I have bipolar disorder 1. I just saw my shrink today & he put me on the drug Geodon (I have been on a few others such as Abilify, Risperdal, & Depakote). They all worked "slightly" & the main side effect was weight gain, 45 pounds. My question is to people WITH bipolar disorder 1 or 2 ONLY that have taken this drug. Just want to know if it worked for you & what side effects you had while taking it. What can I expect? My doctor will be adding something else I'm sure in 2 weeks, but he wants to see how I react with just this drug 1st. Please don't give me a link to their site. I want to know from bipolar people who have taken this drug only, thank you.
I am bipolar I and take 160mg Geodon every day. Geodon and Abilify don't cause weight gain, but other anti-psychotics such as Zyprexa do.
At first I was taking 80mg every morning, and 80mg every night. I would fall asleep during the day. So I started taking all of it at night (right after dinner). Before taking Geodon I slept 7 to 8 hours per night, but now I sleep 9 to 10 hours per night. I don't feel tired during the day anymore, now that I'm taking it all in the evening.
I've found that Geodon isn't quite enough to prevent me from having manic or mixed episodes, so I also take 2.5mg of Zyprexa every evening. That is a small dose and hasn't caused me to gain any weight.
The reason I take Geodon and Zyprexa is for manic symptoms, and I take Wellbutrin for depressive symptoms. I can't take lithium, Depakote, or Lamictal because they all give me severe headaches.
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I am bipolar I and take 160mg Geodon every day. Geodon and Abilify don't cause weight gain, but other anti-psychotics such as Zyprexa do.
At first I was taking 80mg every morning, and 80mg every night. I would fall asleep during the day. So I started taking all of it at night (right after dinner). Before taking Geodon I slept 7 to 8 hours per night, but now I sleep 9 to 10 hours per night. I don't feel tired during the day anymore, now that I'm taking it all in the evening.
I've found that Geodon isn't quite enough to prevent me from having manic or mixed episodes, so I also take 2.5mg of Zyprexa every evening. That is a small dose and hasn't caused me to gain any weight.
The reason I take Geodon and Zyprexa is for manic symptoms, and I take Wellbutrin for depressive symptoms. I can't take lithium, Depakote, or Lamictal because they all give me severe headaches.
References :
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
sweetie i hate to be the one to say this…but you asked!!!
when i was on geodon…i tried to kill myself 3 times…now that is not to say it will not work for you…meds work differently for different people. i hate geodon…i was a complete wreck…never knew if i was coming or going, i couldnt sleep, couldnt eat…i went down to 98pounds. it is the worst medication ive have ever been on in all my 25years of being on meds…the only time ive ever tried to kill myself was ONLY while i was on geodon…ive been mentaly ill for over 25 years and never once tried to commit suicide until i started on geodon…
i am not trying to scare you, i am just telling you MY story with geodon…as you have asked
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