[ClementineK]

Hi, I haven't posted in a while. By the way, I'm typing on my cell and I hope this text doesn't turn out really big - I can't tell.

My question is for people who have taken Geodon...

My Dr. started me on it about a week and a half ago for bipolar 2 and I don't want to get my hope high yet but my thinking already feels so much more rational and racing thoughts pretty much gone. Moods feel stable!! I don't think I've felt this in my life much less from a med.

SO...I don't want to give up on this med. There are a few more side effects but this is the most frustrating because this one keeps me not wanting to get off the couch. Not that I felt like getting up when I was depressed either...lol.

But for those that have experienced side effects, especially nausea...did it go away?

I think that I would tolerate just about anything (other than if I developed the severe involuntary muscle movements...and as long as this medication won't cause me irreversible or dangerous health problems. ( I do understand the possibilities - just hoping they don't happen of course.

....But does the nausea go away after a while?? :-(

BTW...I'm sorry again if this text ends up being really big - if it does I'll get on my laptop later and fix it. Glued to the couch right now feeling sick to my stomach...

[kaliope]

I titrated up on Geodon and when I hit a certain dose it really upset my stomach so bad that I wanted off it. it was more hyperacidic than anything else. I already took stomach acid pills so I switched brands and that seemed to take care of it. after a while I was able to go back to my other brand without incident so the stomach problem seemed to adjust for me.

one problem I thought was something else that turned out to be Geodon and now I am getting off of it. I lowered the dose because I started getting TD, my tongue started thrusting into my teeth. it went away. but I started sticking my pinkie up in the air all the time, like one would when drinking a proper cup of tea. people would make fun of me all the time it was that noticeable. over the year, my forefinger started sticking up to so my hand would often do the I love you sign for sign language. I always thought it was my anxiety causing it and left it at that. I was at the dr because I pulled my back out and he noticed my splayed fingers. I asked about it and he told me it was neurological and asked how long it had been. it had been since I was on the Geodon.

I have been weaning off the Geodon for a couple months now taking only 10mg and nothing in the past week. my fingers still have not got better. I am very sensitive to meds and usually get all the contact your dr immediately side effects.

im not saying this will happen to you. but I don't think it is something that is commonly looked for...so if your fingers start popping up, stop the med.....otherwise it worked great for me

[BipolaRNurse]

Just a side note: NEVER stop Geodon (or any other psychiatric medication) abruptly without the knowledge and approval of your prescriber. The withdrawal symptoms can be nasty and last a long time.

That being said, most of Geodon's side effects should go away with time, including the drowsiness and the nausea. I've been on it for almost 2 years and the few problems I had with it in the beginning went away. I do have some hand tremors but I am also on a second anti-psychotic.....I didn't have them when I was on only the Geodon.

Good luck. Geodon is a good med for a lot of people.

[Disorder7]

I just typed this on another post, so I hope people don't get sick of seeing it. But if you feel nauseous chew ginger.
I learned this from a chemo patient and it got her through chemo therapy. It really does work. All you have to do is eat one piece and wait about 15 minutes.
Take care.

[ChipperMonkey]

Are you taking Geodon with food? If you don't take Geodon with food, the bioavailability plummets really low (meaning its not very effective). Oftentimes taking medication with food will eliminate an upset stomach.

[ClementineK]

Thank all of you guys so much!!

I was amazed that I could Google all I wanted and I just couldn't find an answer to this question before I came on here..

Kaliope, I'm sorry you're still having the problem with your fingers even with weaning off of it. I hope that gets better for you. I too tend to get the "Call your Dr. immediately" symptoms. *sigh*

BopolaRNurse, I am glad for you that you have had success with the med!!

Disorder7, thank you for that tip, I will remember that and will look into where I could buy some…I'm sick of drinking 7up all the time and that doesn't always help.

ChipperMonkey, thanks!! I do take it with food…I make sure that I eat at least a small meal sized amount of food when I take it : )

[lilypup]

You're supposed to eat a certain amount of calories (and it's not low) with Geodon or it won't even work.

[ChipperMonkey]

Yep, my doc said a minimum of 500 calories when I take it.

[Angelique67]

Wow, they never told me that. Maybe that's why it made me feel so sick.