[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?

[fern46]

I am only on Geodon and I am starting to taper off this weekend. My doctor thinks I am stable enough to see how I do without meds. It is unclear what my diagnosis is at this point, so it is basically an experiment to see how it goes.

I've never taken a mood stabilizer before, but many here have and can offer better insight.

Also, we have a new sub forum here for bipolar treatment posts. Feel free to check there for drug experience info. We're in the process of populating it, but there's a lot of helpful data already.

Hi Amy3boys! I have always taken an antipsychotic (when treated for bipolar disorder) along with at least one moodstabilizer. In my case, I will continue taking an antipsychotic for at least a while. I'm responding mostly to say that I have gotten off Geodon after years of taking 160 mg. It was not an easy or quick process for me. Maybe you'll have an easier time, I hope. But I managed. I had had severe akathisia from Geodon, too. I developed it four and a half years into taking it and struggled with the akathisia for over a year. Ugh!

I know there are many people out there that do well on just a moodstabilizer. I hope you will be one of them. I encourage you to work with your therapist or psychiatrist to develop healthy living habits and master coping skills. They will surely help with success, as they do everyone.

Good luck as you wean off the Geodon!

[Wild Coyote]

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?

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!

[Amy3boys]

Thank you!

[Amy3boys]

Thanks so much! Which antipsychotic is working for you (and not giving you akasthesia)? I know, everyone's different but I'm just curious.

[Amy3boys]

Hi! My doctor has always said I'm "on the bipolar spectrum" b/c I've had severe depressive episodes but sometimes get irritable and have always struggled with insomnia. Since I got so irritable when my Geodon dose wasn't effective, I'm wondering if I'm in fact BPII b/c that was some serious hypomania. I will ask my doctor when I see her next week. Maybe she will prescribe Lamictal but keep me on the Geodon while I'm tapering up on it (?).

I've never heard of Mirapex but that's great that it helps your depression. Is it activating/energizing or does it make you tired? (or does it not impact your energy level at all?) A big issue for me is extreme fatigue that comes with my depression.

Thanks for your reply!

Originally Posted by Amy3boys

Thanks so much! Which antipsychotic is working for you (and not giving you akasthesia)? I know, everyone's different but I'm just curious.

You're definitely right that people have different experiences with medications. I've read about these different experiences so many times at places like Psych Central, and similar.

My current antipsychotic of choice is Seroquel XR. I like it more than regular Seroquel. It's a slightly different animal, I think, but closer to each other than they are to different antipsychotics. I have never developed akathisia from Seroquel or Seroquel XR. Other antipsychotics I didn't get akathisia from were: Risperdal, Invega, Navane, and Trilafon. However, I did get other negative side effects from those antipsychotics, plus I was never on those meds nearly as long as I have been on Seroquel XR. It's hard to know what else would have happened on them long-term.

I have not yet developed akathisia from Latuda. However, I have only ever been on a starter dose of 20 mg. Plus, I have only been on it for about six months.

I did develop akathisia very quickly on Abilify and Zyprexa. I developed akathisia on Geodon about 4 1/2 years in to taking it. Honestly, the akathisia I had from Geodon was the most torturous of them all. Horrible!

I have only taken the antipsychotics that I mentioned above. I've never developed akathisia from any other class of medications.

[Pookyl]

I’ve until recently always taken an antipsychotic with a mood stabiliser. Now I’m on just two antipsychotics, Seroquel and Saphris. I’ve not experienced akasthesia with either of them.
I used to be on Seroquel and Abilify in addition to a mood stabiliser a few years ago. Again no akasthesia.
I came off Abilify after a six month period cold turkey with no issues.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Amy3boys

Hi! My doctor has always said I'm "on the bipolar spectrum" b/c I've had severe depressive episodes but sometimes get irritable and have always struggled with insomnia. Since I got so irritable when my Geodon dose wasn't effective, I'm wondering if I'm in fact BPII b/c that was some serious hypomania. I will ask my doctor when I see her next week. Maybe she will prescribe Lamictal but keep me on the Geodon while I'm tapering up on it (?).

I've never heard of Mirapex but that's great that it helps your depression. Is it activating/energizing or does it make you tired? (or does it not impact your energy level at all?) A big issue for me is extreme fatigue that comes with my depression.

Thanks for your reply!

Hi!
I go through irritability, too. That's usually a sign for me that I need a med adjustment. I also get very severe depression. My dx is BPII.

With Lamictal, I am losing the irritability. I had to go up to 400 mg. It makes a lot of sense to ask about getting onto Lamictal now and eventually get off of the Geodon if possible.

I have had excellent luck with Mirapex. It's quite activating. I am better able to cope. Any depression is relatively mild and much easier to deal with. I am up and am around. I used to be chained to my bed by depression. I used to feel hopeless and that has been much less I feel Mirapex can be very helpful.

