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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 Sheilac on April 1, 2014, at 6:09:42
Well, I failed Tegretol due to sever cystitis. Very painful. So my doc had me go up,to 120mg at dinner of Geodon. Works great for depression and mood. No more irritability (had irritability at 60mg Geodon) and no more depression.
My mood is good but I feel like a zombie. I have insomnia at night, so I've been taking antihistamines to try and fall asleep along with melatonin and Klonopin! Still missing that awesome desire to sleep. Low dose Seroquel might be a possibility doc said, but I'm afraid to take 2 AAPs. But I'm desperate for good sleep.
Then, bizarrely enough, around lunchtime I get so tired I end up needing coffee to stay awake. Before you tell me the coffee is causing the insomnia, I've gone days without caffeine and instill have insomnia.
I feel like a zombie. Insomnia at night and afternoon sleepiness. But Geodon is great for my mood.
Doc also suggested a low dose of Wellbutrin, which I won't take (due to past mania) or low dose Adderall XR.
I know no one really gets away with one med. And I'm not full blown super BP. I'm more mildly BP my pdoc said.
So I'm wondering if I should take her advice and try Seroquel for sleep and low dose Adderall for daytime sleepiness.
Is Latuda as weird as Geodon? I love Geodon but just crave the great sleep and need to be alert during the day. I've even thought about going back to low dose Trileptal for sleep even though I had terrible painful swelling with it. It at least knocked me out.
Posted by Christ_empowered on April 1, 2014, at 7:23:18
In reply to Geodon issues..., posted by Sheilac on April 1, 2014, at 6:09:42
I'd take the Adderall w/ the Geodon and see how that goes.
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2014, at 9:49:19
In reply to Re: Geodon issues..., posted by Christ_empowered on April 1, 2014, at 7:23:18
Sheila so sorry you find a med that allows you to feel well and then a side effect ruins it for you. I truly am sorry you are having such a hard time finding a good med combo. Phillipa
Posted by Sheilac on April 1, 2014, at 13:15:51
In reply to Re: Geodon issues..., posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2014, at 9:49:19
Thanks, Phillipa, but Geodon isn't so bad really. It work and stops the depression and hyperness.
I may be able to deal with the insomnia by as low as 25mg of Seroqeul and the daytime sleepiness with as low as 5mg AdderallXR.
I'm a low dose gal and if that's what I have to do (combos) then so be it. Keeping my depression away is worth it.
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2014, at 20:44:31
In reply to Re: Geodon issues... » Phillipa, posted by Sheilac on April 1, 2014, at 13:15:51
Sheilac most definitely. And a low dose is good!!!! Phillipa
Posted by Darwin on April 4, 2014, at 0:22:25
In reply to Geodon issues..., posted by Sheilac on April 1, 2014, at 6:09:42
I wonder if taking Geodon earlier in the day might help.
Posted by Sheilac on April 4, 2014, at 4:05:49
In reply to Re: Geodon issues..., posted by Darwin on April 4, 2014, at 0:22:25
I'm not sure. My doc suggested playing around with the time I take it.
Possibly 40mg at dinner to help with sleep and 80mg with breakfast, but I don't eat enough calories at breakfast for 80mg.
Or she suggested 60mg at lunch & dinner. I'm afraid after a few hours I would get tired in the afternoon.
I'm not really sure.
I didn't take any Seroquel last night and I got up at 3:30am today!
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2014, at 20:41:15
In reply to Re: Insomnia still... » Darwin, posted by Sheilac on April 4, 2014, at 4:05:49
Just after turned off my Nook and the light and went to sleep. Phillipa
Posted by porkpiehat on April 5, 2014, at 16:08:58
In reply to Re: Insomnia still... » Sheilac, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2014, at 20:41:15
I've been scared of Geodon as it seems like a "dirty" AAP that's hard to come off from.
BUT I have tried Seroquel, Abilify, and Latuda as add-ons for depression/anxiety/obsessional thinking.
I'd have to say Abilify was the least numbing, but made sleep difficult.
Latuda came in second in terms of flatness. Weight neutral. Increased my headaches though and was VERY unpredictable in terms of sedation.
Seroquel was the most zombifying, depending on dose. but I never really went over 25mgs.
The SSRI I take (especially when) seems to have a direct impact on the potency of the AAP. If I took too much in the morning it would kick in the sedation and no amount of coffee or ritalin would perk me up.
Have you thought about other AAPs that would have better antidepressant effects at lower doses?
This is the end of the thread.
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