Risperdal vs. Geodon - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

soleil63 · 06-29-2009, 10:09 AM

Hi,
I am new to this board I am glad it exists. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar and Insomnia(which is very severe). I have been put on Xyprexa for mania and sleep, Ambien, Sonata, Klonopin. I was placed on Seroquel a high dose of 600 mg. when I was recently hospitlized at a psychiatric institution for severe depression. I had been on it since early April which is about 8-10 weeks and started developing severe burning, numbing, tingling sensation on my head, face and arms. After doing extensive research and going to the neurologist I have developed head parastheisa which is a form of neuropathy caused by the seroquel. I am now off the seroquel.

My doctor wants to put me on risperdal. I have also read the side effects which are weight gain and loss of sexual desire. But it can help me sleep, however those are not symptoms I can accept.

I have read about Geodon but it has the symptom of numbness and tingling.
I have tried antidepressants such as Cymbalta, Pristiq, and Lexapro they also cause it as well.

Does anyone have this experience that they can share about risperdal vs Geodon.

Thanks for reading.

light the world · 06-29-2009, 01:05 PM

Risperadol can cause weight gain but not as much as zyprexa or seroquel would. Geoden is weight neutral. I've never been on geoden so I can't tell you much about that med.

I have been on risperadol though. The only side effects that I received from risperadol were akathesia and muscle stiffness which is common on risperadol.

Geoden on high doses can actually induce psychosis based on what I've read. The rate of this happening though I'm not sure of. That would be a good question for your pdoc.

dreams in neon · 06-29-2009, 02:45 PM

I've been on Geodon and Risperdal. In my case, Risperdal was a better med for me although when I started taking it, it caused sleepiness which disappeared within 2 weeks of my initial dose. I haven't gained any weight on Risperdal (I make sure to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly), so just because one person gains weight on an antipsychotic doesn't mean another person will. As far as Geodon is concerned, it can be very effective in treating psychosis in doses as low as 80mg, but this is something to discuss with your pdoc. In terms of my own psychosis, I take 6mg/day of Risperdal. Anything less than that does not treat my symptoms.

strawberrysc · 06-29-2009, 04:39 PM

I have taken Geodon in the past and am currently on it as well. I take 160mg of it. I really like Geodon because it has never caused weight issues for me. I was taking Seroquel and it did make me gain weight, plus I didn't feel like it was helping me at all. Geodon makes me less hungry and gives me more energy.

Llama · 06-29-2009, 07:28 PM

I was on geodon for quite some time and it just wasn't the right med for me. But it may work wonders for you, who knows? They only way to find out is to ask your pdoc if it may be a good option for you.