My Depression Story: How Abilify Changed My Life
Let me just start like this and get it out of the way – This post about how Abilify changed my life is all my opinion and is in no way sponsored. I was not asked to write this nor was I compensated in any way. I am not a doctor, just a person who has suffered with Depression for many years (maybe my whole life) and I have chosen to take medication to help me. This is my story, all mine, and is not intended to tell anyone else how to or how not to live their own lives. Period. Phew…
As I was getting ready for bed last night, I reached up to my bedpost to grab my medicine bottle for my one nightly medicine. I was almost out so I reminded myself out loud that I needed to call in a refill. Believe me, I will not forget to call in this refill. This nighttime medicine is Abilify and Abilify changed my life. This medicine is my #2 most important medicine that I take (the other being Effexor XR and boy do I never want to run out of that, either!) and I am not prepared to live without it yet.
I’ve told my Depression story many times on this blog, but I’ll give you a quick reminder. Oh, and I totally started this post many, many months ago, got sidetracked, and I’m finally getting around to it again. You may have wondered what this graphic is talking about – “music return”…
Anyway…
I have been depressed for about as long as I can remember.
I’m pretty sure that when I was growing up, I was depressed on some level. I think back then it was purely a hormonal imbalance or a chemical imbalance or whatever causes depression in young children when they really have nothing to be depressed about. I had a good childhood. Sure, there were bumps and all, but overall, my perception of my childhood was great (at the time, at least). I still feel like my parents were doing the best they could and I love them so much for the childhood I had. I honestly don’t think I would change a thing. So…yeah…chemical imbalance.
As a teen, I was probably more shy and reserved than most teens until my parents divorced and my dad loosened the reigns just a little. I was working my tail off at two jobs over the summer and I was a responsible teen so my dad just figured that he could lighten up on me. Or maybe, he was distraught from the divorce and felt some guilt over who knows what and maybe he just felt like he owed me. For whatever reason, I was more free than I had ever been and I wasn’t as afraid of getting into trouble by my parents so I let loose a LOT. Having been depressed for most of my life and now having a situational reason for more depression, I didn’t think too highly of myself (and my body) and things just went awry. Let’s just leave it at that, except to say that if I ever allowed myself to regret things in life, these would be the things. But, I don’t believe in regret, only learning lessons from our mistakes, so let’s just move on.
In college, the depression just continued to get worse. I was stuck back in my shell because I was in a large city (Austin, TX) yet I had tasted the free life so I was trying to continue that. I made a lot of mistakes back then. I just kept messing up until the worst possible thing (in my mind) happened. I failed out of college. I was working full time and supporting myself and I just didn’t want to go to class. I never really learned how to study because I didn’t need to study in high school.
When I finally settled into my first “real” or “grown-up” job, it was at a psychiatry office in medical records. I love how I can look back at this and see how God stepped in and said “ENOUGH” and then started to guide my life. Of course, at the time I was just trying to survive and I had made even more mistakes in choices of boyfriends, dumping one who I thought was going to be “the one” for another who was already married, moving in with him, quitting my job of four years, and floating along until that one shoved me one day and I thought I had hit the end of the road.
This time in my life was probably my darkest time.
I was in a new job (at the psychiatry office) but I didn’t really know anybody yet. My dad had to move me from my apartment in the middle of the night. I slept on a couch in my old roommate’s ex-boyfriend’s apartment with a tank that had a large snake in it. I moved from that couch to another couch in my old roommate’s apartment and then into a spare bedroom of one of my psychiatry office coworker’s homes. I was still communicating with my shover boyfriend for some reason and one night he just got to me. That night I tried to overdose. I took a bottle of Excedrin and was scavenging my coworker’s cabinets when she came home and called the ambulance. I stayed in the ER for a few hours where they gave me charcoal and wouldn’t let me go to the bathroom (one and only time I used a bedpan). Then, they released me in the middle of the night, to nobody. I had to call around and the old roommate’s ex-boyfriend came to get me and took me back to my coworker’s home and my new room.
Wow…I’ve never really written all of that down so I hope it makes sense. I’ve told a few people about it, but I don’t know if anyone really knows all the bits and pieces in full. Well, I guess now everybody does.
Anyway…after my coworkers heard about my night, they were worried and they sent me to a therapist.
This was the best thing that ever happened to me
During my first session, I poured my heart out to her and she told me about me. Did you catch that? She told ME about ME. She nailed it, too! She knew what I had been through and knew where I had been. She knew where I needed to go next. She talked to me about the ditch that I had dug for myself in the circle of my life. Picture walking in a circle over and over for 22 years. After that long, you would be in a pretty deep ditch. Getting out of that ditch and walking on level ground can be difficult. She told me that through therapy, we would fill in that ditch one positive thought at a time. However, if I tried to start walking on level ground right away, I would just continue to fall back into the ditch. She suggested medication to temporarily cover that hole while we filled it in.
