Posted by JohnL on January 11, 2003, at 16:38:06
In reply to Zyprexa withdrawal, posted by Margit on January 11, 2003, at 15:14:09
I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties in quitting Zyprexa. I have been taking Zyprexa for over a year, I like it, and don't plan to quit any time soon. But there was a time I accidentally let my prescription lapse and I went three days without. Toward the end of that three days I was feeling all the same withdrawal symptoms you described, plus horrible insomnia.
I've been on many psychiatric medicines, and thus have quit many. The previous post is something along the same line as I would suggest. It has worked for me a number of times.
It's pretty simple. You ween off just like you did. But as soon as you notice significant withdrawals coming on, take your lowest dose again, just for one day. That usually brings enough relief that you can make it another couple days. Then you may have to do another dose. But as time goes on, your body will adjust and you will find that you need that "fix" dose less and less, until finally after about 4 to 6 weeks of this you could be free of it. Just take a dose when you feel you really need it.
Paxil was the toughest one I ever quit. But doing it the way I described finally worked good enough that I could continue my life without any heavy uncomfortable distractions. There were still minor withdrawals during the periods when I didn't take a dose, but they were minor and bearable. When they got worse, I took a dose. Eventually they just went away on their own. The whole process took me about 4 weeks.
Hang in there!
JohnL> I am taking Paxil 20mg, Lamictal at 75mg, and Zyprexa 2.5mg for treatment resistant depression. I have been on Zyprexa for about a year and since I am starting to feel better, after the addition of Lamictal, I wanted to get off the Zyprexa. For the past 6 days I split the 2.5mg pill in half. At first I didn't notice much, but on the 4th day, I started to experience nausea, headches, anxiety, and a reduction in appetite. I don't know if I can keep going on like that. Did anybody experience withdrawal when trying to get off Zyprexa and how long did it last?
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> Any comments are very much appreciated,.
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> Margit
poster:JohnL
thread:135357
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030106/msgs/135377.html