beetle Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Just went off abilify and going to titrate up on geodon. I scanned back several pages in the forum. Doesn't look like many people are taking this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choosing_the_blue_pills Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Well, in the poll pinned in the forum 14 people have answered that Geodon is their major AAP, and I'm one of them. But that was then, now I'm on Seroquel. Can't say much about Geodon, don't think it causes weight gain. Hmm, it was working for me but I got TD so changed. I've gotten TD from all the other AAPs I've tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetle Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 Well, in the poll pinned in the forum 14 people have answered that Geodon is their major AAP, and I'm one of them. But that was then, now I'm on Seroquel. Can't say much about Geodon, don't think it causes weight gain. Hmm, it was working for me but I got TD so changed. I've gotten TD from all the other AAPs I've tried. Hope it doesn't cause weight gain. I've got enough extra weight from my trials of risperdal and abilify. The TD scares me but as you say... it seems to be something you get from all the AAPs so maybe I don't need to worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I just moved up to 80mg 2X/day from 40mg 2X/day - I am going down off Seroquel and onto Geodon. I tried it before but had been taken of Seroquel cold turkey and was very sick and ended up going back on Seroquel. I find Geodon GREAT for my mental symptoms - or better than the Seroquel, stuff is resolving or greatly improved - the only thing is I find being on both at once very sedating mid-day. I did not have this before when I was only on Geodon and it has gotten better as I drop my Seroquel (a tad faster than suggested to combat this) and expect when off the Seroquel for it to resolve entirely. So, a Geodon fan here. Would like to lose weight too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choosing_the_blue_pills Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 The TD scares me but as you say... it seems to be something you get from all the AAPs so maybe I don't need to worry. No, that's just me, no need for you to worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I don't like the sedation on geodon and the fogginess. It worked for my obsessive thoughts and what if scenarios I make up in my head. I just quit it cold turkey and all my symptoms came back tenfold. My therapist said she thought it made me stable and thinks I should stay on it. But I have school soon and can't afford to be foggy. Until they figure out a solution, I am fighting off my obsessive, racy thoughts with extra risperdal prns. So I take it when I start feeling racy. Which as been all day today. And Geodon did not cause weight gain. The titration is long and you will feel out of it for while. Be careful of the TD, I got it the first time I took it. Advice: Try to battle any little side effects if you can because the drug works. I would have stayed on it if I wasn't starting school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetle Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 Thanks guys. I didn't know if it was sedating or not. Course with the ymmv clause, it might turn out to be activating for me. Which is what I need, actually. I will give it a fair chance as I have all meds I've tried. I can usually soldier through initial side effects as long as they aren't anything life threatening. It sounds like geodon has some AD properties which I definately NEED right now. I think it will probably be the last AAP I try but I won't draw a line in the sand just yet. Pdoc and I are talking lithium but she knows how I am about needles. I'll try this first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 The first time I took geodon it was a little bit activating. The second time it was sedating. It does have an AD effect so that's a plus. Definitely give lithium a try is this doesn't work out for you. I love lithium but it doesn't cover the obsessive thoughts and paranoia. If you can go with just the lithium, go for it! Good luck and keep us posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 The second time it was sedating. Maybe that's why I'm having sedation problems! It's my second time! Ughh, some days, especially if I haven't had 8+ hrs of sleep (yikes) the night before. Though, lowering the Seroquel is helping. Other than that of course, since I'm now taking 300mg, I'm starting to not fall asleep very quickly....ahh, lying in bed at night while your loved one sleeps. Nothing like it. Can't wait til Monday when I drop down to 200mg (aren't these doses supposed to be at Seroquel's maximum sedation level? Someone forgot to tell my body). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 The second time it was sedating. Maybe that's why I'm having sedation problems! It's my second time! Ughh, some days, especially if I haven't had 8+ hrs of sleep (yikes) the night before. Though, lowering the Seroquel is helping. Other than that of course, since I'm now taking 300mg, I'm starting to not fall asleep very quickly....ahh, lying in bed at night while your loved one sleeps. Nothing like it. Can't wait til Monday when I drop down to 200mg (aren't these doses supposed to be at Seroquel's maximum sedation level? Someone forgot to tell my body). Yeah, sometimes I will be out somewhere but I can't stand the sedation and I have to go home. I would get up late in the morning. I need to be on it but I don't like how it makes me feel. I am off of it now and I am "awake" now. But I am literally going crazy. I have to take extra risperdal to calm my thoughts. I hope everything with the seroquel works out okay. You are on way more than I am, when I actually take it. I take for anxiety and sleep. 