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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 12, 2011, at 7:34:53
Geodon has kept me stable, if not somewhat blah feeling - I guess better than manic. But one thing I have worry about lately is the heart issues.
I take my Geodon at night and notice that in the morning I can feel my heart beating, kind of hurting almost. I work out and am trying to lose weight. I like the fact that Goedon has helped me lose weight (takes away my hunger), but do have insomnia on 120mg now.
My mother and grandmother have atrial fib and value issues. Have heart issues on both sides of family and diabetes. I am worried that taking Goedon long term might increase my chances of me getting these issues at a younger age.
I am thinking of switching out Geodon. I know that other meds will probably bring back my hunger (ugh). But I want a med that won't cause diabetes or heart issues.
Also - I have noticed some depression or blah feelings while on Geodon. True, it has kept me from getting raging mad, but I am too worried about the heart issues. Why would 120mg of Geodon make me blah?
Plus, I would love a good night's sleep without taking Ambien and Klonopin or having a melatonin hangover!
So far Klonopin is my go to med for stress and other issues and it works. But I have found while Geodon works for mood issues, it is a weird drug.
I hate to switch to a drug that will make me fat or give me other terrible side effects, but am I going to damage my heart by being on Geodon for the long term.
I used to take Seroquel 50mg and it worked like a charm for sleep, but I was a bear in the morning. Is 50mg XR Seroquel worth a shot? I didn't gain any weight on it. Will it make me sleepy during the day? What about other meds for stability? Can't take Lamictil.
I like being thin, but not at the risk of damaging my heart. Not sure what to do. I just took 2 asprins. Hoping the heart palps calm down. Afraid to work out hard today.
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 12, 2011, at 9:03:29
In reply to Switching out Geodon for?..., posted by sheilac on October 12, 2011, at 7:34:53
maybe low-to-medium dose abilify? Won't help you with sleep at all, but it could keep you calm w/o causing heart trouble.
Posted by sheilac on October 12, 2011, at 10:00:01
In reply to Re: Switching out Geodon for?..., posted by Christ_empowered on October 12, 2011, at 9:03:29
Would low dose Abilify make me gain weight? Like 2mg during the day?
I am wondering if lowering my Geodon dose to maybe 80mg would help. Maybe not. Maybe heart palps are just a side effect of Geodon.
I just want the safest med possible. Ugh!
Posted by Phillipa on October 12, 2011, at 10:17:47
In reply to Re: Switching out Geodon for?..., posted by sheilac on October 12, 2011, at 10:00:01
You mention you use it for med stabalization. If so have you tried trileptal? Just a thought. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 12, 2011, at 10:43:51
In reply to Re: Switching out Geodon for?... » sheilac, posted by Phillipa on October 12, 2011, at 10:17:47
I think phillipa is right about maybe giving the anticonvulsants a try (or another try, I guess). They're cheaper than atypical neuroleptics, and the side effects aren't quite as extreme. Personally, I'm loving Lamictal. Have you tried it?
I don't know if Abilify would make you gain weight. Supposedly, its "weight neutral," but some people report weight gain. Its definitely better than zyprexa, risperdal, or seroquel. I gained a lot of weight, but I think its just because it tranquilized the hell out of me (I was on a higher dose than I am now) while I was already depressed-bad call.
Lower doses of Abilify are apparently activating for a lot of people, so it might help with any depression you have, too (if your depression includes being slowed down). The main concern would be akathisia, but since you're already on Klonopin, I would think you'd have that one covered.
Good luck!
Posted by Zyprexa on October 12, 2011, at 13:09:06
In reply to Switching out Geodon for?..., posted by sheilac on October 12, 2011, at 7:34:53
Could the heart beating be because the geodon has worn off? It has a short half life, could be worn off in the morning. I had to take it 4 times a day. do you have heart problems 2 hours after taking it?
Not sure if this would help, but I take perphenazine. Its an AP, with out weight gain and it will make you tired. Has shorter half life, like 12 hours, so you will wake up in the morning.
Posted by Sheilac on October 12, 2011, at 16:50:22
In reply to Re: Switching out Geodon for?..., posted by Zyprexa on October 12, 2011, at 13:09:06
Am I just worrying too much about the possible heart issues associated with Geodon? Should I just not worry about it?
Is there a lot of research that tells me how likely I am to develop heart issues due to taking Geodon?
If there is, I would really like to read about it.
What about tapering down my dose? Does that lessen the possible heart problems?
When I try to drop my Geodon dose I get depressed. And I'm already a little flat and depressed (which I over compensate with caffeine).
Posted by Phidippus on October 20, 2011, at 21:53:18
In reply to Am I over-reacting?, posted by Sheilac on October 12, 2011, at 16:50:22
> Am I just worrying too much about the possible heart issues associated with Geodon? Should I just not worry about it?
It may be worth worrying about heart issues if you have some family history of heart problems.
> Is there a lot of research that tells me how likely I am to develop heart issues due to taking Geodon?Just google 'Geodon heart'
> What about tapering down my dose? Does that lessen the possible heart problems?
No it does not.
Another antipsychotic you might want to try is Latuda. Seroquel might work for you as well.
Eric
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