rubywednesday: Olanzapine withdrawal

[rubywednesday]

Hi,  

 

I've been on Olanzapine for over 15+ years (I'm 57), mostly on 20 mgs (but occasionally as high as 30mg).  Someone put me on 200 mg Quetiapine and 10 mg Olanzapine last year and the depression was debilitating so I was weaned off the quetiapine over about a month.  I got quite bad mood swings, dizziness, anxiety, insomnia etc but I got through it.  Then I was on 10 mg Olanzapine for about 5 months until I tried unsuccessfully to reduce gradually to 5 mg but had to go back on the 10 mg for another 3 months.

 

My new psychiatrist wants to take me off all my medication completely (I'm also on 60 mg Duloxetine) reducing over the next year.  So for the last 18 days I've been on 7.5 mg Olanzapine but I'm getting quite bad mood swings and irritability.  I'm really stressed and angry in the mornings, not bad in the afternoons but feel a little 'high' in the evenings (I was diagnosed with bipolar, which I believe I do have, but it has been changed to borderline personality disorder (BPD) by the new psychiatrist).  I'm under a lot of stress which I thought was making me wake up several times in the night but now I'm wondering if it's the Olanzapine withdrawal is why I can't sleep right through (I used to find it extremely hard to get to sleep but rarely woke up during the night).   I'm trying to look after myself, I don't drink (or take drugs), take regular exercise, go to bed at the same time (and use aromatherapy oils), meditate and try and eat well.   I fell out with my ex-partner (we're still very close) and sister today which has led me to believe that this isn't BPD but withdrawal symptoms from the Olanzapine.  

 

I also read on WEBMD that personality disorder can be a side effect of Olanzapine and wondered if anybody can shed any light on that?

 

Thanks for reading and I look forward to any advice/reading your own journeys.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @rubywednesday

 

When did you reduce olanzapine to 7.5mg? 

 

Your symptoms sound like withdrawal symptoms. There is no reason to put your nervous system through that, and withdrawal insomnia is not good. That dosage decrease was too big. Here are our Tips for tapering off olanzapine (Zyprexa to discuss with your doctor.

 

On 5/6/2021 at 12:34 PM, rubywednesday said:

I also read on WEBMD that personality disorder can be a side effect of Olanzapine and wondered if anybody can shed any light on that?

 

 

This does not seem possible to me. The fact is, doctors do not understand these drugs or their effects very well, they don't listen to patients properly, and they quite commonly mistake drug adverse effects for psychiatric illness, which of course demands more drugs. Misdiagnosis is rampant in psychiatry.

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

[rubywednesday]

@Altostrata

 

Hi Altostrata, thank you so much for your advice.  I reduced the Olanzapine on 19 Apr 2021, I realise now it was a big reduction but I think I'm coping with it.  I don't work so I don't need to get up early if I've had a bad night's sleep and generally I'm not feeling too bad even though I waken in the night and funnily enough I seem to be getting to sleep better on the lower dose. 

 

I read on this site that you advise reducing the Duloxetine prior to quitting the Olanzapine which I'm keen to do once I stabilise on the 7.5 mg Olanzapine (ie sleeping right through).  I was hoping to do this by counting the beads and dropping about 10% every few weeks and then tackling the Olanzapine once I have the Duloxetine out of my system.  I would be very grateful if you could advise if you think this is a sensible plan?  Thanks again for taking the time to read my post and any advice is gratefully received.  

[Altostrata]

Yes, you might reduce duloxetine while you hold at a low dose of quetiapine.

 

I would not make another drug change until your withdrawal symptoms have gone away entirely.

[rubywednesday]

@Altostrata

 

Thanks Alto, I won't make any changes until I can sleep right through.  My mood seems to have stabilised, had a good day today, long may it last. 

 

Ruby xx

[rubywednesday]

I've reduced my olanzapine from 7.5mg to 6.25mg from 24 June 21.  Ok so far although I did struggle to get to sleep last night.  Had a good day today.  

[rubywednesday]

Day 4, another good day despite waking in the night.

[rubywednesday]

Day 5, struggled to get to sleep about 2 am, didn't have a very good night, awake 5.30 - 7.30 am but slept to 11.15am.  Mild anxiety but overall a good day.

