iGuard.org 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

Posted: 2009-02-08 09:58:19

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

Posted: 2009-02-20 17:36:46

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

Posted: 2009-06-06 03:36:34

iGuard.org 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.

Posted: 2009-02-27 22:20:31

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

Posted: 2009-01-08 13:11:36

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,

7 year old Female

Posted: 2009-01-20 20:11:54

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

Posted: 2009-02-19 18:27:06

iGuard.org 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.

Posted: 2009-02-26 08:37:49

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

Posted: 2009-01-03 05:57:27

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

Posted: 2009-01-06 18:14:30

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

Posted: 2009-03-06 05:47:27

iGuard.org 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

iGuard.org 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!

Posted: 2009-01-23 21:08:52

iGuard.org 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

Posted: 2009-02-04 16:07:22

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I've been on Abilify and I've gained weight also my cusin has been on adderall and has had a lot of sickness 37 year old female

Posted: 2008-12-08 00:00:54

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

My 5 year old is on 5mg at night and i cant find nothing either but she hasnt been as active on it and she is more depressed on it and has gained lots of weight while being on it.

Posted: 2008-11-28 10:31:46

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

my 3yrs10 months son is on 1mg of abilify. what are the dangers and is he too young fo this. worried about meds, on toddlers. His behavio has impoved dramatically in 4 days, but is it woth it?

Posted: 2008-11-29 16:35:43

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Watch for Diabetic symptims, or blood sugar variations. My son Patrick is on Abilify for Autism Spectrim Disorder. At 15 mg he became listless, bloated and almost toxic. His teacher brought the little things to my attention, he just was not himself. He drank tons of water, urianed allot, and was not intrested in his usual activites. We adjusted his Rx by 5mg, and in 2 days we saw a total change.

Posted: 2008-12-04 10:59:49

Answer/Reply:

here's the address for the package insert for Abilify. if any testing has been done on kids that young it would show up there.

http://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_abilify.pdf

good luck

45 year old Female

Posted: 2009-01-06 15:33:31

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I take 15mg of Abilify for sleep. I have the lightheadedness if I bend over or turn too quickly. No other problems. I like the Abilify. Lauren

Posted: 2008-11-22 10:30:25

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Yes - I came here to find out about side effects. I have only been on it for a week - am amazed by how much better I feel - but today I thought I was going to pass out a few times. It is a different feeling than I've felt before?

Posted: 2008-11-26 21:53:03

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

my husband had the same problem

Posted: 2009-02-04 16:09:36

Answer/Reply:

I too am on 15 mg Abilify and Topamax. I guess I never thought about it as bouncing or floating while standing, I just refered to it as a wierd sensation! At any rate you know the body is not being normal at the moment and my brain seems to feel like jello during that time. Most of the day seems normal but there are those moments throughout the day where you just kind of stand back and go whoa!

48 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-11 07:22:51

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

topamax did that to me I didn't like it. was in a study with that medication it also made my hair fall out. dreamer

Posted: 2008-11-19 20:54:18

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

hi.my name is jenny.my husband takes abilify.he told me one day that he had felt like he was kinda floating while he was standing up.i don't know if it was caused by the abilify or not,due to he is on alot of medication,and he is only 34yrs.old!i hope this info.helps.take care.

Posted: 2008-11-15 13:49:56

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Hi my name is Debbie and my little 10 year old almost died 3 weeks ago from Abilify, Srattera, martazapine. He was having seizures brought on by the meds, he also always had dialated pupils. He was getting nasty and out of control. He was rushed to the hospital for severe vomitting, weekness, seizure after seizure,and peeing all blood. Please read the overdose symptoms. The hospital has given me packets for all three medicines. I am now suing the doctor for telling us that the symptoms he was having were not from the meds.Please think and research your little mans meds. It could save his life. Thank you and God Bless.

Posted: 2008-11-13 11:54:03

Answer/Reply:

Holy cow lady... your child sounds SERIOUSLY OVERMEDICATED. Adderall, Depakote, and Abilify?! How old is this child?? If he is less than 13 years old, please contact me. Seriously. I have children with ADHD and who have been diagnozed with Biploar disorder. I have also struggled with behavior and attention problems for years. I fought the schools, doctors, the county government, and everyone else.

I have a great deal of insight I can share with you. Also, I've got years of experience and research to share. On top of that, I can tell you how we FINALLY discovered the real problem... and why you might want to rethink all the meds.

