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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bleauberry on November 25, 2008, at 18:34:53
Most people take abilify with an antidepessant.
But I was wondering, does abilify work as a stand-alone med for unipolar and bipolar depression?
Posted by azalea on November 25, 2008, at 19:29:38
In reply to Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression?, posted by bleauberry on November 25, 2008, at 18:34:53
Abilify is approved for monotherapy for bipolar disorder. I am not aware of any studies looking at treating unipolar depression with Abilify monotherapy . . . would certainly be interesting.
> Most people take abilify with an antidepessant.
>
> But I was wondering, does abilify work as a stand-alone med for unipolar and bipolar depression?
Posted by uncouth on November 25, 2008, at 20:14:26
In reply to Re: Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression? » bleauberry, posted by azalea on November 25, 2008, at 19:29:38
i think of abilify as "software upgrades" wheras A/Ds are "hardware upgrades"
if your hardware isn't the problem, a software upgrade alone might be ok (abilify at least for me has pronounced effects on the thoughts themselves, but i'm not sure i could use it by itself. it does however prevent some of the overdrive aspects of antidepressants that over the long term can be detrimental, and cause compulsions, libido drop off, adhd symptoms, and slight hypomania. for me parnate is much better in this regard by itself than SNRIs but with all hardware upgrades, there is a risk of the thoughts being sped up a bit too much, even if it's not hypomania per se, and even if it doesn't feel good. abilify helps with that)
Posted by Maria3667 on November 27, 2008, at 16:27:10
In reply to Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression?, posted by bleauberry on November 25, 2008, at 18:34:53
Dear BB,
Forget about it!
It increases dopamine, forgotten?So it will cease your depression but increase your anxiety.
With Abilify you can't win, no matter which way around you choose. And yes, it can fatten you up too!
Maria
> Most people take abilify with an antidepessant.
>
> But I was wondering, does abilify work as a stand-alone med for unipolar and bipolar depression?
Posted by bleauberry on November 28, 2008, at 10:08:12
In reply to Re: Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression? » bleauberry, posted by Maria3667 on November 27, 2008, at 16:27:10
> Dear BB,
>
> Forget about it!
> It increases dopamine, forgotten?Well, even a couple years post-ECT, yeah, I do forget more things than I used to. I am aware of its action on dopamine, but it also has action at various serotonin receptors. It is not a pure dopamine drug. It increases dopamine at low doses and decreases it at higher doses. In theory anyway. No one really knows what these meds do, except in rats or mice, which are not equivalent comparisons to human brains.
>
> So it will cease your depression but increase your anxiety.Ok. Cool. I wish I could get a guarantee on that. Anxiety is a lot easier to treat. Anyway, maybe that's why people do find, anecdotally, success with it when combined with SSRIs?
>
> With Abilify you can't win, no matter which way around you choose. And yes, it can fatten you up too!Well, a lot of people have won. Some haven't.
As far as fattening me up, that is cool. I would like that. At 128lbs and 6 feet tall, I'll take some weight gain with a smile.
Funny how almost everyone views weight issues as a one way street. Some of us have the opposite problem.Thanks for your input. Your prediction would actually be pretty welcome. Depression ceased, weight gain. Cool. And all that is left to deal with is anxiety? Well, that scenario is a lot better than what I have going now.
>
> Maria
>
> > Most people take abilify with an antidepessant.
> >
> > But I was wondering, does abilify work as a stand-alone med for unipolar and bipolar depression?
>
>
Posted by Maria3667 on November 28, 2008, at 18:58:04
In reply to Re: Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression? » Maria3667, posted by bleauberry on November 28, 2008, at 10:08:12
Dear Bleau,
Well, you can't be serious, can you? That is, you have never experienced SEVERE anxiety? Giving the choice between anxiety or depression, I'd choose the latter. Anxiety get's you deep down in your gut... I'd say depression is better treatable.
Okay... neither?
I get you, BB.Best wishes,
M.> > Dear BB,
> >
> > Forget about it!
> > It increases dopamine, forgotten?
>
> Well, even a couple years post-ECT, yeah, I do forget more things than I used to. I am aware of its action on dopamine, but it also has action at various serotonin receptors. It is not a pure dopamine drug. It increases dopamine at low doses and decreases it at higher doses. In theory anyway. No one really knows what these meds do, except in rats or mice, which are not equivalent comparisons to human brains.
>
> >
> > So it will cease your depression but increase your anxiety.
>
> Ok. Cool. I wish I could get a guarantee on that. Anxiety is a lot easier to treat. Anyway, maybe that's why people do find, anecdotally, success with it when combined with SSRIs?
>
> >
> > With Abilify you can't win, no matter which way around you choose. And yes, it can fatten you up too!
>
> Well, a lot of people have won. Some haven't.
>
> As far as fattening me up, that is cool. I would like that. At 128lbs and 6 feet tall, I'll take some weight gain with a smile.
>
>
> Funny how almost everyone views weight issues as a one way street. Some of us have the opposite problem.
>
> Thanks for your input. Your prediction would actually be pretty welcome. Depression ceased, weight gain. Cool. And all that is left to deal with is anxiety? Well, that scenario is a lot better than what I have going now.
>
> >
> > Maria
> >
> > > Most people take abilify with an antidepessant.
