Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Shy...
• July 24, 2015

Olanzapine "Zyprexa has given me my life back in 4 weeks! I have the worst panic attacks and chronic nausea ever!! I have been on every medication under the sun with no relief, if not worse nausea because of the side effects of all the medications. I was on Klonopin, propranolol, hydroxyzine, and Zofran every single day, and I was still having really bad nausea and panic attacks so bad, I could not leave my house. Dr. prescribed Zyprexa 5mg, and after 3 days, I started eating again. I have already gained 2 lbs, but I needed to because I was so nauseated I couldn't eat. I'm so excited that I can eat again without feeling everything is going to come back up!!!! I hope it doesn't 'poop out' on me because it's been a miracle!!"

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2009

Olanzapine "I have just been diagnosed with Bipolar - Zyprexa gave me results immediately. I am beginning to feel 'normal' after only 2 weeks of being on it. No more mood swings. I am sleeping very well. I am more hungry, but I have started exercising more and am watching what I eat. It's a blessing for my husband and kids that we have found something that works. I am happy on Zyprexa so far."

• Anonymous
• March 23, 2009

Olanzapine "I've taken Zyprexa as an adjunct to lithium for Bipolar I. My thoughts are slower, and it has gotten rid of any anxiety (this, I think, is the best side effect). I have not had issues with weight gain. I change between 5 and 10 mg per day depending on how I feel. Sometimes it can cause me to sleep late, and I need to take it earlier in the evening to avoid that. Great medicine to keep me stable and stop intrusive thinking."

• Zee...
• November 10, 2015

Olanzapine "I take gabapentin, and when I started it, I felt like I had finally found the miracle. But after a year, it quit working. After this recent stay in the psych unit, my doctor put me on Zyprexa 5 mgs in the am, 10 mgs at night, and it has been a Godsend. I feel so even, I sleep soundly, and wake up without a hangover, ready to take on the world. I have been eating like a pig, but I'm working on controlling that, and eating fruit and yogurt vs. cinnamon rolls and candy. The only drawback is I fear one day it will stop working. Overall, gabapentin and Zyprexa have been lifesavers!"

• Pop...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 22, 2020

"I’ve been on olanzapine 2.5 mg for 8 years, and it has been a fantastic medication for me. I suffer from anxiety and severe insomnia, and olanzapine has worked perfectly well. My anxiety is non-existent now, and best of all, I am sleeping really well. I haven’t gained much weight (only 5 kg). I tried to come off it a few times, and I found it very difficult, mostly because the insomnia was so bad, and the anxiety came back with a vengeance. So for now, I’m happy on a small dose. I might take it for the rest of my life if I can stay well with this medication."

• ver...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 3, 2018

Olanzapine "My stomach is spilling over instead of my mind for once. My head is no longer a circus, a tent of sad clowns and unruly animals. Uni-cycling on a tightrope between intelligence and insanity has never been so balanced."

• Lia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2019

"I'm 19, and I'm on 10 mg olanzapine for bipolar disorder and psychosis. The first few days on this drug felt like I had fog in my brain, but I felt amazing later on. I'm able to function normally and sleep well (I've suffered with insomnia for as long as I can remember). I also feel motivated. I'm scoring well on my tests. My psychosis is completely gone. I still feel cranky, but that might go away when I increase my dose. Lastly, I haven't put on weight. It's been 2 months now."

• Lif...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 18, 2023

Olanzapine "I have been on 2.5 mg of Zyprexa for just over a year. I was on Lithium for about 8 years, and my mental health had started declining rapidly. I had absolutely no control over the thoughts in my head. I should not be here, but I knew if I didn't find a new psychiatrist and figure out how to help myself, I was on my way out in a bad way. My doctor decided to stop the Lithium because I had Lithium toxicity, and he felt that was a huge issue. He started me on Zyprexa, and within a few days of that and weaning from the Lithium, I started feeling normal. My thoughts weren't racing nearly as bad with all the negativity, and it just kept getting better. I've been more outgoing, and I've actually been able to hold down a job because I can actually focus enough to do my job. I've mended relationships with friends and family that I had withdrawn from because I didn't want to be around people and drag them down."

