New to Geodon

[skaz]

I've been stuck in the land of bipolar depression 4 months now, precipitated by a back surgery.  Can't tolerate wellbutrin or trazadone.  I've tried risperdal and abilfy a few years ago, and seroquel the past two years, had some luck with seroquel, but I began to get some really bothersome side effects at theraputic levels, and began to grow more depressed while on it.

I'm on lithium er 900, klonopin 1mg, Just added provigil (really liked it last year) and Geodon (20mg 2x per day).

I'm getting some bothersome side effects after just two days on the Geodon.  I know it's not the provigil because I didn't fill that script until today.  I'm getting hand tremors, some sedation and blurry vision.  I guess I can take propanol for the shakes.  Does Geodon become less sedating with dose increases?  I was told to try and increase it fairly rapidly if i can tolerate doing so.  I would appreciate any help with what to possibly expect with Geodon.  Thanks.

[Batou]

Hi Skaz,

I did find Geodon became less sedating as I increased dosage but I always took entire dose at bedtime. In the long run, Geodon didn't do much for the BP. As always, YMMV.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Erika

[DMF]

My 18 y/o daughter has been taking Geodon since Nov., 05.

[skaz]

Erika:  Thanks.  I know you've tried just about everything but the kitchen sink.  I'm trying the cupboards right now.

DMF:  I hope your daughter's symptoms keep improving.  Thank you for sharing her experience with Geodon. I was on Seroquel for over two years, much of the time as mono therapy for Bipolar disorder 1.  Seroquel has always been the med to bring me down out of mania, while it does not seem to help me with depressive symptoms, others swear by it. It worked well as a mood stabilizer up until last December and January.  I became very depressed, and an increase in the Seroquel left me agitated with the inability to sit still.  I don't know why it quit working, maybe my body changed or developed a problem with it.  So I was put back on Lithium.  I never liked lithium, but I'm trying to make friends with it again.

I think the Geodon is actually working, and rather quickly, but it's too soon to tell for sure.  I'm hoping.  Combined with the provigil, the tiredness is not bad.  My mood seems better after only a couple of days on it.  It does seem to have some activating effects.  I'm taking it for bipolar depression.  SSRI's have not been beneficial for me in the past, although I see that Geodon is similar to antidepressants in that it provides serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition.  It is definitely less sedating than any other atypical that I've used.  I'll have to keep an eye on my mood, as I don't want to switch to mania.  Whenever I start feeling better, I worry, but I am on lithium and have never had a manic episode while actually taking it.

[skaz]

I had to stop the Geodon. It was making me way too drowsy, spacey. I was in a fog at 40mg 2x per day. I don't know what's next.

[Batou]

I had to stop the Geodon. It was making me way too drowsy, spacey. I was in a fog at 40mg 2x per day. I don't know what's next.

skaz,

well that sucks! I'm sorry you have had so much trouble with meds since your back surgery. I guess your back to checking the cabinets, or have you run out of cabinets now as well? Have you tried Abilify?

Sending good thoughts your way. I knwo just getting to the point of getting back surgery approved was a battle. I do hope the surgery has helped, lessened your pain but I hate to hear you're feeling crappy.

Erika

[skaz]

Thanks Erika, it means alot to read your kind words. My back is better, although it's been slow going. I just can't seem to get out of this depressive funk. I'm begining outpatient depression day treatment this week. My intake is tommorow. I'm getting by on workman's comp right now, but I'm going to have to begin job searching. Luckily, I'm only cleared to work part-time, I'm afraid that I won't be well enough to be productive. I've been having suicidal thoughts on and off for the last two months and it's scaring me. I tried Abilfy a few years ago, but I never gave it a chance and I was drinking alcohol at the time. It's funny you mentioned it, because I've been thinking about it (Abilify). Thanks again.