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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Charlotte R on September 29, 2009, at 12:39:55
Has anyone had a good experience with Geodon? I am considering taking it for bipolar II; my main symptom is depression. Thanks.
Posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2009, at 13:22:47
In reply to Geodon, posted by Charlotte R on September 29, 2009, at 12:39:55
I've heard some good things about geodon. If no replies google the archieves. Phillipa
Posted by Number 42 on September 29, 2009, at 17:02:57
In reply to Geodon, posted by Charlotte R on September 29, 2009, at 12:39:55
> Has anyone had a good experience with Geodon? I am considering taking it for bipolar II; my main symptom is depression. Thanks.
I also have bipolar II, and my main symptom is depression (also a lot of anxiety). I take Abilify (same classification as Geodon) and it works well for me. I also take Prozac and Lamictal. I too have heard some good things about Geodon. Best wishes!
#42
Posted by epona_lee on September 29, 2009, at 20:41:11
In reply to Re: Geodon » Charlotte R, posted by Number 42 on September 29, 2009, at 17:02:57
i've taken geodon years ago, and all i can remember from it was that i was spaced out feeling. but i don't think i gave it very much time to see what the benefits were. i'm on lithium, just started, and i felt the same way but its subsiding. so i'm interested to know what it does for you. keep us posted.
Posted by delna on October 2, 2009, at 8:45:27
In reply to Geodon, posted by Charlotte R on September 29, 2009, at 12:39:55
> Has anyone had a good experience with Geodon? I am considering taking it for bipolar II; my main symptom is depression. Thanks.
I had amazing results on Geodon. I know people curse it alot but for me it was a miracle. I have bipolar 1 and my doctor added 40mg Geodon to an existing combination of Lamictal 200, Provigil 100mg, Effexor 37.5 (for OCD) and Wellbutrin 150mg.
My problem was that I was seriously exhausted all the time despite the 2 stimulating meds (Provigil and Wellbutrin) and was very tired, depressed and suicidal. I stayed in bed all day and even had a suicide plan.
Within a few doses I literally 'woke up'. I was supercharged and keen to get back into life.Over a period of a year I found that 60mg is a good dose for me- all at night). 40 was too stimulating.
You most probably will need provigil with it. I took 300-400mg because though geodon makes you comatose a few hours after you take it- once you are up (with the provigil) it is really activating. I don't know how that works but I do know that Geodon at low doses (40-60mg ) has strong anti-depressant properties.(incidentally I need 300-400mg Provigil regardless- i am a very sleepy person.
It took care of anxiety, foggy thinking, depression and everything else.It is also stabilizing so the bipolar is taken care of.
For the first time in my life I was normal- I had a job and a life.
Unfortunately i developed severe 'nerve pain' on it which now turns out could have been tardive pain syndrome. Well I had to stop it and now I'm back where I started. Still looking for a replacement. But there isn't a day when I don't miss it..
There are many sites on which patients review drugs (will send you the link if I find it) but mostly they are not that positive about Geodon. Don't let it put you off because when it works- it really works.
Good luck on choosing your meds
D
Posted by delna on October 2, 2009, at 8:58:11
In reply to Geodon, posted by Charlotte R on September 29, 2009, at 12:39:55
Link to people's ratings.
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20825&name=GEODON
Take with a pinch of salt because most people who rate these drugs do so because they have a prob. with it (I think...)
Posted by uncouth on October 2, 2009, at 11:44:10
In reply to Re: Geodon » Charlotte R, posted by delna on October 2, 2009, at 8:58:11
i have a similar diagnosis and found 120mg of Geodon per day to be only minimally helpful. I think despite being in the same class, in my experience Zyprexa beats Geodon and Abilify, at least for me. No experience on meaningful (300mg+) doses of seroquel xr as that med completely knocks me out and knocks me senseless
Posted by morganator on October 2, 2009, at 21:30:14
In reply to Geodon, posted by Charlotte R on September 29, 2009, at 12:39:55
I would say exhaust all options before jumping on the antipychotic bandwagon.
What have you tried? What have you had success with? What are you currently on?
There has to be another way to attack your depression.
I say, unless you are not functioning or have been hospitalized, do NOT bother with antipychotics.
Posted by psychobot5000 on October 4, 2009, at 14:54:48
In reply to Geodon, posted by Charlotte R on September 29, 2009, at 12:39:55
> Has anyone had a good experience with Geodon? I am considering taking it for bipolar II; my main symptom is depression. Thanks.
I take 10mg of geodon twice per day (take the smallest capsule and split it in half), for major depression, and find it helps to boost mood and provide some energy and motivation, with very few side-effects. I'd recommend it to others, and especially at this low end of the dose range. Morganator (I think it was) raises some legitimate concerns about antipsychotics (Geodon is one)--i.e. they can have serious long-term side-effects--but some or most of these risks are probably much smaller when taking a microdose instead of an antipsychotic dose. Long QT syndrome (has to do with your heartbeat), for example, evidently has not been found to occur in patients taking low dosages, and the likely risk of tardive dyskinesia and other extrapyrimidal symptoms is assumed to be substantially lower as well.
This is the end of the thread.
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