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Reviews
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Great Depression
New Member
Registered: November 2011
Posts: 1
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Wed November 30, 2011
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $102.00| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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almost instant relief of major depression, within 4 days I could feel effects
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CONS:
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gained 10lbs in 2 weeks, but I'll work on that next
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I am diagnosed bipolar II, most I think I have major depressive disorder. I have run the gamet with most bipolar meds and they made me feel even more depressed and very low.
I switched to ritalin 10mg, celexa 40mg for about a year and initially the celexa helped a little with the crying all the time. I was very close to the edge and feeling like giving up when my doc came up with adding 2mg Abilify to my current meds. So far, and it has only been about 4 weeks, it has been a MIRACLE drug for me. I have stopped crying, I have regained my focus, I have acquired much more drive and DESIRE to get up and get going. There was a few days went I felt things were going a little quick, but now the drug has settled in and things are pretty much, simply O.K. I started getting a headache, and for me, whenever I am starting a new drug at a low dose, a headache is the first sign I need an increase, so I have gone to 3 mg now and am feeling good.
The weight is definitely an issue. I think it is part of desire. I believe Abilify increases your desire, for life, work, school and yes eating. Food tastes better, once you put it in your mouth. Therefore, once you start, it is sometimes very hard to stop. I'll work on that next. I am praying Abilify will be my miracle drug. So far it is, so I will continue to pray. I needed this relief. It has been 5 long years with very serious depression. I feel, light and like my ole self when I was younger and really in the mix of things.
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Tue November 1, 2011
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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none
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CONS:
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i had serious reactions to this
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it made mme very un aware of my soroundings, i was not comfortable in my own skin, and it increased my angziety level to the extreeme!
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sarahblue
Member
Registered: March 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 147
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Sat October 15, 2011
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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Completely reversed my depression
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CONS:
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Muscle ache, restlessness
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This has been the only thing that has worked for me in 27 years of being depressed. My psych started me on a MINIMUM dose of 2 mg a little more than a month ago as an adjunct to Zoloft, and it has changed my life. Instead of sleeping all day and feeling tired all the time, I am able to get up in the morning, go out, and get things done. I got a little hypomanic, but that has since settled a bit, and yet I can still live my life. I have not had to increase the dose yet. If your problem is depression, or even bipolar with mainly depression, DON'T LET YOUR PDOC OVERDOSE YOU. High doses are only good for managing mania and schizophrenia. The higher the dose, the WORSE depressive symptoms can get, or at least, that's what I believe from what I've read.
The scariest side effect I'm experiencing is high liver function, which my primary doc is monitoring. Not sure what the numbers are. Also at first had trouble not getting enough sleep. Now I've noticed that I have muscle aches, which I had attributed to the daily exercise that I am now able to do, but now suspect is due to the Abilify. So far I am willing to live with the side effects since the benefits for me have been amazing. The changes happened for me within the first week of starting Abilify, and I have heard that it takes as little as a week for most people to start feeling the benefit if they are going to benefit.
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+Fight+The+Illness+
Member
Registered: August 2011
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 72
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Sun August 7, 2011
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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I personally did not do well while taking Abilify. I was taking it with an anti-depressant and the combination just did not work for me. My mood swings were more drastic and my side effects were severe. My psychiatrist kept prescribing different kinds of medication to make the side effects more bare able, but it just didn't work for me.
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paranoid30
New Member
Registered: August 2011
Posts: 1
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Thu August 4, 2011
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $134.00| Rating: 5
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PROS:
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no positive symptoms
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CONS:
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low sex drive
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low sex drive. no positive symptoms of schizophrenia since the first week i took it
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hacklemesh
New Member
Registered: August 2011
Posts: 1
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Thu August 4, 2011
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $15.00| Rating: 3
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PROS:
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Nothing in my experience.
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CONS:
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Everything.
