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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Babak on October 10, 2014, at 10:27:27
Hi,
I started on Olanzapine which seemed to be working initially. I say "seemed", because I became less sensitive straight away which gave me more control over my emotions although later the lack sensitivity in itself became a real problem.
Anyway, after two months I started developing all sorts of symptoms like restless leg syndrome, extreme lethargy and I felt a lot more depressed. I didn't feel hungry anymore, and it was as if I had no will to control my limbs. Just to decide to stand up was really hard and the quick onset of fatigue prevented me from leaving the house.
I am sure that I had a paradoxical reaction to the drug but why did it take to months to suddenly turn severe. Could anything else have set it off or delayed paradoxical reactions are reported as well?
IT was not diagnosed for ages and I suffered a lot because of it. I have made complaint and asked for compensation.
If any one knows of any related case or article about delayed paradoxical reaction, I would be grateful for an pointers.
Thanks
Babak
Posted by burial on October 10, 2014, at 10:39:02
In reply to Olanzapine, posted by Babak on October 10, 2014, at 10:27:27
i don't think depression and lethargy are paradoxical when talking about antipsychotics, the whole point of them is to block activity in main pleasure centers after all. Sure, they can be godsend for bipolar or schizophrenic, but not everyone needs to be on antipsychotic. I myself use olanzapine 20mg and still feel depressed, i'm bipolar though so it helps to calm the mind
Posted by Babak on October 10, 2014, at 10:40:03
In reply to Olanzapine, posted by Babak on October 10, 2014, at 10:27:27
I think I switched from Paroxetine to Venlafaxine at some stage. Could that change of combination caused the reaction by Olanzapine. I had been on Venlafaxine for years before that with no real problem but changed it to Paroxetine because of tension headaches and slight increase in anxiety.
Posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2014, at 11:42:59
In reply to Re: Olanzapine update, posted by Babak on October 10, 2014, at 10:40:03
Did you take benzos before switching to a hardcore med in the category of atypical Antipsychotic. I ask as maybe switching benzos or temporarily raising dose might have avoided this? Phillipa
Posted by Babak on October 11, 2014, at 3:58:15
In reply to Re: Olanzapine update » Babak, posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2014, at 11:42:59
No, I wasn't taking Benzos at all. I had tried several other antidepressants and their combinations but although my depression had improved, I still had lack of motivation and other symptoms.
I was finally diagnosed with ADHD and now I am on Concertta that has completely transformed my life (I have many side effects though).
Anyway back to Olanzapine; as I said before, it turned nasty on me almost in 24 hours.
I suddenly I felt weak at my knees and found it difficult to even climb the stairs and the next night I developed RLS and pacing up and down and then huge depression. In the mornings when I opened my eyes, I felt I was at the bottom of a well and it took ages just to sit-up. I had stomach pain which I think was psychosomatic.
Then I had problem judging distances and the results I had two major car accidents and several small ones. I developed shuffling feet and empty of all motivation. Basically all my negative symptoms became hundred times worse plus few new ones. I am sure it was a paradoxical reaction but why was it triggered so late? The psychiatrists changed my Paroxetine to Venlafaxine but nothing improved.
Then I was given morphine for my stomach pain which also helped me depression but Obviously I got hooked and when it was stopped, I had to turn to heroin. But even Heroin didn't get rid of some of the symptoms like in the mornings I still couldn't stand up. So finally I decided to stop Olanzapine because that was the only thing that had remained the same over five years. Then within two weeks I started feeling the improvement but by then I was heavily dependent and turned to methadone. But all the Olanzapine symptoms disappeared. I came out of it with higher depression base line than I had before Olanzapine until I was prescribed Concertta.I am arguing that Psychiatrists should have recognised the paradoxical reaction during the first few months and stopped Olanzapine because Olanzapine is notorious for causing Paradoxical reaction.
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 11, 2014, at 6:27:33
In reply to Re: Olanzapine update » Babak, posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2014, at 11:42:59
I feel depressed and lethargic on Zyprexa as well.
Luckily i am on 2.5 mg soon to be discontinued.
Seroquel is a better match for me. I wouldn't take it unless having a shizo type diagnosis though.
Can cause diabetes.
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 11, 2014, at 6:30:27
In reply to Re: Olanzapine update » Phillipa, posted by Babak on October 11, 2014, at 3:58:15
Heroin and antipsychotics is a VERY bad mix.
Can get you killed!
Posted by Phillipa on October 11, 2014, at 20:36:52
In reply to Re: Olanzapine update » Phillipa, posted by Babak on October 11, 2014, at 3:58:15
Most definitely should have been stopped right away. How come you didn't on your own? Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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