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Olanzapine

12 replies

Treetops12 · 12/08/2022 23:28

Long story, I got severe Pnd/anxiety over a year and a half ago when I stopped breastfeeding I completely crashed.

Went into a severe highly agitated state of anxiety with hyperaeousal (colours to vivid, noises too bright, brain looking for danger) falling asleep at night but only managing a couple of hours before waking with severe fear /panic /adrenaline rushes.

I was put on setraline for 2 months but was so activated and a thousand times more anxious. Then mirtazapine for almost 10 months which made me so much more depressed and anxious with horrific intrusive thoughts and inner restlessness. I also tried various others but just cried so much wjrh heightened anxiety and thoughts of ending it all, so I quit after days.

I have constant derealization and feel completely numb from my emotions. I can't retain memories of what I've just done. Feels like I'm behind glass if that makes sense.
And have this awful brain aggitation.

I cry a lot and feel suicidal. Some days I can't function.

Ive had tons of therapy. None seems to help me get rid of the anxiety. It feels so physical.

My latest psych has said I 'may' have experienced postpartum disphoric bi polar. So a mixed episode. He's not sure but given the way I've been with meds and the way I was at the beginning (he thinks this sounds like it could have been a high).

He's suggested I now try clonazepam for a couple of weeks and see if that dampens down the anxiety/panic/hyperaeousal. If not I could try low dose olanzapine.

Wondering if anyones been in a similar boat and what helped? I'm concerned clonazepam won't help my deep depression and olanzapine will make me become hugely overweight. Which should be least of my worries but mirtazapine weight gain (even whilst watching my diet) was horrific. Need some positive stories and hope.

OP posts:
Treetops12 · 12/08/2022 23:32

Should also say I tried Low dose quitiapine but it made me so so short tempered and angry. Not a symptom I have normally.

Ive told the psych this and I canf see how olanzapine will be any different. Seems anything to effecfs histamine makes me like this.

OP posts:
Beetr00t · 17/08/2022 09:27

I have gained weight on olanzapine. But, I have also been given my sanity back after a terrible time, so I'm sticking with it. I tried to come off it a few months ago and my awful racing intrusive thoughts came back, the weight gain is upsetting but worth it to me.

Treetops12 · 17/08/2022 20:15

@Beetr00t do you mind me asking what dose you take? So glad it helps you and you are feeling better
Do you feel an increase in appetite?

OP posts:
SameKeyThough · 18/08/2022 19:01

I take olanzapine (3.75mg) for anxiety, along with citalopram. My psychiatrist added it in when I wasn't improving and I found it really helped with my acute anxiety. I have put on weight unfortunately- a stone and a half which piled on in a couple of weeks despite me not changing my eating habits, although I am exercising less. That has plateaued now at least, and I am very vigilant with my eating to keep from any more piling on. I'm hoping to start reducing the olanzapine soon, but I'm worried about how that will affect my mood which is still not 100%, although vastly better than it was.

Idiotathome79 · 18/08/2022 19:12

I Have a very similar story as you ,
I have been on olanzpine gained weight
Epilim lost weight from Being sick all the time , mirtazipine made me more Agitated and irritable .
Quitipine and sertraline together , I
Lost nearly 4 stone and ate very little .

Now I am
On lamical and ariprazole which I am
Settled had Small low
Point recently but have been able to bounce back .
I have a eupd ptsd and bipolar diagnoses

Treetops12 · 19/08/2022 07:00

@Idiotathome79 do you think ariprazole is less of a weight gainer?

OP posts:
Idiotathome79 · 19/08/2022 07:04

@Treetops12
I been on it since March and haven't gained anymore than normal ie 5lb after a holiday , lost the 5lb I don't feeling starving like I did with the other meds , so maybe , the only thing I will say it's a bit individual my friend was on olanzipine and gained very little , I looked like a barrel .
When they put her on risperdone she gained stomach weight , and ppl kept asking when she was due .

fantasmasgoria1 · 19/08/2022 07:19

Aripiprasole is one of the few that is far less known for weight gain. I have spoken to my psychiatrist about this sometimes though you have to weigh up the positive and negative effects of each med.

Beetr00t · 20/08/2022 20:58

I'm on 10mg which is considered a high dose. It's the best med I've ever been on though (of many!) so I am not planning on coming off it. I've gained weight though without changing anything which is upsetting and can't seem to get it off.

Treetops12 · 21/08/2022 07:22

@Beetr00t glsd to hear its helped you. Does it improve your mood / make you happier?
Did you ever try quitiapine? It made me so grumpy and irritable. I'm just wondering how olanzapine can be any different. Suppose I'll just need to try it and see!

OP posts:
SommerTen · 21/08/2022 14:19

I'm on 30mg Aripiprazole and I'm always hungry now!!

Beetr00t · 23/08/2022 14:57

Yes for two weeks and I hated it, I could barely keep my eyes open and was exhausted to the bone.

Olanzapine is amazing for my anxiety and intrusive thoughts (OCD)

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