I have not slept well since decreasing the geodon and adding abilify.
It was/is a quick transition, no real taper over 5 days. I was taking a total of 160 mg of geodon the 80 then 40 for 3 days and none. mean while taking 10mg of abilify for 3 days then 20mg for a regular dose.
This seems rather quick, I did not question my pdoc about this.
I have not slept well the past 3 nights.
am very tired right now, will go to bed shortly.
I am feeling a little nauseated and have a slight headache.
I have not googled geodon with drawl.
I wonder more about the abilify.
Some have said it is activating for them and they take it in the morning for that reason. I am taking mine at night like ordered. I called the pharmacist about that and she said there is a potential side effect of blurred vision and dizziness and sedation that is why they recommend taking it at night. Others have said it made them manic.
That is not very reassuring. I will call into my pdoc office on monday morning. the other night I took an extra 1mg of klonipin thinking that would put me to sleep.
nope.
She wants to start seroquel to sleep. My guess is that she will order that on monday.
bizi

Insomnia, symptoms of bipolar disorder, and symptoms of schizophrenia are common Geodon withdrawal side effects which may occur if this drug is discontinued. In order to reduce the chance of developing serious Geodon withdrawal effects, consult with a healthcare provider to create a drug tapering schedule.
Some people go cold turkey with out any problems from what I have read on the psychcentral bipolar forums.
bizi

Abilify didn't work for me either. I was given Seroquel instead. I'm sorry that you are going through difficulties. BF

I hope that you are going to be o.k.

Can you add some Geodon back?


M

4.25 hours of sleep last night, guessing that is. terrible sleep.
And I was so tired, I thought surely I would sleep well. nope.
I on purpose did not drink much at the festival and did not eat after 6pm.
I was a little snacky before bed but resisted.I guess I want to be off the geodon and on the full dose of abilify as soon as possible. Because geodon and other AP don't mix well. There is a serious drug interaction from what the pharmacist says.
bizi

Geodon, Abilify and Seroquel are all atypical antipsychotics, so the pharmacist will give you the same warning about taking the Abilify and Seroquel together if you ask. Most pdocs don't like prescribing more than one atypical antipsychotic togetherlong-term, but they will do it at their own discretion.

I know it's hard to hold off on taking advantage of an appealing solution when you're not getting enough sleep, but I don't think it's a good idea to do it in this case. You're at an increased risk of adverse effects because that Geodon "taper" was so fast, you've really just started on a new mood stabilizer and don't know how it will work or what the side effects will be at its full dose, and you're also quadrupling (or have already quadrupled), your dose of Lamictal. I just worry that adding another med right now may be too much

I hope that if your insomnia is due to Geodon withdrawal, it will be over quick, and Klonopin can help you out while you are going through it

Thanks Kay,
I know that the insomnia is from the geodon withdrawl. even klonipin is not working at this point. Once off of geodon completely the plan is to use seroquel for sleep. starting at 25mg and going on up to 300mg as needed for sleep.
Treating the insomnia is of utmost priority.
So far I have not really experienced any other with drawl symptoms, but it is still early in this transition.
bizi

I hope and think 25-50mg of Seroquel for sleep will be enough for you because it's really sedating. 300mg is NOT a small dose and would be very worrisome.

The same thing happened with me.

How did you know that it did not work for you?
bizi