Q: Geodon 80mg..experienced answers much appreciated!?

Question

Tuesday, I went to this dr, just a regular dr (1st time since my insurance changed) due to recent & past anxiety/panic attacks. I told him all my symptoms & told him I would like a medication to take whenever I feel the anxiety attacks come about. Plus, not to mention my trouble with sleeping as well...i dont fall asleep til 4 am. I have tried all the 'natural ways' to help with this issue. Yes that does help, but i wanted something to take or to have on hand when i do get panicky. I asked him for the smallest dose of Valium (i have taken it before, helped with the anxiety/fall asleep faster). After i did this questionare, he came in and said i do have the anxiety, but also i am bi-polar. I told him i DO NOT wanna take meds every single day. just something to take the edge off. So he prescribed me Geodon 80mg (never heard of by the way), told me to take twice/day. Is that alot for a dr to give for 1st time taking it? How does it make u feel? Loopy/high feeling? Did it help you? Thanks!

Answer 1

WHOA. That's a whopping LOT of Geodon right off the bat. You need to go to a psychiatrist that is TRAINED to deal with psychotropic medications and make a mental health diagnosis.



Making a diagnosis of Bi-Polar off a questionnaire is just plain "crazy" and an 80 mg/ B.I.D. is the max recommended dose!!!



Here is something I found out about initial dosage: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/ziprasidone_ids.htm



Initial Treatment

GEODON® Capsules should be administered at an initial daily dose of 20 mg BID with food. In some patients, daily dosage may subsequently be adjusted on the basis of individual clinical status up to 80 mg BID. Dosage adjustments, if indicated, should generally occur at intervals of not less than 2 days, as steady-state is achieved within 1 to 3 days. In order to ensure use of the lowest effective dose, ordinarily patients should be observed for improvement for several weeks before upward dosage adjustment



RUN from this doctor and get another opinion from a psychiatrist!!!

Answer 2

GO SEE A PSYCHIATRIST. Pass on the meds until you do. A regular doctor is not highly qualified to diagnose BP and even if he has it right, 160mg of Geodon probably is not the best choice!



I am bipolar. I have been on Geodon. You do not start the first day on 160mg. If anything, you ramp up to it over three days minimum (per the manufacturer and sound medical practice). Besides, anticonvulsants like Depakote, Lamictal, and Trileptal or Lithium are better main meds. Geodon is an antipsychotic usually used for bipolar depression. You don't exactly sound depressed. Btw, antipsychotics are routine bipolar meds and psychosis usually has nothing to do with it.



Really, go see a psychiatrist!

Answer 3

The questionaire that he got you to do is what doctors get everyone with a mental health issue to do before they will give you anything at all. Anyway, Geodon is for the treatment of Schitzopherania and Bipolar Mania, 80 Mg is the highest dosgage of Geodon that can be given and if your doctor felt it was necesary to have the highest doseage he is probaly right. BUT if you dont feel that you have Bipolar then go and seek a second opinion, but alot of people with Bipolar have very bad Anxiety (i know because i have it and have terrible anxiety).

Either way, if you want to try the meds try them, if not seek a second opinion.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Really Geodon is a great drug but it sounds like your Dr. is trying things with you he might not be capable of doing. Of course he might have a specialty within his practice where he practices general medicine but specializes in psychiatric issues. This isn't too uncommon. You can sometimes find that info out from the insurance company. However, I would definately get a second opinion if he decided you were bi-polar after 1 questionarre. It took several visits and tests before the psychiatrist declared my husband bi-polar...almost 3 months with weekly visits! It sonds to me like you have an anxiety disorder. Please get a second opinion or tell your current MD you'd like further proof you're bi-polar. That is a strong diagnosis that can impact your life in several ways. To get back to the med question, geodon is great if you truly do have bi-polar or severe anxiety. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

Whether or not you are bipolar has nothing to do with you being happy. People with bipolar experience happiness too! Sometimes, its more....intense. Anyway, your family doctor is qualified and able to prescribed psych meds, however, you ought to see a psychiatrist as they have special training in this area and can help you.

Answer 6

go back and ask for xanx. Research it online. Then go ask him for the xanx.