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My entire experience with Abilify was negative, I was taking it combined with the anti-depressant Zoloft. My psychiatrist chose to put me on Abilify because she believed it was not as harsh as other drugs and told me most people only experience a few minor side effects. I was on a high dosage and I experienced almost every side effect to a degree where my ability to function was limited. I was on it for a year and a half and in that time I feel much more damage was done to my life than good. I am a 26 yo female and this is how it affected me: I was tired and hungry all the time. I had no energy and slept more than I was awake. I was a healthy weight when I started taking it, then I gained 60 pounds. I became obese, weighing more than I ever did in my life. This greatly hurt my self-esteem which was already low. My blood pressure went up to the point that I almost needed to start taking medication to lower it. My hair became unhealthy looking and starting shedding significantly. I totally lost my sex drive. I felt like my anxiety became debilitating. In the beginning I experienced Akathisia and it didn't last for more than a week and a half but it was one of the most uncomfortable times of my life. I even lost my job because I couldn't get used to the side effects and they prevented me from doing my work. My mood did eventually become stable, but it was not a healthy mood. I felt trapped in a world of gray. Nothing was good, nothing was bad, everything was uncomfortable but I was too tired to care. I felt like a zombie. I had no motivation to get better or change my life. I felt like I couldn't live on my own and take care of myself. My loved ones were completely unhappy with how I was living and worried about me constantly. Finally I stopped taking it last year. I have been not been medicated since then and though I have been severely affected by my bipolar disorder lately, I would take the way it makes me feel over how I felt on Abilify any day. My personal experience is that this drug halted my progress in life and even reversed it to a degree. I'm not saying you shouldn't try it if your doctor suggests it, but I think you should be aware of its potential negative effects.
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LacunaCoiler
Veteran Member
Registered: April 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 738
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Fri July 15, 2011
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $60.00| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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helps as a mood stabalizer
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CONS:
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withdraw symptoms when you miss a dose
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Overall it has been good. The only thing I don't like is the side effects you get when you miss a dose.
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saphirrain
Member
Registered: June 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 26
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Sun June 5, 2011
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $3.00| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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None
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CONS:
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permenant side-effects
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It caused me permenant tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome
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mama mia
New Member
Registered: May 2011
Posts: 2
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Mon May 9, 2011
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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PROS:
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Relieves anxiety and depresssion
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CONS:
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Makes my stomach hurt
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I would recommend this product, although I had to go off of it due to stomach pain.
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vmars
New Member
Registered: April 2011
Posts: 2
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Wed April 20, 2011
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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It has stabilized my mood and helps me sleep.
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CONS:
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None so far.
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I take it as a mood stabilizer and it seems to work pretty well.
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kathleen slattery
Member
Registered: March 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 178
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Fri March 4, 2011
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $35.00| Rating: 4
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PROS:
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The dosage I take it at (10mgs) doesn't cause that many side effects.
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CONS:
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at 15-20mgs, all hell broke loose with me-total lack of bladder control, complete loss of use of my hands (numbness), non-stop runny nose, lack of focus and concentration.
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Sure does beat downing Zyprexa, which is the equivalent of poison to me....gained 97lbs courtesy of zyprexa, and had to quit meds for a year to get down to my original size. So bearing that in mind, I guess it's not that bad at all.
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mishawow
New Member
Registered: January 2011
Posts: 2
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Sat January 29, 2011
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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i have unorganized thoughts and this product is the only one that helps me think clearly
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CONS:
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weight gain, much drowsiness
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The only psychological disorder I suffer from is unorganized thinking which some doctors think is schizophrenia. To be honest, I have difficulty thinking without Abilify, but i'm used to being skinny and being able to control my weight, and on abilify, 10-20mg, I just can't do that. The drug makes me gain weight and I have a hard time staying up more than 12 hours a day which makes working difficult. So overall, there needs to be a better drug.
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socallady
New Member
Registered: October 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2
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Tue October 26, 2010
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $140.00| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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Regulates mood, helps with depression.
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CONS:
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Weight gain, severe withdrawl symptoms.
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I have been on Abilify since 2005, with doses ranging from 5mg to 30mg daily. I do think it has helped me over the long term, in spite of the weight gain.
However, one of the things that I cannot find any documentation on is what the withdrawl symptoms are. Every year my neurologist has me go off Abilify for 4 weeks to reduce the risk of tardive dyskinesia. Last year I got a terrible migraine, but dexamethasone eventually took care of it.
This year, nothing worked, not even the steroids. By day 3 I felt like I was detoxing. Headache, nausea, flu-like symptoms, the works. And this was after tapering from 7.5mg to 3.25mg over 2 weeks, which are low doses for me. On day 10 I gave up and restarted the Abilify with my doctor's OK. I just couldn't do it.
Maybe this only happens to people (like me) who have a history of migraines? Or perhaps to people who have been on it for a long time? I used to be able to taper off it without any problems whatsoever.
