Olazapine again

[Zebrawhite]

Just another question about olazapine. We're you able to drive while taking it, look after baby and work, or is it too sedating?

Is the weight gain due to cravings or inevitable.

[Antitodo]

Hi Zebrawhite,

I'll start by answering your previous question. I was put on 15 mg Olanzapine after having extrapyramidal symptoms with Haloperidol (rigidity I think although I wasn't in my right mind so don't remember). With Olanzapine I was quite sedated at night but felt better as the day passed. I did have some motor symptoms, but I don't know if they were due to Olanzapine or psychosis. My whole body ached and I struggled to walk longer distances (anything outdoors that was longer than 20 metres...). This did get better as I recovered and lowered my dose.

My understanding is that weight gain happens due to 1. increased appetite and 2. lowered metabolism/insulin resistance. So even if your diet does not change, you might put on weight.

I only took Olanzapine in the acute phase of my disease and started weaning as soon as I thought it was safe (after being stable for a month, so took it for around 3 months total). I was able to take care of my child but I didn't do anything else as I was in the early stages of maternity leave (I chose not to drive until I was medication free).

I read that you will be on 5 mg Olanzapine, so it is quite a low dose. Just keep in mind this is temporary and soon you won't be taking it anymore. You are also allowed to take your own medical decisions, so you can start Olanzapine and then decide whether you can tolerate the effects or whether you'd like to try another medication or lower your dose.

In regards to weight gain, reducing carbs or any kind of diet might help, but again remember this is temporary.

Good luck on your journey I wish you the best.

[Isabella5991]

Hello,

I’m on 5mg olanzapine and sertraline and never been so stable in my life! It’s still quite strange to get used to. Tried loads of other meds and these only that working really well with minimual side effects. I take it about 7pm and like clockwork 2 hours later I need to go to bed. I get restless leg syndrome and can’t be up annymore so I go to bed. Wears off once I’m asleep

Hunger- yes noticed it in the beginning would devour food in evening, but it’s evened out now and not such intense eating. I have gained 4 stone in 4 years from various antipsychotics, but it’s not all bad as I feel very strong and sick less often.

Olanzapine has given me the ability to drive more often because it is such a good medicine at combating my mania and dissociation, so yes deffo can drive!

Can look after my children, you should be absolutely fine, it’s a miracle medicine. I just need a lot of sleep and my partner does all the morning children shifts, bless him xxx

[Survivedwithcolor]

I took a medication containing Olanzapine briefly. It made me so hungry that I stopped it again within a few days, because weight gain was always a problem for me with the antipsychotic meds.

Nearly all the antipsychotic meds cause weight gain because they affect the hormones in your brain and body that regulate appetite and insulin control. They block the receptors that cause you to feel full, so you eat more than you might normally. They also mess up insulin production and other hormones, making you crave carbs and sweets and feel hungry all the time.

In my opinion drug manufacturers try to minimize the importance of these side effects. I personally think it is a huge problem, because eventually these effects *can* lead to obesity and diabetes. I’m in my late 50s now and am trying to reverse this process. It’s not easy. My body has been devastated by the effects of obesity and I was almost diabetic when I stopped the meds. My joints are destroyed and I got breast cancer, the hormonal type. You have to weigh for yourself how much these medications affect you and how much you need them. I did need them for a while, but I wish I had been able to stop them sooner.

[Rachel_at_APP Partner APP]

Evening Zebrawhite, It’s Rachel here, I’m part of the peer support team from Action on Postpartum Psychosis who moderate and look after this forum.

It’s a really good question you ask. I was also on medication for my PP, not Olanzapine a different medication I’m afraid so I can’t comment on that one specifically.

But what I can say is that I absolutely took guidance from my health professionals around me about my symptoms and side effects of different medications.

In truth, medication of all types (whether antipsychotics or not), can have side effects. Sometimes helpful for example sedative effect of a medication if taken at night can help if someone is struggling to sleep. I know for me, switching the time I took my medication under professional guidance really helped with helping me sleep.

As I say, consult your doctor on how you’re feeling, as they are the ones able to advise on medication and support you in decision making. Bear in mind, not everyone will experience the same symptoms, I think it’s important to remember that. There is some more useful information on Olanzapine here: nhs.uk/medicines/olanzapine/

Take care, Rachel x

[Zebrawhite]

Thank you everyone, starting on 2.5mg today and then 4mg afterwards. Quite concerned about the weight gain and insulin stuff, but will have to see how it goes. Currently unable to walk fast and far so hoping this isn't the case on this medication for me.

[Zebunisa_at_APP Moderator in reply to Zebrawhite]

Hi Zebrawhite ,

Hopefully your medication kicks in and you start to feel better soon. Sometimes it does take adjusting your medication here and there, adjusting the dose (done by dr) for you to feel better again. Try not to focus too much on weight gain at the moment. Maybe once your medication doses are stable and when you feel recovered a little more then you can focus on weight gain and perhaps exercise to keep healthy and not gain as much weight.

Take care x