DISCLAIMER: iGuard is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. iGuard cannot and does not take into consideration every possible interaction or account for individual responses to medicine. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have before making any changes to your treatment. The use of the iGuard site and its content is at your own risk. The iGuard site and the information contained in it is intended for users in the United States and information in other countries may be different.
Global Patient Feedback for Abilify (Aripiprazole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
My 11 year old son was diagosed with bipolar ,odd, adhd on 4-14-09.The Doctor put him on Equetro 300 mg. took it for a week behavior increased,broke out in a skin rash.stopped the Equetro. On 5-6-09 started abilify 5 mg. After a few days, a complete difference.In February 26,09 my son was so out of control hitting me, throwing,kicking,& breaking things all over my house, my 9 year old daughter was terrifed of him. I called the police, they took him to juvinile for the night. He got 6 months probation and a whole list of things to comply with. I knew my son had symtoms over a year ago, but was afraid of putting him on med's from all the bad things you hear about med's & trusting God was going to heal him, but with the help from the abilify he has had less out breaks..I think he has had this since 4 or 5 years old. thats how long the violents out breaks have been accuring. my e-mail is darling-angel@hotmail.com
37 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-13 15:06:28
Member Answer/Reply:
My 9 yo daughter is ODD, ADHD, and possibly bi-polar; I want to agree with someone else that mentioned the physical activity. I have my children in Tae Kwon Do and have found that to help immensely as well with the problems that we have with her at home. It has instill a lot of self confidence in her and runs some of the energy out of her as well. Her symptoms started at age 2 1/2, so I know what it is like having to deal with these behaviors for so long. It is tiring and heartbreaking. If you want to talk more, my email is angelarobbins@comcast.net.
My daughter is not on abilify, I am starting it as of today for myself. I am looking here to see how others have liked/disliked it and what the typical side effects are. Good luck to everyone and God Bless.
30 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-07-18 00:47:36
Question/Comment:
I was on this medication for a short time for bi-polar and it was horrible. I was very tired from it and I was nauseated every time I took it. I know everyone reacts differently to meds but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
28 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-10 09:08:56
Member Answer/Reply:
DID YOU EVER TRY TAKING ABILIFY WITH FOOD? I TOOK IT ONCE WITH OUT FOOD AND FELT VERY SICK. I NOW KNOW TOTAKE IT WITH FOOD AND AM FINE. IT TOOK ALIITLE WHILE TO GET USED TO IT BECAUSE IWAS TIRED AT FIRST BUT THAT WENT AWAY FOR THE MOST PART. I DON'T RECCOMEND GEODON BECAUSE THAT KNOCKED ME ON MY BUTT BIG TIME!
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-06-11 22:39:31
Question/Comment:
Sounds to me like some of your sons need activity,like baseball,or soccer or someother physical activity.Even boyscouts helps give them some sense of belonging.I think a lot of prayer would help also.I have an autistic son who went through bouts of anger.He would get frustrated,but he still managed to play ball.Perhaps your afraid they won't fit in,but they need the socialization.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-01 22:55:38
Member Answer/Reply:
It is hard when everyone looks at your child like they are from out of space. I have two sons with ADHD and some times they act up in public.It is embarasssing but people don't understand what is going on in their little heads so they can't relate. I often find myself giving people the look like I wouldn't go there if I were you.I do agree with you that prayer is the answer but it is just so hard sometimes and i'm quite sure a lot of parents out there can relate to this.
8 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-06-17 17:38:22
Question/Comment:
can anyone describe what borderline personality traits means i was diagnosed with that and bi-polar
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-04-18 20:15:27
Member Answer/Reply:
It means you are a very special individual =)
I also am a 40yr old male with ADHD and bipolar.
Good luck to you and Keep on truckin!
