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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mimi on May 23, 2003, at 14:41:02
Hi everyone,
I just started Geodon today and I don't know what to expect. My pdoc wants to switch me from Seroquel b/c I am sedated at 50mg Seroquel per diem. Does anyone have any clues about the efficacy of Geodon? I suffer from depression, PTSD and panic attacks.
Thanks all, Mimi
Posted by Ellen S. on May 24, 2003, at 11:50:07
In reply to Is Geodon a good med?, posted by Mimi on May 23, 2003, at 14:41:02
>
> I just started Geodon today and I don't know what to expect. My pdoc wants to switch me from Seroquel b/c I am sedated at 50mg Seroquel per diem. Does anyone have any clues about the efficacy of Geodon? I suffer from depression, PTSD and panic attacks.Geodon is in the same class of drugs as Seroquel, but with slightly different properties.
My teenage son has taken Geodon (just 20 mg/day) for about 18 months, along with several other meds. He feels that Geodon has helped reduce his tendency to over-react to things that happen and things that people say -- thus it helps reduce his anxiety triggers. We also think it has had positive benefits for him.
He has a lot of problems with sedation, which we think is due largely to the Geodon. However, our impression is that Geodon is less sedating than Seroquel. (At one point, his pdoc tried him on Seroquel, but he quit that after a couple of days due to SEVERE sedation -- he practically fell asleep while standing up!)
As with any drug, do start slow. My son had some troubling side effects from Geodon (nausea, mostly) when the pdoc tried to increase the dose, but this does not happen with the 20 mg dose.
Everyone's experience seems to be a little bit different... Good luck with Geodon!
Posted by stjames on May 24, 2003, at 12:18:12
In reply to Is Geodon a good med?, posted by Mimi on May 23, 2003, at 14:41:02
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/20/health/20PSYC.html
Geodon is a good med if you have a psychotic condition, otherwise it carries the risk for
movement disorders via neurological damage
which I feel is an unexceptable risk in conditions
that are not psychotic in nature.
Posted by Mimi on May 24, 2003, at 14:45:17
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med? » Mimi, posted by Ellen S. on May 24, 2003, at 11:50:07
> >
> > I just started Geodon today and I don't know what to expect. My pdoc wants to switch me from Seroquel b/c I am sedated at 50mg Seroquel per diem. Does anyone have any clues about the efficacy of Geodon? I suffer from depression, PTSD and panic attacks.
>
> Geodon is in the same class of drugs as Seroquel, but with slightly different properties.
>
> My teenage son has taken Geodon (just 20 mg/day) for about 18 months, along with several other meds. He feels that Geodon has helped reduce his tendency to over-react to things that happen and things that people say -- thus it helps reduce his anxiety triggers. We also think it has had positive benefits for him.
>
> He has a lot of problems with sedation, which we think is due largely to the Geodon. However, our impression is that Geodon is less sedating than Seroquel. (At one point, his pdoc tried him on Seroquel, but he quit that after a couple of days due to SEVERE sedation -- he practically fell asleep while standing up!)
>
> As with any drug, do start slow. My son had some troubling side effects from Geodon (nausea, mostly) when the pdoc tried to increase the dose, but this does not happen with the 20 mg dose.
>
> Everyone's experience seems to be a little bit different... Good luck with Geodon!
Thanks for the valuable info and show of support! I've taken Risperdal, Zyprexa and most recently Seroquel for their antidepressive effects. Good to know that Geodon lessens anxiety which is also a problem of mine. Yes, I am also quite sedated on just 50mg of Seroquel per day. Hope to swap Geodon for Seroquel, but I am very tired of med experimentation and it is always scarey.Thanks again, Mimi
Posted by xjs7 on May 24, 2003, at 17:46:37
In reply to Is Geodon a good med?, posted by Mimi on May 23, 2003, at 14:41:02
I take 120 mg/day of Geodon and have been on it for 18 months. It has worked pretty well for my psychotic symptoms, but didn't help my problem with mood or anxiety. I remember being very depressed on the Geodon, and also agoraphobic.
xjs7
Posted by agencypanic on May 24, 2003, at 22:29:33
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med?, posted by xjs7 on May 24, 2003, at 17:46:37
> I take 120 mg/day of Geodon and have been on it for 18 months. It has worked pretty well for my psychotic symptoms, but didn't help my problem with mood or anxiety. I remember being very depressed on the Geodon, and also agoraphobic.
