I talked to my doctor and he agreed that I can reduce my dose of olanzapine from 27.5mg. I’m reducing to help with side effects as well as negative symptoms (Avolition, alogia, emotionally flat) and cognitive symptoms. However, I’m concerned I might relapse. I had my second break two years ago (due to trying weaker meds). Would say it was a mild break.
Soo how low do you guys think I should go? Is there benefit to reducing more slowly? Or, should I wait til I’m further along in recovery? Any advice is welcome. Thanks.
Most psych meds come down slowly. It’s called titrating and your looking for best function over least side effects. It can be a delicate balance and it depends on your symptom set and your history.
I’ve been ultra aggressive with med changes. Sometimes they’ve worked and other times it’s been an abject failure and I not only wasted time but it became problematic getting back no certain meds…still. I would still give it a try…best function over side effects but do it slowly…very slowly is good.
I was surprised when my pdoc reduced my zyprexa to 5 mg. I have worked out my problems since I tried it last which did not work out at all. Being sleepy and hungry gets tiring over several decades. Zyprexa is not addictive like a benzo.
I tried 5 mg zyprexa in 1997 and I felt real bad and had to go up to 20 mg. I’m hoping after all these years, working out my problems I can handle it this time.
I’m doing 6,25mg olanzapine at the moment. Highest I’ve been is 20mg.
I have the impression that most people can come down to at least 15mg without relapsing from hearing stories on here. But you have to find what works for you.
The dose you take is very high for this med so I would try to come down too.