Zyprexa

[llama44]

I was put on 15mg of zyprexa zydis while inpatient recently. I have gained 5lbs but I am confident I can keep my weight down. I have little to no appetite during the day and usually only eat a meal at dinner. So I don't have the hunger side effect. And I sleep like a baby!!!!!!! It's really calming for me as abilify was so activating. I am still currently going through a mixed episode so I may need a little more in my system or to give it a little more time. I was just wondering others experiences with zyprexa. I am worried about the possibility of gaining a lot of weight and getting diabetes. That would be horrible!

[netsavy006]

I've taken Zyprexa on and off for about 3 or 4 years since my diagnosis of bipolar / schizoaffective and I've been on dosages ranging from 5 to 15mg per night. I don't know if it's because I'm young or if it's my diet + exercise (I like to dance), I don't really gain weight with Zyprexa, but I do get a lot of benefit out of Zyprexa.

It makes me less anxious, it helps prevent the racing thoughts, I have clearer thinking and now that I'm no longer having the mania, my memory is better, and I'm not having the irritability I was describing weeks ago.

Diet and exercise are the best ways I can tell you for monitoring your weight. I had a doctor who was monitoring my weight weekly because I was complaining about it, but don't let it get to that unless it has too.

I read on a diabetes forum what you can do to help keep diabetes in check is get your fasting blood sugar tested once every 6 months and that should help detect problems early.

I hope this helps and I wish you well.

Andy.

[llama44]

Thanks for the reply Andy! It's good to hear positive experiences! I agree I feel a lot calmer and clear headed. Strangely my appetite has been suppressed rather than ravenous so I don't think I'll gain much weight.

I wish you well too and am so happy to hear how much better you are doing! I really notice a good change!

[Velvet Elvis]

It's a great med as long as you don't get any metabolic side effects. If you start to gain a lot of weight on it you'll want to consider coming off it because of the diabetes risk.

[notfred]

I would get a fasting glucose test and a lipid panel periodically. Zyprexa can mess with lipids, also.

nf

[etkearne]

I have had a "love-hate relationship" with Zy since I was put on it first 4 years ago. It really is an amazing atypical antipsychotic. For me, it works where none of the others did. I am so much less agitated and edgy. I often feel relaxed. However, you must be aware that weight gain is almost inevitable, even if you eat well. But, if you are only on 5-10mg or so, you will probably gain some, but not a dangerous amount of weight. I have gained 45lbs. in 4 years. Almost all of it was gained in the first year, and my eating habits have remained the same throughout. I eat little calories but I eat almost all junk food, so I am sure I could lose weight if I tried. I just haven't felt a need.

Also, the sleeping is annoying after some time. I hear of people staying up until one in the morning and feeling fine at seven in the morning, and I wish I could have that back. I go to bed at 9-10 pm and sleep until 8 am with no problems. I personally like it, as sleeping is nice time to give the old brain a rest, but it can interfere socially.

My last caution is to watch for cognitive deterioration, or, bluntly, feeling more stupid. I came down from 20mg to 5-10mg recently because of this. I was not able to perform mentally taxing tasks as well as my colleagues. I actually went off of Zyprexa because of my frustration with this (I was a math grad student). Unfortunately, this only lead to two months of a true unbridled psychotic mixed episode that I shiver at the thought of.