I'm going to see my psychiatrist next month, can i tell her if i can replace lithium with abilify?

Question

15 year weight gain
get a normal life again
miss being thinner

Answer 1

Yes you can. I was on lithium for 6mths, and then I heard about abilify and asked if I could change and she did. She tried to keep me on the lithium but I told her I was done with it and wanted something different. Your care is in your hands and if you are taking something you don't like you need to let your Dr. know. Good Luck

Answer 2

Certainly you should talk to your pdoc about your options. Some things to consider are as follows:

* Lithium is known to be more neuroprotective than any other stabilizer. It protects the brain from further dysregulation and deterioration from the disease. It promotes new neuron growth which helps restore some of the damage done by the illness. It helps regulate your clock (sleep/wake patterns closer to normal). Depakote seems to be a distant second at these things. The antipsychotics don't do them.

* If you are not at or below the calorie intake - exercise burn that you were at 20, Lithium probably isn't the reason for weight gain.

* Antipsychotics, even the new ones like Abilify, have a higher risk of TD and EPS than Lithium or the other anticonvulsant stabilizers.

* Changing meds always results in a period of withdrawal and instability.

* There's no way of knowing if Abilify will do as well for you as Lithium.

* It usually takes more Lithium, sometimes a lot, to get to the same place before discontinuing. Sometimes it's just less effective the second time no matter how much you take.

* Abilify is an activating antipsychotic (AP). If you run manic, you might not be able to take it as monotherapy or at all.

* Abilify can cause akathisia (it did to me), in which case you won't want to take it, or will need to also take beta blockers.

* Although Abilify isn't considered a fattening AP, it still is an AP and so weight gain is a real risk.

If you are dealing with depression, it's probably a good add on med to try. If your meds aren't dealing with your moods, then a change may be worth it. If you are just concerned about weight gain, I'd strongly suggest you make a serious effort at diet and exercise before risking a return to BP symptoms by a med switch. Just MHO.

Answer 3

I would suggest getting off lithium. Not only because of the weight gain, but because you can run into many physical problems with that med. If you have too much, it can be toxic. you have to get blood tests done to make sure you have the right amount. I'm basically saying its a very dangerous medicine; it might work but could cause physical problems in the long run. Also, Abilify could trigger a manic state. Maybe try Lamictal, Topamax, etc. Write down any ideas and/or concerns and discuss it with your doctor.

Answer 4

Abilify is not for use in psychotic conditions that are related to dementia. Abilify has caused fatal heart attack and stroke in older adults with dementia-related conditions. Stop using Abilify and call your doctor at once if you have the following symptoms: fever with stiff muscles and rapid heart rate; uncontrolled muscle movements; symptoms that come on suddenly such as numbness or weakness, severe headache, and problems with vision, speech, or balance. Abilify can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Abilify.

Answer 5

You can ask your psychiatrist, and then you can both go over the benefits and problems that might occur, tell her that you are unhappy with the side effects (weight gain) of the Lythium, and look at your options. The worst she could do is say no.
I understand what you are saying with the weight gain, my sister has has lost like fifty pounds just by switching meds, and she was a twig before she started taking it. She has made no lifestyle changes or eaten any more or less than usual,so I know what you are saying.

Answer 6

Have you tried abilify? It made me anxious. If you have tried it and like it then def go for it. You might want to slowly come off the lithium. Whenever I go off of lithium I get a little too pumped and do stupid things. So whatever you do try and do it slowly meds can really throw you off balance.

Answer 7

You are well within your rights to discuss changing medications with your psychiatrist. Only you and them can come to the decision to change it, but you should by all means discuss an alternative if you are experiencing problems with current one. Good luck!

Answer 8

Ask her about it. She will take into account your history, if this weight gain is related to the medication and any other possible side effects.

Answer 9

it's you right to choose which medication you take but remember that they are the professionals and they also write the prescriptions. just discuss it with them and they should go over any risks or side effects with you, pros and cons and the such.

Answer 10

These are issues you need to discuss when you see her but don't blame the weight gain solely on the meds.