Posted by stargazer on March 26, 2007, at 10:47:12
In reply to Re: ABILIFY... what dosage/what condition/effects/, posted by med_empowered on March 26, 2007, at 2:53:17
ME,FB
The only reason we're trying Abilify is that I had a second opinion and it was suggested, as was Depakote, ECT (refused)or TMS. I know about all the terrible SE's of the AP's and that is why I have elected to start at 5 mg rather than 10 mg, as my pdoc advised. I am scared to death of SE's as I have been on med trials since 1987 with horrible SE's. I have taken a few AP's before Abilify without any improvement and I refused to increase them as I was too scared and believe most drugs that eventually work show some effect early on. Abilify showed a response within a day. No other class of meds has helped me over the last 2 years so I was up against a wall with uncertainty.All I know is that the Abilify is helping even at 5 mg, so I am happy to have some effect at all. I was losing the fight to continue to try more meds since none were working anyway.
Remember my depression has a long history and has gotten worse with every episode and i'm sure I've had more than 10 severe relapses in 25 years. One or two good (mediocre)years on SSRI's in combo with stims and Wellbutrin.
I know you mean well by advising all the negatives
but I am well aware of this and have opted to risk that rather than give up on ever recovering, although this early response may not last, as so many fade over time.If I don't get out of this situation and stay out of it, I have the names of two experts in the area that I can hopefully see before my insurance runs out. Abilify is being tested now for treatment resistent depression and anxiety, so there must be studies showing its efficacy despite it's high risk profile.
I'm at 5 mg and intend to stay there or even reduce to 2.5 to keep SE's at bay. I am not an uninformed patient, I read as much as my depression allows me to and I question my docs constantly, given my ability to challenge the logic or lack thereof. When you get to this point, you really don't care too much anymore, it's either life or life with SE's, so the decision has become a no brainer, whereas I used to refuse to try AP's, thinking "I'm not psychotic".
Thanks for your responses...Stargazer
poster:stargazer
thread:744261
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070320/msgs/744325.html