weight gain

[Guest guest]

Hello all:

I am currently on 5 mg. zyprexa, which is an anti psychotic drug. One of it's

side effects is sleep and I am on it for that reason, as all other sleep

medications have failed miserably for me. My biggest concern is that the other

side effect is severe weight gain. I have put on over 75 lbs in a six month

period. Do any of you have any suggestions for me, I am not used to being this

heavy. My other problem is also a loss of appetite, I have to force myself to

eat at least one meal per day. I tank you in advance for any help!!

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

You may want to check your blood sugar; zyprexa causes insulin resistance

and eventually diabetes, which is why you are gaining weight. My daughter

gained 40 lbs. on that med. She was taking it for bipolar disorder and we

were so relieved that she was no longer trying to kill herself that we left

her on it. Then, losing the weight was very hard and she has had problems

with her weight since. That said, I would not want her to go back on it. At

the time, it was better than the alternative. Have you tried valerian root

for sleep? It seems to work fairly well for some insomnia. Insomnia is very

hard to deal with once it becomes a habit. I have also had problems with it

for years. Weird thing is, once my arthritis went into remission so I wasn't

in pain and I had a stent put in my heart (I don't know the connection, but

they seem to have happened around the same time), then some of the insomnia

went away. Also, are you of the age that you could be going through

perimenopause or menopause? That causes night sweats and problems sleeping.

If so, then maybe if you treat that, the other will improve. You may want to

get the rest of your health checked out. Sleep problems don't usually occur

in isolation.

Darla

 

On 8/29/05, Bonniect <bonniect wrote:

> I am currently on 5 mg. zyprexa, which is an anti psychotic drug. One of

> it's side effects is sleep and I am on it for that reason, as all other

> sleep medications have failed miserably for me. My biggest concern is that

> the other side effect is severe weight gain. I have put on over 75 lbs in a

> six month period.

[Guest guest]

Darla:

Thanks for your response.

I have had the blood testing done quite frequently since I have been on the

zyprexa and so far so good. I am 56 years old and still on premarin for my

menopause. I thought when I started taking it some 14 years a go it would be

the end of my insomnia, but no such luck. I think you are right about it

becoming a habit though, as I do aniticipate it happening. It has worsend over

the years to the point that I can't sleep for days. I hate being this heavy,

you have to relearn so many things. I would kill just to be able to cross my

legs again, or tie my shoe without feeling as if someone is strangling me!! So

now your daughter is no longer on the drug?? What is she taking in place of it,

and how is her weight now?? I sleep like a baby now and I don't want to give up

that good feeling. I think if I can go to the gym and start eating correctly I

should at least get rid of some inches, and maybe redistribute the weight, it is

all in my stomach. Thank you so much for the advice, and I wish you the best

with your daughter.

Bonnie

-

Darla Wells

ayurveda

You may want to check your blood sugar; zyprexa causes insulin resistance

and eventually diabetes, which is why you are gaining weight. My daughter

gained 40 lbs. on that med.

[Guest guest]

Hello--- I also am on zyprexa and it does really put

you to sleep!!! Have you ever tried to get off

zyprexa?--I did and had horrible sleepless nights and

other major problems. Zyprexa is horribly addictive

and I think that if I could I would try and live

without it. One thing I did notice when I went off

zyprexa is that I had a bunch of food allergies. When

I eat milk, gluten, egg free I feel much better but I

still continue to take zyprexa but on a lower dose.

Some things that put me to sleep when off was

SuperGreens and Enzymes along with a amino acid

homeopathic product. i have also heard that melatonin,

st. johns wart, and the amino acids 5-HTP and

ornathene work great also. I hope that helps you.

Sincerly,

Katie Carr

 

--- Darla Wells <lethe9 wrote:

 

> Bonnie,

> You may want to check your blood sugar; zyprexa

> causes insulin resistance

> and eventually diabetes, which is why you are

> gaining weight.