I quit my Zyprexa

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2004
I quit my Zyprexa
4
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 9:30am
My doctor gave me a script which I lost. When the pharmacy called him he declined the refill. I asked the pharmacist what side effects there are for quitting a medicine like this suddenly. She said the only side effect is the return of the bi-polar behavior. I have been trying to lose weight while on this stupid drug. It increases my appetite and slows my metabolism. I am hoping that by quitting the meds I can start to lose weight. I have been trying to keep track of my moods. So when I go back to the doctor next month I can report any kind of mood swings to him. I fear he will probably just put me back on the medicine. But I am tired of gaining weight. My bi-polar symptoms were not severe to begin with. Anyway, if anyone has any advice or knows anything I should watch for let me know.
Thanks in advance
M
siggy3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 9:36am

Hi M,

Can you tell me what your symptoms were? Not to pry, but that would be important to know.

Hugs,

Keli

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 10:06am

Without knowing your history and going by just what you are telling us right now....here's my 2 cents for what its worth.


It is YOUR decision whether or not to be on meds.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2004
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 10:39am
My highs usually involved me getting on a exercise craze for a few days and eating super healthy. Shopping is another high for me. But I have been trying to save for a vacation so I haven't shopped in a couple months. My moodiness is usually something that changes throughout the day. I can start in a good mood, but if I have some bad sales my mood can sink just that fast. Then if I have a good sale my mood will slip right back up again.
As for Manic, the only thing I can think of is my "change my life" mood. I make all these big plans to change the way I eat, to exercise and try to get help for my problems. Right now I am seeing a therapist. My lows involved overeating and not wanting anything to do with my husband. I just want to be left alone with food, my drug of choice.
Right now in Therapy I am trying to get a handle on the overeating.
I don't know if that was the info you were looking for, let me know.
M
siggy3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 11:58am

Well...this is just MY opinion...but I've been on Zyprexa and its a heavy duty ANTI-Psychotic medication...and again IN MY OPINION, you could use more of a milder mood stabilizer...have they not tried anything else? Zyprexa is a strong medication and is used to halt a big time mania and usually with psychotic features.

I definitely think you need to talk to your pdoc. I quit taking it within 3 weeks, because I gained weight so fast I couldn't believe it.

There are other meds, many other meds you can try. Don't stop believing in all meds because of this one...this is a yucky yucky bad one...again, IMHO.

Your "swings" sound pretty mild to me too...how long have you had a diagnosis of BP? Not that any mood swing with BP is MILD, but some are more mild than others...know what I mean?

I can really relate to binging when down...I did it ALL the time...til I got on Topamax...its a mood stabilizer with a side affect of appetite suppressing for some people. Not all, but for some. Its working for me. It doesn't last forever, but long enough to get control again. Maybe you can talk to your pdoc about that???

Stay in therapy. It will help. Ask you therapist about the things you should talk to your pdoc about. The therapist can help you with how to approach things with your pdoc...I know I sometimes have a hard time with things making sense one I get to the pdocs office, so I write them down. That helps too.

Hang in there!