Zyprexa - weight gain

[Stephen]

Hi,

I have been taking zyprexa since September 2007, mostly 5mg per day (sometimes 10mg) and have gained around 15 pounds in weight.

If I come off the zyprexa, will the weight come off? and how quickly will I lose the weight that I put on with the drug.

The weight gain happened in the first 10 weeks of taking the drug....nothing since then.

I dont eat anymore than I did before, so has it slowed my metabolism?....if so will it go back to normal after stopping the drug?

Thanks

[Stephen]

Anyone?

[mitzi-cincinnati]

Yes, my weight went down after several months of being off of zyprexa, but the other damage was so devastating, I would gladly take the weight gain if that was all to it.

[sherryd]

Stephen wrote:

Anyone?

Stephen, none of us on this forum are doctors, that we know of, so all I can do is speak from experience. I gained a whole six lbs while taking zyprexa and had to work to get it off like any other weight gain. I don't know about the metabolism thing, but if it is, it most likely will return to normal once zyprexa is stopped. The side effects I had from zyprexa went away once I stopped taking it. Except for the diabetes. I have that for the rest of my life. It also made my muscles sore and slowed down my thought processes. Those two went away went zyprexa was stopped. Hope this helps.

[sherryd]

Also, I took zyprexa - 10 mg - for 15 months and worked very hard to keep from gaining weight on it, as my doctor had warned me about the increase in appetite, but I still gained 6 lbs. Not too bad. That stuff sure makes you hungry.

[Stephen]

Sherryd - How quickly did you become diabetic?....I am having regular blood tests to keep an eye on the levels, did you do the same?

Anyone - does anyone know if zyprexa slows the metabolism and are the effects reversed after you stop taking the drug?

[sherryd]

Stephen wrote:

Sherryd - How quickly did you become diabetic?....I am having regular blood tests to keep an eye on the levels, did you do the same?
Anyone - does anyone know if zyprexa slows the metabolism and are the effects reversed after you stop taking the drug?

Stephen - My family doctor said he was going to start doing a1c tests as soon as I told him mental health had put me on zyprexa. My diabetes was diagnosed the 5th month I was taking zyprexa. I was put on zyprexa for mini-strokes causing hallucinations. That is all gone now and I take abilify. Even the psychiatrist wanted to get me off zyprexa as soon as possible because of the weight gain. But he never told me I could get diabetes from it. Hope you find an answer to your metabolism question. I was told, by me case manager, when I was seeing mental health, that the atypical anti-psychotics like zyprexa work on the medula in the brain, which affects motor functions. Hope this helps. I had trouble with my tongue, my muscles and feeling like I was in slow motion all the time and always sleepy while taking zyprexa. That all disappeared a couple weeks after stopping zyprexa.

[joe scarf]

Stephen wrote:

Hi,
I have been taking zyprexa since September 2007, mostly 5mg per day (sometimes 10mg) and have gained around 15 pounds in weight.
If I come off the zyprexa, will the weight come off? and how quickly will I lose the weight that I put on with the drug.
The weight gain happened in the first 10 weeks of taking the drug....nothing since then.
I dont eat anymore than I did before, so has it slowed my metabolism?....if so will it go back to normal after stopping the drug?
Thanks

Don't feel bad I've gained 180.

[Bobbysgirl]

did you really gain 180 pounds or is your sign in name and post a joke? God, I hope it IS a joke! How horrible for you. Are you diabetic? What else?

[Bobbysgirl]

Oh I just say your post in another area. I can see how long you took zyprexa and other info. Did you receive your offer yet?

[TCat]

I've been on Zyprexa Zydis for about 3 1/2 months. I gained about 11.5 lbs but am now working really, really hard to take the weight off with diet and tons of exericse. I've lost 4 of the extra pounds at this point. I agree, this stuff makes you eat things you normally wouldn't even want! Anyhow, has anyone who takes the Zydis form of this drug experienced a weird thing with your tongue (feels like it's badly burned where the Zydis disolves)???

[Northerner]

I gained A total of 30 pounds in about two weeks, but I was taking 600mgs. I haven't been able to get any of it off.

[Bobbysgirl]

Northerner-
Are you aware, having read many of the posts on this website, of the dangers of taking zyprexa/weight gain...diabetes? I hope you will read over many of these posts and consider asking your doctor (who may likely tell you zyprexa is just fine) to switch you to something else. You sound like you may be headed for zyprexa disaster. God Bless you and my prayers are with you.

[noname]

I was put on zyprexa not too long ago and since my appetite has increased tremendously. i eat even though i'm not hungry. i wish there was a way i could control this. one other thing i have to mention is that i have too much free time at hand which means more room for food.

[Dreamer]

Looking at all your posts has made me feel not so alone on the topic of Zyprexa,even posts from other thread topics.My personal experience with zyprexa:
I'm now 19 and was put on Zyprexa at about 16 and I was on it for about a year,taking 5mg of the wafers.I noticed it waring off and not suitable for me anymore,not to mention i gained a lot of weight,It's as if i ballooned in size.I get very depressed as I look back at how i used to be,quite a petite person,Now years later even though I am off it,I still Struggle with my unfortunate weight problem,When I came off zyprexa I seemed to lose a little bit of weight from the way i was,but now no weight will budge and im now the same weight i was when i was on it.Most of the weight has been put around my tummy.I tried keeping up a regular exercise routine but gave up thinking it was to no avail.To add to that i have been diagnosed with Insulin resistence which makes me feel a lot less optimistic about my weight loss...I blame zyprexa...=( but it may work for others differently than it had for me,unfortunately it only temporarily helped my mind for the first few months,Now i have the weight from 3 and a half years or so ago to worry about.=(

[TCat]

I've started taking a drug for diabetes, even though I don't have diabetes and it is working to help my appetite. It's a basically untried thing, see Dr Phelps website. My doctor agreed and it's helping. when I don't take it....look out cravings. by the way, anyone experiencing the tongue issue, it is caused from disolving the zydis on your tongue in the same place.

[TCat]

By the way, though I've gained some weight on zyprexa, it is so worth it not to feel so horrible.

[joe scarf]

Bobbysgirl wrote:

did you really gain 180 pounds or is your sign in name and post a joke? God, I hope it IS a joke! How horrible for you. Are you diabetic? What else?

Actually i've gained more than 180, My ideal weight is 165, I was apx 180 when I started zyprexa and my top weight while I was on zyprexa was 396 pounds. I've since lost 30 pounds since I quit. And yes I got diabetes fom it and am expecting an offer soon. Thanks for replying.

[joe scarf]

noname wrote:

I was put on zyprexa not too long ago and since my appetite has increased tremendously. i eat even though i'm not hungry. i wish there was a way i could control this. one other thing i have to mention is that i have too much free time at hand which means more room for food.

Get off zyprexa it's evil it will make you fat and give you diabetes. Theres still time for you but I recommend you talk to your doctor seriously about zyprexa.

[joe scarf]

Northerner wrote:

I gained A total of 30 pounds in about two weeks, but I was taking 600mgs. I haven't been able to get any of it off.

No offense but if you were taking 600 mgs you'd probably be dead!!