Olanzapine and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• Jil...
• March 9, 2021

For Anorexia Nervosa "I started taking olanzapine to aid my anxiety around eating. It has not, the drug makes me feel constantly sluggish and tired, yet I still cannot sleep. I yearn to feel well-rested in the morning, but instead I hardly get through the night, and I feel awful. Sleeping was not even much of an issue before I took this medication. For me, it has only made things worse. I'm on 7.5 mg."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been on this drug for about 3 weeks, and it has been extremely helpful. I am bipolar 2 with more depressive symptoms than mania. Ever since Covid lockdowns ended, I sank into a deep depression, combined with lots of anxiety - both at the same time. I woke up feeling like I was in a crypt, couldn’t get my mind off death, dying, loss, tombs, gravestones, ants crawling over the face of a friend of mine who died, etc. Tried Seroquel and had zero energy; tried Abilify, and it zapped my energy as well. I’m on Zyprexa now, with lithium and Zoloft, and I can honestly say I have never felt as well. I sleep wonderfully, wake up in a good frame of mind, and I feel calm. I don’t feel like a hunted animal anymore. Have a good psychologist for psychotherapy, which helps greatly."

• kee...
• May 10, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I was given olanzapine for something other than my borderline personality disorder, although I've not been told what. I'm on 10 mg, and I'm unsure whether it's the olanzapine alone, whether it's the venlafaxine I'm on, or whether it's the combination of the two. But when I fall asleep, I'm out cold. I don't turn over or move and can sleep for over a day if I don't set any alarms. But the bad thing is that when I wake up, I still feel tired and worn out."

• Bip...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2016

Olanzapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "Very effective medication if you can handle the side effects. I gained over 100 pounds from this medication. But the medication does work. That's why I am still on it. I now get a Zyprexa injection once a month (used to get it twice a month) and I take an oral tablet at night before bed. I take a Topamax pill now so I don't gain as much weight anymore. The other side effect is fatigue and lethargy, but it's worth the side effects to stay stable and out of the hospital."

• 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."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was only on the med for a few days when I knew it wasn't the one for me. I felt like I had cement in my veins, it was so hard to get out of bed, and once I was up, I was in such a fog. On top of being super fatigued, I was more agitated. I was afraid to reach out to my doctor, but I did, and I'm glad. Since switching, it's a complete 180° in my mood."

• 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."

• aut...
• May 16, 2017

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "No, nothing good, just constant fatigue and weight gain. It makes me sleepy as hell and makes me even more of a zombie."

• Ish...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2018

For Paranoid Disorder "This medication is somewhat helpful for paranoia. Just makes you feel really lazy and tired. Hungry too. I still have paranoid states here and there."