[Martina]

My psych nurse gave me the option of starting to wean off the Zyprexa, and left it up to me to decide. I don't know what to do.

I have gained over 60 pounds since starting it, and my blood glucose levels are high, which is a known side effect of the medication. If I go off it, there is a chance my blood glucose levels will go back to normal and I won't develop diabetes quite yet. But there's also a chance that I could still develop diabetes even if I quit taking the Zyprexa.

We have tried to wean off the Zyprexa three times, with disastrous effects. The first time, she switched me to Abilify. I had a major suicide attempt within a week. So back on the Zyprexa I went. Then we tried weaning off it in October, and I started to drift into a depression, and reverted back to some really bad habits (internet addict, sexual addict, tried contacting the man I had an affair with last year). So I told my psych nurse about all that and she put me back on the Zyprexa. Then we tried again to wean off it in late December...and within a week, I lost my job. I lost it because I was taking too much sick leave because I was so deep in depression I couldn't drag my *** out of bed to get to work in the mornings.

So, on one hand, I really want to get off the Zyprexa because of the weight gain and glucose issues. I just feel like it is threatening my health. But then I'm scared.

I have been doing really good the past 5 months, very stable. No depression. Starting to see the light. So maybe I'm stable enough now that it won't be a catastrophe. How do I know?

What do you think? Should I go off it and see what happens? Or continue taking it?

[pondbc]

Hi Martina,
I took Zyprexa briefly and it had exactly the same effects on me.
I got off it and took combination antidepressant/mood stabilizer which has been good.
You might need both, and there are lots of choose from. I am sure they will let you try something else. Perhaps this time they can wean you off even more slowly.
I think trying to find some new meds that work for you (even if it takes time) is a better option than the other health risks you describe.
Best of luck to you!

[Michah]

Hey there, yeah, scary taking that step, especially if you have experienced nasty side effects from coming off it. I have taken it over the years and didn't find to many problems, but everyone is different. Seroquel is also good and doesn't have the same weight gain and blood sugar scenario that I know of. I have a friend who is the same........if she came of zyprexa, it would be dangerous for her but she has not explored other alternatives that I know of.

I just came of lithium due to health reasons so now I just have my trusty diazepam if I need it. I was terrified coming off it but i had to know if it was contributing to health problems. Maybe take the risk but have good backup if you need it. Ask your nurse about seroquel. Do you have a psychiatrist?

Good luck sweetie........I feel for you.

Keep us posted.

[Martina]

Forgot to mention, she has me on Invega right now, in addition to the Zyprexa, but I think the plan is to just have me on the Invega. It's a newer antipsychotic with no weight gain side effects.

I am also taking Lamictal and Lithium. The lithium could be part of the cause of the weight gain too. It also gives me really horrible acne.

I wish Lamictal alone was enough - that one has no side effects. Sigh. If only it worked for everything.

[Zen888]

Originally Posted by Martina

My psych nurse gave me the option of starting to wean off the Zyprexa, and left it up to me to decide. I don't know what to do.

I have gained over 60 pounds since starting it, and my blood glucose levels are high, which is a known side effect of the medication. If I go off it, there is a chance my blood glucose levels will go back to normal and I won't develop diabetes quite yet. But there's also a chance that I could still develop diabetes even if I quit taking the Zyprexa.

We have tried to wean off the Zyprexa three times, with disastrous effects. The first time, she switched me to Abilify. I had a major suicide attempt within a week. So back on the Zyprexa I went. Then we tried weaning off it in October, and I started to drift into a depression, and reverted back to some really bad habits (internet addict, sexual addict, tried contacting the man I had an affair with last year). So I told my psych nurse about all that and she put me back on the Zyprexa. Then we tried again to wean off it in late December...and within a week, I lost my job. I lost it because I was taking too much sick leave because I was so deep in depression I couldn't drag my *** out of bed to get to work in the mornings.

So, on one hand, I really want to get off the Zyprexa because of the weight gain and glucose issues. I just feel like it is threatening my health. But then I'm scared.

I have been doing really good the past 5 months, very stable. No depression. Starting to see the light. So maybe I'm stable enough now that it won't be a catastrophe. How do I know?

What do you think? Should I go off it and see what happens? Or continue taking it?

I was taken off of Zyprexa and put on Zeldox for mixed mania. Zeldox is traditionally used for schizophrenia but may also be used for mixed mania. Zeldox has kept me stable for almost 2 years now!

[musikcrazy]

Originally Posted by Martina

My psych nurse gave me the option of starting to wean off the Zyprexa, and left it up to me to decide. I don't know what to do.

I have gained over 60 pounds since starting it, and my blood glucose levels are high, which is a known side effect of the medication. If I go off it, there is a chance my blood glucose levels will go back to normal and I won't develop diabetes quite yet. But there's also a chance that I could still develop diabetes even if I quit taking the Zyprexa.

We have tried to wean off the Zyprexa three times, with disastrous effects. The first time, she switched me to Abilify. I had a major suicide attempt within a week. So back on the Zyprexa I went. Then we tried weaning off it in October, and I started to drift into a depression, and reverted back to some really bad habits (internet addict, sexual addict, tried contacting the man I had an affair with last year). So I told my psych nurse about all that and she put me back on the Zyprexa. Then we tried again to wean off it in late December...and within a week, I lost my job. I lost it because I was taking too much sick leave because I was so deep in depression I couldn't drag my *** out of bed to get to work in the mornings.

So, on one hand, I really want to get off the Zyprexa because of the weight gain and glucose issues. I just feel like it is threatening my health. But then I'm scared.

I have been doing really good the past 5 months, very stable. No depression. Starting to see the light. So maybe I'm stable enough now that it won't be a catastrophe. How do I know?

What do you think? Should I go off it and see what happens? Or continue taking it?

ed
I had the same issues with Zyprexa. I gained thirty pounds and coming off of it (on my own, might I add) was hell. I finally went to a psychiatrist that has me on a combination of Geodon, Lamictal, Pristiq, and Xanax. I can tell you that the Geodon seemed to work fast and I call it a miracle drug. The Lamictal takes time to build up in your system. The Pristiq is GREAT for depression, but if you have manic episodes you have to be on a mood stabilizer (as an antidepressant alone can send you into a manic episode. It did for me!) Keep fighting until you get the right meds!!!! You WILL find the right ones!

[sebontheweb]

Hi,

A few years ago, I had to take Zyprexa for BD. As with many people, I gained a significant amount of weight within a few months, so, when I was deemed stable, I was weaned-off Zyprexa.

However, I was already taking depakote AND Effexor XR, which are a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant. Since then, everything is well.