Olannzapine

[Morzinebabe]

I've just started on 2.5mg of olanzapine for severe anxiety and am feeling sluggish in the mornings and a little shaky. Has anyone had these symptoms taking this

[Aquamarine70]

I take this at the same dose. I find I do feel more tired in the morning & have trouble waking. I don't feel shaky. How long have you been taking it? You may find it's just your body adapting. I felt a bit puffy the first few weeks of taking it & my appetite improved.

[Morzinebabe]

Yes it probably is that my body is getting used to it. Have you been taking it for anxiety? Do you find it helps?

[Aquamarine70]

I am taking it as a boost add on to Sertraline. The highest dose of Sertraline I can take is 75mg. If I take more then I get bad side effects. The olanzapine helps boost up the Sertraline a bit & is also a mood stabiliser. I am taking it for major depression & I also suffered with anorexia. When my mood is very low I don't eat as a coping mechanism. The 2.5mg dose is just enough & it also helps me sleep. I also take Clonazapam 0.5mg dose occasionally if I feel really stressed or around PMT time.
Are you on any other meds?

[Morzinebabe]

Yes I have been on Citalopram 20 mg but that's been increased to 40. It's the anxiety that gets so debilitating. I was really bad 4 years ago and when things started again I saw a consultant who prescribed the olanzapine.

[Aquamarine70]

The Olanzapine has been a life saver for me. I have tried to come off it but within a few days I can't sleep & end up with a 6 day migraine if I carry on not sleeping. My mood really plummets & then I can't stop crying. As soon as I start taking it again it works immediately. My psychiatrist has been the best for finding the right combination of meds for me. Are you having any counselling at all?

[Morzinebabe]

No - I'm going to speak to someone at our local Mind office and then hopefully be able to attend some sessions that they offer. I have strategies I use which helped last time - mindfulness is a great one. A book called Mindfulness in 8 weeks is good and they have downloads you can get. I try to use distraction tactics when I can. I knit or do some cross stitch. Try a puzzle ,gardening. It all sounds simple when you write it down but it is very hard to keep doing it.

[LadyFuckrington]

I've been on olanzapine 2.5 in the morning and 5mg in the evening, it's really helped with my sleep and anxiety but I have put on two stone in two months...

[LadyFuckrington]

Meant to say I've been on it for three months now. The weight gain has escalated in the last eight weeks.

[notasheep11]

Hi Morzine.I understand where you are at.I too was on olanzapine but it heightened my anxiety and I put on four stone .Definitely agree that mindfulness is a great tool,also,I do deep breathing exercises and hovering helps too :) Do you get the fight or flight symptoms where you feel like you are going to die ? I now take Diazepam but only as a last resort