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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on October 26, 2010, at 18:43:00
I take 60mg of Geodon right now in the evening and my doc says that we have lots of room to play with that dosage for use as my main mood stabilizer. The weird thing, is that sometimes Geodon makes me sleepy and sometimes it doesn't. I still take 1mg of Klonopin in the evening. Sometimes 1mg - 1.5mg helps me relax and fall asleep.
Lately, though, I've noticed that I have been taking .5mg of Klonopin during the day as well.
My doc gave me a couple of options at this point to help with the slight depression. She suggested Silenor (Doxepin) for sleep and depression. Or taking Pristiq during the day (since I have taken it in the past - but it wasn't a real strong AD for me), or possible a tiny dose of Prozac, maybe even in a liquid form since I am so med sensitive. The only thing with the Prozac or Pristiq is that I may have to in time raise my Geodon dose so that my mood doesn't become unstable from the antidepressant effects.
For now she suggested I try the Silenor (which is Doexpin or Sinequin) which is only 3mg - 6mg at night.
I thought that was a weird option, but since Silenor is new, she had a ton of samples to give me to try.
Who knows. My focus now is to stay stable on Geodon and get some depression relief without bouncing off the walls.
I do worry that my mood isn't as stable as it should be on 60mg of Geodon, even though I have stopped the Adderall.
Sometimes it feels like Geodon revs me up before it calms me. Weird that it can do both.
Maybe I need more Geodon to fall asleep.
I am afraid of and AD causing instability.
Anyone try or use Silenor (which is really just doxepin)?
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 27, 2010, at 0:24:07
In reply to Silenor with Geodon??, posted by SheilaC on October 26, 2010, at 18:43:00
I'm not a doc. The combo could work, but it seems like the silenor might increase Geodon blood levels in addition to whatever sedative effects it would have. Could you try to ramp up your Geodon for a little while and see how that would work? Or increase your Klonopin to take the edge off the Geodon? As a patient, I think fewer pills often= fewer problems, so if you can find a way to get what you need by adjusting the doses of meds you're already taking, that would seem preferable to adding in a whole new medication.
Posted by SheilaC on October 27, 2010, at 8:26:30
In reply to Re: Silenor with Geodon??, posted by Christ_empowered on October 27, 2010, at 0:24:07
> I'm not a doc. The combo could work, but it seems like the silenor might increase Geodon blood levels in addition to whatever sedative effects it would have. Could you try to ramp up your Geodon for a little while and see how that would work? Or increase your Klonopin to take the edge off the Geodon? As a patient, I think fewer pills often= fewer problems, so if you can find a way to get what you need by adjusting the doses of meds you're already taking, that would seem preferable to adding in a whole new medication.
>
>I have to agree with you. I prefer taking fewer pills if I can. I have taken the Silenor the past 2 nights and I feel like I have slept pretty good, but I have an awful lot of energy. My fear is that I will become unstable due to the AD qualities of the Silenor.
My doc doesn't have a problem with me increasing my Klonopin. I always thougth .5mg was a lot of Klonopin, but she said she had no problem with me taking 1mg - 2mg a day. So, if I take the 1.5mg of Klonopin with my Geodon at night I sleep good and don't need a sleep aid. And if I feel a little hyper during the day I can take .5mg of Klonopin.
I may also need to go up to 80mg on Geodon.
I hear a lot of people do once a day dosing on Geodon and that is what my doc said to do. But some people have insisted that it needs to be split up. If I take Geodon during the day I am a zombie!
Posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2010, at 11:01:18
In reply to Re: Silenor with Geodon??, posted by SheilaC on October 27, 2010, at 8:26:30
Just as an added note did you know that klonopin is used up to 20mg for seizure patients. I find this usually puts klonopin dosing into perspective for me. Phillipa
Posted by SheilaC on October 27, 2010, at 16:33:07
In reply to Re: Silenor with Geodon?? » SheilaC, posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2010, at 11:01:18
Thank you, Phillipa. I thought for years my taking .5mg was a lot! I was afraid to go up and I recently found out my mother take 1mg at a time! So, when my doc said she didn't have a problem with me taking 1 - 2mg at a time I felt a lot better.
I have noticed that the doxepine, aka silenor is giving me the munchies for sweets! Yikes! I haven't ate a candy bar in 6 months and now I ate 3 of them!
I think I may stay simple and go with the Klonopin and Geodon since they are working. I don't need to add weight or diabetes to the mix!
Plus, if 1.5mg helps me relax in the evenings and sleep, so be it. It's better than adding a 3rd drug that gives me the munchies!
Posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2010, at 19:31:37
In reply to Phillipa - Re: Silenor with Geodon??, posted by SheilaC on October 27, 2010, at 16:33:07
Sheila that is my thinking also. Phillipa
Posted by maxime on October 29, 2010, at 21:51:12
In reply to Phillipa - Re: Silenor with Geodon??, posted by SheilaC on October 27, 2010, at 16:33:07
Phillipa is right ... people with epilepsy can take up to 20 mg of Klonopin.
But be careful with the med. I started off at .5 mg and I ended taking/needing 4 mg after a few years. Your body will build a tolerance. And one important thing to remember is that klonopin can make your depression WORSE. I got down from 4 mg to .5 mg and my depression improved.
I am just saying, be careful with the med because tolerance is a big problems as with all benzos. But depression seems to only be a problem with Klonopin.
Posted by Zyprexa on November 1, 2010, at 3:16:50
In reply to Silenor with Geodon??, posted by SheilaC on October 26, 2010, at 18:43:00
You know geodon has a very short half life, 7 hours. The ups and downs and tired not tired could be because the geodon is working or wearing off. You might take 2 or more doses a day? When I took geodon I took it 4 times a day. It didn't help my schitzoaffective, so I went off it.
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