The second best thing that ever happened to me.
It took just a little while before I was able to find that Effexor XR is a great anti-depressant for me. It brought me back to life and I gained confidence. I continued in therapy and even got off medication for a little while. Situations in my life have lead me back to Effexor, but I do know that if I was back in therapy (I’ve been out for a few years now) that I could get back off the medication.
So, how has Abilify changed my life?
I always thought that taking an anti-depressant and going to therapy would just keep me in my non-depression mode, but I was wrong. After heading back to college, and graduating this time (yay!), I headed into Graduate school. I made it a little over a year and then situations hit me hard again.
I turned 30, I met my husband, I became pregnant, my mom died, I planned a wedding in 3 months, I married my husband, I had a baby, and I turned 31 – fun year, right? While it was a blessing and I can NOW see where God was leading me, in the midst of it, I was lost. I was walking my circle again and I had a false thought that my Effexor was going to keep me from making a ditch. Well, it didn’t. I walked that circle for 5+ years and found myself in a ditch.
I was not happy in my marriage. I was not happy being a mom. I was not happy with my job, my blog, my life… I wouldn’t let Howard and Benjamin talk, much less listen to music, in the car, and we spend a lot of time in the car together. I was overwhelmed with thoughts of running away, with or without my family, and even had thoughts of running my car off the road, with or without my family. Luckily, Howard is understanding when it comes to depression. Even though he hasn’t experienced it in the way I had, he knew that I needed to ask the doctor for some help. So, I did. He gave me Abilify to supplement my Effexor.
Here’s how Abilify changed my life!
Within one week, I was feeling better. I was starting to smile more and laugh a little more. I was joking around with Howard and Benjamin, and then the unthinkable happened… I turned on the radio in the car! Both of them looked at me like I was crazy when I turned it on, but they just went with it. We were on an hour long drive to Tyler when I started dancing to the music and laughing with them. Life was about to be back to normal for the first time in over 5 years. Howard just looked at me and said “no matter how much that Abilify costs or what we have to do to get it, we’re getting it for you for as long as you need it…I have my wife back!”. He even actually thanked the doctor the next time he saw him in the office. Weirdo!
I’ve been on Abilify for I guess almost a year now…and things are looking good. Of course, I still have my “blue” days, but they are truly just “blue” and not that dark grey or black like they used to be. I can enjoy my family, my son, my husband, my job, my blog, my life… Life is Good and I love this journey that God has me on right now. I think I’ll keep taking my Abilify a little longer and enjoy the view.
How do you feel about medication for depression?
Now that I’ve asked that, I will put a disclaimer that I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean-spirited or inappropriate. I have just poured out my heart here, so just be nice. I do respect all opinions and as I stated at the very beginning, this is my story and it’s true for me.
Nobody talks about the side effects of effexor, brintellix or Abilify…i mean, the sexual ones, it doesn’t disturb your personal lifes?
I haven’t experienced any sexual side effects from any of these three medications so I can’t really talk about that, but I’m sure everyone is different!
For the ladies,they’re less severe,specially the SNRI’S like Effexor,Cymbalta,etc it’s documented..but for men…
I have been suffering from depression and anxiety for about 15 years now. I am 30 years old. I finally decided to see my doctor back in 2011 and she started me on Celexa and Propranolol. Over the course of treatment I ended up taking 20mg of the Celexa twice a day and 40mg of the Propranolol twice a day. During that time I also tried Vistiril and Buspar which either did nothing or made me feel horrible. Up until Feb 1st I have been on the same medications but in the last year or so I could tell that my depression was getting much worse and I started having severe mood swings with bouts of anger, irritability, agitation and just very easily annoyed. All of this was definitely affecting my job, relationships and my life. So on Feb 1st I decided to talk to my doctor about my issues. He took me off of the Celexa and started me on Prozac 25mg. Horrible drug for me. I was so sick I missed 3 days of work. I felt like I had a horrible case of the flu. I was on that for 1 week and my doctor said I was having a reaction to it so he stopped it and I started Zoloft 25mg. The Zoloft I took for about 2 1/2 weeks or so. I had horrible side effects with that one also and my anxiety and mood swings were worse but I can say it seemed to help a little with my depression symptoms but still not enough. Went back to my doctor and he started me back on the Celexa twice a day and added Abilify 10mg at bedtime. It took me a couple of days to get the nerve to start it because of all the side effects I had read about. Finally started it and that night I seemed to sleep a little better than usual but I woke during the night with severe nausea and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. The nausea continued until the next day. I spoke to my doctor the next day and we decided I would cut the 10mg in half and try that. Still put off taking it for a couple of days. Started the 5mg a few days ago. Took one and did not sleep at all even took my Ambien that night. Another horrible night. Next night I cut the pill in half again to make 2.5mg still did not sleep but about 30 minutes. UGH!!! Okay, so today I decided to still take the 2.5mg but I took it this morning hoping it will be better. I also am starting therapy next week for the first time ever, scary!! It has definitely been a struggle but hopefully changes are coming my way. Thank you so much Janet for sharing your story. It helps more than you know to be able to read positive stories others have. It makes these bad days just a little bit better. Hope and pray the best for you!
