HELP! YIKES! Dr put me on Abilify--an ANTIPSYCHOTIC..but for my depression?? Scared

[LaurieAnne83]

Okay, I've had an awful day. My front top tooth has an absess and I've been in horrible pain.. I went to the dentist on an emergency visit today after my new psychiatrist appointment. She seemed very nice... But I'm FREAKING out!!!! I searched the boards and no one has mentioned Abilify. I have severe depression--and I have LITERALLY taken EVERY regular antidepressant.. and she says, that I should try this for four weeks....its an antipsychotic for schizophrenics!!!!!! OMG! I'm so scared.... I know nothing about this kind of thing. No, I don't have schizophrenia, I don't have bipolar, and I don't have OCD....so she didn't want to try lithium etc cuz it wouldn't work But she says some drugs that aren't made for depression help severe depression sometimes when nothing else works..she is giving me 5 mg ..a low dose...of Abilify...along with my lexapro and effexor... the normal psychotic dose she told me was 30-40..and it should help my depression. Has anyone taken an antipsychotic for depression???? I have not yet taken it..and I'm scared out of my mind. I mean my brain is a precious thing to me! I don't know if this is a good idea!!! I've never heard of such a thing..Please someone helppppppppp!

[LaurieAnne83]

Please, even if you have never taken an "neuroleptic/antipsychotic" for your unipolar deprssion---- Tell me this, (I'm SO freaking out here) ifyour doctor recommended it.. would you take it????? Argh.. I have waited for 2 months to get into this person.... and my counsellor is at the same place. But I am sooo uncomfortable with this, omg,..she said there is NO other antidepressants worth trying since I have had a whole list I'm trying, I should keep taking lexapro effexor and add this.. blah..

[rushgirly]

Well lets see....personally, if I wasn't comfortable with a medication, I would NOT take it.

You do need to evaluate how depressed you are. If you think you are in danger to yourself I would make another appointment with her

At the very least perhaps call the doc and tell her your concern. When I started counseling, I was terrified of taking lexapro. I waited over 6months and tracked my moods. After 6 months and tons of research, I decided to try it-and only took 5mg/day. Gradually, I ended up taking 10mg/day, and it has helped tremendously.

I also think you should try not to get to wrapped up in labels-I mean, just because it's an 'antipsychotic' drug, does not mean it can only be presribed for that reason....I mean look at Glucophage-It's a drug for diabetes right?

Hope you start feeling fantastic soon!

[PaintedDaisy]

Well, I think if nothing else has worked for you so far then why not give it a try? An ex-bf of mine was taking an anti-psychotic for his depression and it worked well enough. They generally work in a different way (a completely different pathway in your brain) than the usual anti-depressants so its like tackling the problem from a different angle. Some of the anti-psychotics have some strange side-effects but taken at a low dose (since you aren't psychotic afterall!) you should be able to get the anti-depressant properties without the side-effects.

I also agree, don't get wrapped up in labels. There are many many drugs that have multiple purposes so I really wouldn't worry about it too much.

A few years ago I was given an anti-depressant for my migraines (which worked wonderfully!) but I kept feeling there was this stigma for taking it. But in the end, if the drug works, why worry about it?

[hopeless]

I agree.... there are many drugs out there that are used off label. There are also anti-seizure meds that are used to augment anti-depressants.

That said, if you are concerned try to find out HOW it works. Sometimes it helps to understand how it will help you, and then you can evaluate if you're comfortable with that. You may need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist it find out more about it.

Other than that....have you ruled out other possiblities? (such as thyroid)

[shades of grey]

i say take it. there are many off label uses of drugs and I would trust your doctor. If you don't like it, you can always go off and try something else. if it makes you feel better, do your homework on the drug. post in msg boards (webmd.com has a good depression resource) and ask for stories of others who have taken it. I would go for it!

[Bethann]

I would not be concerned just because the drug is off lable. After all, I take Lexapro for anxiety, a common, but technically offlable use of it. These other uses can be very effective.

But I am concerned that your doctor doesn't seem to have fully explained her choice to you and why she was making it. Imo, that's important reguardless of what treatment is being suggested, prescription or not, that the patient understand and be comfortable with the reasons, risks, etc.

