Olanzapine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa helped a lot with preventing mania for me, as well as chronic psychosis. What didn't work was the 50 lbs of weight gain, sedation in the mornings making me late to work constantly, and the super flat affect and lack of personality. Didn't work well for me, but it might for someone else!"

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "This drug is the worst! Please, if your doctor has prescribed this drug, try to find something else with the doctor’s assistance. I got on olanzapine, and within two weeks, I felt like a zombie and could barely keep my eyes awake to drive my children to school (none of the coffee or energy drinks I downed all day worked). I started craving sweets and carbs like a fiend. I couldn’t not eat them. I am typically a balanced and disciplined eater. Within six weeks, I gained 10 lbs. I told my doctor I had to get off this drug. I was on a small dose and tapered off quickly. I immediately began waking up with such extreme panic I thought I could die. It was one of the worst feelings I have ever had physically. The only way to “survive” this was to take another drug that knocked me out and sleep through the panic till the afternoon. Not only that, my depression came back with a fury. And my fatigue was so intense most days I got back in bed to sleep for hours. This all lasted 2-3 months."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2022

For Depression "I’ve been on 2.5 mg for about 6 weeks, my insomnia is getting worse, and I feel a sense of being lost quite often. My psychiatrist wanted to take the dosage up, and I asked her not to. Think I’m going to make my own decision to get off this drug. I had hoped it would help with my depression, and it did for a few weeks, so I feel it’s had its ups and downs with me. I don’t recommend this drug, I’d rather deal with the insomnia I already had than deal with the worsening insomnia this drug has caused. Also, I’d rather deal with the depression than feeling lost all the time. I can’t speak for anyone else, however, I do advise using extreme caution when taking this drug. I choose to take myself off it, trust your own mind and body. When it doesn’t seem right, make the change you need to. I wish you all the best of luck as I know everyone is different when it comes to the side effects."

• Hji...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2021

For Insomnia "I have been on this drug, olanzapine, for a year now, and so far, I love it. I used to hear voices and could hardly sleep at night, but this drug, olanzapine, together with amitriptyline, has made my life better. My only issue is the weight gain, and I'm afraid of getting diabetes due to prolonged intake of olanzapine. I don't know how to get off this drug (even though it seems to work okay with me). It somehow causes a little bit of depression, even though it's an antidepressant itself. Good luck to everyone reading this."

• Ala...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2020

For Schizophrenia "This drug, olanzapine, cured my delusions that I couldn't stand every day since I was mentally unstable. I was feeling guilty all the time for no good reason, it was weird to describe. I wasn't schizophrenic at all, but playing with meds like Lexapro, changing quantities constantly day after day was a really, really terrible mistake. After that, I fell into a guilt trip for something I did in the past that caused me to go crazy, it's like PTSD but so much worse. My heart was about to explode. It's like demons tell me just finish yourself, you're not a good person at all for doing this and that. After days of torture and delusions, I got on olanzapine. It made me calm, no intrusive thoughts anymore, no guilt anymore, but the downside effects of it: completely numb, no emotions at all, all my senses are decreased to some degree, no motivation, waking up confused and sad. I will give it a 7... sorry if my English is bad."

• Ala...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2020

For Schizophrenia "This drug, olanzapine, cured my delusions that I couldn't stand every day since I was mentally unstable. I was feeling guilty all the time for no good reason, it was weird to describe. I wasn't schizophrenic at all, but playing with meds like Lexapro, changing quantities constantly day after day was a really, really terrible mistake. After that, I fell into a guilt trip for something I did in the past that caused me to go crazy, it's like PTSD but so much worse. My heart was about to explode. It's like demons tell me just finish yourself, you're not a good person at all for doing this and that. After days of torture and delusions, I got on olanzapine. It made me calm, no intrusive thoughts anymore, no guilt anymore, but the downside effects of it: completely numb, no emotions at all, all my senses are decreased to some degree, no motivation, waking up confused and sad. I will give it a 7... sorry if my English is bad."

