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Anyone take Geodon? And how do i know if im bipolar?

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Posted 4/14/2011 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
My doc prescribed me Geodon after a bad alcohol binge that I had. I've been on it for about 2-3 months and haven't noticed anything majorly bad so far. I read the insert that came with it, and it seems its prescribed for bipolar disorder, but I don't even know if I'm bipolar. Anyone want to share about this topic?

I take 40mg of it twice a day. The mornings were pretty hard the first few weeks but that passed. But now i wonder if that means the medication is wearing off ("pooping out" as some people call it).

Post Edited (Ibear) : 4/14/2011 12:24:53 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/14/2011 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
hi bear not familiar with the drug, probably goes under a different name down under. bi-polar. are you repeatedly up then crash badly? this is bi-polar disorder. there are various types, one is bi-polar depressive disorder. more down than up. mine bi-polar affective disorder t1. mixed mood states and rapid cycle heavily between moods and states. with any disorder you can have variations, and people may go through different aspects of bi-polar disorders. jamie.
Posted 4/14/2011 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm an ex-beer binger. Alcoholism and bipolar look a lot alike. You might drink to 'even out' like I did. Drinking, however, CAUSES mood swings. You might just have a drinking problem.

One Pdoc. I went to wouldn't diagnose me until I was free and clear off of alcohol and substances for at least 3months...otherwise they can't tell if it's mood swings due to substances or actual chemical imbalance.

Lots of substance abusers have bp and never get on meds and continue to use and screw up their lives. Some substance abysses cut through the denial that they just might have a problem with booze/meth...whatever and get sober. After awhile in sobriety they still have difficulty coping with life and being themselves and accepting life on life's terms and all that. So they go to a dr. And bang...dxed with something or mother and put on meds. Been there done it for years...every which a way!

I don't know if I'm bipolar but I do know I can't drink successfully. Sometimes bipolars use the illness to not have to do everything everyone else has to such as work and clean the house. I used to be like this. Now I have a job and I am so much better. I would say to all bipolars considering getting on disability...DONT DO IT! You will get worse and live more and more like a real sick person and live like all you are is this bipolar person when you are much, much more and life is way bigger than that. My last two doctors said the bipolars they treated got worse after being on
disability because they don't do anything. Any job is better than no
job...even if it is a few hours a day.

I'm starting to think bipolar is natural and the imbalance is because society says we all have to be stable and perfect like everyone else tries to pretend they are. I know their are some real bipolar people out there who truly have it. But I bet that's only 20 percent of the diagnosed.

There are lots of other ways to cope with a darn hard world than 'being bipolar' on meds. I'm looking for a few myself bc I'm tired of the meds and all the side effects and brain damage they cause.

Geodon is heavy stuff. It will make you fat and out of it. There are other options, like getting sober, exercise, spirituality, alt therapies, laughter, meditation, vitamins, lowering stress, move to calmer environment.

Best of luck
Posted 4/14/2011 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
My bipolar Husband used to take Geodon. He had to stop it gave him involuntary movements on the face.
Posted 4/14/2011 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
I took it fir a very short time. I had an odd reaction, it jacked with my head.
Posted 4/16/2011 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ibear,

Only a psychiatrist can diagnosis someone with bipolar. Medications are used to treat a lot of different disorders so maybe you should ask why your doctor prescribed it to you.

Red Lightening. Wow! You really have a way with words! Maybe you could be more compassionate for those that are really disabled by this illness.

Posted 4/16/2011 9:45 AM (GMT 0)

red lightening said...


I know their are some real bipolar people out there who truly have it. But I bet that's only 20 percent of the diagnosed.

There are lots of other ways to cope with a darn hard world than 'being bipolar' on meds.

LOL I'm probably just one of those people on the meds without bipolar! No sarcasm; it's probably true idea
Posted 4/16/2011 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone, current research is showing bipolar is partly a brain dysfunction. MRI scans of bipolar brains and non-bipolar brains are different. Remember, bipolar is a medical diagnosis, not something like "generalized anxiety disorder" or OCD. Since bipolar is a medical (and yes mental) disorder, some people require meds to manage it. Bipolar is like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease (there is no cure, it's a chronic long term illness that must be medically managed). I agree, some people have the ability to live successfully without meds through holistic lifestyle (low stress, diet, exercise, prayer, etc). But for people who's bipolar goes back 2 generations on both sides of the family (like mine), we absolutely must take meds long term or risk permanent serious damage to ourselves or others. Remember bipolar people are something like 3 times more likely to take their own lives.
It can take a long time to find the right psychiatrist & the right meds your body functions with. I got extremely lucky & found an excellent experienced psychiatrist & got on the right meds the 1st time around. Not everyone is so lucky, but bipolar must be treated (holistically or medically). If it's not treated/managed, the consequences can be really harmful.  Let's not forget, taking meds isn't a sign of weakness, it's proof of having wisdom.
Posted 4/16/2011 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Tommy,

Well said. wink

Posted 4/19/2011 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
I heard someone say it made him dumb as a rock and I'm worried its doing that to me.
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