Jess, thank you also for sharing your story! It took me a couple of weeks to get used to Abilify, but once it kicked in, it was like a light bulb switched on and I feel so much better. Today I’m taking 10mg of Abilify and Trintellix and I feel like a new person. I am able to sleep good, the depression is almost gone, and I workout daily (which has tremendously helped!). I wish and pray for the best for you as well!
my son has autism and depression they are about to start him on abilify.. im nervous. anyone else have a child like this?
I hope someone sees this and can help you. I personally have no experience with medications for children. Sorry I can’t help!
I’m also taking Abilify, but not for depression but for psychotic-like symptoms ( 15 mg ).
Now my doctor has decided to start a treatment for my depression, too.
The chosen drug is Brintellix.
At the beginning I was a little afraid of taking these two medicines together, because one ( the Abilify ) is a partial agonist of 5-HT7 receptor and the other ( Brintellix ) is an antagonist, so I started to search for some information and experiences from other people.
So you say to be on both of these drugs and, is everything fine right now?
Thank you.
I’ve been on Abilify and Brintellix (now Trintellix) for a while now and I feel great. I had to go up a dose on the Trintellix because the holidays and stress aggravate my depression, but otherwise, things are good.
Hi Janet!
Thanks so much for Janet for your story! It was very inspirational.
I was hospitalised in September of 2015 of suicidal ideation. Doctors there started me on cipralex on a very low dose of 2.5mg. I know that’s unusual but they were dealing with a very unusual patient. Yu see, I was given cipralex may of 2015 but refused to take the pills due to the fact of unknown fears of side effects. I started taking a low dose of 2.5mg finally in July of 2015. My mother and husband couldn’t see me having anxiety attacks and crying none stop. I couldn’t even be in a car to travel 10 minutes without feeling of doom and panic. Once I started taking the 2.5mg I noticed a little relief within a week but I know now that was placebo effects. So continuing on, around the end of July 2015, I got my wisdom tooth pulled out and that’s where everything became worse. I started getting this awful ringing in my ears, where in multiplied my anxieties a dand depression. I forgot to mention that I was on methadone 45mg for the past 11 years. That it self was alot of my anxieties. I spent the next month and a half stopping my cipralex because I was convinced it was that which was causing the tinitus symptoms. I started up again and stop after with intervals of no more than 5 mgs at time for no more than 10 days. I was noticing that I was getting almost like a depersonalisation effect even before taking my meds..it’s hard to describe it felt like someone took my soul and replaced it with someone else!!
Speeding this along…the emergency doctor admitted me into the hospital where I stayed for 6 weeks. He tried to get me to tske another kind of medication but I refused. We stayed with the cipralex . By the time I left the hospital, I was at 10 mgs. This medication was awful! Needless to stay after being on it for 13 weeks all together, I quit with the advice of a fantastic doctor who noticed that I was not on the right meds and switched me to effexor xr. FYI.. I quit methadone cold turkey because I had my pschyatrist telling me along with my methadone doctor that cipralex.was the right medication which in fact I knew wasn’t. My anxieties were still bad and was becoming numb to feelings or the extreme and would cry! I was convinced it was withdrawal but doctors were saying it was anxiety! Well me who’s stubborn said ya! Well watch me! I stopped methadone on November 27/2015 and never looked back! The doctor I have now is a methadone and mental health specialists. We had a plan in place to tapper me off slowly but I said no way! I wanted to figure out if it was in fact anxiety or withdrawal. it was anxiety which I suspected
On Dec 1st, I started effexor xr on 37.5mg.and proceeded to increase up to 225mg in a matter of 6 months. It has done good for me. I’ve returned back to work and was given a full time posting with full benefits, 7 years of dedication.
On April 28/2016 I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycictic ovarian syndrome. I’ve been telling doctors and anyone who will listen that I suspected my anxiety and depression especially for the past 4 years, has been hormone related due from the simple fact of absent periods for sometimes 2 years at a time? Facial hair and the inability to conceive. I’m now 39 years old.
