[sparklehorse]

Has anyone here tried maintaining with Geodon as their main antidepressant medication? Do you think it could work?

I would love to hear from you. I am trying to decide what to do right now and wanting to keep my meds to a minimum if possible. I deal with BP II (most likely) with depressions that can get severe.

Thanks.

[bipolarmedstudent]

From the data, I don't think it will work, unfortunately. The atypical antipsychotics that have anti-depressant properties are olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and risperidone (Risperdal). Aripiprazole (Abilify) also has anti-depressant properties (for unipolar depression) when used as an add-on to an antidepressant. But I couldn't find any evidence at all that Geodon has any anti-depressant properties.

Of course, everyone is different, and you may respond well to it.

Is there a reason you can't go on an SSRI/SNRI? What about lamictal? lithium?

[sparklehorse]

Originally Posted by bipolarmedstudent

From the data, I don't think it will work, unfortunately. The atypical antipsychotics that have anti-depressant properties are olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and risperidone (Risperdal). Aripiprazole (Abilify) also has anti-depressant properties (for unipolar depression) when used as an add-on to an antidepressant. But I couldn't find any evidence at all that Geodon has any anti-depressant properties.

Of course, everyone is different, and you may respond well to it.

Is there a reason you can't go on an SSRI/SNRI? What about lamictal? lithium?

Hi. Thanks for replying. My reasons for not wanting an ssri/snri are kinda' odd, I suppose. I feel that they cause me to feel blunted. I mean, the Saphris I take can be said to do this, but it's different. I used to take Pristiq. When I withdrew I felt different, like it had irritated me somehow emotionally. I currently am on the Emsam patch of segilene, an MAOI inhibitor, but might be coming off that because I'm still depressed. Now my doc is talking about Geodon. Oh, your it's just your basic med in flux type complications :-(

Somehow I'm not too keen on Geodon, and I can't pin down why. But I am dragging my feet making any decision, that's how I know.

Thanks for poking around for me. I had thought with the snri sort of action it would be more stimulating. I guess not. I may very well end up with an ssri/snri adjunct after all because I am having great difficulty shaking depression right now. I got a bad enough rash on lamictal to abort a trial, and when lithium is brought up, my pdoc does not take it up. I don't know why.

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by sparklehorse

Hi. Thanks for replying. My reasons for not wanting an ssri/snri are kinda' odd, I suppose. I feel that they cause me to feel blunted. I mean, the Saphris I take can be said to do this, but it's different. I used to take Pristiq. When I withdrew I felt different, like it had irritated me somehow emotionally. I currently am on the Emsam patch of segilene, an MAOI inhibitor, but might be coming off that because I'm still depressed. Now my doc is talking about Geodon. Oh, your it's just your basic med in flux type complications :-(

Somehow I'm not too keen on Geodon, and I can't pin down why. But I am dragging my feet making any decision, that's how I know.

Thanks for poking around for me. I had thought with the snri sort of action it would be more stimulating. I guess not. I may very well end up with an ssri/snri adjunct after all because I am having great difficulty shaking depression right now. I got a bad enough rash on lamictal to abort a trial, and when lithium is brought up, my pdoc does not take it up. I don't know why.

Geodon was not activating at all for me. It was very, very sedating.

I'm on Cymbalta+Abilify and I find that combo to be very activating. I just added valproate (depakote) and it has done wonders for my anxiety.

If you don't want to go on an SSRI/SNRI, I would suggest either Seroquel or Lithium. Both have been shown to work well on bipolar depression. But since your pdoc is not too keen on lithium, I think Seroquel is your best bet. NO IDEA if that can be combined with an MAOI though. I know nothing about MAOIs.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by sparklehorse

Has anyone here tried maintaining with Geodon as their main antidepressant medication? Do you think it could work?

I would love to hear from you. I am trying to decide what to do right now and wanting to keep my meds to a minimum if possible. I deal with BP II (most likely) with depressions that can get severe.

My psych meds book says Geodon is used off label for bipolar depression. Has your pdoc used this before with success in treating patients with BP depression?

[sparklehorse]

Originally Posted by sunrise

My psych meds book says Geodon is used off label for bipolar depression. Has your pdoc used this before with success in treating patients with BP depression?

That's a good question. He says he has, though now that you mention it, it is a question I would like to discuss with him further. I am wondering how he sees this med as benefiting my particular set of symptoms. Thanks for this thought.

[sparklehorse]

Originally Posted by bipolarmedstudent

Geodon was not activating at all for me. It was very, very sedating.

I'm on Cymbalta+Abilify and I find that combo to be very activating. I just added valproate (depakote) and it has done wonders for my anxiety.

If you don't want to go on an SSRI/SNRI, I would suggest either Seroquel or Lithium. Both have been shown to work well on bipolar depression. But since your pdoc is not too keen on lithium, I think Seroquel is your best bet. NO IDEA if that can be combined with an MAOI though. I know nothing about MAOIs.

I'm glad to hear you have some good meds onboard for yourself. There can be so much trial and error in all of this, eh? You've given me some good ideas to think about here. Thanks.

[katieness]

I found myself taking daily naps when taking Geodon. Plus I gained 40 lb. in quite a short amount of time.

[Fresia]

Having been diagnosed BPII with significant tendencies toward depression, I was eventually given Geodon for the anti-depressant properties of it in addition to other symptoms of BPII. It was literally a lifesaver for me after trying literally all the AD's and some other anti-psychotics.

Everyone's chemistry is so different but talk to your provider. Feel free to PM me with any questions. Good luck finding what works best for you.