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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lorelai on October 26, 2002, at 11:34:33
Hi,
I'm currently taking Topamax, but am unable to take much. I worry I'll lose my job since it interferes highly with my ability to THINK (I started taking 25 mg. at night, then when I tried to increase to 50 I started losing words. My ability to spell was worsening, I couldn't retain things I'd learned at work and we're just getting in a new computer system, so there is no way I can up my dosage. I've had to back off to the minimum dose and occasionally take weekends off from any Topamax at all when I have to drive long distances). Anyway, so here's my situation: I'm in some very deep therapy and though rapid cycling bipolar is my core diagnosis, the pdoc and therapist are digging up a lot of obsessive/compulsive behaviors as well as dissociative stuff. So my question is--are there any of you out there who've had success with Geodon? My pdoc is thinking of completely taking me off the Topamax and trying Geodon. I've been on and off several medications and keep running into such terrible side effects I'm unable to continue. The longer I take them, the worse the side effects (Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac, Serzone, Depakote, the list keeps growing). I refuse to take anything that will cause weight gain as I'm currently trying to lose weight that the other meds caused me to gain. I lost weight on Prozac and Wellbutrin, but side effects forced me to stop taking them. I guess what I'd like is to find out more about Geodon, how it affects mood (mine are either excruciatingly depressed or wildly manic--I also have a history involving visual and auditory psychosis--and I've heard Geodon is supposed to help with this?), what its side effects have been for some of you, and whether there's a problem with weight gain. Thanks in advance for any insight!
Best,
Lorelai
Posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 26, 2002, at 11:59:06
In reply to Geodon questions, posted by lorelai on October 26, 2002, at 11:34:33
I had success with Geodon, but had an allergic reaction to it. It was working well with me and I was extremely upset when I had to stop taking it. I'm sorry I don't know alot about drugs, just my own experience. It did make me tired. I do take topamax as well.
Ladybug
Posted by JonW on October 26, 2002, at 14:39:03
In reply to Re: Geodon questions » lorelai, posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 26, 2002, at 11:59:06
I had no weight gain and a decent anti-depressant effect. Anti-psychotics are good for rapid cycling and mixed states, however, the others like zyprexa are more established. Since weight gain is a concern Geodon makes a lot of sense. High doses of Geodon are often required to be effective for depression and bipolar disorder.
Jon
Posted by lorelai on October 27, 2002, at 10:41:51
In reply to Re: Geodon questions » lorelai, posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 26, 2002, at 11:59:06
> I had success with Geodon, but had an allergic reaction to it. It was working well with me and I was extremely upset when I had to stop taking it. I'm sorry I don't know alot about drugs, just my own experience. It did make me tired. I do take topamax as well.
>
> LadybugThanks, Ladybug. I'm sorry to hear you had to discontinue something that was working so well. I know how it feels to be happy taking a med and then have it turn on you. Wellbutrin was helping me to lose weight, helping out with my mood (I was horribly depressed when my pdoc started me on it due to the suicide of a friend and just was NOT coming out of it)and then suddenly I developed an agonizing ringing in my ears. It wouldn't go away and got worse and worse till I discontinued the Wellbutrin. I'm hoping I can find the right med or combination of meds. Seems like a long road. *sigh*
All the Best,
Lorelai
Posted by lorelai on October 27, 2002, at 10:46:11
In reply to Re: Geodon questions, posted by JonW on October 26, 2002, at 14:39:03
> I had no weight gain and a decent anti-depressant effect. Anti-psychotics are good for rapid cycling and mixed states, however, the others like zyprexa are more established. Since weight gain is a concern Geodon makes a lot of sense. High doses of Geodon are often required to be effective for depression and bipolar disorder.
>
> Jon
Hi Jon,
Thanks for the response! Sounds like Geodon might be worth a shot, though I don't like the idea of high doses. My system doesn't seem able to handle much. The tiniest dose of Topamax sends me to Idiot Land. Will keep trying, though I'm getting exasperated with this parade of meds. At least the idea that Geodon may not pack on the pounds is a comfort!
Best,
Lorelai
Posted by wcfrench on October 29, 2002, at 13:44:41
In reply to Re: Geodon questions » lorelai, posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 26, 2002, at 11:59:06
I had similar problems with Geodon. It was working great, actually the first thing that really worked where I felt like I didn't have any anxiety or depression, then I started having some sort of reaction to it. What happened with you? For me, I started having this wierd pain all over my body and felt a very wierd tired feeling, that pretty much incapacitated me. I was graduating from college, and I had the worst graduation day ever. Falling asleep waiting to get my diploma, and in pain nonetheless. It was working well at 40, but as we needed to increase the dosage, I noticed the reaction. It was having a better anti-anxiety and antidepressive effect once we upped it, 60mg/2x, 80mg/2x at the most, but it snowballed into a huge downward spiral that put me in the hospital. I went with my girlfriend to a bar one night and I was just sitting there in pain and I couldn't explain it, couldn't talk, it just hurt. She was just angry because I was acting like a different person, which in retrospect pissed me off because of how bad I was feeling (I just couldn't defend myself at the time, couildn't think), but we have since broke up. Was your reaction anything similar to this?
Lorelai, it worked wonders for me, and I hated having to stop it. It was the only thing, to this date, that truly worked.. and I'm now on Lithium+Zoloft+Wellbutrin with less response, much less.
Take care,
Charlie
Posted by sienna on October 31, 2002, at 16:48:29
In reply to Re: Geodon questions » Kamikazi_Ladybug, posted by wcfrench on October 29, 2002, at 13:44:41
Hi Lorelai,
I take Geodon 40 mgs just at night and it has
seemed to have a good antidepressant effect. I did have some side effects when i went to 80 at night, but i think if i had split the dose to 40 at morning and 40 at night it wouldnt have been so significant. I am not noticing side effects at the dose im on now, with the exception of insomnia. I have lost weight on Geodon. I had gained 25 pounds on zyprexa and depakote and I lost all of it on Geodon in fact I have lost another 3 pounds further than when i started taking meds.I would give it a shot, I think it is the only AP that doesnt cause weight gain. It is more stimulating at lower doses and can cause insomnia though and you might have to play with the time you take it.
Good luck,
Sienna
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