I’ve been given metformin in April of this year and noticed a change in me. I always had anxiety o the back burner but now feel as though, I’m going right back to where I started.
My psychiatrist insisted I was to start taking abilify. I’ve been holding this script for the past week. Last night I finally took a half of 2mgs. Nothing really happened as far as side effects but other than staying up late cause I couldn’t fall asleep. I’ve been dealing a horrible neck and shoulder pain on the left side for a while now but became worse this morning. I took another 1/2 of 2 mg this morning . This afternoon I noticed thst I’m getting a pain in back and neck and along the jaw that I’ve never experienced before along with heavy diarrhea ( sorry)!
I’m sitting here at this moment contemplating to continue on Janet! Why has the effexor xr stop doing its job especially at 225 in a short time? I know your not a doctor but have you felt muscle tensing or pain or perhaps other side effects. I need advice from others that are going through this. In case I forgot to mention I weight 240lb and have gained 12 pounds in a month. Doctor told me that effexor is weight neutral and so is abilify…I’m finding this hard to believe!! Anyone else who reads this , if you can offer anything as well I would appreciate it..thanks Ginette Rochefort Bale
Ginette, thank you for reading and commenting on my post. I was on Effexor XR 300mg for over ten years and it stopped working for me right before we added Abilify. I’m now off Effexor XR and on Brintellix 10mg and Abilify 10mg and I’m doing pretty decently. If you just started taking the Abilify and are having those side effects (the stiffness, pain, and diarrhea) I would be tempted to say give it at least a week or two unless you are in so much pain and/or getting dehydrated. Your body is probably just getting used to the new medication, but I don’t want to see you suffer for too long because it’s not worth that when there may be another medicine out there that can help. I really truly believe in Abilify and I would love to shout that from the rooftops! But, I’m not a doctor so I can only tell you about my experience. Now, as far as weight gain, I honestly believe that Effexor XR will make you gain weight. I gained a LOT while I was on it, but I also wasn’t eating healthy and wasn’t exercising. I recently had weight loss surgery so I’m on my way down, but my surgeon told me that all depression/anxiety meds have a weight gain component to them. He said even with my surgery, I would lose slowly because of this. However, there is always a give and take with these meds. We need them for our mental health so the trade-off of weight issues is sometimes worth it. It is for me, at least.
My only other piece of advice is regarding the Effexor XR. Please do not stop that cold turkey. It has horrible side effects, like the pain and stiffness in your neck, shoulders, and back and it will put you through the ringer if you just stop it. When I stopped taking it, it took me a month to taper down from my 300mg. I was scared to death over it, but I’m better for it now.
Please let me know if I can answer anything else. I’ve taken a LOT of different depression meds to see what works so I’m here for you if you need someone to lean on. Take care!
I’m scared of the withdrawals . If you don’t mind me asking, did the the doctor introduced a new medication while slowly decreasing the effexor?
I can’t believe the effexor has lost its effects. I’ve only been on this for 7 months..I’m so discouraged.
Ginette Rochefort Bale recently posted..My Struggle with Food
Yes! I started the Brintellix at the same time as I started decreasing the Effexor. I’m surprised the Effexor is losing its effects as well, but Abilify is supposed to enhance the effects of the other medicines you are on…I think.
If you don’t mind me asking.. have you noticed any withdrawal effect while changing meds? I’m so scared of the vertigo and brain zaps…
FYI..I don’t know you but I’m so very proud of you and your accomplishments. I’m actually tearing up right now. I become so happy and cathartic when I hear how other people found happiness in their lives.
Having been diagnosed with PCOS and the likely hood of having a family is as high as me winning the lottery.
I prayed for you last night and your beautiful family.
Congrats also on your weight loss…
Ginette Rochefort Bale recently posted..My Struggle with Food
You can ask me anything! I’m open to all sorts of questions!
When I titrated off Effexor, we did it slow over the course of a month and I didn’t experience ANY withdrawals. I was terrified because I had run out of it in the past and had the brain zaps and the vertigo, as well as the stiffness and severe pain in my neck and head. But, like I said, I had none of that when I titrated down while also taking Abilify and starting the Brintellix. And, actually, I tried Fetzima before I tried Brintellix, but it didn’t do anything for me. Don’t be scared to get off Effexor if you do it the right way….slowly and with a doctor’s advice.
Thank you so much for your thoughts, well wishes, and especially your prayers. My little family can always use prayers! I know a little how you feel about not being able to have kids. Although I have one surprise baby, we have been trying for over 6 years for the second with no luck. We are hoping that this weight loss will help. I have to wait 18 months from my surgery before we can try again and I’m already 39 so I’m anxiously waiting for my time to be up…or we might just not have another one.
