Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

Katy91: Olanzapine withdrawal attempt no.5


Katy91

Recommended Posts

Hi

 

I am currently on Olanzapine 5mg and have recently found the motivation to attempt another withdrawal.

 

I was first put into the mental hospital in 2007 after taking quite a lot of cocaine and drinking a lot of alcohol.  I was living in London at the time.  I was immediately put on Olanzapine in the hospital and I think I took 10mg for about 7 months then I decided to quit.  I didn't know anything about tapering then and must have stopped cold turkey from 5mg or 2.5mg.  I had severe insomnia and lasted for about a year before developing psychosis or mania or an extreme state and ended up in the mental hospital again.

 

From 2009 to 2010 I took Olanzapine again for about 8 or 9 months and then withdrew abruptly from 2.5mg Olanzapine again I experienced terrible insomnia.  In August 2010 I again ended up in the mental hospital.  From March 2011 I again tried to stop taking Olanzapine.  I lasted until Jan 2012 before ending up in the mental hospital. This time I was encouraged to go on Lithium.  Believing this would be a better choice than Olanzapine I switched to Lithium and again I experienced horrendous insomnia from the Olanzapine withdrawal and didn't seem to get much relief from the Lithium.  From November 2012 I managed to get my GP to prescribe Lorazapam which helped with my sleep somewhat and subdued some of the terror and fear I was feeling.  I decided in 2013 to reduce the Lithium, which I had been on of 800mg, and I did a really gradual cut of the pills.  But I still wasn't sleeping well and I was probably by that time hooked on the Lorazapam and experiencing inter-dose withdrawal.  I still didn't sleep much and was very afraid most of the time.

 

In January 2014 my new GP insisted that I taper off from the Lorazapam as they were dead against me being on them.  Anyway my sleep became worse and ended up in the mental hospital again.

 

So I was put on 20mg of Olanzapine in the hospital and I eventually stopped taking 0.5mg of Lorazapam.  I got a job in June 2014 and didn't want to be so drugged so I reduced my dose of Olanzapine from 20mg to 10mg to now 5mg without any ill efffects.  So I have been on Olanzapine 5mg for about a year now.  I sleep well but I feel quite tired during the day, I am apathetic and have no interest in doing things.  And a big problem for me is I can't read easily.

 

I have decided to taper by dissolving a 5mg Olanzapine velotab in water and reducing the dose by 10% each month on the reduced dose, assuming my GP is willing to give me that.  I am hoping if I take it really slow (17 months) then I can withdraw without the insomnia.

 

I am compelled to keep trying to get off drugs even though I've been in the hospital 5 times.

Edited by scallywag
tags

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Replies 88
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Katy91

    38

  • Altostrata

    11

  • JanCarol

    6

  • Meimeiquest

    5

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Administrator

Welcome, Katy.

 

It sounds like you might already have read Tips for tapering off Zyprexa (olanzapine)

 

It also sounds like abrupt drug changes might have sent you to the hospital most of those times, so careful tapering might keep you out of it.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

Rosemont Pharmaceuticals emailed me today to say that they don't make liquid formulations of Olanzapine or manufacture on a made to order basis.  So I just hope that a 5mg velotab will fully dissolve and disperse evenly in water.

 

Seeing my psych nurse later who previously discussed not needing to see me anymore but will probably change her mind when I talk about tapering.  She is in fact useless.  She mainly talks about herself all the time.

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Katy ,  welcome to the site.    It sounds like this taper will be a lot smoother than your previous attempts.

 

You know what you're doing this time round.

 

Best wishes ,  Fresh

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Katy,

 

Rhi had talked about dissolving/dispersal in a previous post of hers - I'll quote below in case you hadn't come across it:

 

 

 

I'm kind of out of it right now and need to go to bed, but I just wanted to toss in my usual bit on the subject of making preparations for liquid tapering, which is: I personally don't worry about solubility. None of the meds I'm tapering are actually soluble in water. But the pills dissolve into small enough particles that I can stir them up and keep them suspended in water while I measure them out, and that seems to work for me. I stir well before I measure, I stir a little while pipetting them up; I dissolve the pills in glass and pipette out of glass so that I can see visually how evenly everything is suspended, and that's good enough for me. I use water as a medium because I like it that I can easily see for myself how evenly the little particles are suspended or if they seem to be settling out. Also because it's handy and cheap and I don't have to carry it with me if I travel. Mostly I would just say, I don't think it really matters if the medication is soluble in whatever vehicle you're using, as long as it can be evenly distributed. What really matters is that it be evenly distributed and that your method be repeatable and consistent. 

