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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by displaced9 on October 19, 2010, at 22:22:31
Hi, I was recently (about 2.5 weeks ago) switched from Seroquel XR 100MG @ 6pm to Geodon. We started at 20mg of Geodon, but I couldn't sleep and depression and anxiety symptoms returned. So, we upped the dose to 80mg at bedtime. Problem is, I can't sleep and I feel extremely sped up the following day. We switched it to 40mg AM and 40mg PM, and i felt fine for a couple days. today, I started out feeling extremely groggy, then that wore off and now I'm extremely alert, like on a caffeine high, and unable to sleep. The PDoc gave me Vistaril to help me sleep ,but this doesn't seem to be helping either. Will this stimulant like effect go away with some more time? I desperately want to get some good sleep!
Thanks for your input..
P.S. - I experienced some "alertness" following day while on Seroquel, but I could always count on Seroquel to knock me on my butt asleep after taking it at night..
Posted by SLS on October 20, 2010, at 5:58:26
In reply to Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia??, posted by displaced9 on October 19, 2010, at 22:22:31
> Hi, I was recently (about 2.5 weeks ago) switched from Seroquel XR 100MG @ 6pm to Geodon. We started at 20mg of Geodon,
With Geodon, 20mg can cause agitation and insomnia. At 40mg, these things disappear in most cases. For depression, it is often not necessary to go higher than between 40mg and 80mg. This pattern is supposed to occur as the result of a predominance of 5-HT2c blockade at lower dosages, and the emergence of dopamine D2 receptor blockade and perhaps 5-HT1a stimulation at higher dosages.
- Scott
Posted by displaced9 on October 20, 2010, at 7:47:18
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia?? » displaced9, posted by SLS on October 20, 2010, at 5:58:26
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the reply. Since I am on 40mg bid, shouldn't my stimulant effects go away? They did for a few days, but last night was rough. Almost seems like if I wait too long before my next dose, then the agitation/stimulation starts to surface and it's difficult to calm it down.Thanks again
Jason
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2010, at 10:33:58
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia??, posted by displaced9 on October 20, 2010, at 7:47:18
Why did you switch from the seroquel to geodon. Didn't you mention it worked? Not sure will read again. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 20, 2010, at 11:57:34
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia??, posted by displaced9 on October 20, 2010, at 7:47:18
> Hi Scott,
> Thanks for the reply. Since I am on 40mg bid, shouldn't my stimulant effects go away? They did for a few days, but last night was rough. Almost seems like if I wait too long before my next dose, then the agitation/stimulation starts to surface and it's difficult to calm it down.Yes, Geodon can be stimulating and sometimes produce brain-fog. Ultimately, Geodon might not be the right drug for you. It is somewhat unpredictable. It binds to myriad receptors. I believe that dosages above 80mg are counterproductive when treating depression. Bipolar mania would probably call for higher dosages. I know one person who crossed over from Geodon to Abilify with remarkable results.
- Scott
Posted by displaced9 on October 20, 2010, at 12:50:38
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia?? » displaced9, posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2010, at 10:33:58
Phillipa,
I switched off of Seroquel mainly due to weight gain. I gained nearly 20 lbs in a matter of months.Thanks!
Posted by displaced9 on October 20, 2010, at 12:52:20
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia?? » displaced9, posted by SLS on October 20, 2010, at 11:57:34
Thanks for the information. We tried Abilify before.. at 2mg it did nothing for me and at 5mg, it made me have severe anxiety and akathisia. I'm sensitive to meds, so I'm difficult to keep in check. :-/
Posted by Zyprexa on October 21, 2010, at 1:40:46
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia??, posted by displaced9 on October 20, 2010, at 12:52:20
I made the switch from zyprexa to geodon and like you I couldn't sleep and was reved up all the time. Also it did nothing for my schitzoaffective disorder and I was constantly paranoid and thinking the neighbors were talking to me through the walls. This is when I started smoking pot just to deal with it. I as on very high doses of geodon, as high as 60mg x5 a day, and mostly on 60mg x4 a day. Then I tried abilify and totaly lost my mind doses as high as 15mg, doc sugested 30mg but I flat out refused. Now I'm back on zyprexa and greatly improving. I also started perphenazine 12mg x3/day. Which with the zyprexa is a great combo. You might try the perphenazine, it won't cause weight gain and is sedating. If I were you I would go back on seroquel. I'm not sure but I wonder if the perphenazine is countering the weight gain from zyprexa. I gained a bunch of weght when I went back on zyprexa, but for the last 2 years I've maintained my weight and now losing weight. With no problem.
Posted by displaced9 on October 22, 2010, at 17:11:18
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia??, posted by Zyprexa on October 21, 2010, at 1:40:46
I'm terribly afraid of Zyprexa as it is known to cause severe weight gain. I gained weight on Seroquel at the low dose of 100mg. I've been through the weight gain battle before, so anything that may cause weight gain I try to avoid, especially after the recent experience with Seroquel.
I am going to try to back down the dose of Geodon from 80mg to 40mg and see how it works. Does anyone know if, for depression, it is best taken once a day or twice per day?
Posted by herpills on October 22, 2010, at 20:25:52
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia??, posted by displaced9 on October 22, 2010, at 17:11:18
> I am going to try to back down the dose of Geodon from 80mg to 40mg and see how it works. Does anyone know if, for depression, it is best taken once a day or twice per day?
Geodon is absorbed rapidly and has a short half life, so is usually dosed twice a day. It also MUST be taken with food or body will not absorb full amount of mg.
herpills
Posted by displaced9 on November 13, 2010, at 14:24:10
In reply to Re: Low dose Geodon stimulating / insomnia?? » displaced9, posted by herpills on October 22, 2010, at 20:25:52
> > I am going to try to back down the dose of Geodon from 80mg to 40mg and see how it works. Does anyone know if, for depression, it is best taken once a day or twice per day?
>
> Geodon is absorbed rapidly and has a short half life, so is usually dosed twice a day. It also MUST be taken with food or body will not absorb full amount of mg.
>
> herpills
>
>Just to let everyone know, I am taking 20mg w/ breakfast and 40mg w/ dinner. I still had trouble with sleep, and after trying Ambien and Lunesta, I tried Melatonin. It is a god send. It has regulated my sleep and I feel a lot better now that I can sleep. I am taking 2.5mg sublingual tablets about 45min before bedtime and it relaxes me and lets me sleep.
This is the end of the thread.
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