Zyprexa Withdrawal - Need Help Badly

[troop111]

I was given 10 mg Zyprexa by my pdoc for about four months. It stopped working, so he took me off of it.  I went from 10mg to 5 mg for a week, then to 2.5mg for a week, then off.

This is the 12th day and I've been experiencing intense withdrawal: An extreme anxiety that I've never before experienced, an indescribable, awful feeling, insomnia/early waking, severe and persistent diarrhea, dry heaves and throwing up, unable to eat, etc.

I went to ER and they didn't have much to say about it. The doc said it was my underlying condition (bipolar II), but I know this isn't true because I've never felt like this until I stopped the Zyprexa. My pdoc also doesn't believe a person can have withdrawals from Zyprexa.

Things have improved a little, but the diarrhea and nausea seem to be worsening. The anxiety is slowly getting better. The lack of sleep has me alarmed, as I only can sleep for about 3-4 hours before waking up. It's been like this for 12 days.

I've read enough accounts of other people who went through Zyprexa withdrawal that I know it's real.

I also began taking Lamictal around the time I stopped the Zyprexa, but again my pdoc doesn't think it could be causing my illness.

I'm certain it's Zyprexa WD.

I need reassurance that this will end soon. How much longer?  I am scared. Do you think permanent damage was done to me by the Zyprexa and that this will never go away?

Thank you for your help.

[helplogan]

All medications are individual and It sounds  to me like you we not given a fair hearing. I remember when I had a major medication change which involved stopping a similar medication, the resulting panic attacks that followed ended up with me having to be taken to the  A..E  department. Something that was insisted upon rather than my choice and just so you know I have bi-polar 1 with an anxiety disorder also.  
I was made to feel as if it was illness rather and a panic attack even though I had never had one like that before.I was prescribed an anti anxiety medication but they were still an issue at times for around 5/6 days.
It does sound like things are starting to settle down for you so stick with it.
Regarding permanent damage, I would doubt there is any permanent damage as a result, it has just been an extremely unpleasant experience for you to endure.
Take care and let us know how your getting on.

[lindahand]

If the diarrhea and nausea continue it may be due to something else in your system. Because if it is withdrawl the symptoms should be lessoning not increasing. At the two week mark things should be returning to normal and considering you were only on it for 4 months it shouldn't be a big withdrawl.

Diarrhea and nausea are listed side effects for lamotrigine (for pretty much any drug, and insomnia. Don't stop taking your lamotrigine unless you talk to the pdoc first, just saying these are listed side effects. Lamotrigine is a really good drug for bipolar and side effects usually wane after a few months.

Since you were only on Ziprexa for 4 months, chances are really minimal that any permanent damage was done. If you are not having movement related issues - smacking lips, drooling, etc. it shouldn't be anything permanent.