Comments on: Bipolar Disorder and Abilify http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/ by Julie A. Fast Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:52:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Danielle http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/comment-page-1/#comment-1554 Danielle Fri, 08 May 2009 19:23:53 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/2008/07/06/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/#comment-1554 i am on the abilify. my worst side effects come from the lithium. i have bad hand tremor, 80 pd weight gain, excessive thirst and urination. its not fun! i am on the abilify. my worst side effects come from the lithium. i have bad hand tremor, 80 pd weight gain, excessive thirst and urination. its not fun!

]]> By: Carmen http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/comment-page-1/#comment-1355 Carmen Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:11:31 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/2008/07/06/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/#comment-1355 I have been taking Abilify for a few months now, along with high doses of Trileptal, Lamictal, Restoril, and daily Ativan. I am honestly sick of all these side effects and wonder if there are any other avenues of managing this disorder...has anyone tried? I am also developing the tremors in my arms & hands, and it scares me greatly. I feel sick to my stomach half the time, and the only drugs that make me feel better are the Ativan and Restoril for anxiety & sleep (both benzodiazapines). Any info greatly appreciated. Hi Carmen, I am limited in the meds I can take as well- the answer is a treatment plan- My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder describes mine- as do my Health Cards. Take Charge is a good place to start - it's in the library. This blog also has a lot of treatment tips- if you look at the menu on the right there is a BP treatment category. You are on a LOT of drugs that all have some strong side effects- I am not a doctor- as you know, but there are defintely ways to manage the illness more effectively so that you don't have to be on those meds all of the time- when the mood swings are bad, people do tend to be on more drugs- my friend Sherri who has a lot of psychosis just had to go to a high level of Zyprexa- but it's just to get her through a tough time. I use Ativan as needed in the same way. I suggest you learn the complimentary ways to manage the illness and see how to reduce symptoms on your own. Then you can talk to your doctor and work out a plan! It really is so important not to reduce any drug on your own as they can have some major withdrawal effects- wow, I went off lamictal once and thought I was going to twitch into space. There are ways to manage this illness- I do it every day- you can do it too. Julie I have been taking Abilify for a few months now, along with high doses of Trileptal, Lamictal, Restoril, and daily Ativan. I am honestly sick of all these side effects and wonder if there are any other avenues of managing this disorder…has anyone tried? I am also developing the tremors in my arms & hands, and it scares me greatly. I feel sick to my stomach half the time, and the only drugs that make me feel better are the Ativan and Restoril for anxiety & sleep (both benzodiazapines). Any info greatly appreciated.

Hi Carmen,

I am limited in the meds I can take as well- the answer is a treatment plan- My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder describes mine- as do my Health Cards. Take Charge is a good place to start – it’s in the library.

This blog also has a lot of treatment tips- if you look at the menu on the right there is a BP treatment category.

You are on a LOT of drugs that all have some strong side effects- I am not a doctor- as you know, but there are defintely ways to manage the illness more effectively so that you don’t have to be on those meds all of the time- when the mood swings are bad, people do tend to be on more drugs- my friend Sherri who has a lot of psychosis just had to go to a high level of Zyprexa- but it’s just to get her through a tough time. I use Ativan as needed in the same way.

I suggest you learn the complimentary ways to manage the illness and see how to reduce symptoms on your own. Then you can talk to your doctor and work out a plan! It really is so important not to reduce any drug on your own as they can have some major withdrawal effects- wow, I went off lamictal once and thought I was going to twitch into space.

There are ways to manage this illness- I do it every day- you can do it too. Julie

]]> By: Faith Smith http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/comment-page-1/#comment-202 Faith Smith Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:56:35 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/2008/07/06/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/#comment-202 It might be a good idea to see a neurologist. This sounds alot like Dystonia and there are many medicines out there to help elevate your symptoms. A generic form of Cogentin called Benztropine and joined with another medicine called Acetazolamide which is generic for Diamox has been quite helpful for me. Don't let fear keep you from seeking out a good neurologist. There are many medicines that can help you live with out this being in control of your life. It might be a good idea to see a neurologist. This sounds alot like Dystonia and there are many medicines out there to help elevate your symptoms. A generic form of Cogentin called Benztropine and joined with another medicine called Acetazolamide which is generic for Diamox has been quite helpful for me. Don’t let fear keep you from seeking out a good neurologist. There are many medicines that can help you live with out this being in control of your life.

]]> By: Dana http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/comment-page-1/#comment-119 Dana Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:07:32 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/2008/07/06/bipolar-disorder-and-abilify/#comment-119 Hi, Julie, I had to stop taking Abilify because of a fine tremor I developed in my hands. My handwriting changed; it was difficult to hold food on a fork, etc. It has been about three months since I stopped taking it, and the tremor is still there, though somewhat diminished. Hopefully, it will disappear with time, but according to my internist, Abilify can cause permanent tremors. Dana Hi, Julie,
I had to stop taking Abilify because of a fine tremor I developed in my hands. My handwriting changed; it was difficult to hold food on a fork, etc. It has been about three months since I stopped taking it, and the tremor is still there, though somewhat diminished. Hopefully, it will disappear with time, but according to my internist, Abilify can cause permanent tremors.
Dana

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