Anyone out there that is able to lose weight? I’m steadily packing on the pounds and the only thing I’ve changed is the medication. I brought it up to my doc but she said it’s “normal with abilify to gain weight”.
Please tell me there’s hope because I’m getting so frustrated nothing fits anymore! 
Well i was skinny on abilify and then i became fat but it was very strange and i think when i got skinny it was a fluke becuase then i had a difficult time with weight. Right now cbd joints and a couple anxiety pills im an average weight and well i do predict weight to come off even with simpke cardio or such when i figure out the exercise program that would give me the body im seeking . When i was on abilify i also was on risperidone which i think is known for weight side effects
I think abilify is one of the more weight neutral AP’s, but I’m too lazy to look it up to tell you for sure. Personally though, I gained most of my weight on Invega. On Abilify I flattened out, then lost 18 pounds or so, then gained 7 back, so I have kind of been going a bit back and forth. It is possible to lose weight on Abilify though. I know this for sure, because I have done it.
Abilify makes you gain weight but much less than other APs like risperidone. I gained 60lb on Abilify 20mg then gained another 80lb after switching to 6mg risperidone.
I do believe most if not all antipsychotics will cause at least a small weight gain. If there are such a medication known as weight neutral it is my experience that it still will either cause a small weight gain or most accurately cause weight retention the majority of times
"Antipsychotics with a lower risk of weight gain are:
Don’t forget that sz negative symptoms also contribute a lot to weight gain.
Although you can lose weight on many antipsychotics there are many changes which i have read about involving loss of muscle and such and like extra fat cells or such which could have something to do with the blocking of dopamine. That might not be correct i really dont know the science. But i think i read somewhere something along those lines
In your opinion is the weight gain a bad enough side effect to try another ap? I’ve gained 40 pounds on invega this past year, but it stopped the positive symptoms @Bowens
I gained lots of weight on Lurasidone vs Abilify as my negative symptoms were worse on Lurasidone.
Negative symptoms loss of motivation and such would make it harder to get fit. I personally have lost weight everytime i went off meds due to what i experienced as a loss of appetite qnd another point ill make is that i do think most medications cause even a slight appetite increase. The lack of appetite caused by schizophrenia is a physical or possibly negative symptom i guess
That’s kind of a personal choice, but yes, in my opinion it is worth looking into if you continue to gain weight on Invega. Both invega and aripiprazole(abilify) controlled my positive symptoms. My weight gain stopped after switching and I also felt less “zombielike”.
Something to discuss with your pdoc anyway.
You mean increased appetite?
I have less appetite
You mean sz decreased your appetite? Before sz I was 135lb so I think its the opposite. I guess I am not lucky.
Maybe my diagnosis is seperate or im not sure. Right now im not having symptoms not on an antipsychotic and i still do have a good appetite. Well it has fluctuated for me.
I had a bad time on abilify. Just didn’t cut the mustard and I was on it for over a year and then some. Went back to zyprexa and do better on it…I gained a lot on risperdal early but am losing on zyprexa a notorious weight gainer.
It’s not easy but I’ve changed my lifestyle a lot. More exercise. Off alcohol and sugar and kinda calorie counting…It’s bloody hard work but start early and get into some good habits. I’ve found a good habit beats a negative one and it helps somewhat for those negs.
Being overweight has a large impact on your mental health and over all health too. Talk to your therapist about it, assertively not aggressively.
Abilify may commonly cause weight gain but it doesnt have to. You just have to rebalance your food intake and exercise output.
I recommend eating balances, and walking for atleast an hour total each day.
Ive lost 19 pounds in the last 19 days by eating only 3 meals a day of 1 cup protein, 1 cup carbs, 1 cup fruit, 1 cup veggegables per meal
Combined with 1-3 hours of walking every day
Best of luck hope this helps. Meds dont have to control your weight, many people have managed to find a balance.
Weight gain is very common for antipsychotics users. Most of us only gain the first year of use and then it platou. Try to live healthy here the first year. Go for veggies and oats, fish and chicken. Try to boil it. Avoid sucker and fried foods.Go for a brisk walk most days of the week.
Then you should be fine.