Zyprexa, The anxiety killer but at a price

Hey,

I thought I would write a small post about my experiences with a medication which does not have a section on the forums or from what I can find is not mentioned very often.

This medication is called Olanzapine or Zyprexa, first it is a anti-psychotic and mood stabilizer and is also classed as a major tranquillizer. These are some scary words but they have little meaning to the anxiety sufferer apart from the last one.

Here is my experience. I was diagnosed with GAD almost 2 years ago, after suffering for 1 year while on 75mg effexor I developed depression. My depression would be massive mood swings, from feeling normal to total despair in less than an hour, It became chronic.

My then psychiatrists decided I should try Zyprexa, She said "Not only does it balance mood but it helps you relax and focus, many cancer patients are given it to help them cope" , I was resistant at first and the pills sat in my kitchen cupboard for weeks until one night after triggering a massive anxiety attack and not wanting to have a horrible sleepless night full of worry and fear I took my first dose.

Within 2 hours I was sound asleep, I awoke the next day feeling a little groggy but relaxed, calm and not a single hint of anxiety and this was on the lowest dose of 2.5mg. As the weeks went on the sleepiness after taking the pill faded but the effect on my anxiety remained, from constant shaking, never sleeping, mind racing, vomiting and being hospitalized twice to calm and focused but with massive increase in my appetite.

After three months on Zyprexa a weighed myself, I was shocked to see that I was 16 stone! I had never been above 14 and although I had a larger appetite than normal I couldn't see how I could put so much weight on. After some research I found out Zyprexa causes weight gain for several reasons, this of course can vary from person to person but you will always put on weight regardless of dose.

They're is a strong connection between Zyprexa and diabetes as well and Lilly have recently been sued for not making the public aware of this side effect.

I am now trying to quit this medication but like many drugs related to mental illness there is a withdrawal which can be very nasty.

If anxiety has completely destroyed your life and you have exhausted every avenue and nothing has helped and you feel that you life is over and to be ruled by anxiety then this medication could be your answer but the cost of taking it is something you must consider strongly, Once you're on this medication you may be dependant on it but that is not always a bad thing if you think that many people are dependant on a medication with many affliction to improve their quality of life.

I hope someone finds this useful.

/Lleksam

I am on 20mg of this stuff and I happen to think that it needs a sub section on this forum. I was given this drug for extreme Paranoia due to anxiety and I find that it relieves my fears. I know that it is given to patients with Bi-polar, but I don't have that.

I think I am bipolar as since I have stopped taking the medication my moods are terrible.

This medication will stop your anxiety.

Have you gained much weight on such a high dose?

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Originally Posted by Edward_1980

I am on 20mg of this stuff and I happen to think that it needs a sub section on this forum. I was given this drug for extreme Paranoia due to anxiety and I find that it relieves my fears. I know that it is given to patients with Bi-polar, but I don't have that.

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I will look into creating a new sub-forum for it.

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Originally Posted by nomorepanic

I will look into creating a new sub-forum for it.

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Thanks you, I would appreciate that. I was looking myself today for a sub section. I think it would help a lot of people like myself who are on this drug.:)

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Originally Posted by lleksam

I think I am bipolar as since I have stopped taking the medication my moods are terrible.

This medication will stop your anxiety.

Have you gained much weight on such a high dose?

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I haven't gained any weight since on this drug because my anxiety is so high, but I do find that taking the med at night does make me want to get up and eat all night. I resist, but I can understand you wanting to eat. I seriously don't know if I am bi polar yet, but I have the feeling that I might be. The mood swings that I suffer can be extreme.:)

Olanzapine is giving me my life back, I too was a chronic GAD patient in the UK and after miserable years of being mis-diagnosed it turns out that all the medications I was on were exacerbating my pre-exsisting Bi-Polar mood disorder. I take 15mg at night and admittedly it helps get me off to sleep but by the morning I feel it wears off a lot, I can't seem to get them to change the dose so that I can take some in the day as well when i feel like I need it most! hope all you mood swingers are doing well!

Hi my doctor has has mentioned olanzapine for my severe PTSD. This has become criping for me now don't often leave the house also have complex OCD. Scared of the weight gain aspect I believe it slows the metabolism . Anyone on it not gained weight ? Also brain damage is listed as a side effect doc said will only be 5 mg .

hi I have not gained weight, have been taking it for over a year at 2.5 or 5mg depending on how I feel. It has been a great med for me. Don't be put off by side effects that might not affect you. I was so worried that I would gain weight but this hasn't happened and the med has had a great effect on stabilising me, I was diagnosed bipolar type 2 after years of mixed moods, mostly depression. I hope you get better x

I take 5mg at night it really is a calming drug and helps you sleep without feeling groggy the next day,i have put on over a stone taking it though.Other than that i dont get any other side effects

I m afraid to take it! Why the doctor tell me to take it? I don t have troubles to sleep, im not bipolar, i just have a lot anxiety! I don t understand

It seems like it helps anxiety greatly, but I personally wouldn't take it unless I had exhausted all other options. The side effect profile is too great.