Kim
41 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-04-26 15:16:04
Member Answer/Reply:
I HOPE THIS HELPS. I HAVE BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISSORDER AND DISSASSOCIATIVE DISORDER (=THE LATTER WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES), AS WELL AS BIPOLAR, AND A FEW OTHER THINGS.THE BEST WRITTEN DESCRIPTION I HAVE FOUND IN THE AOL WIKIPEDIA. WHEN I DECIDED TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH A MAN AGAIN AFTER 5 1/2 YRS I LOOKED UP THE DIAGNOSIS' THAT HAVE BEEN LAID IN MY LAP, PRINTED THEM UP (CRYING THE WHOLE TIME) AND HANDED HIM THE INFORMATION SO HE WOULD BE FOREWARNED. I THINK MY BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISSORDER FALLS IN WITH MY 'SCHIZO-EFFECTIVE DISSORDER. AGAIN TRY THE WIKIPEDIA IT WAS A WONDERFUL HELP TO US. AND THE BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND YOURS.
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-04-29 03:27:15
Member Answer/Reply:
I am borderline and bi-polar too. It is a little less common in men, but I am one of them. The best description of the borderline condition is in Rachel Reiland's book: "I am not supposed to be here." The cognitive behavioral therapy developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan form the University of Washington, helps a lot with the anxiety and depression. The situation though is very individual. I found Abilify and lanictal very helpful. Many of the things you may be prone to do are not well understood or tolerated by society at large.
Randi Kreger has written a number of very helpful books too. Remeber the yellow poppy fields when you are spending to much time in Oz.
57 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-16 18:17:08
Question/Comment:
I have an 11 yr. old daughter who was diagnosed with bipolar,adhd,& panic disorder. She was completly out of controlabout 2 yrs ago with violent pysical attacks. her dr put her on Abilify & by the next day she was like a whole different kid! We still have our problems but with biplar it is never a cure. And also, every kid is different so it may not work for every kid. Good luck to all & if anyone wants to contact me about thre kids & such I am always available. I run a support group for parents/grandparents etc... of children with mental illnesses. I am also thinking of starting an online group if anyone is interested, let me know.
I can be contacted at jn98@charter.net
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-30 11:09:28
Question/Comment:
I just started taking Abilify yesterday with my zoloft and when I woke this morning I felt like I had been microwaved. Also, my jaw was jittery, and was REALLY nausiated.....Is all this normal for Abilify on the first day?
22 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-10 14:29:01
Member Answer/Reply:
I took Abilify and really liked its effects at first. I had so much more energy, and everything felt great. But after a few weeks, I started having trouble sitting still and my face would feel like it was stuck in certain expressions. My doctor said I had dyskinesia, which is a possible side effect of the drug. I stopped taking it and the symptoms went away, but the commercial warns that some of these effects have a risk of becoming permanent. I guess I was lucky since I went right back to normal. But I really missed the good feelings the Abilify gave me, so now I take one pill once or twice a week instead, and that seems to be working for me.
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-19 16:00:02
Member Answer/Reply:
sometimes this is normal, i had that at first too but it went away with in a weeks time, if it doesnt...go to the doc's!!
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-19 18:04:37
Member Answer/Reply:
I started it at night, and the following morning in the middle of church, I felt like I was in the middle of a heart attack or panic attack. Severe nausea, twitching, shaking, dizziness, hot flashes. It was terrifying, and I almost came off of the med thinking that they were going to be typical side effects. But I have been on the meds for 5 days now and have not had a similar experience, thank goodness!
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-25 19:26:27
Question/Comment:
Ask your psychiatrist if you can take the Abilify at bedtime then you will sleep through the side effects.
