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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sdb on February 9, 2005, at 7:11:52
Is somebody using zyprexa for anxiety or depression? -
I have heard that there are some positive effects on sexuality (Maybe because of increased norepinephrine, dopamine transmission and alpha1-antagonism)
Thanks a lot.
sdb
Posted by med_empowered on February 9, 2005, at 13:38:49
In reply to Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by sdb on February 9, 2005, at 7:11:52
I've taken zyprexa and I have to say- if you have ANY remaining options, try those first. Zyprexa may be an atypical, but its still an AP, so there are still risks- akathisia (LOTS of fun, btw) , tardive dyskinesia, cognitive impairment, etc. Plus, Zyprexa makes people fat. It doesn't make some people gain a little weight; it makes a lot of people gain a lot of weight...it may, in and of itself, be a contributing factor to the development of type II diabetes in certain individuals. I'd try a sedating antidepressant+anxiolytic+sleeping pill combo first...maybe even try a few antidepressants with add-ons such as BuSpar before you go the as-yet unproven antipsychotic for depression route...unless you're actively psychotic or something. Really, I know this message sounds really negative, and it is, but I'm speaking from experience...please try other options first.
Posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 16:30:57
In reply to Re: Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by med_empowered on February 9, 2005, at 13:38:49
I agree with above. I only took seroquel for a few days in the hospital at night for sleep. Not only did it not help with this even at l00mg divided in half during the night, but about 5 days off of it my lips and face dried up so they looked like a prune and my lips peeled. Nothing helped. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by alienatari on February 10, 2005, at 1:41:09
In reply to Re: Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 16:30:57
I disagree with the above actually. I have found Zyprexa to be great. It hasnt made me gain that much weight (i have sugar cravings but can control them). But I dont really have many options left, Ive been on so many drugs. Im on zyprexa for my bipolar though not for anxiety. I still take benzo's for anxiety. But Zyprexa has definatly helped with the depression and anxiety too.
In regard to tardive dyskinesia and akithisia, it should be noted that in rare circumstances the SSRI's can cause these problems too. I for one got terrible akathisia from Zoloft. It was far worse than the akathisia i got from Respridal, Solian and Abilify. Ive also had what appeared to be TD from Solian but once it was stopped I went back to normal thank God.
Anyway i wish you luck, I hope you find the right medication(s).
take care.
Posted by SLS on February 10, 2005, at 6:27:26
In reply to Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by sdb on February 9, 2005, at 7:11:52
> Is somebody using zyprexa for anxiety or depression? -
>
> I have heard that there are some positive effects on sexuality (Maybe because of increased norepinephrine, dopamine transmission and alpha1-antagonism)
I've never heard of Zyprexa being pro-sexual, but it usually doesn't affect adversely sexual function. With psychtropics, however, you never know when an unusual effect will appear in someone. I believe it is 5-HT2a receptor antagonism you might be thinking of with regard to sexuality. It is thought that to block this receptor is to block the anti-sexual effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors.Although I think Zyprexa is a good tool to work with, I don't think it should be a first line drug to treat anxiety or depression, unless these are symptoms of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. What treatments have you tried so far, and what were their outcomes?
- Scott
Posted by sdb on February 10, 2005, at 9:04:58
In reply to Re: Zyprexa for anxiety, depression » sdb, posted by SLS on February 10, 2005, at 6:27:26
I have taken many drugs but only for short times. Sometimes I have taken a drug only to show how the effect is. I have some bipolar tendencies mixed with anxiety, melancholia.
Posted by Sebastian on February 10, 2005, at 13:55:19
In reply to Re: Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by med_empowered on February 9, 2005, at 13:38:49
Geodon seems to make a good replacement for zyprexa. Works for anxiety and depression. With out weight gain.
Posted by sdb on February 10, 2005, at 14:13:13
In reply to Re: Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by Sebastian on February 10, 2005, at 13:55:19
What I have seen in the fda documents it should cause almost the same sideeffects. I suppose you already took both drugs, because you can compare it.
did you?
Posted by Sebastian on February 10, 2005, at 15:34:34
In reply to Re: Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by sdb on February 10, 2005, at 14:13:13
I've taken all but seroquel. Didn't like risperdal at all, made me holucinat. Abilify worked great, but gave me horible anxiety, and my sleep was awfull. Zyprexa I have taken for 7 years, best med ever for anxiety, sleep, every thing, only problem was it made me gain weight, I did lose the weight at the end of my zyprexa taking, it was not fun though. Geodon is sort of like zyprexa only not as strong, and with out weight gain. I am making the switch now, taking geodon for the last two months and loving it. Zyprexa is much more sedating. And the wieght gain is less with less dose. It took me 5 years to gain 60 lbs and I lost 50 lbs in 3 months two years ago, so it is not imposible to stay thin, just a little of a chalenge. I was also just feeling the need to get off the zyprexa after so many years of taking it. I'm still taking a very small dose now while I make the switch. Zyprexa did a lot for me, you might try it. A lot of people have success with it, just don't like the weight gain.
Posted by med_empowered on February 10, 2005, at 19:34:54
In reply to Re: Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by Sebastian on February 10, 2005, at 15:34:34
As the new antipsychotics go, Zyprexa tends to be the fatty pill. One of the selling point for Geodon was it weight-neutral profile; this selling point made a lot of shrinks RX it even though it causes heart weirdness (changes in the QTC-interval, which apparently means little except that certain drugs, like tricyclics or barbiturates, shouldn't be co-prescribed). Now that Abilify's out, it looks like it should become the next big thing, at least until...the next big thing. If you have "bipolar tendencies," have you tried a more conventional mood-stabilizer, say an anti-convulsant? I like Trileptal, lots of people love Lamictal, and some people still swear by Lithium. Just a suggestion.
Posted by denise1904 on February 11, 2005, at 14:11:30
In reply to Zyprexa for anxiety, depression, posted by sdb on February 9, 2005, at 7:11:52
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This is the end of the thread.
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