I've been taking 5mg for about 3 1/2 months now. It does still help me sleep so far.  I also take Paxil in the morning, so I'm not sure which was causing me to be unmotivated in the morning. I saw some other posts, and today took the Paxil after lunch and felt better in the morning.

Ajax

My doctor just put me on Zyprexa. I started last night at a 10mg dose. It took me about an hour to fall asleep <about 11:pm> Woke up at 6:30..from fretful sleeo. I went back to bed at aprox 9:00 am and woke up at 1:00 p.m.  It took me awhile to get motivated, but once I did, I was totally awake and functioning. Not manicky.. kinda "normal" feeling lol. I am just wondering, if I should take it earlier than "right before bedtime".. as it seemed to really kick in with "sound sleep" after I woke up the first time. Any info on this med is appreciated.[QUOTE] To the world you might just be one person.. but to one person.. you might just be the world! :)

gerlygurl...I have always taken my Z in the evening either right after dinner or in the 8PM range.  I used to be asleep as soon as I hit the pillow!  Not anymore. :(   For some reason the Z has stopped functioning as a sleep med.  I don't know if I need more or if I should drop the Zyprexa.  I see the doc next week...we shall see.

Swede

Thanks so much for sharing that. I will probably call the nurse line and ask about it... but it sounds logical. Maybe Ill get to bed earlier and "wake up" earlier... and be functionable at a decent time! haha  Again.. thanks for the reply!
[QUOTE]"Normal? Its just a cycle on the washing machine!"

I've been on 20mg of Zyprexa a nite for about a month. It never really sedated me. I think I'm going to change Zyprexa to something else. Since I gained a lot of weight and have this irritating restlessness effect.

I'm not taking Zyprexa now, but I am curious whether any of you taking it have had problems with weight gain, increased triglycerides, cholesterol, blood sugar, or Type II diabetes. I've heard that  Zyprexa often works great for psychosis, bipolar disorder, and sometimes as an augmenting agent for depression. Just  curious.

Sammy, I'm not taking Zyprexa anymore, but when I did, it worked very well for curbing depressive problems and delusions/psychosis, etc.  It was great for sleep!  I did gain weight, and my triglycerides went way high, and my blood sugar went into pre-diabetes territory.  With the exception of my blood sugar, everything else has gone back to normal since I quit last November.  I do miss Zyprexa (20 mg) because it "leveled me out" and made me think better (and the sleep - man it was great).  Right now I'm a little messed up without it and the old problems are returning.  I've been going med free since November and I can't truly endorse it...

Swede - any changes in stressors in your life?  Or other med changes?  Maybe you just need to bring up the dose a bit to get back the great sleep you once had with Z.  Maybe your doc will know when you see him this coming week.  Good luck and I hope things work out.

This medicine is increasing my appetite. I am eating like a horse! My current weight is about 114, and Im 5'7. Due to depression, my weight went down for a few year. I never had an appetite. I believe 104 was my lowest, and I had no energy. Since Ive been on the Zyprexa for about 1week, Ive noticed that my energy level is up, and like I said earlier, my appetite. I was told that weight gain would probably occur. Im just scared/horrified of gaining ALOT of weight. I could take 15 lbs or so. Being as we know weight gain is a side effect, I plan on walking, and light excercise to combat it.. If my energy stays up.. THATS MY PRAYER. As far as the diabetes/blood sugar thing... how do you know if its up/down? Should I wait a few months and make an appt. with regular physician? now Im a little worried!

Hi gerylgerl,

I'm not sure about when a blood test is required, but I only did so because of problems with dizziness.  I think the actual criteria for a concern over blood sugar may be more than simple dizziness but I don't know exactly what they are.

Try not to worry.  From what my pdoc told me, the odds aren't good that this would happen to most people.  I think your idea of exercising and walking is good, for more reasons than just weight maintenance.

As for the increased appetite, I wish I had a decent solution.  I would drink lots of water or chew sugarless gum, but I know when the craving hits, it's so hard to avoid eating lots of food.  Since the pdoc wants me back on a form of Zyprexa called Symbyax soon, I'll have to be on the lookout for this very real side effect.

I hope everything works out for you... good luck with this!

does zyprexa make you tired? all day feeling so tired and sleepy? and also makes you eat constantly and you cant seem to stop the eating even if you try so hard?

does it do that? cause thats the major reason i stopped it, but on the flip side it helped level me out, level my moods, and manic moods and stuff, and also paranoia!

I dont know what to do  :(

Zyprexa will DEFFINITELY make you tired and sleep and it will make you eat more.  Weight gain is a common side effect.

