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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 4ed on May 25, 2009, at 20:17:06
I've been coming off Valium and started taking Zyprexa to control W/D's like rage, worry, depression; for which it has helped a lot. But I'm starting to worry that I'm developing another dependence... I don't want to trade off the Valium for another med. My Valium taper has gone remarkably smoothly since I started Zyprexa - this worries me! After some research on google I found out there are people that are having withdrawal from Zyprexa. Now I'm kind of scared. I've gone on and off Zyprexa a few times, but always had my Valium. Whats going to happen to me now ?!?! Is there such thing as Zyprexa W/Ds ??? My doctor said (a while back) that there are absolutely none -- was he just trying to psych me out?
All opinions and comments greatly appreciated,
4ed
Posted by ricker on May 25, 2009, at 21:29:46
In reply to Zyprexa Withdrawal - Is there such thing?, posted by 4ed on May 25, 2009, at 20:17:06
> Is there such thing as Zyprexa W/Ds ???
> All opinions and comments greatly appreciated,
> 4edI suppose there is, just as you can have withdrawals from stopping coffee cold turkey. I guess the question is, how bad are the withdrawals?
I stopped zyprexa once, tapered down at a reasonable rate and had no problem at all. If quitting smoking was that easy I'd of quit years ago.
If you are benefiting with the med, just try and enjoy your stability, seems like new meds are coming down the pipeline so there's always future options.
Again, everyone is unique in that my perception of withdrawal may be totally different than the next.
I guess I'm rather fortunate in that I've experienced minimal withdrawal throughout 22 years of eating M&M's ;-) I'd be more stressed out in finding a drug to relieve my symptoms, rather than pondering how to stop a med that is currently helping. Just my thoughts.
Regards, Rick
Posted by yxibow on May 26, 2009, at 4:37:14
In reply to Zyprexa Withdrawal - Is there such thing?, posted by 4ed on May 25, 2009, at 20:17:06
> I've been coming off Valium and started taking Zyprexa to control W/D's like rage, worry, depression; for which it has helped a lot. But I'm starting to worry that I'm developing another dependence... I don't want to trade off the Valium for another med. My Valium taper has gone remarkably smoothly since I started Zyprexa - this worries me! After some research on google I found out there are people that are having withdrawal from Zyprexa. Now I'm kind of scared. I've gone on and off Zyprexa a few times, but always had my Valium. Whats going to happen to me now ?!?! Is there such thing as Zyprexa W/Ds ??? My doctor said (a while back) that there are absolutely none -- was he just trying to psych me out?
>
> All opinions and comments greatly appreciated,
> 4ed
The withdrawal would be specific, if its being taken to help anxiety, you might have temporary emerging symptoms.Main thing is to taper it slowly -- dropping an AP like a brick is not a good thing. Withdrawal dyskinesia can occur (basically a harmless but not particularly pleasant short lasting condition, possibly jerks or tics or EPS like syndromes basically).
Other than that I don't see that it is a large issue.
-- Jay
Posted by bleauberry on May 26, 2009, at 5:38:28
In reply to Zyprexa Withdrawal - Is there such thing?, posted by 4ed on May 25, 2009, at 20:17:06
The doctor is out of his mind. He is more insane than anyone here.
It took me 3 months to wean off 5mg Zyprexa, and it was harder than weaning off any benzo or antidepressant I had ever been on.
Posted by greywolf on May 26, 2009, at 6:04:49
In reply to Zyprexa Withdrawal - Is there such thing?, posted by 4ed on May 25, 2009, at 20:17:06
Withdrawal is an individual thing. Many people have discontinuation problems with many meds, while others have no problems.
I fall in the latter category. No matter how long I'm on a med or how high the dosage, I can drop it like a brick and not feel a thing (except continued depression or a reactivation of manic states). For that, at least, I'm grateful.
Greywolf
Posted by 4ed on May 26, 2009, at 21:54:58
In reply to Zyprexa Withdrawal - Is there such thing?, posted by 4ed on May 25, 2009, at 20:17:06
Thanks for your replies. I'm glad I posted my question here, being that members usually respond in a rational, non-panic inducing manner.
I'm all in favor of staying on a drug so long as its helping. Mostly everything in my med cocktail has pooped out.
Zyprexa has become my benzo substitute, for now. I will use it for a few months then slowly come off (as I always have). Meanwhile I hope I can pry a more realistic script for Xanax out of my docs hands (I only get a few and no refills). This is because I'm in favor of a shorter acting med for putting out fires. Maybe its time to try Seroquel? What I'm trying to get away from is the "staying loaded all the time" approach to anxiety reduction. In this regard Zyprexa is not such a good candidate.
Posted by Zyprexa on May 26, 2009, at 23:14:19
In reply to Zyprexa Withdrawal - Is there such thing?, posted by 4ed on May 25, 2009, at 20:17:06
Zyprexa is not addictive. I just have an impossible time coming off it because when I do I go back to the way I was before I started it. Not sleeping, not eating, psychotic, etc...
This is the end of the thread.
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