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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 12:14:54
Just curious and if you can point to some resources to show this. I don't know what else to call it. (The depression)
Does it cause weight gain like Nortriptyline?
Thanks so much,
Laney
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2011, at 12:30:37
In reply to Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 12:14:54
Zyprexa is an atypical antipsychotic used a lot for depression instead of benzos but very strong and is a big weight gainer from what's been posted here and elsewhere. Diabetes is always a risk when using atypical antipsychotics and the side effects of antipsychotics although not as frequently. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 7, 2011, at 12:59:20
In reply to Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 12:14:54
Zyprexa can cause massive weight gain. Have you tried Abilify?
Posted by floatingbridge on October 7, 2011, at 13:26:37
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by Christ_empowered on October 7, 2011, at 12:59:20
Ditto the above posters about weight gain and diabetes. Why try an AAP unless your doc brings it up?
Low dose abilify, like 2mg (does it come in smaller doses?) maybe could be brightening and help chase circling icky thoughts. Maybe a bit stabilizing. But I found at 5mg and above I gained weight. At 2mg I did not.
Why not research viibryd? Maybe wiki has an entry. There is also askapatient and the archives here.
Just my peer support coined two cents. Good luck.
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 7, 2011, at 15:08:47
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by floatingbridge on October 7, 2011, at 13:26:37
Oh, I almost forgot...if you're on a semi-working antidepressant, BuSpar might help. Its not the best thing ever, but its cheaper than AAP drugs and causes fewer side effects. Dosage: 15-60 daily, usually in 2-3 doses.
Posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 17:15:42
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by Christ_empowered on October 7, 2011, at 15:08:47
Hey guys,
Thanks so much for your help! Your awesome. I'll let you know what comes of it.
There's so much to learn.
Laney
Posted by huxley on October 7, 2011, at 19:06:37
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 17:15:42
> Hey guys,
>
> Thanks so much for your help! Your awesome. I'll let you know what comes of it.
>
> There's so much to learn.
>
> LaneyHi Laney,
Thought you might like to here my story of Zyprexa. It was not positive.
Gained about 10-15kg. After 6 months on Zyprexa and made me white and pasty. some people did not recognize me. It severely damaged my cognitive abilities and memory. Unless you like being a braindead zombie I would not recommend taking it.
It took me two years of horrible withdrawals to ween off it.Caused Panic and Agrophobia where none existed before.
Read the side effects on it's own sheet.
Fancy some Tardive Dyskinesia?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfOGLpb1q24
Its a very real side effect.
How about some diabetes?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj0LZZzrcrs
I am sure your doctor will tell you about all this stuff though.It is a very serious drug and if you are even thinking of taking it I would do a LOT of research on the good and the bad. Do not take everything you read here for granted (including what I write).
good luck.
Posted by Emme-V2 on October 7, 2011, at 19:18:35
In reply to Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 12:14:54
> Just curious and if you can point to some resources to show this. I don't know what else to call it. (The depression)
>
> Does it cause weight gain like Nortriptyline?
>
> Thanks so much,
>
> LaneyI can only offer my personal experience. Zyprexa obliterated depression and suicidal thoughts and feelings for me within a few days. I couldn't believe it. It was utterly unreal.
The downsides of course were an equally instantaneous and impressive weight gain (I couldn't believe it!) and horrible sedation even at a low dose. There was no way I could live with it. But some people can tolerate it. YMMV.
I think it might make a great emergency drug if someone is in crisis; pull them out of the worst of their hell and then think about other options for longer term treatment. Just my $0.02.
Posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 19:32:29
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar? » Laney, posted by Emme-V2 on October 7, 2011, at 19:18:35
Wow! Thanks again for your input. I don't think I'll go near it!
What class of drugs is it?
Laney
Posted by linkadge on October 7, 2011, at 19:41:02
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 19:32:29
I would avoid it if at all possible. I was more popular as an adjunctive back in say...2002, but after the lawsuits, its use for depression has dampered a bit.
There are some studies showing it can be a useful adjunctive. I found it somewhat useful, but it just ended up making me feel ickey after a few weeks (sluggish, out of it, changes in eating patterns, cravings...not like me at all).
Posted by Emme-V2 on October 7, 2011, at 20:01:30
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar?, posted by Laney on October 7, 2011, at 19:32:29
> Wow! Thanks again for your input. I don't think I'll go near it!
>
> What class of drugs is it?
>
> LaneyIt's too bad it's got such troublesome side effects. I can still remember the feeling of blessed relief from depression that I got with it. I believe there are some people who do well with it longer term with respect to the side effects.
Zyprexa is an atypical antipsychotic. Abilify, another atypical antipsychotic, can also work well for treatment resistant depression. It's not as outrageously sedating as Zyprexa. Some people gain weight with Abilify, and some don't.
Posted by emmanuel98 on October 7, 2011, at 20:30:06
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar? » Laney, posted by Emme-V2 on October 7, 2011, at 20:01:30
Zyprexa, risperdal and abilify are all AAPs. All of them knocked my depression out within 48 hours. I went from suicidal, not getting out of bed, to up and about, singing while I did housework. All of them made me gain weight like crazy, despite not eating and exercising more.
Zyprexa almost always causes weight gain, but abilfy often does not. So it might be worth trying that first. See if you respond to AAPs, see if you gain weight. The weight gain was immediate and on the order of 2-3 pounds per week, so you can tell quickly if that will be a problem.
Posted by bleauberry on October 9, 2011, at 5:57:45
In reply to Re: Is Zyprexa used for depression without bipolar? » Laney, posted by Emme-V2 on October 7, 2011, at 19:18:35
I totally agree with this previous post in the thread....
>
> I can only offer my personal experience. Zyprexa obliterated depression and suicidal thoughts and feelings for me within a few days. I couldn't believe it. It was utterly unreal.
>
> The downsides of course were an equally instantaneous and impressive weight gain (I couldn't believe it!) and horrible sedation even at a low dose. There was no way I could live with it. But some people can tolerate it. YMMV.
>
> I think it might make a great emergency drug if someone is in crisis; pull them out of the worst of their hell and then think about other options for longer term treatment. Just my $0.02.
>
>
>
>Yes, emergency as-needed drug as well as a maintenance drug, whichever. I did well on 5mg for about 8 years, combined with prozac. I didn't gain the big weight some people do, only about 15 pounds for me and that was it. I think with zyprexa the diabetes/weight issue is, well, it is valid but also overblown. Things that go into the grocery cart will have a huge impact on whether zyprexa can have the recipe to create risk or whether it won't. I have never seen anyone not gain weight on zyprexa, but I have seen some of them contain it to a minimal amount by adjusting their taste buds and shopping habits. That's an important element of any healing plan in my opinion anyway, to match the foods with the disease/symptoms.
This is the end of the thread.
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