Olanzapine (doubts)

Steel Maiden · 29-07-2008, 11:12 AM

I'm on olanzapine 15mg for paranoid schizophrenia. This is the maximum dose I can possibly be on because I have a BMI of below 19, so if I were to go on anything higher, I would be effectively overdosing myself.
The nurses and doctors all go on about the high success rate of olanzapine and how it is the new wonder drug etc.
But they still tell me I'm delusional and that the spies and The Woman are not real, they tell me I'm not well enough to leave hospital. They say I'm still too ill.
I get leave, but that was only because my Mother twisted the doctor's arm in order to get it. She persuaded them like mad and I have to keep my voices and thoughts secret because if the nurses know about these things then I can't go on leave because of "risk". But then my thoughts are public anyway because everyone can read my mind.
It appears that my olanzapine isn't working as well as it should. I've been on it for four weeks.

Does anyone else take olanzapine and how do you feel about it? Does it work for you? Or does it only partially work for you like my case? Do you think its a "wonder drug"?

alienshe_cheesycake · 29-07-2008, 11:59 AM

I don't know about it being a "wonder drug"
I started out on 7.5mg (which I was told was a lot for somebody of my age) and at 12.5mg it was only working on about 50% of my symptoms
so thats not really as good as I was hoping to get from this drug

I'm now on 17.5mg (they keep upping it) and I'm still getting symptoms (mostly occasional voices and unpleasant thoughts) but my pych says that they are gong to continue to raise my dosage until I'm symptom free
despite the fact that I'm now sleeping 16 hours a day on this dose

Sucks really, short answer to your question; no, I don't think Olanzapine is a wonder drug, it's helped me to a certain degree but not as much as I thought it would and now I'm on a pretty high dose thats causing me to sleep my life away yet I'm still getting syptoms.

It really worries me because I'm on a high dose yet I still hear voices
but only for a few hours of every week at the moment
but as my body is ajusting to this dose I get the feeling I will get more symptoms
sorry for the rambly answer steelmaiden

Shenanigans · 29-07-2008, 02:01 PM

I've never been on this medication I'm sorry.

But I wanted to give you a cuddle
*cuuudddllleee*
And say you're doing really well hun, take care of yourself.
Xxxxxx

whirlpools · 29-07-2008, 02:12 PM

it helps me, doesn't make everything better though. you need to be honest with the doctors otherwise you might keep getting stuck in this cycle. once you're on a medication that helps you feel well and stops things being so difficult for you, you can live. you have some very real ambitions, to go to Uni and have a good future. your honesty, i believe, will help you get there. love you xxx

Steel Maiden · 30-07-2008, 06:13 AM

Thank you for your helpful replies. I've been told that 10mg is high for someone my age, but now I'm on 15mg! What is odd (but I'm not complaining) is that my insomnia is so bad that even on this dose I only get about 7 hrs sleep a night.
I do feel calmer in general and I'm nowhere near as ill as I was when I got sectioned. So I guess it is working to some extent.
Just have to wait for 1 more week

little_miss · 30-07-2008, 06:49 PM

I am on olanzapine too, at 15mg. I was on 20mg when i was very unwell, and it did make me feel like a zombie on that dose. But now im on 15. I have put on a lot of weight which hasnt done my self-esteem much good. It is working well at the moment though, for my scary beliefs, and hallucinations. So as long as im staying well, i think thats what matters.
How old are you Steel Maiden?
Im glad you're feeling calmer, because you do sound like youve been very distressed. Keep us posted with how you're doing xx

Steel Maiden · 30-07-2008, 06:58 PM

I am 18 years old.
Thanks.
I went to bed at 10pm last night and woke up at 4.30am. I can't sleep properly. I rarely feel tired and I have trouble falling asleep.
I might get increased to 20mg if 15mg doesn't work.
I have also lost 3kg in weight, which is not good as I was already light to begin with and I need my strength for when I start running/kickboxig/weightlifting again.
Thanks though.
Little Miss, what is your diagnosis if you don't mind me asking?
Sorry.
Thanks.

little_miss · 30-07-2008, 07:09 PM

It must be very frustrating, not being able to sleep. Have you talked this through with people at the hospital?
3kg is quite a lot of weight to have lost. Are they monitoring your weight in hospital?
My diagnosis is PTSD with psychosis (as well as BPD, depression, anxiety). It is hard dealing with psychosis, and i know it can be a real struggle. But hang on in there. xx

xanthismom · 02-08-2008, 04:58 PM

I have been on olanzapine 20mg early last year but they took me off it due to other meds i was on but i found it did help But i felt like a zombie on it but did not sleep too good.im sorry i cant be more help i hope you feel bettter soon BIG HUG COMING YOUR WAY

Steel Maiden · 03-08-2008, 11:05 AM

Thank you for your replies.
I think I have put a bit of weight back on as I have been trying to eat more, i.e. eating dinner even though I am not hungry.
I've been sleeping a lot better recently for some unknown reason.
Things are getting better re weight and sleeping, but I still hear bad voices and hallucinate spies (yesterday they were trying to get me to kill my Mother and I nearly did it). And according to nurses and my friend, I am still delusional, although I don't believe them.
I don't want to go onto 20mg!!!!!!!!!!!!!