Clozapine

I really want to ask my psychiatrist about this medication. I want to ask him if I can go on it. I know it will take careful planning and initiation, since I am already on two psychotropic medications. I surmise if Clozaril is commenced, the doctor will gradually reduce my Olanzapine while slowly increasing Clozapine. And the other medication I am already on is Lexapro, so that will probably just be left as it is.

I'm already on the dose equivalent of 600mg Clozapine. I was on the dose equivalent of 800mg Clozapine for several months years ago. But the highest recommended therapeutic dose for Clozapine is 900mg. So there is a dose and medication I have not tried yet.

Just a question for thought - why do you think the clozapine will help you more than the olanzapine?

I too wanted to go on clozapine, but I realized for me it is not the right medication just because I am already getting metabolic side effects from olanzapine, and olanzapine increases my weight.

Thus, I've opted to go on Latuda (lurasidone) since it is weight neutral and has the effects (hopefully) that I need.

Anyway, maybe you should have a chat with your doctor about clozapine and see what he/she thinks. It's often a medication that is used as a "last resort" for psychosis, the way I understand it. But I've also heard it's literally a life saver for some.

I feel like the Clozapine will get rid of my delusions. I am on 30mg Olanzapine, and am still experiencing delusion. I guess I could just increase my Olanzapine even more. I already discussed this matter with my psych doc and he said that if I increase my Olanzapine even more, I might get more side-effects. This is why my psych doc and I have agreed to leave it at 30mg. But maybe I could add 2mg Rexulti to my regimen. Maybe that would help. I will talk about it with my psych doc.

Another reason I want to go on Clozaril is because of a delusion I have about it. I have a delusion that, on Clozaril's official website, the torch and tree emblems have a special meaning for me. They mean that if I go on Clozaril, I will get completely better.

Clozapine is a "we've tried everything else and nothing sticks" sorta med. I've been on it and honestly it's a good med with side effects similar to olanzapine in my experience, but there is a lot of red tape with it (handling the blood work can get pretty complicated in a messy system). It worked well for me, but I couldn't handle the blood work being done wrong, the results getting lost or not sent over the the pharmacy, or my CBC being slightly off and not being able to pick up the prescription until I get my blood work again.
I'm on Haldol now and it's working great but I have to take valium and amantadine for side effects (but if I were on clozapine I'd likely take provigil and metformin for side effects anyways).

I think you're right, MuddyBoots. Maybe it would just be a hassle for me. Maybe I could just try adding 2mg Rexulti to my regimen. I felt better when I was on that drug in addition to my current meds. Or maybe I should just leave my regimen the same and hope for the best. Maybe it will just take more time.

If you're in a better system than I am, it's worth a shot. If the communication between your doc, wherever you get bloodwork done, and the pharmacy you go to is a clusterf**k (like me) then yeah it's probably best to stay away from clozaril.
I personally think it's better to at least try the rexulti first. I'm no doc, but Clozaril is last resort for a reason.

True. I think I will mention the Rexulti to my psych doc. When I really think about it, I do not think I need to go on Clozapine. I think I have other options.