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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by CremyWheat on June 7, 2001, at 22:20:43
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa , posted by froggy on June 5, 2001, at 5:12:04
> > Sorry Wheat, I don't know anything about the use of zyprexa for depression. The only thing I can tell you is that if your wife's dr wants to take her off of the zyprexa, he should give her a nice long weaning time. Zyprexa has a very short halflife, which means that it leaves the body quickly, which can cause biochemistry problems and withdrawal symptoms. That is what happened to me - never had depression before taking zyprexa and haven't had any since my recovery from my bad withdrawal from this drug.
> > Coincidentally, my son was only two when this happened to me, and we put him in nursery school during my illness. Not having the responsibility of his care 24 hrs a day was also a help in my recovery. Maybe a similar action would help your wife. It's not for nothing that they call this age the "terrible twos!" In my case it turned out quite well, as my son's teacher recognized that he has a learning disability and he is now being treated for it and will probably never suffer a learning delay because of our prompt action. If I hadn't gotten sick, we probably wouldn't have noticed his problems until he started kindergarten.
> > Good luck to you and your wife. Depression is the hardest thing I have ever gone through, and I wouldn't wish those feelings on my worst enemy. My prayers are with you.
> > Rapunzel
> > Wheat I have been on 5mg's Zyprexa for 10 months and the intent is to help ctrl mood swings. The doctor also put me on Remeron 30mg. These two together did wonders for me! I was able to sleep and had more of a desire for daily activities.
> >However, I stopped taking the Remeron due to all the side effects. They have now put me on Effexor Xr. Now I do not sleep well at all. I too have chronic sleep problems.
> Hope this helps.Froggy and Rapunzel.. Thanks so much for the input!!! It's now day 6, and the change is already a noticeable one!!! she sleeps VERY well; and she never ate much before, but She has a very healthy appetite now!!! Froggy, thanks for the info on effexor, and Rapunzel, thanks for the suggestions about a gradual reduction later on-- These are very well-needed tips. If ever I can offer anything in return, or you ever need my prayers, just speak... you have a lifelong friend in me!
Chuck
Posted by Thara on June 29, 2001, at 0:20:32
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa , posted by CremyWheat on June 7, 2001, at 22:20:43
I just started effexor xr (75mg) and zyprexa
(2.5 mg), 1 week ago. Has anyone taken these in combination? I am taking them for depression and post traumatic stress. I want to sleep a lot and have blurry vision but I am not sad or emotional anymore. It has worked better than any other antideppressants have (zoloft, prozac, paxxil, celexa) but I do not want to feel this drowsy for much longer since I have 2 children and in grad school plus work. Will these feelings go away? What is working here? And will I gain weight? Thanks to anyone for info!!!!!!!
Posted by Zo on June 29, 2001, at 1:08:17
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa and effexor for depresion, posted by Thara on June 29, 2001, at 0:20:32
Good lord, add some Axid! Morning and night. . .They just came out with study purporting to cut the weight gain, using only Axid (OTC antiacid.)
No weight gain from Effexor, but Zyprexa? Don't ask!
Zo
Posted by ttt on November 10, 2001, at 16:53:09
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa and effexor for depresion » Thara, posted by Zo on June 29, 2001, at 1:08:17
Has anyone else suffer insomnia when stopping zyprexa?
If yes, how you do cure insomnia?
Posted by rapunzel on November 10, 2001, at 17:59:50
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa and effexor for depresion, posted by ttt on November 10, 2001, at 16:53:09
> Has anyone else suffer insomnia when stopping zyprexa?
> If yes, how you do cure insomnia?
Yes!! I suffered terrible insomnia, in addition to the suididal depression and almost complete inability to eat while I was withdrawing from this drug. Many doctors seem not to know that Zyprexa should have a long weaning off period to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The best way to combat withdrawal is to get back on the drug and then wean off more slowly. The worse your withdrawal, the slower you should take it. If for some reason you are unable to go back to taking zyprexa, you could ask your doctor for an innocuous med to help you sleep. My quack doc, who did not believe that I was suffering from withdrawal, did not put me back on zyprexa but instead prescribed a multitude of other drugs. For insomnia, she prescribed Trazadone - a very, very mild SSRI that is prescribed more as a sleep aide than as an anti-depressent. Or you could try taking an antihistimine at night before going to bed. One that I am on now (for allergies, not sleep) that seems to be very soporific is hydroxyzine. Both trazadone and hydroxyzine are very very cheap.
