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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 11:44:10
Wondering if anyone has any advice. I"m new to the board. My husband has been on 5 mg a day of Zyprexa since November 2003. He previously had no trouble sleeping before starting the medication. Once he started the meds, first month he went to sleep early (like 8pm), slept all night (sometimes 10 to 12 hours) and then felt groggy and sleepy all day. This lasted about 6 months. Beginning in June 2004, he can't keep his eyes open past 9pm (normally doesn't even make it till then) and then later on in the night, awakens between 2:30am - 4:00 wide eyed, can't sleep, then leaves to go to work at 6:40AM, extremely tired, and says he feels as though he never went to sleep the night before. He's not on any other meds and doesn't take anything over the counter like vitamins, etc. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Anyone have any ideas? He's so worn out now after months of this, he went off Zyprexa for the past two days, thinking its the medication, but I'm concerned, as the Zyprexa has been GREAT in battling his other bipolar symptoms.I"m seeing much frustration from him.
Posted by HappyGirl on September 3, 2004, at 12:41:50
In reply to Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 11:44:10
Hi:
Your concern about your husband's condition is TRULY understandable.
Most of cases like your husband, ... only Zyprexa is NOT enough to alleviate all of his Bp symptoms. Zyprexa is one of BEST meds. for Bp, however your husband needs at least one more med. that is most likely 'anti-depressant,' because it seems to me like the depressive side of his Bp causing 'irrational/fragmental' sleep pattern.In Bipolar, as you both might have known, there is two symptoms, ... 'hypomania' and 'depression.' As reading your post above, your husband's Bp is most classified Bp II that is not severe form but NOT easily to get it treated. For this reason, most of Bp IIs need, so to speak, med. cocktail/med. combo., ... more than one med.
However, the depressive side of Bp II is quite hard to get treated properly due to its complexity involved. Then, his pdoc. might have planned on anti-depressant tx later days when he could see his progress/improvement on the Zyprexa treatment.
Since there is some complexities on this isse/problem, I would suggest you to call his pdoc. ASAP, because it must be quite risky for him to get off of the Zyprexa 5 mg. abruply.
H.G.
Posted by Guy on September 3, 2004, at 12:48:45
In reply to Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 11:44:10
For me, Zyprexa at 5 mg stopped working for sleep after a couple of weeks. I had to bump the dose up to 10 mg, and that lasted a few months before that, too, pooped out. Some people, however stay at 10 mg for years with no loss of effect. Everyone is different.
Posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 12:53:11
In reply to Re: Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by HappyGirl on September 3, 2004, at 12:41:50
> Hi:
> Your concern about your husband's condition is TRULY understandable.
> Most of cases like your husband, ... only Zyprexa is NOT enough to alleviate all of his Bp symptoms. Zyprexa is one of BEST meds. for Bp, however your husband needs at least one more med. that is most likely 'anti-depressant,' because it seems to me like the depressive side of his Bp causing 'irrational/fragmental' sleep pattern.
>
> In Bipolar, as you both might have known, there is two symptoms, ... 'hypomania' and 'depression.' As reading your post above, your husband's Bp is most classified Bp II that is not severe form but NOT easily to get it treated. For this reason, most of Bp IIs need, so to speak, med. cocktail/med. combo., ... more than one med.
>
> However, the depressive side of Bp II is quite hard to get treated properly due to its complexity involved. Then, his pdoc. might have planned on anti-depressant tx later days when he could see his progress/improvement on the Zyprexa treatment.
>
> Since there is some complexities on this isse/problem, I would suggest you to call his pdoc. ASAP, because it must be quite risky for him to get off of the Zyprexa 5 mg. abruply.
> H.G.
Thanks! I did put a call into his pdoc....waiting to hear something. Also his sex drive has hit rock bottom. I'm at an all time high LOL.... I'm guessing that's also in connection with Zyprexa.
Posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 12:55:37
In reply to Re: Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by Guy on September 3, 2004, at 12:48:45
> For me, Zyprexa at 5 mg stopped working for sleep after a couple of weeks. I had to bump the dose up to 10 mg, and that lasted a few months before that, too, pooped out. Some people, however stay at 10 mg for years with no loss of effect. Everyone is different.
Thanks for the info... this is so weird considering he had NO sleep problems at all until he began taking Zyprexa for BP II. Now he's having difficulty. But Zyprexa has done great otherwise, no mood swings, has an even affect, no temper tantrums, etc and carries on conversations well.... its just this darn sleep thing!
Posted by tabitha on September 3, 2004, at 13:41:14
In reply to Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 11:44:10
Keep working it with his doctor. They'll typically have some ideas about side effects, such as adjusting dosage or adding another med to offset the undesirable effects of the first one. It can be frustrating trying to find the right combo.
Posted by Guy on September 3, 2004, at 14:32:28
In reply to Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 11:44:10
One more thing I forgot to add--Zyprexa is probably the most difficult med to quit in terms of rebound insomnia. Go to the insomnia forums and you will hear nasty stories about many people who have gone with almost no sleep for a month after discontinuing Zyprexa. So, if your husband plans to quit the Z, he should taper slowly and simultaneously add another sleep med that is easier to discontinue. Never quit Z abruptly and expect sleep to return anytime soon.
Posted by Sad Panda on September 4, 2004, at 0:48:49
In reply to Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 11:44:10
What time does he take his Zyprexa? Can he delay if for a few hours?
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Sebastian on September 4, 2004, at 8:55:52
In reply to Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 11:44:10
My guess is he needs a higher dose. 7.5 mg.
Posted by HappyGirl on September 4, 2004, at 12:44:44
In reply to Re: Cannot sleep on Zyprexa, Please advise!, posted by purplestarchild on September 3, 2004, at 12:53:11
Hi:
>>> Also his sex drive has hit rock bottom. I'm at an all time high LOL.... I'm guessing that's also in connection with Zyprexa.<<<--- This issue/sex drive is VERY tricky thing to discuss to begin with, ... but of course it's VERY important issue as for 'a man and a wife' relationship, can not be ignored totally due to the Bp he's been carrying. It's very true that the Zyprexa causing 'loss of sex drive,' at least 'getting into the 'lesser' interest on this subject.' Not only the Zyprexa also most of psycho. meds. doing this. This is completely its side-effects from taking those 'powerful(most of cases) psycho. meds. In other words, this, med.s' potent effectiveness alleviates mental illnesses, from depression to shizo,. I know you don't want to hear this,... but in regard to 'sex-drive,' this/potency of meds. goes 'opposite direction,' not to get arousal(sp?).
I truly understand your frustration in terms of this problem, S.E.s from the Zyprexa. However, seeing and knowing that your husband has been struggling with this 'unwelcomed-monster,' then try to understand his place, ... not function WELL enough to satisfy his wife(you). In this regard, you may need more depth-knowledge concerning mental illness from which your husband sufferring. For your 'good' understanding's sake, some 'counselling' would be good for both, you and your husband. Most of cases here, in USA, there are a plenty of counselling services available to those who need a good information and helpful advice on this regard.
Good Luck on both of you!
H.G.
This is the end of the thread.
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