Namaste,
You never mentioned what condition you were taking medications for, but I have had periods where I can't sleep at all or very little.
I suffer from Bipolar I, plus several other alments.
It's important that you start your zyprexa even though you're concerned about a possible weight gain.
Your mental health is more important and there are ways to minimize any weight gain and it's possible youu can change to a different medication in the future which doesn't have that effect.
I too have had trouble sleeping and tried several sleeping pills without success. It was only after I found the right cocktail of medications, developed a routine and started exercising.
Talk with your doctor as soon as possible and tell him you're not taking your medications as prescribed.
Michael
Hi, I'm dx bipolar II with rapid cycling. I did try the zyprexa in the end and had a horrid allergic reaction, so yet another one bites the dust! Seeing pdoc in about 2 weeks just hope she is a little more receptive this time. She waves her hands a lot at me and tells me I am a typical "Westerner" who expects instant results - which I don't, as I am well aware that these things take time. She is a big fan of lithium and depakote - which haven't worked for me, seems that all the drugs she puts me on turn me into a zombie (well those that I don' get allergic reactions to anyway) - saw your other post about lamictal and topomax so will talk to her about those.
Thanks. Helen
You know the drugs cause weight gain sometimes but they may not cause it in you. I attended a bipolar support group and everyone who was high functioning said they would choose weight gain over illness any day.
I know it's not a fun thought, gaining weight but there are things you can do to control the amount of weight you gain-IF any.
I take Abilify and I haven't gained any weight. To help with sleep I have a presciption for Seroquel and I use that if I have trouble sleeping but I don't take it daily. Also I take Lasix for water weight. I was on Abilify a year ago and gained 40 ounds in water weight in 3 months. I went off it and lost the weight. I tried other drugs but nothing worked so I went back on Abilify along with 40mg. of lasix and I haven't gained a pound this time.
If you do gain you may want to ask the doc about a water pill like Lasix because sometimes it is water weight and not from eating too much food. Just a thought.
Please get on your meds though, your life will be so much better!!
Good Luck!!