 

Hang in there and good luck with your appointment. For some reason, this made me laugh:

 

 

 

Seeing my psych nurse later who previously discussed not needing to see me anymore but will probably change her mind when I talk about tapering.  She is in fact useless.  She mainly talks about herself all the time.

 

I guess because so many of us have been there, done that.

 

Dave

1996 - .5mg Ativan as needed, 7.5mg Remeron daily2008 - .5mg Xanax, Ativan discontinued, Remeron continued2012 - .5mg Xanax, .25mg Ativan 3x daily, Remeron continued2/2012 - Jumped from Remeron, continued .5mg Xanax .25mg Ativan 3x daily4/2012 - Began rapid taper of .5mg Xanax .25mg Ativan 3x daily6/2012 - Jumped from Xanax and Ativan, voluntary hospitalization followed7/2012 - 2nd voluntary hospitalization, reinstated Remeron, bumped to 30mg, also given risperidone.8/2012 - discontinued risperidone, tried gabapentin, dicontinued gabapentin, Remeron 30mg continued10/2012 to current - tapered Remeron 10% every 4 to 6 weeks (sometimes more time) using liquid compound12/2014 - 2mg Remeron 1/16/2015 - 1.9mg Remeron 8/1/2015 -1.6mg Remeron - 03/1/2016 - 1.5mg Remeron - 1/2/2017 1.3mg - 5/7/2017 1.2mg - 5/13/2017 - syringe size change - 6/8/2017 - 1.1mg - 7/10/2017 - 1mg - 9/1/2017 - 0.9mg - 10/22/2017 - 0.8mg - 11/22/2017 - 0.7mg - 2/2/2018 - 0.6mg - 3/13/2018 - new compound pharmacy - 5/20/2018 - 0.5mg - 8/31/2018 - 0.4mg - 11/16/2018 - 0.3mg - 12/24/2018 - 0.2mg - 4/1/2019 - 0.1mg - 5/1/2019 - .05mg - 0mg achieved 2019-06-15. 🤞

Link to comment

Hi Fresh and Dave, thanks for your replies :)

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment

I eat my words....well some of them.  My pscyh nurse said who is she to stand in my way if I want to get off psych drugs.  She helpfully offered to ring my  GP and ask him to prescribe liquid Olanzapine and even offered to get some syringes for me.  She was suggesting the first taper should be 0.25mg and that I should reduce at 0.25mg intervals which actually make for a smaller taper to begin with but would become over 10% after 2.5mg, so I think I'll just stick with 10%.

 

Anyway I'm quite surprised at how helpful she was, it's a bit of a weight lifted knowing I won't have to battle with the GP aswell.   She does tire me out though, she's really loud and talks non stop (a lot about herself).  Isn't it weird how some people can drain your energy? 

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Reducing by .25mg at a time until you get to 2.5mg (then taper at 10%) might be more convenient -- you won't have to calculate a different reduction each month.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

Thanks for the suggestion Alto.  It would take me until Feb 16 to get down to 2.5mg based on a monthly 0.25mg reduction whereas the 10% method would get me to 2.5mg by Nov 15.  I guess slower is better.  It's going to take a long time whatever the case.  But as long as I stay out of the mental hospital that's the main thing, though I do have some concern about prolonging my exposure to this drug.

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Administrator

You may be able to reduce faster than every 4 weeks -- but don't push it, listen to your body. If withdrawal gets more rough, you're going too fast.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

My psychiatric nurse got it wrong - there is no such thing as liquid Olanzapine readily available.  So I've been to the GP and he has prescribed me the 5mg orodispersable tablet so I will create my own liquid from that.  I'm keen to get going so I'm going to do 10% as the first reduction.

 

I've been trying to give up caffeine and felt really exhausted from it last week, like real fatigue.  I had really  bad cravings for junk food which I gave in to.  I've gone back up to 5 cups today so not doing so well now. Also I had 5 alcoholic drinks on Saturday and I felt so terrible on Sunday - loads of suicidal thoughts and feeling awful about being in my own skin.  I really need to not drink alcohol again, I know it doesn't agree with me.  I don't go out very often so it shouldn't be that hard.

 

So much to give up: caffeine, booze, fags, sugar, olanzapine.

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Administrator

It's good that your GP is being helpful.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

Just stopping by to say hi as a fellow journeyer through olanzapine, benzos, lithium.....I hope the distressing thoughts and fatigue end soon.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

Link to comment

I made my first cut last night 0.25mg and I didn't sleep for most of the night. I don't feel good today like I don't want to talk to anyone, tired and a bit weird. I'm disappointed I thought it would go easier than this. I'm going to take half that cut tonight and see if I sleep.