• Joc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2021

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I was on Zyprexa for around 6 months, and when it did keep my psychosis at bay, I felt dull and unenergetic. I slept for 14 hours a day, and I didn't feel like doing anything. When I got out of the hospital, I was on 20 mgs of Zyprexa. On the process of going down to 5 mgs, I gained around 50 pounds. I'm now on Latuda 40 mgs in hopes of being more energetic and to lose the weight I have gained."

• sev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2021

For Depression "I had a brain injury before going on olanzapine. Unfortunately, taking olanzapine made my brain injury worse. I have a degree in engineering, and now I can't do simple things that I used to do. I tried getting off the medication, and it only made things worse. Every night I have terrible nightmares, and every day I feel like I have no confidence anymore. I also no longer feel any pleasure in any activity. I wish I never took this drug."

• Lis...
• March 9, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I am currently on Zyprexa, it's a miracle since it took the voices and hallucinations away. Life is good in that sense, but it's given me acne, and I am gaining weight, like a lot. I also have no emotions, not happy, sad, or any at all. I am a zombie these days, but no other drug has taken the voices away, so I think I will stay on it for a while."

• Sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Olanzapine is good medicine for the voices and hallucinations, but truly thinking of having too high a dose because of the major side effects. The most significant is tiredness and lack of motivation, plus the medicine's capability to retain body fluids, which causes me some extra kilos. I am trying soon to lower my dose if it is fine with my doctor. I don't care if I hear minor voices, meaning getting back normal emotions is more important."

• spi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2021

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I am not schizophrenic, but I do deal with psychosis due to BPD. This drug really helped with my psychosis, but it made me really depressed. I’m crying every day. I tried to switch to another medication, and the withdrawal was so bad that I had to go back. I’m hoping I can switch it to something like Abilify."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Please don't use this medication, this is giving horrible side effects. Instead of solving one problem, we landed in so many problems. I used it for only 10 days. Side effects are more depression, suicidal thoughts on an hourly basis, the main one is akathisia, cannot sit in one place, no motivation to think or pay attention to normal activities. Everyone's system is different. Please, very clearly, stay away from this medication."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Please don't use this medication, this is giving horrible side effects. Instead of solving one problem, we landed in so many problems. I used it for only 10 days. Side effects are more depression, suicidal thoughts on an hourly basis, the main one is akathisia, cannot sit in one place, no motivation to think or pay attention to normal activities. Everyone's system is different. Please, very clearly, stay away from this medication."

• Spi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2021

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "Not bipolar, I have BPD with psychotic symptoms. 10 mg of this gave me horrible depression for a good two months, but my horrible voices in my head are so much better, and my anxiety is a lot more manageable. If Seroquel/Abilify haven't worked for you, I'd give this a try, please just push through the depression."

• cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2022

Olanzapine "I was on 0.5 mg for over 2 years after a Borderline Personality Disorder episode that landed me in a hospital, where I was prescribed this. It helped me a lot, chilled out my severe mood swings, and finally helped me stop freaking out over anything. Zyprexa probably saved my life, but it was not 100% good. While it zapped excess emotion that made life difficult, it destroyed my ability to feel emotion at full capacity. I don’t consider this a total con, as it’s preferable to the way I used to live, but it is undeniable. So was the weight gain. I gained around 30-40 lbs during my time on Zyprexa and felt extremely self-conscious and depressed due to it. I also became very lazy, sleepy, zombie-like, and so emotionless I was reckless/careless. After 2 months of being off, the weight has been lost. I still don’t feel to the same extent, especially negative emotion, but positive emotion is coming back. The side effects are real and lasting, but it might be a chance worth taking."

• h8n...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2024

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Wasn't too bad tbh as I didn't have terrible side effects, it just didn't do anything. The first day I took it (10mg), I crawled my way up the stairs, passing out multiple times. I then slept for 2 days, and then after that, it never hit like that again. Increased to 15mg for over a year. I was extremely depressed and suicidal on it, though (more than my usual extreme amount). It did absolutely nothing in regards to being an antipsychotic. Had no difference in mood stabilizing or reducing any part of my schizophrenia. I would recommend it still to others as it is actually really good for most people and one of the only ones I trust."