I have been on Abilify for 1 day…1 day. Nothing else, just 2 mg of Abilify and I think I feel better already. I am TERRIFIED of the drug, but AD’s made my depression and anxiety WAY worse, so this is what my doctor prescribed…took me a week to get the courage to take it, after reading the horror stories. Thank you for your post. It is encouraging.
Stay on it, it works! I am still taking it (10mg now) and I feel great! It truly changed my life.
I will throw out a warning though, BEWARE going off the Abilify. I was on it for a few years, changed my life too. Then my doctor moved and I had to go off. I lost EVERYTHING. My sanity, my friends, my JOB. Finally found the doctor in a another town and am back on it the generic Abilify with a year’s of samples backed up IN CASE because it was so traumatic. I am going to switch from Effexor XR to Fetzima this week, was hoping to find someone with experience there. Abilify is AMAZING just take it for life. Truuuuust me.
I actually tried Fetzima when I got off Effexor XR and it didn’t do much for me. I’m now on Brintellix and Abilify and feel pretty darn good.
I am on fetzima and the doc just prescribed lability today. I will let you know soon
Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your story. I am 28 years old, and have been on and off Effexor XR for almost 10 years. I also have a lifetime of experience with depression. I have a history of challenging having to take medications, and have tried weening off numerous times. The longest I lasted off was about 10 months. I went back on medications after going to rehab for drug addiction. I finally grew up enough to admit and accept that I will probably need medications for the rest of my life.
Now that I’ve been on Effexor XR for a steady 4 years, I feel like I’m at the crossroads. I’m on 225 MG, and was last adjusted from 150mg two years ago. At one point, when I was a teen, I was taking close to 500 mg, and I don’t want that again. My symptoms have worsened to the point where coping skills aren’t working. So, I’m going to see my psychiatrist about what can be done. I get a lot of anxiety thinking about going in, because I never know what I’m going to be given and what might happen. I know what I’m capable of when I have a break, and any new medication or adjustment can trigger that. But I need to do something. I’m going to ask about Abilify. I’ve been doing a lot of research, and the stories and articles have helped a lot. Despite the severity of my original symptoms, I have tried my best to maintain NOT taking a lot of medications. I hate feeling weak for being on meds. But hearing others speak up about what’s going on in their heads is truly appreciated. So, wish me luck! And thank you for sharing Janet.
Jenna, thank you for visiting my blog and for reading my story…and sharing your own! Definitely ask about Abilify! It has done wonders for me. In fact, as of today I am completely off Effexor XR (it took a long time) and am on a low dose of Brintellix, plus my Abilify. The side effects were non-existent for me and the benefits are amazing! Good luck and keep me updated on what your doctor decides for you. I’m here if you need to talk about anything!
So, my appointment went better than expected. I seamed to have forgotten how at ease my doctor makes me feel (which is a sign of a good match between doctor/patient, I encourage all to seek this). I live in Minnesota, where it is very common to develop Seasonal Affective Disorder, and it looks as though this is what is happening with me. She gave me a lot of great information on what may be going on in my head, and it was great to hear her feedback and especially good to feel validated (no one likes to feel ‘crazy’ AND misunderstood). Anwho. We decided on adding Lamictal, and I was provided a prescription for a SAD light. My doctor brought up what a lot of others have said about Effexor and other anti-depressants, and that is they do have the potential of ‘wearing off’. Even after years of success, certain meds for certain people begin to loose effectiveness. She agreed that changing anti-depressants wouldn’t be effective. Effexor has worked well for me, and changing to a new one would most likely garner the same results plus months worth of adjustments. I’m two days in, and so I can’t give much for results on the new medication. But I’m remaining hopeful. Which is a lot more than I was feeling before. Thank you again, Janet. It feels good to have a place to comment and be understood.
