CarpeNoctem Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Hi everyone, I saw my pdoc yesterday, and she gave me Zyprexa to help with my anxiety problem. I tried increasing my dose of Celexa to 40mg, which didn't help, and I tried Gabapentin, Vistaril, and Buspar, which also didn't work. I'm on 1mg of generic Klonopn, but I don't feel like that is doing anything to be honest. We have tried a bunch of different things, and she recently put me on Zyprexa 5mg BID and 80mg of Geodon once a day (I used to be on 160mg of Geodon) and I am really hoping that it will work for me, because I don't know how much longer I can stand this anxiety, because its really interfering with my school work, and life. Has anyone had a good experience where Zyprexa helped them with their anxiety? She also said that it should help with the intrusive thoughts, so I am hoping it does. So any good stories from you guys where Zyprexa you with anxiety, and intrusive thoughts? Thanks for any and all replies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneMarie Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Generally speaking, Zyyprexa is not considered an anxiolytic. That said, antipsychotics can help some people. Hopefully, this combo will be the one that works for you. A few words of caution to consider. The odds of side effects like EPS and TD (serious movement disorders) increase with the use of two antipsychotics. I actually can say more about Geodon than Zyprexa. A fair number of people find Geodon activating, some find it anxiety provoking. These responses are usually more intense at lower doses. If your anxiety goes up, don't automatically assume it is the Zyprexa. It may be the reduction of Geodon. Have you tried any other antidepressant? Also, 1 mg of Klonopin is not a high dose for serious anxiety. ETA: Sorry, I don't mean to sound like I'm second guessing your pdoc. I'm not. I certainly don't have the knowledge or skill to suggest best treatment course and I'm sure your pdoc put a lot of thought into choosing this combo which may well be the best one for you. I'm just putting some fairly general info out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llama44 Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 I agree with Stacia. It could be that your klonopin dose isn't high enough. Or maybe you aren't taking it enough throughout the day. I take 0.5mg four times a day. That has probably cut my horrific, serious anxiety problem down quite a bit. I still experience anxiety, just not at that level anymore. I was seriously crippled by it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netsavy006 Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Years ago when I was given Zyprexa 5mg for bipolar disorder and for anxiety it did help for 3 months for it's intended purpose. The problem I had was that I wanted to manipulate with medications I was on and I wish that never happened because Zyprexa was a great medication over the years. I had used it on and off and the times I was on it, I was more in control then when I was off of it. So I hope that for you, with Zyprexa, you will have better control over your anxiety too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpeNoctem Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 Generally speaking, Zyyprexa is not considered an anxiolytic. That said, antipsychotics can help some people. Hopefully, this combo will be the one that works for you. A few words of caution to consider. The odds of side effects like EPS and TD (serious movement disorders) increase with the use of two antipsychotics. I actually can say more about Geodon than Zyprexa. A fair number of people find Geodon activating, some find it anxiety provoking. These responses are usually more intense at lower doses. If your anxiety goes up, don't automatically assume it is the Zyprexa. It may be the reduction of Geodon. Have you tried any other antidepressant? Also, 1 mg of Klonopin is not a high dose for serious anxiety. ETA: Sorry, I don't mean to sound like I'm second guessing your pdoc. I'm not. I certainly don't have the knowledge or skill to suggest best treatment course and I'm sure your pdoc put a lot of thought into choosing this combo which may well be the best one for you. I'm just putting some fairly general info out there. Thanks for your reply, and its ok. I have heard that being on two antipsychotics can lead to a higher chance of side effects, so I know about that. When I first started on Geodon, it was a low dose, and that really made me sleepy. My pdoc at first increased my Celexa from 20mg to 30mg, and then to 40mg, and that had no effect, so I went back to the 20mg. Also, I have a bad stomach and I have IBS, and because of that, I take 4 Librax capsules a day, and each capsule has Librium, so I can see why my pdoc didn't want to increase my dose of the Klonopin so that I don't have a big amount of benzos in my system. I agree with Stacia. It could be that your klonopin dose isn't high enough. Or maybe you aren't taking it enough throughout the day. I take 0.5mg four times a day. That has probably cut my horrific, serious anxiety problem down quite a bit. I still experience anxiety, just not at that level anymore. I was seriously crippled by it. I wish I could have a higher dose of Klonopin, but like I said, I'm also on Librax, and it has Librium, but even taking those, it hasn't really helped much with the anxiety. If you're not in therapy specifically to address the anxiety, you need to explore that option. Anxiety responds particularly well to therapy. I am currently seeing a psychologist, and slowly making progress. Years ago when I was given Zyprexa 5mg for bipolar disorder and for anxiety it did help for 3 months for it's intended purpose. The problem I had was that I wanted to manipulate with medications I was on and I wish that never happened because Zyprexa was a great medication over the years. I had used it on and off and the times I was on it, I was more in control then when I was off of it. So I hope that for you, with Zyprexa, you will have better control over your anxiety too. Thanks netsavy006! I really hope the Zyprexa at least puts a nice dent on my anxiety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyBoy Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 It'll help your anxiety but I found myself having a lot more side effects with it than other meds I've tried. Kept me pretty sedated 24/7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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