Olazapine tapering sleep issues

[Kitkat131]

Hi all

I suffered PPP back in November 2023 and had been on olanzapine since about 2 weeks ago. I was tapering down without any issues but since stopping completely I’ve had problems with sleep - mostly staying asleep, tossing and turning all night. My doctor prescribed me zopiclone, I guess because they’re worried about relapse but I can only take this for 3 days at a time before having a break. I think they’re assuming it will be a short term issue. I’m feeling anxious in the day worrying about how the night is going to go.

My question is, has anyone experienced similar? And if so, how did you manage it?

[Lizzo30]

I use GABA or Melatonin both will send you off to sleep and are not harmful - yet effective, I live in UK and buy GABA and melatonin from a US company bc it's cheaper than buying in UK

Another very effective sleep remedy is natural progesterone cream

Lastly many swear by the benefits of magnesium

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi KitKat131,

I’m sorry you experienced PP last November. I do hope you’re doing ok.

Thank you for posting here. I didn’t take olanzapine myself when I had PP (back in 2012), I was on quetiapine and tapered off without much issue fortunately, but it is a question that comes up quite often so I’m sure you’ll find lots of shared experiences here.

If you search the word olanzapine or look at ‘related posts’ you’ll find other similar threads, a more recent one that might be helpful to look through can be found here - healthunlocked.com/app-netw...

I do go through periods of poor sleep and completely understand that worry during the day about how the night is going to go, and how that can then become a bit of a vicious cycle. I don’t suppose the warm nights are helping at the moment either.

You can find helpful information generally about sleep hygiene on the NHS website here - nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/m...

Hopefully things will settle for you soon but I hope you’ll find some useful shared experiences here and do always talk to your doctor if things aren’t improving and you’re concerned.

I would also encourage people to talk to a healthcare professional before starting certain supplements in case there are any risks associated with possible interactions with medications etc.

Sending very best wishes,

Jenny x

[Zebunisa_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Kitkat131 ,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble sleeping. I too experienced something similar and was prescribed zopiclone. The days I didn’t have zopiclone I tried googling things to make me sleep better. I found essential oils on my temple made me relax and writing a journal of my thoughts did too. Often we can be overthinking and then unable to sleep. Calm music also helped.

If you’ve tried a few things and are really struggling with not being able to sleep maybe get in touch with your dr again.

Hope you get the rest you need. Take care xx

[Survivedwithcolor]

There’s probably not a lot you can do about the side effects of your medications other than talk to your doctor, but if it’s that extreme I would definitely start there. There are also lifestyle changes you can make to minimize the effects of the meds. I’m 20 years out from PP but I discovered several things that affected my sleep for years and I didn’t know anything about it.

1. Caffeine. Some people, apparently myself included, are extremely sensitive to caffeine. I didn’t discover this until very recently when I was undergoing a lot of anxiety. My anxiety was absolutely through the roof and I thought it was my medications. In desperation I quit drinking any caffeine and the symptoms went away. It turns out that even though it didn’t affect me dramatically when I drank it, it stayed in my system for a very long time. If I drank a single cup of coffee in the morning, I wouldn’t sleep as well that night. Over time these effects become cumulative, creating (for me) extreme anxiety. After I quit drinking coffee I experimented a little with having a cup occasionally, and discovered that it does significantly affect my sleep. Even a cup of black or green tea will keep me awake for four or five hours after I would normally go to bed. There are many articles online about caffeine.

2. Breathing. About ten years ago I discovered that I had sleep apnea. If this runs in your family or if you are a heavier person or have a thicker neck, this can also significantly affect your sleep. I now sleep with a CPAP machine; there are also mouth guards you can buy that will open up your airway better. If you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing frequently because your throat is obstructed and it will wake you up over and over. You may not even know that you have it. Ask someone if you snore when you sleep. That doesn’t mean you do but it can be a warning sign.

3. Exercise. If you get some regular, strenuous exercise, you will sleep better. 20 minutes a day or even a few times a week of hill walking, biking, running, lifting weights, challenging yoga, body weight movement, aerobics, etc will improve your sleep, I guarantee it. When your body gets physically tired you will sleep better. Mental fatigue tends to keep you awake with no reprieve.

[Mum123456]

Hi Kitkat131 I experienced PPP back in October 2022 and then came of it about this time in 2023 so similar ish timeframes. I had been on a really high does started 20mg and then gradually reduced this down. I was very nervous about coming off it completely and terrified that I wouldn’t sleep in case it would trigger me getting pshychosis again. It did take me a few weeks maybe even a month I would say to sleep easier and stop myself from overthinking it/worrying. I kept talking to my CPN and she reassured me that how I was feeling was normal. Im not sure if you have a CPN or not. I also cut out caffeine completely for a while and tried to have a bath and things to help me relax or read a book just things to try and help me sleep. I also tried to make sure I got outside for a wee walk. Before pshychosis and a baby I used to be able to sleep no problem and it’s funny how I completely just took that for granted. It definitely did get easier tho for me to sleep angain after a little while. Hope you get a good nights sleep soon.

[Kitkat131]

Thank you all so much for your replies, I really appreciate it. I took your advice on board and managed to get a pretty good sleep last night. Hopefully some better sleep hygiene will help sleep continue to improve. It’s been 2 weeks since I stopped taking my meds so hopefully I’m through the worst of it!