38 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-09 04:33:38
Question/Comment:
My six year old son has been diagnosed with ADHD and ODD (obstinate defiant disorder) and the doctor is already discussing the possibility of bipolar. The abilify was an extreme step for us but was given to him to help the violent steak my son has. Without the medication he attacks kids at school and after school without provocation or with little provocation. The only thing that has helped has been the abilify. He is also on Vyvance and a med called Tenex (which is a blood pressure med that we are using to treat his constant movement issues) We decided to look at alternatives and started him on Fish oil at 2000mg a day and with all of that combined he is a perfectly normal 6yr old by day!! Unfortunately it wears off in the evenings and we have some good days but most days end up with at least one "meltdown" where he is kicking and screaming and I have to hold him down to keep him from hurting himself or me. Usually this is followed immediately by a crying session from him dealing with the extreme emotional stress of the "meltdown".
Other parents free to contact me
Tatiana
fae@rizzels.com
7 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-08 19:54:49
Member Answer/Reply:
my son is also adhd,odd, and bi-polar he is now 13 and also on abilify.He is also doing almost perfect. please feel free to contact me(lharr72@yahoo.com). I may be able to offer suggestions that may help with your son. My sons diagnosis came when he was only 4yrs old.there is alot going on with these issues and i have LOTS of experience.
37 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-09 16:54:37
Member Answer/Reply:
I have an 8 yr old son that was diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, and Depression. He was put on Abilify in the begining and it got to where he was on 15mg and I didn't like it. I work in the medical field and I know the side effects. I changed doctors because this doctor didn't like the fact that I knew what I was talking about. I took him to another doctor and he was put on Vyvance. he is only on 50mg and we can already tell a dramatic difference. His teacher is impressed with the turn around he has done in the past 2 months. We still have problems with meltdowns about once a week, where as it was almost on a daily basis. He is almost a completely normal 8yr old.
27 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-19 16:47:23
Member Answer/Reply:
WOW... I know the feeling. My 11 year old son was diagnosed with several different things when he was younger, then finally by last June 2008, bipolar 2. Stay strong! Abilify has helped us more than you know. We went from one to several incidents a day, problems at school, suspension from school, hitting others, explosive behavior, no one wanted to be his friend, anger, anger anger. We are still adjusting dosage as he gets bigger. He has gained a lot of weight. Started on it weighed 90 pounds now up to 119! A lot to gain in a short period of time, but now he is watching better what he eats and he is on a soccer team. Abilify has helped him be able to be on a team... last June, no way could he have ever been able to participate on a team without hurting others or himself. Yes, there is a lot of side effects and the doc told me not to worry about it. I worry like all Mother's about everything! But, Abilify has given my 11 year son... quality of life... with weeekly therapy, meds and a lot of hard work, I feel confident that he will be ready for adulthood. Don't ever give up, I know some days are very hard and I get very frustrated as a parent as I am sure you have. Lots of love to the little one. A sense of humor helps! :>)
12 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-22 12:38:29
Question/Comment:
I was prescribed Abilify for flashbacks from PTSD I took it for almost four years. My family has a long history of sleep disorders and sleepwalking. For more than three years I have been falling down stairs, falling into the bathtub, and walking into walls and cooking on a gas stove. I sustained several bad injuries. I did not like the Abilify, my MD agred to take me off of itslowly. Since stopping the Abilfy I have had no more issues of sleep walknig..
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-25 16:52:44
Member Answer/Reply:
I was on Abilify for 4 days. My blood pressure went from 120/70 to 159/90. I could not sleep or eat. Did not go to the bathroom either. I told the doctor that I was very sesitive to medicenes. I have been on almost every anti-depressant there is. SO.....she put me on this. I thought at one time I was going to have a heart attack.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-24 20:14:47
Question/Comment:
I am still on a abilfy I guess i'm part of the 1% that gets nausea because I have been on it for two months and still have it where I cannot eat after I take it
22 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-23 10:10:46
Member Answer/Reply:
I was getting nausea with the 10mg but dropped to 5mg and no more nausea, maybe dosage too high
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-05 11:28:41
Member Answer/Reply:
i do too so i cahnged it to right wheni go to bed i take it, try that out or eat a snack before bed, then tkae it too.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-19 18:05:36
Question/Comment:
My husband's doctor prescribed this crap for him 2 days ago, against my liking. and my husband took it, and Had a seizure! I knew it would happen and it did. We spent the night with him taking a ride in an ambulance, and then in the ER!! Don't take this crap if you can help it.