Write back on here and I will send you my email address. I will code it into the next response if I have to. I just want to know you're still out there and reading this before I post my email to this board.

Thanks... and good luck. Write back!

39 year old Male

Posted: 2008-11-19 15:11:13

Answer/Reply:

My daughter is 8 and has been diagnosed with ADHD and beginning signs of bi-polar disorder (as I havent met a doctor yet that likes to diagnose Bi-polar this young) - She is on 2mg of Abilify - I would like to hear what you have to say.

9 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-21 09:57:59

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

My 8 year old has also been diagnosed with ADHD and signs of bipolar disorder, he is on 3mg of abilify and this has been the best year of his life. He finally has friends, learned to read and became a lovable and helpful child. I did nothing to treat ADHD, it seems to me that by helping his bipolar problem, everything fell into place. Good Luck!

Posted: 2009-01-25 21:18:26

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

i have a 16 year old son diagnosed at 8 as having early onset bipolar disorder, OCD, and Sensory Integration Dysfunction - all that to say, for half his life, he has been on meds...currently - Tripeptal, Adderall, Tenex, Abilify, AND Lexapro! I think he is way overmedicated and want to get him off the Abilify to start. We have had other doctors diagnose him with DID...Dissociative Identity Disorder...anyone familiar with that?

Posted: 2008-11-25 00:42:39

Answer/Reply:

i woulld love to get yur email on these medicines my six year old has been put on abilfy and addreall and im scared of wheat it will do to her. she has been on this for 2 months and has gained 8 pounds. please help i would love your research
thankyou
abby
bengil30@gmail.com

7 year old Female

Posted: 2008-12-04 12:13:49

Answer/Reply:

My 10-year-old is on Triliptal, Abilify, and Zoloft. She has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder after seeing two psychiatrists, having a full four-hour psychological evaluation done, three months of intensive in-home therapy by three licensed, trained therapists, and much research by me (her bipolar mom). Her meds have lessened the explosive tantrums by about 75%, but she still has a very defiant attitude. I am in the process of reading books about childhood bipolar disorder and am amazed to see my child described in a lot of examples displayed in the books. The first book I read was "Bipolar Kids: Helping Your Child Find Calm in the Mood Storm" by Dr. Rosalie Greenberg. I cannot stress enough how great, enlightening, and informative this book is. It also taught me more about my own bipolar disorder. My next goal is to look for creative ways that will work to get her to listen to me and do what I ask her to do. I'd love to hear from other parents.

Shelly Faulk
safaulk@cox.net

39 year old Female

Posted: 2009-01-26 19:50:04

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I am not the person who asked this question but I'd be very interested in you contacting me with any and all information on these meds. my stepson was on all kinds of meds and we have been able to get rid of all but abilify (5mg at night) he is now having horrible tremors in the facial area and always has congestion and stomach upset. send info to my email
a_cvits@yahoo.com

Posted: 2009-02-26 08:45:11

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Holy cow lady... your child sounds SERIOUSLY OVERMEDICATED. Adderall, Depakote, and Abilify?! How old is this child?? If he is less than 13 years old, please contact me. Seriously. I have children with ADHD and who have been diagnozed with Biploar disorder. I have also struggled with behavior and attention problems for years. I fought the schools, doctors, the county government, and everyone else.

I have a great deal of insight I can share with you. Also, I've got years of experience and research to share. On top of that, I can tell you how we FINALLY discovered the real problem... and why you might want to rethink all the meds.

Write back on here and I will send you my email address. I will code it into the next response if I have to. I just want to know you're still out there and reading this before I post my email to this board.

Thanks... and good luck. Write back!

Posted: 2008-11-19 15:15:03

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Abilify and Seroquel have similar side effects which may be additive when you take them together. If you have any symptoms of blurred vision, confusions, hallucinations, drowsiness or unexplainable abdomen pain or fever, you should contact your doctor immediately as these may be signs of your doses being too high.

It's is really important that you talk to your doctor about your concerns about your medications. If you are experiencing side effects, your doctor may want to make adjustments to the doses of your medications and hopefully find the right combination with the most benefit and fewest side effects. Do not make any changes to your medications without first talking to your doctor - suddenly stopping certain medications can have serious side effects.

