vjekob Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 (edited) I'm writing on behalf of my daughter (18) who has now been on Olanzapine based tablets for 2 months. She suffered a shock some time after graduation. At the time, she showed signs of being lost/not recognizing that her mother was present/wanting to go home. After a lot of discussions, we now suspect it was due to being withdrawn (something we unfortunately didn't see as a serious problem then), not being involved enough in external activities and mixture of feeling of not fitting in in high school,some issues about "looks",trying to find an escape on the web (lot of time spent) and overexertion in an attempt to pass each year. After this shock, we drove to the hospital to see what should be done. My daughter exhibited anxiety there and was put on a drip to get some energy and 10mg/day (night dose) Olanzapine based tablets. I'm working from home, so naturally I could follow my daughters progress closely. 10mg/day was a horror story - headaches, early morning anxiety/looked heavily sedated, invoking vomiting upon sight of food, felt that people she heard were talking about her, slight phobia of other people. After two days, of this, I saw that something needed to be done, but since I couldn't get in contact with the doctor in question, I took things into my own hands (but unfortunately without too much reading on the web) and cut the dose to 5mg/day. My daughter's situation improved drastically, and the doctor just indicated that that was OK. At that point in time, I just started feeling very uneasy about those tablets and the doctor - the issue with the high does just made me loose complete trust in that doctor. I called another doctor to get another opinion about the dose but was just given information which I felt was very similar to the present doctor. I then reduced the dose further to something over 3/4 of the 5mg tablet and took my daughter to a Psychologist as I felt the time and progress at the psychiatrist were not giving results. My daughter's situation improved further (less anxiety), but she showed more sensitivity to sound/light/smell and now has more of a phobia that people are talking about her and feels shame that she is visiting a psychologist/psychiatrist . I tried reducing the dose ever so slightly again (using a precise scale) .At this point in time, I had (unfortunately late) found out that decreasing the dosage should be done very slowly - so maybe I'm to blame for some of the side effects due to withdrawl. Yes, I did take things into my own hands without doctor's backing because I simply don't believe these tablets are helping my daughter unless heavy sedation is a solution - so I am looking for any way to get her off these tablets/ finding alternative solutions to her problem. My daughter is now at some 2.9mg/day - I would appreciate any advice as to who could help me with information on what I should do regarding the dose (I am keeping it at 2.9mg for now - although I don't see it helping) , sensitivity side effects and her phobia of what people think/shame (other than physiotherapy). Personally, I would very much like her taken completely off tablets, but would like to hear feedback from a doctor who doesn't take Olanzapine so lightly as the doctors I have met. I forgot to mention one important point / the side effects I mention seem to lessen as the day passes - so that by evening time, I cannot notice them on my daughter and her communication and reactions seem "normal" - another reason why I feel that she should be taken off Olanzapine. My daughter is supposed to start college next week and I'm not sure how she could be helped to cope with that. On the other hand, not attending, besides the obvious , will mean once chance less for meeting people/ helping her to get over her phobia. Edited October 3, 2016 by scallywag tags added Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
herewego Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Hi vjekob, I too am slowly coming off olanzapine. A moderator will be along soon to give you links to tapering, why not faster than 10% ect... I am using orally disintegrating tablets - Olanzapine ODT. It dissolves in water but the actual olanzapine then sinks to the bottom. I am having some success then adding in ORA-Plus which seems to suspend the particles evenly. I first dissolve the 5 mg pill in 4 ml of water, then I add in 6 ml of ORA-Plus and mix, then I take out about 4 ml of the liquid using the syringe which gives me about 2 mg of olanzapine. I refrigerate the unused portions and then use again the next night. I have bought 1 ml oral syringes (with minute markings) for when I get down to lower amounts. Another member here is using a scale to weight the amounts as he goes down. Definitely do not rush your daughter off this medication or she will likely go thru terrible withdrawal for possibly months even years as some here experience with going cold turkey. If I were you I would leave her at the amount you are giving her for 6 months to make sure she is stabilized and not experiencing withdrawal symptoms anymore before attempting to taper further slowly. You are definitely right to want to take her off this medication, but go slowly. I too have found this medication very sedating, but it definitely improves the lower you go. At 2.9 mg she is likely much more alert than she was at 10 mg. Best of luck to you and your daughter. Medicine History June 2011 I was put on 10 mg Olanzapine. I stayed on that for 7 months then went down to 5 mg for 3 months and then went down to 2.5mg and slowly went down to less than .3 every few days. I have tried to come off 4 times, each time getting down to less than .3 before having to go back on at 5mg or 2.5mg. I would cut by 50% each taper. From Jan 2015 to June 2015 I reduced from about 5mg to .3 mg. This last time I went on 2.5 mg last June 2015 until July 2, 2016. July 3, 2016 I went down to 1.25mg - withdrawal hit. Up dosed to liquid 2 mg July 23, 2016. Medicine Current 2 mg Olanzapine as of July 23, 2016 Supplements Omega 3 1000mg, Vitamin E 400 UI, Vitamin C 1000 mg Time Released, 200 mg Magnesium Bisglycinate, Multi Probiotic, .25 mg melatonin for 3-5 days as needed Link to comment
