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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by greywolf on March 25, 2010, at 23:32:38
Been a long time since I last visited. After the disaster with Saphris, I've spent the last few months trying to get something out of Geodon. No such luck.
Been on every atypical antipsychotic except Fanapt, which I'm starting tonight. Also on Parnate 120mg/day, Cytomel, and Xanax 6mg/day, and a VNS pacemaker implant.
Main problem with the atypicals is unacceptable sedation, which interferes with job performance and social interaction.
Anyone else taking Fanapt who can give me a heads up on what it's like? Thanks.
Posted by greywolf on March 25, 2010, at 23:46:00
In reply to Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by greywolf on March 25, 2010, at 23:32:38
Should probably add my dx: Bipolar (apparently BPI now), severe OCD, and an advanced class cutter ;).
> Been a long time since I last visited. After the disaster with Saphris, I've spent the last few months trying to get something out of Geodon. No such luck.
>
> Been on every atypical antipsychotic except Fanapt, which I'm starting tonight. Also on Parnate 120mg/day, Cytomel, and Xanax 6mg/day, and a VNS pacemaker implant.
>
> Main problem with the atypicals is unacceptable sedation, which interferes with job performance and social interaction.
>
> Anyone else taking Fanapt who can give me a heads up on what it's like? Thanks.
Posted by SLS on March 26, 2010, at 6:59:25
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by greywolf on March 25, 2010, at 23:46:00
> Should probably add my dx: Bipolar (apparently BPI now), severe OCD, and an advanced class cutter ;).
>
> > Been a long time since I last visited. After the disaster with Saphris, I've spent the last few months trying to get something out of Geodon. No such luck.
> >
> > Been on every atypical antipsychotic except Fanapt, which I'm starting tonight. Also on Parnate 120mg/day, Cytomel, and Xanax 6mg/day, and a VNS pacemaker implant.
> >
> > Main problem with the atypicals is unacceptable sedation, which interferes with job performance and social interaction.
> >
> > Anyone else taking Fanapt who can give me a heads up on what it's like? Thanks.I tried Fanapt (iloperidone) for a few days. It increased the severity of my depression significantly. My guess is that this was due to NE alpha2 antagonism, as I had similar experiences with idazoxan and Remeron. I am an exception, though. If you are okay with Remeron, you should be okay with Fanapt. Fanapt did not produce any sedation for me, though. I hope this drug is a good match for you.
- Scott
Posted by Roslynn on March 26, 2010, at 16:07:54
In reply to Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by greywolf on March 25, 2010, at 23:32:38
Hi Greywolf,
I'm sorry I don't have any advice, but my doc has tried to get me to try Saphris and also mentioned Fanapt at my last visit. Seems like very few have tried these meds??
I tried Geodon and almost fell over within 2 hours of taking it-that's how sedating it was for me.
I'm sorry Saphris was not a good one for you.
Roslynn
Posted by greywolf on March 26, 2010, at 19:08:02
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by SLS on March 26, 2010, at 6:59:25
> > Should probably add my dx: Bipolar (apparently BPI now), severe OCD, and an advanced class cutter ;).
> >
> > > Been a long time since I last visited. After the disaster with Saphris, I've spent the last few months trying to get something out of Geodon. No such luck.
> > >
> > > Been on every atypical antipsychotic except Fanapt, which I'm starting tonight. Also on Parnate 120mg/day, Cytomel, and Xanax 6mg/day, and a VNS pacemaker implant.
> > >
> > > Main problem with the atypicals is unacceptable sedation, which interferes with job performance and social interaction.
> > >
> > > Anyone else taking Fanapt who can give me a heads up on what it's like? Thanks.
>
> I tried Fanapt (iloperidone) for a few days. It increased the severity of my depression significantly. My guess is that this was due to NE alpha2 antagonism, as I had similar experiences with idazoxan and Remeron. I am an exception, though. If you are okay with Remeron, you should be okay with Fanapt. Fanapt did not produce any sedation for me, though. I hope this drug is a good match for you.
>
>
> - ScottThanks, Scott. I am very glad to hear that Fanapt did not sedate you. That is a major problem with most atypicals for me. It would be a nice change.
Appreciate your thoughts.
