The Devil and The Deep Blue

[Alabasster]

Simple question. If you were on 30mg of Mirtazipine/day and 5mg of Olanzapine/day and neither was working properly (probably because of the other) WHICH would you quit first and why?

I have spent the last ten weeks on a rollercoaster trying to find a solution to my anxiety using the above meds. The olanzapine is there basically to help me sleep and stop racing/obsessive thoughts (about meds, doses, interactions) and the mirtazipine is supposed to help with my anxiety. I am reducing the dose of both of them because at higher doses (60mg/day mirt and 15mg/day olanz) I was having shocking anxiety, confusion, insomnia and night sweats. I have read there can be a serotonin interaction between the two and my psychiatrist agreed with me when I said I had to reduce something. We decided on lowering the mitazipine (remeron) with the plan of trying another anti depressant.

I need to simplify my meds, and maybe have a go without them, but I want to reduce safely and comfortably. I kind of think stay with the Zyprexa (olanzapine) because of sleep and it's effectiveness with anxiety but I am a diabetic who does not want to gain huge weight AND become a zombie. OR I could reduce off the Zyprexa and see if the mirtazipine works better.....

I'm so sick of all of these meds, they have always been hard on me and taken sooo long to work. Also, I am moving house in two months and I can't afford to be a mental wreck going through withdrawals

 

[mrbrowntung]

well as for your actual question, i really dont have the expertise to even try answering it.

but i did use to take zyprexa (the olanzapine) so i thought id share a little about my experiences, in case it helps you at all. i took it every day for about a year, maybe year and a half, til one day i just decided to quit taking it. and i honestly dont recall ever feeling any side effects from the immediate stop in use.

but youre right about the weight gain and becoming a zombie, that stuff used to make me sleep at least 12-16 hours a day and i'd still feel droggy afterwards.

and i saw you mention youre a diabetic and worry about weight gain with it. i can say from personal experience that yes, that is a very reasonable thing to be worried about. throughout my entire life, ever since 12 years old (im 24 now), i have always remained pretty much the exact same weight of 145 pounds, give or take up to 10 pounds here and there. but once i started the zyprexa, i immediately shot up to almost 190 pounds, and remained that way the full year i took it. and once i quit taking it, then within a month, maybe month and a half/2 months afterwards, the weight just disappeared off me very rapidly in just that short amount of time and ive been back to my normal 145 pounds ever since. my friend also had rapid weight gain from it as well, so thats definitely a true fact.

 

[downerhead]

Have you considered a benzodiazapine tranquilzer like Valium,Xanax,or Ativan for your anxiety?I have a really severe anxiety disorder and benzos,particularly Xanax,have been the only medications to actually work for me.Different doctors have tried a whole galaxy of anti-depressant/anti-psychotic medications on me and most of them just made it worse with lots of nasty side effects.Yes,benzos have potential for abuse/addiction but if you keep them at a sensible dose and take them as prescribed they can work wonders.That has been my experience anyway.Good luck to you.