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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by puravida on August 21, 2010, at 6:30:51
Hi everyone,
I've just completed a two week trial of Abilify and wanted to share my "findings" here. I have been taking 5 mg in addition to 60 mg Prozac and 300 mg Wellbutrin XL.
First, it WORKS. I haven't felt like my "old" self like this in years and years, despite being on meds of various flavors since 1995. I remember when I was first put on Prozac and how all of a sudden I could look and see clearly that I had been depressed, and that on Prozac, I wasn't. The addition of Abilify seemed to take me from being able to handle my depression to being completely undepressed. Both thumbs up there.
For the side effects, I've gained 6 lbs in these two weeks. :( And I have been super hungry. Not anxious I want to pig out hungry, but hungry in my stomach, like I need to eat, and NOW. I haven't changed my lifestyle or started eating extra, so I have to say the weight gain is due to Abilify.
How I've been different the past two weeks: Decisions are simple - I don't have to talk myself into getting out of bed, I just do it. Up early, sleeping well, too! I guess overall my self-control is just so much easier - it makes me realize how abnormal I have been most of all these years. And I'm able to easily see the glass half full, without taking half a day of self-therapy, or more. No physical side effects, except for the hunger pangs and the weight gain.
But I can't afford to keep taking it, at $400 a month, so...we'll see what happens. Because I do have basic insurance, I don't qualify for the drug companies patient assistance program. I am sort of hoping that now that I remember how it feels to be really, really undepressed, that I can keep acting "as if" - and maybe, maybe...???
Well, yesterday took 2.5 mg, today I am out, so we'll see. This past week has been super productive, catching up on a lot I have procrastinated on. I hope I can keep the momentum going without the Abilify. Gotta try. Otherwise I may have to drop my insurance so I qualify for PAP - how messed up is that? :)
PV
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 21, 2010, at 7:08:10
In reply to Abilify Effects, posted by puravida on August 21, 2010, at 6:30:51
I also take Abilify, at a higher dose for bipolar disorder. If you feel so inclined, you can get it off the internet from other countries for a lot less than you'd pay at a US or Canadian pharmacy...that's how I get my Abilify, and it works quite well.
Good luck.
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 21, 2010, at 19:18:58
In reply to Re: Abilify Effects, posted by Christ_empowered on August 21, 2010, at 7:08:10
That's great! That's how abilify worked for me. I felt completely untroubled and normal. But I continued to gain weight at the rate of 2-3 pounds per week, despite adding thyroid and dieting and exercising obsessively. So you have to watch out for that. Sometimes the weight gain will taper off for people and, of course, sometimes people are thin and could stand to gain some weight (not me, alas). The good news is that if you respond to abilify, you will probably also respond to zyprexa and risperdal. These also can cause weight gain, but not always. I also responded to perphenazine, an older anti-psychotic which does not cause weight gain (at least not for me).
Posted by Maxime on August 27, 2010, at 22:23:26
In reply to Re: Abilify Effects, posted by emmanuel98 on August 21, 2010, at 19:18:58
What dosage were you on? Do you think you would have still gained weight at a lower dosage?
Posted by puravida on August 28, 2010, at 0:49:21
In reply to Abilify Effects, posted by puravida on August 21, 2010, at 6:30:51
I forked over the big bucks and am back on Abilify today. The morning was a struggle, then I took 5 mg and a nap, and have had a really productive afternoon. Like - what I seem to remember "normal" being. Actually could sit down and work on my finances. But now I can't get to sleep. ;(
As for the weight gain, I do think the Abilify has something to do with it, even at 5 mg. When I gain I usually gain all over - but lately it seems to be gathering in my belly. Now that I'm back on track (assuming I am) I figure I have a better chance of getting to the gym and eating well on Abilify than if I am depressed. So, we'll see.
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 30, 2010, at 20:28:55
In reply to Re: Abilify Effects » emmanuel98, posted by Maxime on August 27, 2010, at 22:23:26
> What dosage were you on? Do you think you would have still gained weight at a lower dosage?
I needed 5 mg to feel normal. I tried taking 2 and the abilify didn't work at that low a dose, but IT STILL made me gain weight. I just can't take abilify.
Posted by Conundrum on August 31, 2010, at 5:41:48
In reply to Re: Abilify Effects, posted by emmanuel98 on August 21, 2010, at 19:18:58
I've lost 9 lbs while on abilify + Remeron. Woo Hoo!
I wasn't even on one of the fattening atypicals before I got on abilify.
It seems to give me energy when I take it in conjunction with remeron.
Posted by puravida on August 31, 2010, at 6:47:37
In reply to Update: Re: Abilify Effects, posted by puravida on August 28, 2010, at 0:49:21
Yep, it's working. I'm feeling almost normal again - a big part of it is the feelings of shame and guilt that come with the whole depression things for me.
As for the weight gain, it could be due to being so fiercely hungry, snd so often. But I figure now that I am feeling mentally normal again, perhaps my self control with eating and exercise will get better. I hope so!
Posted by Conundrum on August 31, 2010, at 8:34:34
In reply to Three days in Re: Update: Re: Abilify Effects, posted by puravida on August 31, 2010, at 6:47:37
If you feel hungry try to ignore it. Eventually your appetite will decrease and so will your waste. Get used to going to bet not full, but not so little food that your blood sugar drops. It will be easier for you now that you are feeling better, I'm sure of that.
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 31, 2010, at 19:41:35
In reply to Re: Three days in Re: Update: Re: Abilify Effects » puravida, posted by Conundrum on August 31, 2010, at 8:34:34
Lucky for you. My p-doc told me he had patients on abilify who are skinny as rails and never gained an ounce. My bad luck!
Posted by Conundrum on August 31, 2010, at 19:51:08
In reply to Re: Three days in Re: Update: Re: Abilify Effects » Conundrum, posted by emmanuel98 on August 31, 2010, at 19:41:35
Yeh well maybe I'm lucky. I've had moments where my chest really hurt while on it with 45 mg remeron. Maybe its too stimulating? Right now I'm just on 30 and I can sense it only slightly.
This is the end of the thread.
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