Greywolf
Posted by greywolf on March 26, 2010, at 19:10:24
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by Roslynn on March 26, 2010, at 16:07:54
> Hi Greywolf,
>
> I'm sorry I don't have any advice, but my doc has tried to get me to try Saphris and also mentioned Fanapt at my last visit. Seems like very few have tried these meds??
>
> I tried Geodon and almost fell over within 2 hours of taking it-that's how sedating it was for me.
It's funny. I tried to explain to my doctor how sedating Geodon was, and he couldn't understand why it was affecting me so much. I was only at 120mg, but it would put me in a fog for 10-12 hours.
>
> I'm sorry Saphris was not a good one for you.
>
> Roslynn
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 27, 2010, at 10:03:44
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by greywolf on March 26, 2010, at 19:10:24
>I tried to explain to my doctor how sedating Geodon was, and he couldn't understand why it was affecting me so much.
I think psychiatrists need to try a range of psych meds for themselves. This way, they would have a better understanding of how bad the side effects can be! Many meds have quite different effects in the real world compared with what they are supposed to do 'on paper'.
Posted by greywolf on March 28, 2010, at 6:48:46
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice? » greywolf, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 27, 2010, at 10:03:44
I agree completely. And I'm not complaining about my psydoc. He's well known in my region because of his research work in pharmacology through the University, and has been known even by consults a long way from here.
The vexing problem I present him is that he can undoubtedly fix everything except the OCD if he were allowed to prescribe recommended dosages. However, he's hamstrung by the fact that I have a job that requires both a high level of creativity and very odd and unpredictable hours. Thus, those darn SEs keep him from being able to just kick me up to the levels needed to end the misery.
Personally, I think the pharma company testing is not taking into account the effect on somnolescence on work demands.
> >I tried to explain to my doctor how sedating Geodon was, and he couldn't understand why it was affecting me so much.
>
> I think psychiatrists need to try a range of psych meds for themselves. This way, they would have a better understanding of how bad the side effects can be! Many meds have quite different effects in the real world compared with what they are supposed to do 'on paper'.
>
>
>
>
Posted by Stoli on April 7, 2010, at 21:40:15
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice? » ed_uk2010, posted by greywolf on March 28, 2010, at 6:48:46
Any update, greywolf? How is Fanapt working for you?
Posted by greywolf on April 8, 2010, at 22:45:25
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by Stoli on April 7, 2010, at 21:40:15
> Any update, greywolf? How is Fanapt working for you?
I'm pleasantly surprised. Little to no sedation. Possible SE is edema in ankles and feet, but can't be sure it's Fanapt.
It does seem to reduce anxiety some, but I really can't tell yet how effective it will be in controlling a manic phase until I have one.
But, so far, so good.
Greywolf
Posted by unknown participant on April 16, 2010, at 11:23:14
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by greywolf on March 25, 2010, at 23:46:00
I have been taking Fanapt for a week. I am taking a very low dosage, 1 mg x twice daily.
I am trying it to help with negative thinking. I have been on antidepressants and ADD meds for 5 years. I have episodes of self directed anger and feelings of hopelessness.
Unfortunately, I have had to make a complete change in my meds recently. I am on three relatively new drugs at once. I started Pristiq and Nuvigil three weeks ago and added the Fanapt one week ago. Pristiq replaced Effexor XR. I came off of Adderall XR about two months ago becasue I had developed facial ticks. Nuvigil replaces the Adderall. I took Seroquil XR for two weeks and gained 7 pounds, that lead to trying Fanapt.
I am experiencing various side effects but I can't be sure which drug or combination of drugs is causing them. I am somewhat drowsy, I have frequent indigestion, fatigue and joint pain. The most unexpected side effect is frequent full erections thoughout the day.
Posted by Deneb on April 17, 2010, at 23:29:42
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by Stoli on April 7, 2010, at 21:40:15
Hello Stoli!
I just wanted to welcome you to Psycho-Babble! Welcome! I hope you post more.
Deneb
Posted by Deneb on April 17, 2010, at 23:51:52
In reply to Re: Starting Fanapt. Any advice?, posted by unknown participant on April 16, 2010, at 11:23:14
Hello unknown participant
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Starting that many meds so close to each other does make figuring out side effects difficult. I hope you and your doctor figure out a way.
Deneb
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