Aripriprazole

[formidible]

I had a phone appointment with a psychiatrist yesterday. He agreed to prescribe Aripriprazole as an add-on to my antidepressant (Mirtazapine). Has anyone taken this, and what was your experience? For depression I believe it's used as a mood stabilizer. One person I know said it worked really well for them, and was pleased for me, but it would be good to hear other people's views. Thanks.

[lillyofthevalley37]

My husband has bipolar type 1 and was unfortunately signed off all his meds a few years ago bc olanzapine had slightly enlarged his heart , after a few years of unmedicated mania he is back under NHS but I asked his psychiatrist to give him something better than olanzapine which I think is a horrible maintenance drug but great for instantly stopping mania , he took it for 10 years for the sake of our family staying together , so he has put him on the drug you mention and I think it is pretty good it up cycles dopamine Mirtazapine also promotes dopamine

It's funny because you look like a chap my husband met in the psychiatric ward his name was John but I showed my husband your photo and he said no

I see you tried to come off mirtazapine - this must be done very very gradually and slowly

[formidible in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

You are right about the Mirtazapine Lilly. I'm also on 9mg Diazapam too and need to taper and stop that first before reducing the Mirtazapine. But everything is on hold for a while now because I need to see how the Aripriprazole works first. I also have some support from an organisation called Postscript 360. From what you said about your partner it sounds positive though. Thanks.

[lillyofthevalley37 in reply to formidible]

I highly recommend to everyone to have codliver oil capsules Tesco do a very good high strength one, it's good for you on so many levels

[Hidden]

Hi, I take Ariprazole, it's otherwise known as Abilify. It has helped my moods a lot, I think it is a good drug for that. On the flip side, it does cause weight gain and also elevates your cholesterol and triglycerides, so watch for that. I've started taking fish oil capsules to help with the cholesterol issue, and I'm trying to figure out how to lose a lot of weight I've gained. I am talking to my psychiatrist about this issue, but not too many drugs have helped me that much and Abilify has, so I'm unsure about changing the drug. And I wish you a happy new year, try the Abilify anyway.

[formidible]

I am finding the low dose of Aripriprazole (5mg) I've now been on for a week has reduced the amount of sleep I'm getting. It's starting to worry me. Is this normal?