32 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-19 22:50:37
Question/Comment:
I was just prescribed Abilify about a week ago. After 2 days, my psychiatrist lowered the dose to 2.5 mg instead of 5 mg (I'm supposed to be on 10 mg by now). I'm also taking Seroquel and Trazodone for psych. meds. Plus a plethora of other scripts for various ailments. My question is this: Ever since I have been on the Abilify, I have not slept more than 2-3 hours per night, I can't sit still, I have trouble grasping thoughts. Sounds to me it is having the opposite effect of what it should be. Anyone else have this or similar experience?
51 year old female
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-15 16:53:41
Member Answer/Reply:
I've been on Abilify for about three and a half weeks, and I have not slept more than four hours a night! So, you are not alone. However, it has greatly improved my mood. To counteract the trouble grasping thoughts you should always take a B-complex vitamin - no matter what medication you are on - but especially anti-depressants. Buy it from a health food store and not one of these vitamin stores that are on every corner as the vitamins from natural sources work better.
When I started taking Abilify I started going to sleep around 1-2 AM - which is what I have always done, however, surprisingly, I started to wake up at 6AM, then 5AM, then 4AM. I didn't know that this was a side effect of Abilify. However, I do not feel tired during the day, which is most puzzling. Please let me know if you feel fatigued during the day, or if I am alone in not feeling it.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-19 23:08:04
Member Answer/Reply:
I take abilify and I was having the same problems until my doctor put me on cogentin.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-22 00:57:15
Member Answer/Reply:
ya me too...restlessness and sleeping 2-3 hrs then, maybe 2-3 hrs more, as if your sleeping in shifts. restlessness is the most annoying!
47 yr old male
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-23 11:34:31
Member Answer/Reply:
I only sleep 3/4 hrs a night since starting the Abilify. Doctor says it should get better and your body will rest when it needs it. Little uncomfortable if it happens to be in the middle of the work day!!! Hang in there and hope you feel better.
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-05 11:31:03
Member Answer/Reply:
Also having VERY bad nightmares that are very vivid. Hoping that will stop
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-05 11:32:08
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been taking abilify for over a year now and i am having difficulty with reading comprehension and reading all together. I wanted to go back to college but cant due to the side effects of the medication. The doctor/psychiatrist doesnt want to change because i am more balanced out with the meds i am on. Fortunately i am on disability otherwise i would not be able to hav a rof over my head. The only problem is I am only 38 going on 39 I dont want to be on disability the rest of my life.
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-05 17:05:29
Member Answer/Reply:
I understand your feelings as I am 43 years old, but it could be worse and it can get much better so keep hoping and keep trying.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-12 11:26:55
Member Answer/Reply:
I am also on Abilify 10 mgs. You need an anti-side effect medication. First you might want to try Benedryl. DO NOT TAKE COGENTIN. I was on it and your fluid retention is very bad. What I am about to say is not weird, it's the truth. I was on the highest dose of it and every time I had to make a bowel movement it took me nearly 10 minutes to squeeze out a little ball of poop. What you need to do is to ask your psychiatrist to give you Artane. The max that you can take is 5mgs. 3 times a day. My psychiatrist will not go over that amount. That is the highest dose that you can get. Ask him/her to put you on it. It will help you out alot and there is no dependency on them at all.
41 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-05 17:42:39
Member Answer/Reply:
My 12 year old son is taking Abilify 20mg. for over three years now ,and Zoloft .50mg and he is doing great. It was a time (in between) when the doctor tried to lower the dosage on Abilify to 15mg and even 10mg,( because of the weight gain),and prescribed him Serequel 100mg.