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TheCrow
New Member
Registered: October 2010
Location: N. California (not Bay Area)
Posts: 1
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Tue October 5, 2010
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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Snapped me out of a 5 year, deep, depression. Taking as adjunct drug.
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CONS:
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Know of none.
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I was in a very deep depression for about five years. I started
taking 2.5 mg 2 years ago. Within a month, I began to emerge from the deep depression. Two points: (1) I did not emerge from my depression all at once. I think I continue to emerge 2 years later. But my interest in things has returned. I take this as an adjunct drug; I also take wellbutrin, clonazepam, effexor, dextroamphet, and atenolol (for calming effect and high blood pressure.) A new psychiatrist just raised me to 5 mg. to see if 5 mg would make me happier. I'm still a bit grim but not depressed.
If anyone is trapped in a deep depression, probably worth a try.
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magootoyou
New Member
Registered: October 2010
Posts: 4
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Mon October 4, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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PROS:
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felt better
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CONS:
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very bad side effects
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Had a seizure (no history of it). Insomnia no matter how low my dose became.
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takepsych
New Member
Registered: August 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 4
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Mon August 16, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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I began feeling less depressed
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CONS:
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I gained 20lbs in one month. My doctor said I had a metabolic reaction to the medicine. It also raised my usual low cholesteral to 199.
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I had a metabolic reaction to the medication. I gained 20lbs in one month. My doctor immediately had me stop the drug. All of my weight was in my stomach. I felt like I was pregnant.
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Nannie1957
New Member
Registered: April 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 2
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Wed June 23, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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CONS:
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side effects and withdrawals from the medication
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I was the caregiver for my mother who suffered from Alzheimer's. She experienced terrible side effects from this drug, swelling of the face and hands, excessive night sweats, stiff muscles, decrease in urination, problems swallowing, excessive drooling, and it decreases your white blood count which helps fight infections and mimics Parkinson's. Precautions not to give to dementia related patients but many elderly patients are being prescribed this med. My mother was in a nursing home for less than three months before I brought her home to live with my husband and I and they put her on it and it does mask or hide some of the Alzheimer's but we had to take her off of it because of the side effects. She was weaned off with the help of her doctor and I do believe that was her downfall. We began weaning her off in early September and she began going down. She had aspiration pneumonia and a UTI. My mother was never able to recover from either of these and spent almost a month in the hospital before she passed away on October 13, 2009. My sister and I very much want to make others aware of this terrible drug.
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xixax85
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2010
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Sun May 23, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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none
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CONS:
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severe panic attacks, shallow breathing, tremors, nausea, vomiting
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I can't even express how scary the side effects to this medication are!!! After 2 hours of taking one 5mg pill, I started to experience nausea. I figured it was just a minor side effect to the medication and thought everything would be fine. I ended up falling asleep for the night but woke up suddenly 2 hours later in complete panic. I felt the urge to vomit and had extreme dry mouth, so I made my way to the bathroom. Upon standing, I felt really dizzy, had trouble maintaining my balance, and almost blacked-out. I also experienced bizarre thoughts and a 'drunk' feeling. I was ready to have someone take me to the hospital because I knew something wasn't right. This medication was HORRIBLE! I informed my doctor of everything and he told me to split the pill in half the next dosage. Basically, the same thing happened, just less intense. Never taking this medication AGAIN!!!
I also just want to add that I didn't have any negative perceptions about this medication prior to taking it and have previously been on lithium for bipolar II, but saw no improvement in mood, so my doctor switched me to abilify.
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xixax85
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2010
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Sun May 23, 2010
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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none
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CONS:
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severe panic attacks, shallow breathing, tremors, nausea, vomiting
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I can't even express how scary the side effects to this medication are!!! After 2 hours of taking one 5mg pill, I started to experience nausea. I figured it was just a minor side effect to the medication and thought everything would be fine. I ended up falling asleep for the night but woke up suddenly 2 hours later in complete panic. I felt the urge to vomit and had extreme dry mouth, so I made my way to the bathroom. Upon standing, I felt really dizzy, had trouble maintaining my balance, and almost blacked-out. I also experienced bizarre thoughts and a 'drunk' feeling. I was ready to have someone take me to the hospital because I knew something wasn't right. This medication was HORRIBLE! I informed my doctor of everything and he told me to split the pill in half the next dosage. Basically, the same thing happened, just less intense. Never taking this medication AGAIN!!!