Swede

I am still "Zyprexa'ing".... and YES..FOR ME... IT MAKES ME WANT TO EAT 24/7! I saw my doctor yesterday. He also put me on Tegretol.. which is also used as a mood stabilizer. He said it might combat the "hunger pains" as well. Lets pray so!
As far as the sleep.. hmm ..well it still takes me forever to go to bed and Im on 20mg. Once I get to sleep though, I stay there! Ive noticed that my moods are more stable. That right there is a plus in my eyes. The only drawback to this med is the weight thing. In a week.. Ive gained 4 lbs. The way I see it.. is I needed to gain some weight to begin with.. or others thought so < I think my size 3 is okay> IF I gain more than 20 lbs.. I KNOW I WILL STOP THE MED. Hopefully though, the Tegretol will do some good there. Its suppose to decrease appetite. Maybe the SIDE EFFECT of that med will overweigh the Zyprexa "eat everything in the house" side effect!   Lordy.. the trials we go through just to feel "normal!" Take care all![QUOTE]  Normal? Its just a cycle on the washing machine!!!

If the zyprexa helped me in the past but i stopped it because of weight gain and tiredness///what do u think i should do?
im still on the prozac, it helps!
Zyprexa is good and bad, im confused.

I also tried other antipsychotics which all had the same sideeffects, like resperidone.

?  :(

Its all trial and error to me. Like the label "anti-psychotic"... Im not psychotic... yet my doc has me on  a med labeled that! All medicines work differently for different reasons. You can take a tylenol for a backache or a headache! I really like the effects that the Zyprexa has on me.. except the weight thing. I would advise that you talk to your doctor. Mine put me on another med <which might also have side effects> but none so far. Its tegretol. Its is suppose to be used for seizures.. as well as mood stabilizer. Well see. Best of luck to you.. and I guess to me a well. Were in the same boat!
Take care of you!

thanks gerlygirl,
I have the zyprexa but im not going to use it unless i totally need it.

the prozac is good for now.

If i feel the anxiety getting too high maybe ill go to my GP and ask for antianxiety pills.

The zyprexa will be my last resort.

are you manic? hence the zyprexa? its also for schizophrenia.

Jimi... My doctor diagnosed me with Post Partum Depression after I had my daughter 10 years ago. I was put on an antidepressant and used it for two years. I quit taking it and felt fine.<to everyone... DONT do this unless ya talk to your doctor. Anywho.. I went off of it.. and the only thing that bothered me periodicaly was anxiety and irritability. That came around my monthly cycles. 5 years later, I had my 2nd baby, and went into the same state... DEEP DEPRESSION. I was put back on medication.. and it worked for awhile.. still with the panic and anxiety.. but it was like I was changing meds every 3 months or so. The diagnosis was stil PPD. Now that my family is getting involved in my treatment, they see the high highs... that I dont see. I dont go radical on anyone or anything.. its just that I am so into whatever Im doing, lack of concentration to stay on just one thing.. no need for sleep.. and then boom.. the bottom opens up and deep depression hits. Thats why he put me on a mood stabilizer. I also take xanax AS NEEDED through the day... and maybe a mg at night. There are so many "diagnosis" and "labels" out there.. with alot of the same symptoms.. I really believe its hard to make a good and complete diagnosis. It is aggrevating going from med to med and coming off one to get on another. I am trying the Omega 3 Fish Capsules as well. It will not interfere with meds as my doctor told me it actually might help. You can get it at Eckerds. They have the ecentric coated tabs for those with reflux problems. I really believe in the stuff.. atleast with conjunction to medications.
To all who read... I know Im a newbie to the BB.. but you guys have brought alot of insight to me.. just by reading post. I pray I do the same. Take care all! As far as the anxiety getting too high, my P Doc told me that the Zyprexa would work with anxiety. Maybe he needs to put you on an anxiety med for a short time.. until you see how the Zyprexa is gonna take to your system. Just a suggestion.
:p

Tthere are meny off label uses for Zyprexa...not just for bipolar and schizophrenia.  I take mine to control Tourette's Syndrom (a movement disorder) and have been on it for several years.  It tends to give me great sleep but it is hard to get going in the morning.  Weight gain has been a problem for me especially since my doc wants me to lose weight.  Recently I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and that concerns me.  There have been some links suggested to diabetes and zyprexa.  I am a bit alarmed and willl have to research this and possibly consider the med altogether.

Swede

I was on zyprexa for a while (cahnged to something else cos I didn't like the weight gain) and it was a mood stabiliser, I'm dx with personality disorder as well as depressive disorder.

The doc told me to lose weight then he upped my Zyprexa prescription...wow, what a contradiction!

Swede

lol swede!

just a quick question......

can you gain weight from 2.5 mgs of zyprexa? or do u have to take at least 5mgs or 10mgs to gain weight?

