Quote:
Originally Posted by Amy3boys
I take Geodon along with Doxepin and Klonopin and it seems to keep me even and prevent mood swings. I'm seeing my doctor next week and I want to ask about getting off of antipsychotics and instead taking a mood stabilizer like Lamictal. I got bad akasthesia at a higher dose of Geodon though, so I'm a bit freaked out and concerned with taking meds in this category. Does anyone find that a mood stablizer without antipsychotics works for your illness? Do you take antidepressants along with your mood stabilizer?
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Great questions!
Some of this might depend upon your diagnosis, as in BPI or BPII, etc.
It sounds like you are more concerned about a relapse in illness as opposed to asking these questions regarding concerns about potential side-effects of tapering off the Geodon?
My diagnosis is BPII. I do not experience psychosis. At least not yet.
My pdoc swears that if a panel of pdoc experts were to gather anywhere in the U.S., they would all agree that the goal in BPII treatment is to eventually get the person onto a mood stabilizer only, preferably Lamictal/lamotrigine.
Again, for BPII, the goal is to not use antidepressants if possible. Many antidepressants instigate mood swings, some do even with a mood stabilizer on board. However, I do use a dopamine agonist named "Mirapex" (pramipexole) for treatment resistant depression. Some need an antidepessant, even so, due to the severity of Bipolar depression.
I am not an expert, nor am I a medical professional. I am simply sharing either what my pdoc has told me and/or sharing my own experiences.
It might be more helpful to you if you will share whether your diagnosis is BPI or BPII, etc.
Thanks for your post!
