LucyG Posted December 15, 2016 Author Share Posted December 15, 2016 Hi Shep, Thank you for your reply. On reflection I think I shouldn't have made such a large reduction this time. I suppose I was doing so well and I'm very keen to get off zyprexa. Since this last taper, symptoms have crept up. I wake up with anxiety and a kind of disconnect feeling. It's not pleasant and I try to shake it off by keeping busy. I haven't had any insomnia. The opposite is true, where I've experienced a lot of fatigue and I fall asleep on the couch at night. I went to my acupuncturist today who is a medical doctor. He thought that it was unwise of the pdoc to stop the zyprexa over Christmas and he agreed with me that anxiety is a withdrawal symptom. It made me feel so much better to hear a medical person confirm there are withdrawal symptoms associated with zyprexa. He did say if the acupuncture doesn't work I should go back to taking the zyprexa. I'm not sure whether to increase the dose or to wait another week and see how I go. I felt great a couple of weeks ago. It was like being back again and engaging with people and things, the way I used to. I understand about the conflict with Effexor, so that's adding to the mix of things to consider. It would be great if you could share your thoughts about increasing the dose of zyprexa. Last time I did that it took about a week to kick in and for me to feel stable. Thanks, Lucy Citalopram 40gms - July 2016 (replaced by Effexor)Valium and tamazapan - July 2016 -prn - (replaced by zyprexa for insomnia)Zyprexa - since August 2016Effexor 225mgs - since August 2016Doses given and then tapering off zyprexa -5mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 2weeks/10mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 3weeks/5mgs 2weeks/ 1.25mgs 3days/0mgs 3days (self managed after advice from psychologists -reinstated after withdrawal symptoms) /2.5mgs 3 weeks/ 1.87 2 weeks/1.25 2 weeks from 22 Nov - 6 Dec/ currently on .625 Currently on: Zyprexa .625mgs from 6 Dec 16 Effexor 225mgs Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted December 17, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 17, 2016 Hi, Lucy. I'm confused by your taper. How long ago did you make your last Zyprexa cut? Was it the one from November at the 50% reduction from 1.25 to .625? If you could place this in your signature, including the date and the dose, it will help us keep track of your taper. If your reduction was a month ago, I'm not sure increasing back up to 1.25 mg will work or not, but you may be able to increase slightly from where you're at now. I would recommend slowing your taper down, though. I know it's hard to do, but it looks like these large reductions may be catching up to you. A steady 10% a month may be a good way to go. By making large decreasing and then updosing, you are risking limbic kindling. This thread explores this concept in detail: Limbic Kindling -- Hardwiring the brain for hypersensitivity Effexor and Zyprexa are two extremely potent and potentially harmful drugs. It's best to respect them for what they are and treat your CNS gently. Please let us know how you're doing. Link to comment
LucyG Posted December 21, 2016 Author Share Posted December 21, 2016 Hi Shep, Thanks for your reply. My last zyprexa cut was from 1.25 to .625. I had been on the 1.25 for 2 weeks and doing well so I cut down by 50%. I suppose I'm so keen to get off this drug that I thought I'd be ok on a larger taper. Actually, the last 2 days my anxiety has left me. I only have some fatigue during the day and a cloudy head. My sleep is good, so I think I'm pretty lucky. I'm working now and that's a good distraction. But I will slow down with the taper. I'll hold for another week (that will make 3 weeks on the .626) and evaluate then. I saw some information on making zyprexa into liquid form by crushing and then suspending in water. I might try that and taper at 10% for the next cut. It's sobering when I'm reminded that zyprexa and effexor are potent and potentially harmful drugs and I will be very mindful with these last tapers. I wonder as I'm anxiety free at the moment, if that's a good sign. I've read that there are delayed withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes with people who have been off medication for 6 months. I'm hoping that I have a soft landing, but I'm prepared for any waves if they occur. Withdrawal symptoms do go away eventually, don't they? Thanks again, Lucy Citalopram 40gms - July 2016 (replaced by Effexor)Valium and tamazapan - July 2016 -prn - (replaced by zyprexa for insomnia)Zyprexa - since August 2016Effexor 225mgs - since August 2016Doses given and then tapering off zyprexa -5mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 2weeks/10mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 3weeks/5mgs 2weeks/ 1.25mgs 3days/0mgs 3days (self managed after advice from psychologists -reinstated after withdrawal symptoms) /2.5mgs 3 weeks/ 1.87 2 weeks/1.25 2 weeks from 22 Nov - 6 Dec/ currently on .625 Currently on: Zyprexa .625mgs from 6 Dec 16 Effexor 225mgs Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted December 21, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 21, 2016 Lucy -- you may want to look at getting a compounding liquid, such as Ora-Plus, because Zyprexa (olanzapine) is only slightly soluble in water. A few members have discussed how they're doing that starting with this post in the Zyprexa tapering thread. 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
