Benefits Of Abilify Information

Benefits Of Abilify Posts

Questions and Answers

Any suggestions out there for How Long it takes to feel benefit from Abilify..?? That is if I am on Celexa already? Reason I say that is the Drugs for me work quicker when I am already on something then when it is done solely due to the "Synergistic" Effect...?? Tank U

mommyof8plus1 replied: "Works right away you should see a change in less than a week."

Hope replied: "I use Abilify. It seems that the effects of the medication are felt either that day it is taken, or the next."

justice_for_derry replied: "Abilify worked right away for me...literally within the first couple of days!!! I was amazed because so many meds take time to reach therapeutic levels."

Have you taken Geodon and switched to Abilify? I am on Geodon right now for Bibolar Disorder, and suffering from recurrent moderate nausea. If you quit Geodon bc of nausea and are taking Abilify, are you less nauseated on Abilify than on Geodon? I am thinking of trying a switch, but I've changed meds so much in the last 6 months that I don't want to go thru it again unless the benefits wil outweigh the costs...

justkristie replied: "i've tried both geodon and abilify. geodon made me have headaches and abilify did nothing for me. i'm currently taking zyprexa and switching over to seroquel. i don't think there was any nausea from abilify. my biggest problem is weight gain and appetite control."

fiVe replied: "It's different for everyone since everyone's body chemistry is different, but I had less side effects with Abilify. I took Geodon for a while first, but I had constant heartburn, so I had to stop it. I switched to Abilify and haven't had any physical side effects."

Can you get calmness from abilify(Aripiprazole)? I'm just going to start taking abilify and just wants to know the benefits of the medicine. I'm 15 BTW. I want to know if it really give you calmness or confidence... THANKS in advance

Hippie :) replied: "I was on abilify for a while to treat my bipolar II. I am also 15. It did nothing for me, I felt the same. Eventually I came off it and am now on Risperidone, which is working nicely."

Cyd replied: "Abilify can give you calmness but you need to supply the confidence. Once the medication starts to work it should be much easier to become more and more confident. I take it and it really does help with anxiety and keep you calm. Just give it time to work. Best of luck."

What can I add to my Zoloft to increase the benefit of the anti-depressant besides Abilify? Please only people who understand depression and antidepressants respond! I've been on every anti depressant for the last 5 years. I'm only 23! The one ive taken the longest is Zoloft. Currently its the only pill that works on most my depression and schizophrenic issues. But I sleep 12-20 hours a day!! This is a major fatigue that isnt just depression. I'm having my thyroid checked as Graves Disease could be a factor. I recently tried Abilify with my Zoloft. It worked at first and I was energized and had desires again! But it wore off in a week and Im back to all that sleep. I feel like im 54! Anyone know a good additive for an antidepressant? I'm considering Lamictal next. Ive been on.. Elavil, Paxil, Amitriptyline and Celexa. Yes I am currently under a pyschiatrists care. And will take his advice but would also like advice of other patients as well. Thanks!!

Simon W replied: "You can take Reboxetine with Zoloft, it will make you feel more awake and more motivated, in the USA you can not buy Reboxetine as it is not FDA approved. I get on fine with an old tricyclic called imipramine, also the SNRIs such as Venlafaxine and Duloxetine are worth a try. If you have schizophrenia you will need to find a good antipsychotic that helps you with no side effects, I have been on 9 different ones and I like Chlorpromazine best."

bi-polar and abilify? ok, so my husband is bipolar (rapid-cycle) and wants to go off of Lamictal and change to Abilify. Has anyone had any experience with this drug and it's effects? the Lamictal's side effects are far outweighing the benefits now that he has been taking it for a few yrs. Or, is there anything else that will work also?

unknown replied: "I did try abilify and I went more insane. It did not work for me at all. I would of never have told anyone about it. The only thing is that my friend tried abilify and she has been doing great! It has done wonders for her. You have to try it out. But i strongly advice that it is a very strong med and you should not do nothing until you know how it will affect you and if you do try it and you feel anything wrong, right away stop taking it. Again it is really strong."

