Posted by kittencat on May 8, 2004, at 12:41:03
In reply to Starting Abilify tomorrow. Lots of questions..., posted by kittencat on May 8, 2004, at 1:30:45
Thank you all...it's so great to get responses. Well, I've begun...perhaps I can keep a record of any progress re: Abilify that may be helpful to others.
I am, in my own diagnosis, a person with lifelong (really, since childhood) severe, treatment resistant depression. I have tried everything from A to Zoloft (ha ha- that's pretty good), with no appreciable results, over the last 15 years. One exception: I got beautiful, absolutely stellar results with Prozac...but then they went away. When I went on it again after 10 years, got the same stellar results...at first. Then, never could get them back, even after giving it long breaks & then starting again.
My doctor is a GP, though pretty well versed in treating depression. I believe he is at his "wit's end", & is now trying to classify me as bipolar, & thinks the mood stabilizer might be the right avenue. The problem is, I never have any signs of mania...in fact, I am usually quite lethargic. I do have chronic anxiety, but is that the same? Many posts here indicated some effectiveness with Abilify in terms of alleviating depression, though it is not strictly listed as an AD. So I had/have high hopes. Don't you always, when you get your new, shiny little packet of pills home to try?
By the way, I just "detoxed" from Effexor over Easter...If I am still alive after that, I hope I can put up with any strange side effects the Abilify may give me. I hope.
Thank you so much, everyone. It is such a relief when you find out that you're not alone, isn't it? I think that may be the worst part of mental illness, & when you find out that there are so many others who are there or have been there, and understand you when your doctor and others never will...well, it just makes the whole horrible thing a little bit better. It gives you some hope.
poster:kittencat
thread:344650
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040505/msgs/344798.html