Zyprexa withdrawal

[jadeluna]

For the last year I have been taking Zyprexa 5mg.  Recently, my doctor added Epival 500 mg. And he has not diagnosed me yet.  All we know is last year I had a 6 months depression followed by a psychotic episode that brought me to the hospital. That is when they gave me my medication. And, I have been doing well since then.  Two months ago we tried to stop zyprexa.  I did it "cold turkey" and I ended up again at the hospital.  I was suffering from insomnia, panic attack and I became very deppressed.  My doctor says it is not normal. There are no withdrawal effects from Zyprexa.  So I am going to try again to stop but I need to know how to do it.  Also has anyone been able to stop Zyprexa after taking it for more than a year. Thank you for your answers.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The real question is why are you thinking of stopping Zyprexa if you are doing well on it? Are you having side effects?  If not,it is usually recommended that you stay for a while longer, maybe even another year.

It is very difficult to tell the difference between withdrawals that are chemical, the fear that happens psychologically when you let go of something that you felt helped and now you are on your own, or the emergence of an underlying issue that you haven't addressed because you are feeling better.  Have you been in therapy, talk therapy, all this time; or only on medications.  It makes a big difference.

[Try_to_be_social]

6 months of depressive symptoms. Psychotic symptoms required admission. Zyprexa for 1 year. Recently Epival added. Stopped Zyprexa. Relapsed with depressive symptoms. Your condition consisting of affective symptoms with psychotic elements recurred after stopping Zyprexa, an antipsychotic, indicating that you NEED Zyprexa and are required to taken it for another period of time, the length of which is to be determined by your psychiatrist.

[3rdMajor]

I have been prescribed 5mg zyprexa for insomnia and anxiety associated with depression. I took 5mg only once.  It was far too sedating to me.  If you took 5mg for a year, and suddenly stopped, it only seems logical that you would experience "rebound" insomnia and anxiety.

[JSellers]

My husband recently stopped taking Zyprexa when he saw his doctor last.  His doctor wanted us to switch to abilify as my husband has gained substantial weight on zyprexa and although he works out regularly he has been unable to lose it.  He has been on Zyprexa since 1996 and has taken 10mg nightly for 7 years.  His life is substantially different than it was when he was hospitalized and we would rather take our chances with a relapse than changing to another new and potentially dangerous medication.  What are the side effects we should expect?  What are the statistics on relapses for other patients who stopped taking Zyprexa?  We would have rather tapered off Zyprexa but did not think we would find a doctor to support this.  Is it better to alternate pills everyother day to taper off?  He quit cold turkey about 3 days ago and so far has not felt any difference.  

Thanks!
Julie

[JSellers]

My husband recently stopped taking Zyprexa when he saw his doctor last.  His doctor wanted us to switch to abilify as my husband has gained substantial weight on zyprexa and although he works out regularly he has been unable to lose it.  He has been on Zyprexa since 1996 and has taken 10mg nightly for 7 years.  His life is substantially different than it was when he was hospitalized and we would rather take our chances with a relapse than changing to another new and potentially dangerous medication.  What are the side effects we should expect?  What are the statistics on relapses for other patients who stopped taking Zyprexa?  We would have rather tapered off Zyprexa but did not think we would find a doctor to support this.  Is it better to alternate pills everyother day to taper off?  He quit cold turkey about 3 days ago and so far has not felt any difference.  

Thanks!
Julie

[gwlw43]

I have been taking zyprexa and lexapro together for about 4 months I sleep better although I have gained weight I have been depressed for about 3 years since I lost my job however I think the Lexapro is helping with the depression not sure,,,, I anyone else taking these two meds together