Are you taking any antidepressants at the moment?

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Originally Posted by Emphyrio

It seems like it helps anxiety greatly, but I personally wouldn't take it unless I had exhausted all other options. The side effect profile is too great.

Are you taking any antidepressants at the moment?

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I am currently taking Wellburtin and Cymbalta. Wellburtin works ok to control my moods but sadly causes me a lot of side effects so I am looking to kick it at some point.

I've just been prescribed 2.5mg twice daily for GAD but I'm still as anxious. My anxiety makes me vomit and lose my appetite, I have become almost scared to eat in case it starts off all the sickness so I'm guessing my doctor thought this might get me eating but hasn't helped so far.

Olanzapine really helped me out when I had a really tough time with an elevated mood and IMO it's one of the meds thats good for a few things: Calming you down RIGHT NOW, Sleeping problems and appetite problems.

Couldn't imagine taking it for anxiety though but saying that it is a major tranquilizer.

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Originally Posted by somerandom

Olanzapine really helped me out when I had a really tough time with an elevated mood and IMO it's one of the meds thats good for a few things: Calming you down RIGHT NOW, Sleeping problems and appetite problems.

Couldn't imagine taking it for anxiety though but saying that it is a major tranquilizer.

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What condition were you prescribed it for out of interest?

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Originally Posted by Emphyrio

What condition were you prescribed it for out of interest?

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Bipolar disorder during my hypomanic phase.

I've been experiencing horrific levels of agitation/restlessness/panic recently and have tried a lot of different meds with no success. I'm having trouble sleeping, feel extremely irritable and snappy, experience intrusive thoughts and feel like I'm constantly having a panic attack. Will this medication help me? I have issues with antipsychotics but I'm willing to try anything to get rid of this constant agitated feeling.

Olanzapine has been a lifesaver for me.
It was prescribed as an add on to Mirt which was doing nothing for my anxiety, which was so bad I had taken myself to a and e.
It still continues to work for me,and I have nothing but praise for it.
I take 5ml at night.

Thanks for your reply. Did it work instantly or did it take a few days/weeks to 'kick in'?

It worked more or less instantly.
It took away all of the horrible anxiety symptoms without being too sedating.
Let me know how you get on
Good luck :)

You're right about the weight gain. I was on Olanzapine for a month and put on a stone. I stopped taking it because due to another unpleasant side effect and the weight I'd put on just dropped off. When I was taking Olanzapine I always felt hungry, craved sweets and cakes and I never felt full after a meal. I've just started taking them again yesterday so fingers crossed I can control the cravings etc better this time.

Hi Lampard
What dose are you on?:)

5mg per day at night time

I think that you have to be aware of the olanzapine/diabetes link which is never mentioned by the psychs but they look very shifty and don't deny the risk when the matter is mentioned.

However living daily with acute unremitting agitation is absolutely unbearable and olanzapine can certainly make life more manageable. There are always so many pros and cons with these meds and it's so difficult taking risks when you know how sensitive you are to meds..

Hi Lleksam, your post is much appreciated. I was offered olanzapine a few days ago by a top psychiatrist, but I insisted that I would go with a lesser transquilizer called Lyrica (prebagaline) to see how this works for me.

It is something like diazepam, but without the side effects (it was invented in 2007, diazepam in the 60s).

Once again, thank you for sharing your inner experiences (much like mine, to be honest), and I will consider olanzapine now that I've heard this experience.

Get well and strong, son. :winks:

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Originally Posted by Emphyrio

I've been experiencing horrific levels of agitation/restlessness/panic recently and have tried a lot of different meds with no success. I'm having trouble sleeping, feel extremely irritable and snappy, experience intrusive thoughts and feel like I'm constantly having a panic attack. Will this medication help me? I have issues with antipsychotics but I'm willing to try anything to get rid of this constant agitated feeling.

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Although I never had it, I would recommend it to you (how ironic). I saw a top psychiatrist in the country recently and he advised me to try it for exactly what you are describing (racing thoughts, overwhelming anxiety whatever cause, concentration problems, insomnia). I ended up with a lesser version of it (Lyrica), which is not an antipsychotic but an anticonvulstant, but the greatest known advantage of the olanzapine is that it will last in your body for over 35hrs with each pill.... So, no more ups or downs in effect of medication, therefore no worries for the whole day.

Yes, you probably will feel like a zombie for some time, but you can change it if you or your psychologist will identify the underlying psychological issues which are tying you into re-curring anxiety.

In August I had something of a breakdown because of anxiety, waking up mid panic attack, constant feeling of fear and panic, no reason or trigger. Finding it very difficult to concentrate or enjoy anything. I will be doing normal things and out of nowhere get jolts of extreme fear and that "end of the world" feeling. I have been on lorazepam (up to 4mg on bad days) since September as well as 75mg of venlafaxine after reducing from 150mg two weeks ago. I took 150mg for six weeks and it killed my mood and and didn't help with my anxiety at all.

I've already gained a lot of weight on Venlaxafine so not keen on that happening if i try Olanzapine but I need to get my life back too. I have had to move back with my mum for three months as I'm unable to cope, leaving the house is a major battle.

