Posted by Bob on May 26, 2008, at 12:20:51
In reply to Re: Zyprexa?, posted by bleauberry on May 25, 2008, at 18:28:09
> I used 5mg zyprexa for 8 years, added to 20mg prozac. Intermittent use does happen. Some people can get 3 to 7 days of benefit out of one dose. But that is generally not the way it is done. It is usually taken for months or years. On an as-needed basis, I would probably see it good for a one-night insomnia thing, or when in a severe panic with no benzo handy. Good to just totally unwind a severe agitation thing and just chill/zone out. I remember having xanax withdrawal panic attacks and zyprexa stopped them dead in their tracks.
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> Sedation becomes less over time. After a few years I actually needed Lunesta sometimes to help me sleep, despite the zyprexa.
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> I believe the weight gain and diabetes stuff can be countered with lifestyle changes. Heavy on proteins, light on carbs, very light on sugars, and non-impact calorie burning excercise daily. Diabetics on medications reduce or eliminate their meds this way, and the more successful weight loss plans work this way.
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> > Is Zyprexa widely used on a continual basis by many people here? For some reason I get the feeling that it is more commonly used on an intermittent as needed basis these days due to the diabetes, sedation, and weight issues.
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> AAPs like Zyprexa are handed out these days like candy for a wide range of things, including bipolar mood stabilizer, rapid anti-mania, insomnia, anxiety, depression, potentiator of an antidepressant, antidepressant side effect reducer (insomnia, anxiety, sexual), and of course psychosis.
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> I've tried several of the AAPs and to me Zyprexa was by far the most unique and best. I was skinny at 138 pounds to begin with so didn't mind when I ended up at 145-148. After 8 years, I did not have glucose or diabetes issues. I purposely kept the ceiling of my dose at 5mg the whole time, and that alone was probably the biggest weapon in avoiding AAP risks. I personally think docs push doses way too high with AAPs, especially since in most cases there isn't even any psychosis involved.
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> > If there are people here using it continually, are there any measures one can take to fight these drawbacks? Also, what exactly does this med do for people? I know it's an AAP, but it seems to be for other things like as an augmentation for AP's etc.
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>Thanks for that response.
poster:Bob
thread:830814
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080519/msgs/831206.html