deeschmee Posted December 3 I agreed to take Abilify today. Half a tablet then moving up to a whole tablet I think 5 mg. I've read about all these crazy side effects and I really don't want to take it. I think my real problem is that Im lonley. I'm severely isolated but I feel much better when I'm dating someone or hanging out with someone. My Dad recently died and I had no one to talk it over with except my therapist. I feel my best when I have a friend or a boyfriend.. I really don't need this medicine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
~nestling~ Posted December 3 You never know, you might be fine with it, and it might help limit all the anxiety that is keeping you isolated... you never know unless you try. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notloki Posted December 3 Attitudes like this do not get you better. 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iceberg Posted December 3 @deeschmee have u taken many psych meds. before ? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
echolocation Posted December 3 is there another medication that you would be more willing to take? what scares you specifically about abilify? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeschmee Posted December 4 I'm scared of all the side effects of abilify. I took it last night and got a stomach ache. I've been on a variety of SSRI s tricyclic, sleep meds, clonazepam and seroquel. I know my major problem is loneliness. That makes me feel like shit. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iceberg Posted December 4 1 hour ago, deeschmee said: I'm scared of all the side effects of abilify. I took it last night and got a stomach ache. I've been on a variety of SSRI s tricyclic, sleep meds, clonazepam and seroquel. I know my major problem is loneliness. That makes me feel like shit. Well 5 mgs is a pretty low dose, so if things go bad you could just stop before there is any real issue, and abilify is pretty highly prescribed which means that docs know how to handle the side effects. Also, a lot of major scary side effects don’t just happen overnight. Some people have really good success with low dose abilify for depressive. Symptoms so it could definetly be worth it 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeschmee Posted December 4 That is very helpful information. I appreciate it. My thought is that I've been trying medications for over 13 years. My pdoc did say my depression is somewhat treatment resistant so we talked about ECT and ketamine therapy. He let me decide about abilify. Also, I just realized I had 5 days off in a row and I got blackout drunk day one which triggered me too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iceberg Posted December 4 16 minutes ago, deeschmee said: That is very helpful information. I appreciate it. My thought is that I've been trying medications for over 13 years. My pdoc did say my depression is somewhat treatment resistant so we talked about ECT and ketamine therapy. He let me decide about abilify. Also, I just realized I had 5 days off in a row and I got blackout drunk day one which triggered me too Obviously I’m not your pdoc but it sounds like their might be other options in between ECT/ketamine too... but I’d try the “first things first” mentality and see where the abilify gets you first 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melancholya Posted December 4 I took abilify for a little bit and I did have some crappy side effects but they were only at the VERY beginning. So like within the first 3 days. Then after that I was fine. I came off it because I felt no effect from it! But I've read online that a lot of people have benefited from it. Doesn't hurt to try I reckon. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coraline Posted December 4 I understand being scared of meds and possible side effects.. But it's best to try the med and see if it helps you.. You can always stop if side effects get problematic.. It sounds like you are in a dark place right now and could benefit from this med.. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeschmee Posted December 4 I'm going to take all of this into serious consideration. You all have been so helpful. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gearhead Posted December 4 4 hours ago, deeschmee said: Also, I just realized I had 5 days off in a row and I got blackout drunk day one which triggered me too Does your doc know you do that? Drinking like that is going to effect how any med you takes works. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
argh Posted December 4 Alcohol interferes with most psych meds. For me, it neutralizes the effect of gabapentin and lamotrigine. If I was to drink on a regular basis I would have to use something else, despite my mood stabilizers working quite well. Tell your doc, but if you will be noncompliant, cut out any other behaviors which might have an effect on your condition. You might find that you truly don't need it. With your doc's permission of course. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Juniper29 Posted December 4 Abilify has been helpful for me. I have some side effects but so far they are minor, I do worry about long-term side effects, but I keep taking it because it helps so much. I would definitely try Abilify before ECT. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeschmee Posted December 4 8 hours ago, Gearhead said: Does your doc know you do that? Drinking like that is going to effect how any med you takes works. He doesn't but I will tell him. It only happened once but it's bad 7 hours ago, argh said: Alcohol interferes with most psych meds. For me, it neutralizes the effect of gabapentin and lamotrigine. If I was to drink on a regular basis I would have to use something else, despite my mood stabilizers working quite well. Tell your doc, but if you will be noncompliant, cut out any other behaviors which might have an effect on your condition. You might find that you truly don't need it. With your doc's permission of course. He said it was my choice to take it. But I have to tell him about the drinking too 25 minutes ago, Juniper29 said: Abilify has been helpful for me. I have some side effects but so far they are minor, I do worry about long-term side effects, but I keep taking it because it helps so much. I would definitely try Abilify before ECT. I'm worried about sex compulsion, permanent tardive dyskinesia and suicide. There's some lawsuits with all this too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Juniper29 Posted December 4 14 minutes ago, deeschmee said: I'm worried about sex compulsion, permanent tardive dyskinesia and suicide. There's some lawsuits with all this too Well it killed my sex drive, along with the Prozac, but I know it can affect some people that way. It actually stopped me from being suicidal. I worry about TD too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notloki Posted December 6 Since the side effect is REVERSIBLE there is no point in not taking it. What harm is done ? 1 1 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Antecedent Posted December 6 (edited) It is up to you what you decide. Your pdoc didn't feel the need to push this on you, he left it up to you. He's the expert and he trusted you to make this decision, so don't let anyone here or anywhere else try to push you into it if you don't want it. On the other hand you are also getting the perspectives of people who have been on it and more information, that seems very helpful It sounds like you are lonely and bereaved, and the med won't help with that, but at the same time the hope is it will help with the depression. Whatever you decide we're all here and we got your back. Edited December 6 by Antecedent 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeschmee Posted December 7 9 hours ago, Antecedent said: It is up to you what you decide. Your pdoc didn't feel the need to push this on you, he left it up to you. He's the expert and he trusted you to make this decision, so don't let anyone here or anywhere else try to push you into it if you don't want it. On the other hand you are also getting the perspectives of people who have been on it and more information, that seems very helpful It sounds like you are lonely and bereaved, and the med won't help with that, but at the same time the hope is it will help with the depression. Whatever you decide we're all here and we got your back. This makes the most sense to me. I appreciate everyone's input though. He just prescribed mirtzapine which I feel better about. I think the loneliness triggers my depression for sure.... I just want to say how grateful I am for each and every one of you. Your my people 💓 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
