Priscilla: questions about Zyprexa

[Priscilla]

i added the year (2020:) to reflect all meds that i've taken this year. hopefully that helps everyone to see what meds i've taken recently

[hayduke]

Hey Priscilla,

 

Did you still need to add olanzapine to your 2020 line?  Best to add a start date and the dates of any dosage changes too.

 

Also Gridley posted this link in another thread which you might find helpful

 

[Priscilla]

nope. i'm done with zyprexa, and thanks for gridley's link. 

[Priscilla]

I've had some good windows today. A wave (if you want to cal it that) occurred when I was sitting on my couch and felt the urge to retreat to take a nap as I got anxiety about sitting down doing nothing but watch the clock pass? has anyone else experienced not feeling capable of sitting for hours just watching the clock pass even though it is probably possible?

 

 

[ChessieCat]

I almost always feel like I need to be doing something.  Even when watching a podcast I will switch between screens and be playing a game.  When watching a video I have to be doing a puzzle or organising some sewing.  I actually thought yesterday that colouring in might be good to do when watching something.  I think it's because I need to keep my mind totally occupied.  When in bed I have to listen to an audio book or a downloaded podcast.  When I'm driving I have to have music that I can sing to on.

[Priscilla]

it's always helpful to hear about the experiences of others who have gone through something similar to, if not the same thing as you have. thanks ChessieCat

[ChessieCat]

I was talking to a couple of ladies when I was at hydro the other day and mentioned that I can't just sit and watch TV or a video (no mention of AD WD) and both of them said that they can't either so it may not be totally AD WD related, but I think there is a possibility that it is worsened by it.

[Priscilla]

Semi-random question about heart health

 

Lately (the past few months or so), I've been waking up to either a fast heartbeat (without having dreamt something to cause it which has happened in the past) or a feeling of stiffness in my chest area. Should I be concerned about this? I am overweight, so would getting to a normal weight resolve this problem?

 

 

Edited December 4, 2020 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[ChessieCat]

It might be due to a surge in cortisol:

 

early-morning-waking-managing-the-morning-cortisol-spike

 

 

https://www.premierhealth.com/your-health/articles/women-wisdom-wellness-/beware-high-levels-of-cortisol-the-stress-hormone

Often called the "stress hormone," cortisol causes an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. It's your natural "flight or fight" response that has kept humans alive for thousands of years. Normal levels of cortisol also are released when you wake up in the morning or exercise.

 

[Priscilla]

thanks ChessieCat. Do you know if this (releasing cortisol in the morning) is normal? 

[Priscilla]

and apologies for making a new post again. i think i'm finally getting a handle on how this site works...

[Priscilla]

today was productive. i experienced windows and waves but i'd like to think that i had mostly windows today. hopefully this continues...i sometimes think that i healed already but because i tricked my brain into believing that this time around i won't heal (as a man thinketh) i don't feel healed even though i really am.... sorry if this does not make sense... it makes sense in my mind 😅

[Priscilla]

does anyone else experience chest tightness in the early morning? 

[ChessieCat]

It might be caused by a cortisol surge:

 

early-morning-waking-managing-the-morning-cortisol-spike

 

or an adrenaline rush:

 

adrenaline-or-panic-nighttime-awakenings

 

I did an internet search and found this:

 

Quote

Symptoms With an Adrenaline Rush | Healthfully

https://healthfully.com/symptoms-adrenaline-rush-5042481.html

Chest pain can be caused by an adrenaline rush. The wall of the chest becomes tense and it is hard to breathe. Your lungs may actually hurt when you breathe in and out. Hyperventilation can occur if you are breathing too fast and, as a result, you get too much oxygen in your lungs and all of the carbon dioxide is pushed out.

 

Also see:

 

chest-pain-and-stabbing-pain-in-the-heart

[Priscilla]

thanks chessciecat for responding. my only question about it being a cortisol or adrenaline rush is that i'm not in pain per se, it's just a tightness sensation that i'm experiencing. but perhaps i have a mild form of a cortisol or adrenaline rush. 

[ChessieCat]

It could very well be a withdrawal symptom but if it continues, then it might be a good idea to get it checked out.

 

You might also keep a diary including what you had for dinner the night before.

[Priscilla]

thanks. i'm going to ask my doctor for a referral to see a cardiologist who i will then ask for an echo test.

[Priscilla]

having a mostly window day today....in other news i think taking fish oil each day seems to be helping with my chest/heart issue i was having. is this to be expected? has anyone else experienced fish oil helping with their heart issues?

[ChessieCat]

I suggest that you ask that question in the relevant topic:

 

Omega-3 Fish Oil

[Priscilla]

thanks, will do. 

[Iamfine]

I was on zyprexa for a few weeks but it was neutral for me so we went on to the next. If it were particularly bad for me I would remember but understand I’ve never had to taper all that much. I don’t remember having any problems getting off.

[Priscilla]

today's been a so-so day, i guess that's what the healing process is all about. two steps back 1 step forward; windows and waves

[Priscilla]

same as yesterday, it has been a manageable day thus far

[Priscilla]

today is proving to be a window day, with a slight moment of wavity 

[ChessieCat]

Please reduce the size of the font in your drug signature because it is difficult to see your posts.  Thank you.

 

Edited December 14, 2020 by ChessieCat

[Priscilla]

i'm currently in a window, but had about 10 minutes of a wave earlier that felt like it would go on forever. i'm trying to register it in my brain that windows are a natural part of healing. but for some reason, when i get a taste of the window life i expect it to be permanent, free of any waves, so it is really upsetting when i experience a wave, no matter how long or short the wave lasts for.

 

any advice on how one can comes to terms with the fact that waves are a part of the healing process even for someone who only has 1 withdrawal symptom (akathisia) like i have? 

 

Edited December 19, 2020 by ChessieCat
reduced font and unbolded

[ChessieCat]

best-of-sa-favourite-advice-and-insights

 

You might find it helpful to read through the above topic.  There are some wonderful nuggets in there.

 

I know there are some really good posts on the last few pages.

 

I tried to do a search for the words "window" and "wave" but the site search function does not find words contained in quotes.

[Priscilla]

thanks chessiecat, and thanks for the edit. are bold lettering not allowed? forgive if they aren't, it's been a while since i viewed the rules and regulations page...

[ChessieCat]

Bold text.  It depends.  It's better to use it to highlight something within a sentence rather and to bold a whole sentence because it can be overwhelming.

 

If you want to draw attention to a question you are asking you could put Q: at the start of the line so it stands out.  Or use a different coloured font, eg dark blue.  Or in the case above you could bold any advice and leave the rest the same.  I've done this your previous post to show how it can draw attention but we can still read the part that you had in bold before which made it harder to read.

 

The moderators are also tapering/post taper and can have difficulties reading off the screen.

 

Edited December 19, 2020 by ChessieCat

[hayduke]

Hey Priscilla.  How's it all going?