Posted: 2008-10-30 20:46:10

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

i am currently on abilify lithium carbonate seroquel xanax ambien cr and are concerned with all of them would like to get off them . i have recently gained 40 pounds. I cannot lose the weight
althouth I eat approximately 1500 calories per day any advise?

Posted: 2008-11-10 15:41:57

Answer/Reply:

Me again. The name of the drug I couldn't recall was GEODON. I hope that one won't make me gain more weight. I will post the results after being on it. (Hopefully overall good results along with weight loss).

THIS SITE IS A GODSEND FOR ANYONE TAKING PRESCRIPTION MEDS.

55 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-26 12:23:02

Answer/Reply:

Hi guys! I've always been very weight-conscious. How much of a weight gain are we talking about? Does it evenyually subside? My doctor just prescribed it to me yesterday for depression/anxiety. It was my neurologist who did this -- I have severe migraines for about 15-16 years now. But here's where I'm confused --- I have been diagnosed w/ Major Depressive Disorder; I'm not bipolar. What is mania? LOL (in my case, manic episodes might be nice every now and then - LOL) Atleast I'd be happy, if only temporary?
Thanks in advance for any responses!
P.S. Supposedly, it's a low-dose but I want to know about it if it is before I go pick it up and have to pay for it.
:-)

42 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-31 13:33:02

Answer/Reply:

I take abilify 30mg and effexor 225mg and zyprexa 40mg and thorazine 100mg and tegretol 1600mg. I have a very low white cell count. I am 100lbs. overweight. I have tried going off and lowering dosage with help, nothing helps. My medical team seems to think the problem is my meds. I don't.

36 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-07 17:01:24

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Hey, Tegetrols big issue is that is can cause low white cell count. Which is why you are supposed to have bloodtests regularly. Can become a major problem is not dealt with.

Posted: 2008-12-23 15:51:57

Answer/Reply:

Have you increased your eating or decreased your activity since starting Abilify? I just got on it and am afraid of the weight gain. I have bipolar, AD/HD, and an eating disorder. I take Seroquel 50 mg, Prozac 20 mg, Metadate 30 mg, Trileptal 600 (x2), Buspirone (Buspar) 15 mg (x2) and Abilify 10 mg.

43 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-17 20:22:47

Answer/Reply:

I have been on Abilify for a few weeks now, and if anything -- it has lessened my appetite. My psych. doc. referred to it as "weight neutral."

In your particular cocktail of meds, I'd be much more concerned about the Seroquel (big-time sweet tooth for those on it).

I've always weighed in at a healthy/athletic 140, and after years of depakote and seroquel, I topped off at 180. After quitting Seroquel (and replacing it with Klonopin) roughly 4 months ago, I weighed in yesterday at 159. :)

38 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-24 09:33:13

Answer/Reply:

I have just been prescribed abilify, for my depression and bipolar disorder, I have not started taking it becaues I am very concerned of any weight gain. I used to be on seriquel and gained 60 pounds, I weighed 165 when I stopped taking it now I'm down to 145 I'm 36yrs old and still trying to lose the weight. I've become very obessive about my weight so I really don't want to take abilify if there is weight gain. You said that you have been taking it and haven't noticed any weight gain? How many mg are you taking? Are you watching what you eat and doing any aerobic activity?

37 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-26 14:25:26

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have had weight loss, but am exercising. I do get some anxiety symptoms. I am on Zanax and Cymbalta as well Only 2 mg of Abilify. My concern is side effects. Vision changes, needing bifocals sooner, arm quivering occasonally, and numbness i hands. Numbness nothing new. Had whole heart and everything screened in hospital 1 month ago. Also, forgetfulness and upset stomach.

Still feel worth it, ut not sure if these are serious.

Girls,

I have been on meds that made me gain weight, but happiness is more important. Iw as 103 when I got married and now 145. My husband loves me and is supportive and still calls me beautiful after 18 years! It's not all in the numbers.

Posted: 2008-11-30 23:26:01

Answer/Reply:

I take 2.5 mg Abilify in the am. My experience has been very positive. It helps me think more clearly and reduces my anxiety. I think it helps me sleep better because it reduces my anxiety. It's expensive but it's worth it to me!

58 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-13 01:19:21

Answer/Reply:

have the same problem

31 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-14 16:38:02

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Abilify can make you either very sedated or speeded up.

