Titrating off Geodon

[wordlover]

Just last night I began reducing my dosage of Geodon with the goal of getting off of it altogether. My doctor suggested switching to the new med Saphris but I researched it and found that it has the same type of side effects and negative long term effects as Geodon. I know that most anti-psychotics, which I only take for Bipolar II are alike. Don't want to take any but want help with my ultra-rapid mood cycling. Not against meds but am well aware of the irresponsibility and unindividualized treatment that can occur. Any suggestions?

[hava]

Start this natural breathing techniques to help your body, and improve the quality of life. These techniques relax the brain and the body produces good hormones. You will notice some benefit in weeks.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.

Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close little flap of ears with thumb,place  index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Repeat this  5 to 21 times.
April 9 ,2012

[wordlover]

Tried several meds in the way past when I was agoraphobic from panic attacks and realized I knew within a few days if they were for me or not. MDs say to wait a few weeks. That is crap if you are the one experiencing some nasty side effects. If a med is the right one for you it just works. Glad your panic attacks were temporary. Had them daily for 6 ugly years. Now I am just Cyclothymic with OCD. Hey, makes life more interesting, right?

[hell1971]

I just came off a med and i didnt even realise that some of what i was experiencing was a side effect. Anxiety and Nervousness and Chest pains. When I came off it all just went away. It is trial and error but i have started to take control and research the drugs that are being suggested rather than just accepting what the drs suggest. I am also being more vigilant in being more aware of new symptoms that appear after a new med is started. I did not make the conection nor did the dr on the anxiety ect.. starting after the med was increased. I just got anxiety disorder and panic disorder added to my diagnosis and really it was a side effect..

[wordlover]

Thanks for your response.  Just want to make the right decision but we know it is trial and error when trying a new med. You are right about everyone reacting to meds differently and it's a rare thing for my chemistry to react positively to any psych med. Wish doctors would more conscientious and informative about the effects of such strong meds. Guess that is where researching comes in. Haven't made a decision yet but your comment was helpful.