25mg prn. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witchywoman Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 I was on Geodon for a while. It was very sedating for me. I had to take it all at night, or I would sleep during the day. Also, it made it very hard to get up in the morning. However, it did work. It helped with depression, it took care of the mania I was initially prescribed it for. The only reason I went off of it is because we realized it was causing my anxiety. So now Im on Seroquel XR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetle Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 Eeek! Just did a drug interaction check and got a few serious to moderate interactions with my meds plus geodon. It appears that this whole business of the prolongation of the QT interval possible with Geodon is also possible with the salmeterol which is an ingredient in the Advair Diskus. So, taking the two together sounds like it could potentially be bad for my heart. My pdoc should have known that I am on Advair. Then it appears that the Wellbutrin plus the geodon has a "major drug-drug" interaction, lowering the seizure threshold. There are a few other less troubling interatctions. Yipppeeee! Why do I continue to take this crap? Is being dead better than being depressed? I don't think so. Someone please tell me I'm not gonna have a ventricular arrhythmia that's gonna result in sudden death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Eeek! Just did a drug interaction check and got a few serious to moderate interactions with my meds plus geodon. It appears that this whole business of the prolongation of the QT interval possible with Geodon is also possible with the salmeterol which is an ingredient in the Advair Diskus. So, taking the two together sounds like it could potentially be bad for my heart. My pdoc should have known that I am on Advair. Then it appears that the Wellbutrin plus the geodon has a "major drug-drug" interaction, lowering the seizure threshold. There are a few other less troubling interatctions. Yipppeeee! Why do I continue to take this crap? Is being dead better than being depressed? I don't think so. Someone please tell me I'm not gonna have a ventricular arrhythmia that's gonna result in sudden death. It's very rare and usually if you already had a heart condition to being with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehygon Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 I hated geodon. I hate canada for allowing it to be sold here. neither sedating nor activating, just fucking expensive, ineffective, and a waste of my time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetle Posted July 23, 2009 Author Share Posted July 23, 2009 Eeek! Just did a drug interaction check and got a few serious to moderate interactions with my meds plus geodon. It appears that this whole business of the prolongation of the QT interval possible with Geodon is also possible with the salmeterol which is an ingredient in the Advair Diskus. So, taking the two together sounds like it could potentially be bad for my heart. My pdoc should have known that I am on Advair. Then it appears that the Wellbutrin plus the geodon has a "major drug-drug" interaction, lowering the seizure threshold. There are a few other less troubling interatctions. Yipppeeee! Why do I continue to take this crap? Is being dead better than being depressed? I don't think so. Someone please tell me I'm not gonna have a ventricular arrhythmia that's gonna result in sudden death. It's very rare and usually if you already had a heart condition to being with. I know it's pretty rare and as far as I know, my heart is healthy but... I am concerned about taking two medications together that have this side effect, as Geodon's PI sheet says it's not a good idea to do that. I'll probably call my pdoc today and make sure she knows I'm on Advair and bring up this concern. I haven't started the Geodon yet because my stupid pharmacy can't seem to get it in stock. edited: I just checked again and apparently there's the same problem with albuterol and geodon. The advair is a preventative daily med whereas the albuterol is used only when I have a breakthrough attack, which is rare. But on a day where I have such an attack then I will have taken three drugs with this QT interval side effect crap. The good news is I've already been taking, although not daily, two drugs with this side effect and I haven't dropped dead yet. Wonder if three will be pushing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 I'm not sure, I would check with you GP too. I always have tachycardia on my EKGs but I took Geodon. My pdoc said it's okay. But doesn't mean she is right. Check with your pdoc and GP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 Eeek! Just did a drug interaction check and got a few serious to moderate interactions with my meds plus geodon. It appears that this whole business of the prolongation of the QT interval possible with Geodon is also possible with the salmeterol which is an