That did not work for him at all, and within a week I got him back on the meds he was on before. Also...keep in mind that it takes about a couple of week, for any medication like Abilify to get in to the system. In my son's case, it was actually the Serequel that didn't work well for him. You need to talk to your doctor. For my son Abilify works very well.I don't think is the Abilify that is affecting you.....I think is the Seroquel, the Trazodone, or whatever else you are taking.
I wish you well
41 year old Mom
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-05 18:57:00
Member Answer/Reply:
Now I know why I can't sleep......thank you
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-06 04:35:45
Question/Comment:
My 10-year-old daughter takes Abilify, Triliptal, and Zoloft. She has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, after going through two psychiatrists, a full four-hour psychological evaluation, individual counseling sessions, three months of in-home intensive counseling with three licensed, trained therapists, and me, her bipolar mom, doing tons of research on my own. Her medications have helped to reduce her explosive tantrums by about 75%, but she is still very defiant and very moody and are having a hard time with her. I ordered several books on pediatric bipolar. I have already read one, and I was just utterly amazed and stunned to see my child described in a lot of the examples listed in the book. I also learned a lot more about my own bipolar disorder in this book. This book is called "Bipolar Kids: Helping Your Child Find Calm in the Mood Storm" by Dr. Rosalie Greenberg. It was very informative and enlightening. I have started on another book now, and I will continue to research and learn as much as I can about this monster that has such a hold on my child, so that I can help her in any way that I can. I would love to hear from other parents.
Shelly
safaulk@cox.net
Georgia
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-26 20:28:34
Member Answer/Reply:
I have a 15 year old thats been on ABILIFY for about 2months now its how him wonders hes also on Adderall, Lexapro , Dextroamph ( which is an generic of Adderall ) the doctors gonna take him off of Lexapro soon because its working so well . I know what your going threw my son also has ADHD . Big problems in school they are specialized (teachers ) too deal with kids that have these problems. Good Luck Lori shine.65@hotmail.com From Ohio
16 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-24 09:43:43
Member Answer/Reply:
I have a 12 yr. old daughter who has been taking abilify for 6 months now.It seems to help,although the doctor just increased it from 5 to 10mg.She also takes clonidine.She was on rispidol for 2 and half years and did great!She did gain some weight,but it wasnt much.However she have to quit taking it because she became insulin resistant and developed diabetes.That has now reversed itself.I am a mom of a bi-polar child who also suffers from it myself.I take zoloft,topamax and zanax.It seems to be working.I have done good for 3 years now.Like yourself,I am always educating myself and grasping any info available to me.I will definitley be getting the book you have read.God Bless you and your little one.I know all too well how trying your days can be.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-25 12:49:54
Member Answer/Reply:
Hello,
My name is Rachelle. I am an ELL translator here in Indiana. I have 3 children. 1 boy, 11-diagnosed as bi-polar. My other 2 are girls, they are not diagnosed, they have had no problems with these issues. My son was born emergency c-section. He had the cord around his neck. We too have been taking abilify in the past. He took abilify for 3 years. He never actually got better. The aggression lightned up. The side effects were bad. We actually did not know they were side effects until the last month or so that he took it, because I stopped the meds, slowly of course. Now, after 3 months of no meds, the doctor tried Abilify again. Only 5 mg. My son began to get worse. During his med free time, he reported no psychosis, no muscle pains, had some aggression, but was able to deal with it without exploding, no stuttering, no trouble swallowing, began to lose weight that abilify made him game, and all around had a better sense of reasoning. After only 2 days of the abilify, all these symptoms returned. He was worse. The schol nurse even called and asked me why he was having so much trouble these two days. Before the Abilify, he was on Risperdal, since age 5. WHile on meds, he was always suicidal. The doctors have never tested him while he was med free. I am now looking into taking him to the mayo clinic. He has only had one neurological test in his whole life. My question to them; Could he have been misdiagnosed at age 5, or could it have been a stage he went through, like PTSD? Then, giving a child of this age these meds, could that have caused all the hallucinating and psychosis and mental confusion that he had for the last several years (that seems to have subsided in the past 3 med free months. )....or has he just matured to the point where the bi-polar now mimics more of a depression and he can keep his actions inside? I am a little confused, because the aggression is now worse with the Abilify. Anyone who wants to talk more, for support or comparison ideas, please email me at rachelleanddanilo@gmail.com.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-28 08:03:05
Question/Comment:
Many psychopharms are pushing Abilify in low doses for treatment of ADD/ADHD. I am very wary of the off-label use of this drug (even in low doses) for treatment of ADD. Does anyone have any helpful anecdotal information regarding effectiveness and side effects?
