Zyprexa withdrawal Horror stories

"My 6 yr old son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder I thought it was ADHD but they started him on zyprexa and we've seen a lot of improvement in his behavior.would highly recommend, Virtually no side effects. He eats a little more but most 6 yr old hyperactive boys could stand to eat a little more."

Comment From : http://www.drugs.com/comments/olanzapine/zyprexa.html
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Story # 1

"Zyprexa, Zyprexa, Zyprexa withdrawal hell!" (repeat many times over)

"If you're on a neuroleptic, you have to eventually withdraw cause its part of life,

So welcome to Zyprexa withdrawal hell, cause you won't survive, long"


So yeah its been day 4 of being on 0.0mg of Zyprexa and I feel like absolute hell. I have been bed ridden all day apart from going to the washroom to puke my guts out, or down some pain killers. I have been on this stupid drug for over 6 years now. Chains of Zyprexa have a hold on me, Zyprexa is like a mental prison, you can't break free. I have been going on the slowest taper EVER! I was down to ~1.25mg of Zyprexa for the past 2.5 months and I decided it was time to finally make a run for it and get off this s*** for good. Unfortunately it's in hot pursuit of my soul for which it is coming to collect(cause I sold it to the drug 6 years earlier to beat anorexia). Apparently Zyprexa is a broad spectrum atypical anti-psychotic affecting like 5-6 different neurotransmitter systems, all of which are now going haywire on me causing absolute all out HELL! I want out! I finally have a life worth living damit and I want to live it! "

Read more:


Posted 15 September 2011 - 12:33 AM Here: http://www.depressionforums.org/forums/ ... awal-hell/


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Story # 2

Olanzapine Withdrawal Hell
Started by OpenO, Oct 19 2010 03:57 PM


With the lack of sleep and all that has come with it, my depersonalisation is in some respects worse and I feel my mental health has deteriorated even more and don't know if I'm ever going to recover.

Read More:

http://www.depressionforums.org/forums/ ... awal-hell/

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Story # 3

I went back on the zyprexa to taper off more slowly. 2 months later, I am only now starting to feel a little more normal. I am stuck at 5mg because when I try to go off altogether, I start vomiting.

Read More;

http://forums.psychcentral.com/archive/ ... -9518.html

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Story # 4

I have been of Zyprexa cold turkey after puting on 30 pounds, so it has been five days I am still suffering from nausea and headaches and loss of appetite.The worst was the first 3 days where I was sweathing uncontrolably in my sleep

http://healthquestions.medhelp.org/zypr ... wal-nausea

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Story # 5

coming off a major tranquiliser, antipsychotic can be very dramatic. please look at the Fox News piece about Zyprexa. . i actually thought first that this a hoax.

Read more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_iXApBeT5s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWaVxmEovPI

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"My 6 yr old son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder I thought it was ADHD but they started him on zyprexa and we've seen a lot of improvement in his behavior.would highly recommend, Virtually no side effects..."

http://www.drugs.com/comments/olanzapine/zyprexa.html

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Story # 6
violently ill after quitting zyprexa?


hello,i'm new to this particular forum but not new to meds or bipolar. i was diagnosed 13 years ago and have tried many different medications.i was wondering if anyone else has gotten very ill after quitting zyprexa. i've gotten the SSRI withdrawals, and this is a little like that. mostly, i'm extremely nauseated. i started feeling a sort of motion-sickness on my second day off of it, and right now i'm just very drowsy and sick to my stomach.i was just curious if anyone else has had this problem. (btw, i was on 2.5mgs; taking it for about 2 years).thanks!

Read more:
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/bipo ... prexa.html

Story # 7

"Re: Withdrawal hell more than 3months!

Posted by ace on November 3, 2003, at 21:27:44
In reply to Withdrawal hell more than 3months!,
posted by ericcc on November 3, 2003, at 20:21:31>

I was on 5mg zyprexa from mars 2002 until july 2003.I went down to 2.5 1 month and quitted 1august.Then the hell started!I had TOTAL Insomnia for 5weeks.(yes 5weeks without sleep at all!)Why didn't you use a benzo like Valium or Xanax to sleep?The first 8 days i was throwing up everyday.rest of august I had hard nausea every day!Then after 5weeks i started to sleep again.Then some days after that i got fever and pain in my muscles.My liver values went up from 40 last year to 180!I had fever for 2months!I was sweaping like hell also.Doctors couldnt find a reason.I took xray and everything,and serveral bloodtests.They now belive it was zyprexa withdrawal.First 2weeks ago my liver values went down again.And now i have not had fever for 1week..Iam feeling like iam becomming a human again.No more medical for me rest of life after this.I felt like a zombie on this medical. "

From: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031030/msgs/276304.html

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My 6 yr old son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder I thought it was ADHD but they started him on zyprexa and we've seen a lot of improvement in his behavior.would highly recommend, Virtually no side effects. He eats a little more but most 6 yr old hyperactive boys could stand to eat a little more."

