Zombification

[Phells]

I just got my medication doubled and since then I've felt like a zombie. I'm not exactly tired, I just don't feel like doing anything and the best option seems to be sleep so that's what I do all day. And when I'm not sleeping I'm just waiting to go to sleep.
My day is basically, wake up at noon, take a nap until four, wait around until five thirty, figure out dinner, eat dinner, wait around some more than go to bed around eight.
I've waited for about three weeks but the feeling hasn't let up at all. Should I talk to my doctor about a new medication? I'm tired of living like this already but I don't know what to do.

[findingmyself]

Give it another week. yes ask your doctor they will give you the best answer on what to do. It may be switching to another med or just lowering it. Talk to your doctor they will give you the best advice. Good luck

[Eccentrics]

Hi there,

Doctors all seem to have their own little 'time limits' before they encourage trying a different medication, but the usual trial period seems to be about 4 weeks. I think you've given it a fair chance though, so I think there's no harm in asking now or just giving them a call and seeing what they suggest! Maybe they could lower the dose back down, or if that isn't giving good results try something else.

Good luck! <3
- Holly

[Phells]

Thank you both for your replies!
I think I will give him a call, my doctor might still be out of the country anyway so it might be four weeks before he gets back to me.
My parents are on me to get a good medication before school starts back up again so this is all really stressful right now. I don't know if I could go to school feeling like this.

[insidemyhead]

Definitely talk to your doctor. They tend to take this quite seriously and should understand and appreciate the need to decrease. Just to say I understand how you feel when I was admitted three years ago they put me up to the maximum dose of Olanzapine and sleep was all I did for the best of 5 months until they realised along side weight gain not caused by eating that it was best to decrease as I didnt have much say over my meds at the time my parents and I pushed to come off it and thank god they listened; it was a horrible feeling in fact one of the worst times of my life and I won't touch that medication again with a barge pole. I can understand you won't be able to go to school like that I wouldn't have been able to. I'm sorry you're going through this it must be really hard, all I can say is tell your doc and they should decide the best action, you will find the right medication that makes it manageable in the end and pretty soon I hope for you, take care x

[Phells]

Thank you for responding, it is a horrible feeling. I called my doctor and he's prescribing me a new medication that shouldn't make me so tired.

[Eccentrics]

I'm glad you managed to call your doctor and that he was understanding :) What's your new medication going to be? Good luck either way! I hope this one works better for you and doesn't have such an unpleasant/annoying side-effect.

[Phells]

My new medication is going to be Fanapt/Iloperidone. I have to be weaned off my old medication but hopefully I'll get to feel more present soon (and before school starts). I've never had to wean myself off of a medication before, I'm not sure how long it takes?

[insidemyhead]

It depends on how high a dosage you are as you have to withdraw slowly, when I came off mine it took about a month. I'm glad he listened to you and that you are going on a less sedating medication I hope it works out well for you and that withdrawal isn't too hard on x. Here if you ever need to talk my pm box is open.

[Phells]

I just found out that I'll be weaned off in nine days, I'm on day two right now. I'm lessening it by one pill (16mg) every three days. And then I'm starting my new medication tomorrow.

[Yenevoc]

Good luck with your new medication. I had a similar zombifying effect with respiridone when I was newly diagnosed and I know its a horrible feeling. Take care of yourself

[Phells]

Thank you Yenevoc!