hi, I’ve just been diagnosed with post-partum and prescribed low dose of Olanzapine. I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed by it all. I haven’t had very bad symptoms (although what I have has had worried me and of course I want to get back to normal) and I really don’t want to take any medication. I’m particularly worried about the side effects I have read about- namely feeling tired and disconnected, and also about weight gain which I know would make me really miserable.
Does anyone know of any other non-medicated treatments or if anything I can do to help counter any side effects?
Written by
Mumof3_PP
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
So glad you found the forum where you will find lots of support and shared experiences. Are you in a mother and baby unit? PP is very overwhelming and out of the blue for many of us. It must be very stressful coping with the effects of PP, a newborn plus your other treasures, so I can understand why you don't want to take any medication which might affect your energy levels.
Have you seen the PP Insider Guides "Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis" and there is also one for partners, the link being app-network.org/what-is-pp/...? There is also a link to shared experiences on the page which might be helpful.
I had PP twice many years ago and fully recovered with medication in tandem with treatment. Different medications were tried until the right balance was found which worked for me. I'm sorry I don't have any experience of Olanzapine. My first son was six at the time his brother was born so I understand the need to get back to 'normal'. I think medication was very important for me as it kept me stable. After being under mixed care in a general psychiatric hospital, I was mainly treated at home with my second son, with support from a home treatment team. Like you, I wanted to be medication free and made the mistake of limiting the doses which almost took me back to square one!
Although PP is a very frightening experience and like a whirlwind at first, it is a temporary and very treatable illness. You will eventually fully recover and we are all here for you along the way. Take good care and try to rest when you can.
I was on Onlazapine when I was first diagnosed and then switched to Aripiprazole because it worked better for me. Have been on that for afew years and works very well with little side affects
I can totally relate to the idea of not wanting to be on medication or worrying about side effects but am having my 2nd child in Nov and have decided that actually i will choose to take olanzapine immediately after birth because i would rather deal with side effects than the illness! Esp since assuming i don't show any symptoms i won't need to be on them for too long. It's going to be really tough but i do wonder how much of the symptoms which seemed like side effects could also be the result of depression which is common after a psychotic episode. The groggyness was really tough but would definitely choose that over the insomnia i get when I'm ill.
Can i also reassure you that you won't necessarily gain weight, especially if you're aware of it. It slows your metabolism and increases your appetite i believe so if you are conscious of not eating more than you usually would you can't gain weight. Or exercise as much as possible. I didn't gain weight. I ate non stop but i walked everywhere due to not being allowed to drive. On the other hand i would just say that if you do gain weight remember this stage of life will feel like forever but it won't be. Like our babies, things are always changing and you will get your body back eventually. Sure with 3 to run after it'll happen in no time at all! My son is so fast now i have to wear trainers everywhere i go to keep up...
To be fair though eating to excess was a symptom of psychosis for me so there wasn't any change once on meds! The day i became ill i had insisted on eating the entirety of my own and my husband's dinner. He got nothing! I thought it was because i was breastfeeding and i needed it but i look back and see that was another symptom.
I would be wary of any medicine that your Dr wouldn't recommended because often that means they've never been studied thoroughly and perhaps don't give side effects because not actually doing anything! Or they could have worse side effects you wouldn't know about if not been studied thoroughly.
You can always make sure that once stable on medication that you communicate very strongly to professionals your wish to be off medications and maybe they can support you down on to a lower dose or find another medication. But i personally would give this a shot first. Again this is just a phase and things will improve and you'll move on.
Hi Hazello, lovely to see your response and hope you are keeping well. Hope pregnancy is sound proof. November would be a Sagittarius...I was born in that month. Wishing you health and happiness xxx
Hi I’m so sorry you’re experiencing postpartum psychosis. I had it in 2011 after my son was born. It was such a huge trauma. I took olanzapine as well.
How are you doing? It’s really great you’ve found us. You are going to come through and get better.
I know the side affects of medication can be awful but I have to say I’m so thankful for the olanzapine. I was so acutely unwell and it bought me back to reality and I was able to enjoy my son again, I know I wouldn’t have recovered without it, and that the psychotic symptoms would have continued and become more acute for longer if I hadn’t taken them.
I have to say I didn’t notice weight gain particularly on the medication. I started reducing as well after about 6 to 8 months so it was for a short amount of time in the end, about a year. Perhaps it will help to view it like that, that it’s something you won’t have to take for a long time, particularly if you really struggle with the side effects, they can always try different medications as well if it doesn’t agree with you.
Take care, and write here whenever you want to, we are here for you
welcome to this forum and congratulation on your new born.
Meds is a tricky one as every mum is unique with regards to responsiveness and side effects.
I have had PPP in 2010. I was extremely poorly and did not sleep for many weeks. I was sectioned and the modern meds had no effect and I continued suffering for a long time in the hospital...in the third week I believe I started to respond to a traditional drug and gradually got out of the hallucinate state of mind. Overall treatment was inappropriate by members of staff...
However, those anti-psychotics saved my life, but also TLC of my partner and my own home sanctuary. was the gate to survival...
I guess I want to highlight that I am not a fan of meds and I was forced via injection, because I refused at the time...of course side effects in my case were unpleasant, but I slowly begun to recover from this traumatising illness.
I am pleased to say I managed to wean off meds after one year with the help of my partner and great Spanish Psychiatrist.
It is just for a period of time and I know from all those lovely ladies/mums on this site that you will recover from PPP.
All in stepping stones and with the help of a good support network consistent of professionals and loved ones will do the trick...I was quite rebellious and my PPP was acute!
I hope you found the replies here helpful and are not feeling so overwhelmed although the effects of PP take time to come to terms with. I read my notes sometime ago relating to my PP episodes and didn't recognise myself! We all understand how difficult some days can be. I also hope you are managing to relax a little in the school holidays and have been able to access support from your GP about side effects from your current medication. Take care ... thinking of you. x
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
x
Olanzapine and medication reduction 18 months on from PP
Second episode olanzapine resistance 
Losing weight after Olanzapine 
Breastfeeding on 5mg of Olanzapine
