[wushuduck]

Hi, I posted this in the schiz forum as the drug is used to treat schizophrenics, but thought I'd post it here too because it's also used in bipolar.

Anyone had any experiences with this? I was prescribed it yesterday, don't know if she gave it me for bipolar disorder or for the psychotic symptoms because she hasn't actually diagnosed me yet, she just wanted to tackle the symptoms.

I am on 10mg and started last night, and today I am feeling sooo spaced out, I am completely numb and can't focus in on things properly. Is this a common side effect?

[Resident Bipolar]

Originally Posted by Twigg

Hi, I posted this in the schiz forum as the drug is used to treat schizophrenics, but thought I'd post it here too because it's also used in bipolar.

Anyone had any experiences with this? I was prescribed it yesterday, don't know if she gave it me for bipolar disorder or for the psychotic symptoms because she hasn't actually diagnosed me yet, she just wanted to tackle the symptoms.

I am on 10mg and started last night, and today I am feeling sooo spaced out, I am completely numb and can't focus in on things properly. Is this a common side effect?

I believe feeling tired and experiencing somnolence are both rather common side effects of Olanzapine. I used to be on it and was very sleepy, spaced out and emotionally numbed.

On the positive side, I found it to be very effective for my own treatment. After a while, the sleepiness and somnolence seemed to become a lot less severe. With medications like Olanzapine, sometimes you need a while for your body to become used to it. Hang in there and see if the situation improves over the next couple of weeks. If you find it too unbearable, speak to the person that prescribed your medication - a lower dosage could be a solution.

I found that it was a lot easier when my dosage was decreased to a very low dosage and then slowly increased again in small increments.



RB

[wushuduck]

Thanks RB

I feel depersonalization like never before. I'll tell my psychiatrist when I next see her.

[jesusplay]

if you don't count calories and work out that **** will make you gain 20lbs in a 2 weeks.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Twigg

Hi, I posted this in the schiz forum as the drug is used to treat schizophrenics, but thought I'd post it here too because it's also used in bipolar.

Anyone had any experiences with this? I was prescribed it yesterday, don't know if she gave it me for bipolar disorder or for the psychotic symptoms because she hasn't actually diagnosed me yet, she just wanted to tackle the symptoms.

I am on 10mg and started last night, and today I am feeling sooo spaced out, I am completely numb and can't focus in on things properly. Is this a common side effect?

I'm on it. Fortunately or unfortunately it works great for my symptoms. In fact, last June or so I halved my dose down to 5 mg and was feeling great. Then a month ago I got manic and now an back on 10 mg after a hospitalization. You do have to watch what you're eating. Its not easy. You should really exercise- which I haven't in a month! So, yes, it works very well, but you have to watch the side effects. Some people also take it as needed, instead of daily. What was it written as for you? It might make you pretty sleepy at first, but you will get used to it in time and not feel so tired. Just ride it out for a bit and you should adjust to the med. I remember sitting and staring out the window as the rain came down and the drops fell over an outdoor umbrella- just spaced out on zyprexa when I first started it. You'll be okay. Just don't drive or do anything like that if you're feeling too sleepy yet.

[~Christina]

It made me want to eat my sofa ! and it did nothing for my Bipolar psychotic issues.. Hellish drug that I will never take again.

[Moose72]

Unfortunately ive tried evrry other drug in this class and all havent worked for me. This one does. So i have to deal with it.

[lawrenman]

I find it to be an effective drug. I've been on it for about 12 months now.

When I first went on it, it made me really lethargic. However, I was also on Abilify so the combo of those two drugs may have been the issue.

Since I have been on it to combat my most recent mania I have felt normal. The only concern has been weight gain. However the weight gain has not been belly fat which is good to know. I've generally gained 40 lbs since my first manic episode. However my waist line has not grown too much. So I don't see the weight gain as that big of a problem.

Overall it has worked to stop my psychotic symptoms and taken away my rapid thoughts. The good thing is I didn't go too far manic my last time so I think my neurotransmitter levels are good. So the Zyprexa is just keeping me on a normal level.

Overall even with the weight gain I would suggest Zyprexa for anyone with mania and psychosis. It just does exactly what it says it will.

[medicalfox]

I heard it's a very good medication, but I personally didn't like it. As other people have mentioned, be sure that you exercise and watch what you're eating to avoid gaining excessive weight. I found that snacking on veggies a lot helped me and other plant based snacks helped avoid uneeded calorie intake. The medication will most likely make you feel lethargic at first, but give it a month or so to see how you really like it. I hope it works well for you

[Confusedinomicon]

I gained 15ish pounds but it did work. It didn't make me feel lethargic, either. I switched to seroquel to help regulate sleep. Sleep maintainance is a trigger for me.

[Andysmom]

I just went off of it because I switched to Lamictal. Only side effect I had was the weight gain but it wasn't too bad.

It was a good med for me, but made me gain waaay too much weight. I would take it PRN again but not regularly. I love the wafers, pretty much instant relief from my symptoms.

Drowsiness is very normal. It can be hard to function on it, but that was better than my symptoms.

