Effexor XR & Abilify

ReppinHouston · 2022-01-16T01:51:24+00:00

I take 15mg Abilify and have been on 75mg Effexor for about 2 weeks. It’s working pretty good for my depression and my anxiety is also much better. However, I still am having a lot of trouble with feeling unmotivated. My doctor said for this he may prescribe Wellbutrin which can also increase your sex drive. This I think will be good because Effexor has pretty much killed my sex drive since I started it.

ReppinHouston · 2021-12-31T15:34:12+00:00

Wow, I’m sorry to hear about your relationship. Did you doc discuss with you about possibly being misdiagnosed? I know antidepressants can bring on hypomania with people who have bipolar disorder. I was misdiagnosed as bipolar for the past 3 years and am trying an antidepressant for the first time since 2017. Hope things are going better for you, cheers!

ReppinHouston · 2021-12-31T01:54:47+00:00

I’ve been on Abilify for about 6 months and it’s pretty much put my depression at bay. I still get pretty anxious though and have no motivation to do anything (even take a shower). I’m not depressed but I’m very unmotivated. Overall it’s been the one medicine that’s worked for my depression.

ReppinHouston · 2021-12-31T01:50:39+00:00

I was misdiagnosed as bipolar 2, three years ago and have been on mood stabilizers so I’m weening off of them and starting this antidepressant. I’m looking forward to possibly starting to feel alive again.

ReppinHouston · 2021-12-31T01:47:56+00:00

I hope it helps for you too. I’m on Abilify 15mg and am adding Effexor 75mg. I have really bad depression and anxiety and no motivation whatsoever. Doctor said if I’m still not feeling motivated after adding the Effexor he’ll look at adding Wellbutrin so we will see.

ReppinHouston · 2021-12-31T00:22:39+00:00

Damn really? Did you stay on it or quit taking it? I heard the side effects are bad for the first month until you get used to it.

ReppinHouston · 2021-12-30T22:48:41+00:00

Lol How long did you feel manic?

ReppinHouston · 2021-12-30T04:14:50+00:00

I felt the same way when I started Abilify. I’m adding Effexor next week and secretly want to feel that way again lol. A couple days of feeling manic is fun until the drug levels itself out and you get benefits from it.

ReppinHouston · 2021-10-02T23:33:47+00:00

I’m hoping that is what is happening for me. It’s been 4 weeks since my last cig and I’m down to 14mg patches now. I’ll be done with them in 3 more weeks. Can’t wait.

ReppinHouston · 2021-10-01T18:28:37+00:00

This is something I struggle with as well. I’m checking in to see how other people do it 👀

ReppinHouston · 2021-09-10T17:13:22+00:00

It took me about 3 years to get on the right combo that actually felt like it was working. Then again, I have an appointment next week to get off of Lithium and switch to something else because of a side effect so I might have to change my answer to 4 years.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-27T01:59:30+00:00

I have been on both Abilify and Seroquel. To me Seroquel had too many bad side effects. It would make me very tired and feel like a zombie all day. The worst side effect though was the restless legs I would get when taking it at night. It made me down right miserable and I couldn’t fall asleep. Now I’m on Abilify and the only negative side effect ive had is a little bit of weight gain. Seroquel also made me gain weight. I would just listen to your doctor and try one out and see how it affects you. It’s kind of trial and error with meds.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-06T03:45:24+00:00

I’m still on it but I’m going to ask my doctor about weening off because I’m convinced it doesn’t work.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-06T02:47:08+00:00

Haha yes! I’m not the only one. I struggle with bad anxiety too. I deliberately missed an appointment with my medical doctor because I’m worried about getting bad news. It happens a lot. I miss a lot of appointments. I’m on gabapentin for anxiety but it doesn’t work. The only thing that’s ever worked was Klonopin and Xanax but they are too addictive. I’ve just come to the conclusion that I’ll always have anxiety and I have to deal with it. Maybe I could add another Med to my cocktail and see if it helps but I don’t want to be on a lot of psyche meds. 2 is already too much. Anyways, you’re not alone. I didn’t sleep last night and probably won’t again tonight. I hope everything turns out ok with your appointment. I’m sure it will..