vjekob Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 Hi herewego, Thank you very much for the information and feedback. Yes, the differencebetween 10mg and 5mg was like night and day, 2.9mg is even better, butshe is sensitive to sounds (car, motor bike, keys opening the door) - nothingdrastic, but she listens for the sounds, mentions that concentration isnot the best (I expect it's from the sensitivity to everything -sound, light, smell). So, I'm wondering what the role of the tablets is if they have now addedanother problem - wasn't there anything else the doctors could have givenher just to calm her down and then let her recover through love of her family andpsychotherapy ? I'm not a psychiatrist and don't know whether I'm oversimplifyingwhat my daughter went through/what is needed to recover, but I'm unsurewhether Olanzapine was the only answer. We visited another hospital 2 days ago as I had read an article in which the doctorstated that psychiatry is 90% psychotherapy (talking) and the rest is medicine upon need basis,So I thought he would have something to say about Olanzapine (reducing it), buthe stated that it was a quality medicine and that my daughter shouldkeep taking it for a while. I wish I could find a psychiatrist who wouldtake my daughter off Olanzapine and give her something lighter , preferably natural(if needed)as I don't see the benefit of this medicine. My daughter is "normal" latein the afternoon/early evening - how does one explain this - to me the bestanswer is that the medicine has worn off.What I'm frequently thinking about is that my daughter is not a schizophrenic buthad a shock/breakdown whatever is the correct terminology, so whygive her this medicine ? In addition, my daughter was prescribed a benzodiazapinebased tablet to be taken at least once per day for sedation. I told my daughterthat she could calm herself down by closing her eyes, calming herself and breathing, so she has taken these tablets only 2 times (only half a tablet) in the two months- once when the dose was 10mg and another time when we over did it tryingto convince her to come out with us. The last time we had an appointment with her psychiatrist, my daughter mentioneda rash (which we later concluded was from other reasons) and the psychiatristprescribed Risperidone based tablets as an alternative(at a dosage which was way above what iswritten in the instructions) - I decided to keep her on Olanzapine instead ofadding another possible problem. So, I am disappointed in the psychiatrists I have encountered to date and wouldlike to find one that would remove this medicine and focus on ways my daughterwould cope with what she's been through and how to strengthen her. I will dig through the information in this forum, but if anyone has anythinggood to say regarding food/vitamins/exercise or anything else that I shouldreally focus on to help my daughter, please indicate. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted September 29, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 29, 2016 vjekob -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA) I'm sorry that your daughter has been caught in the current pharmacological model of psychiatry. I'm glad that you're questioning the current, accepted "wisdom" of diagnosis+drugs. A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-18 months particularly? Any drugs prior to that can just be listed with start and stop years. Please put your withdrawal history in signature It's good that you are reducing your daughter's dosage of olanzapine gradually. As you may have read, we suggest that reducing by no more than 10% of current dose once every 3-4 weeks as a taper to start with that minimizes the risk of withdrawal symptoms.Why taper by 10% of my dosage?Tips for tapering off Zyprexa (olanzapine) Symptoms are a good guide to whether it a reduction has been too large or happened too soon. For more details about symptoms, please readWhat is withdrawal syndromeGlenmullen’s withdrawal symptom listThese two links, the first a topic on this site, may provide useful explanations about the symptoms your daughter may experience.How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka "Brain remodeling"Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants Food: A nourishing diet is good for all of us. Getting enough protein, healthy fats, vegetables, legumes (beans and peas) and whole grains is satisfying. I find eating this way leaves me little appetite for the less healthy choices of sweets, snack foods (chips, etc.) and alcohol. You asked about supplements. We have found that most people respond well to magnesium and omega 3 fish oil supplementation. Most North Americans and many Europeans do not eat in a way that supplies enough of either of these two nutrients that support brain and nervous system health.Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blockerOmega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Exercise is helpful but it should be gentle exercise such as short to moderate distance walking at an easy pace, swimming at an easy pace, yoga, tai chi. Aggressive strenuous exercise seems to worsen withdrawal symptoms. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