If you haven't already, I would call back and talk to your doctor, share your concerns, see what she has to say.

[vegangurl21]

If I was you, I would give it a try. I mean, like everyone else has been saying, don't get wrapped up in labels. I mean, I take Tegretol, an anti-seizure medication for epileptics, for my Bipolar Disorder, to control my moods. And I was a little freaked out over taking it at first, but I gave it a try. And it has worked so great, I'm so thankful that I didn't let the "label" scare me away.
You don't have to take my word for it, but I would give it a try.

[LaurieAnne83]

Thanks you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOu all make me feel a lot better. I took it.. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I called the pharmacist too, and he said its a new medicine and sometimes, yeah, he has heard of ppl taking it for depression, but it is an aggressive approach. I don't know if anyone knows..but I am on vicodin (codeine/tylenol) since yesterday as well, for my tooth from the dentist... I have been having muscle spasms now in my legs..its weirrd... I dunno if its from the Abilify, the Vicodin or maybe theres an interaction between the two,... I didn't tell the dentist what medicines I was on, and the psych appt was before the dentist appointment.. You all are so right about the labels.. Aldactone is for high blood pressure, and I'm taking it for testosterone...etc... it works great. I'm just paranoid about the Abilify, I guess... I'm wondering, maybe she thinks I *am* schizophrenic, but, she isn't telling me or something?? lol I guess not. I'd feel more comfortable to try drugs in another 'category' if itwas say, bipolar, or something and not something as serious and schizophrenic. I went to Abilify's website.. it says it works by decreasing dopamine in areas there's too muhc, and increasing it in areas in the brain there's too little? ANything to do with dopamine, I learned in psychology, is a bit more serious than working with say, serotonin....cuz its responsible for a lot more 'stuff' in the brain. I'm going to be worried about side effects...we will see..

[AmyLynn156]

Keep taking it and see how it works for you. When do you go see your psychiatrist again? She should be following you very closely!

I would call the pharmacy about the interaction cuz I am not sure of that but it is always better to be safe than sorry!

If the psychiatrist thinks that you are schizophrenic...she would tell you...she would NOT keep it a secret!

Hope you are feeling better soon!

[eutychus]

My friend takes risperdal, an anti-psychotic, for his OCD. It really helps. Taking an anti-psychotic does not mean you are psychotic. (if you were you wouldn't be asking for our opinions) and it won't make you psychotic if you aren't. But it's powerful stuff. However if nothing else has helped go for it. You probably don't even remember what it's like to wake up feeling good. Maybe it's time you felt good again.

[LaurieAnne83]

I don't mean to whine,.. but thats so true. :o( I feel so bad, I'm JEALOUS of myself years earlier as a kid, etc.. being happy! Does anyone else feel like that? Cuz I have not felt happy in.. uh..lets see..5 years at least...I've been very depressed. Since nothing works, I have had times where I have not taking anything or tried to do anything, but I am so sick of it I'm going to keep trying until something works.. I've been trying nonstop since last yr.. though I have tried many meds etc on and off throughout the last five years..sigh. I have to act like I'm happy so no one else will worry about me. My 21 birthday is in afew weeks.. I don't feel like celebrating it...but I know my family will want to g osomewhere cuz..I'm 21. Its not that I don't *want* to, its just that I know if I don't I'll feel lonely, but if I do I'll feel unhappy and like going out and being with people is a big chore...

[jewels12345]

Just to let you know, my pstchiatrist put me on a low dose of Risperdal for anxiety attacks. This is a drug that is most commonly used as an anti-psychotic. Not all drugs are restricted solely to their "label use". Clarify with your doc as to why he/she has chosen this spcific drug. Knowing all the ins and outs of what's going on can really help.

Julie

[Lendi]

Ah, you've gotten lots of responses, but I wanted to answer too anyway Have you researched the drug, found out the side effects, weighed the pro's and con's? You can get pretty good information at Webmd.com. I take, well took, topamax for pain. It is an anti-seizure med. So, just be aware, know what to look for. Feel your body. Don't leave it to the Dr. totally, they are human too. Knowledge is power! Lendi