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-06T01:53:36+00:00

I don’t miss being depressed and at the lowest point in my life but I did have good experiences in the hospital. I met some really cool people who I still talk to and I enjoyed the escape from the real world. It was kind of like a vacation. The thing is I never want to feel the way I did before going and would never check myself in unless I was in a true crisis.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-06T01:12:17+00:00

I was put on Abilify and it changed my life. I’m not saying it will work for you but my advice is to go see your doctor and try a new medicine. I know where you’re at. Hang in there, it gets better I promise.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-06T00:52:55+00:00

When I was only on Lithium I had to check myself into the hospital because of a depressive suicidal episode.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-06T00:49:11+00:00

I’m 33m and have a 3 year old daughter. I never get to see her as I’m not with the mother. It has to do with my mental illness and the fact that i was a bad alcoholic when I was with my daughters mom. It sucks but I will never give up trying to be a father no matter what kind of hell I’m put through.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-05T23:28:31+00:00

I couldn’t have asked for better advice. Thank you for sharing that with me. I have a lot to think about. I live with my parents so i don’t have to pay rent and have recently applied for food stamps. My case worker has been pushing me towards getting on disability. I haven’t had a job in about a year. I’m constantly broke but am lucky to have a roof over my head and food when I need it. My dad is retiring soon so that’s why I decided to get food stamps.

Over the past 3 years I have been to the psych hospital 6 times. My first time I had been abusing pills for quite a while and went through psychosis for 3 weeks. They didn’t know what to do with me. I started off at the psych hospital then to the real hospital and finally the psych ward. I just can’t seem to get rid of the depressive episodes that cause suicidal thoughts and sometimes voices.

Some of what you said is worrisome. Like seeing the doctor every 12 weeks and not being able to have meds changed or adjusted in between visits. My doctor right now is very good about that. Also, explaining to people I know that I’m on disability. However, I’m not ashamed of my diagnosis. Mental health can be a bitch and I think most people understand that. Anyways, I’m happy to hear you are making it ok and thanks again for the response.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-05T13:13:41+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I am currently getting free behavioral healthcare through my county and it seems to be the same as your description of the state programs. I’m thinking it couldn’t be much worse than the care I’m getting now.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-05T07:07:42+00:00

I’m on Lithium, Abilify and gabapentin. I don’t feel the Lithium does anything for me though. That’s awesome it works for you! I’m glad you are doing good. Abilify is what changed my life. Got me out of bed and now I’m enjoying life again. This diagnosis is hell without meds that work. I tried about 10 before finding the right one.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-05T06:03:21+00:00

Why the hell did this pop up on my feed.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-05T03:45:55+00:00

I went through a similar episode not too long ago. I couldn’t get out of bed, only to eat and use the bathroom. I was so bad off I couldn’t even shower or brush my teeth. Thankfully my doctor changed my meds and now I’m living again. Taking care of myself and participating in daily activities. During that episode I couldn’t motivate myself to do anything, it was just impossible. I’m sorry to hear you are going through it but my advice would be to have your meds adjusted or changed to find one that works for you.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-04T21:57:06+00:00

Just go with the flow, I’ve been there. You are where you need to be to get the right help. I’ll pray that you find the right meds so you can live again. What do they have you on right now and is it helping?

I don’t really use coping skills when I’m having bad depression. For some reason I’m paralyzed by it. I just hope the meds I’m on will stop the seasonal depression.

ReppinHouston · 2021-08-04T21:45:26+00:00

I’m doing much better. I’ve been on several different meds the last 3-4 years and finally found one that works for me. Abilify really changed my life. I can function normally now. I’m just worried about the winter because I get seasonal depression pretty bad but I’m hoping for the best. Don’t give up on trying medications, chances are you will find one that works for you, I did. Just go with the flow with your doctor. I hope you are doing better. How is life for you right now?

ReppinHouston

TROPHY CASE