vjekob Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 thanks scullywag and thanks for the info ! I will now continue in the other forums. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
vjekob Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 OK, not sure if I'm in the right forum, but maybe someone has an ideaof what else I can do:My daughter (18) had a shock two months ago and is now on Olanzapine.From discussions with her, we concluded (right or wrong) that she wastoo withdrawn at school (feeling she didn't fit in) , spent a lot of time on the web,stressed by overtime in learning and had some low esteem issuesdue to pimples/facial changes etc (she is quite sensitive). Now, after takingOlanzapine she adds sensitivity to sounds, people speaking/laughing (seemsto think people are talking about her) and feels shame for going to the psychiatrist and psychologist. Now sticks mainly to her bed (although college is to startnext week) and is "afraid" to go outside because of the "shame" and "thinkingof what people will say about her. Additionally, she doesn't have much interest in anything and even after many attempts of positive ideas about simplesteps of sitting on the balcony and walking to the gate to just check thingsout, there is nothing that will get her to move. I am desperately trying to gether to take some simple steps but everything is too hard for her - she issimply too afraid (although she thinks / answers clearly and goes on thebalcony only to listen to what people are saying. Not sure whether I triggeredthis by my not too slow tapering of Olanzapine but she has been actingsimilarly from the beginning of taking Olanzapine Any ideas of any natural product or some action that I could do to get herto do something - I'm afraid she will put college on hold and that willjust create more problems since college is an excellent opportunity tobe around peers / be out of the house ? Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
herewego Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Hi Vjekob, You mentioned that your daughter is sensitive to sounds/light - that is likely from tapering too fast. You will find that in the link scallywag gave you to 'what is withdrawal syndrome'. That is why your daughter now needs to stay at the dose she is at for a while and stabilize first before attempting to taper any more. I too felt that perhaps something less could have been done with regards to medication amount and length of time I was told to stay on it. A lot of these medications are really only supposed to be used on a short term basis - which would make tapering off them easier for many but that is often not how doctors treat these meds. Same with amount - they could try your daughter on the smallest recommended amount first to see if she responded but it seems many doctors are quick to put patients on a higher amount which is unnecessary and can cause unwanted symptoms like the sedation your daughter had. You mentioned wanting to put your daughter on something more natural. Well that might have worked before your daughter was put on Olanzapine. But now that her body is going through withdrawal her system may likely be oversensitive to different vitamins/herbs ect... Once she has finished tapering and has fully recovered from withdrawal you could try more natural methods if she feels she needs it but I would be very careful right now. For example for people not going through withdrawal vitamin B is helpful usually for stress, but for someone in withdrawal it can be way too activating and cause stress. If at some point she struggles to fall asleep some people here have tried melatonin and found some success with that - though it doesn't help with early morning wakenings just with falling asleep. Find the link here on melatonin and give it a read if she has any insomnia - remember less is more with melatonin - the amounts sold at the store are way too much and can cause an adverse reaction. I cut my 2 mg pill into 1/8's and take that and that works for me - making it .25 mg. You may also find it hard to find a doctor to support you when you decide to taper your daughter off this medication - but you can do it without their approval and help - just read all the links scallywag gave you and you will find out. There are also links on this site on what to expect from your doctor and how to talk to them, but again you can do it without their help - I am. Wishing you the best as you help your daughter. Medicine History June 2011 I was put on 10 mg Olanzapine. I stayed on that for 7 months then went down to 5 mg for 3 months and then went down to 2.5mg and slowly went down to less than .3 every few days. I have tried to come off 4 times, each time getting down to less than .3 before having to go back on at 5mg or 2.5mg. I would cut by 50% each taper. From Jan 2015 to June 2015 I reduced from about 5mg to .3 mg. This last time I went on 2.5 mg last June 2015 until July 2, 2016. July 3, 2016 I went down to 1.25mg - withdrawal hit. Up dosed to liquid 2 mg July 23, 2016. Medicine Current 2 mg Olanzapine as of July 23, 2016 Supplements Omega 3 1000mg, Vitamin E 400 UI, Vitamin C 1000 mg Time Released, 200 mg Magnesium Bisglycinate, Multi Probiotic, .25 mg melatonin for 3-5 days as needed Link to comment