Hope this helps. Please let me know how you are doing.
Rapunzel
Posted by ttt on November 11, 2001, at 11:31:58
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa and effexor for depresion » ttt, posted by rapunzel on November 10, 2001, at 17:59:50
> > Has anyone else suffer insomnia when stopping zyprexa?
> > If yes, how you do cure insomnia?
> Yes!! I suffered terrible insomnia, in addition to the suididal depression and almost complete inability to eat while I was withdrawing from this drug. Many doctors seem not to know that Zyprexa should have a long weaning off period to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The best way to combat withdrawal is to get back on the drug and then wean off more slowly. The worse your withdrawal, the slower you should take it. If for some reason you are unable to go back to taking zyprexa, you could ask your doctor for an innocuous med to help you sleep. My quack doc, who did not believe that I was suffering from withdrawal, did not put me back on zyprexa but instead prescribed a multitude of other drugs. For insomnia, she prescribed Trazadone - a very, very mild SSRI that is prescribed more as a sleep aide than as an anti-depressent. Or you could try taking an antihistimine at night before going to bed. One that I am on now (for allergies, not sleep) that seems to be very soporific is hydroxyzine. Both trazadone and hydroxyzine are very very cheap.
> Hope this helps. Please let me know how you are doing.
> RapunzelRapunzel,
Thanks for reply, that was very helpful.
It has been two months now. The only problem I have now is insomnia and some problems due to insomnia. I think I have survived the withdrawal. I am so dreadful of Zyprexa now.
I think Trazodone also has the same terrible withdrawal problem.
I am thingking about trying some herbal sleeping pills and see if I can get some sleep or not. So far notthing works. But there is still a couple more stronger types. If the herbal sleeping pills work, I do not have to take any psychosis med.Do you think if I go back to Zyprexa and weening it of slowly, I may not have insomnia afterward?
Has anyone successfully weened off Zyprexa slowly without suffering from insomnia?
Posted by rapunzel on November 13, 2001, at 1:42:05
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa and effexor for depresion, posted by ttt on November 11, 2001, at 11:31:58
Sorry, I don't know about herbal sleep-aides, and I don't know first hand about anyone else's experience in weaning off slowly. According to medical literature on SSRI withdrawal, the way you avoid withdrawal symptoms is to wean off slowly. Rule of thumb is that the shorter the half-life of the med, the longer you take weaning off. If I remember correctly, zyprexa has a half-life of about 72 hrs, about the same as Paxil, which is well documented often to have difficult withdrawals. Some people are so sensitive to Paxil that they have to take MONTHS to wean off, and they have to do so one milligram at a time! Zyprexa and Paxil are not classified as the same sort of drugs, but my withdrawal symptoms from zyprexa were almost item for item the same as that of Paxil withdrawal, so I have drawn my own conclusions about the parallels between the two meds.
Considering that you have been off the zyprexa for two months, and zyprexa is SO bloody expensive, I don't know if going back on the med and then weaning off more slowly would still help you. I guess it depends on how desperate you are for sleep. I haven't heard about Trazadone being hard to get off of. I took one 50mg pill a night for about 2 months, and I think I stopped it cold turkey, (I don't remember my withdrawal schedule for that med) but I do know that I didn't have any side effects. At the time that I stopped the Trazadone, I was still taking a low dose of Celexa. I don't know if that kept me from having a withdrawal from the Trazadone. I didn't know until later that Trazadone is an SSRI. When it was prescribed, I thought it was just a sleeping pill. I wasn't in any shape to participate much in my own care and I just took what my doctor told me to take, no questions asked. When I started to feel better and had the energy to research my situation is when I found out that it is an SSRI. I then decided to stop all my meds. (I had never had any mental problems before this study, and I haven't had any since my recovery.) I am completely p-med free for over a year.
Everyone I know who has taken zyprexa was in the same study I was in, and we were only given 4 days to get off of it. Of the 17 people in the study, I was the only one to "bottom out" after the study. BTW, the study was to see the effects of zyprexa on an impulse control disorder, not a psychiatric disorder, so we were all quite surprised at my bad reaction. According to the study doc and Ely-Lilly, I am the ONLY person who has ever had a bad withdrawal from this drug. Well, I may have been the first, but I know I won't be the last. I am now looking for other withdrawal victims of this drug. I would be quite interested to know how much you were taking, how long you were given to get off this med, and all of your withdrawal symptoms and how long they have lasted.
