slatteryI have just been diagnosed as having acquired pre-diabetes. I consume abilify. One of the stated side-effects of abilify IS pre-diabetes, which is the precursor to diabetes 2. I am fuming, as I already have high cholesterol, another side effect of this drug. I weigh 119lbs, eat mostly a vegetarian, low-fat diet, and walk five miles per day... so anything to do with my lifestyle is not the culprit. It can only be the drug.
I also take the lowest dosage possible for bipolar 1 of depakote (500mgs). So my question is, has anyone with my condition stopped taking anti-psychotics and relies only on a mood-stabilizer? I am just trying to consider my options, as I don't want to get further into it with the diabetes situation, which will probably happen if I continue to consume this drug permanently.
Abilify & pre-diabetes, has anyone had this & stopped Abilify & relied just on a mood stabilizer?
- Posted:
- 24 Oct 2011 by slattery
- Topics:
- abilify, high cholesterol, diabetes, type 2, side effect, pre-diabetes
Added 1 Nov 2011:
I just returned from a visit to my doctor, and found him to be UTTERLY REASONABLE AND OBJECTIVE about the results I have gotten with respect to the abilify consumption. I thought I needed to be prepared for a battle, but it wasn't like that at all! He agreed totally that now the risks attached to my continuing with this drug outweigh the benefits. He also said that what hit me are RARE side effects with consumption of this drug, and that really it is the best of the bunch for lack of side effects.
So he answered my question as above - yes I am going to attempt to rely just on a mood stabilizer - depakote. No negotiating that one though, as he said they "might never be able to bring me back" if I didn't continue with this treatment. So please say a prayer for me that things go OK for me in the absence of an anti-psychotic. But I am trying this.
Answers (2)
LaurieShay31 Oct 2011
My son was on Ablify at a treatment facility and they did not take him off the drug for 3 weeks after his first high blood sugar reading. Now he has type 1 diabetes. My strong suggestion would be to get off the drug now. He will fight this disease for the rest of his life. You do not have to do the same at this point. It is not worth it. I would ask your doctor what else you can take.
slattery
31 Oct 2011
thanks so much for your input modelt! I have sort of relied on this train of thought... haven't consumed the drug since Friday, and I am not willing to jeopardize my physical health because of it. I will see my psychiatrist tomorrow - telling him of MY DECISION (because it is nobody else's but mine!)... and that we need to go back to the drawing board on this one. Again, thank you for your information.
modelt
31 Oct 2011
You are correct. It is only your decision. Don't let anyone pressure you into a decision you are not comfortable with. I wish you good luck. If you do get diagnosed with type1 diabetes there is a new drug released in June 2011, that if taken within 3 months of diagnosis, has a 33% success rate on healing the pancreas. Hope your does not get that far. I forgot the name, but it starts with a t.
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I am leaning in that direction Laurie, except as you know how it goes with bipolar, I am also a bit nervous about the possibility of an episode. I feel as if I am stuck between a rock and a hard place... continue taking anti-psychotics and run the risk of diabetes, or take a gamble off them, just with a mood stabilizer, and maybe run the risk of losing it.
I have had great results with abilla fi On android so the spelling it wrong.. Cake trileptal as mood stabilizer
I guess you are between a hard place and a rock. What have your blood glucose levels been running?
You have to take the good with the bad.. Everyone I know on a bill if I Has not had any problems..I elder Nt. Here if I did not have abilify
No Bloxham, that's absolutely fine if it is a miracle drug for you. But these drugs all vary from individual to individual, and have different effects on each person's chemistry. Abilify claims that one of it's side effects IS possible diabetes, and that's what's happened to me... pre-diabetes. Laurie, have to check the numbers with the doctor, but full-blown diabetes is not something that I wan't to acquire... which may be the finality if I continue to take the drug. I was off everything for 13 months, but had another manic episode, so that's why I say that it's a chance I might have to take. Tough call.
Stattery, I can not believe you are pre - diabetic from abilify, I do not know what I would do, it really is a tough decision..so you are thinking about stopping the abilify and only taking the mood stabilizer? ..mmn don't know, its worth a shot..only 119 pounds and pre-diabetic, it has to be the medication..its worth a shot, if you have another manic episode you can just go back on it temporarily, maybe, not a doctor. I have crohns along with bipolar and prednisone makes me crazy so I only take it if I absolutely have to. I have lost a considerable amount of weight, down to 93 pounds and do not know if it is the meds or the crohns so do you know if that is a side effect from abilify?
Oh no Bloxham, if you are just 93lbs, THAT is not a side-effect of the abilify. In fact, it is reported that it can cause considerable weight GAIN. That's what I hear, although that hasn't been the rule for me so far. Your extremely light weight absolutely must be related to the crohns, and possibly to the other med that you are taking. But wouldn't blame the abilify for that...
Hi Slattery :- ) . Most likley it's the Abilify. I have been researching it and 90 % of the articles say that Abilify can cause pre-diabetes to type 2. I only take anti-phsicotics when I have an episode. Then I taper off completly untill I have another manic episode. I took Zyprexa. There are many other drugs out there. Yes everybody is different so you might have to test other options. Your Dr. Should have told you all the side effects. Talkto your psyc and tell him-her your problem. Then tell all your symptoms. If put on another Anti-psycotic. Make sure they tell you all the side effects. Then you can research online also. My best to you is GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS YOU. Hope this helped...
Thank You Stacey, you have been really helpful. Zyprexa is out for me... took it for six years with way too many side effects. I was thinking of doing it your way, as the emerging side effects I am developing are unacceptable to me. Yes I will have to have a long talk with my psych; I am finding that none of them want to be up-front with you about all the problems which can develop with this stuff. They downplay or don't want to discuss any negatives.
Hey slattery,
Just wanted to make a suggestion. Lamictal might be an option to help control the mania. Use to take it and it worked very well. Not a doc so don't know about its use with your other meds but worth an investigation.
Laurie
I was thinking of that Laurie, but according to all literature, it can't be combined with depakote, it would be a very dangerous situation. Also from the bit of research that I've done, it is not supposed to be that successful in controlling bipolar 1 symptoms, much better for BP2. It works more on the depressed part of this illness than on the mania.
I did ask my dr. to let me try it, but he said that he would not, without elaborating as to why he wouldn't give me a try on it. (Maybe for the reasons cited above?). I have an appt. with him on the 15th, so best that I just continue doing what I'm doing until then, and see what his response is to this situation. I just know that I don't want to get full-blown diabetes though Laurie, I have enough problems lol!