Milk & Schizophrenia

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I have noticed that quite a few patients with schizophrenia drink a lot of milk and/or consume a lot of dairy based products. Has any one else found this?

I have looked online and through my universities data base however can't find any reason why this would be.

For some of our patients with chronic schizophrenia, we've even had to ration milk as they have historically consumed huge amounts to the detriment of their health.

I would really appreciate any comments if you have seen this in your work and perhaps any reasons behind it.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU, Emergency, Psych, Art Therapy.

@winterlilac I've read some articles actually correlating milk consumption to the onset of schizophrenia and autism, and a lot of articles suggesting a wheat and dairy free diet for schizophrenic patients... Do you think the milk craving could be related to their meds?

Milk is high in sugar (lactose), so perhaps that's what they're craving?

Diet And Schizophrenia: More Important Link Than You Think | Therapy Soup

I also found this, which is interesting: http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1980/pdf/1980-v09n04-p263.pdf

The NIH did a study about schizophrenia and food cravings, but I can't seem to find the results... Effects of Antipsychotics on Eating and Food Craving in People With Schizophrenia - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I found that schizophrenic patients ate and drank huge amounts of everything when hospitalized. I thought it was related to the availability of food in the hospital when it might not be so available at home--the illness might inhibit shopping, driving, either efficiently, or totally.

There's also the need of some for large amounts of fluid, almost (or completely) to the point of hypervolemia. I remember several times when we had to turn off water sources, and watch trays carefully.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

Thank you for your reply and links to the articles. They were extremely interesting and I'll be forwarding the links on to my colleagues. Some of the medications have huge side effects including insatiable hunger/thirst and constant lethargy which in turn contributes to huge weight gain. No wonder some people stop taking their meds. We are focussing on metabolic monitoring a lot more closely than we had been.

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Just a thought- as you probably know, antipsychotics increase appetite in patients. Ive even heard that Olanzapine makes food taste better. Maybe this is the reason, also combined with having food (of course milk) readily available.

Edit - oops! Didn't see your last post :)

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I can attest to antipsychotics and increased hunger. When I first started Seroquel, I was so hungry to the point where I would eat so much that I felt like I was going to vomit yet I was still hungry. My BMI went from 21 to 30+

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Specializes in ICU, PCU, Trauma.

I wonder if the "off label" use of antipsychotics has been studied for the purposes of eating disorders such as anorexia or cancer related caxchexia?

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

That's a really interesting point Kauaidreamer. I have found an article about the use of mirtazipine and Olanzipine use in chemotherapy to decrease nausea. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/R_Kast/publication/6250756_Cancer_chemotherapy_and_cachexia_Mirtazapine_and_olanzapine_are_5-HT3_antagonists_with_good_antinausea_effects_Research_in_brief/links/546909830cf2f5eb1804ead1.pdf

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I heard of high latic acid build up in Schizophrenic patients

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I wonder if the "off label" use of antipsychotics has been studied for the purposes of eating disorders such as anorexia or cancer related caxchexia?

Interesting thought. My husband has stage IV pancreatic CA w/ liver and bone mets, and has had a lot of nausea and vomiting. His hospice nurse recommended using Haldol BID to help with that, and by gosh, it works! Who knew? It also seems to have boosted his appetite and stopped his weight loss. Of course, one shouldn't be on APs forever, but in cases like my hubby's it doesn't much matter.

I know the drugs do increase appetite. I've been on Zyprexa and Geodon for years. I actually lost weight on Geodon, but gained most of it back when I went on Vitamin Z and have been unable to lose any of it. Everything looks and tastes so good! And I definitely crave carbohydrates...lots and lots of them. So yes, I'd say APs have their off-label uses that ought to be studied more.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Just a thought- as you probably know, antipsychotics increase appetite in patients. Ive even heard that Olanzapine makes food taste better. Maybe this is the reason, also combined with having food (of course milk) readily available.

I concur.

I have been on Olanzipine for two years, and I gained forty pounds from being on it for my PTSD...even being on a low dose-2.5 mg made me hungry-I was eating in the middle of the night.

I have since tapered off the medication as of November , and have lost 16 pounds-still more to go!

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

We currently have a client who is chronically delusional - believes he fought in all the wars, double amputee (but they grew back), has lots of blood loss etc which is why he needs to eat constantly. He has an insatiable appetite and weighs around 160kg (352lbs). We are finding it extremely difficult to assist him to maintain adequate health. A medication review is on the chart.

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