READ MORE: http://www.drugs.com/comments/olanzapine/zyprexa.html
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# 8-- Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:49 pm --

"If Zyprexa isn't from one of the 9 circles of hell, then there isn't anything that is.

I was on Zyprexa for about a month. It is evil. I had the same withdrawals and same horrible experiences that you are having with it. The good news I can offer is that these experiences only lasted 2 nights and one day for me. Nevermind that it felt like 4 weeks ... sorry I shouldn't deter you like that.Seriously though, once you get past these withdrawals and all, I feel you will be ok. I will pray for you.Ki "

READ MORE From : http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-dru ... 25830.html

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#9-- Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:53 pm --

ZYPREXA withdrawal
Posted by Huxley on September 11, 2010, at 2:21:53

"Is there anything that can help with Zyprexa withdrawal? It is hell on earth. Is it caused by a cholinergic rebound? "

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100908/msgs/962046.html

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"My 6 yr old son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder I thought it was ADHD but they started him on zyprexa ...

# 10

My girlfriend is two weeks into Zyprexa withdrawl (withdrawal) and along with the constant nausea is experiencing bouts of pretty severe abdominal pain. She says it feels like a muscle cramp inside her stomach. Has anyone else experienced anything similar while detoxing from the Zypexa? She also belches almost constantly. If anyone could offer information on this I would really appreciate it.

From : http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Depression ... how/268593

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# 11

I tried coming off zyprexa after being on it eleven years. I experienced vomiting, and insomnia. I tried switching to risperdal. I don't think risperdal causes vomiting so I assume it was zyprexa withdrawal. Zyprexa is a very hard drug to taper off. I don't know if it's because it has some affinity for the gaba receptor like a benzo. I know i'm stuck on it for the rest of my life.

Read more
http://www.schizophrenia.com:8080/jivef ... eID=301833

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#12

Posted 29 October 2005 - 09:47 AM
"I stopped taking Zyprexa and the withdrawal is hell. I didn't even know why this was happening to me until I read about it. My doctor said nothing about it. I just wanted to let people know to consider carefully the ramifications of taking this drug and if you are going to go off of it, what might or might not happen.http://www.medhelp.org/forums/MentalHea ... 09.htmlI'm a week into it with no improvement yet. Has anyone else here gone through this? I only took it for a few weeks, but I did take two other anti-psychotics for a few weeks before that. I'm hoping my withdrawal symptoms don't last 2 months. (!)"

Read more:
http://www.crazyboards.org/forums/index ... ithdrawal/

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#13
02-10-2011, 02:04 AM
prodigyxx
New Member

"I know this in an old thread, but the truth needs to spread about this drug. I agree with you guys and you guys are all right..it is an evil drug. The information in most articles are just not true. It's been shown that the brain takes 6 weeks to return to normal after using Zyprexa. Severe withdrawal symptoms will be experienced regardless of whether someone cuts down slowly or not. The worst part of the withdrawal is insomnia, which usually results in the person taking the med again because they can't sleep for a week or more. They basically do not sleep again until they take the med. More correct information and less misinformation needs to be spread about this drug, especially when it comes to getting people off of it (most of whom probably never needed it in the first place and are now stuck on it). Let's come to a time where psychiatrists can no longer use the "you're crazy" defense when you tell them about the severe withdrawal symptoms of dangerous drugs. Funny that two years ago they didn't even RECOGNIZE withdrawal symptoms. What are we gonna find out in the next 10 years? Probably the same shi* I'm telling you guys right now, that they've been hiding "

Read More>>
http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-dru ... post310201

# 14
Mel Ann
Apr 15, 2005 .."

"Hello, I'm a 29 year old feamale. Last year my doctor prescribed me Zyprexa for depression and anxiety and I felt great, better than ever before, but after taking this medication for almost six months I had to stop it due to the fact that it made me gain 28 pounds, my doctor stopped it cold turkey. For the last seven months I believe I have suffered from severe withdrawal symtoms (symptoms) to include: Daily nausea, (vommiting everyday), headaches and increased heart rate. My doctor has discovered that I now have an underactive thyroid and I'm now taking thyroid medication. My doctor has put me through extensive test to find the cause of my daily nausea/upset stomach. After going through 7 test now and no answers to the cause I'm wondering if I'm suffering from serious Zyprexa withdrawls. After researching Zyprexa side effects and withdrawl (withdrawal) systoms I'm not finding any as severe as mine. If anyone has experienced anything like this before please let me know. I'm in desperate need for some answers."

