Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 80002

Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon

Posted by SLS on October 1, 2001, at 17:18:48

Hi.

I have begun to feel kind of strange on Geodon. I started taking it about a week ago.

I have had this happen with Zyprexa, Risperdal, and now Geodon. I begin to feel sort of numb and detached from everything around me. I feel sort of zonked or zoned-out. Everything seems distant, and I don't feel that I have access to memory or thinking in general. I tried sticking with Risperdal for a number of weeks to see if it would dissipate, but it didn't. I'm really scared that this will prevent me from taking a whole class of drugs that might otherwise be effective for me.

Has anyone experienced this with the atypical antipsychotics as a group?

Does what I've described sound like what some people experience with Serzone?

I'm really upset by this.


- Scott

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » SLS

Posted by SalArmy4me on October 1, 2001, at 17:34:56

In reply to I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon, posted by SLS on October 1, 2001, at 17:18:48

Are you using Geodon as your only antidepressant? You may need a base antidepressant.

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » SLS

Posted by Janelle on October 1, 2001, at 17:55:34

In reply to I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon, posted by SLS on October 1, 2001, at 17:18:48

Hi Scott,

So sorry to hear that you have been feeling numb on three *major* A-C's. What a shame. I'm on Zyprexa, the first A-C my pdoc had me try and I lucked out in terms of it quieting my racing, jumping thoughts and related anxiety and helping me to sleep at night again, with minimal side effects.

The only thing I noticed was that for quite awhile, I had increased appetite, but I fought the cravings and didn't gain any weight. My appetite has gone back to *normal*, but that could be due to Lamictal, which supposedly decreases appetite! The Lamictal could be *balancing out* the Zyprexa!

But I digress ... what I wanted to share was that I didn't realize till I came OFF EffexorXR, that I was feeling numb and detached from everything around me while on even a very small dose of EffexorXR, which is an SRI A-D. About a week after I'd been totally off the EffexorXR, I felt like a veil of cloudiness and lack-of-feeling had lifted. My mind became clearer and I could *feel* again, I felt emotions (sadness, anger, happiness) that I knew I'd somehow *lost* but did not know what to attribute it to.

I have heard that SRI's can cause this numbing out kind of thin, but have never (until your case here!) heard of numbing/detachment being associated with an A-C. Of course, that's only me, perhaps there IS an association and I'm not aware of it.

I guess the person to discuss this with in detail is your pdoc. I can sure understand your being afraid that this might prevent you from taking a whole class of drugs that might otherwise be effective for you. Don't give up yet; there may be other A-C's out there which will not numb you, or you may have to fine tune the dosage of one.

Based on what you mentioned in this post and what I've read on here of people's experiences with Serzone (I always read the Serzone stuff because I was considering going on it, but am not considering it more), I'd say YES, what you've described sounds similar to what some people experience with Serzone. Apparently, Serzone can be *so* sedating to the point of numbing people out and making them feel like zombies.

I'm sorry you're so upset; I sure hope others on here can give you more definitive answers.
Good luck and let us know what you ultimately decide about taking or not taking an A-C.
-Janelle

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » SLS

Posted by chloe on October 1, 2001, at 20:45:28

In reply to I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon, posted by SLS on October 1, 2001, at 17:18:48

Hi Scott,
I am sorry to hear you are having a rough time with the atypical AP's. I have tried them all in an attempt to revisit the wonderful relief I got from the tradition AP Mellaril. I find them all second class to the originals, and they all causes major EPS for me. I can't stay on one for more than 10 days.

In terms of Geodon, do you think you are taking too high a dose? My pdoc had me take 10 mgs BID (open the capusule and cutting the powder in half). I found the Geodon had to be taken twice a day for me, because I got horrible rebound agitation from it. I too noticed the detached feeling, and being unconnected to things. Usually I am in so much pain when I try these meds, being detached doesn't bother me. But if I had to remain on it long term, it would be quite a hinderance. I did however, notice a nice AD effect with Geodon. Perhaps if you stick it out a bit longer, your perception of things will improve. I am sorry I am not more knowledgable, I can only offer my personal experience...

Oh, BTW, serzone never buzzed me out, just made me labile, tired and bitchy. I was all there, just mean as hell!

