Thanks been prescribed a lower dose now, so hopefully won’t get any positive symptoms.
No it’s just that I’m only 8 weeks out of delusions.
That is very good advice. The problem is that my pdoc said there are no withdrawals with Zyprexa and no need to taper. Boy was he wrong. A perfect example on why you should always double check what your doctor says and not take there word as sacrosanct. Many reputable websites do say to taper your antipsychotic.
let your pdoc know it, for some tapering works but for some it worsens and then need more dose.
Cant tell the result so if your pdoc allow it then do.
Definitely will do, Hoping I’ll be okay.
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I have about 15 years experience on olanzapine. You can expect a significant difference in the dose reduction. Personally I am able to function ok on 7.5mg in a part time job. 10mg starts to make it difficult. I am currently on 5 mg, but I got a agreement with my doc that I can take between 3.75 and 7.5mg what I see fit. That’s beneficial if there are certain days I need to be more energetic, and also if there are days I feel I need extra sedation. On average I take 5mg though.
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How long did it take for you to reduce that far?
Have you ever come off of Olanzapine being on such a low dose?
How many episodes have you had?
I don’t quite remember when I made the reduction. Actually I think I made it after about 5 years, but that was because I didn’t have a opinion about dose at that time. I just did as the doctors told me, and I never had the discussion about lowering the dose. I think the AP’s made me so aphatetic that I didn’t care.
But I have made the reduction later. I have had mini relapses for unknown reasons and increased to 10mg, then stabilized and pretty quickly come back down to 5mg. I think I made a reduction back to 5mg after about 3-4 weeks or so.
I have had 3 major episodes where I was commited, but that all happened early days. I have not been hospitalized for 12 years or so. I have had some mini relapses, but managed them with being honest with myself and increasing my dose if I felt signs of relapse, this keeps me out of the hospital. Last few years have been pretty stable, so I am happy for that.
I did kind of try to get off the meds at a few occasions, but they resulted in relapses, or coming down to 2.5mg zyprexa and facing massive insomnia. I might try to go off again in the future, but I will need to be stable for at least 6 months before trying my doc told me. And also I will need a plan to deal with the inevitable insomnia that occurs.
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Thank you very much for your reply.
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Have now reduced to 7.5 mg from 10 mg and am feeling a lot better, have a lot more energy and more emotional feeling.
I hope there’s more improvements to come, but has been a week now so the excess Olanzapine is probably out of my system.
Looking forward to reducing to 5 mg Olanzapine as soon as I can.
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I’m on 7.5mg for the past 14 years. I tried to reduce to 5mg a few times but after a month or so it got a bit wobbly so went back up again. Been stable 7.5 for many years now so I don’t mess around with it. If you feel a little too good it could be a warning sign in my experience but I hope it works out for you.
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Will definitely take that on board. I’ve had two episodes of psychosis now and don’t want a third. Although definitely am willing to go lower and maybe even try to stop again at some point.
Will be happy to stay on a lower dose for a few years if it works out.
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Your doc pressing for medication because of your positive symptoms like previous suicide attempts He still thinks that you have some so worried about it.
How is suicide attempt a positive symptom?
Yes its one of the ultimate positive symptom.
Haven’t had any suicide attempts… had a six week psychotic episode that ended of April 12 when I came out of my delusions.
Don’t have any positive symptoms now.
Doctor was against the reduction as its so soon after the episode. I went ahead anyway and am feeling a lot better.
Which scientific literature says that it is a positive symptom?
Positive means added symptoms which normal people not consider doing.
From your talks i can infer you have some kind of positive symptoms.
Are you talking to me?