vjekob Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 Thank you herewego, yes, I think I over did it with the reduction, but the tabletwas creating a lot of side effects which were reduced towards the end of theday, so I followed my instinct but overdid it. I will now follow the recommendations strictly - andam sure the doctors will not help , especially now that I have done something wrong I'm putting the smiley there although I certainly can't smile now. I opened another post regarding depression my daughter is going through now and collegeis supposed to start next week and I may have ruined her chances - what's done isdone and I need to take myself out of the equation and work hard with her now,but she is pushing me out, so it's hard. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 (edited) My daughter is on Olanzapine for 2 months after a I guess I should call it a type of nervous breakdown (after a lot of reading, I suspect it is based on a mix of long term low-esteem/insecurity issues). She does not have schizophrenia or other illness nor were there any abnormalities found from scans, but she was put on 10mg Olanzapine from the start. I was late finding the tapering info, so her situation now (wanting to keep to her room) is probably due to too quick tapering: 10mg several days, 5mg, 3.75mg and then slower tapering - to 2.9mg. The problem in my mind is that although I may be responsible for the depression (her wanting to stay in her bedroom) due to quick tapering, I can't really see any benefit that the drug has had for her i.e. at 10mg the situation was really bad (headaches, wanting to vomit, very sensitive to sound, light, thinking people talking are talking about her etc. , 5mg improved the situation but she still wanted to stay in the house and now at 2.9mg, she doesn't listen to what people are talking about but wants to stay in her room. We visited the psychiatrist to freeze college and the psychiatrist suggested to increase the dose to 10mg and add antidepressants in the morning. My daughter just looked at me and I just nodded (there's no way that I'm going to increase her medication/ let these "doctors" experiment). Anyway, would you suggest continuing slow tapering or go a bit more quickly - I'm wondering whether the situation could get worse if I sped up the tapering or would maybe get even better. Edited October 11, 2016 by scallywag merged 2nd intro topic to first Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 10, 2016 Administrator Share Posted October 10, 2016 (edited) Welcome, vjekob. I have moved your topic to the Introductions sections. Please follow or bookmark this topic and post your questions and updates in it. It sounds like your daughter may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Other than staying in her room, what is she feeling? Are there other things bothering her? Maybe she feels bad about not being in college? If I were in your daughter's position, I would stop tapering for now, let her nervous system settle down, and see how she does over the next month. Please ask here to keep notes on paper about her symptoms, when she takes her drugs, and their dosages. Please read Tips for tapering off olanzapine (Zyprexa) Edited October 11, 2016 by scallywag merged from 2nd intro topic to first This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
ccb73 Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 (edited) vjekob, I am like that daughter, I thing. Long term self esteem and self confidence issues led me to psychiatry for 23+ years. Because of my fears in life and low self esteem, I missed normalcy; it's complicated but I can offer my help if you want. I wish her and you the best. Edited October 11, 2016 by scallywag merged 2nd intro topic to first Latest med schedule and withdrawal (05/17/17): Seroquel On 125mg 10/28/16 (now, 125 mg), (9/2017, 200mg) Cymbalta On 27mg 10/28/16 (now, 27 mg), (9/2017, 90mg) Viibryd On 10mg 10/28/16 (now, 10 mg), (9/2017, 20mg) Klonopin On 2.5 Start 10/28/16 (now 1.5 night, 1 Morning), (9/2017 1.5 night, 1 morning, .5 midday, total 3mg) Diovan 160mg On 10/28/16 (now 160mg) Norvasc On 10mg 10/28/16 (now 0), (1/2017 10mg) Cytomel (T3 for thyroid) on 11/2017 25mcg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted October 11, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 11, 2016 (edited) Hello Vjekob, I'd like to encourage you that holding at the same dose for a while as Alto suggested can really make a big difference to how your daughter is feeling. Symptoms should lessen, and once she is stabilised again she could then continue to taper at a slower rate. I recently did a hold myself and it make a great difference to me. Many of our members find the same. I am sorry you are in this situation - it must be so hard to see your daughter in this way. Wishing you peace, Karen Edited October 11, 2016 by scallywag merged 2nd intro topic to first 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 Thank you for the info - I'm afraid I couldn't find any help via doctorsand am worried that if my daughter was to go to a hospital that they wouldup the meds and I'm truly afraid for my daughters health/well being. I will hold the dosage for a while and hope things get better. ccb73 - I can fully relate to what you wrote and am sorry that psychiatristsare still glued to the pharmaceuticals and have not recognised the importanceof selfesteem and how to treat it without meds. I have found the book + workbookfrom Dr. Sorensen on "breaking the chains of low self esteem"(website : "getesteem") and plan to go through this with my daughter. I also wantedto get her to plan some simple exercises into her day as well as workingon her problem with pimples (which is most probably an enormous problem forher self esteem). The problem is that my daughter right now is in a state of not beinginterested in anything and my lack of authority with her (guess I may have been toosoft as a parent) means that I can't talk her into doing very much. I want to focus on just a few activities for her to keep her out of bed, but she frequentlyjust wants to go back there. She refuses to wash herself for a couple of daysuntil it becomes clear that she should. She comes to breakfast and cooked a few eggs for lunch today,is sensitive to sounds, looks at what people are doing outside and doesn't reallywant to come in contact with anyone off the street. She has thoughts about being uselessI just try to comfort her and tell her how important she is to us and this works.Maybe someone has some idea on how I can motivate her to do something - or should I notexpect too much until the meds stabilize ? Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 11, 2016 Administrator Share Posted October 11, 2016 How is she feeling? Withdrawal can make a person sensitive to sounds and light. She may want to spend time in a dim room because of this. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
herewego Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 If you keep her at 2.9 mg for some months, she will most likely slowly improve from the withdrawal she is experiencing and become more engaged with life. Once she has improved for a while and has seemed to have stabilized for a couple months, then you could consider a slow taper. She would likely then be ready for college next September (as long as you do not taper her too fast - go by her symptoms, if she gets worse updose a little or just do a longer hold at the same dose until she improves. If during her taper she experiences withdrawal do not keep tapering her until she is stable for a while or she won't handle college well next year. Go according to how she is feeling but not faster than 10% per month. For now you may try encouraging her to get out for a walk after lunch or in the afternoon, or engage in some activities after lunch until early evening - not every day from after lunch until early evening but some activities in the week like getting together with a friend, going shopping, or just walking. I find on Olanzapine I feel more sedated until after lunch plus morning is also when I seem to feel withdrawal more too (like if I have had a bad sleep I feel yucky during the mornings). So I plan my more active parts of the day for after lunch and no later than early evening. Then I do calming activities in the evening and end the day reading a calm book in bed with dim light until I feel sleepy. Just a suggestion on what has helping me engage in activities - knowing the timing of when it might work best. Best of luck to you and your daughter. Medicine History June 2011 I was put on 10 mg Olanzapine. I stayed on that for 7 months then went down to 5 mg for 3 months and then went down to 2.5mg and slowly went down to less than .3 every few days. I have tried to come off 4 times, each time getting down to less than .3 before having to go back on at 5mg or 2.5mg. I would cut by 50% each taper. From Jan 2015 to June 2015 I reduced from about 5mg to .3 mg. This last time I went on 2.5 mg last June 2015 until July 2, 2016. July 3, 2016 I went down to 1.25mg - withdrawal hit. Up dosed to liquid 2 mg July 23, 2016. Medicine Current 2 mg Olanzapine as of July 23, 2016 Supplements Omega 3 1000mg, Vitamin E 400 UI, Vitamin C 1000 mg Time Released, 200 mg Magnesium Bisglycinate, Multi Probiotic, .25 mg melatonin for 3-5 days as needed Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 How is she feeling - what can I say but she keeps saying that she is not good,showing lack of interest, wanting to stay in her bedand uncomfortable to come in contact with anyone outside the family, hesitant toaccess media eg facebook (where she spent too much time before), irritated bysongs which have some sad meaning ,not interested much in TV (any series withviolence are absolutely avoided), not interested in doing anything much at all . herewego - sedated/withdrawl in the morning is exactly the situation. The problem isthat my daughter didn't really have any close friends from school where we live (primary school), thesituation was not much better in the city (high school) where she last went to school and noweveryone has gone their own way to college, so there's noone - and our otherdaughter studies in another city. She feels ashamed to just walk alone or with me (ideas thatit's strange to be around just the parents) - so it's tough. On top of that she doesn't really want to go outsidefor a walk and doesn't listen to my suggestions. I will just try to go easy.With all that said and understanding the benefits of slow tapering, I somehow have a gut feelingthat if cold-turkey withdrawl symptoms would not be much worse or remain longer, it would be betterto quit, go through withdrawl and start on the psychological healing - I'm just afraid of whatOlanzapine is doing long term especially as it hasn't helped at all. Maybe if the dosage had beenstarted much lower and tapered with some positive results I would be more optimistic. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
