zyprexa....

Im worried about starting zyprexa. I hear good things about the drug except for the fact that pretty much everyone seem to gain massive amounts of weight.

Anyone take this drug and not gain? im a big guy at 6'2 220lbs. im not fat but not skinny. I also have bad knees so i cant gain weight.

Also any good experiences with this drug?

Hi,

I think it's totally understandable that you're apprehensive about starting a new medication. I certainly am whenever one is added!

I took Zyprexa/Olanzapine for over a year at one point, initially to treat a severe manic episode with psychosis. It was started inpatient at 10mg, and I have to say it's the fastest acting and most effective antipsychotic I've tried. I literally felt a difference in terms of it beginning to calm me down by the next day, and it successfully treated my mania.

However, over time, I did experience significant weight gain- I ended up about 30lbs above my normal weight, but it naturally dropped off once I'd discontinued the Zyprexa. I also had heavy sedation and a horrible side-effect called oculogyric crisis (upward rolling of the eyeballs). However, I'm assured this isn't common so please don't worry... I've also experienced it as a reaction to other drugs, and am clearly very prone to developing it.

Unfortunately, Zyprexa didn't help at all with my depression, which is why it was eventually discontinued. For me, I'd use it again for mania, as it was very useful, but only short-term.

I'd say, realistically, expect some weight gain (although this varies person to person). Most of the time I was on it, I was extremely depressed so didn't feel motivated enough to exercise or control my diet, but I imagine this could curb the weight gain.

I hope this helps somewhat and the Zyprexa it treats your symptoms well without too many side effects. All the best x

thanks for the reply i appreciate it.

I'm on zyprexa, and have been for close to 10 years. I was on epival before that for a year, but my doctor at the time was concerned about the side effects so we switched.

That doctor retired. My new doctor is very ordinary and uncreative in his prescribing.
He gives me everything at the recommended theraputic dose and leaves me on it forever.

Back to zyprexa...
I"m 6' 2" and 250 lbs now, and my weight has been stable for 7 or 8 years.
My weight slowly went from 190 to 220 in the 1990's when I started anti-depressants.
Then in 2004, corresponding with starting zyprexa, it climbed the final 30 lbs.

I hate it, but not enough to do anything about it. I have tried diet and exercise but not seriously enough to make a difference. I mean really starve myself. My butt and chest stayed the same and I developed a big protruding gut. Very appealing. I hate mirrors now.

As far as I'm concerned, it is an effective medication for mania and the only side effect I've had is weight gain.

I'll wish you good luck, because these mood drugs are a bit of a crap-shoot.

skilsaw wrote:I'm on zyprexa, and have been for close to 10 years. I was on epival before that for a year, but my doctor at the time was concerned about the side effects so we switched.

That doctor retired. My new doctor is very ordinary and uncreative in his prescribing.
He gives me everything at the recommended theraputic dose and leaves me on it forever.

Back to zyprexa...
I"m 6' 2" and 250 lbs now, and my weight has been stable for 7 or 8 years.
My weight slowly went from 190 to 220 in the 1990's when I started anti-depressants.
Then in 2004, corresponding with starting zyprexa, it climbed the final 30 lbs.

I hate it, but not enough to do anything about it. I have tried diet and exercise but not seriously enough to make a difference. I mean really starve myself. My butt and chest stayed the same and I developed a big protruding gut. Very appealing. I hate mirrors now.

As far as I'm concerned, it is an effective medication for mania and the only side effect I've had is weight gain.

I'll wish you good luck, because these mood drugs are a bit of a crap-shoot.

we sound fairly simular.... i was 190 up until a few months ago. now im at 220lbs and also hate it. lucky i have a big frame. I just recently in my 26th year just said ###$ it after my bipolar diagonsis, 2 year diazepam taper, getting told i have a ultra rapid metabolism of CYP2D6, Gilbert syndrome... so yeah i don't have many med options due to the last 2 things. explains why im so sensitive to meds. wish i knew this 10 years ago but i guess this is new medicine.

$#%^ i dont wanna gain the next 30lbs lol. I to hate mirrors. my gut is to getting big.

I Dont know how i went from being in the army reserves running 10 km with 80lbs of gear a 10lbs weapon, to sitting on my ass 20 hours day stuffing my face trying not to gain 100lbs.

life eh? lol

I Dont know how i went from being in the army reserves running 10 km with 80lbs of gear a 10lbs weapon, to sitting on my ass 20 hours day stuffing my face trying not to gain 100lbs.

life eh? lol[/quote]

I know the decline in fitness. I can't ski a whole day now and I fatigue quickly on my bicycle. I am going to work on cycling for the next couple of weeks though because there is a big community bike event coming up. I just committed the ultimate insult to my touring bike. I put a mountain bike crank on it, just for the lower gears. Anything to help me get up hills.

Take care,