Thanks in advance for your replies, and I hope you have gotten some sleep!
Rapunzel
Posted by Pamela Lynn on November 13, 2001, at 3:38:10
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa and effexor for depresion, posted by Thara on June 29, 2001, at 0:20:32
> I just started effexor xr (75mg) and zyprexa
> (2.5 mg), 1 week ago. Has anyone taken these in combination? I am taking them for depression and post traumatic stress. I want to sleep a lot and have blurry vision but I am not sad or emotional anymore. It has worked better than any other antideppressants have (zoloft, prozac, paxxil, celexa) but I do not want to feel this drowsy for much longer since I have 2 children and in grad school plus work. Will these feelings go away? What is working here? And will I gain weight? Thanks to anyone for info!!!!!!!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >I DO take the Effexor...3 X daily @75mg doses WITH Zyprexa. I too in the beginning of taking the Zyprexa was feeling "heavy, and listless and tired"....I told my psychiatrist about this and she had me 'break the pills in half" (use a butter knife), so that the doses were smaller, but still working. WOWIE...no more extreme fatigue and still feel good on the combination of the meds. Effexor and Zyprexa. Effexor REALLY helps my moods and depression while the Zyprexa keeps me a bit more 'stable' and less psychotic.
It IS working for me. I hope you experience some better results soon...ask your doc. about breaking the Zyprexa in half, see if that works for you.....email me if you like....P.L.
Posted by mario on December 7, 2001, at 14:24:36
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa and effexor for depresion, posted by rapunzel on November 13, 2001, at 1:42:05
hi
ihave been on zyprexa for over 3 years, iwas also taking citalopram an antidepressant for 2 years.the first thing that i had noticed with zyprexa was that it made me sleepy, not angry and not really caring abou anything then i noticed that i was heavy,had postural hypotension and no sex drive after a while.i was taking 2.5 mg of zyprexa and 5mg of citaloprma...i spoke to my psychiatrist about the sex drive and with my local doctor decided to come off the citalopram..however i still dont have a sex drivein fact it si verving on impotence...and all i do with zyprxa is sleep..i sleep about 14 hours at night..sleep at lunch time and about an hour in the evening...i have develped symptoms that similar to chronic fatigue syndrome ie viral infections...sore throat...tender lymph nodes...all my psychiatrist was saying to me is that sleep is good for me...but i dont feel like it is a refreshing sleep...i hardly do anything anymore , i dont go out or anything ...iam like a zombie...i ahve reduced the xyprexa now to 1.25mg per night...but iam feeling angry again...paranoid about my health..paranoid about my partner and others at work... what can i do?
can anyone help please
ps iam 40 yrs old...had a psychotic episode when i was 22, then one at 27 then at 32 and at 37 decided to try zyprxexa long term but the fatighe..lethargy and impotence are disabling...
Posted by rapunzel on December 7, 2001, at 17:13:14
In reply to side effects of zyprexa, posted by mario on December 7, 2001, at 14:24:36
Dear Mario,
1.25mg is an awfully low dose to still be having fatigue problems. Is there some reason why your doctor negated the possibility that you do, indeed, have chronic fatigue syndrome? Also, I have not heard before that zyprexa affects libido. It didn't affect mine, although, Lord knows, it screwed up everything else!
Since the zyprexa is now causing you problems, is there some reason why your doctor hasn't tried you on a different prescription? I have heard that Seroquel is a similar med, but I have no personal experience with it and can't "testify" about it.
Posted by sissyphus on August 4, 2002, at 20:14:26
In reply to Re: just started zyprexa and oxazepam, posted by Emily Silverman on April 24, 1999, at 19:14:22
oh gods why are we on this stuff?? i can barely type because of it... sleep 14 hrs a day, does it get any better after you are on it for a while? no libido, so tired, stressed out... interestingly, my days are less paranoid, but night is another matter... the most interesting, vivid, horrific dreams very very awful... dreaming alot.. it may help creatively though, now my nights are like what my days used to be, total nightmares!! seeing things all the time, a bit paranoid when awake still, but i just don't care now, wooo!! its better than being afraid... i am in architecture, so hopefully all of this deviance will help... no antidepressant yet though...