I also just want to add that I didn't have any negative perceptions about this medication prior to taking it and have previously been on lithium for bipolar II, but saw no improvement in mood, so my doctor switched me to abilify.
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flawlessimperfectionsmft
Member
Registered: February 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 167
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Thu May 6, 2010
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $470.00| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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Controlled my Schizophrenia very well
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CONS:
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Worked ok on Bipolar but still could use some fixing. Didn't help with depression. Can cause extreme drowsiness. EXPENSIVE
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This product did not make me gain any weight. Though I do spend a lot of time at the gym. It caused me to be extremely drowsy once I went past 10mg. It works really well for hallucinations. It tamed my Bipolar episodes quite a bit but I can still tell they are there. The depression has not changed. The cost of the product is horrendous too.
Overall I would recommend this product for people suffering from Schizophrenia. I hope this post helped.
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golgigirl
Newly Joined
Registered: April 2010
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Mon April 26, 2010
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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Helps lift my mood when nothing else has helped much
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CONS:
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weight gain!
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I have to give this medication a seven because it helped tremendously at lifting some of the severe depression I have suffered from the majority of my life, when nothing else has. I can deal with other minor side effects that are barely noticeable such as the restlessness.
The big issue is the unrelenting, insatiable appetite! I have to use all my strength and will to keep from eating all day long. I have gained 20 lbs. The first 20 in the first month. It has leveled off some but it is still a struggle. I was underweight to begin with from other medications' side effects so it wasn't a problem at first, but now I have to watch the scale closely.
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TatteredandTorn
Junior Member
Registered: December 2009
Location: North East England, UK
Posts: 8
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Mon December 28, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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Didn't make me feel sick, or gain weight, made me feel more "normal"
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CONS:
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None that I noticed
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Overall I had a generally good experience on this medication, I had very few side effects, No weight gain, actually seemed to help.
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phoenix47baby
Grand Member
Registered: September 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 619
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Tue November 17, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $45.00| Rating: 5
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PROS:
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curbs extreme moods and anger
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CONS:
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involuntary muscle movements
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produced involuntary muscle movements
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psychodwnldr
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2009
Location: maryland
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Sun October 18, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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CONS:
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sleeplessness
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doctor put me on abilify 5mg for night becouse she wouldnt increase my cymbalta 60mg.I was up til 3-4am sometimes never going to bed had racing thoughts.Didnt work for me
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seriynochi
New Member
Registered: December 2007
Location: Washington, USA
Posts: 2
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Wed September 30, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $70.00| Rating: 2
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PROS:
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none
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CONS:
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it did absolutely nothing
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Got it for mood swings, etc. Noticed no changes over a 5 month period
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uziel69
Newly Joined
Registered: September 2009
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Sat September 19, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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greatly increased self-esteem, greater focus and ambition
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CONS:
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restlessness, insomnia
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After two weeks on Abilify I can honestly say that I feel better than I have in 3 years since my diagnosis with bipolar II. I have been on Lamictal (300mg) since the beginning which was also a wonder drug but still left me with a residual, constant feeling of mild depression. The Abilfy has completely abated that feeling. I started at 7.5mg but am now down to 5mg in an attempt to mitigate some of the side effects (mostly insomnia and a bit of restlessness). Despite the common weight gain with anti-psychotics, I've actually lost weight on Abilify. My appetite has markedly decreased though I wonder if that is simply because I'm more mood-stable. I definitely would recommend this for anyone with moderate, long-term depression as well as bipolar II. As with all psych meds, the trick is in finding the right dose.
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paxpac1s
New Member
Registered: July 2009
Location: Shangri-la
Posts: 4
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Fri July 17, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $430.00| Rating: 4
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PROS:
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Gave me energy
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CONS:
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then gave me akathisia and blurry vision
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The new energy quickly morphed into marked akathisia. I couldn't not move for more then 5 minutes at a time, extreme restlessness, and extreme anxiety. The akathisia if largely gone after 3 days after discontinuation but blurry vision remains. Terrible stuff, especially at that price.
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Nihel
Member
Registered: July 2009
Location: Missouri
Posts: 27
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Thu July 9, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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PROS:
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I was able to control my moods, I had more energy.
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CONS:
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Constant shaking/foot tapping, Always happy, couldn't sleep even with help of sleeping aid, Weight gain.
