I've been taking Geodon for about a year and a half. It has put me through hell. I have terrible anxiety. I can't smile. My passion of music and writing is gone. I feel nothing. Sometimes id rather die then to live this way. I'm on 80 mg. My doctor has tried to taper me off but I always get racetrack thoughts or impulses to hit or choke people. Although I've never acted upon these thoughts. I just want to live again.
How to get off Geodon without having a physcological break down?
Question posted by tenacefemme on 28 Jan 2012
Last updated on 9 November 2021 by Not Living
6 Answers
Not Living
9 Nov 2021
My doctor told me to just stop taking Geodon. I can’t do it. I have OCD, depression, and anxiety. I’m on Zoloft, Xanax, and Geodon. I don’t know why I was put on this. The doctor doesn’t give me anytime to ask questions. This medicine is killing me, and I don’t know what to do. I had an emotional breakdown in 1970. I’ve been on so many different medications. The doctor told me to just take 50 mg of Zoloft while I’ve been taking 150 mg. I can’t do it. I’ll have another breakdown. I take 0.5 mg of Xanax twice or I can take three a day if needed. I’m a walking dead person. What do I do?
cetteferge
30 Jan 2012
Just wanted to tell you that you really must be patient with these meds. I know that is very difficult to hear, particularly after what you've gone through already. But, believe me, when you find the combination of meds. that works, it will be like a light switch goes on! You will suddenly feel 'normal'. I actually really do feel about the best I've ever felt, and am stable for many, many years. Again, if you're bipolar 1, in particular, you will almost assuredly need a combo of meds, and they don't act instantaneously, as its been said already. You generally must taper both off and then on to the next. I went through about 13 meds, and roughly 2 years of finding the right meds., each time saying to the Dr. that I'll bet that's all he has up his sleeve. Then, he'd assure me there were more to try. But, it takes weeks for these meds to build up in blood stream.
Most importantly, side effects will stop immediately when therapeutic dose kicks in (4 - 6 weeks), I promise. So, try not to worry about side effects, if they're not serious ones, and you'll know which are serious! Its definitely a slow process to find the right meds, but well worth it. Hang in there! Jillian
Inactive
29 Jan 2012
Hi tenacefemme. I can't seem able to add to the thread below. As I mentioned, the Depakene, will most likely work for you. I've given several options. If as you just said, putting on weight is very real concern, issue then, don't continue take the drug. I'm sorry I've run full circle. Best I might suggest is what I mentioned earlier. The options that I suggested are just that simply options, be what they are,pledge
Inactive
29 Jan 2012
Hello tenacefemme. I did do some reserarch and found two, that are older but very successfull drugs in the treatment of bipolar disorder. They both can be taken along with Geodon, and at minimal risk: Carbamaazepine (Tegretol). And: Valproic Acid (Depakene). You also have the option of Lithium, but taking the Geodon along with the Lithium, runs a slightly higher risk of several side effects. I would ask you to suggest to your doctor while in tapering of from the Geodon, if she/he agrees that you be given either the Depakene or the Tegretol to go along with the Geodon. Have a great Sunday afternoon, and evening to you,pledge
tenacefemme
29 Jan 2012
I actually just quite lithium cold turkey( Dr reccomended) and put on depekene! Not working so far.
Inactive
29 Jan 2012
I understand. I don't know how much Lithium you were on, and what your dose of Depakene is at the momment. These drugs don't work like an aspirin, or a benzodiazepine, they work as you know, on your brain. They're not CNS (Central Nervous System) drugs, stimulants such as say Adderall or Focalin.Its not take a pill and all goes away. The dose of Depenkene, that you're taking might need to be increased. I say might because I don't know the time you've been on it and the dose. There is the Tegretol as there are others. Tegretol has been combined with Lithium, when Lithium alone doesn't work. I am looking at the solution of you not being on the Geodon any longer, going on another drug while still being on the Geodon and then having that replacement drug do the job. Your own private track record. You never mentioned that you were on Lithium, how long and what your dose was.
Where you tested monthly in the beginning of taking the lithium for your lithium blood levels? If it were higher than 1.2 thats consifered to be a red flag.. Thyroid and kidney tests are done generally every 5 or 6 months or so while on Lithium.
tenacefemme
29 Jan 2012
I just started on depikote which is probably why its not working yet. About a week ago. I started lithium at 1200 mg then lowered to six hundred mg. While I was in the hospital. Right now I'm feeling bad. I can't concentrate and would rather lay in bed and think all day. Hopefully this isn't what the med is going to do for me???