11.30 am 60 mg duloxetine

10.30 pm 6.25 mg olanzapine

[rubywednesday]

Day 6, woke a few times in the night but got back to sleep ok.  Didn't have a good day (walked out on my voluntary job cause the chef kept shouting at me), upset, no appetite

10.30 am 60mg duloxetine

10.00 pm 6.25 olanzapine

[rubywednesday]

Day 7, no sleep, no appetite, diarhorrea

7.30 am 60 mg duloxetine

9.30 pm 6.25 olanzapine

[rubywednesday]

Day 8, Slept well 11pm - 10.30 am, much better day

10.30 am 60 mg Duloxetine

9.45 pm 6.25 mg Olanzapine

 

[rubywednesday]

Day 11, been a bit of a rollercoaster over the last few days.  Sleep is still a hit or a miss and my mood is up and down.  I'm using a pill cutter but it doesn't appear to cut the tablets exactly in half, so some days I'm getting a higher dose than others.  

 

11 am 60mg duloxetine

10 pm 6.25 mg olanzapine

 

 

[JohnBanes]

Your sleep doesn't sound that bad, all things considered.  Many people coming down on Olanzapine (including myself) report 2-3 hours of sleep a night, consistently.  It sounds like you are having rough patches, but your sleep is sustainable.  Keep up the good effort!  You are making great progress.

[rubywednesday]

@JohnBanes

Thanks for the reply, yeah I know it could be a lot worse. I once stopped the olanzapine C/T, not recommended.  

 

Good luck with the latuda taper.

 

 

[rubywednesday]

Day 19, 6.25 mg, quite low and tearful.  Sleep not great, feeling a bit paranoid but even negative emotions are better than the zombie I was.  Speaking to my GP on Wednesday, only waited 2 months for the appointment, hoping to taper the duloxetine once I stabilise on the olanzapine. 

 

Anyone got an idea of how long these symptoms will last?

[JohnBanes]

Bad sleep can go on for a while, easily over eight weeks.  But it differs person by person, and your symptoms may dissipate much sooner.

[rubywednesday]

Day 20 Thanks John, had a much better day albeit with a broken night's sleep.  Hoping to stabilise on this dose for a while.

[rubywednesday]

Day 21, woke a couple of times in the night but slept late.  Quite tearful and beating myself up. Worried my symptoms have come back and it's not withdrawal symptoms.  Spoke to my GP who's agreed to reduce my duloxetine, hoping to taper this when I stabilise on the reduced dose of olanzapine.  I didn't tell her I've reduced the olanzapine and I'm on half the dose of duloxetine that I'm prescribed.  Have lost all faith in the medical profession.  Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

[rubywednesday]

Day 22, a much better day, sleep quite good, mood good, full of energy, appetite reduced since reducing the olanzapine.

[JohnBanes]

Glad to hear things are stabilizing!  Way to hang in there!

[rubywednesday]

Day 23, thanks John, another good day, only woke once briefly in the night and had a good day.  

 

Going to start tapering duloxetine next week.

[Greatful]

@rubywednesday  Hi stopping by to say hi and let you know you are doing a great job with your taper.  By your signature you and I have several years in the drug merry go round system.   I to have lost respect for the medical field that hand these meds out like candy and then don't know how to help you get off them.

  

But as you can see there is a huge support system here on SA.

It looks like you are holding your own and have a great attitude.   I have continence that you will keep moving forward and will be off these drugs before you know it.

 

I would recommend you get a scale to help you get more accurate dosing.  I uses a scale to weigh my pill that I have to cut down.  It really is important for your drug levels in your blood be constant and stable. This will help keep your cns to stay stable.  

[rubywednesday]

@Greatful thank you so much for the advice and encouragement.  My sleep's not perfect but ok and I feel ready to tackle the duloxetine now.  I think I've found an accurate scale on Amazon so will order that today. Can't wait to be off these drugs but I'll just have to be patient.  Good luck with your taper too. I'm so glad I found this site. 

 

Ruby

 

[Neon]

Hi, I just wanted to stop by and say hello.

I was also put in a drug-merry-go-round and found myself on Venlafaxine and Olanzapine.. 

It gives me hope that you seem to manage well enough.

You can do it! I also have lost trust in psychiatrists and the whole system.. we will make it in the end!

