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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by floatingbridge on August 11, 2011, at 22:30:49
In reply to Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by jerseygal1 on August 11, 2011, at 17:08:50
> Those of you who have been following my posts know that I was reluctant to start taking zyprexa. I finally did and I'm so confused/scared about where to go with it. I started with 2.5 then up to 5 mg which did nothing. My pdoc then had me increase to 7.5 mg which made me feel very flat, unemotional, and I think more depressed. I tried this for 5 days then went back to 5 mg. on my own. He wants me to increase to 10 mg. but I haven't yet as I'm afraid that it will make me feel even worse. My pdoc insists that zyprexa does not make you feel depressed. Did others have similar
experiences as they went up on dose? I don't want to miss out on the chance that the 10 mg. could be the magic bullet yet I don't want to sink into a deeper hole. My diagnosis is depression/anxiety and it's being used as an augmentation to pristiq. Has anyone ever heard of such a high dose as a
augmentation?JG, Abilify and Zyprexa might be like apples and oranges, but here's my experience with Abilify and pristiq. 2.5 didn't *work*, so then 5. I felt worse, but being depressed so long and whatever, I didn't know. So we go to 10. Then I knew pretty quickly it was a no-go. However, all complaints, including an inner agitation remitted quickly/imeadiately upon dose reduction. After that pristiq was pushed to 100mg which was also pretty quickly apparent a no-go. It was not like the
umpteen weeks spent waiting for the 50mg pristiq to kick in.I do not believe pristiq has shown great efficacy for most users at 100mg, but there must be some, and for those, then it works, and that is what matters.
So, my comfort to you is that, in my experience the dosage increases were fast in telling the efficacy and in their remittance, and I regained a baseline stability pretty quickly.
Someone else said this above, but the bottom line is how you feel, not what the doctor says, because we are all unique in our responses and if someone is the first outside a doctor's experience, so be it.
You can also be the first responder to a treatment that your doctor does not anticipate.
Hang in there, JG. I realize the stakes are high, here. If you can, try to avoid alarming yourself with worst case scenarios. I think you will navigate this transition and come out alright.
Have you googled the archives on zyprexa augmentation?
Continuing best wishes.
Posted by B2chica on August 12, 2011, at 8:03:17
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by jerseygal1 on August 11, 2011, at 19:11:18
Hi jerseygall.
sorry you're having such a tricky time right now.i wanted to comment about zyprexa experience.
zyprexa has always seemed to work for me...however, it is normally the 10mg dose that does it. even as augmentation.and yes at 5 i have felt some worsening depression, but as soon as i go to 10 it abides.
if you are truly going to give zyprexa a chance i would at least give the 10mg a try. (ps DONT go up too fast, i got some weird tongue swelling from that once, i went back down for about three more days they went up to 10)about the added anxiety. zyprexa greatly decreases anxiety, my guess is as soon as you stopped zyprexa all your anxiety came back quickly and that is why is seems so bad.
about pristiq. i've tried 100 but didnt notice any difference from 50...HOWEVER, that was me. for you it is worth a shot, but this may increase your anxiety so have a benzo or something on the side to help out with this...
and ps. dont listen to pdoc OR ANYONE else that's trying to tell you, you dont feel the way you do.
YES, you can feel more depression on ANY mood medication regardless of what it is or what its for
YES you can actually feel the opposite reaction of what a drug is supposed to do...
The doc honestly is guessing just like you are...any psychiatrist worth his weight KNOWS THIS. There is no perfect science to this game. it Should be based Not just on pdocs experience, but on you knowing your body and its reactions as well!!Hang in there jerseygall...it will get figured out. just make sure to give each med enough time and the right dose to give it a fair shake (unless of course you are feeling way worse on it...)
Best Wishes
B2c.
Posted by jerseygal1 on August 12, 2011, at 9:45:33
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by B2chica on August 12, 2011, at 8:03:17
B2Chica, at what rate do you usually increase the zyprexa? Do you go from 5 mg. to 10 mg. and how many days do you allow in between?
Posted by B2chica on August 12, 2011, at 15:04:52
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » B2chica, posted by jerseygal1 on August 12, 2011, at 9:45:33
i normally go up from 5 to 10 allowing at least one week on 5.
i was in the hospital when i got that weird tongue swelling thing. was on 5 for only two days and they upped me to 10. so they put me on 7.5 then to 10.
only time have had that happen.normally my pdoc waits at least a week or two. he's very conservative when it comes to tapering on and off meds. probably why i've had mostly good luck going on and off meds (with this pdoc).