>
> xjs7I take 80mg/day of Geodon and have been on it for about 6 weeks and my feelings are much the same as xjs7. Geodon is _supposed_ also to have an antidepressant quality to it for some people, but I'm not experiencing that...unfortunately.
Posted by medlib on May 25, 2003, at 16:12:16
In reply to Is Geodon a good med?, posted by Mimi on May 23, 2003, at 14:41:02
Hi Mimi--
Of all the psych med I've tried, Geodon is the only one which produced a complete remission of my symptoms of double depression. By the 3rd day, I was normal--for the first time in decades. I felt a bit like Rip Van Winkle waking up. Unfortunately, after 2 weeks, I developed severe extrapyramidal symptoms and had to discontinue Geodon. I would have given *anything* to be able to continue taking it. My pdoc switched me to Seroquel, which did nothing but make me sleepy.
As you can see from the replies you've gotten, PBers have had highly varied responses to Geodon; it's definitely a YMMV (your mileage may vary) type of med. Please let us know about your reactions to it. Good luck!---medlib
Posted by xjs7 on May 25, 2003, at 17:37:52
In reply to Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some. » Mimi, posted by medlib on May 25, 2003, at 16:12:16
Hi medlib,
I also got EPS from Geodon. I wouldn't classify them as severe, but they were very uncomfortable. All my muscles got really stiff and I had trouble bending over and walking. My neck and back became extremely sore. I tended to arch my back a lot because it felt so stiff.
Then, I was prescribed Cogentin (benztropine) and all these problems went away. I was back to my normal, flexible, not stiff self. It worked the first day I took the tablet. Cogentin also eliminated my tremors (which I had prior to psychiatric treatment).
I hate to see people who cannot take a med which works for their symptoms due to a side effect. I do not know exactly what you mean by "severe", but if you mean anything like what I had from Geodon, perhaps a medication like Cogentin would help.
xjs7
Posted by stjames on May 25, 2003, at 18:45:50
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some. » medlib, posted by xjs7 on May 25, 2003, at 17:37:52
I had from Geodon, perhaps a medication like Cogentin would help.
>
> xjs7
>
It is too bad Cogentin only masks the EPS, while the EPS continues to get worse.
Posted by Mimi on May 25, 2003, at 19:15:40
In reply to Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some. » Mimi, posted by medlib on May 25, 2003, at 16:12:16
> Hi Mimi--
>
> Of all the psych med I've tried, Geodon is the only one which produced a complete remission of my symptoms of double depression. By the 3rd day, I was normal--for the first time in decades. I felt a bit like Rip Van Winkle waking up. Unfortunately, after 2 weeks, I developed severe extrapyramidal symptoms and had to discontinue Geodon. I would have given *anything* to be able to continue taking it. My pdoc switched me to Seroquel, which did nothing but make me sleepy.
>
> As you can see from the replies you've gotten, PBers have had highly varied responses to Geodon; it's definitely a YMMV (your mileage may vary) type of med. Please let us know about your reactions to it. Good luck!---medlibWow! Medlib--
Thanks for posting your experience w/ Geodon. I, too, suffer from double depression and have for more than 25 years. It's my 3rd day on Geodon, and by coincidence, I remarked to myself today that I actually feel normal, in contrast to how I have felt for years. My depression at one time slipped over into aphasia about 6 years ago.
I'm taking 60mg/day as I am med sensitive. I'm still on Seroquel (have been for a year) w/ the aim of leaving it behind as it sedates me miserably. I have never experienced EPS or TD-- knock on wood.
I'll definitely keep all you psycho-babblers posted w/ my results. I love this site.