• Hea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Was prescribed this medication for bipolar. It caused a serious amount of weight gain! I was CONSTANTLY hungry. So hungry, it was almost painful! Gained 42 lbs. I had to get off of it! When I got off, withdrawals were TERRIBLE! I began to feel mildly paranoid and experienced really severe insomnia! Had to take sleeping pills every night!!! Well, a couple months later, I'm STILL suffering. The insomnia is going away, but I am extremely paranoid! I constantly think people are out to get me, everyone hates me, everyone is talking about me!!! I've never had paranoia THIS BAD!!! I also struggle immensely with depression and anger! When I first got off of it, I felt CRAZY!!! PLEASE, DO NOT take this med. You might feel okay for the time you are on it, but withdrawal, even when done correctly, WILL make you LOSE YOUR MIND!!! I have taken almost every med out there, I'm nearly out of options, but never before have I taken a med with withdrawal effects this bad."

• R S...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Taking 5 mg olanz on top of 1000 mg Epilim and tapering down from 200 mg to 75/100 mg at night for bipolar. Slowly starting to sleep better without the Epilim, but yet to see much improvement with feeling depressed or being able to get out of bed early in the mornings. Been 2 months approx."

• Blo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "After having 2 bad manic episodes that landed me in the hospital for 6 days, I was diagnosed as bipolar. I started Zyprexa after being up for 3 days without sleep. I have a good sleep schedule but am still drowsy in the day and have bloodshot eyes. I gained 15 pounds, having always been underweight. I also get depressed later in the day every day, so I am hoping to try something else."

• Wil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 9, 2022

Olanzapine "This drug stole four years of my life. A 'primary care' doctor prescribed this for 'sleep.' It stated that on my medical chart and on the pill bottle. I have had multiple back surgeries. I have three artificial discs in my back. I have fibromyalgia/arthritis, etc., etc. I have taken every medicine known to man for pain/depression/anxiety. I have many health issues, and I am disabled. I have not suffered from depression for over a decade. My enemy is pain and anxiety from my ongoing affair with the medical community. I have a touch of CPTSD. This drug made me withdrawn, anti-social, reclusive, uninterested in life. During the third year of taking it, I had the absolute worst nightmares of my life. The dreams were intense, and I would wake up in a cold sweat, shaking. I won't go into the other things it wrecked. I backed off of it slowly, and things went south, so I dosed back up. I tried it again and was successful. If it works for some, fine, but not for me, tyvm."

• Flu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "This helped me sleep, but I remain tired nearly all day. Getting out of bed in the morning is especially hard. I gained 15 lbs in less than a month! So hungry all the time, I cook and eat all the things. All of them. It doesn't even completely get rid of audio hallucinations, though, so the side effects aren't worth it for me. I can only hope the voices are getting fat too, you know? In a nutshell, this drug made me sleepy, ravenously hungry at all times, and my emotions are almost nonexistent, which feels really strange. Not an awful med for me, but certainly not good."

• Iha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I was sectioned in the hospital about 3 months ago and was forced to take this drug at 15 mg each night. It causes depression, anxiety, massive weight gain of 50 lbs within 1.5 months, it makes you diabetic, eradicates your sleep quality so you never feel rested, and feels like you’re on MDMA. The side effects of withdrawal have been feeling low (suicidal), complete insomnia, and I can’t sleep at all and sleep all day and never feel rested, and brain damage that God knows how long will take to heal. I really don't like this drug with my whole soul and being, it just shrinks your cortex so you can’t think about anything, let alone depression or mania - you’re just dumb!"

• Pau...
• November 27, 2017

For Insomnia "Causes brain shrinkage in studies. Made me lose motivation. Made me fat. Blurs vision. Uncoordinated and your hands shake. Lose memory, and cannot talk properly."

• ero...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2014

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Olanzapine significantly cleared my head. I am plus 10 kg. I am not sure if the pills are the cause, but I feel no emotions. Very hard to find motivation to do something when nothing is enjoyable."

• ero...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2014

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Olanzapine significantly cleared my head. I am plus 10 kg. I am not sure if the pills are the cause, but I feel no emotions. Very hard to find motivation to do something when nothing is enjoyable."