Any experiences?

I don't know if it's dose-dependent.  I used to take 20 mg for over a year and put on over twenty pounds.  Of course, I was eating all the time.  

I just started taking 6 mg last Monday (in the form of Symbyax) after a drug holiday of several months.  Since starting on Monday, I've dropped four pounds, which might be due to my change in eating habits: no oils/fats, no salt, no sugars, no fun...  Maybe it's far too early to know if this will be how it goes on 6 mg of olanzapine, I don't know.  But that's my experience so far.

I just couldn't control myself med-free and had to go back on them...

I HAVE THE MUNCHIES! Oh Lord, this med is ridiculous! I constantly crave something sweet. Last night, I settled for a few spoonfull of chocolate frosting! Does it get any better? lol
Now he has me on 400 mg tegretol am and pm. That is suppose to decrease appetite... but im taking it along with the Zyprexa. I guess we'll see who wins!
Take care all!
:)

My doc has now classified me as "pre-diabetic".  There have been many links between zyprexa and diabetes that I have been researching.  My MD brother-in-law has been researching the topic and even called Eli Lilly in Indianapolis to talk to one of their pharmacists.  They are downplaying the link but it seems to be true.  Zyprexa has not caused a diabetic condition...it just made me hungry all the time and that led to being overweight and that led to the "pre-diabetic" condition. It is like a dog chasing his tail!  

Swede

wow! doesnt seem like its a great medication to be on huh !

Well it certainly gives you good sleep while you are taking it!

Hi, I am currently on Seroquel 600 mgs and I am looking for a good antipsychotic to try as a PRN for agitation or manic symptoms.  Seroquel and Risperdal do nothing for me.  I want to avoid using Haldol because the SE's are so bad since it is an older antipsychotic.  Four years ago I tried Zyprexa for aggression, irritability, and sleep, but I quit becuase of  the sedation and weight gain.  I am going to try taking 5mg as a PRN.  Does anyone also use their Zyprexa on an as needed basis?  Thanks.

Katie :glare:

hey, i dont think zyprexa is as an on needed basis medication like benzos (ex: valium, xanax, etc...) these could be taken as an on needed basis, but zyprexa is a medication to take for some time regularly at the same time each day, night time.

Hello,

I posted this question on a different board but since Abilify is in the same category as Zyprexa I though I could repost here:


Group: Just Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: July 2004  Posted: Aug. 02 2004,21:44    

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 I am going to my dr tomorrow and was hoping to maybe switch to abilify.  anyone with recent experience on this?  I have seen the older posts. I am just guessing at things now but it is because I do feel pretty desperate.  I called in sick today for the first time because I just couldn't go.  I could not make myself.  I need something to lift this depression.  To quiet the storm...

Thanks for listening.
bD

jimi,
I am not looking for a benzodiazepiene.  I use Xanax as a PRN already for anxiety.  Usually, in hospitals they use a combo of a benzo and an antipsychotic to sedate a patient that is extremely psychotic, violent, or agitated.  If it is not that big of a deal they just give some Benadryl which does nothing for me.  I understand that Zyprexa is a medicine you take every day.  I said in the post that I used to take it as my daily antipsychotic.  I am now taking Seroquel as my AP.  I don't need to take Zyprexa daily because I already have an antipsychotic.  The reason Zyprexa is attractive is because it is so sedating.  I won't build up a tolerance to it taking it that infrequently.  FYI, Lilly introduced a 5 mg intramuscular Zyprexa for acute situations in hospitals in late spring.  Sorry I didn't explain this very well last night.

Katie :confused:

Hi, bDaisy.  I have pretty limited experience with Abilify because I just tried a week at 10 mg.  I experienced nausea, a little restlessness, and insomnia.  I wish this didn't happen, because it would be nice to not have to put on tons of weight.  I did PM I am Cat because I think she could be more helpful than me.  Try to get your 5 posts so you can create a separate subject where more people will see it.  Good luck at the doctors.

katie :cool1:

dDaisy,
Hi!  I have experience with Abilify!  In fact, there should be a thread here for that... might just start one  :idea3:,  I'll PM you with that information!  It's been working out well for me!

good luck!

wishing you love and laughter,
Cat

Well I have tried the Zyprexa as a PRN for agitation.  I have been taking 5 mg, but I will probably use 2.5 mgs in some less serious situations.  I feel like it calms me down.  Seroquel has lost its efficacy as a PRN.  I have used Risperdal before and it turns me from an angry person to a light headed angry person with a headache.  Well I am glad I found something to use on a periodic basis for agitation, because I already have a good choice for anxiety.

Katie