weight gain and antipsychotics

krisssy · Dec 1, 2005

I suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. When I first suffered the trauma, I was given Zyprexa for very bad agitation. It really did help the agitation a lot, BUT I gained a tremendous amount of weight. I also experienced withdrawal that no one has ever heard of. I tried to go off it twice and both times experienced a sore throat, cough, bad weakness and exhaustion. Finally I found a psychiatrist who was able to get me off it by alternating days (like taking it one day and then not taking it the next day). I finally got off it by doing it very gradually in that fashion. I have lost some of the weight but have not been as thin as I was. I do have to say that I had lost a lot of weight from the trauma before taking it, so I was really underweight when I started it. It is so funny with that drug. It really helped me, but the weight gain and the withdrawal was not worth it. I would NEVER take it again. Has anyone ever heard of or seen my withdrawal symptoms? Krisssy

NPAlby · Dec 6, 2005

Just in case your looking for more Zyprexa stories:

Someone else mentioned they saw weight gain with teens and young adults, I worked on a geri-psych floor and it hits the elderly pretty hard too.

I had patients in their 60's, 70's with no hx of diabetes become insulin dependent. They did gain the weight but for them it was the diabetes that changed their lives. At 60+ they had to learn about fingersticks and insulin shots. As far as for their psych symptoms the Zyprexa did work and most stayed on it. Hope this help some!

BTW Don't be afraid to post any of your questions. I've been out of school less than 3years. It feels nice to be able to offer some help. Plus we all learn through sharing, that's what makes this forum so great. Good luck with your studies!

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2005

I guess I am kind of confused about the way a question is asked or posted on the board, and what others personal experiences have been when working in psych settings. I feel like you can look at all the info on the web that pharmaceutical companies WANT to give you, but I feel like having experience with certain drugs, as being a nurse is equally important.

We can have "book knowledge and ivory tower teaching," but when is real pscyh or other nursing experience not valuable?

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Dec 6, 2005

I guess I am kind of confused about the way a question is asked or posted on the board, and what others personal experiences have been when working in psych settings. I feel like you can look at all the info on the web that pharmaceutical companies WANT to give you, but I feel like having experience with certain drugs, as being a nurse is equally important.
We can have "book knowledge and ivory tower teaching," but when is real pscyh or other nursing experience not valuable?

Oh, I couldn't agree more and it is. The beautiful thing about having a board such as this IS that we can share our own experiences and observations...equally just as valuable and important...and you can't get that from a book/lecture. So in saying that, what's the confusion?

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2005

Thanks, Wolfie. It felt good to have support from someone, about anything. I am an older refresher nurse that just got chewed good by an experienced fulltime younger perceptor, who was unhappy with her workload and understaffing and took me as "free labor" and somehow expected that I, as a refresher, could perform the same as she. She really trashed me to my instructor, apparently because she felt her workload was unfair. Of course, I got no support from my instructor and my side was not considered. I felt like a scapegoat because of their staffing problems. There is a joke on the unit about the refreshers finishing up their clinicals and then "getting thrown to wolves."

I'm sorry. I guess I am "hijacking the thread." I didn't mean to. Just woke up so early because I was feeling so bad and wondering if I could go back to finish up my last 3 days. Anyway, thanks for listening.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Dec 6, 2005

Hope you have a better day today. No problem. Glad to have been there to listen.

rn in 3 years · Dec 6, 2005

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned but what about Amitriptyline? I have been on low dose anti-depressants for about 7 years now and have gained considerable weight over those years. Last year my Doctor switched me to 50 mg of Amitriptyline every night before bed because of my cronic insomnia. One of the side effects mentioned is a craving for sweets. It was nice to be able to sleep (although that is starting to wear off) but the last thing I needed is to crave more food. I have always been a big eater and the Doctor tested my metabolism and said it is actually on the high side. I really want to wean myself off and see if my weight starts to go down but know I will never get any sleep if I do.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2005

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned but what about Amitriptyline? I have been on low dose anti-depressants for about 7 years now and have gained considerable weight over those years. Last year my Doctor switched me to 50 mg of Amitriptyline every night before bed because of my cronic insomnia. One of the side effects mentioned is a craving for sweets. It was nice to be able to sleep (although that is starting to wear off) but the last thing I needed is to crave more food. I have always been a big eater and the Doctor tested my metabolism and said it is actually on the high side. I really want to wean myself off and see if my weight starts to go down but know I will never get any sleep if I do.

Again, antihistamine properties, especially in the older antidepressants. Discuss with your physician about medication that have less of those properties.

missunnybrook · Dec 18, 2005

Hi. I took Paxil for about 5 years and gained ALOT of weight. I just wanted to eat all the time. Paxil is very hard to wean off of but I finally did it. I am on Wellbutrin now and am fine eating only when I'm hungry ( Well, except for chocolate:rotfl: ). This past year Lexapro was added but it made me want to eat too. I weaned off of it. I really like Wellbutrin as it also helps me stay awake ( my internal clock wants to say on nights).

Welcome to allnurses. I am new too. Don't be discouraged, there are many helpful people here.:)

krisssy · Dec 18, 2005

Again, antihistamine properties, especially in the older antidepressants. Discuss with your physician about medication that have less of those properties.

Why is it that two people may take the same medication, and one gains weight from it, and one doesn't? Krisssy

LydiaNN · Dec 18, 2005

I know lots of children with autism who have been put on Risperdol and Seroquel and gained massive, and I do massive (in one case, www.nami.org) addresses this. Or do a search for schizophrenia support sites maybe? Another I can think of that might have info for you is www.braintalk.org Good luck.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

Why is it that two people may take the same medication, and one gains weight from it, and one doesn't? Krisssy

Quite often, one's own body chemistry/structure and tendency towards weight gain are other factors to consider. Genetics.