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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 4/5/2011 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
How are you all? I've been dealing with anxiety issues since I was about 17. I've done courses on mindfulness and coping techniques and stuff, which were going well. I've recently come off the dreaded Zyprexa, though, and I find the anxiety is worse than ever. I've been off it 2 months now, and the panic disrupts my sleep and everything. I find myself increasingly doing anything to take the edge off the panic. I've explained all this to my shrink, but I get the feeling they won't do anything until it starts inhibiting my ability to live my life.

I could share the mindfulness techniques with you guys if you want?
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has come off Zyprexa, and if they've experienced this?
Any comments welcome, of course. Good to meet you all :)
Posted 4/5/2011 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know about whether my mentioning of 'off label' uses of medication in this post counts as illict drug use or not? Actually I'll go back and edit it just in case xxx
Posted 4/6/2011 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi C.W. and wecome. I am glad that you have found some relief from the mindfullness and copying techniques, and yes you are welcome to share any of those with us:)

I am sorry that I am not familiar with the rx that you mentioned. There may be some other member who can give you some input on this later. Just be careful to follow all of your dr.'s instructions, and be wary of anything not prescribed specifically for you!

I hope that you will plan to stay on here with us. This is an excellent forum full of great information, members and support! Post anytime with questions , concerns and sharing!

Take care,
Scaredy Cat

p.s. thank you for being so respectful and mindful of the rules...I'm not sure what you edited and whether it was out-of-bounds, but better to err on the safe side sometimes cool

Posted 4/6/2011 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welocme to HealingWell,

Zyprexa (olanzapine) is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

While federal law makes it illegal for drug companies to promote drugs for non-approved use, doctors have the right to prescribe what they consider the best treatment for their patients. This is where "off-label" use - that is using a drug approved for one condition to treat another - comes into practice. Many Drs. use drugs for the side effects which may help the condition they are treating. 

Mentioning "off label use" is not the same as illicit drug discussions. :-)

Trazodone is an antidepressant, however, it is often prescribed "off label" as a sleep aid.  I use a low dose of this medication for sleep and it works wonderful for me.

I am glad to read you have found a method to help you cope with your anxiety.  Please do share with the members.

Posted 4/6/2011 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Zyprexa for a few days, unable to tolerate.  From what I know it is a pretty powerful med.  To go from zyprexa to nothing, no wonder you are not feeling well.  Maybe it is taking time to get out of your system, did your Dr. want that to happen before he started you on another RX?

The great thing about this forum is that you have so many people with different experiences in regards to these issues, that it is esy to find someone to relate.  Sometimes that in itself makes you feel better to know you are no alone.

I guess they are going to start calling me the health nut member, I was able to reduce alot of my symptoms by diet alteration.  It is working right this minute and that is all that counts with me.

Gem

Posted 4/6/2011 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking vitamins and omega 3 etc lately and trying to drink as much water as I can. I should probably exercise more, though; it's meant to really help a lot with anxiety.

I was on 10mg of Zyprexa and kind of mislaid a year somewhere - I was just off my face, asleep all the time. The doctors reduced it down for me, but now that I'm completely off it, as I said, I'm going a bit bonkers. I asked the doctor the last time I saw her if she could put me on an alternative, and she said I didn't need one (?). If I didn't need one then why was I put on antipsychotics in the first place?
The mind boggles.

I meant "off label" use in that I was turning to painkillers (with codeine) and alcohol to try and relax me. My mother gave me an entire pack of sleeping pills though so I'm rationing them out. So far they haven't actually helped me sleep, but at least I'm relaxed.
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