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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by anneL on December 6, 2004, at 22:43:52
Saw a new pdoc today because my depression is not in remission and I have been taking Effexor XR 225 mg. and Klonopin 1 mg. at bedtime for 5 years.
He spent about 1 hour with me and took a history, and gave me 3 tests to determine anxiety, depression and bipolar depression. So obviously my test for depression was high (duh), he said I had symptoms of GAD (double duh) and that I did answer "yes" to many of the questions for bipolar and felt I should be on a mood stabilizer. (My previous pdoc in another state tried me on Lamictal in addition to Effexor but I became extremely irritable and was on my way to getting myself fired).He would like me off Effexor, but we both agreed that the issues of discontinuation should not enter the equation yet. In the meantime he wants me to increase dopamine with Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. 1 a day x 3 days then 1 twice a day. He also wants me on Zyprexa to start at 2.5 mg. at night.
So here I am on Effexor, Klonopin staring at a bottle of Zyprexa and Wellbutrin. I am soooo scared. Am I going to be a zombie or something?
Just feeling like I am going to be over-medicated and not be able to function at my current level.
Any thoughts would be deeply appreciated. Thanks,
AnneL
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 7, 2004, at 6:02:01
In reply to Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by anneL on December 6, 2004, at 22:43:52
I don't have experience w/ those meds, but I think a big factor is the availability of your pdoc. If you get to see him in a week (or so) then the two of you can evaluate if the meds are making you a zombie and then make the necessary changes. A lost week is nothing compared to the 5 years you have lost due to depression. Also, if he is easy to reach by phone if you are having a problem, that can be a big comfort.
Good luck. Depression sucks. :(
EE
Posted by SLS on December 7, 2004, at 9:04:15
In reply to Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by anneL on December 6, 2004, at 22:43:52
Zyprexa does not normally make people feel like zombies. In fact, many people report that it makes them think more clearly. You might experience some sedation or sleepiness during the first week, but it should dissipate. I was very reluctant to try Zyprexa when my doctor first suggested it. Older drugs in this class are known to cause abnormal movements, some of which that can be irreversible. However, such things are very uncommon with Zyprexa, and I became convinced that the risks of having these things happen was extremely low. I currently take Abilify and find that it helps a little for depression and anxiety. With Abilify, you must accept that you might actually experience an increase in anxiety and restlessness early in treatment, but most people report that this disappears within the first few weeks.
I don't think you should worry too much about Zyprexa. Hopefully, you won't be in the minority of people who react adversely to it.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by libbyann on December 7, 2004, at 10:31:36
In reply to Re: Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take! » anneL, posted by SLS on December 7, 2004, at 9:04:15
I reacted adversely to Zyprexa, honestly. But I guess the good thing is that you can usually tell within about 3-4 days (said the doc) how it's affecting you. So you won't have a ton of it in your system if you have to stop. Be sure your insurance covers it because those suckers are expensive!!
Posted by SLS on December 7, 2004, at 10:49:28
In reply to Re: Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by libbyann on December 7, 2004, at 10:31:36
> I reacted adversely to Zyprexa, honestly. But I guess the good thing is that you can usually tell within about 3-4 days (said the doc) how it's affecting you. So you won't have a ton of it in your system if you have to stop. Be sure your insurance covers it because those suckers are expensive!!
Hi.
I'm sorry that Zyprexa disappointed you. In what ways did it affect you?
- Scott
Posted by anneL on December 7, 2004, at 12:12:56
In reply to Re: Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 7, 2004, at 6:02:01
Thank you so much for your reply, EE. My new pdoc seems to be very accessible and I sense that he has a great deal of compassion. Your reply has lessened my anxiety tremendously and I sincerely thank you for taking the time to reply.
:) AnneL
Posted by anneL on December 7, 2004, at 12:22:23
In reply to Re: Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take! » anneL, posted by SLS on December 7, 2004, at 9:04:15
Hi Scott,
Thank you, thank you! I took 2.5 mg. of Zyprexa last night and I did have some anxiety prior to falling asleep and an extremely dry mouth. I woke up at 10:30AM (!) and feel quite peaceful.
I will give it more time to see how it affects my ability to concentrate. Again, thank you very much.