13 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-24 19:03:43
Member Answer/Reply:
My step-daughter takes Abilify- the biggest concern- weight gain - BIG TIME. She went from being a little skinny thing to way overweight. She's 15 now, is 5' 4" and weighs 200#. Be very cautious about using this drug for ADD/ADHD.
54 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-05 12:58:51
Member Answer/Reply:
I think Abilify works for ADHD because I have it and the medicine defiantly calms me. The only thing I don't like is that it calms me to much because I don't talk as much as I used to. But the benefit of being calmer outweighs the consequence of not talking as much as I used to.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-18 19:24:19
Question/Comment:
I have just started taking abilify . I have been fighting depression and (bipolar?) for 4 years I am now 38 year old male. I satrted abilify 10 days ago 10 mg one a day. Has seemed to affect sex drive for worse I cant stop yawning through the day and have headeaches. I wanted meds for lack of motivation I still have with cymbalta,paxil. any thoughs?? anybody tried ritalin with abilify ? sideffects get better?
39 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-23 00:41:53
Member Answer/Reply:
I started on Abilify 3 weeks ago, (2,5mg) to augment depression treatment. It has worked wonders, I feel SO much better. However, insomnia is a serious problem, as well as diminished sex drive. I think it works slightly different on each individual. Good luck!
Andy
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-08 09:58:19
Member Answer/Reply:
I am taking Ritalin with Abilify. The combination may be different for men and women. I've had no bad affect to the sex drive. Abilify is really helping my depression. My only concern is a slight tremor in my left fingers only when I am fatigued and a slight weight gain. I was always skinny. I am now a "normal" weight. This has me concerned. I have had to increase my exercise routine somewhat.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-20 17:36:46
Question/Comment:
i started taking abilify for bipolar a month and half ago. i was on zyprexa for 5 yrs, but had lots of weight gain,etc. for the 1st few wks i was on the up side-wide awake, full of energy. now i am sleeping more but only few hrs at a time. i can sure think clearer, however it seems i am more forgetful at times. i take trazadone, buspar, lexapro also for anxiety and depression. is the change due to just changing from zyprexa to the new med. or could it just be that i am 'cycling' and am more aware of it. i seem to be doing okay and wish i could have been on this yrs ago.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-16 00:25:49
Member Answer/Reply:
I have a love/hate relationship with Abilify, in 2006 my dr prescribed Abilify and right away I fell in love with it because it was the only medication that had ever made me feel normal. I took it for 6 mos and one day my big toe started tapping on it's own and I did not make the connection that Abilify might be causing it (after all I had been feeling great for the last 6 mos) but after a month of having the toe tapping (my daughter nicknamed me Thumper lol) I then started having that same symptom on the same leg as the toe. To make a long story short, it progressively got worse going to my arm, I could not even hold the mouse or type on the keyboard. The last 2-3 days it went to my face and I started talking real fast. By this point I couldn't even drive and it scared me because I thought I was having a stroke. My husband took me to emergency (my experience with emergency room drs has not been good) the minute they ask you what you are taking a cocktail of meds for and you tell them bipolar their attitudes change right before your eyes. They treat you like all your symptoms are in your head. Anyway back to my story; the drs could not find any reason why I was having those symptoms and I kept telling them I thought it was the abilify and they would tell me "if you have been taking it this long why would you just now be having symptoms?" duh...your the dr and you want me to tell you why? So they sent me home with valium and two others that I can't remember the names, all they did was keep me asleep for 4 days. I went back to my psychy and he said he had not had any of his other patients on abilify complain about those symptoms but he saw the tremor on my whole right side and told me how to ween off of abilify and I did, it took a couple of weeks for the constant tremors to stop but I still have episodes where my right hand will jerk for no reason. The next time I went to see my psych he said the strangest thing had happened since I had last seen him he had 3 other pts complain of the same thing (imagine that?) So now I have to settle for a substitute med that is no where near as great as abilify but does not give me any bad side effects. I would love to be able to take abilify but unfortunately I am one of those people who did have the side effects.