• Bon...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 9, 2017

Olanzapine "I was put on Zyprexa after my dad got murdered. It worked okay for that medicated zombie feel. I took up to 20 mg a day. Gained so much weight that I wore a waist size 40 pants. Had to stop after 6 years. Doc told me to taper off it in 2 weeks! NO BUENO!!! Should have tapered off in a year+. Been in bed for 8+ months with horrific post-withdrawal symptoms. Never had heart problems before Zyprexa! Now I have afib and sinus tachycardia, and TD, involuntary muscle spasms are so painful! People notice when I stick my tongue out, biting it for hours a day, sexy. It's killing me slowly as Eli Lilly makes $12 million a day killing! I use melatonin for sleep. Is Z even approved for sleep? RESEARCH LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, CUZ IT DOES!!"

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2019

Olanzapine "Zyprexa makes you gain weight so fast. I used to be anorexic and watched out with what I ate so I stayed in shape. But this medicine makes you crave sugar and makes you feel hungry 24/7. Also, you are really, really tired. It only helps with psychotic behavior if your dose is pretty high, so you can't feel anything, and because you want to sleep all day."

• Lot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2012

Olanzapine "Bipolar I - I take Zyprexa, Lithium, and Lamictal. Zyprexa is the only medicine that has controlled my severe depression, part of my bipolar. It has changed my life. I am slightly hungrier, but I'll take that over feeling so depressed."

• Jba...
• February 12, 2016

Olanzapine "This medication has made me extremely tired! I feel like I've lost all of my motivation. I am a teacher and a coach and find it extremely hard to get myself 'up' to do these things. I am very tired in the morning and it's not until late at night that I start to feel like myself again. Only in time to take the medication again and start the process over. It has taken away some anxiety symptoms and helped me sleep (a bit too much), but I feel down a lot because I feel like I lost my passion. I am slowly coming off of it and look forward to getting back to feeling like myself again. I empathize with people on this medication."

• sc ...
• November 8, 2015

Olanzapine "I've been taking Zyprexa for about 2 weeks now. Family says they can tell a big difference. Mornings are a little hard to get motivated, but I also take Ritalin for ADD, so that helps me get going. Falling asleep easily and staying asleep. No more racing thoughts or depression. My anxiety is more under control. It does give me cravings for food, but I have controlled it so far. I take 5 mg daily. So far, so good."

• Joh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 19, 2016

Olanzapine "Zyprexa was effective at sedating me, which prevented the psychotic aspects of my manic episodes from happening very quickly. Since I only had 2 manic episodes in the span of a year, I probably should've stopped taking Zyprexa around 6 months later. Unfortunately, I took it for 5 more years, which was a massive mistake. It caused me to be very drowsy and lethargic. Because I started taking it at age 19, I didn't realize that Zyprexa was the culprit until I stopped taking it. I thought I was just a sleepy person. It had a profoundly negative impact on my life because I took it way longer than I should have."

• duk...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 6, 2015

Olanzapine "I took Zyprexa for 14 years, and it stabilized my psychotic auditory hallucinations of my bipolar I disorder. I was able to function in normal social settings (church, friends, family, marriage and dating, even work) without having to deal with the voices I heard in my head when I was not on the medication. Unfortunately for me, the drug outlived its usefulness in my body's system, right at the 14-year mark. I say 'unfortunate' because I became so used to the drug's effectiveness that I thought it would last me for the rest of my life, but as I look back now, I'm happy to have had the time I did on Zyprexa. The side effects for me were minimal, and I am now stabilized on other meds. Zyprexa also worked well with Depakote."

• Anonymous
• October 12, 2011

Olanzapine "I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was fifteen years old. I have been on several other medications and stopped taking them when I was eighteen and did not take them for ten years. I developed substance issues with alcohol and drugs to try and self-medicate. I had a lot of personal and social problems. I was put on Zyprexa less than a week ago, and it has quite literally saved my life and my current marriage. I have not experienced any side effects. I take only 5 mg once a day in conjunction with lithium. WOW!"

