Anyone been on either or both which works best for you? I'm thinking of asking my pdoc for Topamax since it doesn't make you gain weight. I know that Abilify isn't as well but it does for me = ( Any advice would be great!

Hello Dee-nah! :wave:
I have a BP child who is on Abilify & seems to do quite well.
I've been on Topamax this year. I too chose to try it versus others b/c of the no weight gain. My pdoc told me to remember that patients refer to it as "Dopamax" b/c it hinders mental clarity.
I took it for @ 4months. My final dose was 100 mg per day. I REALLY, REALLY struggled with mental clarity, but I felt as if I compensated well with making lists (at work) and relying on my hubby to remind me of important things (haha!). I could NOT remember acquaintance's names or certain phone numbers (that I SHOULD remember). My appetite was DECREASED with no weight gain.
Since stopping it a few months ago, my clarity is much better. I have slowly returned to the SHARPNESS I once had.
These are just some of things I dealt with...doesn't mean that YOUR body/mind will do this. Our bodies are chemically different, and you may do awesome on Topamax. I am usually hesitant to post any side effects I have personally had b/c we all are SO DIFFERENT! :D

I have been on abilify for almost 2 years now at 30mg a day. It doesn't do a whole lot for my depression but it seems to make the rollercoaster ride of cycling a lot smoother. I still get manic but it's not as bad as if I were off it! As far as weight gain I haven't gained any weight but the doctor always wants to weigh me to see if I am gaining. One thing to mention though is that I had gastric bypass 4 years ago so I have to watch very carefully what and how much I eat so perhaps that helps me with my weight gain. One thing abilify does do to me is it causes me quite a bit of anxiety so I take klonopin to help with that andit is a lifesaver.

Dan

I have been taking Abilify for 3 years. It has helped alot with irritability and paranoid thoughts.
I started Topamax last year. I lost 25 lbs not long after starting it. It helped stabilize my moods. It does, however, make me trip over my sentences quite a bit. I say the wrong words. I don't mind too much. I don't work, I don't leave the house, so I can deal with it. I'm afraid to go off of it becasue it has been such a tremendous help and the weight thing is important to me, too.

I take both. They both have been terrific medications in my situation. The Topamax is used as a mood stabilizer treating the mania/anger while the Abilify is used to treat depression and hallucinations that I have. They both have really been beneficial.

Initially I lost 25-30 pounds when I began taking the Topamax. It really does a number on ones metabolism, or usually most who take the drug. Abilify also increases metabolism in most cases as well.

Remember, all medications effect every person differently. The Abilify was a strong medication and I felt a change in about a week, where it took the Topamax about 4 weeks to take effect.

Hang in there. I hope you find something that works for you soon.

Coffeegirl