I wish you all the best 🙂 

[rubywednesday]

@Neon thank you so much.  Yeah they're all quacks if you ask me.  I feel very much empowered in coming off psychiatric drugs, long may it last lol.

 

Day 27, Didn't have a great sleep last night but feeling ok.  The scales I bought are knackered so I'll need to send them back and order another one.  

 

I see you're back on the merry-go-round too.  Good luck with your taper, we can do this, slow and sure

 

Ruby

[rubywednesday]

Day 28, olanzapine taper.  Much better sleep, really good day.

 

Starting duloxetine taper tomorrow, planning on going down from 60mg to 50mg.  Ordered another scale, arriving tomorrow.  Not got a long term plan, just taking a day at a time.

 

Ruby

[Greatful]

@rubywednesday  Great job.  Everything is moving along for you😊

[Hanna72]

Hi @rubywednesday

15 minutes ago, rubywednesday said:

Much better sleep, really good day.

That’s really good news. 
Rooting for you 🙏

 

 

[ScottishLass]

Hi 👋🏻 

Thanks for your message on my thread. I haven’t kept up with anyone’s postings as I was so wrapped up in my own head and not managing.  In fact I lost my mind there for a while. Wow.  Things are hopefully getting better now and Im feeling more myself. Less derailed. 

 

Well done on your Olanzapine taper. 👏 The fact you’ve managed to keep up a daily post is testament in itself and your attitude is great.

 

Good luck with the Duloxetine taper too.  Don’t let my experience worry you.  My Duloxetine taper was far too quick and I wish I’d found this site before doing that rather than listening to Docs.....and as we know everyone’s experience is different.  

 

Sending you kind thoughts and good wishes. Keep up the good and all that.

SL

 

 

 

 

[rubywednesday]

@Greatful@Hanna72 @ScottishLass

 

Day 1 Duloxetine taper (from 60mg to 50mg)

 

Thanks everyone for taking the time to wish me well.  Another good sleep and good day.  I'm not sure how long it will take for the duloxetine to come out of my system but I imagine it to be a week to 10 days.  My scales arrived today, will try not to break this one doh! Downloaded the Dose Weights Spreadsheet, will look at it tomorrow.

 

Hope everyone is doing well in their journeys and thanks again.

 

Ruby x

[rubywednesday]

Day 3, not a great sleep about 5 hours, been skipping my meditation the last couple of nights but got back to it tonight.  Not a bad day, just a bit tired. 

 

Ruby

[JohnBanes]

You are doing a great job with a slow taper.  Keep it up!  I'll keep my fingers crossed that your sleep returns to normal.

[rubywednesday]

Day 5 Duloxetine taper

 

@JohnBanes Thanks for looking in on me and for the encouragement.  Nothing exciting to report, sleeping ok, mood good, better than when I was on higher doses of Duloxetine and Olanzapine.  I'm even doing housework and gardening lol!  

 

Ruby 

 

[rubywednesday]

Day 7 Not a great sleep which might account for my irritable mood today?  Pissed off at a couple of people but overall mood still not too bad and made it up with my ex-partner after a couple of hours!  Need to get up early tomorrow so planning on taking Nitrazepam (5mg?).  It shouldn't be a problem as I rarely take it (can't remember the last time).  

 

Ruby 

[rubywednesday]

Day 8 The nitrazepam worked a treat and I got a night of unbroken sleep.  A much better mood today, if this continues I'm hoping to reduce the duloxetine to 40 mg soon.  A couple of years ago I reduced the duloxetine from 120mg to 60mg, I don't remember how I did the taper but I didn't have significant withdrawal symptoms that I can remember.  Someone said that approximately 50% of people don't have too much trouble coming off psychiatric meds and I hope I fall into that category.  I guess only time will tell.

 

Ruby 

[JohnBanes]

Ruby-- You are right, many people don't have trouble titrating down (or only have trouble with certain meds).  That's what makes this website so useful -- it serves those that do encounter challenges.  Unfortunately, psychiatrists tend to base their recommendations on the experience of the population that does not have trouble withdrawing.  And again, they have some basis for their assumptions.  But sadly, some people do encounter severe challenges in titrating down.  I hope your sleep remains good and that you have smooth sailing...

John