which pill is causing what? depakeote er, or geodon?

Question

i am taking depakote er 2000 mg at bedtime, 80mg geodon at morning, another 80 mg geodon at noon. I feel tired all day sleep most of the day and night. I think i sleep 16-20 out of 24 hours. my bicep area in my arms are starting to hurt. I have been on these pills for 2 months now, and i feel like a zombie. plases HELP. which of these meds is doing this to me?

Answer 1

It is 100% the Geodon. When geodon first came out it was one in the morning and one at night BID dosing. Now we give our clients all of the medication in one dose either at morning or at night. If you are sleeping during the day, it should be given at bedtime. it sounds like your doses are too together during the day. Try having the doctor have you take the full 160 at bed time or preferably at dinner time, this should reduce the sleepiness during the day. And remember too always take with food, one of the major side effects is having an upset stomach. Geodon when first came out was really hard to dose, but now Pfizer has the dosing down so that it can be taken in one dose. Ask your doctor, the reps should have told him or her about this.

Answer 2

In my experience, Depakote has a great deal of good for me in containing mania for Bipolar Disorder. I take 1000mg at bedtime and I lead a very active lifestyle with no issues.

Also, from taking many meds, my Dr. makes it a point not to start 2 meds at the same time, as she says it's impossible to see whether or not it's working, which sounds like what you're facing now.

I certainly recommend that you have a discussion with your Dr. Here are some ideas that you can bring up and hopefully you'll get things sorted as there is no reason for you to feel fatigued all day.

For the 2000mg depakote, are you getting your valproate levels checked? The dosage should be set based on your blood levels. If your levels extend above that window, you may run into some issues. Also, discuss the prospect of tapering down your dose. Depakote is sedating, but also works very well at low doses.

Why are you prescribed Geodon, which is an atypical antipsychotic? Can you try alternatives, such as Gabapentin to treat mania related anxiety or Wellbutrin to treat depression? I've heard great things about the combination of these meds from people I know, my Dr and various research.

These are just a few suggestions that may trigger some better results. The point is, you should be vigilant about getting better and it's ok to refuse to take certain meds, don't be afraid to approach your Dr. in this manner. If you feel uncomfortable or if you're not making progress, look around for a new Dr.

It took me 4 different Dr's before I found one who knew how to treat me properly. I am on the least number of meds at the lowest dose possible and under her care, never suffered with bad side effects.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I don't know Geodon, but 2000mgs of Depakote would definitely knock me out all day. I tried only 500 for migraine and was sleepy all day and craving the worst foods when up. My daughter takes 750 mgs and it makes her sleepy almost as soon as she takes, so she takes it at 8, so she can get enough sleep. She's fine during the day but stil has gained weight. She's still on it because she is "crazy" without it. I stopped it because I hate being too fat.
Have some other doc check it out or ask whomever is prescribing it, why such a dosage?
Go to www.remedyfind.com, to find out about both those meds. A lot of people like you or me write their reviews there. Or in Google, below and at the right of the search bar, click on "more search", then click on "advanced Search" and then choose your terms like geodon and "side effects" or depakote and "side effects." Make sure you put those quote marks around "side effects" and make sure you're spelling your meds right. C'mon, look at the label.

Answer 4

It's more likely to be the Depakote than the Geodon; but hypothetically, it could either also be a cross-reaction between them OR something completely unrelated. Please call the person who prescribed them to you and ask what you should do. Depakote does sometimes cause drowsiness; but unless it is playing off of some other major illness which tires you easily, Depakote should not be knocking you out for 16-20 hours per day.

Answer 5

I had a great deal of fatigue when I first started taking depakote also,if you read literature that comes with meds my guess is it could be either one however. As for muscle pain that should be explored immediately,depakote as many other meds can cause liver damage,and one of the possible symptoms is pain. While I would think this would usually be localized it seems possible to me it could manifest anywhere,but any long term side effect should be examined.

AD

Answer 6

hi there; I'm no doctor but if I was you I would talk with your doctor about what is going on with you..Any type of medication that you take you have the right to ask your doctor what are the side affects of that medication.The medication that I'm on I can't drink Grapefruit juice because it will break down the medication..Please be aware that depakote will in most people crave carbs when the medication starts to ware off at least it did when I took it and I gain a lot of weight..Please don't hold back any questions that you have about any medication that you are about to take..I hope that I have help you and I hope that you feel better

Answer 7

If you're tired of the side effects and would like to change over to something that actually works, go to www.truehope.com

I felt like a zombie for years because of psych meds that made me worse. I'm now drug free, happy, and have none of the symptoms for which the meds were prescribed in the first place.

Answer 8

Meds are meant to improve your life, not make it worse. You either need a new doctor or to cut back on these meds or both. I've had luck with Lamictal. No side effects and no weight gain like Lithium, which I hated.

Answer 9

my husband takes depakote and he never had any of those symptoms. i think you should talk to your dr about it maybe you just need less mg of one or the other.