Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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amazinglyapril 02/25/2012

Hi. My DR added Abilify to my Prozac (a very small dose). For my sister, this was a miracle drug that completely pulled her out of her depression with her Zoloft. In my past, prozac had always been enough until recently when I went through a bunch of life-crap that spiraled me into a deeper depression.

Prozac was given to me years ago from my PCP, but since it wasn't working anymore I finally went to a Psych DR. He thinks I have a mood disorder so he added Risperdal (insurance reasons). I had side effects that I hated so he switched to Abilify which he preferred. I still don't feel better. I actually am feeling like its making my depression worse. I'm not bad, just not good. I feel like I'm so close to feeling better but something keeps kicking me back. I imagine myself chasing my tail... so close to getting that good feeling but it escapes me.

Has anyone experienced abilify or a similar drug used as an add-on and it actually *aggravated* your depression... made you feel like it was *contributing* to your moods?

deleted_user 02/25/2012

No but some made me worse. I'm on sertraline atm and I'm on the lowest dose. Prozac helped for a long time. Sertraline has fewer side effects and I swear by it. I can up the dose 4times but it really is helping on the lowest dose

amazinglyapril 02/25/2012

Thanks eff... I'm thinking I need to get off the add-on. He upped the prozac a little and I am thinking that might be just enough. He could just be wrong about the add-on. I'll look into Sertraline - never heard of it before.

deleted_user 02/25/2012

apparantly it has the fewest side effects : )

deleted_user 02/25/2012

my friend said she has noticed a big difference in my attitude. Was it DS or the meds? I don't feel sad anymore that's for sure

amazinglyapril 02/25/2012

Ahh, its zoloft. My sister was on that, too. Interesting.

deleted_user 02/25/2012

is that what sertraline is? Zoloft?

amazinglyapril 02/25/2012

Seem so - when i searched it on google it showed Zoloft as the brand. I'm guessing Sertraline is the actual name. Just liek for prozac it's fluxotine. Good to know though - means you can get generic which is less expensive. Plus, my thought for medication is that I like when it reaches the point of being generic. It's been around long enough to really know it's side effects, etc. Makes me feel more secure using. I feel like I'm part of the experiment when I'm on a newer drug like abilify.

deleted_user 02/26/2012

Actually Abilify is helping me but I'm on a cocktail of Wellbutrin and Lexapro. I don't know how the Abilify works as I can't remember the research I did on it. But it is working well in concert with the other two meds. I haven't been this good in a long time.

deleted_user 02/26/2012

after my husband passed, my doc put me on zyprexa, similiar to ablify. It got me off the couch.
I have tried to go off it several times, but I head for the couch.

amazinglyapril 02/26/2012

Thanks Olddrake and Deleigh - that's the exact results my sister got and for me it has made me want to lay in bed and cry.

I decided to take half last night instead of the whole 5mg and this morning I'm feeling good so far. Do you take it at night or in the morning?

MeggieLizzie 02/26/2012

I felt worse when I was taking lithium. I experienced every side effect lithium had along with increased depression but I gave it a chance and it wasn't for me.

I've taken abilify, also. My doctor lowered my dose and even then I couldn't stand it. I only took it for a few days. I felt like I was crawling out of my skin and I felt extremely restless (akathisia.) Not a good combination when it's painful and nearly impossible to move because of your depression. Maybe you can tell your doctor how it's making you feel and if lowering your dose is an option?

I would say that you should give most medications a chance to work but at the same time, I would also say that if a medication is unbearable, you may need to discontinue it.

It's for you and your doctor to decide. I hope you'll find something to make you feel better soon. HUGS

deleted_user 02/26/2012

Amazingly, I take my dose at night. I believe I was told that it can be somewhat sedating. I re-read the long and less than distinguished list of side effects.I usually fall within that group of folks that only suffers mild side effects.

There was one reaction that caused me to go off of the medication while hospitalized. I think Serzone and me are a bad mix. I got so agitated that I was just this side of homicidal. I remember shaking to keep from screaming my symptoms to my psychiatrist.I went off this medication under close observation in my local hospital's psychiatric ward. So if you are needing to change or stop taking a medication please do so with your doctor's supervision.

amazinglyapril 02/26/2012

Thanks Meggie and Olddrake.

Initially, my DR placed me on 2.5 MG and since I didn't feel a difference in my depression he agreed to up it to 5 MG. Last night I just reduced back to 2.5 MG and woke this morning feeling pretty decent. I will give it a few days and discuss with him over the phone since my next appt isn't for another 2 weeks.

Thanks for everyones input.

reddog201 02/26/2012

yes old rake you are correct. my doc put me on it at a low dose oh boy did it relax me. it was too much i could not do anything but sleep.i had to stop taking it. yet when i think about it sleeping all the time is not really a bad thing. at least i was not in pain.

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