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.