Hang in there
Chloe

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » SLS

Posted by jay on October 1, 2001, at 22:05:07

In reply to I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon, posted by SLS on October 1, 2001, at 17:18:48

> Hi.
>
> I have begun to feel kind of strange on Geodon. I started taking it about a week ago.
>
> I have had this happen with Zyprexa, Risperdal, and now Geodon. I begin to feel sort of numb and detached from everything around me. I feel sort of zonked or zoned-out. Everything seems distant, and I don't feel that I have access to memory or thinking in general. I tried sticking with Risperdal for a number of weeks to see if it would dissipate, but it didn't. I'm really scared that this will prevent me from taking a whole class of drugs that might otherwise be effective for me.
>
> Has anyone experienced this with the atypical antipsychotics as a group?
>
> Does what I've described sound like what some people experience with Serzone?
>
> I'm really upset by this.
>
>
> - Scott

Scott:

Are you still on your a.d.? Also, benzos seem a good choice for 'depersonalization', if that is what you are experiencing.

IMHO..

Jay

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon

Posted by Chocoholic on October 2, 2001, at 22:17:34

In reply to I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon, posted by SLS on October 1, 2001, at 17:18:48

Hi, Scott.
I have been taking Geodon since March. It took me quite awhile to get acclimated--initially I was sedated and agitated simultaneously. But it did actually give me one of the best antidepressant responses I'd had in years. When I lowered the dose, the side effects abated, so you might try that. > Hi.
>
> I have begun to feel kind of strange on Geodon. I started taking it about a week ago.
>
> I have had this happen with Zyprexa, Risperdal, and now Geodon. I begin to feel sort of numb and detached from everything around me. I feel sort of zonked or zoned-out. Everything seems distant, and I don't feel that I have access to memory or thinking in general. I tried sticking with Risperdal for a number of weeks to see if it would dissipate, but it didn't. I'm really scared that this will prevent me from taking a whole class of drugs that might otherwise be effective for me.
>
> Has anyone experienced this with the atypical antipsychotics as a group?
>
> Does what I've described sound like what some people experience with Serzone?
>
> I'm really upset by this.
>
>
> - Scott

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » Chocoholic

Posted by SLS on October 3, 2001, at 23:48:23

In reply to Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon, posted by Chocoholic on October 2, 2001, at 22:17:34


> I have been taking Geodon since March. It took me quite awhile to get acclimated--initially I was sedated and agitated simultaneously. But it did actually give me one of the best antidepressant responses I'd had in years. When I lowered the dose, the side effects abated, so you might try that.


Dear Chocoholic,

Thanks for responding. That sounds encouraging. How much are you taking? What other drugs are you taking? Are you bipolar?

Thanks much.


- Scott

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon

Posted by Chocoholic on October 4, 2001, at 18:50:42

In reply to Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » Chocoholic, posted by SLS on October 3, 2001, at 23:48:23

>Hi, Scott--
I can really empathize with your suffering, believe me.I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II or Biploar NOS, depending on who has done the diagnosing. Mainly I present with depression with occasional hypomania.
Although I am in a funk right now (precipitated by Sept. 11th) I had had 2 months where I felt better than I had in years. I attribute this to the addition of Mirapex and ziprasidone (Geodon) to my regime of synthroid, dexedrine, lamotrigine and temazepam. (I had taken moclobemide for 3 1/2 years, and although it had helped, I stopped it because it wasn't potent enough).
After being on the Geodon for about a month, I started to notice that certain pleasures started coming back to me, like feeling love, or "hearing" music. I am now taking 60 mg. (20 three times a day) but had been up to 100 mg.

Titrating all of this stuff is so frustrating. I am so vulnerable to every little shift in meds and life stressors.

How did you become so knowledgable about meds?

I hope this info. is helpful--

Chocoholic
> > I have been taking Geodon since March. It took me quite awhile to get acclimated--initially I was sedated and agitated simultaneously. But it did actually give me one of the best antidepressant responses I'd had in years. When I lowered the dose, the side effects abated, so you might try that.
>
>
> Dear Chocoholic,
>
> Thanks for responding. That sounds encouraging. How much are you taking? What other drugs are you taking? Are you bipolar?
>
> Thanks much.
>
>
> - Scott

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » Chocoholic

Posted by Ant-Rock on October 4, 2001, at 20:27:10

In reply to Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon, posted by Chocoholic on October 4, 2001, at 18:50:42

> >Hi, Scott--
> I can really empathize with your suffering, believe me.I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II or Biploar NOS, depending on who has done the diagnosing. Mainly I present with depression with occasional hypomania.
> Although I am in a funk right now (precipitated by Sept. 11th) I had had 2 months where I felt better than I had in years. I attribute this to the addition of Mirapex and ziprasidone (Geodon) to my regime of synthroid, dexedrine, lamotrigine and temazepam. (I had taken moclobemide for 3 1/2 years, and although it had helped, I stopped it because it wasn't potent enough).
> After being on the Geodon for about a month, I started to notice that certain pleasures started coming back to me, like feeling love, or "hearing" music. I am now taking 60 mg. (20 three times a day) but had been up to 100 mg.