Posted by Tracee on January 15, 2004, at 23:53:35
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by Kelly on April 28, 1999, at 20:57:12
Hi, I've just finished reading through all of the posts. I was wondering if anyone was still following this thread.
I've been on Zyprexa and Zoloft for about two months now. I've been told I have agitation depression and Borderline personality disorder, as well as social phobia.Any info on side effects of zyprexa(I've already had the weight gain),would be appreciated.
Posted by Sebastian on January 16, 2004, at 11:47:23
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by Tracee on January 15, 2004, at 23:53:35
Tired, dull personality. Good things: no anxiety.
Posted by girl1969 on January 16, 2004, at 22:42:42
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by Tracee on January 15, 2004, at 23:53:35
I was on a fairly high dose of Zyprexa (20 mg) for approximately 2 years. Other than the weight gain, it was a great drug for me. It mellowed me out a lot, but I tend to get manic a lot so that was what I needed.
After using it for about 3 months, I began to feel some antidepressant effects as well. My doctor said that's not unusal.
If it weren't for the weight gain, I'd still take it.
Best of luck to you!
Girl
Posted by Tracee on January 17, 2004, at 4:27:02
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by girl1969 on January 16, 2004, at 22:42:42
Thanks for the info. Well I guess I know why my hubby calls me quiet now. I haven't had a panic attack since I started or had any hyperactivity (or mania) times. I'm on 15mgs per day plus 200mgs Zoloft for depression.
I can still get agitated, but not as bad or as often.Just taking it one day at a time.Otherwise I worry too much...lol
Posted by Camille Dumont on January 17, 2004, at 17:50:09
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by Tracee on January 15, 2004, at 23:53:35
Took 5mg of it + 300mg Effexor for depression with psychotic features.
- Sleepy
- Increased appetite
- Petit-mal-like episodes
- Twitches and less coordination
- Slurred speach
- Dulled personality
- Suicidal ideation increaseIt definately wasn't for me but it might be of some help for others
Posted by Tracee on January 17, 2004, at 19:15:41
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by Camille Dumont on January 17, 2004, at 17:50:09
> Took 5mg of it + 300mg Effexor for depression with psychotic features.
>
> - Sleepy
> - Increased appetite
> - Petit-mal-like episodes
> - Twitches and less coordination
> - Slurred speach
> - Dulled personality
> - Suicidal ideation increase
>
> It definately wasn't for me but it might be of some help for othersI was originally on effexor and experienced the twitching, suicidal ideation and slurred speech while on that medication. It helped with my depression for a couple of months and I had no panic attacks. However, it wasn't for me.
So far, I'm doing okay on the Zoloft and Zyprexa, but only time will tell.
Posted by AreMedsGood on January 18, 2004, at 10:17:23
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by Tracee on January 17, 2004, at 4:27:02
My doctor prescribed my Zyprexa about two years ago when I started Effexor 150mg. All I did was say when we met that sometimes I get stressed out or feel uptight and he automatically said I should take Zyrpexak, but then I found out that Zyprexa is mainly for people who have a serious mental condition. Whenever I take Zyrexa, which was only about 3 times, I took it at bed and it knocked me out like a cold piece of meat. When I woke up I felt really tired and sluggish.
Posted by Camille Dumont on January 18, 2004, at 10:38:22
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by AreMedsGood on January 18, 2004, at 10:17:23
I can relate ... when I was having the seizure-like episodes I freaked. I couldn't see my regular GP so I phone a GP friend and she totally freaked when she learned that he had given me 5mg to start with. She says she only uses it for either people with schizophrenia or old people who are highly delirious ... and then, she only starts at 1.25mg.
So I put some pressure at the medical clinic and I finally got a copy of my psychiatric evaluation and found out the Pdoc did suggest an antipsychotic. However, she mentions Seroquel ... NOT Zyprexa. From what I understand Seroquel is one of the least potent one whereas Zyprexa is a super potent one.
When I was trying Zyprexa, it felt as if I had a giant vice constricting my head ... I could definately see how it would keep you from having psychotic episodes ... however, when you're not, it also seems to really slow down your mind altogether. I felt as though I had lost about half of my IQ. Even typing on a computer was nearly impossible. I usually type at like 50 words per minute and then it was impossible ... it was as if my thoughts were ok but my body would not obey me anymore. My fingers would type the wrong letters and would forget many of them ....
