Does anyone have experience gaining muscle mass while on antipsychotics that have a high affinity for blocking histamine (such as olanzapine, ziprasidone, quetiapine, Vraylar, risperidone, Invega, clozapine, Asenapine)? I’m curious if ap’s that block histamine also hinder muscles growth. I see there is a study which shows that antihistamines like hydroxyzine can limit muscle gain. Though in the study there were two antihistamine used and at high doses.
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I’ve only been on asenapine 2 weeks, but I get in a good workout on it. I guess time will tell.
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I’ve only been exercising a few weeks but I feel stronger already. Don’t think Geodon or Hydroxyzine affects that for me. I can actually walk down stairs now.
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I’m on olanzapine and I’ve put on a lot of muscle and toning up for sure.
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Been working out on olanzapine. So far ok.
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i think i have at least average if not higher than average muscle mass for a woman and i’ve been on antipsychotics since I was 11 years old…i havent noticed any problem with muscles. as a teen i used to bike and was on antoipsychotics and u could see every muscle in my calves.
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You can search the forum also. There are (similar) threads on the topic. Like this one.
I have never tried to build muscle as I always went for the lean and slim look.
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I wonder if it is from lower testosterone (via increased prolactin) or histamine?
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What is your fitness level right now? You can still workout,lose fatand gain muscle on low test. Have you done a blood work recently?
I take walk every few days and am starting to lift weights. Idk but I feel like antipsychotics ruin everything.
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I guess I can build strength at least.
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Thats some bs really. Stick to a decent program and dietnfor 1 year (noob gains) and no one will recognize you. I’mstarting aswell and have been there a long time ago
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You really dont know the potential you have to change your physique into above average.
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Ever since i have been on antipsychotics my strength has dwindled. It doesnt come back even if i lift weights. My bones literally feel like theyll snap.
Has to be elevated prolactin for me i reckon. Explains the bone snap feeling.
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I’ve always imagined this scenario. Working out is like a fire. You wanna add fuel and sticks to it to make it grow with exercise.
An antipsychotic is like the fire department on route to put out that fire lol.
Some people night not view it like this, but for me antipsychotics and working out do not mix very well together
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I didn’t know antihistamines blocked muscle gain!
The argument that antipsychotics ruin everything isn’t a good line of reasoning. If anything schizophrenics probably get more benefits out of exercise and resistance training both in interms of starting point for physical health and then additional benefits for brain health. This same line of reasoning that I feel brought down by X and it’s holding me back is the wrong mentality. This is analogous to the conversation around genetics in bodybuilding. The real problem is focusing on the negatives instead of focusing on the benefits.
The reason I chose latuda was because having less metabolic effects would interfere with exercise prefomance. However I sort of realised that I don’t like force feeding myself food so I’m not sure I want to get huge really. It’s actually kind of gross as a lifestyle and I just struggled to volumes of food.
You can definitely still put on muscle on APs
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I got a nice increase in strength from Abilify, but I eventually had to stop taking it. Abilify made me too antsy.
Also, Latuda barely blocks histamine. I mean I guess you’re right though. If anything it’s a small effect on gains.
Yeah sorry for my response. I didn’t realize I had actually said “antipsychotics ruin everything”. Mind blip. I agree it’s not a good way to think.
I think that being a schizophrenic things can often be interpreted as persecutory. I.e. the life is out to get me. It also can make life seem adversarial. You then interact with the world in an adversarial manner. I think I do this a lot since my involuntary admissions, experience with the mental health system and psychosis caused me a lot of trauma and resultant that I can be reactive. So sorry if I come across in a negative way my view was intended to inform not to attack. Likewise, I am passionate about helping others if it not coming across the wrong way sometimes. An issue in understanding is as much a problem as is it in the orignal commuication.
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