SexiJessi replied: "I'm rapid cycling Bi polar as well and have been consistently taking abilify for three years now. Everything is great and the side affects are minimal... except that since I started taking it I have been sleep walking and eating in my sleep. It has gotten so bad that I wandered out of my apartment and woke up on the other side of the street! I also woke up one morning and had coleslaw caked in my sheets and in my hair because my sleep eating has steadily been getting worse. I have gained lots of weight and have terrible nightmares accompanied by occasional sleep paralysis... Which is a horrible experience where you are conscious but your body is still paralyzed like you are sleeping still... I also have friends on the drug with the same problems.... one of them had such severe side effects that he drove to nebraska in his sleep! So just be careful and keep a close eye on him... As far as I'm concerned the only side effects are the ones associated with sleep! My fiance has an alarm on the door so I don't leave the house and locks the pantry at night so I can't get to the unhealthy foods... Just be prepared, and expect strange things... Ha Ha! I hope he enjoys it though as it has really helped my mood swings and temper."

Abilify and insomnia. Does anything help improve sleep while taking Abilify? I have been taking Abilify for about 6 weeks. It has helped me with my racing thoughts, anger issues, and overall has helped me with some mild depression. It has helped me function on the job, with peers, significantly. Several have commented to me that I am much more relaxed than I have been in months. I honestly didn't know I was having the problems I clearly was with mood and behavior. Insomnia and tiredness seem to be my worst symptoms of the Abilify. I switched to taking it in the AM and this has helped with sleep, but it still is not good, maybe averaging 5 hours per night. The restlessness and need to walk almost all the time is worse in the evening for me, and unfortunately I work evenings, but still the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives. I look forward to hearing from some of you with Bipolar 1 Disorder, who are also prescribed Lithium as I am, with your experiences coping with side effects of Abilify.

Kyasarin replied: "I find Abilify makes me very tired so I take it in the evening but I'm still drowsy all day. Sorry to hear about your side effects, I'm told it can take weeks to go away but I would call your doctor and explain that they aren't going away. Good luck."

insanew/nasty intervals ofsanity replied: "sweetie i am on lithium and abilify. although i have bipolar II ultra rapid cycling. the only thing i have found to help with my restlessness and sleeping is a medication my pdoc prescribed for me...seroquel. it also is an anti-psychotic which helps with the bipolar. if i wasn't taking seroquel i would not sleep at all. i even take the abilify in the mornings but it still causes insomnia. i would suggest speaking with your doctor about these unwanted side effects and see if he/she can give you something to help you sleep. do you have whats called restless leg syndrome? if so i have that as well. (it where you have to keep your legs moving, they cant sit still) i take a bata blocker for that. it safer than all the medications out there for the restless leg syndrome. feel free to email me anytime. i wish you all the best! good luck and my you find sleep soon! take care...hugs!"

mldohm replied: "I take Lexapro and Abilify. When I first started the Abilify I was bouncing off the walls and couldn't sleep, either. But in time, like about 3 weeks, things calmed down. It might just not be doing that for you. I've also heard that HIGHER doses of Abilify will not cause as much "jumpiness" and insomnia as lower doses do. Seems strange, but I've read it in several places after Googling "Abilify side effects". Maybe talk to your doctor about increasing the dose for awhile to see if that works better for you. Some people just can't take certain medications because of the side effects. Hope you get things worked out!!"

Andy replied: "I get insomnia from the abilify. To help with it, I take Lunesta 3mg @ bedtime."

How much money can I get from SSDI if I got pre-approved by a lawyer? I got pre approved by a lawyer about a week ago. He said that I will probably get on in a month to 2 years. I have rapid cycling bi polar, severe depression, I am mentally delayed, and I have hip problems. I'm on lythium, abilify, and lomatrigine. Also I'm on pain killers. How much do you think I'll get from SSDI benefits?

Worldly25 replied: "700 or less a month and medicaid."