Best Wishes jg!
b2c.
Posted by jerseygal1 on August 12, 2011, at 15:23:03
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » jerseygal1, posted by B2chica on August 12, 2011, at 15:04:52
Thanks B2C. Maybe I'll give it a try again. I went up to 7.5 mg. then tapered myself down to 2.5 mg. But I keep wondering if I should've gone up to 10 mg. like the doctor wanted me to. When you go up to 10 mg., do you feel flat or emotionless or do you feel okay?
Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on August 12, 2011, at 21:48:22
In reply to Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by jerseygal1 on August 11, 2011, at 17:08:50
Zyprexa is calming medication but it also is a sedative in some aspects because it slows th nuerons down or actually stops them from transportation. I took 100mg one time when I was experimeting with it and it made me just tired. I have a resistance to medications and even high doses don't do much unless there Schendele II drugs, or Narcotics.
The firt couple months Zyprexa made me where I couldnt function but after a while and you let your system get used to it. Its nothing. I take 20mg at night. I dont even notice it anymore.
Ask about Risperadal or Abilify.
Posted by B2chica on August 15, 2011, at 7:53:35
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » B2chica, posted by jerseygal1 on August 12, 2011, at 15:23:03
actually i felt really good, after the lethargy wore off (about 2 weeks.
i was able to think pretty clear.
however i have heard some responders here had some issues with not thinking clearly...so i guess it depends. but just know that there are those out there that have responded very well to it.
Good luck!
b2c.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 15, 2011, at 9:24:09
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by B2chica on August 15, 2011, at 7:53:35
B2c, two weeks for zyprexa to work?
I have been misguided in my thinking. I thought it either worked instantly or not. I hear of people using it as needed.
I started risperidone almost two weeks ago and have fought with it every day. My doc just wants me to stay steady for three more weeks.
Posted by B2chica on August 15, 2011, at 9:58:08
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » B2chica, posted by floatingbridge on August 15, 2011, at 9:24:09
No...i must have misworded it.
it works almost instantly for me, regarding depression etc. usually within 24/48 hours.
however i remain a little foggy for a week or so(at 10) then the fog clears and i can think fine.
i was just referring to the clouded thinking part.
its mostly due to the lethargy, mind and body are tired until i get used to it.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 15, 2011, at 10:28:16
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by B2chica on August 15, 2011, at 9:58:08
B2c, do you ever have interdose issuses, or you take it once a day?
Posted by jerseygal1 on August 15, 2011, at 16:54:16
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » B2chica, posted by floatingbridge on August 15, 2011, at 9:24:09
FB, good luck with your trial of risperidone. I am on day 2 of the increased dosage of zyprexa. I think that I may be feeling less depressed but I feel so out of it. I don't feel like myself. I had an appointment with my therapist today and I felt so spacey the whole time. I usually can have a few good cries during my appointment but I wasn't able to cry at all. Crying is usually a good release for me. I hope this passes.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 16, 2011, at 8:40:11
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » floatingbridge, posted by jerseygal1 on August 15, 2011, at 16:54:16
Keep us posted JG.
Good luck!
Posted by B2chica on August 17, 2011, at 8:42:23
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » floatingbridge, posted by jerseygal1 on August 15, 2011, at 16:54:16
took it everyday.
give the cloudyness at least two weeks three if your up to it. but anything longer than that and if its negatively effecting your life you will want to talk with your doc.best wishes.
b2c.
Posted by jerseygal1 on August 17, 2011, at 16:20:03
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by B2chica on August 17, 2011, at 8:42:23
It is now day four of zyprexa at 10 mg. I don't feel so spacey anymore but I also don't feel like the zyprexa is helping in any way. I guess I have to give it a few more days. It sounds like most pdocs think an atypical will work within a week. I'll be so disappointed if this doesn't work. I'm so tired of all this and not feeling well. I'm supposed to go on vacation to Yellowstone in another week and a half and I'm not even sure I can manage it. Nothing like having a depressed person along on vacation to drag everyone down:). It was something I planned when I was having some periods of feeling pretty good. Zyprexa, please work your magic with me!
