Feeling weak

[Zebrawhite]

I'm currently taking 20mg of Olanzapine. Ever since my psychotic episode I have felt very weak. When I exercise I can't fully engage my muscles as they are so weak, and I feel like my mind-body connection is damaged. I could barely engage my abs or pelvic floor muscles. I feel like my muscles are very weak. Has anyone else experienced this? Could it be a side effect of the Olanzapine?

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Zebrawhite,

I didn't take Olanzapine but I definitely had side effects when I first went onto antipsychotics which affected my mobility, it mostly made me incredibly stiff. I remember I was given another medication to counteract the effects, which I was then taken off when I was discharged from the MBU to the community team as the symptoms had settled. I continued to have restless legs, mostly in the evenings, but nothing too bad.

I think any potential side effects are worth mentioning to your team so they can reassure you and/or see if there's anything they can suggest to help. Having a baby takes time for your body to recover from too of course and feeling physically different could partly be due to that too perhaps? Something like yoga or pilates might help to try and gradually build back some strength, and maybe the feeling of the body-mind disconnect too. Gently does it.

I hope you're doing ok, I've been thinking of you.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[Survivedwithcolor]

I think Jenny is right on all the reasons that could explain this. Yes, the meds do very much affect your muscles and make you stiff and awkward. I remember when I took Risperidone I had a lot of trouble just speaking and smiling. It was the strangest thing. For your pelvic floor muscles especially, having a baby does a number on those all by itself. I’m sorry to say those pelvic floor muscles may never be exactly the same after carrying an infant for nine months and then being stretched and torn to the extreme. Now that I’m 58, I’m constantly having to work on mine and even then I’ve got a small vaginal prolapse. The other thing that comes to mind is that extreme weakness can indicate another medical condition so be sure to mention it to your physician. They may discount it because of the meds you’re on, but they should give you a basic screening for other things. If you have any episodes where it becomes severe to the point it affects your walking, balance or general movement, you should see someone right away.

[Fowler01]

Hi I took olanzapine I remember feeling very weak and very tired when on it. I never really thought about it being a side affect of the medication and just thought it was my body recovering from PP. I would meation it to your GP.

[Lavender456]

I couldn't exercise at all on olanzapine my legs felt like they had leaded weights on them I think it's definitely a side affect. I've put 3 stone on being on Olanzapine for just over a year, I'm now off it and have so much more energy