Aripiprazole and ECT

[Lostweeksinmisery]

Long term bipolar, with long periods - months at a time - of depression so severe that I barely manage to get out of bed to get to the bathroom, struggle to hold a conversation, totally isolate myself in a dark room.
Empty nest with DH that does shopping, sorts bills, cooks and cleans until I emerge.
I can't take anti depressants, they rapidly induce mania and psychosis with inevitable section and long term hospital stay. I have tried Olanzapine, Quetiapine and Respiridone all with horrible side effects. I take a mood stabiliser, epilim chrono.
My CPN and psychiatrist recently changed. They are suggesting Aripiprazole now and if I cant tolerate that then ECT.
Does anyone have experience of either?

no experience no but feel for you as I can't take antidepressants either (although I loved reoboxetine, arguably the worst antidepressant ever and probably not in production anymore) and have hated all antipsychotics except chlorpromazine (obviously not keen on the weight gain but it did make me feel better) luckily lithium keeps my mood up enough to function

you've probably tried other mood stabilisers already? I hope the aripiprazole helps

(meant to say have never been allowed aripiprazole in case it is too 'activating' which sounds good to me )

I too can't take antidepressants because they induce psychotic mania. I take 20mg aripiprazole along with quetiapine and lithium and have been stable for about 4 months after a serious episode of mania in the summer. Have never had ECT but it was considered during my last severe depression.

mp is it bollocks about abilify inducing mania? Am assuming that's what 'they' mean by too activating

mitchy I personally think it's bollocks and use aripiprazole a lot but every psych will have their own opinion.

Thank you both for replying.
I am really fearful of a repeat manic episode, the damage i do when psychotic is almost impossible to recover from. In would rather be depressed and miserable forever rather than risk that.
As for ECT.... I can't contemplate having my brain fried either.
I hate bipolar disorder.

Have you considered lithium? It's very good for bipolar depression.

I take aripiprazole and I've found it better in someways than Quetiapine. It was activating at first, for a couple of weeks, then I settled down. It seems to be keeping me on an even keel. Good luck with it.

I did try lithium, when first diagnosed. Didn't tolerate it.
Khalessi, when you say activating, what do you mean?

It made me restless and agitated for a couple of weeks.

I have no experience of aripiprazole but have had ECT in the past and had a positive experience of it. It was scary to begin with but after a few sessions I started to feel the difference and by the end of it (I had 8 sessions) I was right back to my old self and better

I have asked my pysch for it this time as I'm so unwell but they told me there are strict guide lines these days they have to have tried everything and it is the last resort.

I got on (as did my bipolar!) a LOT better on apiprazole then I did quetiapine

Thanks, will discuss with CPN tomorrow