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment

....

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Katy, welcome from me too. If you had symptoms after such a small cut then a microtaper might be best for you.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2878-micro-taper-instead-of-10-or-5-decreases/

 

It will take time but you will get there in the end and hopefully without the awful withdrawal insomnia, even if it takes years it is better than ending up back in the psych ward! ( Been there done that! )  

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

Link to comment

Thanks MammaP I'm going to go back up tonight and make a cut of 0.02mg and if that doesn't get me to sleep then it'll be 0.01mg!!  

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment

I slept okay last night woke up about 5am and then dozed for a bit.  My cut last night was only 0.05mg.  It'll take until 2018 to get off this drug :(

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

That's great that you slept until 5.  Stick with the 0.5 for a month or so. It doesn't matter how long it takes if you are sleeping and functioning. It is better than being on for life as the doctors would have us believe!  You will likely feel better as the taper goes on, and probably will not even notice until one day you will realise that you are feeling something or able to do something that you couldn't do/feel before! 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...

The taper is pretty much going okay so far, touch wood!  I've had a couple of nights bad sleep which wasn't pleasant.  I don't know how I coped with the insomnia in the past for months on end, a day has been bad for me this time round.  I've been taking gaba so maybe that is helping me sleep aswell.

 

I am doing a micro taper of 0.1mg every seven days. The main withdrawal effect I have is a feeling of pins and needles in my head, a bit like there is a hole in my head or like you've left sunglasses on the top of your head all day.  I've had it for a week, it's a bit difficult to describe but it's not bothering me to much.

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
  • Administrator

Excellent, Katy.

 

Thank you for your helpful information about making a liquid from the orodispersible tablets. Can you add your experience here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3743-tips-for-tapering-off-zyprexa-olanzapine/?It will help a lot of people.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

I've been feeling quite down for the last few days.  I'm not sure whether it's withdrawal or not.  The fact is I do have a depressing life with or without psych drugs.  I hate my job, have very few friends and have no social life or hobbies  I can't say I feel any cognitive improvement, I was hoping that I would re-gain some of my enthusiasm for reading and that would make me feel better.  But then I'm still on a fairly high dose of  4.35mg.

 

Peter Breggin says in Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal p.124: " In my clinical experience, withdrawal from the newer 'atypical' neuroleptics, especially Olanzapine (Zyprexa) , can produce extreme feelings of despair, depression and fatigue".

 

I'm still sleeping well so that is the main thing.  I'm just sick of every day being the same, a feeling of boredom and pointlessness, watching the clock all day at work and then even watching the clock when I get home.  Sleep is the only reprieve I have.

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment

Hi Katie! I am new to this site and was just reading your thread. You seem very matter of fact and brave; not sure if if I am putting this right, but I sympathise with the feeling of not finding enjoyment in your life. Nature helps me, but I can't always get in touch with it because I am too closed off or numb... Sometimes looking back to when I was a girl, then I think I come in contact with my truest self, before I lost some of my idealism perhaps. But anyway it is good to read because it helps me to accept that actually coming of my meds is going to be a long road with setbacks and I will need courage. Good luck with your recovery!

<p>Became depressed and anxious after persistent bulliying at school. started with fluoxetine 20 years ago(1995), when I was 21, was changed to seroxat(citalopram) 20 mg after a couple of years or so because of side effects. This enabled me to get through university and beyond but whenever I tried to stop, usually tapering, I never got past one year off meds. This time I stopped around Christmas 2014. I did taper but very fast I guess, from 40 to 30 to 20, then 10, then 5(I think), over a few months. I cannot remember precisely. I stopped while moving from the Netherland to Holland so am no longer under any medical supervision. However I am trying a reinstatement; I tried 1mg from the 29th of June for ten days, 2 mg from the 11 th July 2015, 1.8mg from 10th Aug, 1.6mg from 16th Sept.

Link to comment

Sorry your feeling down xx

2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare!

 

On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect.

 

Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan.

 

 

Nightmare that could have been avoided!

Link to comment
  • Administrator

You may be feeling a perfectly normal mood. This is your body telling you to help it feel better with new interests, new sights, friends, etc.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

katy, hang in there!

my husband is now in the hospital for the 3rd time for olanzapine issues. he's gotten down to 2.5mg and then on the advice of an idiot doctor, has gone straight to zero, and about 6 weeks later, then to the hospital after very similar experiences to yours both times.

