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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on August 4, 2013, at 14:46:41
I can't take it anymore, I'm so depressed.
I was doing good on 40mg of Geodon, except for weight gain & hunger. But I had a really bad experience recently on 40mg of Geodon. I had to wake up in the middle of the night due to a family emergency and it was impossible. I had 3 shots of esspresso and coffee and I just felt drugged up and dizzy.
One of the reasons I've been taking Geodon is because it helps with sleep, but totally unconscious was scary to my family. So I quit cold turkey and now I'm in the depths of depression.
I'm still taking Trileptal, which keeps me from severe irritability, but it causes such bad depression.
I'm wondering, in desperation, if 20mg of Geodon would help with depression. I would hope that it wouldn't knock me out cold. I still have the heart concerns with Geodon, (it can cause atrial fib and I already have low blood pressure). But I'm so desperate.
I don't see my doc until later in the week. I don't know what other suggestions she will have for me, but this might be one of them.
I'm desperate. I wish someone could clear my mind of the fog and depression.
Posted by Twinleaf on August 4, 2013, at 16:04:34
In reply to 20mg Geodon?, posted by Sheilac on August 4, 2013, at 14:46:41
For some people, discontinuing an AP abruptly can cause a sudden, severe increase in anxiety and depression. What about going back on at least 20 mg., and then, if you want to discontinue, do so very slowly, with just a small decrease every few weeks? It could also be that a dosage of around 20-30 is helpful, and will not cause too many side effects. If you are concerned about cardiac side effects, you could switch to another AP, and either discontinue that one slowly, or stay on a moderate dose.
Posted by tensor on August 4, 2013, at 16:06:52
In reply to 20mg Geodon?, posted by Sheilac on August 4, 2013, at 14:46:41
> I can't take it anymore, I'm so depressed.
>
> I was doing good on 40mg of Geodon, except for weight gain & hunger. But I had a really bad experience recently on 40mg of Geodon. I had to wake up in the middle of the night due to a family emergency and it was impossible. I had 3 shots of esspresso and coffee and I just felt drugged up and dizzy.
>
> One of the reasons I've been taking Geodon is because it helps with sleep, but totally unconscious was scary to my family. So I quit cold turkey and now I'm in the depths of depression.
>
> I'm still taking Trileptal, which keeps me from severe irritability, but it causes such bad depression.
>
> I'm wondering, in desperation, if 20mg of Geodon would help with depression. I would hope that it wouldn't knock me out cold. I still have the heart concerns with Geodon, (it can cause atrial fib and I already have low blood pressure). But I'm so desperate.
>
> I don't see my doc until later in the week. I don't know what other suggestions she will have for me, but this might be one of them.
>
> I'm desperate. I wish someone could clear my mind of the fog and depression.Try 20mg, I think you should not have quit cold turkey but instead tried a lower dose. If 40mg works great otherwise, maybe night-time grogginess is worth it. Really, if you have concerns about your heart, have it checked up. Although my opinion is that the fear of qt prolongation is exaggerated, as long as you don't combine meds with the same side effect.
/tensor
Posted by Sheilac on August 4, 2013, at 17:05:12
In reply to Re: 20mg Geodon? » Sheilac, posted by tensor on August 4, 2013, at 16:06:52
Thanks for the reply Tensor. My husband said the exact same thing.
I had my heart checked out about a year and a half ago and there were no issues.
I looked up Abilify and it also mentioned heart issues. Do all AAP's have possible heart issues? One was sudden death?! Yikes!
I took Seroquel for years, I'm guessing that's in the same class?
So I'm wondering if I would actually reduce my chances of getting my mother's Atrial Fib if I stayed on Geodon or switched to Abilify?
For now I need to bite the bullet and take the 20mg at least.
But I am curious if all AAPs are potentially bad for the heart?
I also took low dose Adderall. It seems like Adderall would be worse for the heart, but I don't know.
Posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2013, at 17:31:14
In reply to AAPs + heart issues?, posted by Sheilac on August 4, 2013, at 17:05:12
Sheila I honestly don't feel there are any or few that don't have risks. But weight them carefully with your doc. For now I agree with other replies. Phillipa
Posted by tensor on August 4, 2013, at 17:52:43
In reply to AAPs + heart issues?, posted by Sheilac on August 4, 2013, at 17:05:12
> Thanks for the reply Tensor. My husband said the exact same thing.
>
> I had my heart checked out about a year and a half ago and there were no issues.
>
> I looked up Abilify and it also mentioned heart issues. Do all AAP's have possible heart issues? One was sudden death?! Yikes!
>
> I took Seroquel for years, I'm guessing that's in the same class?
>
> So I'm wondering if I would actually reduce my chances of getting my mother's Atrial Fib if I stayed on Geodon or switched to Abilify?
>
> For now I need to bite the bullet and take the 20mg at least.
>
> But I am curious if all AAPs are potentially bad for the heart?
>
> I also took low dose Adderall. It seems like Adderall would be worse for the heart, but I don't know.
>
>I once looked in to qt prolongation regarding Geodon, because I was about to start it, and if my memory serves me correctly escitalopram has the same issue, i.e. the qt prolongation with escitalopram was on par with Geodon if not worse.
And I don't see any people on Cipralex worrying about it.
http://www.theheart.org/article/1500485.doWorth noting is that the qt prolongation with Geodon is not dose dependent, so it's not worse on 40mg than on 20mg.
You need to ask a physician regarding your heart concerns.
Regards,
tensor
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