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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dieliving on December 13, 2009, at 20:09:04
Hi all,
Been reading this site for years and finally decided to dive in.
What would you "generally" classify Abilify as (from your personal experience)?
1. Upper/Stimulant
2. Mood Stabilizer
3. Downer/SedativeThanks and all the best.
Posted by emmanuel98 on December 13, 2009, at 21:25:31
In reply to Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by dieliving on December 13, 2009, at 20:09:04
I took abilify several times for severe depression and it worked wonders for me, with absolutely no noticable effects. It pulled me out of depressions within 48 hours, repeatedly. So I guess I would call it a mood stabilizer. It had no upper or downer effects.
Unfortunately, it made me gain tremendous amounts of weight. This, apparently, is unusual. If you can take abilify without gaining weight, I would highly recommend it. Except for the weight gain, it had no side effects at all. At least not for me.
Posted by obsidian on December 13, 2009, at 21:58:06
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by emmanuel98 on December 13, 2009, at 21:25:31
> I took abilify several times for severe depression and it worked wonders for me, with absolutely no noticable effects. It pulled me out of depressions within 48 hours, repeatedly. So I guess I would call it a mood stabilizer. It had no upper or downer effects.
>
> Unfortunately, it made me gain tremendous amounts of weight. This, apparently, is unusual. If you can take abilify without gaining weight, I would highly recommend it. Except for the weight gain, it had no side effects at all. At least not for me.what dosage did you find most helpful?
thanks,
sid
Posted by emmanuel98 on December 14, 2009, at 2:14:44
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer? » emmanuel98, posted by obsidian on December 13, 2009, at 21:58:06
At 10mg/day, I felt perfect. At 5mg, I felt better but still had some depression. At 2mg, it did nothing at all for me.
Posted by willyeee on December 14, 2009, at 3:17:45
In reply to Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by dieliving on December 13, 2009, at 20:09:04
I believe at lower doses its a dopamine modulator,rather then anti gonist of any kind.You might want to start by googling ablify at lower doses,again i believe at the lower spectrum the drug takes on a specific action.
Posted by Zyprexa on December 14, 2009, at 3:32:47
In reply to Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by dieliving on December 13, 2009, at 20:09:04
I'd give it a number 1.
Posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2009, at 7:33:08
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by Zyprexa on December 14, 2009, at 3:32:47
Why not start at a low dose see how it goes and up it from there if needed? Just a thought. Phillipa
Posted by SheilaC on December 14, 2009, at 8:10:10
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2009, at 7:33:08
I love how Abilify makes me feel. I can get by on a tiny dose of 1 -2.5mg a night. I am a very slow metabolizer.
It pulls me out of a depression very quickly and it also boosts my sex drive/response, which is unusual with psych meds.
My only problem with Abilify is that it makes me swell up and I did have weight gain.
Posted by obsidian on December 14, 2009, at 13:23:50
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by SheilaC on December 14, 2009, at 8:10:10
I took it at 10mgs, and I felt overstimulated and had a weird acidic sensation arising from my esophagus.
Initially, at the small dose I started at I felt a little brighter, but I have a sense I can't take too much of anything that is stimulating in nature.
Posted by Phidippus on December 14, 2009, at 15:02:25
In reply to Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by dieliving on December 13, 2009, at 20:09:04
I would say its a very stimulating antipsychotic.
P
Posted by bleauberry on December 14, 2009, at 18:08:32
In reply to Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by dieliving on December 13, 2009, at 20:09:04
This is an interesting thread.
I was curious of all who have participated, were you taking an AD with Abilify or was Abilify the only medication?
I thought Abilify was primary an AD augmentor, but not a good med by itself. I would like to be wrong on that. Your thoughts? Did you take other meds with it?
I'm curious, because if the posters here were taking other medications, then the comments on how Abilify worked are probably not accurate...there was synergy involved with the other med, so the other med is partially responsible for the credit, not just Abilify by itself.
But if someone did get good stuff from just Abilify on its own, that would be very cool news. I would like to hear that.
Posted by dieliving on December 14, 2009, at 18:23:54
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by bleauberry on December 14, 2009, at 18:08:32
> This is an interesting thread.
>
> I was curious of all who have participated, were you taking an AD with Abilify or was Abilify the only medication?
>
> I thought Abilify was primary an AD augmentor, but not a good med by itself. I would like to be wrong on that. Your thoughts? Did you take other meds with it?
>
> I'm curious, because if the posters here were taking other medications, then the comments on how Abilify worked are probably not accurate...there was synergy involved with the other med, so the other med is partially responsible for the credit, not just Abilify by itself.
>
> But if someone did get good stuff from just Abilify on its own, that would be very cool news. I would like to hear that.
I second that motion.Perhaps I should have been more specific in my original post.
Posted by obsidian on December 14, 2009, at 18:40:50
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by bleauberry on December 14, 2009, at 18:08:32
I was on effexor xr 225mgs, lamictal 100mgs at the time...maybe a little klonopin, I don't remember
Posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2009, at 19:03:13
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by obsidian on December 14, 2009, at 18:40:50
Anyone else? That would be great if it worked solo in tiny doses. Phillipa
Posted by Justherself54 on December 14, 2009, at 19:14:31
In reply to Re: Abilify: upper, stabilizer, downer?, posted by obsidian on December 14, 2009, at 18:40:50
My pdoc is in the process of trying to get samples from the pharm company. It's to be used an a booster for my AD. Does anyone know if it helps prevent the dreaded poop-out?
This is the end of the thread.
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