Posted by Hawkeye on February 21, 2002, at 9:18:01
Hi. Has anyone had a positive experience with taking Geodon for depression?
I am bi-polar (the depressive phase is predominant) with treatment-resistant depression with no psychotic symptoms. I have tried just about everything over the past 18 years. For the past two months I have been taking Geodon (an atypical antipsychotic). While I believe that it has lifted my mood somewhat, I have been able to accomplish very little. Seems that I lack motivation -- I just don't seem to want to do very much. Also, even with 20mg of dexedrine 4 x/day I am usually sleepy and often have slept for long periods during the day. Paradoxically, while it makes me sleepy it also has caused insomnia. I find it very hard to fall and stay asleep at night. (This occurrs even if I have not slept during the day).
My current dosage is 60mg 2x/day. [What data that exists indicates that the anti-depressant effects from Geodon's SSNRI profile are best at the higher doses (80-160mgs/day)]
I am aware of the current trend of treating bi-polar depression with the atypical antipsychotics. It is my understanding, however, that the benefits of these drugs is primarily mood-stabilization - typically for the manic phase.
I know that Geodon is unique in its class because in addition to being a dopamine blocker it also is a seretonin-nepenepherine reuptake inhibitor and a 5HT2 blocker as well. But from what I know about the motivating effects of dopamine, I have never understood how a drug that blocks dopamine (the antipsychotics) could be could for depression. My psychiatrist says that Geodon seems to be catching-on and that people are using it "for everything".
Are any of you using Geodon by itself for depression, either unipolar or bi-polar? If so, any success????
Thanks In Advance for Your Help.
poster:Hawkeye
thread:94911
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020215/msgs/94911.html