Constant light-headedness

185329 · Dec 02, 2022 at 04:05 AM

I have been experiencing a constant state of light-headedness. I am on 30mg Olanzapine and 30mg Lexapro. I think my doses might be too high, but I cannot decrease the doses because then I will become more symptomatic. I tried talking to my doctor, but he just doesn't seem to care. All he cares about is getting paid for his time. He's also quite passive-aggressive with me.

Yaowen · Dec 02, 2022 at 11:30 PM

How awful! Wish I knew what to say that would help. Light-headedness can be a prelude to fainting so it is definitely something to be concerned about. Do you think it would be helpful to get a second-medical opinion from another doctor? So sorry I don't know how to help!

WastingAsparagus · Dec 03, 2022 at 08:36 PM

30 mg olanzapine is a lot of that medicine, it is over the recommended dose.

Is there some specific reason why you are taking more than the max recommended dose?

You could potentially frame it in that way to your psychiatrist: that you're taking over the recommended dose and it seems like you're experiencing lightheadedness. Then you could ask if there's anything you could do to remedy that lightheadedness, such as lowering the dose or maybe switching to another medicine? I am going through a similar thing with my psychiatrist where I am actually following his suggestion to try a new medicine. I guess just know that transitions to new medicines can be rocky too. Not to hijack your thread or anything but my transition to a different med other than olanzapine has been a bit rough. Anyway, hopefully some of that helps, at least in part.

185329 · Dec 03, 2022 at 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WastingAsparagus

30 mg olanzapine is a lot of that medicine, it is over the recommended dose.

Is there some specific reason why you are taking more than the max recommended dose?

You could potentially frame it in that way to your psychiatrist: that you're taking over the recommended dose and it seems like you're experiencing lightheadedness. Then you could ask if there's anything you could do to remedy that lightheadedness, such as lowering the dose or maybe switching to another medicine? I am going through a similar thing with my psychiatrist where I am actually following his suggestion to try a new medicine. I guess just know that transitions to new medicines can be rocky too. Not to hijack your thread or anything but my transition to a different med other than olanzapine has been a bit rough. Anyway, hopefully some of that helps, at least in part.

Thanks. I am taking 30mg because of my symptoms. Per one of your suggestions, I could try asking my doctor if I could switch to Rexulti or Clozaril or something.

185329 · Dec 03, 2022 at 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaowen

How awful! Wish I knew what to say that would help. Light-headedness can be a prelude to fainting so it is definitely something to be concerned about. Do you think it would be helpful to get a second-medical opinion from another doctor? So sorry I don't know how to help!

Thank you for your reply, Yaowen.

185329 · Dec 03, 2022 at 11:04 PM

I just did a little research on Clozaril compared to newer atypical antipsychotics. Apparently, according to an article I found, newer atypical antipsychotics - such as Rexulti or Vraylar - might share the same benefits as Clozapine. This may be worth discussing when I see my psych doc again.

WastingAsparagus · Dec 09, 2022 at 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185329

I just did a little research on Clozaril compared to newer atypical antipsychotics. Apparently, according to an article I found, newer atypical antipsychotics - such as Rexulti or Vraylar - might share the same benefits as Clozapine. This may be worth discussing when I see my psych doc again.

Yeah Clozaril tends to have the worst side effects (not saying it doesn't help many people though). You would also have to go in for weekly blood tests I am pretty sure in order to make sure your white blood cell count is not dropping (if I remember right from when I was going to go on Clozaril once).

There is also the family of antipsychotics that end in "-done" such as risperidone, lurasidone, ziprasidone, etc. I am getting a benefit from lurasidone currently. (Its brand name is Latuda in the USA).

I hope you can find something that helps you and that doesn't cause as many side effects.

Travelinglady · Dec 09, 2022 at 07:32 PM

Have you been for a check-up? The light-headedness might not have to do with your meds. Maybe blood pressure issues?

185329 · Dec 09, 2022 at 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WastingAsparagus

Yeah Clozaril tends to have the worst side effects (not saying it doesn't help many people though). You would also have to go in for weekly blood tests I am pretty sure in order to make sure your white blood cell count is not dropping (if I remember right from when I was going to go on Clozaril once).

There is also the family of antipsychotics that end in "-done" such as risperidone, lurasidone, ziprasidone, etc. I am getting a benefit from lurasidone currently. (Its brand name is Latuda in the USA).

I hope you can find something that helps you and that doesn't cause as many side effects.

Thanks. Maybe I was just being a little too obsessed with Clozaril. And I recall having delusions tied to that medication.

185329 · Dec 09, 2022 at 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

Have you been for a check-up? The light-headedness might not have to do with your meds. Maybe blood pressure issues?

I have not had a checkup in a while. It may have been a year since I last had one. Lately my light-headedness seems to have gotten better. Thank you for your concern.

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Yaowen Grand Magnate Member Since Jan 2020 Location: USA Posts: 3,618 (SuperPoster!) 4 6,475 hugs given	Dec 02, 2022 at 11:30 PM #2 How awful! Wish I knew what to say that would help. Light-headedness can be a prelude to fainting so it is definitely something to be concerned about. Do you think it would be helpful to get a second-medical opinion from another doctor? So sorry I don't know how to help!
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185329 Member Member Since Jul 2021 Location: North America Posts: 191 2 1 hugs given	Dec 03, 2022 at 11:04 PM #6 I just did a little research on Clozaril compared to newer atypical antipsychotics. Apparently, according to an article I found, newer atypical antipsychotics - such as Rexulti or Vraylar - might share the same benefits as Clozapine. This may be worth discussing when I see my psych doc again.
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Travelinglady Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Sep 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 47,987 (SuperPoster!) 13 22.9k hugs given	Dec 09, 2022 at 07:32 PM #8 Have you been for a check-up? The light-headedness might not have to do with your meds. Maybe blood pressure issues?
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