From : http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Depression ... how/268327

I had intractable Insomnia for a full 6 weeks trying to withdraw from Zyprexa.My physician did not order me to titrate down gradually (cut pills in half then quarters) I would advise to not do an abrupt withdrawal but cut down gradual increments.

I got a website on Zyprexa horrors.-Daniel Haszard http://www.zyprexa-victims.com

My son is 21 years old and has Downs Syndrome. In his teens he developed a tendency to hallucinate and talk to his invisible friends. At around 16 years of age this habit became disturbing when we took him out to restaurants, malls and travel. His doctor suggested 10mg Zyprexa, but having read about the side effects I begged her to go down to 5mg. My son quickly became almost zombie-like at 5mg per day, so after a month we cut it down to 2.5mg per day, which made his behaviour quite acceptable. He has now been 5 years continuously on 2.5mg Zyprexa. He weighs 125 pounds. He has not gained any weight, because his caregiver restricts his food intake, and he has come to accept this. On his own he would easily eat twice what he eats now. All physical health indicators are normal.

Just to see him “sober” at 21, we took him off the Zyprexa at the beginning of a long school holiday. Big Bang! On the first night without Zyprexa he could not sleep until 4 hours beyond bedtime even with the 2mg melatonin we always give him at night, and he woke up early. After one week of continuous insomnia and high level of hallucinations, we put him back on ½ dose, or 1.25 mg, plus 3mg melatonin. Unbelievably, on the first night he fell asleep like a baby, and slept a solid 8 hours. He was still a little more talkative than usual the next day, but could concentrate on the home exercises his caregiver is doing with him daily. After five days he was completely stable and had no more insomnia. He is a little more talkative now, but also a bit more alert when we talk to him. We plan to later proceed to 0.625 mg as an experiment.

I applied my simple engineer’s logic to these observations, and concluded the following. Those who know better, please correct me where I go wrong:

1) It appears that the commonly used dosage for Zyprexa is sometimes too high, since my son stayed stable on 1/4th of the recommended dose and 1/8th of the maximum dose.

2) It is said that Zyprexa causes permanent changes to the brain. This probably happens slower on a low dose, and faster on a high dose. One part of this permanent change seems to be a complete dependency on continuous Zyprexa intake. In other words the production of some brain chemical has been “switched off”, since the original symptoms (or withdrawal symptoms) appear within a few hours from the regular dosage time.

3) However, since the withdrawal symptoms disappeared almost instantly even with 1.25 mg (½ of his regular dose), this would to me indicate, that the body/brain only needs a very small “trigger” to function as it has been “taught”. Therefore a slow gradual reduction of the Zyprexa intake should be possible, until we reach the minimum “trigger” level, which might be as small as a fraction of a milligram.

4) So again applying “engineer’s logic”: Once we find that very low dose, we can stay on that, and still have all the positive benefits of Zyprexa (and maybe other similar drugs), while the side effects should be very much smaller or nil, compared to the effects of the “elephant” doses (10-30mg) some people are fed.

5) It appears that Zyprexa (and possibly other similar drugs) work in an opposite manner to recreational drugs. It appears that long-term use of Zyprexa sensitizes the brain to the drug, whereas opiates and similar drugs de-sensitize the brain, so that ever bigger doses are needed.

6) I therefore present the hypothesis, that Zyprexa should be administered as an initial ramped up “burst” of a certain duration and dosage, followed by a very slow tapering of the dosage once the permanent changes to the brain have been achieved (whatever they may be…), until the patient reaches a point where the original symptoms just begin to re-appear. That would be the “trigger” dose which then could be maintained with minimal or nil physiological side effects.

It would be interesting to hear other patients’ and medical experts’ views on these observations.

DS Parent wrote:My son is 21 years old and has Downs Syndrome. In his teens he developed a tendency to hallucinate and talk to his invisible friends.

Invisible friends can be an important part of a mentaly ill persons social life and they don't always like them to be medicated away.

I was recklessly perscribed zyprexa and foolishly took it for sleep to the point of dependence. I didn't know.

DS Parent wrote:It would be interesting to hear other patients’ and medical experts’ views on these observations.

If you realy want to know what zyprexa does you need to take a few doses yourself. Its kind of like like the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words".

I like your approach, DS Parent. I am no expert, so I don't know.
Also Copy_cat has a good point about invisible friends. I have heard the same comment of sadness from someone who had one that suddenly disappeared.

I am happy to report, that my son's invisible friends are alive and well. Not even the Zyprexa Monster was able to kill them The purpose was not actually to get rid of them, but just to moderate the amount of spontaneous talking to them in public and in the presence of other people, in other words to nudge him more towards "normal" social behaviour. These hallucinations and a severe speech problem are on top of the usual Downs Syndrome indicators. We have never managed to get a coherent diagnosis of these additional problems, so we just try to manage the symptoms. Zyprexa is the only medication we have tried. Still on 1.25 mg.