Mimi
Posted by stjames on May 25, 2003, at 20:08:47
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some. » medlib, posted by Mimi on May 25, 2003, at 19:15:40
I have never experienced EPS or TD-- knock on wood.
Glad to hear you are doing well. Do keep in mind that the T in TD stands for Tardive which means
late. So of course you don't have TD now, in truth
it starts early but you will not see it for years.
Once you do do start the horrible repetive motions of your trunk there has been considerable
neurological damage. All this seems too much a risk when there are better meds for anxiety disorders. It would be one thing if you could know quickly if TD was going to be an issue.
Posted by Eggy on May 26, 2003, at 0:04:51
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med? » Mimi, posted by Ellen S. on May 24, 2003, at 11:50:07
I also was on Seroquel...then switch to Geodon. Today I took the pill bottle full of pills and filled it with water so my husband couldn't make me take it anymore. In the mornings my legs ached, My back hurt, my arms hurt and I felt like I had been hit by a truck. It took me a good 5 hours to get over this horrible feeling and this was only on 80mg. If you don't experience the hang over feeling or any othe side-effects and it works for you then I would stick with it. I also suffer from depression and PTSD plus a few other things. I really hope it works for you.
Stick with it until your body has time to get use to it. If it works then great. If not talk to your Pdoc and maybe you can try something else. Lamictal has helped me the most. I have been on it a long time. Went off it once just to be oinery and went back on it because I realized just how much it did help.
Posted by Mimi on May 26, 2003, at 8:26:16
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some., posted by stjames on May 25, 2003, at 20:08:47
> I have never experienced EPS or TD-- knock on wood.
>
>
> Glad to hear you are doing well. Do keep in mind that the T in TD stands for Tardive which means
> late. So of course you don't have TD now, in truth
> it starts early but you will not see it for years.
> Once you do do start the horrible repetive motions of your trunk there has been considerable
> neurological damage. All this seems too much a risk when there are better meds for anxiety disorders. It would be one thing if you could know quickly if TD was going to be an issue.
Thanks for your informed concern. I'll monitor side effects more closely now. Mimi
>
Posted by Mimi on May 27, 2003, at 6:56:21
In reply to Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some. » Mimi, posted by medlib on May 25, 2003, at 16:12:16
Hi medlib,
Yesterday was my 3rd day on Geodon. I did not feel right all day. The area around my heart felt as if someone had reached into my chest cavity and massaged it with Vick's vapor rub. I did not call the pdoc b/c I prefer to only call in dire emergencies. I also could not think and was extremely slowed down (much worse than Seroquel). Toward evening I got on the net to research Geodon. I did not like what I found: that Geodon is in fact a dangerous med for heart function, specifically, it can prolong the QT interval. My pdoc told me that the above side effect was "not clinically significant." Well, I think I'm going to tell him that I don't consider his advice to me "clinically significant." I know he means well. I am way over being a psyche guinea pig. Needless to say, after discussions w/ my friends and family, I ditched the Geodon. I feel much better this a.m., thank goodness.
Glad I can report about it at this site.
MIMI
Posted by Jack Smith on May 27, 2003, at 12:27:06
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med?, posted by Eggy on May 26, 2003, at 0:04:51
> If not talk to your Pdoc and maybe you can try something else. Lamictal has helped me the most. I have been on it a long time. Went off it once just to be oinery and went back on it because I realized just how much it did help.
What dose of Lamictal are you on? What else are you on? Do you feel it has an AD effect along with a mood stabilizing one?
Posted by Eggy on May 27, 2003, at 22:12:32
In reply to Lamictal Q's, posted by Jack Smith on May 27, 2003, at 12:27:06
> > If not talk to your Pdoc and maybe you can try something else. Lamictal has helped me the most. I have been on it a long time. Went off it once just to be oinery and went back on it because I realized just how much it did help.
>
> What dose of Lamictal are you on? What else are you on? Do you feel it has an AD effect along with a mood stabilizing one?
