Hi..I am new

I have this thread in this section because I do take xanax for anxiety and was told that Abilify would help with my stress and anxiety too due to my bipolar. The racing thoughts,etc.

Dear Steelerfan,

Welcome to HealingWell.

You've found a safe, caring , and reliable support community for people battling Anxiety and Panic.. We have many members here who will be glad to lend an ear, offer information, and provide support for people who need it.

I  have read a lot of posts from people that have done very well on Abilify but most say starting at low dose, 2.5mg and then increase if physician  and you agree.

Take care and stick with us.

Kitt

Steelerfan

Sorry the Abilify is not working out. I know how discouraging it is to have to go through the whole pharmacy trying to find the right cocktail that will work for you.

LAMICTAL is approved for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder to delay the time to occurrence of mood episodes in people 18 years of age or older treated for acute mood episodes with standard therapy.

I have depression and I was given Lamictal to try as a mood stabilizer.  Like you I was afraid of the rash.  I took a couple of pills and then my anxiety took over and decided for me........so I quit taking it.

Although most patients who develop a rash while receiving LAMICTAL have mild to moderate symptoms, some individuals may develop a serious skin reaction that requires hospitalization. It is not possible to predict whether a mild rash will develop into a more serious reaction. Rarely, deaths have been reported. These serious skin reactions are most likely to happen within the first 8 weeks of treatment with LAMICTAL. Serious skin reactions occur more often in children than in adults.

GEODON is a treatment for acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Symptoms of acute manic or mixed episodes may include:

• Extremely high or irritable mood
• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Racing thoughts or talking very fast
• Being easily distracted
• Feeling little need for sleep

In clinical trials, GEODON improved symptoms of acute manic and mixed episodes. No medicine works for everyone, and only you and your doctor can decide if GEODON may be right for you.

Inderal is an old beta blocker that is often used for "stage fright" Atenolol is another med in the same category.

Beta blockers can be helpful in the treatment of the physical sx of anxiety, especially social anxiety. Physicians prescribe them to control rapid heartbeat, shaking, trembling, and blushing in anxious situations for several hours.^{Reference: PDR, Prescription Drugs}

Please remember I am not a professional but I sure do understand how you feel.  I will say a prayer for you that you and your physician will come up with a med that works for you.

Take care

Kitt

Welcome SteelerFan

Glad you're here.  Usually, meds take more than two weeks to really kick in.  If Abilify is already helping some, that's a good sign.  Maybe give it a little more time?  This medication tightrope is a tricky one!

If you have to switch to Lamictal, I take it and have had no problems whatsoever.  No rash.  My pdoc said that that is very very rare. 

GG

Hi SteelerFan

I took Geodon and had a very bad reaction.  More anxiety and depression.  But that was just me.  Doc said "some people cannot take Geodon."  Others seem to have very good success.

GG