Zyprexa side-effects permanent?

[clow]

I was put on Zyprexa about 18 months ago after a very bad episode. I have since been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, though other than that time I haven't had any mania. I hated the side effects of the Zyprexa, but it did stabilize me and I did continue to get "better" (meaning I wasn't absolutely paranoid and crazy) over several months.

 

I was initially on 10mg then down to 5mg and for the last several months have been on 2.5mg. During this time I had no passion for life, no sex drive, no pleasure at all. I know Zyprexa blocks several neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine, and so I know this is all expected.

 

We added Lamictal a few months ago and seemed to help a bit. The plan was to get me off the Zyprexa and only on the Lamictal. About a week and a half ago I took my last 2.5mg pill and have been off it since. I haven't had some of the severe withdrawal effects others have mentioned here--mainly a persistent nausea that is getting better, but I haven't really experienced much recovery either. My hope was that I would stop taking it and get back to my old self. However, I still feel pretty much the same, emotionally, mentally and sexually blunted. My girlfriend has been more than patient with me, but it's not fair to her that I'm pretty much emotionally vacant and sexually uninterested.

 

My fear is that this is permanent. I've been reading several sites talking about Zyprexa and brain shrinkage and permanent side effects. This terrifies me.

 

My question is: has anyone been on Zyprexa for a while and then fully recovered afterwards? And, if so, any timeline? I know I'm in the early stages, but it's out of my system now, or getting there, and I'm not seeing much difference.

[Parapluie]

It takes time for your body to adjust to not being on the med anymore. Plus, you could be kinda blah and sexually uninterested cause you're nauseated.

 

When I was on 30 mg of Abilify, I felt pretty snowed and just blah. When we went back down to 15 mg, it took a full month before I gained some more energy and interest in sex and to just feel less foggy. Now that I'm on 15 mg of Abilify, I feel a bit more energetic and perkier, though I still sleep a lot. So, basically what I'm saying is that from experience, it could take a while for your body to adjust. The side effects you experienced will probably not be permanent. 

 

I don't know anything about brain shrinkage, but sounds like even if that were somewhat true, it's probably blown WAY out of proportion. 

 

Another thought: Could you be somewhat depressed right now? I know I feel like you do when I'm depressed, even mildly. 

[mellifluous]

like para i've not read anything about zyprexa being linked to brain shrinkage

psychosis damages the brain in that way, as does mania...so i wonder if the after effects you're feeling are from the episode and not from the zyprexa?

 

this isn't the single greatest source but it's the first one i could find; http://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/07/21/27886.aspx

 

the brain shrinkage thing aside...i've taken zyprexa in different forms for different amounts of time over the years and not had the side effects or residual effects you describe *from the medication itself*

 

i have, though...oh, and i should note that i'm schizophrenic not bipolar so i don't know if it works the same way in your case, but after i've had a break and been out of my head for awhile and then they stabilize me blah blah blah...there's a time where there are an amount of what're called negative symptoms in schizophrenia that kinda fill the space left from the psychosis and disorganized thoughts...it's like all that just fries me to the point where i have alogia and avolition and to some extent anhedonia...and those don't sound entirely unlike what you describe....and it depends on the situation but those can take awhile to resolve, for me. i'm fortunate not to have those be prominent features of my overall "presentation" ...the worst i would say, and this was after a bunch of bilateral perhaps on the worse end...was somewhere between 2-3 months? i'm not good with estimating time though. like i said though...none of that, for me, is caused by zyprexa...or any other antipsychotic i've taken...it's caused by the psychosis.

[tashakitty]

Please! I was reading about Saphris and I cannot get back there! I barely figured out how to become a member here and am in tears trying to get help and feel lost out in cyberspace. I have Ultra Rapid Cycling BP I and have tried EVERYTHING for decades-only Ability was like a total miracle for me, except it triggered TD because of decades on the old antipychotics-mainly Stelazine. Got kidney disease after decades on lithium-stopped and kidney disease went away. Have been manic for decades, now swung into suicidal depression. Desparately considering Saphris or Latuda now. What about the TD and diabetes dangers? I also have ballooned into huge fat again from months back on Neurontin (also take Lamictal and Klonopin PRN). What are people's reactions that have these dangers?

Please! I was reading about Saphris and I cannot get back there! I barely figured out how to become a member here and am in tears trying to get help and feel lost out in cyberspace. I have Ultra Rapid Cycling BP I and have tried EVERYTHING for decades-only Ability was like a total miracle for me, except it triggered TD because of decades on the old antipychotics-mainly Stelazine. Got kidney disease after decades on lithium-stopped and kidney disease went away. Have been manic for decades, now swung into suicidal depression. Desparately considering Saphris or Latuda now. What about the TD and diabetes dangers? I also have ballooned into huge fat again from months back on Neurontin (also take Lamictal and Klonopin PRN). What are people's reactions that have these dangers?

I am giving up on this forum because it is not at all user friendly to crazy older people (61 hippie) who do not know how to figure out how to do this right and get answers. I am in tears wishing someone was out there to help me and apparently you are not!

Giving up way too confusing on how to post-and for a Help site for people having trouble functioning this SUCKS!