Posted by micro on January 18, 2004, at 22:56:39
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by Tracee on January 17, 2004, at 4:27:02
> Thanks for the info. Well I guess I know why my hubby calls me quiet now. I haven't had a panic attack since I started or had any hyperactivity (or mania) times. I'm on 15mgs per day plus 200mgs Zoloft for depression.
> I can still get agitated, but not as bad or as often.Just taking it one day at a time.Otherwise I worry too much...lolTracy, Do you have a confirmed case of panic disorder, depresson,or bipolar disorder and is this combo better than your previous therapy. Thanks Micro.
Posted by micro on January 18, 2004, at 23:14:59
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by Camille Dumont on January 17, 2004, at 17:50:09
> Took 5mg of it + 300mg Effexor for depression with psychotic features.
>
> - Sleepy
> - Increased appetite
> - Petit-mal-like episodes
> - Twitches and less coordination
> - Slurred speach
> - Dulled personality
> - Suicidal ideation increase
>
> It definately wasn't for me but it might be of some help for othersCamille, sometimes medicines do not work properly if the diagnosis is not correct. If you are quite confident in your diagnosis, something will help you! Keep trying and try different doses. Also, if you are not in any urgency start out slow and titrate up very gradually. This helps to allow a slower rise in your blood levels [of a med] which seems to lesson the blow of the side effects or at least make them much more tolerable. Some people are required to use a pill cutter and actually do fine on doses lower than manufacturer rcommended, but then again, everyone's metabolism is different or one drug and one dose would work for eveyone. sincerly Micro.
Posted by micro on January 18, 2004, at 23:43:15
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by AreMedsGood on January 18, 2004, at 10:17:23
> My doctor prescribed my Zyprexa about two years ago when I started Effexor 150mg. All I did was say when we met that sometimes I get stressed out or feel uptight and he automatically said I should take Zyrpexak, but then I found out that Zyprexa is mainly for people who have a serious mental condition. Whenever I take Zyrexa, which was only about 3 times, I took it at bed and it knocked me out like a cold piece of meat. When I woke up I felt really tired and sluggish.
Dear Tracee, Their is only one thing to say about your situation that was an interestingly quick decision. However, I cannot prejudge your therapist as he knows you and I do not. Also, Many medications are used for off label purposes meaning the FDA has approved them for a specific condition, however that does not mean alternative uses don't exist and do indeed work. Bottom line, make sure that you trust your doctor and secondly, alternative uses for medications are commonly reported in medical journals. Ask your therapist to provide you with this info. Example-klonopin is FDA approved and indicated for use as an anticonvulsant, however it has been found to be helpful in bipolar disease and advocated as an alternative to maoi's for social phobia or anxiety which appears to be much more common and debilitating than was once thought. Scholarly pdocs or those with advanced skills, training or degrees will or should be able to handle more difficult cases as well as have a very good understanding of the medications actions positive and negative ,expected vs. unexpected, and deal with them appropriately. Hope this helps! Have great day! Micro
Posted by Tracee on January 19, 2004, at 5:35:29
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by micro on January 18, 2004, at 22:56:39
Micro, I have confirmed social phobia, borderline personality disorder and agitated depression.So the psych. team tell me, anyway.
Posted by micro on January 19, 2004, at 8:32:10
In reply to Re: zyprexa » micro, posted by Tracee on January 19, 2004, at 5:35:29
> Micro, I have confirmed social phobia, borderline personality disorder and agitated depression.So the psych. team tell me, anyway.
Tracee, How are you feeling? Agitation is quite common with ssri's of course many people experience other side effects. Was your agitation present before the ssri, worse or better after initiating the ssri? Some docs have a very difficult time seperating the actual dx symtoms from the side effects. Treating side effects is common [particularly in the elderly]. Have a good day! Micro
Posted by Tracee on January 20, 2004, at 3:48:56
In reply to Re: zyprexa, posted by micro on January 19, 2004, at 8:32:10
I used to be on effexor xr.The agitation appeared after I started that,I noticed. It also interacted badly with tramal, a pain medication I was on.It wasn't until my doc changed my antidepressant to avanza and I went into seretonin crisis that they found out that tramal would interact badly with all antidepressants.
I'm now using oxycontin for a chronic back problem.
As for how I'm feeling?...
Flat as a tack.
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