Reading the side effects freaks me out!!

The side effects barely bothered me at all. I had bad nausea for the first two days, bad enough to keep me out of it, but after that, it was nothing. And the rewards are AMAZING. My head is clearer, I don't panic as much, and I'm much, much calmer.

Don't worry about the side effects that are written down. They do that with every med that is on the market. It's legal CYA. The probability of adverse effects are low. I take abilify in the morning. Gernerally, it's more alerting than sedating but some people can find that it makes them drowsy. It depends on the person. I find it to be an excellent med. I'm on a high dose of it at 30mgs. That's what it takes for me. It really has been a lifesaver. I highly recommend it.

First, I want you to know that I am VERY sensitive to meds. A little goes a long way with me.

I've been on Abilify a couple months. This is my second time. The first time, 10 mg/day made me REALLY anxious, but it was worth it for a month or so to get me out of being stuck in depression.

Two months ago, I insisted on trying it again. I took it at bedtime as my dr. recommended. He said that at bedtime I wouldn't feel any side effects. It interfered with my sleep, so I took it in the morning. I had anxious mornings and sleepy evenings. I took just 5 mg/day, which my dr. said would have no effect. Eventually I cut that 10 mg. free sample tablet into 1/8s (the binder is very strong) and took 1/8 in the morning and 1/8 at night. I reported back to my dr. last week. He told me that Abilify had just been released in 2 mg. doses for depression. So, now I take 1/2 tablet 2X/day.

Abilify makes me oscillate: I feel tired and wired at the same time. Sure beats just feeling tired.

Like you, I'm taking it with Lamictal. I'm wondering how you're doing with the Lamictal. I found that it evened out my moods beautifully, but made me dangerously off-balance physically.

As far as Abilify side effects, which ones freak you out?

It saved my life.

I was on 45mg Abilify per day, now on 30mg

I must say this med will keep you from going manic whether you want to or not

side effects wise - no weight gain, no nothing!! well except maybe at the start you may feel very warm a few hours after taking

but all in all a great great medication and I wish you well on it

I take it in the morning for this past two or three years now

I'm on 10mg of Abilify, and I take it at night because it makes me very sleepy. It helps with my mood swings and so far it is helping with other psychological problems that I was having. I'd say I recommend it, but it may not be for everyone. Different meds for different people.

Well I am very sensitive to meds and it makes me sleepy so i take it at hs (hour of sleep). I love this med makes you really mellow and stable as mable, hopefully you will benefit by its use. Just wish they would come out with a generic, it is so damned expensive...Maria J.

I took it for awhile after a manic episode. I took it at bedtime cuz it made me really sleepy. I didn't have any side effects, but it didn't do me any good either, except for making me sleep. I wish you good luck on it...it has been a lifesaver for many people.

I would probably say it was a life saver for me too. I love it.
Have heard there are more problems associated with doses over 10mg, at hospital where my pdoc works.

i took 30mgs for about 2 months but it didn't do anything for me so pdoc switched me to geodon 80mg. since my 3 recent ECTs i am feeling like a new person these past couple of days, i hope it stays that way.

As Zack2332 said, "Different meds for different people." I am amazed to see how many people feel sleepy after taking Abilify! Not me!

it's a stimulating drug..that's why quite a few ppl take it in the mornings.

By the way, I just remembered what my pdoc told me when he prescribed Abilify for me. (He's in charge of the local coordinated psychiatric emergency services.) He told me to refrain from reading anything about it. He sternly told me to take it and see how it affects ME.

if people didn't keep their ears out for 'consumer feedback' out there...they'd be more liable to take a med unaware of common side effects not yet acknowledged by drug manufacturer...ie/ zyprexa causing diabetes, weight gain before massive legal settlement. I say, be informed, take responsibility for you're own treatment. Many a patient has been mislead by crappy pdoc advice..in my experience.