Its a pretty hardcore drug to be on, as all antipsychotics are. Are your symptoms that bad that you would prefer to be a zombie?? Because thats what it will do to you if your symptoms are not too severe.

[BipolaRNurse]

Zyprexa is a champion at knocking the mania right out of me. I'm on it again, albeit temporarily as a PRN, because of an episode that basically came out of nowhere and went from hypomanic to manic in the space of about 12 hours. I was first put on the drug a year and a half ago and stayed on for about 4 months, then switched to Geodon because my diabetes went out of control and I gained about 25 lbs. I could ill afford to gain.

I wish I could take it all the time, but the Geodon works decently and is weight and blood-sugar neutral, so that's my full-time AP. I'm just glad I have the Vitamin Z available for times like these.

[Andysmom]

What is vitamin z?

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Andysmom

What is vitamin z?

I assumed that meant Zyprexa.

[BipolaRNurse]

Yep! Sorry, I forgot and used nursing jargon.

[ultramar]

Originally Posted by Twigg

Hi, I posted this in the schiz forum as the drug is used to treat schizophrenics, but thought I'd post it here too because it's also used in bipolar.

Anyone had any experiences with this? I was prescribed it yesterday, don't know if she gave it me for bipolar disorder or for the psychotic symptoms because she hasn't actually diagnosed me yet, she just wanted to tackle the symptoms.

I am on 10mg and started last night, and today I am feeling sooo spaced out, I am completely numb and can't focus in on things properly. Is this a common side effect?

If it were me, I'd want to know why I was being prescribed such a hefty medication -pdocs can be such closed books!

At the end of the day, it's up to you. As you've seen, and others have said, it can have some pretty strong side effects --but it's about risks vs benefits, so if it's needed to combat whatever it's meant for, it's effective, and outweighs the side effects, then it's all good. But I'd ask the pdoc the purpose she has in mind for it.

[princeofjersey]

I take it and it seems to help me cope with my anxiety pretty well. It also keeps my mood pretty stable since I'm not getting as frustrated with everything like I used to. I feel more rational lately. I take 5 in the morning and 10 at night. I don't feel numb I feel like me again.

Wishing I had the wafers PRN right now! Would have made yesterday a whole lot easier.

[wushuduck]

Ok, I've got a couple of questions about this drug:

- How long does it make you sleepy for?
- Does it dumb you down and does it kill your concentration?

Depends how bad your symptoms are, if your symptoms are not too severe it will make you sleepy for a fair few months before your body gets used to it, your body might never get used to the sedating effects. When the symptoms are very severe it takes them away which is a relief but barely put me to sleep or made me sleepy, just chilled me out. Some people react differently, but this is what happened for me and the people I have been in hospital with.

Yes it dumbs you down, every antipsychotic I've been on does. But again usually the symptoms are so severe I never had concentration to start with, and being 'doped up' on zyprexa was better than suffering like that.

[vans1974]

Weight gain! The only AAP that works for me and is also weight neutral is Latuda! Best of luck!!

[happywoman]

I have this medicine in my mental illness first aid box. I am to start with 5mg at night or 5 mg morning and night and clonazepam and call pdoc.I have taken this when I have had psychotic symptoms at start of episode. I don't like this medicine but it is very effective for me. The dose usually is increased and I have continued for many months as needed along with epilim. I do feel "spaced out" ,drowsy and gained a lot of weight when taking so I am always glad to decrease and stop it when I can but always work it out with pdoc.

[BipolaRNurse]

I just took my last dose of Zyprexa after several weeks on it for mania w/ psychosis......maybe now my appetite will go back to normal! I still have it on a PRN basis for if/when I get manic again, but I am SO glad to be done with it for the time being. I'm certainly not manic anymore, in fact I've gone the other way. But I think that's still just me adjusting to being off Celexa and I'll even out (or so I hope) eventually.

I wish somebody would invent a drug that has the effectiveness of Zyprexa with the weight neutrality of Geodon and Latuda and is NOT so bloody expensive!! Z is cheap in my neck of the woods (I paid $14.73 for 30 days' worth) and it works so much better for me than everything else. But I just can't ignore the increased appetite, weight gain and effects on my diabetes.

[happywoman]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I just took my last dose of Zyprexa after several weeks on it for mania w/ psychosis......maybe now my appetite will go back to normal! I still have it on a PRN basis for if/when I get manic again, but I am SO glad to be done with it for the time being. I'm certainly not manic anymore, in fact I've gone the other way. But I think that's still just me adjusting to being off Celexa and I'll even out (or so I hope) eventually.

I wish somebody would invent a drug that has the effectiveness of Zyprexa with the weight neutrality of Geodon and Latuda and is NOT so bloody expensive!! Z is cheap in my neck of the woods (I paid $14.73 for 30 days' worth) and it works so much better for me than everything else. But I just can't ignore the increased appetite, weight gain and effects on my diabetes.

I' m not sure if Geodon and Latuda are available in Australia. My pdoc has only offered me Seroquel and lamictal as alternatives. Zyprexia is on the Pharmaceutical benefits scheme and because I am in employment costs me $35 AUD for a box of 28-5mg.
I'm glad to hear things improving BipolaRNurse.