[irishgirliexo]

Is it true that you will need to be hospitalized during or after switching AP's because you may experience symptoms of bipolar? My pdoc made a comment on how he preferred not to switch unless need be because of this.

[hamster-bamster]

I have never heard of it. I might be switching from Geodon to Abilify soon and my p-doc did not mention that such a switch would necessitate a hospitalization. He would have mentioned it if it were true - he went through my choices for Geodon replacement and one of the choices was another AP, Abilify. I am sure he would have warned me had there been a true need to go inpatient as I would have then had to arrange for time off work. I doubt, frankly, that it is the case.

[hamster-bamster]

What will you be switching to and why?

[irishgirliexo]

I am trying to switch from geodon to another AP because of sexual side effects from it. My pdoc is gonna talk to me more about it my next appointment in October.

[hamster-bamster]

I am trying to do the exact same thing for the exact same reason. I have only one option (at least within the framework of free mental health through the county which usually does not cover the newest drugs) - Abilify. This is because:

1. Zyprexa caused rapid weight gain, so it is out
2. Risperdal caused even worse sexual side effects plus Parkinson-like symptoms, so it is out
3. Seroquel caused horrifying akathisia and did not provide any relief from mania, so it is out, too

That leaves me with Abilify. Abilify causes akathisia in a whopping 25% of patients, so I am afraid of that a lot.

[hamster-bamster]

What are your SSE - do they have to do with the drive or with orgasms, or both?

[irishgirliexo]

I was on Abilify on and off from age 19-24 and I gained a tremendous amount of weight even though weight gain is not one of its major side effects. So I'm afraid to go back on that again. But would be willing if its the only option. I've never tried seroquel.

[irishgirliexo]

Both drive and orgasms

[hamster-bamster]

How about Seroquel, Latuda, Risperdal?

[irishgirliexo]

Never tried any of those yet.

[irishgirliexo]

Have you had any luck on any other AP

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by irishgirliexo

Both drive and orgasms

For me it is mostly orgasms - I have some drive. And occasionally I would have an erotic dream. On Risperdal - no orgasms, no drive, no dreams, no nothing. Also, on either Risperdal or Geodon I do not have any lubrication.

Out of AP's that I have tried, Geodon has been by far the best - if not for this very pesky little side effect, it would have been THE ideal drug because it provides 100% relief from mania and psychosis without any side effects - that is, except for SSE

[irishgirliexo]

I agree it does work great other than the side effects. I suppose I should start doing some research on other APs.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by irishgirliexo

I agree it does work great other than the side effects. I suppose I should start doing some research on other APs.

I wish you luck!

[irishgirliexo]

Thank you! Good luck to you too

[hamster-bamster]

Actually, now that I think about it - I made a switch from Risperdal to Geodon and it did not require a hospitalization

[irishgirliexo]

Thank you for letting me know!

[Seaswept]

Yeah, Iv'e never heard of that either.. the hospitalization thing.
Most doctors taper you off one while adding and slowly increasing the other.
I am on Seroquel-50mg- with no sexual side effects. It helps me sleep and also has helped a little I think with my anxiety.
good luck

[irishgirliexo]

Originally Posted by Seaswept

Yeah, Iv'e never heard of that either.. the hospitalization thing.
Most doctors taper you off one while adding and slowly increasing the other.
I am on Seroquel-50mg- with no sexual side effects. It helps me sleep and also has helped a little I think with my anxiety.
good luck

Thanks! I was hoping that it wasn't true. Seems like my pdoc just doesn't want me to switch. But I will keep pressuring him about it.

[BipolaRNurse]

My pdoc's planning to switch me to Geodon soon because I'm having trouble controlling my blood sugars and weight on Zyprexa, which works really well for me except for those side effects. He hasn't said anything about hospitalization either, although he'll want to supervise me more closely again (currently I'm going in every 3 months). I've never been inpatient before, and I've had a gazillion med tweaks.....why on earth would switching anitpsychotics rise to the level where IP would be necessary?

[Clinte89]

I know some pdocs like doing that mine does. But I have changed ap's outside of the hospital but he gave me his cell number just in case something happened. I would say as long as you feel safe then you can do it outside but as soon as you get to a dangerous point you may need to go in.

[irishgirliexo]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

My pdoc's planning to switch me to Geodon soon because I'm having trouble controlling my blood sugars and weight on Zyprexa, which works really well for me except for those side effects. He hasn't said anything about hospitalization either, although he'll want to supervise me more closely again (currently I'm going in every 3 months). I've never been inpatient before, and I've had a gazillion med tweaks.....why on earth would switching anitpsychotics rise to the level where IP would be necessary?

I'm glad to hear that you had med tweaks without hospitalization. I'm not sure what his logic is maybe he was thinking of my past hospitalization or something and how manic I got. But if I am able to switch safely I don't see why there would be any problems.