Geodon

I did find a previous post on Geodon, but I'm interested in knowing how long it takes the side effects to go away, and whether it actually has caused weight loss for anyone (my pdoc, in a not-so-subtle "hey you fat cow" kind of way, brought that up as a positive in deciding to prescribe it for me).

I'm nauseous, dizzy, and sleepy. This will be day 4 (I take all my meds at night). I know side effects often disappear in 2 to 3 weeks, but I'm hoping for sooner . I also know meds don't start to "work" for 4-6 weeks -- I'm resigned to that part, but can you tell me how you felt when it started working for you?

I'm going off Risperdal at the same time, which I've been on for the better part of a decade. I miss it already. At least I knew how it worked!

CB

my brother took it and was delerious. Be careful during the harsh side effects.

A few days max

I went off Geodon as fast as I started it. I felt heart palpitations and was racing. The side effects went away very quickly. I am now on Abilify, which is another story (but not to bad).

I was extremely dizzy (broke my toe by bashing it on the bedpost when I was trying to get back into bed before falling down) & extremely tired (fell asleep while driving--hearing the noise of my tires on the gravel on the shoulder woke me up as I was driving off the road). I only made it four days on Geodon & said these side effects are too dangerous. On Abilify & Lamictal now for mood. They are working well, though I have gained weight (Abilify literature says gaining weight is rare, but I have several friends in a support group that also gained weight on it).

Candy, I'm on Geodon and you will probably have hand tremors like I do. I don't know what dosage you're on, but I'm on 160mg and my hands shake terribly.

I also am very restless and fidgety too. It has helped me alot which is why I ignore the tremors. I have not lost any weight while on it though.

Mary Alice

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candybear said:
I did find a previous post on Geodon, but I'm interested in knowing how long it takes the side effects to go away, and whether it actually has caused weight loss for anyone (my pdoc, in a not-so-subtle "hey you fat cow" kind of way, brought that up as a positive in deciding to prescribe it for me).

I'm nauseous, dizzy, and sleepy. This will be day 4 (I take all my meds at night). I know side effects often disappear in 2 to 3 weeks, but I'm hoping for sooner . I also know meds don't start to "work" for 4-6 weeks -- I'm resigned to that part, but can you tell me how you felt when it started working for you?

I'm going off Risperdal at the same time, which I've been on for the better part of a decade. I miss it already. At least I knew how it worked!

CB

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Hello!

Unfortunately - it's not easy to say when side effects will go away because it depends on many factors including dosing, concurrent meds and your unique biology.

To be honest - Risperdal, Geodon, Seroquel, Zyprexa and Abilify all have similar side effect profiles. Is there a reason you're going off the Risperdal?

As far as weight gain - Seroquel and Zyprexa are the worst with Risperdal, Geodon and Abilify being somewhat better.

I wish I could tell you when the side effects will get better - but I can't. Sometimes doctors will start at a really low dose with these aytupical anti-psychotics to spare some of the side effects.

Hang in there!
Jerry

Thanks for the info!

I loved my Lamictal, but once they implicated it in the aplastic anemia that nearly killed me, that was the end of "traditional" mood stabilizers for me. I asked my pdoc for something with more mood-stabilizing than antidepressant properties, because I am acutely noticing the loss of the Lamictal. Hence the Geodon. Since the Risperdal is relatively similar, as you said, it's going away.

I could definitely do without the 24/7 runny nose I've had since starting the Geodon....but otherwise, it's going reasonably well.

Thanks again for helping.

Candy

I like you take my geodon at night. This is a new script for me--only been on it for a couple of months now. But just had an increase done this week. I feel ya about the stumbling--I have to get up a couple f times a night and the drunken stagger is not a pretty sight. But I have no residual effects during the day.
As far as the weight issues--I had been on Seroquel for 6 yrs. I struggled constantly with my weight--until I had gastric bypass surgery. The loss of 240lbs effectd my entire chemistry--so my pdoc felt it was a time for a change. Hence the Geodon.