GEODON, hypomania?

[Monster]

Ever since I started an entry dosage of Geodon (20mgs 2x a day), it seems I've been more hypomanic than usual. Is this even possible? Is there a way that I can differentiate between the Geodon affect and "regular" hypomania?

Please note my main symptoms of bp are major depression. And I'm an ultradian, so three day hypomania is unusual.

I apologize for my ill-information. I definitely do not have good education in the med subject

And I would love any info! If I try to re-wire my parents entertainment center again they may kick me out

[Velvet Elvis]

Of the APs, geodon is one of the least sedating. Based on anecdotal evidence, it also seems to be more likely to induce mania. You for sure would not be the first person here to report it doing so.

Many bp folks have found that even if they only go manic when when they take anti-depressants they still must be on a mood stabilizer for a while before they can take anything for their depression.

You might also want to read up on lamictal, an anti-convulsant with with both anti-depressant and mood stabilizing properties.

[Guest Llamanator]

It could be difficult to differentiate between a med-induced hypomania and one that's natural. It all depends on what kinds you get and the quality of the induced one.

Antipsychotics tend to be poor mood stabilizers, and are often used on top of a primary mood stabilizer (lithium or an anticonvulsant) to treat what they need to treat.

Lamictal's the biggie when it comes to antidepressant and mood action, but both Topamax (which can be useful for ultradian for some folks), and Tegretol (oldie but goodie), are either being studied or have been used for depression.

[Guest FrannyNZooey]

I had just started Geodon, while having stay at a well known clinic by me, for doing such as med stabilization.

Prior I was using just Topomax at fairly low dose, such as one for migraines only med for bipolar, which was not cutting it, not helping me sleep. In fact was not doing any real thought process, it was scary.

I am on now 60mg BID of Geodon, I actually liked the 40mg after just couple days of 20 mg, I am jittery still after week or so from 40mg.

So, may ask to cut back to 40 mg, when see doc in week if still same.

But I was told by tdoc there, higher doses can be better,lower cause more side effects such as shakiness, so maybe the 20 is worse, for the jitters, and all, I know had them then, as now with 60.

I am also still on Topomax at just 50mg though instead of 100 mg BID, which i feel helps along with Geodon for the depression side.

I also take 50-100 mg of trazodone @ bedtime to sleep, which last night 50 was enough, got my 7 hours straight good sleep in.

So, just some suggestions from fellow, or gal, geodon user.

Would love to keep tabs, see what goes on with my dose, and if it does calm down in week, or if go back to 40 and that is better.

But 20 I know did suck, and told for reasons I mention above by doctor at clinic.

Aly

[mrsloony]

I know that geodon has been very helpful for many- but i had a similar experience. i believe i had experienced hypomania in my life, but this was very different- i believe it induced a full mania-( not that i'm 100% clear on how to distinguish them except intensity) this began within a week of starting it.

I get what you mean about rewiring the stereo- i decided my kitchen floor had to be cleaned -by hand- at 5:00 in the morning. and it got worse from there. within a couple of days of stopping it i crashed- down in depression for a bit til the meds were" rewired"

i hope things stable out for you

[DMF]

As I've stated before, Geodon really worked well at being the final component of medication to help stabilize dd's mood disorder. However, I will acknowledge that she was more prone to depression and generally is quite happy these days so, perhaps, the Geodon has pushed her up to a level that could be hypomania in other people. Not sure but I could see that happening given how low she was.