Who was prescribed Abilify, Luvox, & Xanex @ her first visit with a psychiatrist? I am a mental health nurse & I was stunned by the diagnosis & treatment prescribed. Obviously, I do not have all the details but this is disturbing. The person who stated Abilify is poison - no it is not. There is no guarantee that we will respond favorably to all medications prescribed to us. A competent practitioner will take all the necessary precautions & with the patient's collaboration, weigh the risks & the benefits before deciding on the appropriate course of treatment. Three powerful medications prescribed at the same time - in a word YIKES!!! I am often asked "Is this a good medication?" My response is always the same - if it works well for you then it is a good medication. Cost is always a consideration - if a medication is not affordable, it is not good. There are safe alternatives to the neighborhood pharmacy however, one must be diligent & cautious in searching & buying. Mercola is a fantastic web site. I subscribe & use the info both personally & professionally. Thanks for the suggestion.

Zabes replied: "Wow - I would have to get a 2nd opinion. Most Psychiatrists start 1 medication at a time."

shaneris5 replied: "See: DRUG CO. $ CORRUPTED PSYCHIATRY! and HOW DOCTORS ARE BEING MANIPULATED!!! in section 1, at Educate yourself in how BIG PHARMA is influencing the FDA, educators, politicians, etc. in the quest for more profits, at the expense of the health of ordinary people, and causing children to be forcibly put on addictive drugs. Consider signing up for the regular, free Ezine, at which is the largest alternative health website in the world."

Is anyone familiar with the drug ABILIFY (aripiprazole) and if so, can you give me anything that will set my m mind at ease. It was prescribed to me today, and I don't like taking meds. I know nothing about. Benefits, side effects.... any info will be appreciated

tee_girl replied: "go to this site type in the meds name it will open a page that will answer all of your questions and more"

♥ lani s replied: "Abilify is used in the treatment of psychological disorder called schizophrenia. A person with schizophrenia loses touches with reality such as having hallucinations, having false beliefs, and disorganized thinking. Abilify is thought to work by modifying sensitivity to two of the brain's chief chemical messengers, serotonin and dopamine. (Serotonin functions include regulation of mood,anger,and aggression while dopamine functions important roles in behavior and cognition, motor activity, motivation and reward, sleep, mood, attention, and learning.) By modification of the sensitivity of dopamine and serotonin, it is thought that the mood, behavior, attention and learning abilities will be modified too. Using such medicine can cause involuntary movements in the face and body including chewing movements, puffing the cheeks, and sticking out the tongue. Common side effcects includes anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, cough, headache, insomnia, light-headedness, nausea, rash, restlessness, runny nose, sleepiness, tremors, vomiting, weakness, and weight gain. The effects would depend on the level of the medicine in your body thus your doctor will see to it that the dose prescribed is at its lowest dose."

james B replied: "Aripiprazole is used to treat schizophrenia, which is a mental disorder. It is also used to treat the mania phase of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness). This medicine should NOT be used to treat behavioral problems in older adult patients who have dementia."

Zyprexa for bipolar disorder? Do you take Zyprexa for bipolar disorder (currently)? If so, does it work for you? What dosage are you on? What side effects do you get? For certain side effects do you take a medication to counteract it? Do you feel the benefits of the medicine outways the potential risks? If you could answer as many questions as you can that would most helpful for me as I'm debating using Zyprexa for bipolar disorder. my current/past meds (Lithium, Depakote, Tegratol, Abilify, Risperdal, Invega, Seroquel, Geodon, Topamax, Neurontin) are not working for me. I'm currently not afraid of the weight gain, high cholesterol, or diabetes currently because I'm only 132lbs. but things could change. Thanks again. Andy....

helpinggene replied: "Don't go on Zyprexa it is a horrible drug. It causes bad side effects and withdrawal symptoms. You need counseling. These drugs doctors are putting people on are dangerous. Doctors should be counseling people on all truths instead of putting them on medication. I asked the doctors if telepathy exists. They put me on Zyprexa to keep me from thinking this. She said, "take this drug and you will not believe it." All they had to do was tell me the truth and tell me telepathy doesn't exist. I do believe in God and my own thoughts. God, doesn't put voices in our heads we still have to produce our own thoughts. God will guide us but we have to trust in him and produce our own thoughts. I stopped taking Lithium for three months now. I am trying to ween my self off of the Zyprexa but I get headaches when I go off it. I go through withdrawal when off it. Do not take this drug, or you will have problems going off it. Doctors get kick backs from putting people on this drug. There needs to be reform in the mental counseling. You have to learn how to get rid of your anger and hate to help your self out."