Posted by uncouth on November 19, 2009, at 18:30:39
Update: after going off of zyprexa over 2 weeks ago because of the appetite and weight gain, I have for the last few days started on Saphris, starting it at once a day, 5mg at night.
I have stated before that I thought Zyprexa to be one of the most effective meds I have been on. I was very disappointed that the side effects were so substantial. However, I am not sure it was smart of me to discontinue, even though my appetitie increased to a compulsive level.
The last two weeks have been very rough, and the Saphris hasn't helped, at least not yet. It is a sublingual preparation which is new for me, and it makes my mouth feel numb and tastes bad. To me, it is very sedating -- I wake up feeling groggy, after having very vivid dreams. If it has been working at all, it has been working only marginally and only for a few hours in the morning. Then I am left with a vast, empty feeling of depression. A nothingness that is hard to describe but familiar to me as it was my state for so much of this year.
I really put a lot of hopes in Saphris. I will try it for another few days, and start the BID dosing despite the sedation, but I am not holding my breath. I typically respond very quickly to antipsychotics, and felt better within 2 days of starting zyprexa.
My doctor mentioned something about combining abilify with zyprexa to counteract weight gain. Anyone have any thoughts about this?
This past week reminds me that it is always easy to think you don't need meds when the meds have been working for a few weeks and you feel better! The temptation to go off of them if side effects are so great, but when off, you remember why you needed to go on them in the first place.
I wasn't "well" the 6 weeks I was on zyprexa, but I was much better than this. I am learning to experience the gradiations and texture of severe depression, much like I can imagine some people experience the gradiations of pleasure and engagement in life.
The suicidal thoughts have come back in full force. It's funny, after having a break from them for 6 weeks, I forgot how enveloping they really are. I can't believe I lived with them for so long this summer - but with each new round of suicidiality, I wonder how much more I can handle.
I will give Saphris a few more days to work before going back to zyprexa.
-uncouth
poster:uncouth
thread:926259
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091117/msgs/926259.html