Posted by floatingbridge on August 17, 2011, at 18:36:22
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by jerseygal1 on August 17, 2011, at 16:20:03
Fingers still crossed here JG.
Posted by jerseygal1 on August 18, 2011, at 17:02:43
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » jerseygal1, posted by floatingbridge on August 17, 2011, at 18:36:22
Thanks FB!
Posted by jerseygal1 on August 20, 2011, at 16:27:17
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » floatingbridge, posted by jerseygal1 on August 18, 2011, at 17:02:43
Okay, so it's been 7 days at 10 mg. of zyprexa. Does this mean it's not going to work for me? Has anyone ever had zyprexa take longer than 7 days to work for them? I'm taking it as an augment to pristiq. My pdoc's next idea is to increase pristiq from 50 mg. to 100 mg. But, from what I read, it doesn't seem like the effectiveness of pristiq increases when the dose is increased. I hate to waste yet more time doing something that potentially is not going to do a thing to help my situation.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 20, 2011, at 18:44:35
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by jerseygal1 on August 20, 2011, at 16:27:17
I can don't know about the zprexa. Since you are at 50mg of Pristiq, the next increase is 100mg. Then you'll know if you like it, and needn't worry about it if you don't. For me the apparent efficacy was known in days, and dropping back to 50mg did pose any difficulty for me.
Hang in there.
Posted by Phillipa on August 20, 2011, at 20:31:35
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » jerseygal1, posted by floatingbridge on August 20, 2011, at 18:44:35
Why is it that seems so many med negative posts here. Seems like none work. Phillipa
Posted by jerseygal1 on August 21, 2011, at 9:44:55
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by jerseygal1 on August 20, 2011, at 16:27:17
Phillipa, I think there are so many negative posts here because those that are doing well move on. They don't bother to post their successes. But we need to hear some success stories to give us some hope.
Posted by Phillipa on August 21, 2011, at 19:44:51
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » jerseygal1, posted by jerseygal1 on August 21, 2011, at 9:44:55
That has been said in the past. But some do post their successes and remain to help others. I thought I saw a post from zonked that med had kicked in? Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on August 21, 2011, at 20:20:43
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » jerseygal1, posted by Phillipa on August 21, 2011, at 19:44:51
My post had some typos that could be read as negative. I did not have any difficulties adjusting my pristiq dose either way.
Continuing best wishes, JG.
How is the zyprexa increase going this weekend?
Posted by B2chica on August 22, 2011, at 8:07:42
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by jerseygal1 on August 20, 2011, at 16:27:17
i think docs say to usually give meds at least 2 weeks to kick in.
but all i've heard zyprexa is usually fast acting.
however there are those few folks that meds take a bit longer to activate within their bodies.
you know your body best. rate that with how poorly you are feeling. it may be time to move on...
Posted by jerseygal1 on August 22, 2011, at 9:26:20
In reply to Re: Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared » jerseygal1, posted by jerseygal1 on August 21, 2011, at 9:44:55
Yes, maybe I need to give zyprexa a full two weeks before I give up on it. It's been 9 days at 10 mg. As per my pdoc's instructions, I increased pristiq to 100 mg. 2 days ago. I can't say I'm feeling any better or worse either way, just more of the same. I guess it's good that I don't seem to be having side effects from the increase in pristiq. We'll see how it goes. But thanks for your good wishes everyone.
Posted by Eric70 on August 23, 2011, at 11:56:17
In reply to Zyprexa update - I'm so confused/scared, posted by jerseygal1 on August 11, 2011, at 17:08:50
I was on Effexor for nearly 5 weeks with no improvement. My doctor started me on Zyprexa 2.5 mg, and 3 days later, literally, my depression lifted to where I was nearly 100% "normal" again. I went up to 5mg and felt great for a week. I then had a crash 3 days later (which really scared me). However, yesterday I went up to 7.5 Zyprexa, and this afternoon I'm starting to feel better.
I can't say whether the Zyprexa is the key for me, or whether the Effexor just needs more time to work, but either way, I wouldn't be "scared" about taking the Zyprexa. It is a good mood stabilizer and it will also help reduce the ruminating-type thoughts that cause you to become depressed. At least I think that's how it's supposed to work.
This is the end of the thread.
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