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Bipolar II Forums › General & Support › ABilify side effects

12/22/2011 02:15 AM

ABilify side effects

mem4809

Is anyone on Abilify and NOT had side effects?

12/22/2011 10:57 AM Top
MineForLife Posts: 242 Member	I was on a very small dose (2mg) and I ended up taking up to 4mg in the am and pm... I think now I am up to either 5mg or 10mg, but I don't really know cause I am trying to deal with my pharmacy/ insurance. Anyhow while I was on it I didn't have any side effects, it might had made me drowsy but I think that was from the lack of sleep I was having. DX -Bipolar II -Panic Disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) -ADHD RX -Dextrostat Spansule- 20mg(AM) -Lithobid (Lithium)-300mg(AM) and 300mg(PM) -Lamictal-225mg(PM) -Xanax.50-1.0mg tabs at bedtime and as needed Previous discussions I participated in: All or Nothing Abilify and Effects Quit job, going crazy...

12/22/2011 11:19 AM Top
mem4809	Thanks--I am sort of taking a poll as so many complain about putting on some weight and having movement issues.

12/22/2011 11:41 AM Top
mem5022	I WAS on it - but had numbness in face, arms & neck, and extreme muscle twitching & soreness in mouth & tongue. Had to go off of it and it took 2 weeks for it to get out of my system and return to normal (no numbness or twitching).

12/22/2011 11:56 AM Top
mem4809	Wow--and this is suposed to be one of the meds with the least side effects. I feel like I can't trust my pdoc about this stuff--he just goes according to his research, but are the real people experimenting with it!

12/22/2011 12:28 PM Top

Joy75

Posts: 15704
Group Leader
I'm an Advocate

I am on Abilify and I only had Akathisia for two days, then it went away and I have some tiredness, but it's a great medication in my opinion. I've had a lot of success with it. It all depends on how you react to it. If it agrees with you or not. It's worth a shot. If it didn't work, you could always try something else. I hope you can get the right drug soon!!

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. It’s a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life. – Carrie Fisher

Previous discussions I participated in:
Meds Aren't Kicking In...
Struggling with Bipolar diagnosis, and Addiction
Ndamukong Suh

12/22/2011 01:20 PM Top
MineForLife Posts: 242 Member	Yeah I remember when I was first put on Abilify I was a bit hypomanic and was chatting it up with my pdoc and she was pretty much ignoring me to an extent and then she told me to walk from one side of the room to the other and then repeat 2 more times. I just giggled a little and when I was done just I was just kinda "like, uh, what was that about", but then just giggled it off and continued with my nonstop dialogue. I guess she was testing me for any type of awkward movement, and I am naturally twitchy and constantly moving, so I think its sometimes hard to tell if certain things are side effects or just me being me, lol. DX -Bipolar II -Panic Disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) -ADHD RX -Dextrostat Spansule- 20mg(AM) -Lithobid (Lithium)-300mg(AM) and 300mg(PM) -Lamictal-225mg(PM) -Xanax.50-1.0mg tabs at bedtime and as needed Previous discussions I participated in: All or Nothing Abilify and Effects Quit job, going crazy...

12/22/2011 02:42 PM Top

riotville

Posts: 15
New Member

I was on it for a short time, and it made me have weird face and hand cramping and contorting where I couldn't talk. really scary.

“Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on.”
― Henry Rollins

Previous discussions I participated in:
Weening off of Lexapro
mood changes off meds
-newbie-

12/22/2011 02:52 PM Top

Intheshadows

Posts: 150
Member

I'm on 2mg and will build up to 5 mg soon. At first, I was dizzy and had some blurred vision. I seem to be ok now. I am already feeling benefits, although sometimes, I'm a little hyper. Compared to other things I've tried, I'd say that this is a "keeper" for me. I guess it just depends on how your body reacts to it.

Previous discussions I participated in:
Zyprexa and weight gain - is it reversible
Anyone Made to Feel Pushed Passed Their Means?
Abilify, morning or night??

12/22/2011 09:35 PM Top

camjayman

Posts: 188
Member

This post is about Abilify side effects and not changing from one med to another. When I tried to view it the page it appears to be on is not the one intended. Hopefully you find it under the Abilify side effects discussion. I tried unsuccessfully to cancel it.

I am currently on 10mg, having built up as per usual; and with me the side effects were headaches and extreme lethargy but those disappeared in about three to five weeks. For me it was and remains to be a miracle drug. I feel as well or better than I have felt in about 8 to 10 years. In my own parlance I shoot for the middle - not too low ( my worst problem ), and not too high and with the help of this drug I've achieved that level with none of the worst of the side effects. In my opinion as a non medical professional, out waiting the side effects that I had was well worth it. This is of course only my personal opinion and what you may feel may not be worth the wait. Good luck to all in finding the right meds to stabilise you.

Post edited by: camjayman, at: 12/22/2011 09:54 PM

Post edited by: camjayman, at: 12/22/2011 09:57 PM

Off on your way
Hit the open road
There is magic at your fingers

Previous discussions I participated in:
My Dr talked to me about ECT, anyone else?
Homewood program for bipolar and anxiety
When will the depression stop?

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