Posted by blueberry on June 25, 2005, at 6:17:28
In reply to Zyprexa for anxiety and depression, posted by FredPotter on June 23, 2005, at 22:31:16
I've taken zyprexa for several years and tried all different dosing times and sizes. I find my best all around dose is 5mg, and the best time to take it is about 2 to 3 hours before bedtime, not right at bedtime.
I started at 2.5mg, but cut the pills smaller at first until I was comfortable with it, then I increased to a steady 2.5mg and later 5mg.
I had the exact same side effects you described, as well as heavy legs and restless legs. All these effects disappeared in about two weeks.
I felt zyprexa start working on day 2. There were hints of feeling peace, calm, and yet motivation at the same time. These improved and became consistent over several weeks. Today, years later, I do still have residual motivational and life enjoyment problems, but not bad. Overall I am in better shape than at any other time in my life. I take zyprexa with prozac due to their nice synergy.
When we say that zyprexa blocks dopamine and wonder how it could improve motivation by doing that, I think it is more complicated than that. That's because even though it does block some dopamine receptors, it stimulates other areas of dopamine function. Zyprexa significantly increases serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, and this is even more pronounced in the presence of an ssri like prozac. I'm no scientist, but in my simple terms I would say that zyprexa blocks dopamine in some ways, but enhances it in other ways, at the same time.
> Hi I suffer from (mostly) evening depression and anxiety. I take Xanax, Lithium and Celexa but now my pdoc has added 2.5 mg per day of Zyprexa to the mix. I feel drowsy and sometimes things seem unreal. Also slightly agitated like my stomach's trembling, but there are breakthrough feelings of peace. Has anyone else expreienced these things? Do the side effect wear off and if so how long does it take for this? I've only taken 2 doses. Can I expect a therapeutic effect straight away? Sorry for all the questions
> Fred
poster:blueberry
thread:517803
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050622/msgs/518536.html