Abilify side effects

[crab76]

I've been on 2mg of Abilify for two months. My Pdoc says it's a placebo does and really wants me to be on 5mg. Every time I try to increase I get upper back pain and feel like Im crawling out of my skin. Anyone else have this effect?

This is my 2nd time on abilify. First time I couldn't go up to 5mg either. I gained 10 lbs & had hair loss after 3 mo so I stopped. I lost the 10 lbs but in the meantime had a suicide attempt so I realized I need to be on meds. :-(

This time I BEGGED for wellbutirn to try to counter act my appetite. So far it's working. But I'm also working out like a maniac. So who knows. Weight gain is NOT an option for me.... not even 5lbs.

Also 1st time I had hair loss. I'm sooooo afraid of the hair loss. Now I'm doing Biotin injections weekly and take a ton of vitamins for hair too. Anyone have hair loss from Abilify? My Pdoc says it's unlikey so he makes me feel crazy for blaming the abilify.

So Back pain when trying to increase does.

Weight gain fear

Hair loss fear

Help.... what else can I take? it seems every medication has these side effects.

[SashaSue]

It sounds like you're getting akathisia at higher dosages, which is relatively common with abilify.

What symptoms are you hoping to address with the abilify?

How are you feeling at 2mg?

[crab76]

I have major impulsive behaviors. Suicidal thoughts overtake me. The abilify works wonders on this. BUT as the months pass I am starting to feel these thoughts again. My Pdoc says 2mg isnt enough and wants me to increase. If I stick it out with the side effects on 5mg do you think the Akathisia will ease?

[Anna]

Not necessarily, but there are meds you can take to COUNTER akathesia, if the abilify is really helpful for you. It might be worth looking at other AAPs, too. Geodon is supposedly rather weight neutral.

I think if I'd be blaming the hair loss on anything it would be the WB, I seem to remember that is a side effect, but don't quote me on that....

Good luck,

Anna

[Moody]

Maybe ask your doc if you could try 2.5 (1/2 of a 5mg pill) first? or 3mg? Some people do ok on small doses. Maybe a smaller increase wont give you akathisia?

I only took 2mg a day when I was on Abilify.

I also had hair loss with Abilify, and weight gain. you are not the only one! My hair thinned, but I never got any bald spots, and it seemed to level off after a few months. I had very thick hair to begin with, so no one noticed the hair loss but me. Still, it was distressing. Hopefully your hair loss will be minor.

[BustOfPallas]

Maybe ask your doc if you could try 2.5 (1/2 of a 5mg pill) first? or 3mg? Some people do ok on small doses. Maybe a smaller increase wont give you akathisia?

I only took 2mg a day when I was on Abilify.

I also had hair loss with Abilify, and weight gain. you are not the only one! My hair thinned, but I never got any bald spots, and it seemed to level off after a few months. I had very thick hair to begin with, so no one noticed the hair loss but me. Still, it was distressing. Hopefully your hair loss will be minor.

I had a doctor tell me Abilify was just what I needed. Just laid down and would not, could not sleep. I had to take like 2 ambiens and still had problems.

I already had problems staying asleep due to pain problems and had been taking Ambien so maybe it somehow was making that less effective.

I stopped it immediately. Dumb thing to give someone with pain induced sleep deprivation something that causes insomnia. I went from not having any problems falling asleep to not even being able to do that.