Prozac and Zyprexa?

Question

i was diagnosed with massive depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms. i was in a mental hospital for a week but my doctor didnt talk to me at all so i dont know how they could possibly diagnose me. honestly i i think i have bpd. i have been doing really great since i have been taking 40 mg's of prozac and im not sure how much zyprexa. i read somewhere that you should only take the zyprexa for 8 weeks. (i have been on and off prozac for the past 6 years of my life) since i have been taking the Zyprexa i have been wakin up with headaches and im very tired and disoriented throughout the day and i shake...

so my query is that im afraid to stop taking the Zyprexa because i have been doing so well, but im afraid to keep taking it because the side effecfts.

i forgot to say that i smoke cigarettes too. my shaking gets really crazy after i smoke and.or i am in the sun for like 10 minutes

Answer 1

It sounds like the meds are causing more side effects than you can tolerate. Since you've taken Prozac before with no problems, you're likely correct in thinking the Zyprexa is the problem.

Incidentally, I had HUGE issues with Zyprexa. I started taking it, and went from a stable weight to gaining pounds FAST. I did not know weight gain was a side effect, and I was panicked as to why I was putting on weight so fast. I basically stopped eating and STILL gained weight. Finally, after gaining 80 POUNDS in SIX MONTHS, my idiot doctor noticed my size increase and said, "hmm... I wonder if the Zyprexa is making you gain weight - it does that sometimes..." I went off it and immediately stopped gaining weight.

Anyhoo, you should find a doctor who will listen and take you seriously, not diagnose you after not talking to you in a hospital. Mental hospital docs are not very good. They are overworked and burnt out and can't give the attention and consideration you deserve. Good docs won't diagnose you without spending 2-3 hours with you, minimum.

One thing - don't stop taking the Zyprexa without talking to a doc. Especially if you have psychotic episodes, stopping a med cold turkey can trigger one. But by all means talk to a doc ASAP and figure out how to get off of Zyprexa, and what to add (if anything).

Good luck!

Answer 2

I think you should talk with your doctor. Sometimes people tolerate the side effects because of the positive effects of a drug, some people just cannot tolerate them. Your doctor can help you decide if another similar medication might be just as effective without side effects, although I know some people are happy with Zyprexa and would not change it. On the other hand, some people could not manage with the side effects and dropped it. It is an individual thing.
If you feel you cannot talk to your doctor, find another doctor. Would you keep a lawyer you couldn't talk to in a criminal case of life and death?

Answer 3

it sounds like you may be getting too much dopamine. sunshine and smoking both flood the brain with dopamine. I have heard of people with bpd getting manic from too much sunhine. Mania is partly caused by too much dopamine in the brain. I would seriously talk to a pharmacist (where you got the Zyprexa if possible) and if possible a psychiatrist, as they both know more about Zyprexa than I do. It may be that Zyprexa is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, im not sure.

Answer 4

[quote]i was diagnosed with massive depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms. i was in a mental hospital for a week but my doctor didnt talk to me at all so i dont know how they could possibly diagnose me[quote]

I would really, really like to know how a doctor came to diagnose with major depression and being psychotic with out even talking to you! I would immediately seek out another doctor. One that will take the time to get to know you and properly assets your condition.

Answer 5

Talk with your doctor about it. I had the shaking symptoms while i was on Remeron and it only got worse as i eased my dosage up. Sometimes it's better just to switch.