Zyprexa and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• elu...
• September 28, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I took this medication for 9 months before the voices in my head went away. I continued taking this medication for two years. I'm still not convinced that this medication had anything to do with the voices going away. I think if it were effective, the voices would have stopped sooner. I also always felt sedated and never had any motivation to do anything. I used to be the person who always read all of the recent news and was well-informed, but this medication turned me into a lazy and ill-informed person. I also used to run and do yoga often, but this medication made me have no motivation to do those things anymore. I gained 40 lbs on Zyprexa. I just started taking Latuda two weeks ago, and I have already lost 10 lbs and I feel like I have much more energy and motivation. The only issue is that now I have insomnia from Zyprexa withdrawal. I wish my doctors would have originally prescribed Latuda instead of Zyprexa so I wouldn't have had to deal with the withdrawal."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 19, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Zyprexa worked for me to some extent. My paranoid thoughts and anxiety almost completely went away, however, I had some negative side effects. One major negative side effect was weight gain. This caused me to feel very insecure about myself. I had very poor eating habits, and I would crave foods that I wouldn't normally crave, especially at nighttime. I'm not sure if this is common or uncommon, but while I was taking Zyprexa, I felt emotionally numb. I couldn't feel emotions like I did prior to taking the medication. My sleep was also regulated while taking this medication, but I would sleep for long hours and would have difficulty waking up in the morning. I don't take Zyprexa anymore. It did help with some of my side effects relating to my mental illness, which I am glad about, but I feel that it caused negative effects in other aspects. I think we need to weigh the pros and cons because most medications won't be 'perfect' without any side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2022

For Schizophrenia "I lost my soul on this… I was prescribed it for being underweight and having a first psychotic episode. This managed to get rid of the catatonia and delusions which I held for a pretty long time. I gained like my entire body weight on it (60 lbs), so I was twice as heavy. Olanzapine made the negative symptoms (anhedonia) much worse and absolutely shattered my confidence. I lost my intellect on this and became a shell of my former self. I completely stopped taking it and since will not touch any medicine besides Geodon and Prozac."

• Ger...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 9, 2025

For Schizophrenia "Greetings everyone, this medicine has brought me back to life. I used to give strangers the evil eye when walking down the street, now I don't. This medicine has allowed me to not go back to jail. Without it, I would be on drugs and homeless. It's not perfect, so my doctor has prescribed me Prozac to fight the depression. Thank you for reading."

• Anonymous
• March 26, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have a love-hate relationship with Zyprexa. I was initially put on it when I had a breakdown, it was the worst I ever felt mentally in my life. Before going on it, I hadn’t slept soundly for 10 years. Taking Zyprexa was a last-resort drug, and it worked great for getting me through that tough time. When I started to take it, I could finally get a good night's sleep, I can’t even explain how good that felt after going so long without it. I also feel like it saved my marriage. Now the downsides: I gained about 40 lbs since I’ve started taking it 12 years ago. It makes me feel hungry constantly and crave sweets. Another thing is I am so unmotivated, it’s so frustrating! Anytime I try to reduce it, I find I get irritable and not able to sleep, so then I go back up again. I definitely think this drug is not good for everyone, I would only recommend it as a last resort."

• Spi...
• October 14, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Diagnosis: Severe rapid cycling bipolar, heavy on mania. Zoloft is a very positive experience. Benefits: - No extreme highs, only small and easily controlled bouts of hypomania. - No staying up for days on end anymore, more restful sleep in general. - Increased appetite and slight weight gain, may be a con for some but I have no to low appetite and am clinically underweight. 3 lb total gain over 3 months. - Less irritability, less suicidal ideation, less call of the void. - No real low swings at all, either neutral or normal emotional response. - Decreased anxiety. - I still have emotions and interests unlike when on Lithium/Zoloft/Lexapro, on those, I would sit and just stare at my wall uncaring for 15+ hours a day and still had periods of mania intermixed. Cons: - Slight decrease in motivation/interest in hobbies like video games, but not severe. - Makes my RLS flare up, especially with any amount of alcohol in the mix. Easily combat this by waiting until I'm on the verge of sleep to take it."