>
I am on 75mg of Lamictal...my first time around I went up to 125mg but I am doing fine on 75mg for now. I am also on Clonidine, Topamax and Restoril for sleep as needed plus a few other meds for medical reasons. They are Synthroid and zantac. I have tried other drugs they are...lexapro,Celexa,Luvox,Paxil,Prozac,Zoloft, Buspar,Desyrel, Effexor, Remeron,depakote,Klonopin,Seroquel,Geodon, Serzone,Wellbutrin and a few other drugs for istance I still have my handy stand-by Ativan. The best thing my husband has noticed about Lamictal is I no longer have mood swings. Sure I may get mad or frustrated when the kids paint the bathroom mirror with toothpaste but I don't blow up and I get over it really quickly. I am definately more stable. I still get the blues occasionally but I have more than just depression. I also have a dissociative disorder, Bi-polar, PTSD and OCD. The Lamictal isn't a miracle cure but it has been the best medicine I have been on so far. I have been on it 9 months which isn't very long at all but the difference between then and now is amazing.
Posted by stjames on May 27, 2003, at 22:24:04
In reply to Geodon is NOT a good med for me! » medlib, posted by Mimi on May 27, 2003, at 6:56:21
I did not like what I found: that Geodon is in fact a dangerous med for heart function, specifically, it can prolong the QT interval.
Well, this is not dangerious, per se.
It is the degree that makes it something to
be conserned or not about.
TCA's are well known to cause EKG
readings, millions took them and few
had incident with this. My EKG showed
changes while I was on TCA's for many years.
These changes go away when you stop taking the med. What does not go away are the movement disorders, it is far more resonable to be conserned about that, with any AP.
Posted by cybercafe on May 28, 2003, at 14:59:39
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some., posted by stjames on May 25, 2003, at 20:08:47
> Glad to hear you are doing well. Do keep in mind that the T in TD stands for Tardive which means
> late. So of course you don't have TD now, in truth
> it starts early but you will not see it for years.
> Once you do do start the horrible repetive motions of your trunk there has been considerable
> neurological damage. All this seems too much a risk when there are better meds for anxiety disorders. It would be one thing if you could know quickly if TD was going to be an issue.
>TD .. hmmm.. the risk isn't that high with teh atypicals is it? .... and worst case scenario you can just get ECT, no?
can't be any worse than depression itself
Posted by stjames on May 29, 2003, at 10:43:40
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some., posted by cybercafe on May 28, 2003, at 14:59:39
> TD .. hmmm.. the risk isn't that high with teh atypicals is it? .... and worst case scenario you can just get ECT, no?
> can't be any worse than depression itselfECT is not a cure for TD, just because one person mentioned here. Do you know what TD looks like ?
Can you describe it ?Again, T is tardive (late) so saying atypicals
have a low rate, when they have not been out long
enought for TD to make itself know seems pointless.
Posted by Mimi on May 29, 2003, at 16:27:48
In reply to Re: Is Geodon a good med? Yes, for some., posted by stjames on May 29, 2003, at 10:43:40
> > TD .. hmmm.. the risk isn't that high with teh atypicals is it? .... and worst case scenario you can just get ECT, no?
> > can't be any worse than depression itself
>
> ECT is not a cure for TD, just because one person mentioned here. Do you know what TD looks like ?
> Can you describe it ?
>
> Again, T is tardive (late) so saying atypicals
> have a low rate, when they have not been out long
> enought for TD to make itself know seems pointless.
To all,I had ECT 1 and 1/2 years ago. Definitely a last resort treatment I would never have again. Tooks months to regain any memory function!
As for TD, I am fortunate to be a slow metabolizer or atypical med responder so I get by with very low doses of any med--in fact I'm off the charts. On the other hand, this being true it is dangerous for me to enter a hospital w/ pdocs who don't understand slow metabolizers. They could literally kill me. Usually, I fully research a med before I take it, but I relaxed my guard when I took Geodon. Big mistake.
I suppose I could still get TD--even as a slow metabolizer? Anyone know about this. Thanks for writing in.
Mimi
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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