Posted: 2008-10-21 15:25:34

Answer/Reply:

I take a 5mg dose of Aripiprazole day and night which totals to 10mg per day. Only been on them a week and feel as though i have alot of trouble sleeping, but when i am asleep i have the most bizzare dreams resulting in me waking up in hot sweats and feeling quite scared. I also seem to be really tired all the time and eating anything i can get my hands on. . . . .

Does anyone else suffer simular side effects?????

24 year old Female

Posted: 2009-01-01 00:50:29

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Yes, I suffer from insomnia while taking 2,5 mg Abilify. I fall asleep easily, but wake up 4 hours later, regular like a clockwork, and cannot fall asleep againl It's been 3 weeks now, and the said side-effect has not yet passed. But it works wonders on my depression, I feel much, much better than on any typical antidepressant which have been tried before.

Posted: 2009-02-08 10:07:39

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Hello, I take 2mg in the morning of abilify, and 5mg at bedtime for bipolar. I too experience sleepless nights, figity. I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one. I am so afraid of weight gain, as I read from many others. I dont need that worry on my mind. Take care, and I hope you are resting better!

Posted: 2009-03-02 22:32:18

Answer/Reply:

Okay im no doctor but im 16 now
and i took adderal and the adderal is what made my aggresion worse
at like 630 everynight it would wear off i would lock myself in my room everynight and scream and punch things. until i changed my adderal to something else called concerta
which ive been on for about a year now they want to take me off of that to do abilify for my aggresion, depression and ADHD but im not like schizophrenic so im still not completely sure i should take abilify even though my pyschatrist recommended it.

17 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-02 14:13:21

Answer/Reply:

My son is curently thirteen years old, he also suffers from night aggresion. He was on concerta for 3 yrs for his ADHD. Although around 4:00 pm he also would become very cranky, as the night would go on he would become violent as well. His doctor recently started him on abilify 10 mg to help his aggresion. They completly stopped the concerta altogether and put him on strattera 18mg .so far so good just helps him sleep better at night....ya!

* We tried Adderal XR years ago although it made him extremly aggresive.

Its intresting to hear that someone else deals with this as well. Thank you......

14 year old Male

Posted: 2008-10-21 02:57:52

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I thought the exact same thing as you about Abilify. But, I finally got past the stigma and went ahead and I gave my daughter the medication (5mg) that the doctor prescribed for her outbursts, etc. It's really an amazing change! She's been on it for a few years now and she says she can think more clearly and she's happier. The only drawback for her is the restlessness which is toned down with tenex; a heart medication sometimes used for adhd-impulsive types. Good luck with the meds. If it's no good, you don't have to stay with it.

Posted: 2008-10-27 19:12:02

Answer/Reply:

It is not just for schizophrenia - my daughter takes it and it has been wonderful.

9 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-21 10:02:49

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

oh my god. You should be ashamed of yourself. Treating your nine year old son with such invasive medications. A little parenting can go a very long way. That poor child will grow up solving all of his ailments, mental or physical, with some sort of pill. Good work mom/dad.

Posted: 2008-10-07 14:08:53

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

9 years old?? jesus, do you really believe that just by putting these chemical agents into his mouth everything's gonna be alright? HE IS 9 YEARS OLD. god damn it. stop feeding him those drugs, his fragile and youthful body doesn't deserve it. If he starts those drugs now how do you think he's gonna feel when he grows up later in his life with or without those drugs?? will he feel empty? will he feel weird? those drugs change receptors in the brain binds artificial compounds.. sure they're helpful, but do you really wanna feed that unnatural stuff into 9 year old boy? please reconsider...

Posted: 2008-10-12 08:47:59

Answer/Reply:

My son took Adderal from second grade through twelth grade. When he was nine years old he often complained of leg pain. This went on for several years. The pains were growing pains. He is fine now, but still has attention issues. Good luck with your son.......

Oh,and by the way, I take both Adderal and Abilify. They do wonders for me. I have been diagnosed with both depression and adult ADHD.

58 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-13 01:34:29

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Please know more about Abilify. Are you sure that Abilify has been approved for minors. That is a very high dosage also. I have developed Tardive Dyskinesia from being Abilify. Please do more research. Behavior Modification is very important for our kids before putting them on strong medicationl.

Posted: 2008-10-18 09:24:37

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

serquel puts people at a higher risk of developing diabetes so with you allready having diabetes i would talk to you doctors and make sure your diabetes is very closely monitored of see if there are other options for you than the use of serequel. good luck!

Posted: 2008-10-16 20:52:36