 

the next time, we are going to start the microtaper -- perhaps even @ 5mg as you are doing -- and i agree with mammap that it doesn't matter how long it takes... the important thing is to keep moving in the right direction.  i think someone else on this forum calls it the "turtle method."

 

i think it's useful to think about rehabilitating your mind the way you would a physical injury -- if you hurt your knee, for example, you would begin the journey back by strengthening it, walking a little more each day, resting it, etc.  you may have to set a specific time in your calendar to do this. spending even 15 or 20 minutes forcing yourself to think positively can help.  hubby uses this time to make lists called "things i'm grateful for" and "things i have to look forward to"  and it gives him at least a brief respite from the despair.

 

i've also just finished reading the breggin book and think it's a shame he's not well regarded in the medical community. what he describes in terms of withdrawal symptoms fits my husband's situation exactly.

diagnosed with MDD/GAD nov 2013, 6 months following CMV complications post-kidney transplant.  lst zyprexa taper 12 months; /increased paxil to 30 mg; crash nov 2014 w/ suicidal ideation & 10day hospitalization.  2nd zyprexa taper 6 months; crash after 6 weeks; reinstated zyprexa 15mg in 6/15 (both tapers worked well to the 2.5mg dose).  3rd zyprexa taper ... 17mg 3 mos;  15mg 1 mo; 10mg 3 mos, 5 mg 3 mos. 2.5mg caused some decompensating, so back to 3mg and  the 10% redux.  UPDATE: moved to FL in late 2016. found great new psychiatrist who agrees that hubby taking too many meds.  continued zyprexa taper and finally  jumped off at .5mg in 2018.  had terrible insomnia. added seroquel @ 300 mg and then tapered 10% to 12.5mg over 2 years. everything was great until it wasnt; hubby suddenly got very agitated and manic.  hospitalized 2x in early 2020 for "idiopathic secondary mania" and diagnosed as bipolar.  seroquel now back @ 100mg plus depakote @ 2500 mg and trazadone @ 100mg. 

mirtazapine 30 mg 45mg 15mg

ativan .5mg 1x/day, occasionally .5 addl  if needed for sleep 3x/day n now 1x/day

paxil 20 mg 1x/day 

gabapentin 1200 - 1800 mg 2 -3 x/day

immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant: sirolimus, tacrolimus, mycophenalate, prednisone, levothyroxin and a whole handful of others

 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Hi katy,

 

I am considering reinstating my olanzapine because I can't take this feeling anymore. I have taken it six times in the last two weeks. It doesn't take all of my symptoms away though but it calms down my head pressure. I still am having some pretty serious issues. Take it really really slow. Stuff seems impossible to me too but I'm too stubborn. Just would like that all encompassing feeling to go away forever. No more drugs after this for me. I'm done with this. I'm dreading my neurontin WD after this too. I don't have many WDs left in me anymore. It seems to me the people that are sensitive to this drug might need to go even slower than 10% it seems like recovery time is painfully slow. Don't mean to scare you, you already know how it is. Just make sure you do it for good this time. Going too fast really messed me up and I don't know how long it will take to get better. So take it easy if it gets rough. Id be interested to hear from anybody who has actually gotten off of this stuff. 

2007-2010 - adderall, vyvanse, klonopin, prozac, symbyax, ativan, klonopin, seroquel, gabapentin, lyrica, concerta, lithium, elavil,  

2011-2014 - adderall, vyvanse, gabapentin, celexa, cymbalta, intuiv, tegretol, lamictal, risperdal, zyprexa, trazondone, wellbutrin

May 2014 - Vyvanse - 70 mg, gabapentin 3200 mg, zyprexa - 20 mg

August 2014 - Gabapentin 800 mg, zyprexa 10 mg

October 2014 - Attempted to taper off of zyprexa completely - did not succeed, gabapentin 900 mg

January 2015 - Zyprexa 5 mg, switched to seroquel @ 100 mg, gabapentin 900 mg 

Feburary 2015 - Seroquel - 50 mg, gabapentin 900 mg

March 2015 - Seroquel - 100 mg, zyprexa 5 mg as needed, gabapentin 900 mg

April 2015 - Determined seroquel was useless but remained at 25-50 mg, gabapentin 900 mg

May 2015 - Seroquel 50 mg, gabapentin 900 mg, tenex 2mg

June 2015 - Seroquel 50 mg, gabapentin 900 mg

July 2015 - Seroquel upped to 100 mg to stabilize, gabapentin 900 mg, took olanzapine six times 10 mg, tenex 2mg

Link to comment
  • 4 weeks later...