Thank you so much for your story! I had actually asked Google about whether anyone was taking Brintelix with abilify and your blog came up! I have been struggling with depression for many years now and I have taken everything from wellbutrin to lexapro and even effexor. The last medication that I was on that tapped me on someone of an even keel was pristiq then I switched insurance companies to be covered under my partners plan and after a year they came back and said that they wouldn’t cover pristiq and said that effexor was a good substitute. Unfortunately, even though my therapist and I appeal that decision because the effects are did not work for me before the medical insurance company would not budge, so I was forced to try something different so I tried Cymbalta. I have steadily gone downhill over the last 2 years to the point where I shrunk my world so small that I was having anxiety everytime the phone rang. There was a lot of changes and what’s going on in the two years, but normally although I would experience the typical feelings and anyone would going through the various losses that I did common I used to pride myself in my ability to bounce back. Unfortunately somewhere along the lines I stopped bouncing back and I would get up every morning and I just could not get myself to get in the shower and get ready to go to work. Each day was a struggle to the point where I just couldn’t get out of bed anymore and have lost 22 pounds because food isn’t even interesting. I was on several board of directors positions and one by one, I either resigned I was asked to step down because I was no longer able to fulfill my obligations and commitments. Of course I was devastated because I love volunteering that helping people, but I also know that I wasn’t getting any joy out of it so it was a blessing in disguise because it meant that I could just stay at home more and has less people counting on me which is what I wanted. So here’s where my life is now: I got clean from drugs and alcohol January 16th 1997 and when I went to rehab, I was there for 14 days. I then took off two more days so that I could get hooked up with 12-step groups in my area as well as get signed up with the local outpatient treatment center so that I could take intensive outpatient groups and therapy. Even though my doctor would have kept me out of work for 3 to 6 months I felt so guilty for being out of work for the 16 days and I got back to work as quickly as I could because that was the responsible person that I was. This bout of depression kicked in almost 2 years ago that has steadily gotten worse until I finally took the suggestion of my therapist and doctor to let them take me out on disability because I wasn’t getting better and because I was having such a hard time getting up and going to work anyway I really felt that I need to take some time to focus on me. I finally agreed and was taken out of work on September 30th and was put on 10 milligrams of brintelix. After a month it really wasn’t getting better so is increased to 20 milligrams which I am just noticing a little bit of improvement but I feel like something huge is still missing. What was really interesting when I was reading your blog was you talking about the music in the car because that has certainly been a measurement for me in the past as it has been the answer for me that well I turn on the radio and start singing to the music I can feel the joy and I know I’m on my way to healing. I have not felt that sense of joy in almost 2 years. There’s a lot more, but I think you get the gist of where I’ve been so I was wondering if I should ask my therapist to consider adding abilify to my current medication of Brintelix. Work is expecting me back around January 4th that although I am making myself eat better and have gained a couple of pounds, I am nowhere near ready to go back to work and really want to be. Thanks for listening and I appreciate any feedback you can provide and I am truly grateful for your willingness to share your story and I’m happy for you that you are finding your way to the other side! Roni
I actually just published an update post to this one because I am on Brintellix and Abilify now! Abilify, as you’ve read, has changed my life. I cannot say enough about it and I recommend it to anyone who is already on depression medications, but needs an extra boost to get back to normal. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you start feeling better soon. Here is my update post – http://goingcrazywannago.com/depression-update – Let me know if you try Abilify and if it helps you! Take care!
Hi Janet,
Yesterday, my pdoc added Abilify to Effexor XR (300mg), Lamictal (currently on 75mg) and mirtazapine (45mg). We starts with 2.5mg and in a week, I’ll increase it to 5mg.
It’s important to mention that I’m taking Effexor and mirtazapine for 7 years already and these worked great for me for the past 6.5 years. 2 months ago, my depression and anxiety came back again and after adding Lamictal and noticed no results, I was asked to add Abilify.
I truly hope to get my life back as it’s so hard for me, especially after these last 6.5 great years.
Can abilify work by itself. I took it this morning and I wad so sleepy with it
I think it can work by itself, but you would need to talk to your doctor about it. Do NOT attempt to get off Effexor on your own. It is not fun and can be dangerous. Plus, I actually take my Ability at night because it can cause drowsiness.
I recently had a breakdown and have been off work. I have been taking Effexor dr for 10 years with no problem. Now the doc wants me to add 2 miligrams of abilify but the reviews scared me about the weight gain and dystopia or something like that and muscle tremors. Could it be my Effexor has been venaflacine made by pharma Aurubindo and had weakened the medicine, I don’t know what to do anymore. I get to my job and obsess I will have a panic attack and lose my job.
Amanda, I think that Effexor just runs its course after a while. I was on it for 10+ years and it finally stopped working for me. I’m no longer on it. BUT, I swear by the Abilify. I didn’t notice any side effects and have continued to lose weight (I’m trying to lose weight). I think you should talk to your doctor about your concerns and if he still wants you to be on Abilify, I think it’s worth the try! I wish you all the best!
Abilify has saved my life. I take 40mg Prozac and 300 mg wellbutrin. That combination half-way worked. My doctor added 5 mg Abilify and I came to life. Have been on it now for about 6 weeks. Sometimes I feel sensations in my stomach similar to those on a roller coaster. No pain. Also have been having scary dreams lately. I do not want to stop taking the medication because it is the only thing that has REALLY helped my depression. Are these side effects likely to go away – or maybe get worse?
Karen, I haven’t heard of those side effects, but it affects everyone differently. It might be worth talking to your doctor about it, but you also have to weigh the rewards as well. Since you’ve been on it for 6 weeks now, I would say just mention it to your doctor. Since I wrote this, I have gone up to 10mg and never really saw any side effects!