I'm seeing a pdoc tomorrow to discuss all the options. I don't know what he's gonna suggest, I might ask to try this at it's lowest dose and see if it helps. Or maybe have to come off venlafaxine and try something else but I wouldn't want to have to go through the withdrawal as they put you on prozac to help the withdrawal...which of course makes anxiety rocket initially.

Any advice?

i have ptsd gad unspecified episodic mood disorder and i used to have bad depression. im currently on 5 mg lexapro( psych is weaning me off) 75 of thyroid med levothyroxine 450 lithium and 1 mg of larazapam as needed. i have been having an extreme last five days balwing in seconds feel hopeless panic attacks, they just upped my lithium to the 450 three days ago. i kept telling me doc i didnt feel good and freaking out so my psych wants me to take the levythyroxine down to 50 mg the lithium to 150 mg and keep the lexapro the same but he want to add zyprexa half of a 2.5 mg pill twice daily and will move up to three times daily if needed..... i am beyond horrified, i dont feel safe doing all that at home... but i cant get admitted... i am horrified to even try the zyprexa and i am already obese so scared to gain anything else i am 5'4 and 250 pounds............ any words of encouragement there is alot of reason i probably feel this bad 1 last week my therapist tried to have me work through my rape 2. my period is due in 11 days. and i have a uti... so i have alot going on annnnd me and my husband were super close to splitting up three days ago........ i really need some encouragment i think its the thyroid med making me fell so crappy

Hi,

I am sorry for bringing up old posts but I feel the same way you guys do when it comes to anxiety. It is pretty severe that I can't even eat, leave the house, sometimes I throw up, I panic..

ANyway, the doctor suggested I try Zyprexa and I hope it works because right now I am taking sedatives since I can't take any anti-depressants ( I don't respond to them) I hope it works, but I am a little terrified about the weight issue as well.

Zyprexa works and works very quickly but there is no doubt that you will gain weight on it even if you excercise and eat sensibly

You might not gain weight, I have been on it over 2 years and haven't put weight on. It has been so good for anxiety and sleep. I wish you all the best

Hi there,

I've taken Zyprexa for over ten years - and when managed it can relieve symptoms. Weight gain is an unavoidable side effect on a high dose, as it causes an intense feeling / craving for food. Sleep cycle also increased by several hours per day.

The point I'd like to make, is that fluctations in dose or missing doses, then finding yourself back on the medication increases the side-effects of extreme fatigue and weight gain. Sticking on the medication, at a regular dose seems to alleviate the side effects - though avoid alcohol, as it increases droziness.

After a long period, of years stabilised on 5mg - I shifted to 2.5mg. This was the minimum dose I found balanced the symptoms and illness - taking the edge of the anxiety and preventing pychosis relapse. A certain level of anxiety is still present, but I've learned to manage this through better organisation and coping strategies.

So on the whole, I'd say keep on the medication - and very gradually reduce the dose, if the weight / droziness becomes more detrimental to life than the illness. Family / doctors are the best judge for that however.

Chris (:

This medicine is the best sleep aid I have found. I tried Ambien and it made me crazy. I can sleep with Zyprexa and wake up the next morning with no side effects. I just have to make sure I take it early in the evening. If I take it too late, it will make me groggy in the morning. Unlike some of the reports I have heard, it doesn't effect my weight at all.
http://verifiedwebs.net/dimg/zyprexa.jpg

Hello everyone im new here... my name is Jeff.

I have severe PTSD and Extreme paranoia due to anxiety I believe this medication is helping with that. Im on 5mg of Zyprexa at night.

Im also on cipralex and trazodone at night 20mg and 50mg.

Also on Gabapentin 300mg 3 times a day and 0.5 clonazepam twice a day when needed for GAD and anxiety.

A psych also mentioned to add abilify but i believe this is not nessacery. What do you guys think. I dont want to over medicate as i believe im already on a lot of meds as it is.

I Had a poor upbringing... crappy old school immigrant parents who dont believe in medicine and would abuse me physically and mentally. Im living on my own now for the first time and its taking some getting used too.

Could really use your advice. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Jeffstar

Hello everyone im new here... my name is Jeff.

I have severe PTSD and Extreme paranoia due to anxiety I believe this medication is helping with that. Im on 5mg of Zyprexa at night.

Im also on cipralex and trazodone at night 20mg and 50mg.

Also on Gabapentin 300mg 3 times a day and 0.5 clonazepam twice a day when needed for GAD and anxiety.

A psych also mentioned to add abilify but i believe this is not nessacery. What do you guys think. I dont want to over medicate as i believe im already on a lot of meds as it is.

I Had a poor upbringing... crappy old school immigrant parents who dont believe in medicine and would abuse me physically and mentally. Im living on my own now for the first time and its taking some getting used too.

Could really use your advice. Thanks.

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you have had some bad luck in your life you have a right to feel ill.when you think your meds are working stay on that level/ we all chase the golden dragon but a lot get bitten by him for going too far. good luck my friend:shades: