Zyprexa Come off for Seniors

[dw558]

Hi Everyone,

I wonder if anyone has any opinions on Zyprexa (Olanzapine) use to treat seniors with anxiety. My mom, currently at 83, had some anxiety issues flared up in 2016. After a few rounds different kinds of SSRIs with no good results, Dr. put her on Zyprexa 5mg in mid 2018. She had been on it for more than 1 year, so we made some attempts to help her wean off this drug for about 4 weeks, she then became so much confused that she started calling me by a strange name. We then put her back on the med and her confusion seemed to fade away. However, as of recently, she started to experience some symptoms as I thought may be due to the med's side effects. She couldn't walk any more with tremor on her jaw area. What's even worse, she became more and more difficult to swallow.

Does anyone has any idea about whether or not this psychotic med maybe a overshoot for anxiety? Do you think that she need to come off this drug in order stop the side effect? Is the psychotic symptoms that she had experienced when coming off the drug a withdrawal symptom? If we persist on weaning the drug off gradually, will the symptoms eventually go away?

We're very worried about her condition now and so any of your inputs will be greatly appreciated.

[Dolphin14]

Are you weaning her off with md guidance?

Has she been evaluated for her new symptoms? Sounds like you need some md intervention here.

[dw558 in reply to Dolphin14]

Hi Dolphin,

Thanks for your response. She has now returned to her home country where Zyprexa was prescribed in the first place. I have only limited exchange with her current psychiatrist as she's been taken care of by the relatives and that's why I'm asking for some opinions from here. Any of your advise will be appreciated. Thank you.

[Dolphin14 in reply to dw558]

Neuro psych md is the best one to deal with this.

I have seen the meds work on the elderly population. I know a lot of MD disagree with its use in the elderly.

If she's able to function at her baseline, it's probably ok. If it's knocking her for a loop. A Dr should be notified.

[dw558 in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you Dolphin. I agree. Guess we just have to constantly monitor her. My hope is to get her off the med completly, as in my view, all psych med does harm to human brain. Regards.

[Dolphin14 in reply to dw558]

Yes I agree they cause harm. I'm on them. Had to make that quality of life choice.

Good luck with everything.