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Aripiprazole (Abilify)

Would You Recommend Aripiprazole (Abilify)

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Administrator
Administrator

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Posted - 11/15/2007 : 22:52:03

Dear Members,

If you have been treated with aripiprazole (Abilify) for your Bipolar I Disorder, on the basis of your experience:

Would you recommend aripiprazole to other members for the treatment of their depressive episodes of Bipolar I Disorder?

Would you recommend aripiprazole to other members for the treatment of their manic episodes of Bipolar I Disorder?

How much did one month's supply of aripiprazole cost?

Before you write your review, please use the Yes-No-Unsure buttons on the bottom of this post to indicate if you would recommend aripiprazole to other members.

Phil Long M.D.
Administrator

dizzydean
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Posted - 11/19/2007 : 06:34:33

As for mania, I took 20 mg of Abilify twice daily and did not have an theraputic benefit. (probably summer of 2005.)

But on the question as to whether I would recommend aripirazole for depression is a resounding YESSSS!!!! I am on a very low dose and haven't been depressed since exactly ten days after begining it. (In May 2007.) This drug was kinda like a last resort with me, because we had tried seemingly every thing for my 2.5 year depression, but I am glad to say, this has been somewhat of a "wonder drug." for me.

Dizzy aka Aunt DD

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

mawkernewek
Starting Member

38 Posts
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Posted - 10/29/2008 : 10:03:08

My story is I had an episode of psychotic mania, was treated with risperidone and a month later became depressed.

I switched to aripiprazole about 3 months later and the depression lifted.

I also started citalopram at the same time I switched from risperidone to aripiprazole so can't be sure whether it was the change of antipsychotic or the antidepressant that did the trick.

I think the aripiprazole hasn't demotivated me like the risperidone did, so I think it's better for depression.

I haven't been manic since (9 months) so can also recommend it for mania.

It cost me nothing as we have the lovely NHS here in the UK.

stigmastomper (inactive)
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)

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Posted - 01/24/2009 : 06:18:47

i just started abilify, im currently on risperdone.

so far its making me short of breath heart pounding.
i have heard one can develop uncontrollable movements how frequently does this happen? ive heard that once you develop the tardive dyskensia on this stuff it doesent go away.

JodyWoo
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)

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Posted - 01/25/2009 : 00:56:22

Well, I took Abilify for a while and it made me extremely sick.

It took all my strength away, made me extremely tired, and I had no focus. I also started getting random muscle twitches all over my body.
I couldn't walk half a mile without needing to sit down because my muscles couldn't take it (and this is coming from someone who easily walked 6-8 miles daily) and I really suffered from it.
There were many other negative side-effects for me, but those are definitely the worst.

The bad was more than the good in this case, but I'm one case and it affects each person differently.

Jody
Waves of silver, waves of gold
Are coming now to take me,
To separate my body from my soul
And Jesus leaves or takes me.
Hopes of heaven, fears of hell
And what's the chance I'll make it.
When all my other plans have failed,
And I've tried so hard to fake it.

lynn2150
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)

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Posted - 01/25/2009 : 01:14:44

OMG,
Stigs, I am worried about you.
I discovered my resting heart rate was 96 bpm.
The Propranalol, Doc gave me for tremors, (lithium)
brought my resting heart rate to normal.
Before treatment, I felt faint, and my heart was beating erraticaly, four beats, pause, one beat, pause, four beats, and I could FEEL discomfort in my chest.
Long story short, I hope you tell your Doctor about your symptoms, or side effects.
Hi Jody !!
PPS- I have had the same GP and Pharmacist, for 27 years,
They are very good to me, always ready to listen and answer questions.
Same with the Pharmacy up the street. Very good.
All of my Doctors are good, I am very fortunate.

Note to self: ask God what His plans are, for me, for the day.
.

IamMax
Starting Member

6 Posts
Gratitude: 3

Posted - 09/10/2011 : 09:42:53

I took ability for my mania and it was the worst experience of my life. It was suppose to be taken before bed once daily but two weeks into it I couldn't sleep one night after taking it. For some reason my temazepam wasn't working. I remember sitting on the couch and looking at the green fan. I remember feeling like the fan had a persona and I told it to leave my apartment and it wouldn't leave. Then I felt like someone was in my bathroom and I felt scared. I even called the police but when they went to the bathroom I saw something move past me and go out the door. Everything was messed up in my head and I remember just telling the cops to get out of my apartment over and over and over. It's a terrible medication. I've never felt that way in my entire life. I even found a metal pot in the microwave that smelled burnt and the glass top was cracked. I think I microwaved it at some point but I don't remember doing that. I don't ever want to feel that way again. It made me paranoid and has shattered my ego. I'm not sure what is real at all and I'm scared to tell anyone about it that knows me because I don't want to go back. I just take my divalproex and avoid people as much as possible.

warblaster
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112498 Posts

Posted - 02/01/2021 : 13:34:40