Thank you for sharing your story. I honestly do not even know how I ended up here at your blog, but I read a lot of your post and could see myself. I beeive I have been suffering from depression since my childhood as well. I have a mother that has been diagnosed with Organic personality disorder and manic depressions. I also have a sister who suffered a neervous breakdown and tried to commit suicide 6 years ago and another sister who also suffers from depression. I think my issue is that I do not want to face the fact that depression may be affecting me. I call it a hormonal imbalance, PMS, mood swing. Anything but what may be the truth, depression. I have never been diagnosed in fact, I’ve never even talked to my doctor about it. It’s really starting to affect my social life. I don’t want to go anywhere, I barely answer the door let alone the phone. I just don’t know where to go or how to get help at this point. It’s really sad because the older I get, the less control I feel that I have over it. I’m usually just really solemn and sometimes sad even, but for the most part I like to live as a hermit. Sad, I know.
Thank you fir sharing!!!! Glad that you made it through with help of medications. I have had similar exoeruences and have lows and highs. Wrrevyou diagnosed with bo. May I ask what dosages you arevon. I think my Effexor needs increased. Thank you for sharing your lufe’s story to hekp othets. Tammy
Hi Tammy, I have not been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, but rather Major Depression and Anxiety. I was on 300 mg of Effexor and 5 mg of Abilify. I just recently got off Effexor and now I’m on 60 mg of Fetzima and 10 mg of Abilify. I’m working my way through some new issues and I’ll be posting tomorrow about them. I’ll let you know when that post is live so you can read my current story. Thanks for stopping by and Good Luck with your medication changes!
Thank you for your reply! I found your blog yesterday on my smartphone. The first response had no typos, but the 2nd had typos. It sent it three times I think. I appreciate you sharing the dosages after getting through the typos. Kind regards, Tammy
Thank for your story!!! I am so glad you received help. I think you had some normali life stuff too, but definitely sounds like depressed states and manic states. Were you diagnosed with bp? I am older and similar situation. Was windering what your doses are as I see my psych doc tomorrow.? Inspiring life share! Thank you!!!!
Hi. Thank you for sharing this. I suffer from the some of thesame things you went through. The music part really got to me…I love music, but it all makes me too sad to listen to.
I just started Abilify in addition to the 60 mg of Prozac daily. I don’t know what to say yet …it makes me tired, but most meds do until I adjust, but I feel a little less bleak and a little less like staying in bed, in the same pajamas day after day. I am at a very low dose, 2 mg, but doc says we can adjust. Your story has truly given me a ray of sunshine. Here’s to hoping I can bring the music back soon as well.
Hi! This is my very first time EVER to post anything…so be patient with me if I say something stupid or hit enter before I mean to!
I just started taking Abilify yesterday at a very low dose…2 mg for a couple weeks and up to 5 after that. I’ve taken many different meds over the years but it wasn’t until a couple years ago that I actually accepted the fact that I have a problem with depression and social anxiety and agoraphobia. Hard to deny that after awhile!
Anyway, I take 15 mg of Lexapro and 300 of Welbutrin and I still could care less if I get out of bed, shower or even get dressed. Going anywhere? Not even an option…which my job takes issue with. My pdoc has added Abilify and from what I’ve heard this might be the solution to getting rid of the little black squiggly Charlie Brown cloud over my head. That reference probably just have away my age, I’m 42!
Long story long, I’m desperate to have a life again. I was very social until my mid-20’s and by 40 I was the hermit that I am now. I’ve heard good and bad stories about Abilify but it gives me hope to see your stories of success. Hopefully this will be the little kick in the butt that I need to get out of the house and living life again!
Thank you for sharing, all of you!!! I needed to hear good things today!
Kristi, I am so glad that you found this post and more importantly, that you found Abilify! I hope and pray that it works for you because we all deserve to enjoy life while we are here! Please keep me updated by either emailing me (janet(at)goingcrazywannago(dot)com) or just by commenting here so others can see how it’s working for you…even if it doesn’t, I still want you to know that I’m supportive of you feeling better. Take care!