Well now I'm on a dose of 3.85mg.  I had thought it was going quite well but then last week I started waking up at 5am.  I thought I was okay with a bit less sleep but on Friday I felt wrong.  Like I had a hole in my chest and stomach and that there was something wrong with me.  It was like an anxious, fearful feeling and also feeling upset.  The anxiety lasted all day at work I was wondering if it's getting compounded by caffeine, I had 3 cups of coffee on a empty stomach on Friday morning.  I felt a bit better on my lunchbreak but then the feeling of wrongness and weirdness came back.  I have also been having some feelings of dizziness and on Friday felt that the light was to bright.  I was walking along a sand coloured pavement which I've done countless times before and I just felt like it looked to bright even though it wasn't a particularly bright day.  I also feel very miserable like smiling at people is just to much to bear.

 

I decided to try passion flower extract on Friday night and Saturday night and I actually slept until 7.15am and I felt okay yesterday but today I have been feeling exhausted and my pupils are really constricted.  

 

I've been taking gaba for a couple of months now and I don't really know if that's a good thing.  I can't seem to find threads on gaba or passion flower so I don't know what other people think of them.

 

 I have an interview for a new job coming up and I just think how can I cope with a demanding job when I tired, miserable and non-communicative all the time.  But obviously I must pay the bills so I will battle on.  I just wish I had energy.

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment

I would advise just holding till you feel better. I had some very weird things happen during the last 2.5 mg. I restarted a benzo towards the end which was a big error. I would have had much less overall drug exposure if I had just gone more slowly (it was before I found this forum). I use GABA sometimes, also inositol until it stopped having an effect, and taurine. And magnesium and Epsom salts baths. But there is no replacement for time and patience

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

Link to comment

Thanks meimeiquest I will try holding.  Did you feel drained and tired a lot of the time?  When I'm physically exhausted I just don't want to do anything, like speak to people, or read, or go somewhere.  I'm sure I could qualify for a diagnosis of CFS but I'm not in the market for anymore diagnoses.  I just wonder if I'll ever feel like I have the energy to achieve what I want to. 

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Caffeine has a very long half-life. Drinking a lot of coffee could cause some nervous system ruckus.

 

This could also be a wave. If I were you, I would hold on tapering for a while and let things settle down.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

Thanks meimeiquest I will try holding.  Did you feel drained and tired a lot of the time?  When I'm physically exhausted I just don't want to do anything, like speak to people, or read, or go somewhere.  I'm sure I could qualify for a diagnosis of CFS but I'm not in the market for anymore diagnoses.  I just wonder if I'll ever feel like I have the energy to achieve what I want to.

 

Oh, yeah. I was on several drugs during that time, so it is hard to say all the reasons, but I felt absolutely horrible and at the end my emotions were out of control. And at the end somewhat hypomanic. Lots of sleep problems. I think you will have an easier time with fewer drugs on board, but just expect it to take awhile. My taper was eight months and it was too fast. I am older, and was drugged more, but I have much more energy than in those days. But if you have any underlying health issues, those have to be addressed as well. But diagnoses that just describe a set of symptoms aren't of much use...I think cutting caffeine as you can, clean eating, and all the other things on this site help more. Read Alto's essay on the three S's of tapering (it is pinned at the top of the forum) or something like that, it is such a good overview.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

Link to comment

I didn't sleep well last night but I've had an okay day today.  The feelings of weirdness and wrongness didn't come over me at all.  The light hasn't been bothering me today and I didn't feel physically exhausted either.  I was so fine that I happily smiled at people and talked to them.  Maybe it was the caffeine that put me in such a fearful state before, I am limiting coffee to one a day now  It probably didn't help that I was on my period aswell.

 

I think I will be okay to cut again on Friday now.

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment

That's great. This is my bottom line for tapering: Am I in a position where I can afford to feel worse? Because I almost always do, for awhile. When you are balancing many things, it is a bigger question than "Can I stand a cut?"

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

Link to comment

Thanks meimeiquest

Olanzapine 10mg  Dec 2007 - Jun 2008

Olanzapine 10mg Sep 2009 - Apr 2010

Olanzapine 10mg Aug 2010 - April 2011

Olanzapine 10mg Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

Lithium 800mg Jun 2012 - Dec 2013

Lorazapam 1mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Diazepam 2mg Nov 2012 - Dec 2013

Olanzapine 20mg Jan 2014 to May 2014

Olanzapine 5mg May 2014 - May 2015

tapering 0.1mg every 7 days

 

1mg melatonin

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Katy, if you're light-sensitive, you may want to read Light-sensitive? Try blocking out blue light: Your computer may be your problem

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy