Posted by kotsunega on January 8, 2007, at 7:04:55
I have been hunting all over the web for something that would substantiate what we all seem to know first hand - since discovering that I am not alone in my trials and tribulations at discontinuing the use of evil Zyprexa.
I found the following on a blog site, but it's as close as I can come to anything that lends any credence to what we have experienced in varying degrees while trying to stop taking this drug.
I am presently down to 2.5 mg of Zyprexa, and have gone without sleep for the past 25 hours. In the past 48 hours, I've had 3 hours of sleep total. I figure I will HAVE to sleep sooner or later, but I'm thinking seriously of petitioning my pdoc to give me some Xanax just to take the edge off this nasty process.
Tell me this isn't a serious drug-related problem? I'll let you meet some people I know, and by the way, I don't understand why more pdocs aren't aware of this Zyprexa withdrawal/rebound problem, and actively asking Eli Lilly for some answers. I've tried to quit the stuff 4 times now, and have tried various prescription sleep remedies; none of which helped.
What I found online addressing the "possibility" of Zyprexa withdrawal issues:
"Zyprexa withdrawal symptoms are abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the abrupt discontinuation of a drug that has the capability of producing physical dependence. What are symptoms of Zyprexa withdrawal? Common Zyprexa withdrawal symptoms include difficulty sleeping. They could also include sweating, tremor, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain. There are only a few medications that are used for the treatment of mental health that produce dependence - therefore only a few of those medicines cause actual withdrawal symptoms. For some people it is very difficult to differentiate between withdrawal symptoms that are chemical and the psychological fear of what happens when you decide to stop taking something that you feel has helped you for so long. Although Zyprexa does not appear to have any withdrawal symptoms, one effect of stopping Zyprexa too quickly may be the reappearance of previous symptoms that lead to the use of Zyprexa in the first place and sometimes these symptoms develop very quickly. In one study regarding anti-psychotic medication, stopping the medication all together or even gradually reducing the medication may provoke withdrawal symptoms. Although there are no major Zyprexa withdrawal symptoms this does not mean that withdrawal symptoms cannot occur. If you have recently stopped taking Zyprexa and you are experiencing any withdrawal symptoms such as: poor appetite, sleep disturbances, or any new behavioral symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately."
Here's the URL: http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:o3jlUusdrJsJ:www.monheit.com/zyprexa/blog/rss.xml+zyprexa+withdrawal+symptoms&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7
poster:kotsunega
thread:720372
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20061224/msgs/720372.html