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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by uncouth on November 19, 2009, at 18:30:39
Update: after going off of zyprexa over 2 weeks ago because of the appetite and weight gain, I have for the last few days started on Saphris, starting it at once a day, 5mg at night.
I have stated before that I thought Zyprexa to be one of the most effective meds I have been on. I was very disappointed that the side effects were so substantial. However, I am not sure it was smart of me to discontinue, even though my appetitie increased to a compulsive level.
The last two weeks have been very rough, and the Saphris hasn't helped, at least not yet. It is a sublingual preparation which is new for me, and it makes my mouth feel numb and tastes bad. To me, it is very sedating -- I wake up feeling groggy, after having very vivid dreams. If it has been working at all, it has been working only marginally and only for a few hours in the morning. Then I am left with a vast, empty feeling of depression. A nothingness that is hard to describe but familiar to me as it was my state for so much of this year.
I really put a lot of hopes in Saphris. I will try it for another few days, and start the BID dosing despite the sedation, but I am not holding my breath. I typically respond very quickly to antipsychotics, and felt better within 2 days of starting zyprexa.
My doctor mentioned something about combining abilify with zyprexa to counteract weight gain. Anyone have any thoughts about this?
This past week reminds me that it is always easy to think you don't need meds when the meds have been working for a few weeks and you feel better! The temptation to go off of them if side effects are so great, but when off, you remember why you needed to go on them in the first place.
I wasn't "well" the 6 weeks I was on zyprexa, but I was much better than this. I am learning to experience the gradiations and texture of severe depression, much like I can imagine some people experience the gradiations of pleasure and engagement in life.
The suicidal thoughts have come back in full force. It's funny, after having a break from them for 6 weeks, I forgot how enveloping they really are. I can't believe I lived with them for so long this summer - but with each new round of suicidiality, I wonder how much more I can handle.
I will give Saphris a few more days to work before going back to zyprexa.
-uncouth
Posted by Zyprexa on November 19, 2009, at 20:12:38
In reply to Saphris experience - I miss zyprexa, posted by uncouth on November 19, 2009, at 18:30:39
I tried the Zyprexa, abilify combo. Not good, the abilify over powered the zyprexa, and eventualy I felt as if I was not taking the zyprexa. Plus the after effects of having taken the abilify when I went off it and back on to the zyprexa. Its been 3 years and I still not back to where I was with the zyprexa to begin with.
You can take metformin with the zyprexa to help with weight. I took this for a while because I had diabetes, which I got from the geodon. Geodon was no good either. The best thing besides zyprexa is perphenazine (the sandoz version). I still take it with the zyprexa, and it may even make the weight gain lesser. I have not gained any weight in over a year. I take 10mg zyprexa now. I was on 30mg right after the abilify for a while and slowly back down to 10mg. With the addition of perphenazine which has helped.
Posted by SLS on November 20, 2009, at 5:15:16
In reply to Saphris experience - I miss zyprexa, posted by uncouth on November 19, 2009, at 18:30:39
Hi Uncouth.
Thanks for the description of what Saphris (asenapine) has done for you. It is valuable information.
I empathize with you fully, and hope you find relief soon.
As Zyprexa (the PB personality) has stated, Abilify (aripiprazole) can compete with other antipsychotics to reduce their therapeutic effect. Perhaps your doctor has experienced otherwise, but Abilify itself can produce weight gain that creeps up on you. Also, I know one woman who takes Abilify along with Seroquel. She has put on about 30-40 pounds.
What is your diagnosis/symptom cluster? If you don't have psychotic episodes, you might want to consider using Abilify alone or as an augmenter of antidepressants.
Saphris is an interesting drug in that it acts as an antagonist of 5-HT7 receptors. There is growing evidence that this action can produce an antidepressant effect.
