olanzapine

Had nervous breakdown in january and prescribed olanzapine. Finding running really hard going now. lethargic, muscle aches,breathless. Does anyone else take this drug and does it affect your running or maybe there's another cause?

Comments

  • I guess it could, but then again it could be something else. January's not that long ago - I hope things get better
  • Olanzapine does tend to cause sedation and weight gain. Unfortunately, most of the medicines which do the same job have a fairly similar side-effect profile. It would be worth explaining to your specialist that you're a runner and asking whether something else would be worth a try, but the risk of destabilising your brain chemistry might outweigh the disadvantages of your current treatment.
  • Thanks, didn't think anyone would know what I was talking about. I feel quite isolated with this problem. As the olanzapine has helped get the brain right I suppose I'd better just try to make the best of running when I can. I don't want to change it for something else as the alternative drugs seem to have worse side-effects than this does.
  • fat buddhafat buddha ✭✭✭
    listen to v-rap larraine - she's the forum's real medic. and hope all works out for you.
  • saw this post today - olanzapine is an extremely sedating drug and i would imagine it's a real struggle to run with it onboard. the first question i'd have is how long you are expected to take it for. of course, it depends on the nature of your problem but if it's only a short-term prescription ie less than six months, it's probably worth sticking with it (if it is working). however, if it's a longer term prescription and it's stopping you from running effectively, there are modern alternatives very similar to olanzapine in effectiveness but with nowhere near the degree of sedation. Quetiapine and amisulpride are two that come to mind. I would suggest that you have a discussion with whoever is writing the prescription, but with all drugs it is a case of risk vs. benefits.
  • Hmmmmmmmmm
    Quietapine is also v sedating!
  • My experience is that risperidone is also a bit less sedating than olanzapine, and I've recently taken someone off a whacking great dose of olanzapine because he was fed-up with the weight gain and sedation and substituted amisulpride, on which he says he feels more alert and in control though he hasn't lost an ounce yet.

    I still quite like boring old trifluoperazine and haloperidol.
  • i miss thioridazine
  • Thanks for all the feedback. I will take note of these different drugs although I am very wary of changing from olanzapine as it is keeping things under control mentally. I will keep them in mind if I still keep getting side effects from it over the next few weeks. scared of relapse if I change it. good to know theres other things to try if needs be.
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