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When I first started taking the medication things were going great, Then I noticed I could NOT get mad or sad even at things normal people would. I couldn't sleep no matter what I tried. On top of that I was always tapping my foot or moving a part of my body even in my sleep and the weight gain was horrible. At least the weight came right off after I stopped taking the medication.
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smartA
Newly Joined
Registered: June 2009
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Sat June 27, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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Added energy and much less depression
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CONS:
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dry mouth and increased hypoglycemia
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I went from not being able to move off the couch and being so depressed to my old self in less than a week. I take this with Effexor (which by the way I want to discontinue taking but the withdraw is a KILLER). I would recommend a person at least try this. It has worked wonders for me.
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Quorrah
Member
Registered: June 2009
Location: CT
Posts: 34
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Thu June 25, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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PROS:
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I have seen it work a bit on females.
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CONS:
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I have seen more than one male b/c enraged while on this med.
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I was offered this med but felt what I had already was working well.
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sunnyday
Junior Member
Registered: May 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 16
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Wed June 3, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $50.00| Rating: 4
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PROS:
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stops the crazy thoughts, levels mood
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CONS:
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WEIGHT GAIN, flat affect
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I gained forty pounds on this drug. It made me want to eat non-stop!
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Elysium
Where the HELL are we?
Registered: March 2009
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3342
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Thu May 28, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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PROS:
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CONS:
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Emotional blunting and flat affect.
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Really did not find this medication helpful for me. I found myself more flat and blunted emotionally while on this medication and I did not feel it helped with my intrusive thoughts and ruminations.
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Joanofarc
Member
Registered: May 2009
Location: London
Posts: 79
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Thu May 7, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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Alertness, increased sex drive.
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CONS:
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Severe insomnia, restlessness, I also continued to hear intrusive and abusive voices.
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I was on abilify last year and found it did nothing at all to help my symptoms. All it did was make my insomnia worse and make me feel very restless. Unfortunately the audio and tactile hallucinations became worse than ever. I am thankfully on another medication now that works wonders.
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Nic86
Newly Joined
Registered: March 2009
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Sun March 8, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 2
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PROS:
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I can function on it
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CONS:
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Increased hunger, memory loss, fatigue, suicidal ideation
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Unlike other antipsych meds, I can actually get out of bed on Abilify at 15 mg. Unfortunately, it has done little-nothing for the paranoia, caused me to gain 5 lbs in a month, increased my suicidal ideation, and punched major holes in my memory. The memory loss is the most frustrating. It's the only one I can tolerate, but has done nothing helpful insofar as what it's supposed to be treating.
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captainsail
Newly Joined
Registered: February 2009
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Mon February 23, 2009
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 0
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My sister is 61, has had depression and bi polar disorder for 39 years. Now taking Abilify, which is helping prevent highs and lows. Problem is that she is falling a lot when, as she describes it, her legs seem to lock up. Abilify side effects list mentions tremors and muscle pain, but nothing that describes what she experiences. Her blood and thyroid tests are negative. Can anyone explain whether the Abilify could be causing her to fall.
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DePressMe
Grand Magnate
Registered: March 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 3921
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Wed February 18, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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PROS:
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Worked for awhile with very few side effects.
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CONS:
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Suddenly stopped working and side effects became unbearable.
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Abilify worked for awhile but then I started having serious side effects--agitated, uncontrollable movements and many others. After I got off the Abilify I realized that it had blunted my emotions for a long time. I did not really notice that my feelings were gone until they came back. There were many times I felt like my life was gray and I never enjoyed anything but I attributed it to my depression. When my feelings came back I knew it was the Abilify doing it to me. Now that I look back on it, I am saddened that I spent years not feeling anything--it is like I lost a few years of my life and I will never know how I felt about them.
