group Leader
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I've been on Abilify for over a year-and-a-half and I love it. I consider it one of the foundational and hardest working meds in my regime. I've never experienced any negative side effects, other than a slow weight gain over time. I'm currently taking the weight off with dieting. Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia & PTSD; Alcoholic in recovery since 3/21/07.
Aplenzin 522mg; Pristiq 200mg; Lamictal 400mg; Geodon 160mg; Ativan 1mg TID; Deplin 15mg; Xanax PRN; Metoprol 100mg.
"Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens."
"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." ~Edith Wharton
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Ian MacLaren (Usually mis-attributed to Plato)
"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin
My support and advice is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice. |
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SWOWannabe Posts: 267
Member
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I was put on Abilify first and foremost for my Bipolar Disorder. It worked as a mood stabilizer, but I had the worst akathesia imaginable. I had to be moving constantly and couldn't focus because of it. I asked to change meds and am now on Depakote. Though it sounds like a lot of people have had great success with Abilify, I just wasn't one of the lucky ones I guess. ^_^ Bipolar Disorder
1500 mg Depakote
300 mg Wellbutrin |
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manicmetoo Posts: 1313
Senior Member
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I couldnt stay awake on abilify although I think it did improve my mood, being awake is kind of important though... lol. deb
Bipolar I (rapid cycling, mixed episode), ADHD, OCD, Anxiety disorders, Fibro, borderline and possibly psychitso effective, COPD... really?
80mg Geodon (mania & depression)
450mg Seroquel (helps my depression)
2mg klonopin(panic, anxiety, akathasia)
200mg Provigil (keeps me awake during the day)
vicadin (fibro pain killer)
Zanaflex 6mg (fibro muscle relaxer) |
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