p.s. The trazadone made me very forgetful and also made me have bad hallucinations and hear things that weren't there, so I don't take it anymore.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-06-06 03:36:34
Question/Comment:
I was wondering if it would be safe to try and use abilifiy when I am already taking 600 mg of tressodone and 600 mg of seroquel will it help the two work better or make it worse. the doc had me on all kinds of thing in the past but nothing seem to help the tresodone and seroquel worked for a while but now there not. thank you
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-12 11:36:26
Member Answer/Reply:
As always it depends on the person. I tried Abilify with Seroquel, and didn't have such good luck. Loved the Seroquel with successive failure with antidepressants. But it made me very sleepy and muscle weakness, so we thought we'd try lowering my Seroquel and adding Abilify. I reacted to it the way I did to antidepressants - decreased attention, inability to control impulses, difficultly sleeping, etc.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-27 22:20:31
Question/Comment:
Abilify has worked very well for me while cymbaltal just didn't do it by itself. If you don't have major side effects i would recommend this for anyone.
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-02 18:43:21
Question/Comment:
I am a curious as to what additional info there is for my daughter..she is 8yrs old and she is taking 1/2 of a 5mg Abilify pill @ night..I was told that she shouldn't be taking this med because of the facial tremors that are associated w/ this med...via a family member...anyone have any additional info for me..my daughter has been taking this medication for approx 1yr now and the only problems that I have encounter w/ it..is the bed wetting..she sleeps sooo sound that she can't wake herself up @ night to go to the bathroom..I haven't noticed any of the other side effects listed w/ my daughter..however I am concerned if I should allow her to continue w/ this medication..I would be devistated if she developed these facial tremors that I have been told are life long perm..only because she has done so well w/ her general behaviors while taking this med
9 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-26 15:10:50
Member Answer/Reply:
i have a 13yr old son who has taken abilify for about 3plus years and he has no probems with it. It has been the best medicine we have found for him. He never has had temors or any side effect that I am aware of. He takes 20mg a day
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-08 13:11:36
Member Answer/Reply:
i wanted to answer your blog my daughter just started abilify 5 mg,1 tab at night about a month ago.i have the same problom she wets the bed cause she cant get up.i was very concern to read what you wrote i had no idea that you could get facial tremors,i will be checking into it and asking the doc and researching it my self thank you for writing it,
9 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-20 20:11:54
Member Answer/Reply:
My son is 9 years old and took Abilify 5mg. twice a day for 1 1/2 years. He is relatively small, he weighs about 54 lbs but his dad and myself are small people. He now takes Riperdal 1mg tablets twice a day along with 10mg.of Methyphenidate for his ADHD. He was taking Abilify for his ODD. He had no side affects during the time he was on the Abilify. The reason he had to be taken off of it was he was outgrowing the dosage amount( it basically stop working for him) and she couldn't increase it any higher because of his weight. Just gather all the information you can on these medications. Read articles, search the Internet. do whatever is neccessary to protect your precious one. There is a lot of useful information out there. Take care.