• kry...
• September 25, 2013

Olanzapine "I have been on a 5 mg tablet for almost 2 years. I started off on one tablet a night, then cut my dose down to half a tablet, currently taking a 1/4 tablet during the day because I always miss my alarm if I take it at night. I oversleep way too much, always tired, brain feels foggy. I've gained 30 pounds, and it's getting harder to take it off. I'm always hungry and always thirsty. It helps with behaviors. I still flip out, but way less often."

• Tyl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2023

Olanzapine "I've been on Zyprexa for about three years now. It honestly saved my life. I'm no longer having delusional thoughts or manic episodes. Of course, you have to do your part by taking it when scheduled or else you won't get the full benefits. I gained some weight (healthy weight). I was unbelievably skinny and didn't realize it until this medicine put healthy weight on me. People take medication for all different reasons, so I don't see why taking a medication for your mental health is negative. You don't tell a diabetic to stop taking his insulin, do you? Treat your mental health now and you won't regret it."

• Kan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2024

Olanzapine "I would say this medication has given me my life back, but the reality is it has given me a life I have never had. Prior to starting this drug, all my relationships were failing, I was suicidal, and I was at the end of my rope. After only one 2.5 mg dose, I was a different person. I've only been on it a couple of weeks, but now I am happy, I'm not suicidal, and every relationship in my life has changed for the better. I hope I can take this drug forever."

• Gre...
• February 4, 2015

Olanzapine "I have been taking Zyprexa for 14 years. My new doctor took me off in October, and I was a mess in December. Now, in February, back on for a month, and I feel better. Doc is worried about long-term effects, she wants to try quitting again in 6 months. I don't know, but I'm stable on Zyprexa. I'm fine and a mess without it. I'm bipolar."

• fyo...
• July 17, 2016

Olanzapine "This medication has been very useful in reducing negative thinking. Most people take it at night. I find it more useful when I take it first thing in the morning. It works better if you avoid smoking. I've tried all different antipsychotics, Zyprexa is the only one that seems to work for me."

• Pan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2013

Olanzapine "This drug did its job. It stopped any mood swings for the most part, but the biggest downside was that I bloated up and slept heavily. I put on maybe 10-20 kgs whilst on this drug (I was on it for 2 years). Effective nonetheless."

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2014

Olanzapine "I would give Zyprexa a 10 rating except for the weight gain. I have bipolar 1 and have a lot more mania than depression. I have psychotic symptoms also and racing thoughts a lot. It did make me very tired the first couple of weeks, but then it worked perfectly except for the weight gain, so I am not on it anymore."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2016

Olanzapine "I have been on Zyprexa for 5 days so far. I have been taking 2.5 mg, and I think I need to up the dose now to 5 mg as it feels like it is wearing off. This medication is doing wonders for me, it is great! I can finally have 8 hours of undisturbed sleep. Prior to commencing this medication, I was suffering from severe symptoms of mania such as insomnia, loss of appetite, high energy levels, psychotic symptoms (hearing voices, derealization, making weird connections & magical experiences), making new plans, reckless spending & driving, new ideas, taking on too many tasks, and agitation. The medication has calmed all of these symptoms. Zyprexa is a godsend for me. The only side effect I have is low blood pressure from it."

• Kay...
• August 18, 2017

Olanzapine "I just got prescribed this medication. 10 mg to start. I'm taking it for my extremely high anxiety and bipolar depression. I have read a lot of reviews, so I will definitely stay away from carbs! Hoping this will give me my life back! I'll return in 5 days and give a review on how I'm feeling. Wish me luck! 8/18/17 New update on taking the Zyprexa. Today is day 8 on the Zyprexa and I have to say, I honestly feel like my old self again. I'm happy, my mood is stable, I'm sleeping great! I'm more active now than I've ever been since my 20s. So far I can honestly say this medication is working great for me. I'm actually excited about life again! Also, no weight gain so far and no increased cravings for food."