500 calories@ bedtime!!

I used to post a lot but regained and am a bit embaredsed but thats not why im posting todayyy

my dr said i had a touch of the crazies... (my words she said anxietry)  anyways she put me on a med called geodon. i think shes the real crazy one she wants me to take it with 500 calories at bedtime. im struggling with my weight as it is. I work my tail off and cant get my bmi below 35 so the thought of 500 calies at bedtime is scary!

anyone else haVE THIS PROBLEM OR SUGESTIONS?

Have you researched the drug? I guess it's possible that it affects your metabolism in a way that it won't cause weight gain.

Research it. Find out why it's recommended to take it with so much food. If the reason seems valid, try taking it for 2 weeks and weigh in at weekly intervals. If you're gaining because of it, contact your doc for a new drug.

Did your doctor say why 500 calories? other than when I was a high risk pg I have never had any doc give me a number of cals to eat at the time - and even then when I talked to the diabetic educator she explained to me what they wanted was a balanced snack - protien, fat and healthy carbs to hold me over

I would call the doc and ask why and tell her you are concerned - she should have some reason - and hopefully more  guildence on what she wants you to eat rather than just a number of cals.  - 500 calories can fill a half cup mesureing cup OR a huge bowl depending on what it is - tell her your concerns and see if you can reach a compromise -other wise try it her way and see what happens -

I just looked up this med and it's a very strong med to be used for people with severe bipolar disorders.  If you only have "anxiety" there is no way that I would take it, there are many safer drugs out there for that.  It only said "take with food", nothing related to how much food.  It also stated that you had to really push the liquids to prevent dehydration while taking the med-another reason to choose another med.  Anyway, if I were you I'd do more research into the med before I took it.

thanks for the info... and yea i have pretty bad anxiety. ive been on it about six months i guess ill talk to my dr about my options.

Elsa,

I have worked outpatient mental health for the past 6 years, and I have had several clients (adolescents and adults) on this medication. Geodon is an antipsychotic that was orginially prescribed for psychosis especially the severe bipolar disorders with mixed distrubance and psychotic features, and for schizophrenia patients. The Geodon was introduced in 2001. However, it is more commonly used for anxiety in addition with other medications for mood stabilizations. The reason why many psychiatrists state that the medication needs to be eaten with at least 500 calories is because there is question in some clients to the absorbtion rate of the antipsychotic medication and how it processes in your body. The calories will slow down the absorbtion of the doseage and allow the medication to release at a slower rate than all at once. That is what has been explained to several patients. Other psychiatrist just state take with food. When the expermental trials were conducted there was no evidence to support 100% that it had to be taken with 500 calories, but the side effects fo the medication where also less likely to appear in clients who took the 500 calories than those who did not. The side effects to ANY antipsychotic medication is generally the same. Geodon is used for the MANIA (increase anxiety and grandiosity) states of the disorders whether that be Bipolar D/O, Mood D/O NOS, or Schizophrenia, or severe anxiety.

I hope this helps to at least clarify some of the questions you have until you follow up with your psychatrist or doctor prescribing.

wow! thanks that is a lot of info, and yes its to help with the mania and anxiety. lately i just dont turn off i can only imagine what life would be like without the handy little pills my drs give me! lol