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Geodon better than lamictal?

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 11/17/2008 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone.

Just was wondering if Geodon is better than Lamictal for stress and anxiety and the mania aspect of things. I was told and I believe a moderator on here said that Lamictal is for depression..like MY doc says as well...and not for acute mania?

Any bad side effects with Geodon. I noticed it causes only a little weight gain as opposed to Lith,Depokote,Zyprexa,etc.

I am going down to 5mg Abilify because of thius brain fog.

If it it still persists..then going off of it. Just trying what would be better next. I hjave done my homework and have taken so many things the past 20 plus years.

Thanks for any help anyone. 

 

Posted 11/17/2008 9:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Steelerfan,

Me too!  I have been on 8 different meds and am unable to tolerate side affects.  Have PDoc appointment in a couple of weeks.  I hope I can hold on until then.  This past week-end was bad.  On Saturday I stayed in the bed all day, crying and not wanting to go on.  Sunday I was a different person.  Needless to say, I have rapid cycle issues.  So I just keep on keeping on and HOPE that one day my doc will find the right meds for me.  Geodon I have not been on.  Lamictal was good for depression but sent me squarely into manic-land! and after three weeks made my stomach hurt terrible.

I hope you find the right combo as I do for myself and EVERYONE!

Posted 11/17/2008 10:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Steelerfan,

I was on lamictal and after a while of trying that I was put on Geodon.  It took me a while to find the correct dosage for me but eventually it worked well for me for a long time. I did not notice any side effects. I did not gain any weight from it either.

I'm sure you know every med works a little different for everyone.

Keep pushing ahead to find the right cocktail for yourself. That is the hardest part but persistance pays off.

Good luck to you.

Posted 11/18/2008 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Steelerfan,

I too was on Lamictal for depression and it worked for a while, but it was not enough when the mania hit. My pdoc put me on Geodon and I was on it for about 5 months before I couldn't tolerate the side effects anymore. I was also at a very high dose (160mg a day), and starting out slow may help with maintenance. I didn't gain any weight while on it. Let us know how things turn out.

Olivia
Posted 11/19/2008 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
BP Gemini-Thank you for all that info. I have been there! We all have.
I will continue to pray for you and all of you.

Sukay-Thank you so much for the info on Geodon.

Olivia-Thank you so much as well for your info. Wow....you were at the top end for dosage on Geodon. Because the most it comes in is 80mg pills taken twice a day..hence the 160mg. Wow! I hope your doctor did that gradually!!
Posted 11/19/2008 12:58 PM (GMT 0)

Hi SteelerFan

It's me again!  I take Lamictal as a mood stabilizer - not antidepressant.  I have to take two  antidepressants in addition to the Lamictal.  Lamictal seems to work fine.  It's a pretty non-problematic drug for me.  Also, it's known to be weight neutral.  I took Geodon as a mood stabilizer and it made me manic on lower doses and increased my anxiety and depression at higher doses.  It also made food unimportant to me, which was a nice side effect.  I had to get off the Geodon though due to what it was doing to my anxiety and depression--I won't get into the details so as not to scare anyone away but it was pretty bad for me.  Everyone is different though so please listen to your doctor and talk with your doctor anyone who is reading this!

GG

Posted 11/19/2008 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Georgie Girl!

I am sorry for your anxiety. Hope you find something that works. I just know xanax has helped me for 13 and half years. But no med is a wonder drug though..I am sure you know that.

I hope the Geodon doesn't give to me what it has for you. I wouldn't be able to deal with that.
Posted 11/20/2008 2:43 AM (GMT 0)

Steeler

Except when I first went into the hospital with anxiety (7 days pretty much out of my mind, only remember about one hour of all that time), my doctor has not given me Xanax or Ativan.  He says he prefers to treat the cause rather than give me those kind of meds.  Believe me, I have wanted them so badly.  Despite taking Depakote, Lamictal and Celexa when getting out of the hospital, I still had anxiety so bad I almost went back into the hospital.  It was then that he gave me Zyprexa, saying he uses it as a last resort for anxiety.  Fortunately, the Z. zapped the anxiety within two hours and now I only have to talke 10 mg of Z every two weeks or so to keep the anxiety at bay.  I took myself off Depakote due to hair loss and tremendous appetite and severe liver or gallbladder pain and the doctor was not upset that I did that.   So now I take Wellbutrin, Lamictal, Celexa, Deplin and Zyprexa only as needed.  I am really doing well with the anxiety. 

Well, enough about me, what do you think about me? Ha!

Good luck on finding the right meds for you.  It can sure be a hassle.

GG (Krista)

Posted 11/21/2008 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks GG!

I am glad you have found something that works for your anxiety..that is great! I know benzos are typically used for short ter, because of the addictive properties..especially Xanax. But I do have panic disorder and bipolar 1 and I could never come off Xanax after 13 and half years. Plus..it still works for the most part.

I will not take more than 2 medications. Unless one has like 5-6 different disorders...one should never take more than two. And since I have bipolar too..an SSRI would be disastrous for me...and I will not take another drug(mmod stabilizer) to control the mania from the SSRI's.

Hence why I need a good bipolar med. It is really down to Abilify..to stay on that. Or try Geodon or Seroquel. Lamital is really mostly more the depressive part..I believe.
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