Abilify for Depression?

2Vermont

I know there are a number of posters here who have struggled with depression nad other mental health issues.  If you are willing to share, could you please tell me if you use Abilify? Are there serious side effects?  Is it effective?  My mother's psychiatrist has suggested she take this, but up until now she hasn't because of its cost (something like $500 per 3 month supply).

2Vermont

Thanks SBP. 

I would laso like to add to my OP that I think she also needs to start going to weekly therapy (not just add a more potent drug..it bugs me that the psychiatrist didn't suggest this too).  I think she has gotten worse partly due to her age and related physical limitations. 

HOwever, other family memebrs  and I are starting to realize that my brother's long term unemployment (over 4 years now) which is mostly his fault is a huge part of her downward spiral as he lives with her.  Any advice on what to do about that would be greatly appreciated as well.  It seems to me that we'll need to tell him and knowing his situation (he's not in the greatest shape emotionally either) I'm not sure how that is going to work out.

KateAggie

Is she in therapy at all?  I know she has a psychiatrist, but I know that some of them do not handle the therapy themselves.  

2Vermont

KateAggie:

Is she in therapy at all?  I know she has a psychiatrist, but I know that some of them do not handle the therapy themselves.  

No, she is not.  Her psychiatrist is just the person she touches base with (I think every 6 weeks?)/get new prescription if needed.  There was a time years ago that she went to therapy, but basically she just takes meds now.  That's why I think she should be in therapy with this med change.

KateAggie

2Vermont:

KateAggie:

Is she in therapy at all?  I know she has a psychiatrist, but I know that some of them do not handle the therapy themselves.  

No, she is not.  Her psychiatrist is just the person she touches base with (I think every 6 weeks?)/get new prescription if needed.  There was a time years ago that she went to therapy, but basically she just takes meds now.  That's why I think she should be in therapy with this med change.

I absolutely agree.  Prayers for her.  

How does she feel about trying the abilify?  Would it be a supplement to another AD?  At that cost, I'd want to exhaust all possible options, but I also know that when meds aren't working, all you want is to just not feel that way anymore.

Are you close to her (proximity-wise)?  Depending on how she's currently feeling, having someone there to advocate for her/ask the right questions/etc. might be really helpful.

Hugs for you, too.  It's hard to be on the watching side of mental illness, too. 

noonecarewhoiam

Does she have private insurance? There is a co-pay card available, as well as some help for the donut hole. It's the Abilify Assist program.

LaurierGirl28

Haven't used abilify, I used Cipralex (10mg). I just wanted to wish you and your family the best of luck - I know how hard it is to be the depressed individual, and also to watch as someone suffers from depression.

Hugs. 

notquiteblushing

I've been on Abilify but never by itself.  I thought it was meant to aid other pills.  I'm not a doctor but I have never heard of trying Abilify before trying something else (Lexapro, Zoloft, etc.).  Either way I think therapy would help too.  Good luck to your sister.  FWIW the Abilify did help me get through a tough period where my normal medication (then Lexapro I think) wasn't enough. I mostly suffer from anxiety though, with just some depressive episodes here and there.

KateAggie

notquiteblushing:

I've been on Abilify but never by itself.  I thought it was meant to aid other pills.  I'm not a doctor but I have never heard of trying Abilify before trying something else (Lexapro, Zoloft, etc.).  Either way I think therapy would help too.  Good luck to your sister.  FWIW the Abilify did help me get through a tough period where my normal medication (then Lexapro I think) wasn't enough. I mostly suffer from anxiety though, with just some depressive episodes here and there.

notquite, I switched to Celexa when my Lexapro (at the max dose) stopped working for me.  I had almost no side effects because the two are so similar in makeup, and the switch evened me back out.  I totally know that everyone is different, but as a fellow anxiety sufferer, figured I'd share in case it could help you in the future.  

3sthecharm

Personally, as a pharmacist I do not like Abilify or other antipsychotic medications to be used for depression UNLESS she has tried just about everything else. They cause weight gain and usually if you take them long enough type II diabetes which is a whole other set of problems. They can also cause irregular heartbeats and movement disorders. They do have their place in certain treatments but they are nasty in comparison to the ssris and other types of antidepressants.

lyssbobiss

I took it in a low dose (2 mg) with my regular antidepressant for about 6 months. It worked wonders.  The cost is daunting; however your mother's psychiatrist may be able to get her a discount card for it.  My psych NP gave me a card that made it a more manageable $30/month.

No major side effects.  Very effective for me (everyone's different, you know this already).  I would suggest that she give it a try.  See if the psychiatrist has samples too so she can give it a try for a few weeks before getting a full prescription.

ringstrue

My sister took it. She had to take another med with it to stop some sort of shaking or tremors (I think its a Parkinson's med) which is a common side effect. I agree with what others have said in terms of trying it after the normal ones: zoloft, prozac, etc. It wasn't the drug for her and she does a lot better on prozac now.

 

3.27.04_Helper

Abilify is a lot more expensive than what your mother was quoted. More like $200+/mo. I thought it was a mood stabilizer and it does cause weight gain

3sthecharm

2Vermont:

Thanks SBP. 

I would laso like to add to my OP that I think she also needs to start going to weekly therapy (not just add a more potent drug..it bugs me that the psychiatrist didn't suggest this too).  I think she has gotten worse partly due to her age and related physical limitations. 