There is another member here trying Mirapex and is thrilled with the results so far. Might as well look into it.

It's a good idea to get rid of Geodon if possible.

Nice to have you posting!

[Amy3boys]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

You're definitely right that people have different experiences with medications. I've read about these different experiences so many times at places like Psych Central, and similar.

My current antipsychotic of choice is Seroquel XR. I like it more than regular Seroquel. It's a slightly different animal, I think, but closer to each other than they are to different antipsychotics. I have never developed akathisia from Seroquel or Seroquel XR. Other antipsychotics I didn't get akathisia from were: Risperdal, Invega, Navane, and Trilafon. However, I did get other negative side effects from those antipsychotics, plus I was never on those meds nearly as long as I have been on Seroquel XR. It's hard to know what else would have happened on them long-term.

I have not yet developed akathisia from Latuda. However, I have only ever been on a starter dose of 20 mg. Plus, I have only been on it for about six months.

I did develop akathisia very quickly on Abilify and Zyprexa. I developed akathisia on Geodon about 4 1/2 years in to taking it. Honestly, the akathisia I had from Geodon was the most torturous of them all. Horrible!

I have only taken the antipsychotics that I mentioned above. I've never developed akathisia from any other class of medications.

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I had torturous akasthesia again last night. I also had trouble breathing. I felt like I was in hell. I called my doctor but haven't heard from her. I take 60 mg of Geodon at night and 20 mg in the morning. I need to get off of it but have no guidance as to how to taper off. I just cannot have akasthesia and breathing trouble again. I'm wondering if I should stop it cold turkey? I've taken it for at least a year. Do you remember if you stopped cold turkey when you got akasthesia? Help!!

[Amy3boys]

Thank you! I had horrible akasthesia and trouble breathing last night. It was torturous. I called my doctor but haven't heard back. I guess I have to figure out how much to taper down on the Geodon or if I should stop it cold turkey, which would probably result in bad withdrawals. But akasthesia/trouble breathing is something I never want to experience again!

[~Christina]

If a Med is causing difficulties breathing then you need off it.

I quit cold turkey and it was hell, I lost days, feeling cold and burning up.

Normally I would say wait to do a taper.

Could your breathing problems be part of akathesia ?? It’s horrible a panic / anxiety inducing which in me cause big breathing issues

Call you call your Pdoc ?? Yep it’s Friday of course , but he/she might call you in a script for Cogentin which can help with the akathesia bit

Hope you find some relief sooner rather than later.

[Fuzzybear]

I stopped Seroquel... but I was only on it for a few months at a relatively low dose.

[Amy3boys]

Thank you! I was just going to taper down on the Geodon tonight but am wondering if I should stop cold turkey. I suppose the trouble breathing could have been from anxiety but I'm not sure; it felt pretty bad.

[yellow_fleurs]

That's concerning! I hope your pdoc can advise/help. Your pharmacist might also be able to provide advice.

[Wild Coyote]

I am sorry you are going through this.

I agree with yellow_fleurs, please call your doctor again. Make sure you mention this is urgent!

Please call your pharmacist.

If all else fails and you are having hard time breathing, please go to the nearest ER. Difficulty breathing is a very serious matter. Please be very careful.

Someone should be able to help you.

[Pookyl]

I’ve had to quit cold turkey a number of times over the years. Here where I live, Valium (diazepam) is often used short term to manage withdrawal symptoms.
I agree with the others. If you’re having breathing problems then you need to be off the medication. Keep calling your pdoc. Leave multiple messages until your doctor gets that you need help.

[Amy3boys]

Thank you!

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Amy3boys

Thank you!

I've been concerned about you. I am glad you've posted today.
Are you feeling any better today?
I hope so. I hope your breathing is much better! ?

[*Beth*]

I hope that today you're doing better, Amy3boys.

To answer your question- yes, I have stopped taking antip's several times in my life. The most difficult, however, was Seroquel because I was on it for 7 years. I started out with a standard dose, gained a lot of weight from the stuff, and while it did help me sleep it sure wasn't helping with anything else. So I dropped it from (I think??) 350mg. down to 75mg. I was on that for a year or so, but very much wanted to stop taking it.

My pdoc decreased the dose to 50mg for a few months, then 25, and eventually down to 12.5. At 12.5 I could sleep better, but I still had very unhealthy side-effects. I stressed to my pdoc that I definitely wanted to stop taking Seroquel.

I was taking the 12.5mg. for a couple of months, then 2 weeks ago took 12.5 every other night, then every third night. Then no more.

My sleep is by no means good. I'm working with it. I'm really glad to be off the Seroquel.