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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 8:21:09
what's more like zyprexa (chemically)
Geodon or Abilify?i see pdoc today
my T is really pushing for me to be on zyprexa (or equivalent) since i do SO much better on it full time, which i hate to say is true.
but although i haven't gained a ton of weight on it i'm trying to loose baby weight and that is NOT a happening on zyprexa.and here's my options,
i can just increase my topomax and leave zyprexa as a PRN.
i can drop the zyprexa altogether and try a new AP Geodon or Abilify
i can start up zyprexa full time and ask to up my ritalin (i'm at 20 BID now) but that won't help my night time hunger. wasn't there a metaforim or something that was to help with zyprexa hunger?anyway if i didn't have a kid i'd be up for trying a different AP, but who knows how i'll react to them and which one to try? the last thing i need is another elephant dart to make me late to work.
any suggestions?
Posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 12:05:20
In reply to what's more like zyprexa?, posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 8:21:09
which is the lesser of two evils if i did fine on zyprexa but was too sleepy and weight gain.
or am i better off staying with what works and not even trying anything else?
Posted by Phillipa on May 15, 2008, at 12:09:04
In reply to ANYONE...GEODON or ABILIFY??, posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 12:05:20
B2c if it works don't try and fix it. I do think metforim is for weight loss though. Good luck. Phillipa
Posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 12:27:13
In reply to Re: ANYONE...GEODON or ABILIFY?? » B2chica, posted by Phillipa on May 15, 2008, at 12:09:04
well i've gotto fix something. because of my suicidal rampage a few weeks ago i can't....CAN"T have that happening again. so i either need to go on zyprexa full time (with metaformin) and upping ritalin.
cuz i went off it becaause of being late to work everymorning and of course the over eating no weight loss thing.or do the other option changes i mentioned.
i've tried risperdal before and that did nothing for me. but i've only ever been on zyprexa before, only because thats always worked. but now with little one my schedule and work and life (and such) has changed and i can't do this anymore.
i need a change.i can't loose my job.
i've been reading some archieved med babbles and i'm leaning toward trying geodon rather than abilify. of course i always think of poor jeroen. and that' scares me. but he seems to be the 1% of a lot of things...course so do i.
but i've got to try something.
Posted by SLS on May 15, 2008, at 15:27:23
In reply to what's more like zyprexa?, posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 8:21:09
I don't know about chemically, but from experience, I found Abilify to have about 2/3 the anti-suicidal potential of Zyprexa. I did not find that Geodon had this. Geodon is more stimulating and antidepressant-like.
- Scott
Posted by bleauberry on May 15, 2008, at 17:23:21
In reply to what's more like zyprexa?, posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 8:21:09
What's more like zyprexa?
Nothing.I don't think anything resembles it. It kind of stands alone.
If it works, I would go with it but at the same time embark on changing habits and lifestyles in a way to minimize or eliminate concerns you have with it.
Posted by Phillipa on May 15, 2008, at 20:07:45
In reply to Re: what's more like zyprexa?, posted by bleauberry on May 15, 2008, at 17:23:21
Thought geodon was good for anxiety? Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 15, 2008, at 20:09:28
In reply to Re: ANYONE...GEODON or ABILIFY?? » Phillipa, posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 12:27:13
Isn't abilfy stimulating at higher doses? Could be wrong. Love Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on May 15, 2008, at 20:58:55
In reply to what's more like zyprexa?, posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 8:21:09
I think most of the atypicals are pretty much unique drugs...that said, I think if weight gain and sedation are a prob, then maybe Abilify is the way to go. Metformin is supposed to help with all the probs zyprexa causes with weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
Posted by SLS on May 16, 2008, at 4:42:52
In reply to Re: ANYONE...GEODON or ABILIFY?? » Phillipa, posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 12:27:13
What Bleauberry says is true. The main problem with Abilify is that it can produce anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia, although I experienced only some mild restlessness. I started off at 20mg.
To get past these things, you might want to take some Seroquel - maybe 25mg two or three times a day. Or perhaps even using Zyprexa to start with, and then cross-titrate.
I like how Med_Empowered qualified the atypicals. They all are very different. The two that are most alike are Zyprexa and Clozaril.
- Scott
Posted by B2chica on May 16, 2008, at 8:08:39
In reply to Re: ANYONE...GEODON or ABILIFY?? » B2chica, posted by SLS on May 16, 2008, at 4:42:52
ok, i talked with pdoc yesterday. and here's the game plan.
he gave me some 2.5 zyprexa to get me through this week since i know it works and i have stuff going on this weekend i didn't want to start a new drug and i needed something i knew worked (soon) due to some concerning symptoms. so i took one last night. i already had some issues this morning. i think the problem is the other two med that i'm on already make me so tired that anything else just tips the scale and wipes me out but MAN do i get good sleep. even though it's WAAAY hard to wake up i do feel well rested.
anyway, then he gave me Geodon samples. to start next week.
he started me at 40 but mentioned that at lower doses there seem to be more SE such as aggitation, insomnia etc. so we'll see how that goes.i guess i just want to try and see if there is something that will be better. since i've never tried to change. i will give geodon a try. if that doesn't seem to help then zyprexa it is, but at least this way i've tried it.
and i did mention the metaformin to pdoc and he said that he doesn't usually do that, he usually tries another route because it is a 'heavy diabetic medication'?? so he said he'd rather try Geodon with me first.
anyway. thank you all.
b2c.
Posted by Zyprexa on May 16, 2008, at 22:52:15
In reply to what's more like zyprexa?, posted by B2chica on May 15, 2008, at 8:21:09
I've tried those 2. Not like zyprexa at all. The best substitute I've found is perphenazine! I take it now and have successfully cut zyprexa in half.
Posted by SLS on May 17, 2008, at 1:33:19
In reply to Re: what's more like zyprexa?, posted by Zyprexa on May 16, 2008, at 22:52:15
> I've tried those 2. Not like zyprexa at all. The best substitute I've found is perphenazine! I take it now and have successfully cut zyprexa in half.
Nice choice. How did you come upon making it?
I like perphenazine. I was on it a very long time ago. I would never have thought to recommend it. I guess I'm still romancing the atypicals.
You don't feel numb or blunted at all? In what ways is it like Zyprexa other than it allowing you to reduce the dosage of that drug?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Zyprexa on May 17, 2008, at 12:44:12
In reply to Re: what's more like zyprexa? » Zyprexa, posted by SLS on May 17, 2008, at 1:33:19
Its sedating like zyprexa! Calming and restfull. Also, no diabetes, no munchies. It did well in CATIE studies.
Posted by B2chica on May 19, 2008, at 14:00:17
In reply to Re: ANYONE...GEODON or ABILIFY?? » B2chica, posted by SLS on May 16, 2008, at 4:42:52
well, he gave me Geodon.
i'll tell ya though i'm getting nervous about starting it. i'm going to start it tuesday night.
he's starting me at 40mg. but only once a day.
i just called his office to double check and i haven't heard back but i heard most people taking it twice a day. i'm guessing short half life, but if it will work once/day that'd be great for me.pdoc said take with food so i'll take it around 6pm.
i am going to watch for dizziness though cuz i seem to have that reaction to a lot of new meds, the getting up too quick and i about collapse.
thanks for info folks.
b2c.
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