Zyprexa And Weight Gane

[ShodokanJenn]

So I take 20 mg of Zyprexa (olanzapine) every night at bed time, along with 20 mg of Prazosin, 200 mg of Trazodone, and 1 mg Lunesta. I take 5 mg of Zyprexa in the morning to help with the anxiety I wake up with as a result of all the nightmares. I've gained almost 20 pounds in the last three months. This last week, I actually lost a couple pounds, but I have worked out for at least two hours every day. My problem isn't extreme - I needed those 20 pounds, as I was pretty underweight. But now I'm at about a perfect target weight. Anybody have any advice other than lots of exercise to avoid having the weight gain become a problem?

 

[EveHarrington]

What does your diet look like?

 

[ShodokanJenn]

My diet is pretty good. Fresh fruit and some form of protein for breakfast, some complex carbs and protein for lunch, a protein shake for mid-afternoon, then a late supper after I work out of veggies and some form of protein. I loosely follow a plan laid out for my by the dietician after my last leg surgery. She said to follow it for at least two years, so I've got another 8 months or so before I lower the protein content a bit.

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm not sure if I have any advice since your diet looks pretty good. Calories may be more of an issue now because of the medication. Do you monitor your caloric intake?

 

[ShodokanJenn]

I don't really monitor my caloric intake, but you bring up a good point. I may want to look more closely at that.

 

[Glenn]

I am on only 2.5 mg of Zyprexa and my weight is ballooning. I eat the same crap diet as before the meds. A friend told me his psychiatrist said that out of the family of drugs Zyrexa was the worst for weight gain. It lowers the metabolism thus burning less calories. I am getting on my inside bike to try and get my metabolism going. I have a lower one anyone at 60 so I am going to try hard. Sugar is an addiction so I cant give it up for long.

 

[EmmaOwl]

The first antidepressant I was ever prescribed, as a teenager, was Zyprexia; I was too skinny and depression caused me to lose my appetite. The med did make me hungry, but that was a desired side-effect. - Unfortunately, it did nothing to combat the depression and anxiety.
I wish I'd known about high-dosage seroquel way back then!