LucyG: Tapering off zyprexa

[LucyG]

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

[Shep]

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. 

[LucyG]

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

[scallywag]

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.

[LucyG]

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

[LucyG]

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

[LucyG]

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

[herewego]

Hi LucyG,

I too am tapering off of olanzapine. How are things going for you with your taper? I hope well.

[Madeleine]

Lucy: I'm wondering how you are doing too. I have a very similar story to yours and am also tapering zyprexa.