> > >
> > > But I was wondering, does abilify work as a stand-alone med for unipolar and bipolar depression?
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by JadeKelly on November 29, 2008, at 8:13:16
In reply to Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression?, posted by bleauberry on November 25, 2008, at 18:34:53
> Most people take abilify with an antidepessant.
>
> But I was wondering, does abilify work as a stand-alone med for unipolar and bipolar depression?Hi Bleauberry,
My son took Abilify to control manic episodes. It did nothing in the way of depression, but that very well may be a dose thing. He's Bi-polar so your dose would probably be much smaller and could have a completely different effect.
I hear so many different reactions to Abilify that its either got to be dose, or individual "wiring". Likely weight gain, apathy at larger doses. I took my son off Abilify and replaced it with Seroquel. My feeling is that unless you have very mild depression, it will not act as a stand alone A/D, IMHO.
It may help with anxiety at low dose, don't know.
You could always try small amount, I think it works fairly fast, Scott would know about that.Good luck,
~Jade
Posted by bleauberry on November 29, 2008, at 16:16:29
In reply to Re: Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression? » bleauberry, posted by Maria3667 on November 28, 2008, at 18:58:04
You are correct actually. Yes I have had massive anxiety and it is oh my God crippling. Downright terrifying actually.
Tried 2mg abilify yesterday just to kind of dip my toes in the water. Felt kind of spaced a tiny bit, maybe a hint of distant raciness, but actually didn't feel anything of significance. I figured since everyone complained of insomnia I would have a rough night. I passed out on the couch about 8pm, got up at 9pm to go to bed, and slept solid until 7am. Really good sleep.
So like everything else, it is hard to predict anything with accuracy. Not sure where to go from here though. I did feel a bit agitated today and just kind of, I don't know, more bored than usual.
Posted by hugo on December 1, 2008, at 18:43:17
In reply to Re: Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression? » Maria3667, posted by bleauberry on November 29, 2008, at 16:16:29
Abilify monotherapy has worked well for me. I take 2.5 mg. Within three days I had less depression AND anxiety, more social impulse, less anhedonia. Can't complain....
Posted by Cady on December 6, 2008, at 7:39:20
In reply to Re: Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression?, posted by hugo on December 1, 2008, at 18:43:17
I started reading this post because I had the same question myself (does Abilify work as a monotherapy for bipolar depression?).
I had ultra ultra rapid cycling caused by taking Zoloft for depression. I switched to Lamictal, but the cycling persisted, even after giving Lamictal way too much time to work and going up to 400mg.
I started on 5mg of Abilify two weeks ago, and it has already stabilized my mood and greatly reduced my depression, hypomania, anxiety and irritability symptoms.
So I am thinking about discontinuing the Lamictal now and taking only Abilify if my doctor approves (my new smarter doctor, not the one who gave me Zoloft).
But I also wanted to comment on anxiety and other side effects, since this has come up in a lot of the replies. So far I have no serious side effects. Just nuisances such as indigestion, which could go away eventually. My doctor said some people experience anxiety or restlessness, some experience sedation, and you'll know within the first week which way it's going to affect you. I find it sedating, so I take it at night. It is helping me sleep, and I am not feeling sedated or unrested during the daytime.
Posted by SLS on December 6, 2008, at 8:27:13
In reply to Re: Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression?, posted by Cady on December 6, 2008, at 7:39:20
> I started reading this post because I had the same question myself (does Abilify work as a monotherapy for bipolar depression?).
>
> I had ultra ultra rapid cycling caused by taking Zoloft for depression. I switched to Lamictal, but the cycling persisted, even after giving Lamictal way too much time to work and going up to 400mg.
>
> I started on 5mg of Abilify two weeks ago, and it has already stabilized my mood and greatly reduced my depression, hypomania, anxiety and irritability symptoms.
>
> So I am thinking about discontinuing the Lamictal now and taking only Abilify if my doctor approves (my new smarter doctor, not the one who gave me Zoloft).I need both Abilify and Lamictal for me to respond to treatment. I currently take 200mg of Lamictal. Perhaps you could stay at 200mg for awhile before stopping it altogether. Then, you'll know how much it might be necessary to take it. The "sweet spot" for Lamictal for most people is 200mg. It acts more as an antidepressant than as a mood stabilizer. If you decrease the dosage of Lamictal too fast, you will probably get a rebound depression. In other words, although 200mg might be perfect for you, dropping down from 300mg to 200mg too quickly might bring on a temporary depressive reaction.
- Scott
Posted by emme on December 6, 2008, at 12:53:16
In reply to Abilify as Monotherapy for Depression?, posted by bleauberry on November 25, 2008, at 18:34:53
> Most people take abilify with an antidepessant.
>
> But I was wondering, does abilify work as a stand-alone med for unipolar and bipolar depression?For me - at least at the moment - it does not. I take it with Lamictal (+ xanax and focalin). My doctor and I had been trying to taper me off Lamictal to see how I would do without it. After a few weeks at 25 mg, I started to become quite depressed. I'm now at 50 mg and it appears to be working well. I seem to be less apathetic and draggy and feel less brain fog than I did at 100 mg, but I'm still getting the antidepressant benefit.
That said, I do have a friend who I believe may be on Abilify monotherapy, but I would need to double check on that.
emme
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