heffalump
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2006 : 14:07:24
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Hello everyone.
I was put on Olanzapine as a teenager at about 14 and gained a huge amount of weight (I went from 9st and 18% fat to over 14st and goodness knows what!.) Due to the effects, I had weeks where I would eat nothing and drink only tea and water and still put on a steady 2lbs. Sadly it did nothing for me but lower my self esteem, as it turned out all I had been in need of was a little counselling and a change of school, however my father was very adamant that he suffered mental health problems and I must have the same ones as he did. Never mind, not exactly what I wanted to do with my teenage years, but all I can do now is sort out the last of the pieces to be picked up...
Now, as a woman in her 20's trying to get myself back in shape, I'm having huge amounts of trouble doing this. I'm hoping its just the difference in my age, but worried that perhaps the medication has had some sort of long term effect on my metabolism. My body keeps reacting as though I'm on a yo-yo diet even when I've been eating healthily and exercising. I'm now a busy businesswoman and sadly can't exercise 20 hours a week or live on steamed fish and vegetables and am really hoping its a natural slowing...
Has anyone here found the same problem years after stopping the medication?
Thanks!  |
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Chunkybeefsoup
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
   
2353 Posts Gratitude: 412
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Posted - 09/12/2006 : 15:29:13
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Hi there, I was on Olanzapine for around 5 years. Eventually, I got so obese that my pdoc took me off it. During that time, I was bulimic and that's why my pdoc switched me to Fluanxol. I lost 60 lbs in 2 months and looked really great. However, on vacation, I overdosed and found out that I had bipolar and not schizophrenia. Now, I'm on both a mood stabilizer and antipsychotic plus prozac and ativan. I've been on this combination for a good 2 years and I've made significant progress. My mind has never felt better. I'm still a little chubby, but definitely not like before! My pdoc said that if I didn't get off the olanzapine, I'd get diabetes and some other bad stuff. I really do think that olanzapine is great for the mind, but awful for the body. I do believe that no one should be on this drug. Please take this into consideration. Take care, Cindy |
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greek116
Full Member (100+ posts)
 
162 Posts Gratitude: 11
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Posted - 12/27/2006 : 16:47:11
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You can do it if you realy try, How longit stays on you depends on how long you decide for it to stay. Try eating less calories and moving your body more. Try Curves, go to the YMCA, keep busy! Good luck and feel free to vent and inform us on how you're doing. :) I know you can do it! |
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