LucyG Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 Hi Scallywag, Thanks for the information and the link. I did actually think about that with zyprexa and looked up websites to find out where I could buy Ora-Plus or any other compounding liquid. It seems that Ora-Plus is sold in the States and I would have to order online. I was hoping I could go into a chemist here in Sydney and buy it. But I might have to do a bit more research. I'm feeling ok, but very tired with dizziness and slight headache throughout the day. I know it's the withdrawal from zyprexa. Hoping it will improve. Thanks again, Lucy Citalopram 40gms - July 2016 (replaced by Effexor)Valium and tamazapan - July 2016 -prn - (replaced by zyprexa for insomnia)Zyprexa - since August 2016Effexor 225mgs - since August 2016Doses given and then tapering off zyprexa -5mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 2weeks/10mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 3weeks/5mgs 2weeks/ 1.25mgs 3days/0mgs 3days (self managed after advice from psychologists -reinstated after withdrawal symptoms) /2.5mgs 3 weeks/ 1.87 2 weeks/1.25 2 weeks from 22 Nov - 6 Dec/ currently on .625 Currently on: Zyprexa .625mgs from 6 Dec 16 Effexor 225mgs Link to comment
LucyG Posted December 23, 2016 Author Share Posted December 23, 2016 Hi there, Just thought I'd come back for an update. I'm holding on the current dose .625 gms dose of zyprexa. It's been 2 and a half weeks. Early on with this taper I had anxiety in the the morning and some tiredness during the day. I'm finding now that I wake up with a heavy head and feeling very sleepy. This doesn't improve during the day. I'm fatigued and have a brain fog with a heavy head. Sometimes dizziness. Thankfully the anxiety had gone, but I'm left feeling flat, unenthusiastic. I think it's the intense fatigue. I don't know if there's anything I can do. Any supplements. I thought of taking vitamin B, but don't know if it's best to leave off vitamins for now. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, Lucy Citalopram 40gms - July 2016 (replaced by Effexor)Valium and tamazapan - July 2016 -prn - (replaced by zyprexa for insomnia)Zyprexa - since August 2016Effexor 225mgs - since August 2016Doses given and then tapering off zyprexa -5mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 2weeks/10mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 3weeks/5mgs 2weeks/ 1.25mgs 3days/0mgs 3days (self managed after advice from psychologists -reinstated after withdrawal symptoms) /2.5mgs 3 weeks/ 1.87 2 weeks/1.25 2 weeks from 22 Nov - 6 Dec/ currently on .625 Currently on: Zyprexa .625mgs from 6 Dec 16 Effexor 225mgs Link to comment
LucyG Posted December 23, 2016 Author Share Posted December 23, 2016 Just to add, my head feels as if there is a circle of pressure on top during the day and even after a night's sleep, my fatigue makes me feel like I'm walking through water. I'm hoping this improves, as I've got a hectic work schedule over the holidays. Happy Holidays everyone Citalopram 40gms - July 2016 (replaced by Effexor)Valium and tamazapan - July 2016 -prn - (replaced by zyprexa for insomnia)Zyprexa - since August 2016Effexor 225mgs - since August 2016Doses given and then tapering off zyprexa -5mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 2weeks/10mgs 2weeks/7.5mgs 3weeks/5mgs 2weeks/ 1.25mgs 3days/0mgs 3days (self managed after advice from psychologists -reinstated after withdrawal symptoms) /2.5mgs 3 weeks/ 1.87 2 weeks/1.25 2 weeks from 22 Nov - 6 Dec/ currently on .625 Currently on: Zyprexa .625mgs from 6 Dec 16 Effexor 225mgs Link to comment
herewego Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Hi LucyG, I too am tapering off of olanzapine. How are things going for you with your taper? I hope well. 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
Madeleine Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Lucy: I'm wondering how you are doing too. I have a very similar story to yours and am also tapering zyprexa. 200 Zoloft; 10 mg Zyprexa; 4 mg valium as of May 2021; Valium taper: July 16: 3.5 valium; July 30: 3 mg (paused valium taper); Aug. 23: 2.5 mg Zyprexa: July 26: 8.75 mg; Aug. 9: 7.5 mg; Aug. 30: 7.1 mg ------- Dec 1, 2016. 10 mg zyprexa for 1.5 month. Started taper mid-Jan. 2017. Cut 1.25 mg every 2 weeks; smaller cuts 2.5 mg down. Stopped at .6 mg. May 7, 2017: zyprexa free. Zoloft: Dec1, 2016, 200 mg. Started taper: Jun12, 2017: 197.5 mg; Jun19,:195 mg; July 2:185mg; July 9,:180 mg; July16,: 175; July 23: 170; July 30: 165; Aug6: 160; Aug13: 155; Aug. 20: 150; Aug.27: 146 mg; Sept3: 145 mg; Sept10:143 mg; Sept17:140 mg....Nov5: 122 mg...Dec3:112.5 mg; Jan14, 2018: 95 mg...Jan28: 90 mg; Feb21:80 mg; Mar11: 75 mg; May2:70 mg; May15: 68 mg; May28: 65 mg; Jun9: 62 mg;Jun25: 60 mg:July22: 55 mg; Aug25: 45 mg. Aug28: 50 mg...Oct 28: 38 mg; Dec.4: 30 mg; Jan8,2019: 25mg; Feb6: 23.5 mg; Apr1:17.5mg; May1:1 mg; May 5: 18; May 18:15mg; June 16:12.5mg; Sept 10:11 mg; Sept.16:10 mg; Oct. 1: 9mg; Nov. 27: 8mg; Dec.5: 7mg; Jan.1,2020, 6 mg; Feb1: 5 mg; May 1: 2.5 mg; Jn 1: 2 mg; Jy 1: 1.5 mg Link to comment
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