herewego Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Please do not have her go cold turkey - she will feel much much worse than she is feeling now and will most likely take much much longer to recover - possibly even years as many report here after a cold turkey. She is on a fairly small amount and she is young - she will be ok to do a slow taper and will feel much better that way than the alternative you are considering. The withdrawal could become so severe that she contemplates suicide and then she will end up back in the hospital and on more and higher amounts of drugs. You may not feel optimistic now but you will be wishing she was as good as she is now if you have her go cold turkey - guaranteed! Please just be patient, it will only take some months or less for the withdrawal to go away and then you can start a slow taper and she will start to become more alert and motivated as she slowly goes down. I think if you do it this careful way she will be ready to go to college in the fall and engage in life then as she will be slowly tapering by then and no longer having such bad withdrawal and feeling more motivated being on a smaller amount. Just be patient for this college year and she will very likely be ready by next, but if you have her go cold turkey she could be out of sorts for years plus the risk of hospitalization and more and higher amounts of drugs. I bet the withdrawal will be much improved within 3 months and she will start to want to do more. She may have little options this year for socializing - but that is a small sacrifice so that she can be back to college by next year and become more engaged by then. Medicine History June 2011 I was put on 10 mg Olanzapine. I stayed on that for 7 months then went down to 5 mg for 3 months and then went down to 2.5mg and slowly went down to less than .3 every few days. I have tried to come off 4 times, each time getting down to less than .3 before having to go back on at 5mg or 2.5mg. I would cut by 50% each taper. From Jan 2015 to June 2015 I reduced from about 5mg to .3 mg. This last time I went on 2.5 mg last June 2015 until July 2, 2016. July 3, 2016 I went down to 1.25mg - withdrawal hit. Up dosed to liquid 2 mg July 23, 2016. Medicine Current 2 mg Olanzapine as of July 23, 2016 Supplements Omega 3 1000mg, Vitamin E 400 UI, Vitamin C 1000 mg Time Released, 200 mg Magnesium Bisglycinate, Multi Probiotic, .25 mg melatonin for 3-5 days as needed Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 herewego - thank you for the info and motivation - I will then follow the advice you andothers are giving. I am trying to be very patient ,motivating and loving and happy if Isee the smallest action from my daughter. I know one thing for sure - I will be persistentand get her off these tablets. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
herewego Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 That is so good to hear. Your daughter is lucky to have you supporting her through this time. Medicine History June 2011 I was put on 10 mg Olanzapine. I stayed on that for 7 months then went down to 5 mg for 3 months and then went down to 2.5mg and slowly went down to less than .3 every few days. I have tried to come off 4 times, each time getting down to less than .3 before having to go back on at 5mg or 2.5mg. I would cut by 50% each taper. From Jan 2015 to June 2015 I reduced from about 5mg to .3 mg. This last time I went on 2.5 mg last June 2015 until July 2, 2016. July 3, 2016 I went down to 1.25mg - withdrawal hit. Up dosed to liquid 2 mg July 23, 2016. Medicine Current 2 mg Olanzapine as of July 23, 2016 Supplements Omega 3 1000mg, Vitamin E 400 UI, Vitamin C 1000 mg Time Released, 200 mg Magnesium Bisglycinate, Multi Probiotic, .25 mg melatonin for 3-5 days as needed Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 15, 2016 Administrator Share Posted October 15, 2016 How is she feeling - what can I say but she keeps saying that she is not good,showing lack of interest, wanting to stay in her bed and uncomfortable to come in contact with anyone outside the family, hesitant to access media eg facebook (where she spent too much time before), irritated by songs which have some sad meaning ,not interested much in TV (any series with violence are absolutely avoided), not interested in doing anything much at all . This sounds like a nervous system sensitized by going on and off drugs. Withdrawal syndrome can include sensitivity to light and sound, wanting to avoid commotion, confusion, startling at loud sounds, and hyper-reactivity to violence or tragedy in TV shows. We often recommend staying in a quiet, dark room for a while to let the nervous system settle down. You might verify the above with her. If she is in this state, she may be relieved to find you understand. She may also be in a state of shock about her circumstances as a "psychiatric patient." Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/ http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/ This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 Alto, you described what my daughter is going through/feeling perfectly - I am sure thatit is withdrawl syndrome since I made the cut from 10mg->5mg(due to severe side effects) ->2.6 too fast. We all try to take some Magnesium Chloridewhen we can (it is horrible to drink ), but I will look into fish oil for my daughter also.I see improvements in how my daughter feels after a period of 4-5 days of staying on a fixed dose- which is very good news. I feel that this period may be a good starting point for futurereductions.The only thing I am not 100% sure of is whether the Olanzapine is uniformly distributedthroughout the tablet/whether this may be causing problems (I am cutting the smallest tablets - 5mg) - will ask pharmacy if other dosages exist.as I am both cutting 5mgtablets in half and slicing down the half to the required dosage as well as combiningpieces of the tablet from last cutting. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 16, 2016 Administrator Share Posted October 16, 2016 Unless you are weighing those fragments, the dosage will variable. Magnesium citrate or magnesium glycinate would be better. Some people even ingest magnesium sulfate, that's what's in Epsom salts. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 Yes I am definitely weighing each dosage with a 3 digit scale (1mg resolution) - but I'mwondering how uniform the 5mg Olanzapine is spread in the tablet (tablet weighs 160mg).If it's not uniform but eg. only in the middle of the tablet, then this whole weighing business doesn't make sense. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 17, 2016 Administrator Share Posted October 17, 2016 If you can get 2.5mg tablets, that might be your next step, and remove that concern for a while. If you can't get olanzapine compounded, then cutting up tablets and weighing is your only option. I suppose you could pound the tablets into powder before weighing. Short of that, assume the distribution of active ingredient is uniform. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 I posed the question to the forum of the manufacturer but no answer yet - thoughtit may be something standard about the manufacturing, but will try again withthe manufacturer and the pharmacist (there's no mention of 2.5mg on the instructions,so I guess that is it but will double check), but will need to cut those also . Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 Finally got a reply from the manufacturer - here's my best translation: "Olandix containsthe active substance olanzapine, which is uniformly distributed in the tablet so that thetablet can theoretically be divided into several parts, although this is not foreseen. A tablet of5 mg olanzapine is the lowest available dose. Please consult a doctor who has prescribedthe therapy before tapering".Looks like there is no support for those needing to taper. Nothing else to do butstick to my 3 digit scale, people like you for help and pray to God to get my daughter safely off these tablets. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted October 17, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 17, 2016 To achieve consistent lower doses you could make a liquid suspension from the tablets. You can use water and a crushed tablet to make a suspension. The olanzapine doesn't dissolve, so the resulting liquid has visible powder floating in it. You need to shake the liquid so that the powder bits are evenly spread throughout the liquid and then use a syringe or pipette to draw liquid from the center of the container. Making a liquid from a tablet or capsules Using an oral syringe and other tapering techniques This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
herewego Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 I've had success mixing the olanzapine with ORA-Plus to get an even distribution. If you can get your hands on some ORA-Plus that would work well for making a liquid. Medicine History June 2011 I was put on 10 mg Olanzapine. I stayed on that for 7 months then went down to 5 mg for 3 months and then went down to 2.5mg and slowly went down to less than .3 every few days. I have tried to come off 4 times, each time getting down to less than .3 before having to go back on at 5mg or 2.5mg. I would cut by 50% each taper. From Jan 2015 to June 2015 I reduced from about 5mg to .3 mg. This last time I went on 2.5 mg last June 2015 until July 2, 2016. July 3, 2016 I went down to 1.25mg - withdrawal hit. Up dosed to liquid 2 mg July 23, 2016. Medicine Current 2 mg Olanzapine as of July 23, 2016 Supplements Omega 3 1000mg, Vitamin E 400 UI, Vitamin C 1000 mg Time Released, 200 mg Magnesium Bisglycinate, Multi Probiotic, .25 mg melatonin for 3-5 days as needed Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 Thanks for the info about the liquids, but I think I'll stick to cutting/scraping the tablet as it'sthe simplest and consistent for me now..I've added Magnesium + Fish oil supplements.After several days on one dose to stabilize wd, we are now working on a 10% taper linearly (10% in 10 days i.e.1% = 1mg tablet weight per day). What I find is that my daughter is improving i.e. no morelistening/thinking that someone is talking about her, still in bed most of the time but opens the curtains/keepsthem open the entire time and comes and eats her meals, puts away her dishes etc.. Stillvery sensitive to sounds and people generally bother her.As the reductions show improvement,I was wondering whether it would be a good ideato maybe put a few larger reductions (I am afraid of long term effects of Olanzapine) egmake a 2% reduction every few days - I guess I could try and see what happens ? Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted October 26, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 26, 2016 If what you are doing is producing good results, why take on the uncertainty of a change? This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 I am afraid of long term side effects i.e. I would like to get to zero ASAP - trying to dowhat is absolutely best for her health. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
