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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 banga on January 13, 2005, at 9:31:53
This is an old subject but couldnt find it.
I have had success with Geodon short term to stop anxiety, but it makes me foggy and out of it. I thought it worth trying Abilify--
but have others found it to help anxiety? How about long-term? It seems Geodon helps for a month, then stops. So Ive started using it occasionally....
Posted by med_empowered on January 13, 2005, at 16:41:44
In reply to Geodon v. Abilify for anxiety?, posted by banga on January 13, 2005, at 9:31:53
Hey! Abilify helped considerably with my anxiety at low doses (5-7.5mgs) and continued to have an anti-anxiety effect at higher doses over an extended period of time. That said, if you're only dealing with anxiety, why not try a benzo or buspar, or something of that nature? Neuroleptics can, of course, be useful, but they carry risks that other drugs do not.
Posted by D minor on January 13, 2005, at 17:47:19
In reply to Re: Geodon v. Abilify for anxiety?, posted by med_empowered on January 13, 2005, at 16:41:44
for me Abilify induces terrible anxiety and akathisia. Don't know if you want to try it
dm
Posted by banga on January 13, 2005, at 22:17:45
In reply to Re: Geodon v. Abilify for anxiety?, posted by med_empowered on January 13, 2005, at 16:41:44
Buspar did nothing, and benzos are risky for me (alcoholism) and my pdoc is very leery of giving them to me; I also don't like reports of needing higher and higher doses, and occasions when it worsens depression.
I never would have considered a neuroleptic for me, but I was given Risperdal when in the hospital, and my anxiety disappeared as well as the depression. When I switched to Geodon, same thing. I am not happy about it, but I cant seem to find anything else that works. I have also tried clomipramine (pooped out) and all SSRIs. I still hope to find a solution other than neuroleptics, but no luck so far.
The problem with Geodon is foggy head and spaciness. It seems the two--Geodon and Abilify--can have different side effects for different people. I go to my pdoc tomorrow, and wonder if I should ask for Abilify for at least temporary hep with anxiety.
Posted by johnnystats on January 14, 2005, at 7:33:39
In reply to Re: Geodon v. Abilify for anxiety? » med_empowered, posted by banga on January 13, 2005, at 22:17:45
I've tried all of the antipsychotics for anxiety including abilify with no luck. If antipsychotics aren't working for you long term, then to keep switching between them would be a waste of your time. You don't mention in your post if you've tried med combinations. I've found the best combination for me is a MAOI like Nardil + an anticonvulsant (maybe Depakote or Lamictal).
Posted by banga on January 14, 2005, at 9:43:48
In reply to Re: Geodon v. Abilify for anxiety?, posted by johnnystats on January 14, 2005, at 7:33:39
Thanks for your response. I actually haven't tried an MAOI yet, I haven't discussed it with my pdoc (I see her today)--she has not mentioned it and my guess is that she would rather have me try some more med combinations before we go to that. She DID say that if things got REALLY bad (as if not being able to work for two years isn't bad enough!) she would OK a benzo very short-term. I may just take her up on it some day, see how it is, and if it helps very dramatically I'd beg to keep it on my med list longer. I like her, she seems very reasonable (not many pdocs would even consider a benzo especially with my addiction) and is the first to understand that the anxiety component is severe (most focus on the depression; I guess suicidal ideation takes precedence. Actually it is interesting if you think about it--yes the suicidal thougts are unpleasant and the depresson keeps me from enjoying life, but it is the anxiety that keeps me from going out and even trying to enjoy life and be more around others)
I have tried various combinations--an ideal combo for two months was Lexapro, clomipramine, geodon, and amantadine, but it pooped out. I am now trying "mood stabilizer + x" still choosing x, and I will probably add a Y as well.
Posted by johnnystats on January 16, 2005, at 9:43:19
In reply to Re: Geodon v. Abilify for anxiety? » johnnystats, posted by banga on January 14, 2005, at 9:43:48
No offense, but i don't have much faith in your pdoc's ability to help you with your problems. I had to see 4 seperate psychiatrists before i found one good enough. She refuses to prescribe benzos long term, even though you're on a lot of medications that aren't working very well. The fact that she dismissed the maoi so quickly is a red flag to me, because they're usually helpful in treatment resistant anxiety. I liked most of my pdoc' too-but that doesn't mean they'll be able to get the job done. Let me know how it goes.
P.S. what are you addicted to?
Posted by banga on January 16, 2005, at 15:41:56
In reply to Re: Geodon v. Abilify for anxiety?, posted by johnnystats on January 16, 2005, at 9:43:19
Thanks for your response!
Actually, my pdoc didn't dismiss MAOIs, we haven't talked about them. She is a new pdoc for me and is careful in a good way--I tend to want to jump from ship to ship too quickly. The only thing I have been put on with her is Lamictal. (All the other things were with a previous doc, he was more apt to retry things I know dont work)She seems very reasonable. She agrees with me that SSRIs would be ridiculous, so our thoughts are: mood stabilizer, antidepressant (a TCA), and see whether we will have to deal with the anxiety somehow with additional meds. She also arranged for me to test for ADHD, and is very open to use stims if I get a diagnosis that would support using one.
My addiction is alcohol. I know I should be careful of cross-addiction, but in truth I have never felt an urge to take the meds I have had in the past that were deemed addictive (opiates for pain, short trial of lorazepam) so I am careful but not averse to trying something.
I do have an update too but I think Ill post it separately-
take care, B
Posted by Sebastian on January 16, 2005, at 17:25:44
In reply to Geodon v. Abilify for anxiety?, posted by banga on January 13, 2005, at 9:31:53
Abilify raised my anxiety, substantialy. I take 120 geodon and 3.75 zyprexa. This seems to do the trick, not much anxiety. With out the zyprexa I would have anxiety, a little, but I may just be too used to the zyprexa, as I'm in the middle of a switch.
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