Inactive
29 Jan 2012
No, you'll be feeling better. I can assure you of that. Its very early yet, I'm aftraid you'll have to be a bit more patient.(I know you've probably heard it before, and more often than once). The Depakene, once it takes hold will make a world of difference. I might sound optimistic, but its pretty much how I see it. I'm no psychiatrist, yet through the study of these medications and learning how they manage to actually work, and heal the mind, gives me hope and feeling optimistic,pledge
tenacefemme
29 Jan 2012
I'm really not liking the appetite increase as I have a very strong worry of weight gain. If it gets worse I hate to say but I'll probably give up on it. I'm only on 500mg a day. Hopefully he's not shooting for a thousand. Becuase I'm not gonna sit around and eat all day.
cetteferge
29 Jan 2012
Hi tenacefemme - I agree with Pledge. Its obviously the wrong med. for you. If your Dr. doesn't want to taper while adding a new med., maybe he could help you with a benzodiazepene to reduce the anxiety, anger & racing thoughts just enough to make it bareable until you can get onto a new med or combination of meds, then taper off of that. Are you bipolar 1? It may take a combination of meds to balance you, if you're prone to mania. I take Seroquel 100 mgs, Trileptal 600-750 mgs/day. But, there are literally dozens of combinations that work differently on different people, depending on your brain chemistry. Good luck! Jillian
tenacefemme
29 Jan 2012
This is deffenetly not doing the trick! My thoughts are racing so fast its unbearable. I just screamed at my seven year old daughter. The doctor took me straight off lithium no weaning and put me on depakote. And I'm freaking out!
cetteferge
29 Jan 2012
I'd just like to add a quote from an article I just found about lithium taper: "It is important to taper slowly off lithium, taking at least several weeks to do so, unless there are reasons to go faster. Stopping over several months is much wiser."
I would definitely ask your Dr. many more questions, like, "Why the rush?" I'm not sure how great your relationship is with your Psychiatrist, but this is a very special relationship, and you must really trust your Dr. It seems to me he's made some questionable choices, so just be sure. I have complete trust in and respect for my Dr., after 12 years. He saved my life and me from psychotic mania & serious depressions! And, I see him religiously. Hope you drill your Dr. for every answer you want and more. Its YOUR health & YOUR mind he's messing with! Not his! God Bless.
Janet8249
29 Jan 2012
I was on Geodon for only a few months and thought I would lose my mind. I couldn't sleep, felt crazy and restless. I ended up in the ER one evening because my blood pressure was rising and I felt so much worse. They told me in the ER to get off of it very quickly as that's an allergic reaction. I quit it cold turkey other than Xanax for the anxiety and benedril to sleep. It was a couple of weeks of hell, but I never regretted it. I also changed doctors, that helped too.
tenacefemme
29 Jan 2012
I've been on it for a year and a half big mistake!!! Tonight I'm only taking 40mg until I see my doctor on Tuesday. I want him to go from 80 to 60 to 40 mg. And I may stop there. Becuase I don't remember all these problems on 40 mg. That's how I started out. I actually picked the medicine myself becuase it was the least weight gain. Big mistake! I've been in mysery.
Inactive
28 Jan 2012
Hello tenacefemme. I can understand your frustration. I really believe its time for another drug. Theres enough out there to select from. Really no logical reason for you to continue to suffer. We're in 2012. Not the 1900s through 1960s. I understand tapering but heres my thought, you begin on another drug, while still on the Geodon. Then, once your body has taken to the replacement drug, you taper and then stop the Geodon all together. I', shutting down for the day, but will run some combinations through and tomorrow, I'll add them here, as a comment. Good evening to you, try and believe that things will get better, more often than not, they will and do,pledge
tenacefemme
28 Jan 2012
Thank you
Stacey Harbach
29 Jan 2012
When I changed meds, I would go on new med slowly while at the same time I would taper off of slowly on the old drug. All psychs are different, but this worked for me. Every one is different, so this might not work for you... Great response Pledge :)
Inactive
29 Jan 2012
Hi Stacey. Been some time since I've seen you post. Good to see you, hope all is well and enjoy your Sunday,pledge
Related topics
geodon, bipolar disorder, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder
Further information
- Geodon uses and safety info
- Geodon prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Geodon (detailed)
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