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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cindylou on August 8, 2002, at 21:03:04
Hello,
My pdoc just gave me a sample of Geodon, and I'm scared to try it. I have been diagnosed as BPII (a diagnosis which I am slowly beginning to accept is true.)I have tried practically every medication out there with no success -- either very bad side effects, or they "crash out" on me after working for a short time.
I've tried Lamictal, which didn't help. I've tried Lithium, which put me to sleep. And I've tried all the SSRIs, SNRIs, stimulants, benzos, etc. etc. Actually, I am able to tolerate small doses of Klonapin, and I take 0.5 mg. daily.
Here are my questions:
1. Has anyone heard of Geodon working as a mood stablizer (my pdoc said it can work as an "anti-cycler" with an antidepressant effect.)
2. Is it activating or sedating?
3. I've tried Zyprexa and Risperdal, both of which made me feel extremely drugged out, fatigued and agitated, and a bit disassociated. Should I worry that Geodon will have a similar effect?
4. Does anyone have good things to say about it?
5. I guess I should ask for negative reports as well!
6. Lastly, is it worth a try for someone like me who is treatment resistant/med-sensitive?
Thanks in advance for your help!!
Cindy
Posted by Jerrympls on August 8, 2002, at 22:37:07
In reply to Questions for Geodon users, posted by Cindylou on August 8, 2002, at 21:03:04
I don't know much an Geodon, but I do know this:
It is very "activating"
You have to get an EKG before you start taking it because of heart precautions
Can work very well for treatment-resistant mood disorders
Doesn't have a huge side effect profile (from what I know)
Is used for unipolar and bipolar disorders
Is a "unique" antipsychotic in chemical nature (if i am correct) - works a little different than Zyprexa, Seroquel, etc.I have not been on it, but I had the option a while back. Went on Seroquel instead because I didn't need anything activating at the time. Hope this helps some.
Jerry
Posted by JonW on August 9, 2002, at 10:33:26
In reply to Questions for Geodon users, posted by Cindylou on August 8, 2002, at 21:03:04
Hi Cindy,
I take Geodon and I love it! It is not at all like the other APs for me. It was a little bit activating when I first started it but that's my reaction to most things that have anti-depressant qualities. But more impressive than the anti-depressant effect has been the effect it has had on my cycling and mixed mood. It's definitely not a sedating blah drug like the other APs -- I'd say it's neutral. It seemed to have a synergy with Nardil and I'm going to try to recapture that with moclobemide since I stopped the Nardil. I recommend you give Geodon a try, but I also recommend you find a pdoc who is experienced in treating treatment resistent individuals. You want a "best of the best" doctor if you can afford it, or at least someone who has some of the same qualities. Ivan Goldberg has prepared a list of such doctors you might want to try contacting:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.psychiatrists.html
Good Luck,
Jonp.s. I've heard some docs say that klonopin makes treatment resistent people more difficult to treat.
Posted by Cindylou on August 9, 2002, at 15:27:46
In reply to Re: Questions for Geodon users » Cindylou, posted by JonW on August 9, 2002, at 10:33:26
Hi Jon,
Thanks so much for this information! It is giving me hope That's interesting about the Klonapin ...I'll give the Geodon a try. Thanks for the support!
Cindy
> Hi Cindy,
>
> I take Geodon and I love it! It is not at all like the other APs for me. It was a little bit activating when I first started it but that's my reaction to most things that have anti-depressant qualities. But more impressive than the anti-depressant effect has been the effect it has had on my cycling and mixed mood. It's definitely not a sedating blah drug like the other APs -- I'd say it's neutral. It seemed to have a synergy with Nardil and I'm going to try to recapture that with moclobemide since I stopped the Nardil. I recommend you give Geodon a try, but I also recommend you find a pdoc who is experienced in treating treatment resistent individuals. You want a "best of the best" doctor if you can afford it, or at least someone who has some of the same qualities. Ivan Goldberg has prepared a list of such doctors you might want to try contacting:
>
> http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.psychiatrists.html
>
> Good Luck,
> Jon
>
> p.s. I've heard some docs say that klonopin makes treatment resistent people more difficult to treat.
Posted by karla on August 11, 2002, at 22:21:19
In reply to Questions for Geodon users, posted by Cindylou on August 8, 2002, at 21:03:04
I have been on Geodon for almost a year. I love it! I tried Risperdal from 1mg to 4mg and was nocked out by it and it did nothing for my pycotic/depressed condition. I have taken up to 900mg of lithium and it makes me want to sleep all day. I have tried all sorts of medicines and antidepressents out there and am very sensitive/ alergic to most out there. I had no problem with Geodon. I found it to be activating at first when I started taking it but it wore off in a aprox a month or so. I would suggest trying it because you won't know if it will help until you do. Goodluck, Karla
> Hello,
> My pdoc just gave me a sample of Geodon, and I'm scared to try it. I have been diagnosed as BPII (a diagnosis which I am slowly beginning to accept is true.)
>
> I have tried practically every medication out there with no success -- either very bad side effects, or they "crash out" on me after working for a short time.
>
> I've tried Lamictal, which didn't help. I've tried Lithium, which put me to sleep. And I've tried all the SSRIs, SNRIs, stimulants, benzos, etc. etc. Actually, I am able to tolerate small doses of Klonapin, and I take 0.5 mg. daily.
>
> Here are my questions:
>
> 1. Has anyone heard of Geodon working as a mood stablizer (my pdoc said it can work as an "anti-cycler" with an antidepressant effect.)
>
> 2. Is it activating or sedating?
>
> 3. I've tried Zyprexa and Risperdal, both of which made me feel extremely drugged out, fatigued and agitated, and a bit disassociated. Should I worry that Geodon will have a similar effect?
>
> 4. Does anyone have good things to say about it?
>
> 5. I guess I should ask for negative reports as well!
>
> 6. Lastly, is it worth a try for someone like me who is treatment resistant/med-sensitive?
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!!
>
> Cindy
Posted by Cindylou on August 14, 2002, at 7:38:10
In reply to Re: Questions for Geodon users, posted by karla on August 11, 2002, at 22:21:19
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post!
I wanted to let you know that I have been taking the Geodon for about 5 days now -- this is unusual, because I usually have to stop a med after a day or two due to side effects.
This is how it affects me:
About an hour after taking it, I am completely konked out. I HAVE to sleep. I have learned to take it before bedtime!I have been opening up the 20 mg. capsules and dumping out a bit of the powder in order for the effects to be a bit less intense, but they are still intense!
Then, the next afternoon, I am so agitated I can hardly bear it. I have to take 2-3 times more Klonapin to help offset the agitation (my pdoc said this was okay, and that the agitation effect should wear off in awhile.) So I take about 3 full 0.5 mg. Klonapin tabs throughout the day, rather than my usual dose of one 0.5 tab.
But once the agitation is under control, I feel pretty good. Sometimes maybe "too" good? A little manic, maybe?
I'm a bit concerned that this Geodon is making me much too volatile.
Any suggestons, similar experiences, etc. would be helpful!
Does it sound like I should keep it up for awhile, or stop it?
Thanks again, everyone!
Cindy
This is the end of the thread.
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