Musigal Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hi everyone. I found this site doing a google search for "zyprexa withdrawal". Came up with some troll posting on this board, but at least I found you! I was diagnosed with BP II about eleven years ago. I've been on and off (but mostly on) zyprexa for the last nine years. I don't see a psychiatrist, I see my family practice doctor. I know that sounds odd but he's very knowledgable. I think I'm scared to see a psychiatrist because they might put me on even more medication than I have. For the most part I've been pretty stable, but there have been moments, suicide attempts, the whole nine yards. I try not to dwell on those times. The thing is, I so want to get off the zyprexa. The weight gain is ruining my life. I think I can manage it if I have enough xanax. Does anyone here have experience getting off the zyprexa? My doctor told me risperidone doesn't cause as much of a weight gain. But that does me no good- I want OFF those medications. I want to see how I would do with it just being ME. I'm so tired of depending on a pill every day to make me normal. What is normal anyways? Are we just the sum part of the chemicals in our brains? What a depressing thought. I was on topamax for a very short time. That was horrendous. I have never felt such despair in all my life. I know it helps with appetite control and can be used as a mood stabilizer, but I can't take it. It's too bad, because it really did help with my constant urge to stuff food in my mouth. If you've read this far, thank you....I look forward to posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hai and welcome to the boards. For the weight gain, you can try metformin which some studies have shown is good for weight gain caused by antipsychotics [like Zyprexa]. As for getting off meds - I think it's a tempting thought for anyone with a mental health condition. However, sometimes the reason why you are doing okay with life is due to the meds. Sometimes it's worth thinking about how you were before being medicated, and whether you want to go back to that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I can attest to the fact that risperdal does not cause weight gain like zyprexa does. Overall I find it to be a good drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olga Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Welcome to Crazyboards. Your questions about meds and weight gain should point to the fact that you need to see a psychiatrist. Would you go to a dentist if you broke your foot? Your GP does NOT have the knowledge of psych meds that a psychiatrist would have. You may not want to take more than one med, but if your brain cooties are such that you need 2 or 3 meds to achieve stability, then you are just making your life harder by not seeing the appropriate doctor. The weight gain is ruining my life. I think I can manage it if I have enough xanax. Does anyone here have experience getting off the zyprexa? My doctor told me risperidone doesn't cause as much of a weight gain. But that does me no good- I want OFF those medications. All of us would like to throw our crazymeds in the garbage. I wish I didn't have to put drops in my eyes 4 times a day for my Glaucoma. I wish I could stop taking my blood pressure med---but it would damage my heart if I dropped it. You have a condition that requires medication, and that's the name of that tune. I hope you will see a psychiatrist and a therapist to deal with your resistance to medication. olga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwamikids Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 First off, welcome to the board!!! My name is Stephanie - I'm 26 years old, been married for 9 years now and I have 3 great children. I am diagnosed as Bipolar I with generalized anxiety. My meds are listed below. I also have a 5 year old son who is diagnosed as Bipolar I with psychotic features, autism, and ADHD. I do have a website which I blog in, there's some other support there if you ever want to check it out. It's in my signature! I think being on a medication with the side effect of weight gain for 9 years is incredible, that shows some great loyalty on your part. I know it's frustrating. I was a skinny woman before I got on Depakote, after 4 months I had gained 50 lbs. I still haven't lost it. I think it messed up my thyroids. I finally got off of it around March. I was so scared to go back to the doctor and try anything else. But I did. I owed it to myself and so do you. I am on Saphris which works great and actually curbs my appetite so there are other drugs out there, don't lose hope yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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