Posted by Chris A. on March 14, 2001, at 13:53:42
In reply to Re: ADVICE PLEASE-Want to try Geodon, but TD risk? » vince, posted by ShelliR on March 14, 2001, at 12:58:48
I am trying it even though the risks are greater for females, the elderly, those who have had any brain damage and those who have had a larger lifetime cumulative exposure to D2 antagonists. Since I've had a touch of TD -buccal vermiculations and some orofacial involvement it's a bit scary. My first exposure to APs was thirty years ago, has been spotty and in very low doses. I qualify for all of the increased risk factors except possibly for age, although that is debatable. Decades of depression make one age faster.
Ziprasidone is supposed to be a gentler AP, but I am asking how that can be since it is still a D2 antagonist. My pDoc and my husband don't want to see me dead and I am desperate to end the pain. It boils down to risk vs. benefit. Nothing phamacologically active has a good effect without having undesireable side effects.
One positive early observation is that it does not knock me out like miniscule doses of Zyprexa. Since I have to drive and at least minimally function that is a plus. I haven't noticed any need to eat constantly, which is also encouraging. As far as the TD goes I'll attempt to stay on the lowest dose that alleviates symptoms and pray - a lot. My university consultant recommended it to me two years ago. When I see him again next month I'll ask him some hard questions and try to report back on his answers.
In the meantime I'm hoping it helps with my mixed/depressed bipolar, unrelenting suicidal thoughts, attention and concentration. It would also be nice to alleviate the anhedonia, anxiety and increase cognitive functioning. Perhaps I am asking a bit much. My other meds are Aricept, selegilene 10 mg, Lamictal 100 mg bid, Klonopin up to .5 mg q 24 hrs and Ambien. I just discontinued 300 of Neurontin and am in the process of discontinuing 450 mg of Trileptal. Anticonvulsants in small doses other than Lamictal tend to impair my cognition and make me drowsy without allowing me to sleep (figure that one out). It would be nice to drastically reduce the amount of meds I take. I didn't mention the hormones - Synthroid, Cytomel and the 'other'.I am hopeful about the ziprasidone and trying to keep my fear in check. Hopefully it will be as good as or better than Zyprexa in regards to TD. I tried to compare them through the literature and PDR info, but didn't come up with anything.
Here's to hope,
Chris A
poster:Chris A.
thread:56412
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56506.html