I have used Zyprexa for almost 5 years now(only stopped for 2 months for Seroquel). I use it for my appetite/eating disorder. It was originally prescribed for anxiety but that was laughable as it never did **** all for anxiety, even at 20mg. I am currently on 10mg.
I have tremors in my hands and some body tics that don't go away but other than that I think I'm good.
Anyone else take anti-psychotics long term whether they be atypical or not? If so what long term effects has it had on you?
I was on Abilify for over a year along with an SNRI and Dexedrine, and stopped it for excessive weight gain, some of the tics you describe, and excessive flatulence. Went off it more because of the latter, but really craved the lost dopamine benefits from the atypical antipsychotic meds. Finally convince my shrink to give Geodon a try as it's more weight-neutral than the others, and even though it was a royal pain in the butt to take as it has to be taken with a meal, it was effective at restoring that dopamine boost I needed. Then I developed very painful and involuntary muscle contractions/cramps in my lower legs after several months of the Geodon, so we stopped it too. I really didn't gain weight on the Geodon.
The most serious potential long-term risk of these meds is the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus as a result, so hopefully your doc is periodically recording your waist measurement and following fasting blood sugar levels on you at least once or twice a year. I was willing to chance this because I feel I need the dopamine to function well in life, but the motor side effects were too much to deal with.
Just started Nardil two days ago as an alternative means of acquiring my dopamine fix - am educating myself about MAOIs and thus found this online forum.
Ever tried Mirtazapine dr house? That increased my appetite like crazy, and doesn't carry the movement disorder risks that antipsychotics do.
Cyproheptadine also purportedly increases appetite.
Took risperdal back when i was a teen to get rid of Tourettes, and it did. Combo that with Wellbutrin for ADHD. Risperdal made me really fatigue though, and got rid of my Tourettes forever.
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