EffexorXR vs. Abilify. Dr. says they are very similar. Needing Help
I have had chronic major depression and generalized anxiety for 28 yrs. plus and a chronic moderate to severe stutter (which no cause has been detected) and chronic pain. I had been taking EffexorXR for about 5 years before deciding to try Abilify. I am now much more anxious and can't focus. I told her about this and she said it's a sign I need to up my dose. I felt much less anxious on EffexorXR. She told me Abilify is very similar to Effexor and like a newer version of it. I have read different so is she being honest? Is abilify like Effexor?
My Dr. has mentioned I am one of their most complicated patients in finding the right treatment. I've been on almost all antidepressants aside from MAOI's.
The Abilify are sample packs and I ran out of them 4 days ago. My doctor knows this and said she'd call as soon as they came in. That was 8 days ago. I'm staying off of the Abilify either way and have some ill feelings about the help I'm getting. I am extremely depressed,anxious and so scattered feeling. I feel my own doctor isn't with me in this.
I am a 50 yr. old stay at home wife (no children) waiting on a social security disability decision I've been fighting for 9 years. It's now in federal court for a 2nd time. My 2 Drs. who are both specialist's in their fields are very supportive of my need for SSDI but this paticular judge is giving them no weight and making his own medical opinions reign.
I'm ready to get off this merry go round. So much is unknown and I just got over shingles. I don't know how much longer I can hold on. I'm sorry for such a long question and it doesn't all need answered. Just little bits would help.. Janet
May help to know also taking: Klonopin, WellbutrinSR, Dexadrine and Methadone for arthritis/stenosis and FMS.
Hi there
You certainly have been through a lot! I don't know about the statement that Abilify is just like Effexor. If you do want to read about Abilify...here is the official site for it.
Eight days...that is an awfully long time to be waiting...that is really unacceptable. You need help now. I am sorry this is happening to you.
So...what do you think you will do?
Let us know what happens. We are here to listen!
- Thank you for your input
- Ranked Helpful (2)
- Report Abuse
slamina
Sunday, September 06, 2009 at 12:37 PM
It was so nice to know someone is there and answers. I did go to the Abilify site that you gave me and found that it is most often prescribed in addition to med. like prozac, zoloft, paxil and EffexorXR. I would assume it is not like Effexor or a spin off of. If it's added as a addition to. I am not taking any of the other meds. they prescribe it with. I just feel like this clinic goes along with about anything since I have been with them off and on for 22 years and I've shown no reduction in my depression with any antidepressants. I also read that Abilify is a mood stabilizer and that's not what the doctor told me. I like to know what I'm on and all about it. I've asked to be put back on EffexorXR since that helped my anxiety the most and since being off it, they are sky high even with the Klonopin. The Dr. said my Abilify just needed to be increased to help that. How does she know? Only I know my body after this long. I've even had ECT's which did me no good. I just don't respond.
It's been 10 or 11 days now and still no call from their office so I've been off Abilify that long and may as well stay off it. This clinic is trying to handle too many people on a lesser staff and it just can't be done. And they should not expect the patient to do their work and many times they do. I just want my SSDI benefits back like I had them in 2003 and lost them in 2004 so I can have some insurance and go to a better clinic. I've been literally out of control since then and feel like I've only wasted these last 5 years in shutting myself off from the outside and spending all my time home just waiting and wondering. At 50 yrs. old and with no children I really am having a hard time finding a purpose.
I wanted to let you know what I think I'll do and that is, just wait until they call and let them know it's been long enough that I am off the Abilify and taking nothing for depression aside from my final doses of cymbalta which didn't help the depression or the pain. I will take my last one of those on Monday 7th. I see my doctor again in mid October. I will see my rhuematologist who has seen me 5 years with no charge, around the same time. At least he shows more concern. I'll try and keep you posted. My mind wanders so much and I'm so forgetful but will do my best. I can't thank you enough for caring. It means more than you know. Janet