Dealing with olanzipine side effects

[vlk86]

Does anyone have any advice for dealing with the drowsiness and fuzzy headedness from a high doze of olanzipine? I feel like my thinking and memory is slower on this medication, particularly in the morning, do others feel the same? Any advice on how to deal with it would be greatly appreciated.

[hgallo Volunteer]

Hi vlk86, welcome to the forum. I took olanzapine when I had pp in 2016 and after a further episode in 2018. I used to find it made me pretty tired too.

How long have you been taking it? I found the effects lessened with time for me, as my body adjusted. Besides that coffee and rest helps for me quite honestly! Do you get chance for a break? Are you taking it for psychosis? Maybe also discuss it's impact on you with your GP or CPN. I hope that helps a little x

[Csanderson Volunteer]

Hello, I've been on Olanzapine for years but had it increased to maximum dose after my recent episode after birth. I found it made me very dizzy at first but I found making sure I drank plenty helped. The side effects often get better in time as your body adjusts to the medication.

Hope things settle for you soon x

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi vlk86,

I took olanzapine in 2018-2019 and was on the max dose at a time.

I remember feeling tired as you describe, waking up in the mornings was difficult. I also felt as if my mind and body were walking on sand. Part of it I think was the illness but also the side effects of the medication, like you say.

I remember a few tips from the time:

- I wrote down a lot of stuff, I am not a particularly organized person, but keeping my calendar and notepad even for the smallest things was the only way I could manage

- Starting the day slowly and not rushing the mornings, I was a morning person so that took some adapting too. It is great when you are able to take the time, sometimes it is not possible, but I also avoided being hard on myself if for example baby had blown her nappy before I woke up to change her, it happens.

- Keeping an activity that I did only for myself. Once a day if possible, that's perhaps not always the case, but at least a couple of times a week. That was yoga for me. I remember friends encouraging me to read initially, but I had no capacity for concentration then, but that all comes back don't worry. Maybe for you it could be something artistic or physical like some form of exercise or even gardening.

- Sticking to a routine, easier said than done, takes a lot of effort at the beginning but it is time well spent. Babies are unpredictable.

My experience of side effects is that they got less when the dose was reduced.

Hope you feel more yourself soon

[Arabella- in reply to Maria_at_APP]

Great tips thanks for sharing x

[vlk86]

Thanks everyone. I have been on it since April. I was on lithium and olanzipine after I had PP in 2017, I then had another episode in April of this year and am now on olanzipine and lamotrogine. I found being on lithium really didn't work well for me so decided against taking it again. Currently on 15mg of olanzipine but psychiatrist said it could potentially be reduced after 6 months.

[Maria_at_APP Moderator in reply to vlk86]

Hi vlk86,

I am glad you are already discusing reducing the dose in 6 months time with your psychiatrist.

Take good care

[Arabella-]

I thought it was just me. I end up drinking endless cups of tea to cope x

[Emero]

Hi vlk86

I'd agree with writing things down - u can get by that way.

Otherwise my advice would be get off it as soon as u can. I recovered from my second psychoisis without it and it was a better and faster recovery without all the brain fog and slow thinking. I know im at risk of another episode but ill take that chance for a better quality of life.

Goes against all the medical theories and advice though. I guess everyone is different.

I hope you start to feel an improvement soon one way or another. Be kind and patient with yourself - thats probably the most important thing right now.

[Jenskygazer Volunteer]

Hello vlk86

I found that drinking water makes a really big difference to me with the brain fog, especially in the mornings. I was having horrible nightmares and feeling really low in the mornings, I found some of it is because the Olanzapine was making me dehydrated. Now I drink 1.5 - 2 pints of water before going to sleep and that seems to really help. It makes me wake up to go to the loo of course! But I take 12.5mg currently and find I can get back to sleep.

I’ve also found running in the morning really helps, I just do 10 mins. I couldn’t have done it when my daughter was really small but when I’m able to running really helps me get more energy and feel more structured in myself somehow.

I’ve also found acupuncture has helped, possibly through releasing endorphins. Each acupuncturist can be a bit different, but if you know someone who can recommend an acupuncturist I found it very helpful (though the acupuncturist I went to told me to come off all my medication. If they tell you this do not listen to them at all. Your psychiatrist can advise you). I found the medication advice got me in to a difficult situation, but the actual acupuncture, I believe, has been really helpful. I do not go to them now, but I think I’ve been helped by it.

Sorry, very rambling message! I too find that writing things down and rest really helps

Hope you feel more yourself again soon