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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 UgottaHaveHOPE on June 5, 2006, at 13:29:57
All I have heard on here about Zyprexa causes tremendous weight gain and possibly Diabetes type 2.
So my question is this: Is there anyone on here who has found Zyprexa to be beneficial? And how so?
Posted by B2chica on June 5, 2006, at 14:18:49
In reply to Does Zyprexa work for anyone?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on June 5, 2006, at 13:29:57
very much yes.
interestingly enough the very first time i was on it i didn't gain any weight. i was on it for about four months (Rx from my GP) then i went to see a pdoc for first time and he switched my meds.
later on (and differnt pdoc later) was put back on zyprexa. it helped TREMENDOUSLY.
had some pretty dysphoric mania and almost psychotic depression, zyprexa was the only thing that helped.
ALSO i had major sleeping issues...as in i wasn't. and nothing seemed to really help, zyprexa helped with this, it also helped with anxiety. i noticed a decrease in the constant anxiety that i was feeling in about a weeks time. it was almost non existant.the second time i was put on it i had an ED and was underweight and within a year's time i gained about 50 lbs.
but unfortunately, i'd have to stick with zyprexa cuz i knew what it felt like to be really 'out of it'. and that was the only AP that seemed to help me.
i think zyprexa also has some AD properties...for me it pretty much helped with everything i needed. it was a great drug for me (except the weight gain). but i'm still alive.
please feel free to ask any other questions.
b2c.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on June 5, 2006, at 16:15:42
In reply to Does Zyprexa work for anyone?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on June 5, 2006, at 13:29:57
Hey,
I've tried Zyprexa for my bipolar 'spectrum' disoder and it really sedated me (12 + hours sleeping) and I gained quite a bit of weight... I am also very ectomorph, so I had difficulty gaining weight historically.. I believe its quite potent in that regard...as a side note, a friend of mine is finishing her psych residency in canada and she said that new research claims that an effective exercise and diet regime can prevent the health problems... but this leads to the question: when people are mentally ill enough to justify zyprexa, where will they find the energy to exercise and eat right.
ALso, I know that zyprexa is a first-line med for everyone who comes into the hospital in canada with sschizo/bipolar emergencies...
In the end, I think its personal like every other psych drug...
bps
Posted by heaven help me on June 5, 2006, at 17:40:37
In reply to Re: Does Zyprexa work for anyone?, posted by bipolarspectrum on June 5, 2006, at 16:15:42
Hi - I was on Zyprexa for about a year and a half. I was quite underweight when I started but I gained 35lb, and *became* diabetic. Therefore, I weaned off it and am now on a Lamictal + Geodon combination. I will say that while on the Zyprexa I felt very stable. I also excercised regularly and tried eating like mice but I felt there really was an actual metabolic change that simply made whatever I ate turn into extra weight. I am pretty stong willed, and I couldn't keep the weight off. But it did plateau at 35lbs. As others have said, you just have to find a combo that works for you. I think it stinks that this can take such a long time but I guess I would be worse off if I wasn't trying to find the right meds. I know some people haven't gained as much on Zyprexa, but that it is high in the category.
blessings
mary
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 5, 2006, at 21:15:12
In reply to Re: Does Zyprexa work for anyone?, posted by heaven help me on June 5, 2006, at 17:40:37
has anyone not gained wght?
and if you did gain weight, was it worth the trade-off to feel better by taking Zyprexa?
THANKS
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 5, 2006, at 21:16:37
In reply to Re: Does Zyprexa work for anyone?, posted by B2chica on June 5, 2006, at 14:18:49
why do you think you didnt gain wgt the first time, but did gain wgt the second time? and are you still taking it?
have you tried Seroquel?
Posted by SLS on June 6, 2006, at 8:07:43
In reply to Re: Has anyone NOT gained wght on Zyprexa?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 5, 2006, at 21:15:12
> has anyone not gained wght?
>
> and if you did gain weight, was it worth the trade-off to feel better by taking Zyprexa?
>
> THANKSSome people have had success using amantadine (Symmetrel) to prevent weight gain with Zyprexa.
- Scott
Posted by B2chica on June 6, 2006, at 9:30:37
In reply to Re: BP2Chica, posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 5, 2006, at 21:16:37
i am not currently on it because hubby and i want to get pregnant and i wanted to be off all meds.
but...i'm sure i'll go back on it. it was the only one that really seemed to work for me.well, the first time i was on it i switched from effexor to zyprexa, while on effexor i was loosing weight but was still overweight. when i started on zyprexa it made me very tired for the first week.
but i'm not really sure why i didn't gain weight. except that i wasn't hungry all the time like i was the second time.
the first time, my eating habits and exercise habits didn't change. the second time they did.i was on seroquel and it really knocked me out, great for my sleep issues but it caused a LOT of cognitive blunting and was effecting my job greatly. my pdoc immediately took me off it. i honestly think i still have some residual cognitive deficits because of it. :(
for me as irradic as i would become, taking the zyprexa was unfortunately worth it. i would really get flipped out, paranoid and really sucked into my own little world...along with all the other weirdness.
and to have that dissapate and be able to function well as a wife and employee again. it was worth it. unfortunately i really wish there wasn't a trade off.
its a shame really.
the one thing that works for many people, has such negative side effects.if your symptoms are severe enough i would not let the weight gain effect your choice to take it. i would suggest giving it a try for a few weeks. i didn't gain weight right away, i don't think i started gaining till the second month.
if by then you are gaining unwanted weight you can choose to stop or continue.but also, what scott mentioned the 'amantadine?' i've heard that too. you might want to mention that to pdoc...worth a shot.
good luck UHH.
HTH
b2c
Posted by heaven help me on June 6, 2006, at 9:34:04
In reply to Re: Has anyone NOT gained wght on Zyprexa?, posted by SLS on June 6, 2006, at 8:07:43
My PA offerred Benadryl as a combatant to the weight gain. I just didn't use it as I didn't want to take ANOTHER med. I felt very good on Zyprexa and think I would have stayed "fat and happy" if it wasn't for the Diabetes as well. Besides, it wasn't *that* fat, really. I think a lot of people use Zyprexa, gain wieght more than they are used to but are not obese as a result. Just a bit plumper.
blessigns
mary
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 6, 2006, at 14:06:53
In reply to Re: Does Zyprexa work for anyone?, posted by heaven help me on June 5, 2006, at 17:40:37
When you stopped taking Zyprexa, were you able to get rid of your diabetic symptoms? Or do you still have it? Did you lose weight once you stopped taking Zyprexa? Tell me more of your story please. And did the Zyprexa help your anxiety?
Posted by heaven help me on June 6, 2006, at 22:05:56
In reply to Re: Heaven Help Me Q, posted by UgottaHaveHope on June 6, 2006, at 14:06:53
Hi,
OK, on Zyprexa I had 3 high blood sugar levels in a row, therefore the PA put me on Actos to keep it in check (a Diabetes med. Like I needed another pill to take). Shortly after that I weaned off the Zyprexa and onto Lamictal and Geodon. On ZYprexa I felt *stable* to good. On the Lamictal + Geodon I feel happy even, lots, but not all of the time. So I prefer this regime.The last 3 blood tests I have had since weaning of the Zyprexa have showed normal blood sugars so the PA is saying it "wasn't too late" as in, I guess, the longer you are on it the worse and more permanent your diabetic situation can get.
As for the weight loss, my appetite is all but gone so I have dropped (too fast I am sure) about 20 of the 35 extra pounds (and am quite happy at this weight - just need to get an appetite back - or, as I see it, eat more ice cream!!!- to keep from losing more). PA said the Actos may be playing a role in this and if I have another good blood sugar level I can go off the Actos as well. That is what I am expecting.
I think that the meds are starting to balance, but that also, all the while, the Lord has been at work in the midst of all this and it is really HIM who has gotten me to the actually *happy* sometimes state. So it is a mix of many things
blessings
mary
Posted by helpme on June 30, 2006, at 13:34:38
In reply to Does Zyprexa work for anyone?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on June 5, 2006, at 13:29:57
This drug is poison.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 2, 2006, at 2:33:30
In reply to Re: Does Zyprexa work for anyone?, posted by helpme on June 30, 2006, at 13:34:38
> This drug is poison.
Please don't exaggerate.
But please don't take this personally, either, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please first see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
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