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185329
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Default Apr 18, 2023 at 02:43 PM
  #1
Is there a "perfect" dose for this medication? The reason I am asking this is because I am currently on 30mg per day of Olanzapine (Zyprexa), but I used to be on a much lower dose. Specifically, when I was on a 7.5mg dose for this medication, my Father actually remarked and said to me, "I seriously think you are getting better." This was the only time he ever said this to me. I felt better, too.

I brought this up to my former social worker, and she seemed to think that this was just a coincidence. Sensing this, I then said, "Or maybe it's because I had been on the medication for such a long amount of continuous time, and THAT'S what made me start to get better." She then nodded her head and expressed agreement.

I am at a loss as to what it really was that made me seriously start getting better. Was it the specific dose? Or was it just being on a sufficient dose for a continuous and extended amount of time?
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Default Apr 19, 2023 at 07:24 PM
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I took Zyprexa, at first at a mental hospital at 10 mg for psychosis then psychosis blew over, then they tried lowering it and depression with psychotic features reared its head, so I was raised to 20 mg ... it did cause me to gain weight so when I was stabilized I was switched to Abilify.

I think my illness is cyclical and the meds keep it, for the most part, at bay. I think the meds are only part of the answer.

The Zyprexa was very fast-acting though, so in my opinion it wasn't because I was on it for a certain amount of time, i think my brain was levelling out anyway, but was helped along by the drug.
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Default Apr 19, 2023 at 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by TheGal View Post
I took Zyprexa, at first at a mental hospital at 10 mg for psychosis then psychosis blew over, then they tried lowering it and depression with psychotic features reared its head, so I was raised to 20 mg ... it did cause me to gain weight so when I was stabilized I was switched to Abilify.

I think my illness is cyclical and the meds keep it, for the most part, at bay. I think the meds are only part of the answer.

The Zyprexa was very fast-acting though, so in my opinion it wasn't because I was on it for a certain amount of time, i think my brain was levelling out anyway, but was helped along by the drug.
Thanks for your response. In my case, like you, I feel the Zyprexa does help me in making progress. I was just wondering if there really is such a thing as a "perfect dose". And by this, I mean a dose in which it works wonders.

When I was on 7.5mg Zyprexa, it did feel like it was working wonders for me. But the thing is that it was only when I was on that particular dose. Now, the real question is would I have reached that milestone if I had just stayed at 10mg? Or 15mg or 20mg? This is where I am at a loss.
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Default Apr 20, 2023 at 08:39 PM
  #4
I was in 15 but my dr lowered it to 7.5 today bc I’m too drugged. I was serving and falling asleep driving to work. Scary stuff

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Default Apr 22, 2023 at 04:56 PM
  #5
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Originally Posted by 185329 View Post
Thanks for your response. In my case, like you, I feel the Zyprexa does help me in making progress. I was just wondering if there really is such a thing as a "perfect dose". And by this, I mean a dose in which it works wonders.

When I was on 7.5mg Zyprexa, it did feel like it was working wonders for me. But the thing is that it was only when I was on that particular dose. Now, the real question is would I have reached that milestone if I had just stayed at 10mg? Or 15mg or 20mg? This is where I am at a loss.

The best person to perhaps ask is a good psychiatrist.

My guess is, however, that our need for the drug fluctuates. If that is the case, how can one get the optimum dose at all times...? Again, it would take a knowledgeable health professional/scientist to answer that question.

It's a good question, and if you do get more information I'd be interested in hearing about it.
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Default Apr 22, 2023 at 05:52 PM
  #6
I agree that our need for the drug changes over time. At one point I needed 30mg. Now I'm on 5mg PRN. It also varies a lot by individual--some people are fine on 2.5, some people need 30.

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Default Apr 22, 2023 at 09:18 PM
  #7
I was on Zyprexa for a long time, it did work wonders for me in terms of mood stability and sleep, and yes, the dose that seemed magical was 7.5 mg although later I was able to lower it to 5 mg and be fine most of the time still.

Ultimately I had to come off of it due to metabolic side effects, though. I am now on a combo of Latuda, Seroquel, and Gabapentin.

Zyprexa 30 mg is above the FDA approved limit. I wonder what motivated your psychiatrist to tell you to take that high a dose.
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