I have taken zyprexa for 8 years. I recently am prescribed half zyprexa during the day and rest at bedtime. The problem is it makes me hungry at a certain time and I snack.
If I don’t take the daytime zyprexa I get psychotic and paranoid and anxious and I need Xanax and Haldol prescribed for as necessary.
I’m worried about weight gain but in the 8 years or so I’ve been taking it I’ve probably lost weight. Should I be worried and should I take it daytime?
I don’t know anything about zyprexa but if you’ve been told by a psychiatrist to take ½ during the day I’d do it.
See how much weight you gain, if any, in a few months and tell your psychiatrist about it.
Seems like a good deal though, if it keeps anxiety and paranoia at bay and you don’t need to take extra xanax and haldol.
If it helps you, I would take it. Unless you think the other things work better.
I’ve taken it for years and years and have always taken it at 7pm. I’m only on 10mg now but used to take 20mg. Obviously do what’s best for you.
I had such explosive weight gain on Zyprexa that I had to go off of it. There is no point in being psychosis free if the med causes you to die of complications from obesity. I honestly feel that this drug should be pulled from the market and its makers imprisoned for life. I am sure it has killed people.
This may be true, but I couldn’t leave my house for 10 years until I started 20 mg of zyprexa along with risperidone. I’m now able to work an easy job part time. It’s not easy for me personally, and I find dealing with paranoia at work challenging, but I’m still able to do it.
It may be making me fat, but I’m functioning. I’ve tried almost everything except what I can’t afford, which is the newer meds.
I’m afraid to ever go off this combo
Have you tried CBT? I function much better and I’m a couple hundred pounds lighter.
@shutterbug I’m in an intensive therapy program for a year. It involves weekly individual therapy, weekly group therapy, and 24/7 phone coaching. I don’t use the phone coaching, but I do the therapy and homework
No way should they ban it! Only AP that’s worked for me. Admittedly weight gain can be problematic. The upside like guaranteed sleep and improved MH make it worth it. 
This is fantastic, kudos to you.
Excellent, now we fight to the death!
(The loser has to take Zyprexa. Oh, wait…)
[runs for cover]
@everhopeful Thanks for the good advice. I have decided to take it like my psych says to.
I have not gained weight in 8 years I don’t think I will now especially if I’m careful going forward.
@shutterbug I am sorry for your bad experience with zyprexa! I guess a med that is lifesaving to one person might have very negative side effects for another person unfortunately.
I have to agree with the other people that I would not be here today without zyprexa. I would be dead. I hope it’s never banned.
We all have varying issues in schizophrenia. I am glad you found what works for you! CBT can work wonders! Awesome stuff!
Thanks for sharing your story. I had similar success with zyprexa. I got so ill. I was wandering the streets in the middle of the night alone talking to voices and I eventually was involuntarily committed.
This was dangerous obviously. I could have gotten hurt or hit by a car or attacked or even worse. Who knows.
Well I kept getting in the hospital until zyprexa. Now I am married and although I can not work, I maintain our home and have a few friends and have family time.
I agree. @Yellowapple I’m glad you have improved sleep and your mental health is better. That’s good to hear.
I’m very happy for you 
Thanks so much! Appreciate it! I am so happy for you too. Good to hear good outcomes. @LoveHiking
Yeah I do sleep really well on Olanzapine and it reduces my paranoia & delusions. The weight gain does suck though. It also raises your cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart issues.
I can’t sleep without it so i’ll probably be on Zyprexa for the rest of my life. Been exercising everyday to try to lower the chances of heart issues.
Yeah. My cardiologist phoned my psychiatrist and told him to find something else or he would be reporting professional misconduct. It was that bad.
if you havent gained weight after 8 years you probably wont. i gained 20 lbs a month for 6 months when i started olanzapine
That’s a lot. Good for you.