I suffer from anxiety and depression, as well, and Effexor is the only thing that works! And no, I don’t run out of it, either! (And any pharmacists that has every tried to tell me that I can’t get it when I need it quickly sees that oh-heck-yes, they’re going to get it for me and fast!!! Lol!) My anxiety/depression are just chemical based and it runs in the family; no amount of therapy will ever get me off of medication because most of the time there isn’t anything “wrong” in the traditional sense of the word. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t situational things that get me down, but the Effexor helps keep the highs and lows moderated (and keeps me from falling into that ditch you mentioned). (Side note, I think that’s what people who don’t have issues or take medication don’t understand–there are a whole lot of us that KNOW that medication can’t “fix” us…it just helps even things out! And there are those of us that absolutely cannot meditate, talk out, or self-medicate our “issues” away because it’s just the way we’re wired!) Anywho…thanks for spilling your heart on this! I’m so glad you’ve found something that works. It took me a whole bunch of medications in a variety of doses, nights of hallucinations from Lexapro, weight gain and more depression from other medications…just to find the Effexor XR. And it makes a world of difference! And I’m glad the Abilify works for you, too. Hang in there and steer clear of ditches…
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I’m so happy you found something that works. I think that some people need meds- whether it’s depression or something like ADHD- they need them. Their lives are better because of them and so are the lives of those around them.
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I am so happy that you can out of your depression, and I am glad you found medication that suits you so well.
I was going towards depression when I started with a little yoga and meditation and it helped me. Feel like a new person now
Stay healthy
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I am so happy that you found medication that helps you. I have tried Abilify but for me it did not work Effexor is something I make sure I never run out of. I love it. Without it I am not the same and I cannot function at all. I hate having to try all of the different combinations of pills until something works and having faith that it will finally work. I also take good old Lithium for my bipolar and I have Ativan for just in case anxiety. I would like to thank you for sharing your story with us.
A joke for you. Here is something that is weird that this is my husband’s fave memory of me. One year we went to the Baltimore (MD) aquarium. I am a vegetarian and I love almost all animals. I have seen pictures of Puffins but never had I see one close up. I think they are so cute and even though I am a vegetarian I like all cooking shows, even No Reservations and Bizarre Foods. Weird. In any case, on one show they ate one and it made me sad that they could eat these birds. So we went in, looked around and one display was a puffin tank. Most of the birds that were in there we just laid back. But there was one that was flying around the display and skidding across the water. I looked around and no one was laughing at it and even though I tried not to laugh I did. It was just so cute and goofy. He says this is his fave memory of me because even though I hardly talk to anyone, even though I am afraid of others, I made a whole group of people relax and enjoy themselves. I highly recommend this aquarium if you are ever in the area. The VA Beach one, not so much though
Effexor is definitely my first wonder drug choice. I don’t go a day without it!
I love your story. So cute!
I do not feel I’m qualified to really have much of an opinion on this. But, I have one anyway Since you asked…
I think SO MANY people run to drugs to fix all of their problems. They feel sad one moment so they need to be medicated. My husband’s mother is on so much medication, we honestly have no idea how she’s still alive (and it’s not for depression…as far as we know. Some of it probably is. She thinks that if the sun doesn’t shine for the day, she needs to be medicated. Or if the sun IS shining she needs to be medicated. She finds any and every excuse. And there are doctors out there that love to prescribe. That’s the kind of stuff I’m talking about.)
My mom has bouts of minor depression (and they are completely circumstantial), and she has always said “Depression is a sin.” I finally let her have it one day 5 years ago when I told her that God gave us emotions. Being depressed is NOT A SIN any more than feeling happy is a sin. It’s what you do with it that can be a sin.
All medication also has side affects that you have to be careful and aware of.
That being said, I can’t tell one person what is right or wrong for them. I know that some people truly do need medication for this condition. My whole point is that depression is over diagnosed and the medication way over-prescribed. I just am not qualified to judge which people truly need the medication. And, I don’t even try.
So – I hope you don’t mind my mixing a message in with answering your question about a specific topic. My husband lost his job 12 days ago It was very heartbreaking, but the Lord is slowly healing our broken hearts. For the most part, we’re doing alright. I did go to bed crying last night, but “joy comes in the morning”. We just loved his work family to death which is the only part of this that is sad.
He is currently looking for new employment. I don’t know how much he’s actually looking in Texas. I know he mentioned to someone earlier today about Dallas (as I’ve mentioned before, we’re specifically looking more toward Tyler), but that’s the first I’ve heard Texas mentioned in the last 2 weeks. So, we may not be going there after all. Or, we may be. Who knows? What we do know is that the Lord knows, and we completely trust Him for a new job to come along in the right time in the right place.
And, I’ve been wondering for 4 days…where’s Fatty Friday?
I’m praying for y’all to find the right answer, Mari. And…we didn’t have the money to go weigh in this week so no update. I might not have one this coming week either because I have to go out of town for work. I might have a chance to get over there earlier in the week. We’ll see…
I saw the tag effexor as a depression med. I took it for two years and I agree I needed it because I had road rage in the worst way. If someone just hung out in my blind spot for more than a few seconds I was ready to help them move off the road. I came off the drug on my own after two years because I didn’t feeling like a zombie.
I know that Effexor affects different people in different ways. I’ve never experienced the zombie feeling from it. I wouldn’t like that either.