jmncrr Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 vjekob. Are you experiencing any withdrawals with tapering 10%/10days linearly? Been taking paroxetine 20 mg for 20+ years for depression. Taking 300 mg of wellbutrin since October 2015 for adhd and depression. Take fish oil, calcium, and a multivitamin. Started taking risperidone late January 2015 3mg for a misdiagnoses of bipolar. Started tapering risperidone late July 2016. As of late September tapered down to 2mg at 5% a week off current dose. Oct 21/2016 1.58 mg Nov 21/2016 1.26mg No withdrawals so far. Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 this is about my daughter. It's a bit hard to say whether what I see are withdrawlsymptoms or just side effects of Olanzapine. Before the nervous breakdownshe was a little withdrawn but went to school , shops etc. - quite normal, butafter the breakdown she was prescribed 10mg (headaches, desire to vomit when seeingfood, anxiety, sedated etc).- I cut this down to 5mg after 2 days (headaches had disappeared)and then further to 3.75mg (desire to vomit disappeared but - sensitivity to light/soundwanting to stay in bed in the dark and constant checking for voices from outside / feeling theywere talking about her / shame about being in the state she was persisted).Some of these issues are due to withdrawl/my quick dosage reduction. Now, with the situation stabilised after some days at a dosage and 1% drops afterwards, with a couplein between 2-3 days staying at a dosage (if I see she persists staying in bed), my daughterdoesn't listen for voices/think someone is talking about her, but is still quite sensitive to soundand doesn't want to talk to anyone outside of the family / others annoy her. She still stays in her room butmostly with sun shining in the room. And with the 1% reductions, this doesn't change much.The biggest problem I have is that she has almost no interest in doing what I say (exercise,some reading about self esteem which I feel will uncover the culprits behind all this) exceptfor taking the meds and supplements - but she does come to eat and shows just a littlefear about eg loosing us, otherwise everything sounds and looks normal. Her level of interest hasincreased since the dosage was reduced and I have the feeling that she is almost thereto be pushed over some barrier which is holding her back from showing interest.My gut feelingis that most of this will go away when we get the meds to zero. My gut feeling also tells me thatI should continue with the reductions rather than wait a long time for the meds to fix somethingas Olanzapine has done absolutely nothing for her. If I knew then what I know now, I would haveasked the psychiatrist to sedate her with something light for sleep and rest and have her visita psychologist and perform other tests to check for what is lacking. Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted October 26, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 26, 2016 I urge you consider holding your daughter's dose for 3-4 weeks to see if there are any symptoms that aren't showing up because the CNS (central nervous system) is dealing with small frequent dose changes. Consider them as one might a refueling stop for a trans-oceanic flight -- it makes the trip longer overall, but ensures safe arrival. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
AmyK Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Hi Vjekob. I am so sorry this is happening to your daughter. You seem like a very caring mum, and you are doing so well question the psychiatrists agenda. I am just concerned about your scale. You do know that there are digital scales that weighs down to 0.001 g? Is that the one you have? Otherwise that could be wise to look into. Many of us use the Gemini 20 (0.001 g) digital scale, easily bought on the internet. All the best, Amy Current dose: 0! Free! Quit June 2017. 2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January 2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose. Link to comment
vjekob Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 Hi Amy, I'm a caring dad (fortunate to work from home to be there formy daughter) - yes, I did start with a 2 digit scale but bought another3 digit scale as I'm scraping off the mg ( the last digit) and without 3 digits,that is not possible. I bought a G&G I think it is the C50 - German companywith history of making scales - this one is their cheapest /made in China, butstill good enough for scraping mg's Olanzapine based tablets (start of history is approximate - can't remember exactly)5mg tablet weighs 160mg. O=OLanzapine 10.7-13.7.2016 10 mg O/day->5mg - taken before sleeping 6.9.2016 3.75mg O/day taken before sleeping8.9.2016 - 27.9.2016 3.75mg O -> 2.9mg O/day .3mg steps (use 2 digit scale) 27.9.2016 - 10.10.2016 2.9 mg O -> 2.62mg O/day .03mg steps (use 3 digit scale) 16.10.2016 2.59mg = 82gm tablet weight (5mg tablet)20.10.2016 tapering 10%/10days linearly (28.10 - 77mg tablet weight - approx 2.4mg O) Link to comment
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