• VC8...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 22, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "What an awful medication! I took olanzapine for 6 months, and I’ll give it credit that it completely got rid of mania, racing thoughts, and impulsivity. However, I became severely depressed, and I was also a walking zombie. I could stare at the wall or ceiling for hours and be okay with that. I also gained 50 pounds in 6 months. Finally got off olanzapine last winter and took Seroquel XR-also lost 40 pounds of the weight that I gained on Zyprexa. Stay away from this med-there are so many other options!"

• mus...
• August 26, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started off with 10 mg, 7 mg, and currently 5 mg. After refusing to take any medication because of prior complications and skepticism, I finally gave in and decided to give it a try as a last resort. I started with 10 mg Abilify, which made me very tired, sluggish, and depressed, so I switched to Zyprexa 10 mg. The tiredness went away, paranoia went away. There are a few side effects, however, like lack of motivation or anhedonia, and significant weight gain, but overall I'd say if you're struggling, give Zyprexa a try to balance out the depressiveness and lack of motivation, which is still an issue with taking antipsychotics. I also take antidepressants, Cymbalta."

• mus...
• August 26, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started off with 10 mg, 7 mg, and currently 5 mg. After refusing to take any medication because of prior complications and skepticism, I finally gave in and decided to give it a try as a last resort. I started with 10 mg Abilify, which made me very tired, sluggish, and depressed, so I switched to Zyprexa 10 mg. The tiredness went away, paranoia went away. There are a few side effects, however, like lack of motivation or anhedonia, and significant weight gain, but overall I'd say if you're struggling, give Zyprexa a try to balance out the depressiveness and lack of motivation, which is still an issue with taking antipsychotics. I also take antidepressants, Cymbalta."

• mus...
• August 26, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I started off with 10 mg, 7 mg, and currently 5 mg. After refusing to take any medication because of prior complications and skepticism, I finally gave in and decided to give it a try as a last resort. I started with 10 mg Abilify, which made me very tired, sluggish, and depressed, so I switched to Zyprexa 10 mg. The tiredness went away, paranoia went away. There are a few side effects, however, like lack of motivation or anhedonia, and significant weight gain, but overall I'd say if you're struggling, give Zyprexa a try to balance out the depressiveness and lack of motivation, which is still an issue with taking antipsychotics. I also take antidepressants, Cymbalta."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2021

For Depression "Do not take this medication unless you have a very specific need for it, namely, schizophrenia. I've struggled with severe depression, anxiety, and sleep issues for more than 8 years and was prescribed this because my psychiatrist had nothing left to try. While it did help my sleep and anxiety for about 4 months, it had diminishing returns to the point that it ended up making my sleep and anxiety worse, along with the depression. I'm 4 months off this drug and life is an utter nightmare. I can't completely blame this drug for my current state as I've been constantly going downhill for years, but this drug definitely overall made me feel worse. Beware if you have sleep issues, because this might help for a little while but will likely stop at some point and your brain will no longer be able to get into deep sleep on its own. I guess if you're suicidal, maybe then it's worth a go because what do you have to lose?"

• Anx...
• June 12, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Zyprexa for intrusive thoughts and depression. I have been on it for 14 months. Started weaning myself off of it a week ago. It caused me to develop akathisia, worsened depression and anxiety. My insomnia also became worse. I can already tell a difference in my weight gain (have lost 2 lbs since weaning). This and Zoloft are the worst medications I have ever taken. I need to be put back on Xanax, but I do not want rebound anxiety or withdrawals when I stop taking it, as it's only supposed to be taken short-term. Pharma needs to make a med with no side effects that will ease depression and take away anxiety. I think they are capable, they just don't want to lose the money they are making from us taking these awful drugs hoping they will help us."

• the...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I was hospitalized because of a brief psychotic episode following some traumatic events in my life, one of which was contracting Stage 3 Lyme disease. They put me on Zyprexa 5 mg. It worked for a few months, but the brain fog and lethargy were causing problems at work, so I decided to taper down to 2.5 mg and then stop. I really wish my doctor had told me not to go from 2.5 immediately to zero because the withdrawal has been an absolute nightmare. Scary dreams, non-stop anxiety, really jumpy, headaches, depression, and my brain fog has never been worse. I finally knuckled under and am taking 0.6 mg just to take the edge off. I don't want to discourage others seeking help, but stay away from Zyprexa!"

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

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."

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

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."

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

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

"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."

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

"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."