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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on January 31, 2016, at 9:28:53
I've been taking 2500mg of Keppra a day and 160mg of Geodon a day for about 6 months and really like it. I feel great. Except for one thing. Lately, (not when I first started, but now) I feel easily fatigued and have muscle aches on the higher dose of Geodon. I've tried dropping down to 120mg with my docs permission, but I feel moodier and not as nice.
I have fibromyalgia so I'm very aware of muscle aches and pains.
I feel better mentally on 160mg Geodon, but recently it's really hurting me physically. Why is this? I didn't feel like this when I first started taking it.
Am I just moodier because I'm withdrawing a bit by reducing my dose? If my mood were better, I wouldn't be complaining. But I feel better mentally on 160mg.
Anybody know what's going on and what I should do? Ugh!
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 31, 2016, at 11:49:21
In reply to Geodon doseages..., posted by Sheilac on January 31, 2016, at 9:28:53
My best guess is its mild, unnoticed EPS. EPS--twitches, tremor, etc.--happens more often with the older antipsychotics, but I think its still fairly common (although usually less severe) with the newer drugs.
I knew a guy who was on Risperdal or Invega and his doctor had him take a bit of Benadryl at bedtime. Helped with the twitches and everything, and its an effective sedative.
Good luck!
Posted by Sheilac on January 31, 2016, at 12:20:22
In reply to Re: Geodon doseages..., posted by Christ_empowered on January 31, 2016, at 11:49:21
Will taking the bedtime Benadryl get rid of the daytime muscle stiffness? Or is the muscle stiffness & pain something I have to live with?
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 31, 2016, at 12:46:53
In reply to Re: Geodon doseages... » Christ_empowered, posted by Sheilac on January 31, 2016, at 12:20:22
I'm not a doc, but I think this dude took the Benadryl to get rid of some mild stiffness and minor tremor...it also helped him sleep.
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 1, 2016, at 13:02:44
In reply to Re: Geodon doseages..., posted by Christ_empowered on January 31, 2016, at 12:46:53
I think Benadryl is still used to help w/ EPS. I don't know if nite time only doses help w/ daytime EPS. This dude didn't complain about any EPS and I never saw him with an obvious tremor or anything.
There are Rx meds that can counter EPS, too, assuming that's what's going on (kind of a big guess...you should probably talk to your doc...). Cogentin is one, if I recall correctly.
My big worry for you is TD, tardive dyskinesia. Being female and having mood problems are both risk factors. If you think of it, you may want to ask your doc about a periodic AIMS Test. Its an examination that looks for TD before it becomes obvious. Once you get TD, things are a little more complicated. The movements may or may not remit if you stop the antipsychotic. Some cases of TD don't become apparent until after the antipsychotic is discontinued (withdrawal emergent TD).
I don't mean to scare you, I promise. I take a full 30mgs/Abilify per day. I'm taking lots of B-vitamins and antioxidants in the hopes of preventing TD. So far, so good (its been 5 years of combined vitamin+Abilify treatment).
Hope everything works out.
Posted by SLS on February 1, 2016, at 15:11:28
In reply to Re: Geodon doseages... » Christ_empowered, posted by Sheilac on January 31, 2016, at 12:20:22
Can you explain in better detail what you mean by "muscle stiffness"?
As always, C_E provides great information. However, I'm not sure you have EPS. Your doctor should be informed of your observations and evaluate you for EPS.
- Scott
Posted by Sheilac on February 2, 2016, at 7:36:42
In reply to Re: Geodon doseages... » Sheilac, posted by SLS on February 1, 2016, at 15:11:28
I have tried several times to drop down to 120mg of Geodon, but have failed. I become terribly depressed at 120mg. 160mg is better for me and keeps me from the dreaded depression. So I'm back on 160mg.
I just felt like maybe it was causing some muscle weakness & fatigue. But I can't stand the depression on the lower dose. I'm going to see if I'm my old self on my 160mg. I can't be in the dark depths of depression. 160mg works so I'm going to watch out for any side effects.
The weird thing is that I took 160mg for a few months before I noticed the muscle stiffness. Maybe I'm just out of shape. I do get out of breath easily when I try to work out.
Posted by SLS on February 2, 2016, at 8:52:23
In reply to Re: Geodon doseages... » SLS, posted by Sheilac on February 2, 2016, at 7:36:42
Again, what do you mean by "muscle stiffness"?
Where on your body does this stiffness occur?
- Scott
Posted by Sheilac on February 2, 2016, at 13:19:06
In reply to Re: Geodon doseages... » Sheilac, posted by SLS on February 2, 2016, at 8:52:23
Pretty much my whole body gets stiff and the muscles hurt.
I've got fibromyalgia and can take muscle relaxers for the stiffness & pain, but it just seems like the higher dose of Geodon causes my leg muscles to hurt, weakness in my arm muscles, all over body stiffness. Tight, aching muscles in my shoulders and back.
But I really need the 160mg of Geodon. Maybe there is no cure for this side effect. Or maybe I'm just in really bad pshyical shape. I notice the pain is worse after walking for 30-45 minutes. Or maybe it's just a combo of the Geodon, fibromyalgia and exercise.
But going down to 120mg of Geodon made me feel suicidal. I plummeted into a deep depression. I'm better on the higher dose even if my body feels like I'm 80 (I'm 48).
This is the end of the thread.
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