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lamb chops
Newly Joined
Registered: January 2009
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Thu January 29, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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PROS:
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None
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CONS:
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Restlessness, agitation, anxiety, racing thoughts
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Started taking Abilify to help with depression in addition to taking Lamictal for Bipolar Disorder II. Was taking 2mg, then increased to 5mg for about a month before going off of it completely. It helped my energy levels but sent me to the other end of the spectrum from my depression. I couldn't sit still for very long, couldn't watch more than 5 minutes of TV before becoming overstimulated, and had trouble focusing and concentrating. Negative racing thoughts filled my head most of the time. I also started doing things I would never normally do, like I lost my reasoning ability and didn't have regard for the consequences of my actions. Had suicidal thoughts constantly, ending up in the hospital 3 times within 2 months. Two times due to attempts to take my life. One time checked myself in because I felt very close to attempting suicide. Felt like I had no control and that that was the only way out. Stopped taking Abilify after the 3rd visit to the hospital. Feel a million times better without it. My mind is clearer, and I'm back to being myself. Making good decisions and now able to focus for extended periods of time. I don't even know who I was when I was on Abilify.
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MomsGuardian
Newly Joined
Registered: January 2009
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Tue January 13, 2009
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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None
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CONS:
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Zombie like feeling, extreme weight loss, extreme dry mouth, catatonic.
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Trying to keep this short ... I think the drug nearly killed my mother. She had 22 years since diagnosis (bipolar w/psychosis) under her belt and was fairly stable (occassional manic and psychotic epidsodes, but overall if she was doing great) they had her on depakote but she gaining weight on it so she complained. They put her on abilify and she did well at first.
There were a TON of side effects for her... but when I finally got her off the drug 6 months later she was 90 lbs lighter, sat staring at walls for days on end, not eating, not showering, unresponsive, and when she did respond it was violent. It was EXTREMELY unlike her and doctors told me she was going into dementia. I had her hospitalized - she was dehydrated, malnourished, had a BAD kidney infection , was diagnosed as diabetic and had lesions in her mouth that were severe. I thought it was the end (she is elderly) and I'd be putting her in a nursing home and telling her good bye soon. Then I started trying to figure out what "started" this and the abilify came back as a glaring change around the time the decline started.
I got her off the drug and within a week she was up, moving around, responding. It was like her brain was on vacation for 6 months ... she didn't remember any of it. Within 2 months she was pretty much her old self and stable again. And she doesn't have diabetes.
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gypsywoman2010
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2008
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Wed December 31, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $30.00| Rating: 10
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PROS:
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lots of energy, more focus, drive, determination to see things through
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CONS:
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restless, some insomnia, some anxiety
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I believe everyone needs to find their own drug cocktail which will work for them. That said, for three years since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I have gone through risperdal and geodone. Both with huge side effects of weight gain, fuzziness in thinking, and general tiredness. I have nothing to say but positive things about Abilify AFTER the initial one to two month trial period of side effects. Among the most annoying, was insomnia, until my psychiatrist upped my meds from 10mg to 20mg. I didn't sleep for nearly three days. My feet and ankles were so bloated I couldn't wear most of my shoes. There is still some anxiety, but the general feelings of purpose, renewed energy, drive, and ambition make everything worth it. I am asian so I don't usually do well on higher doses, since they effect me more, however Abilify at low doses can cause mania. It perks you right up out of depressive states at low doses, so my doctor had me on 5mg for about two weeks. Then 10mg, then 20mg. If it works for you initially, I say wait out the side effects and make sure your doc is informed about how low doses can cause mania. Good Luck!
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Liliander
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2008
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Thu December 18, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $50.00| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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More energy = more confidence, focused, weight loss, regulated sleep
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CONS:
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Some impulsivity, body feels tired, cost, still anxious and depressed
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After I was prescribed this medication, I read these reviews and was very hesitant to continue. Especially since I haven't been confidently diagnosed as Bipolar yet and also because it is generally used for schizophrenia. I must say, comparatively to the other anti-depressants/bipolar medications, Abilify is one of the best I have tried. On a mere 5mg (for about 2 weeks), I have increased energy, more focus at work, and less desire to eat and sleep. The major major major downside however has been my smoking. I have gone from smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a week, to a pack every 2 days. I also drink more often as well. My anxiety has not decreased and I still go through mood swings and crying, but again, I am just happy not to be sleeping all day. I feel so much better about myself. Lexapro, Celexa, and Prozac although made me happy around my friends, had me nearly catatonic. Now, I feel as though I have more confidence because I actually got out of bed. Still, I am going to continue looking for a cheaper medication that would help with my social anxiety. Any suggestions? Hope this helps.
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Chreey
New Member
Registered: September 2008
Posts: 2
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Fri December 5, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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PROS:
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no side effects
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CONS:
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didn't help mania
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My son had no side effects but was still very manic.