:) AnneL
Posted by anneL on December 7, 2004, at 12:25:08
In reply to Re: Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by libbyann on December 7, 2004, at 10:31:36
Hi,
I am sorry that you had adverse reactions. Would you be willing to share how much Zyprexa you were taking, how long you were taking it, and why your doctor prescribed it? Are you taking a different medication(s) now? Thanks for your input!
:) AnneL
Posted by anneL on December 7, 2004, at 12:40:06
In reply to Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by anneL on December 6, 2004, at 22:43:52
> Saw a new pdoc today because my depression is not in remission and I have been taking Effexor XR 225 mg. and Klonopin 1 mg. at bedtime for 5 years.
> He spent about 1 hour with me and took a history, and gave me 3 tests to determine anxiety, depression and bipolar depression. So obviously my test for depression was high (duh), he said I had symptoms of GAD (double duh) and that I did answer "yes" to many of the questions for bipolar and felt I should be on a mood stabilizer. (My previous pdoc in another state tried me on Lamictal in addition to Effexor but I became extremely irritable and was on my way to getting myself fired).
>
> He would like me off Effexor, but we both agreed that the issues of discontinuation should not enter the equation yet. In the meantime he wants me to increase dopamine with Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. 1 a day x 3 days then 1 twice a day. He also wants me on Zyprexa to start at 2.5 mg. at night.
>
> So here I am on Effexor, Klonopin staring at a bottle of Zyprexa and Wellbutrin. I am soooo scared. Am I going to be a zombie or something?
> Just feeling like I am going to be over-medicated and not be able to function at my current level.
> Any thoughts would be deeply appreciated. Thanks,
> AnneL>>>>>So this morning is day 1 adding Welbutrin SR 150 mg. 1 a day for 3 days then going to every 1 every 12 hours. I have stayed away from this medication for 5 years! My mom takes it and loves it! But when I hear that something causes anxiety, I panic! I just took my first dose this morning, but I feel fine because my first dose of Zyprexa last night seems to be making me feel calm. How long does it take to start feeling anxious on Welbutrin and how long does it take to get used to it? I am an RN and I need to not be anxious or irritable in stressful conditions!
Thanks,
:) AnneL
Posted by libbyann on December 7, 2004, at 13:10:15
In reply to Re: Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by SLS on December 7, 2004, at 10:49:28
> Hi.
>
> I'm sorry that Zyprexa disappointed you. In what ways did it affect you?Scott,
My goodness. I don't want to scare anyone because what was awful for me could be the miracle for someone else, but my experience was pretty bad. I was confused, angry, frustrated, distant, tired, and just overall really upset. I was given it as a mood stabilizer and it stabilized my mood, alright! I was in a really bad mood. The immediate effects were pretty bad too - loss of appetite, stomach problems, vision problems, inability to focus, nervousness.Again, if you're on zyprexa and reading this, please don't think this will be everyone's experience. It was just not the drug for me. It might be exactly what someone else needs, though.
libbyann
Posted by Sebastian on December 7, 2004, at 18:23:19
In reply to Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by anneL on December 6, 2004, at 22:43:52
If its any consolation, I have never found zyprexa to be disabling. Usualy its more of the oposite. I've taken it 7 years now, and owe all my success to zyprexa. Ur moods are reduced, but that helps you concentrate better.
Posted by anneL on December 8, 2004, at 22:38:36
In reply to Re: Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take!, posted by Sebastian on December 7, 2004, at 18:23:19
Hi Sebastian,
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am happy that Zyprexa has been of such help to you!This is my third night taking Zyprexa 2.5 mg. I feel pretty groggy and mentally slow when I wake up. Will I get used to the grogginess? I can't even imagine working my way up to 5 mg! I guess I shall take it one day at a time.
My question: Why or how does Zyprexa cause weight gain? Does it increase appetite. I fear that I will end up with non-insulin dependent diabetes if I gain a significant amount of weight.
I don't want to add body image issues to my problem list.
Thanks again, SebastianAnneL
Posted by Sebastian on December 9, 2004, at 12:07:06
In reply to Re: Is low dose Zyprexa safe - I am scared to take! » Sebastian, posted by anneL on December 8, 2004, at 22:38:36
You have to take it very slow in dose increase. The tiredness is acomidated over time. You may want a few months before you increase to 5 mg.
This is the end of the thread.
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