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Anyone take Zyprexa or Used to take it?

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Posted 5/20/2011 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
I've been very concerned about Zyprexa. My Doctor started giving it to me a couple weeks ago at bedtime to help with sleep. My anxiety has be out off the charts, so I finally told her yesterday I needed something that is fast-acting when I have these attacks. All she did was up my stupid dose of Zyprexa. Apparently, one of the side affects are gaining weight. I can't afford to gain anymore as I gained so much these last 5-months. I was so upset when I got home yesterday I cut myself. So when she gets back on Monday I"m going to call her back and see if she will change it. Pray she will listen.

Your healingwell Friend,
Serenitee

So if anyone has taken zyprexa can you let me know if you had any side-affects pleez.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Migraines, Depression, Bipolar 2, Borderline, Loop ileostomy, and much more

Post Edited (Serenitee) : 5/20/2011 12:56:03 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/21/2011 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Serenittee,

I take Zyprexa, but I don't know how much help I can be, because I too have only been on it about a month. My doctor started me on it initially to help with sleep while I was having a particularly hard time withdrawing from one of my other meds, but he ended up keeping me on it as an antipsychotic/anti-depressant when another med combo we were trying didn't work out. I do think that it has helped some, but it's really too early for me to say whether or not I like Zyprexa.

I too was/am concerned about the potential for weight gain. I have noticed that the Zyprexa makes me more hungry than normal. I've been trying to make healthy choices, but it isn't always easy. I do think I have gained about 3 lbs since starting (but not like 30 lbs in a month, which I have heard sometimes happens). One of things I'd like to do is to start working out again, but I still just can't seem to find the energy.

about a week ago I switched from the regular Zyprexa to Zyprexa Zydis (the orally disintegrating form). The Zydis form is supposed to cause less weight gain because of the different method of absorption (mouth vs gut) & is also supposed to take effect faster. I find that it takes ~1 1/2 hrs to work vs the ~3 1/2 hrs it takes with the regular form. Unlike the Lamictal ODT, the Zyprexa Zydis dissolves really quickly & doesn't taste bad at all. It's actually quite astonishing. For me, the Zydis form and the regular form cost the same amount.

Hope this is helpful!

Skeye
Posted 5/25/2011 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Serenitee..Its Lasardo..Was thinking about you and how you were doing, wondering if you talked to doctor about your problem with recent surgery..also as far as Zyprexa goes, I was on it last year but it did not help with anything (depression/anxiety) I do recall my appetite increasing though. I went through several meds unfortunalty can not remember all of them but eventually they put me on Abilify which has worked wonders, Everyone says "I am Back", But I struggle because I have NO appetite on it, can not seem to gain any wieght because I just am not hungry. I have Crohns also so that could be why I have no appetite. Not sure. The Abilify actuallly causes the worst axiety at first but now I am fine, so your anxiety may be just because you are getting started on it. Hope all is well and will talk to you soon on "chat" keep me posted on how you are doing.
Posted 5/25/2011 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
very sedating it was, but i needed it at the time. massive increase in weight via eating heavily. jamie
Posted 5/29/2011 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there.

I'm new here but have substantial experience with Zyprexa.

I was put on it six years ago as I was hypermanic and it was the only thing they could give me at the time to bring me down. I took the Zydis form for the first several months but moved to the regular kind as it was less expensive.

At first being on the regular kind made me really hungry but that calms down after a bit. I'm not hungry all the time anymore (or else I've just become accustom to hunger, hard to say). But I've unfortunately gain 70+ pounds as it throws your metabolism into a nose dive.

I'm still on it and am making the very slow transition to Zeldox. I was on Abilify for a few weeks and just about lost my mind (literally) so after a visit to emerg as I was hyper manic, they sedated me with Seroquel (sp?), reduced my dose and then got me off it altogether.

Zyprexa is a good drug but for the weight gain! I'm very stable on it, I'm working and am maintaining relationships. I can function in society, live on my own and attend church which is all stuff I couldn't do before they put me on Zyprexa. I wish I didn't have to change meds but the weight gain is unreal and very frustrating. If only it didn't cause the weight gain, I'd be pleased to stay on it until forever. Unfortunately I'm pre-diabetic and my cholesterol is through the roof - both thanks to Zyprexa. I told my doctors in no uncertain terms that I have no intention of becoming diabetic so we had better come up with a better plan for managing my bipolar.

I agree with Jamiee, its very sedating. I'm on 10mg, which isn't a high dose, and I've been stunned all day for the last six years. You get used to that, too. I've really thrived on it.

I hope you're able to thrive on it too and that you don't gain the weight I have.

-Deedee
Posted 4/18/2012 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking varying doses of zyprexa for a while now and i cant think of any really significant side effects. whenever i change or up a dose, i always get super sleepy the first day or two but it usually gets better. all i can say is that ive been given a lot of zyprexa whenever i have a huge breakdown and it levels me out really quickly. good luck with your zyprexa!!
Posted 4/20/2012 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken zzyprexa for 6 years . it stopped the hallucinations and I never had them again while on zyprexa. It is a wonder drug to me. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL WHILE ON ZYPREXA.

HUGS, cAREN
Posted 4/21/2012 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Serenity, I didn't get passed the first dose with Zyprexa coz it reved me up so much and stressed me out. We are all different. I just told you my experience in the hope that it might let you have more confidence in articulating your side effects and discussing other options if necessary. It is just so individual xxx
Posted 8/18/2012 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi
I have Bi-Polar and have been treated with Zyprexa in the past.
I put on 16kg(35lbs) with this.
But but it was very good at stabilizing my bi-polar.
Not a bad medication if you don't mind the weight gain.
I am now on 15mg Abilify per day, taken at night.
I have been on this for 6 1/2 years and wouldn't be without it.
Also it doesn't put on weight.
Hope this helps.
Posted 8/18/2012 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have stopped taken zyprexa as I am in Remission from Bi-polar now.

However  I had while on zyprexa some times when the room would twirl early in the morning and it was scary.

I went to  my md doctor and she said that zyprexa  was causing this problem of the seizure  expereance. I would never take zyprexa again.  

hugs, Caren

I took the drug for6 years 

Posted 8/23/2012 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
I toolk it years ago when it first came out. I don't remember that month...and I had small children. But I gained 30 lbs. My doc now won't prescribe it
Posted 8/28/2012 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
I used to take it at bed time. Hated it. There's a chemical in it that makes your brain think you're hungry. Needless to say I put on a lot of weight which was unacceptable. (sorry but I'm vain)

I'm guessing your doc doesn't prescribe xanax?
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