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tarabug922
Member
Registered: November 2008
Location: santa cruz, cali
Posts: 294
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Tue November 25, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $61.25| Rating: 8
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PROS:
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it has stopped the tactile hallucinations
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CONS:
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it has caused me to gain weight, get acne and drool
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I liked abilify a lot before I started realizing the weight gain was related to it. But it does keep the psychosis at bay for which i'm eternally grateful.
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krispy71
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2008
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Tue November 18, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: $35.00| Rating: 7
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This is a drug that is changing my life.
I'm on a mood stabilizer, but this has taken away the "crazy" feeling that I was getting day-to-day after going off an antidepressant and clonezepam.
The only thing I don't like is the restlessness. I'm hoping that will go away over time. I also have horrible, drenching night sweats, but am not sure if it's from the drug or something else.
I'd recommend folks at least give it a shot. I was afraid after reading the posts here...
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Greg77733
Member
Registered: September 2008
Location: Valdosta, Ga.
Posts: 193
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Mon November 17, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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PROS:
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Took me from major dep. to say mild in 3 weeks!!!
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CONS:
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For me a little droggy
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It is like night and day. I take it for Depression, started in Sept. of 08 so far I love it
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cricklecrackle
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2008
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Sun October 26, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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less irritability, no mania at all, no drowsiness at all
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CONS:
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weight gain??? high cost!
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i THINK abilify is helping me a lot with my bipolar mania, but mainly my irrational irritability. I have been on trazodone, zyprexa, seroquel, and risperidone in the past and every pne pf these turned me into a zombie. I have been increasing my dosage of abilify pretty quickly from 2 to 4 to 7 to 10, and have been on it for...about 4 months. The only problem with this drug is the weight gain, which seems to come on quickly. But the drug has a reputation for much lower weight gain than other anti-psychotics, so I think it may be something some people simply can't avoid, and the side effects seem to affect everyone completely differently. SO don't listen if someone says to absolutely not take it! I think it's pretty good for and anti-psychotic.
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hilandera83
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2008
Location: Virginia
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Sun October 26, 2008
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 3
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PROS:
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Stablizes
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CONS:
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Long-term (permanent) side effects
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I started taking Abilify after a depressive episode for bipolar disorder. At first the medicine worked very well, I must say. It does make you very numb, but that is not the problem. I took Abilify for 3 years, and in the last six months I developed terrible symptoms - constant involuntary movements, twitching, shakiness, tremors in all limbs; loss of verbal abilities. I would not recommend anyone take this for bipolar disorder.
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igot_mad
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2008
Location: The Dirty South
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Sat October 25, 2008
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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PROS:
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CONS:
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weakness, panic, hunger, akasthia, agitation
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A waste of my time. It was given to me to abate the anger, but the side effects made me even angrier.
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Skulls
Newly Joined
Registered: August 2008
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Sat August 2, 2008
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Recommended? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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PROS:
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Enabled me to think clearly, weight loss
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CONS:
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Dizzy, drowsy, vomiting
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I've been on this medicine for three weeks. I am bipolar and this is the third medicine I've tried. So far, it seems to be the best. I lost about ten pounds in three weeks just from taking this medicine. However, I felt extremely dizzy and drowsy: sleeping more than fifteen hours a day, and I vomited even when I ate just dry food or fruits.
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happy1
Junior Member
Registered: August 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 19
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Fri August 1, 2008
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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PROS:
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no more visual hallucinations, no more thoughts of harming self
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CONS:
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weight gain, tiredness, lack of self control (impulsivity), zombie-like state, forgetfullness
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Before taking Ablify I had visual hallucinations and thoughts of self harm/suicide (started cutting). After Abilify I gained a lot of weight, had no self control (did things i never would have done), was sometimes in a zombie like state (zoning out), forgetfulness, lacidasical attitude, didn't feel like myself, did innapropriate things...solved some problems but caused more serious ones.
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lovefrogs71
Junior Member
Registered: July 2008
Posts: 14
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Fri July 18, 2008
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Recommended? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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PROS:
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has somewhat calmed my stepsons violent sides
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CONS:
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weight gain(hes 10 yrs. old & weighs 115 now),extreme tiredness,shaky hands
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this med is being given to my 10yr old stepson for his violent side and other issues. he takes 15mg. every night and it knocks him out but his doc wont lower the mg. because of his problems. he also takes 1,000mg. of depakote every morning.
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