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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sheilac on July 24, 2011, at 11:49:49
Geodon in low doses 40 - 60 mg initially makes me sleepy, but then after it wears off I get a burst of energy. I have been told that I am not on a high enough dose. If I split dose and take during the day I sleep all day.
People have told me, lower doses doesn't work and needs to be dosed higher.
I'm scared. But, do I try and dose up to 100 or even 120mg? Doc said we have lots of room on this med to go up.
Isn't the "sweet spot" for a lot of people at least 120mg?
Will I still feel manic if I go higher? How long does it take for the higher dose to kick in and work.
I can't keep doing the 40mg and have the mania. No good.
What do you think?
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2011, at 12:45:42
In reply to Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by sheilac on July 24, 2011, at 11:49:49
Sheila you are manic? I didn't know. I don't know these meds well enough to give advise. Defer to another. Hopefully you will soon find you dose. Phillipa
Posted by Sheilac on July 24, 2011, at 17:36:20
In reply to Re: Geodon 'sweet spot'? » sheilac, posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2011, at 12:45:42
Phillipa, I wasn't manic or hypomanic BEFORE the Geodon.
Geodon gets rid of my severe irritabiity and slight depression. BUT I think in the low dose I am taking it is making me manic, which I think it can do.
I think I need to dose up higher and see what happens.
Maybe someone else will have had this same experience.
Posted by Christ_empowered on July 24, 2011, at 18:31:26
In reply to Phillipa - Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by Sheilac on July 24, 2011, at 17:36:20
Geodon is FDA-approved for up to 160mgs/day. In severe and/or treatment-resistant cases, doses can go higher.
Are you sure you want to take an antipsychotic? I imagine that if you increase the dose the tranquilizing effects would be more pronounced than the antidepressant effects (I think Geodon has some built-in reuptake inhibition...maybe norepinephrine?)
Anyway, good luck to you.
Posted by sheilac on July 24, 2011, at 20:23:56
In reply to Re: Phillipa - Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by Christ_empowered on July 24, 2011, at 18:31:26
CE - I can stay low & enjoy the good effects like no depression, more social, etc. But I can't handle how it makes me hypomanic in lower doses.
I haven't reach a dose that has a tranquil effect. It makes me sleepy, but that wears off.
I guess my only alternative is to add a traditional mood stabilizer to the current Geodon? More Klonopin?
What do you think?
Posted by Christ_empowered on July 24, 2011, at 21:03:18
In reply to Christ_E - Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by sheilac on July 24, 2011, at 20:23:56
have you tried the newest antipsychotics, like latuda or fanapt?
Posted by sheilac on July 24, 2011, at 21:56:36
In reply to Re: Christ_E - Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by Christ_empowered on July 24, 2011, at 21:03:18
Never heard of either of them.
Posted by Christ_empowered on July 24, 2011, at 22:24:40
In reply to Re: Christ_E - Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by sheilac on July 24, 2011, at 21:56:36
They're both quite new and mostly being used for Bipolar I (especially mania and psychosis in Bipolar) and Schizophrenia. However, I think one (maybe both) of them are supposed to be truly weight neutral--as in no surprise weight gain like some people (like me and you) have reported from Abilify.
Just a thought.
Posted by sheilac on July 25, 2011, at 13:19:59
In reply to Re: Christ_E - Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by Christ_empowered on July 24, 2011, at 21:03:18
I am STILL aggitated on 80mg of Geodon. Can't see doc for another week. She said stay on 80 or even go up to 100mg.
OR she said I may need to add back some Lithium.
I really want to give Geodon a fair try. Do I shoot for the 120mg dose and hope it works or do I stop now and add Lithium to the 40 or 80mg?
I hate feeling this way. But I just wonder if I need to TRY a theraputic dose of Geodon.
My great fear is getting fat on Lithium! Although 300mg of Lithium does chill me out and makes me relaxed. Just don't know.
Posted by Christ_empowered on July 25, 2011, at 14:29:40
In reply to MANIC on 80mg Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by sheilac on July 25, 2011, at 13:19:59
I would think it would be easier to just up your dose of Geodon a bit and see if that helps. Have you tried any of the older meds, like perphenazine or trifluoperazine? In low doses, they can mellow you out and act as tranquilizers, and there's not too much risk of weight gain or EPS/TD, and there's definitely not a high risk of drug-induced mania, since the older drugs didn't have any antidepressant action. Low-dose loxapine would be another option.
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2011, at 18:51:29
In reply to Re: MANIC on 80mg Geodon 'sweet spot'?, posted by Christ_empowered on July 25, 2011, at 14:29:40
CE I didn't know that about the older antipsychotics let alone that the new ones acted as a antidepressant? Thanks for the info Phillipa
Posted by sheilac on July 25, 2011, at 19:20:17
In reply to Re: MANIC on 80mg Geodon 'sweet spot'? » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2011, at 18:51:29
I do fine with 80mg at night. It really hits me hard in the middle of the night and I sleep great.
I am off Adderall (was only on 5mg XR) and doc gave me some samples of Nuvigil, but I am only taking 1/3 to 1/2 a tablet (tiny dose).
I feel the Nuvigil kick in and the Geodon wear off.
I'll try 80mg at night and 20mg during the day along with Nuvigil.
If I still feel manic, I can try 40mg during the day.
At least then I will have given it a fair try. 120mg is a good dose I hear.
This is the end of the thread.
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