ingredient in the Advair Diskus. So, taking the two together sounds like it could potentially be bad for my heart. My pdoc should have known that I am on Advair. Then it appears that the Wellbutrin plus the geodon has a "major drug-drug" interaction, lowering the seizure threshold. There are a few other less troubling interatctions. Yipppeeee! Why do I continue to take this crap? Is being dead better than being depressed? I don't think so. Someone please tell me I'm not gonna have a ventricular arrhythmia that's gonna result in sudden death. It's very rare and usually if you already had a heart condition to being with. I know it's pretty rare and as far as I know, my heart is healthy but... I am concerned about taking two medications together that have this side effect, as Geodon's PI sheet says it's not a good idea to do that. I'll probably call my pdoc today and make sure she knows I'm on Advair and bring up this concern. I haven't started the Geodon yet because my stupid pharmacy can't seem to get it in stock. I worry about the long QT syndrome as well because I am an endurance athlete - ultramarathons - and do training runs of over marathon distance (up to 60k; my big race next year is 146k (27 hours to do)) and dehydration can cause it. I take in electrolytes but b/c they're such long stressful training with compounding, it's a concern. I have a foot injury right now (long story) so I'm not running for another couple of weeks, though I am doing other distance work, but we'll see how it goes. I am working with a pharmacist who is a triathlete, and I got myself a medical alert bracelet that says I'm on Ziprasidone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 That's a great idea that you got the medic alert bracelet! I didn't know you were such an athlete, wow! Good luck with your next race! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneMarie Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 It's a good idea to get your heart checked before starting Geodon or any med known to prolong the QT interval if you do not already know that you don't have torsades de pointes. It's a rare heart condition and odds of a med causing a problem are slim. However, it's generally not a good idea to be on two meds with that same side effect. Run it by all your docs if you are going to go there. I tried Geodon twice and had a lot of unusual side effects including withdrawals between doses and high blood pressure. These aren't common. I was shaking/freezing on low doses but less so on higher ones (160mg). The first time I was a little manic. The second time I went from modestly depressed to cycle thru mixed mania and end up hypomanic while d/c'ing. Both times I also was on Lithium, Lamictal and something else. I'm thinking that there won't be a trial three for me. That is me. Other people do well on Geodon. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choosing_the_blue_pills Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 I've found out that pdocs don't necessarily know the basics of the medications they prescribe. In my case it was the info that I should take Geodon with food. I had to find that out myself by getting info on the internet. In your case it seems your doctor did not do a drug interaction check herself. She should have at least discussed this with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 I've found out that pdocs don't necessarily know the basics of the medications they prescribe. In my case it was the info that I should take Geodon with food. I had to find that out myself by getting info on the internet. In your case it seems your doctor did not do a drug interaction check herself. She should have at least discussed this with you. I agree. I found online that the withdrawal of Geodon is not so fun. I experienced withdrawal as well (or so I thought). However, my doc told me that Geodon has no withdrawal, so who the F knows?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetle Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 I've found out that pdocs don't necessarily know the basics of the medications they prescribe. In my case it was the info that I should take Geodon with food. I had to find that out myself by getting info on the internet. In your case it seems your doctor did not do a drug interaction check herself. She should have at least discussed this with you. I agree. I found online that the withdrawal of Geodon is not so fun. I experienced withdrawal as well (or so I thought). However, my doc told me that Geodon has no withdrawal, so who the F knows?! Some folks have discontinuation symptoms (I can't call it withdrawal) and some don't... for any med. I got off of effexor with minimal suffering. I did feel brain zaps and stuff but it wasn't something I couldn't deal with. While other people feel like they can never get off the drug because of the discontinuation symptoms. ymmv strikes again. I told my pdoc I was thiiiis close to wanting to go on effexor again and she said, "but it's so hard to get off of". I told her it wasn't so bad for me last time. She said a lot of her patients have a hard time getting off of it. So at least she's aware of the effexor thing. She didn't mention to me anything about discontinuation problems with geodon. Nor did she mention the heart thing. I looked that up on my own. She did tell me I had to take it with food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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