8 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-19 18:27:06
Member Answer/Reply:
Our son is 12 and has been taking this drug for over a year. he has just suddenly developed terrible facial movements/ tremors! He is also being checked for diabetes as his teachers have noticed a drop in sugar during the day. I am the step mother of this child and have been in his life for over 10 years.Please be careful with giving any children these medicines. I believe they do more harm than good.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-26 08:37:49
Question/Comment:
Have an itchy rash on sum body areas that are under my clothes do not think it is the Depakote took it before and no rash then, must be the Abilify? Rash not listed as side effect? Could I use Benadryl?
61 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-19 08:40:56
Member Answer/Reply:
In my experience with taking abilify; and with close instruction by my doctor, I was informed that I "could" have the itchy rash also as a side effect and he wanted to notify him of this if lit happened. It did not happen to me, however; I would certainly see a physician about this. It does not appear to be a good match.
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-03 05:57:27
Question/Comment:
My doctor prescribed me Abilify to help with racing thoughts and severe anxiety. All the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil etc...) just didn't work. Valium/Xanax were considered too risky due to my "addictive" personality. I started out on 2mg tabs for a week, then 5mg for a week and now I've been on 10mg for a couple weeks. Side effects: The ole' shaky legs thing! Restless Leg Syndrome is a gross UNDERstatement...yikes!! Other than some "tiredness" and feeling like your a little "foggy" they've WORKED!!! I've finally found a med that CALMS my butt down! (without feeling like a total zombie).
Going to go see the Dr. regarding the shaky/restless legs. I imagine he'll back me off down to 5mg. I think that should work well.
One drawback: "Sexual side effects" is an understatement too. My penis has gone into hibernation. GREAT for my porn-addiction, but not so great for a man who is trying to "re-start" intimacy with his wife. (You can't win for losing)
Hope my rambling has help SOME of you.
God Bless.......!
Lloyd in Idaho (44 yr old male)
46 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-17 07:12:03
Member Answer/Reply:
marcos in colorado(49 yr. old male)
it doesnt what to stiffen or your mind is not wanting sex?
49 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-06 18:14:30
Member Answer/Reply:
Thanks for the heads up on valium nad xanax...going to the doctor tomorrow and going to tell him....I have a terrible time sleeping....
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-06 05:47:27
Question/Comment:
I take 5mg. of Abilify and l00mg. of Seroquel. It has worked wonders for my bipolar disorder, but recently I've been having hand tremors and severe constipation. Is the combination wrong?
70 year old female
72 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-16 17:12:49
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Although both of these side effects are listed in the product labels for both of these medications, tremors are more often reported by people taking Abilify and constipation is more often reported by Seroquel users. If these symptoms are still concerning you, you should talk to your doctor about them, especially if they worsen.
Posted: 2008-12-19 14:17:17
Question/Comment:
I am on 5mg of abilify daily along with prozac to treat depression. I feel great!!! Howevwer,I have gained 30 pounds in the last 10 months. I attribute this solely to the abilify. I believe that the abilify has helped with the depression, but I also feel that it has attributed to the weight gain.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-13 21:08:38
Member Answer/Reply:
I agree. I am also on Prozac w/Abilify. I do not want to off of because I feel good, but the weight gain is depressing!
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-23 21:08:52
Member Answer/Reply:
my husband was on abilify 2.5 mg for 8 weeks and gained 30 lb. He has stopped it for 2 weeks as the area of wt gain was specifically in his abdomen and was causing trouble breathing due to pressure on his abdomen. Since he has stopped abilify, he has gained another 7 lbs. It worked mentally, but even the company can't tell me if its reversible anyone out there experiencing this?? thanks
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-04 16:07:22
Question/Comment:
Trying to decide. What should I consider?
40 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-09 17:18:41
Question/Comment:
I am currently taking 10 mg of Abilify at night; I started on 2 mg for one week then moved up to 4 mg for a month and have been on the 10 mg now for almost 2 weeks. Since starting the medicine my menstrual cycle has stopped. The first month I was very light and this month nothing? Has anyone else experienced this or know anyone who has? Thanks
25 year old female
25 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-04 16:31:49
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.