- Scott
Posted by keina on November 24, 2009, at 14:45:52
In reply to Saphris experience - I miss zyprexa, posted by uncouth on November 19, 2009, at 18:30:39
I CAN TOTALLY SYMPATHIZE WITH YOU, PLAYING AROUND WITH MY MEDS BECAUSE OF WEIGHT GAIN ALSO. IM GOING BACK ON LAMICTAL AND SAPHRIS WHICH HAS MADE ME GAIN WT. BUT THE FEELING YOU DESCRIBED WERE EXACTLY HOW IM FEELING THIS MINUTE. LAMICTAL IS NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE YOU GAIN WT. ASK YOUR DOC. ABOUT THIS ONE ( IT ONLY DOES ON ME BECAUSE IF THERE IS ANY RARE THING THAT COULD HAPPEN IT ALWAYS HAPPENS TO ME). I REALLY TRULY WISH YOU THE BEST. ONLY US BIPOLARS KNOW THE EMPTYNESS THAT INSIDE, AT LEAST WE HAVE EACHOTHER WHO TRULY KNOW HOW THIS CAN REALLY AFFECT US. GOOD LUCK.
Posted by Deneb on November 24, 2009, at 19:13:33
In reply to Re: Saphris experience - I miss zyprexa, posted by keina on November 24, 2009, at 14:45:52
Hello Keina!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! I hope you figure out a way to stop the weight gain. I've experienced some weight gain myself. I don't know what is causing it. It may be my meds. It's a very slow weight gain for me.
It really sucks. I wish you the best of luck with it.
If you have any questions about Psycho-Babble, let me know. I'll try to help you out.
Deneb
Posted by uncouth on November 24, 2009, at 19:47:07
In reply to Re: Saphris experience - I miss zyprexa » uncouth, posted by SLS on November 20, 2009, at 5:15:16
My diagnosis is BP2, predominantly depression. I have posted about my various trials over the past year including ECT ,which didn't work. Also, throw in there unemployment, wasting my (quite high) potential, and probably some existential angst/kierkegaardian despair and thats my symptom cluster :)
Wanted to add that I went off Saphris a few nights ago. The zyprexa kicked in overnight (i take it at night)...the next day the deep emptyness was gone. Still depressed, apathetic, unmotivated, but the deep emptyness is gone, as is some of the negative ruminations.
Next up is planning to reduce my dose of lithium to 300mg from 600mg as I believe SOMETHING is causing some brain fog and apathy...emotional numbness. but maybe thats a good thing.
-uncouth
Posted by keina on November 25, 2009, at 13:06:39
In reply to Re: Saphris experience - I miss zyprexa » SLS, posted by uncouth on November 24, 2009, at 19:47:07
As you can see im new here. Have not met anyone in my life that is bipolar, therefore no one i know understands me. when i here your feelings its like talking to myself. My bipolar is also more depressive. Have never seen the mania ( wish i could). I too am going back to what works which is the lamictal and saphris. Have to get it together now because my mom is having a kidney transplant tuesday, have to be in my right head. I hope soon you will feel whole and complete as you deserve too. This disease has a way of saying "you can have this but not that" b*llsh*t i want it all i want to feel like any other human does. I want to be able to get up and do my day like anyone else. I know one thing it really helps to have a higher power.
Thank you everyone for welcoming me.
Posted by tonyz on May 11, 2010, at 16:17:40
In reply to Re: Saphris experience - I miss zyprexa, posted by Zyprexa on November 19, 2009, at 20:12:38
There's some negative stuff on the web about Saphris causing primary arterial hypertension, apparently one of the reviewers on the FDA withdrew his recommendation after discovering this. In a letter posted on the web; he claims Schering Plough
deliberately tried to conceal this.
Posted by Lamdage22 on April 17, 2013, at 10:06:53
In reply to Re: Saphris experience - I miss zyprexa » SLS, posted by uncouth on November 24, 2009, at 19:47:07
> . Also, throw in there unemployment, wasting my (quite high) potential, and probably some existential angst/kierkegaardian despair and thats my symptom cluster :)
Feel for you.. same here. Whatever my diagnosis is..
This is the end of the thread.
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