Hi Chocoholic,
I was wondering if you know for sure that regaining these emotions was due to the Geodon, or the Mirapex, or maybe the combo?
The reason I ask, is that I had a similar response to Mirapex. I started feeling emotions I have been living without for years. This was a trial I did on my own, but I am considering asking my p-doc to prescibe mirapex, or possibly goedon. I am not bi-polar,just so you know.
Thanks in advance for any info you could provide.

Anthony

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon

Posted by Chocoholic on October 4, 2001, at 22:53:31

In reply to Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » Chocoholic, posted by Ant-Rock on October 4, 2001, at 20:27:10

Hi, Anthony-
I had a partial response to the Geodon at the beg. of April and added the Mirapex the end of May. It took a couple of months to deal with the sedation, but I was rewarded in mid-July with the best response I've had in years.I just hope it lasts, but consider it a gift for as long I can benefit. I still have symptoms, but much less than before.

Chocoholic > > >Hi, Scott--
> > I can really empathize with your suffering, believe me.I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II or Biploar NOS, depending on who has done the diagnosing. Mainly I present with depression with occasional hypomania.
> > Although I am in a funk right now (precipitated by Sept. 11th) I had had 2 months where I felt better than I had in years. I attribute this to the addition of Mirapex and ziprasidone (Geodon) to my regime of synthroid, dexedrine, lamotrigine and temazepam. (I had taken moclobemide for 3 1/2 years, and although it had helped, I stopped it because it wasn't potent enough).
> > After being on the Geodon for about a month, I started to notice that certain pleasures started coming back to me, like feeling love, or "hearing" music. I am now taking 60 mg. (20 three times a day) but had been up to 100 mg.
>
> Hi Chocoholic,
> I was wondering if you know for sure that regaining these emotions was due to the Geodon, or the Mirapex, or maybe the combo?
> The reason I ask, is that I had a similar response to Mirapex. I started feeling emotions I have been living without for years. This was a trial I did on my own, but I am considering asking my p-doc to prescibe mirapex, or possibly goedon. I am not bi-polar,just so you know.
> Thanks in advance for any info you could provide.
>
> Anthony

 

Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » Ant-Rock

Posted by ChrisK on October 5, 2001, at 4:58:50

In reply to Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » Chocoholic, posted by Ant-Rock on October 4, 2001, at 20:27:10

Anthony,

My introductions to Geodon ( and Zyprexa) were completely separate from the introduction of Mirapex and I can definitely say that it was the Mirapex that gave me my emotions back. The Z&G helped most with obsessive thinking and ruminating thought s that really bothered me. They made my mind clear but really didn't work on my emotions - I was still anhedonic. Then I tried Mirapex and it was like a miracle happened. I started to actually feel things again. It had been many years since I was able to actually say that I enjoyed doing something but Mirapex is definitely what made that difference. Now my Ad cocktail is all the way down to Nortriptyline, Zyprexa and Mirapex. I'm not changing anything soon.

Chris

> I was wondering if you know for sure that regaining these emotions was due to the Geodon, or the Mirapex, or maybe the combo?
> The reason I ask, is that I had a similar response to Mirapex. I started feeling emotions I have been living without for years. This was a trial I did on my own, but I am considering asking my p-doc to prescibe mirapex, or possibly goedon. I am not bi-polar,just so you know.
> Thanks in advance for any info you could provide.
>
> Anthony

 

Re: Thank you Choc ChrisK...

Posted by Ant-Rock on October 5, 2001, at 8:13:16

In reply to Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » Ant-Rock, posted by ChrisK on October 5, 2001, at 4:58:50

Thank you both for your answers. I clearly remember being driven down a road with my father, and all of a sudden, I felt no depression, just had a good feeling inside. I also regained the ability to feel "attraction" to the opposite sex again. It was strange how far removed these once normal feelings had been for so long. "No" anti-depressant has ever given me even a hint of this, and i tried a lot of them, including TMS(transcranial stimulation).

Anthony

 

Thanks guys.

Posted by SLS on October 6, 2001, at 18:28:30

In reply to Re: I feel numb and detached on Zyprexa and Geodon » Ant-Rock, posted by ChrisK on October 5, 2001, at 4:58:50

Thanks all for responding.

I think I am going to try to reduce the dosage of or discontinue nortriptyline. It might be contributing to the spaciness I've been feeling. It may be that the combined NE effects of Effexor, nortriptyline, and Geodon have ganged-up on me. We'll see.


- Scott


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