HOwever, other family memebrs  and I are starting to realize that my brother's long term unemployment (over 4 years now) which is mostly his fault is a huge part of her downward spiral as he lives with her.  Any advice on what to do about that would be greatly appreciated as well.  It seems to me that we'll need to tell him and knowing his situation (he's not in the greatest shape emotionally either) I'm not sure how that is going to work out.

in regards to your brother, not sure the cause of his unemployment but  its hard to help someone if they arent willing   and ready to help themselves

Spenjamins

3sthecharm:

Personally, as a pharmacist I do not like Abilify or other antipsychotic medications to be used for depression UNLESS she has tried just about everything else. They cause weight gain and usually if you take them long enough type II diabetes which is a whole other set of problems. They can also cause irregular heartbeats and movement disorders. They do have their place in certain treatments but they are nasty in comparison to the ssris and other types of antidepressants.

What are the stats on movement disorders and diabetes at a 2-5mg dose? Please. Sometimes it really, really works.

TammyandJake

3sthecharm:

Personally, as a pharmacist I do not like Abilify or other antipsychotic medications to be used for depression UNLESS she has tried just about everything else. They cause weight gain and usually if you take them long enough type II diabetes which is a whole other set of problems. They can also cause irregular heartbeats and movement disorders. They do have their place in certain treatments but they are nasty in comparison to the ssris and other types of antidepressants.

I agree. I take Seroquel which is a antipsychotic in the same family. I take it for BiPolar disorder. I have gained 40 pounds. Unfortunately, this is the only med that works for me. I hope she finds something that works for her. Oh and therapy for sure.

laurainMI

I took it for awhile, in addition to Pristiq.  I don't remember if my dosage was 2mg or 5mg.

The first week or so adjusting to it was rough.  I felt like I was in a fog, my arms/legs felt weak and shaky (similar to the feeling after getting over a bad case of the flu), and I couldn't get enough sleep.

After the 7th or 8th day it was AMAZING.  The adjustment side effects went away.  I was alert, I didn't have bad reactions to emotionally trying events -- I even handled losing my job in a positive manner.  I was finally in a good enough mental space that I started seeing positive results from the therapy.  Before that I felt like I was going in circles with therapy.

For me, the combination of an SSRI, Abilify, and therapy worked wonders.

It did take a lot of encouragement and support from both my therapist, and my physician to get past the initial adjustment period.  I'm glad I did it though.

2Vermont

KateAggie:

2Vermont:

KateAggie:

Is she in therapy at all?  I know she has a psychiatrist, but I know that some of them do not handle the therapy themselves.  

No, she is not.  Her psychiatrist is just the person she touches base with (I think every 6 weeks?)/get new prescription if needed.  There was a time years ago that she went to therapy, but basically she just takes meds now.  That's why I think she should be in therapy with this med change.

I absolutely agree.  Prayers for her.  

How does she feel about trying the abilify?  Would it be a supplement to another AD?  At that cost, I'd want to exhaust all possible options, but I also know that when meds aren't working, all you want is to just not feel that way anymore.

Are you close to her (proximity-wise)?  Depending on how she's currently feeling, having someone there to advocate for her/ask the right questions/etc. might be really helpful.

Hugs for you, too.  It's hard to be on the watching side of mental illness, too. 

For her, it was the cost that was keeping her from trying it.  It's my understanding that she has since filled the prescription after a discussion with my SIL re: her health is more important, dont' worry about the cost, etc.

Unfortunately, I now live 5 hours away, so no, I'm not nearby.  However, I trust my SIL in this regard.  She is the one who called me yesterday with her concerns.

Thanks.  Honestly, the whole situation with my brother is what makes it worse.

2Vermont

noonecarewhoiam:

Does she have private insurance? There is a co-pay card available, as well as some help for the donut hole. It's the Abilify Assist program.

I'm pretty sure she has Medicare and another insurance for the donut hole.  However, thanks for that info....I will definitely let her know about it.

2Vermont

notquiteblushing:

I've been on Abilify but never by itself.  I thought it was meant to aid other pills.  I'm not a doctor but I have never heard of trying Abilify before trying something else (Lexapro, Zoloft, etc.).  Either way I think therapy would help too.  Good luck to your sister.  FWIW the Abilify did help me get through a tough period where my normal medication (then Lexapro I think) wasn't enough. I mostly suffer from anxiety though, with just some depressive episodes here and there.

She has been on other AD's for many years.  I think this is an add-on, but I'm not sure.

2Vermont

3sthecharm:

Personally, as a pharmacist I do not like Abilify or other antipsychotic medications to be used for depression UNLESS she has tried just about everything else. They cause weight gain and usually if you take them long enough type II diabetes which is a whole other set of problems. They can also cause irregular heartbeats and movement disorders. They do have their place in certain treatments but they are nasty in comparison to the ssris and other types of antidepressants.

Yeah, with the very limited knowledge/experience I have had with Abilify (former student), my initial reaction to hearing about her using  it was a negative one.

2Vermont

Spenjamins:

3sthecharm:

Personally, as a pharmacist I do not like Abilify or other antipsychotic medications to be used for depression UNLESS she has tried just about everything else. They cause weight gain and usually if you take them long enough type II diabetes which is a whole other set of problems. They can also cause irregular heartbeats and movement disorders. They do have their place in certain treatments but they are nasty in comparison to the ssris and other types of antidepressants.

What are the stats on movement disorders and diabetes at a 2-5mg dose? Please. Sometimes it really, really works.

I'm glad to hear this from you.  Again, my experience is super limited...one person (and that person I never even met because her issues caused her to stay home from school..... I only helped manage her case).