20 years on 20 Mg Zapexa because I had one psychotic episode from two TMIs

Hi, I am so sorry you are so sick. I do not know if I can help you, but i recently came off olanzapine by gradual tapering.. Many of the side  affects are still with me such as constant hunger and feeling like a zombie. I have been given gabapentin to help me sleep. I would also suggest you see  a phychaiatrist because they specialize in medications.. You may not need any more medications just diet and exercise to help. I am sure you are not at the end with no help you just need to find the right doctor who can help you decide what is best for you at this time. Hang in there and get well soon.

Hi Nancy, my mother was put on Zyprexa to “control “ her psychosis. It is contraindicated for elderly patients, however after reading the experiences from others here, it seems it should not be prescribed EVER, to ANYONE! It nearly killed my mother, and left her severely disabled, and no one is accountable for this. My mother’s experience with this drug is fairly typical from what I’ve read. She experienced diabetic ketoacidodis and was diagnosed with typeI diabetes, had a carduac arrest while in the hispitals and also mild strokes, as she is right handed and her right hand was weaker than her left after everything. Looking at her journal, it appeared she’d been having mini strokes about once a month, leading up to the cardiac arrest and diabetes. She was in assited living with all of this going on. I feel the care system in the US is criminally negligent, as virtually all of my mother’s health problems were caused by lack of treatment, incorrect treatment, as well as side effects from drugs.

Here’s the thing, one my mother was do bad, there was no hope for her and she was placed in hospice. On hospice, I was able to wean her off all her drugs. Amazingly her health improved! The hospice nurses told me this was pretty typical- many people recover from their deathbed “illnesses” when they quit their meds. 

I put together a plan of herbs and supplements along with  a stellar dietary plan, natural treatments including massage, chiropractic and acupuncture treatments. She’s doing incredibly well and the only medication she now takes is an OTC thyroid replacement  along with her many herbs and supplements. 

While the holistic treatment has been crucial, my mother has suffered most of her life from hypothyroid disease, which was never properly treated. Since I myself also deal with hypothyroid disease and have tried and failed with many prescription meds , I was able to help my mother by getting her on (alternative) thyroid replacement that actually works for her. Since she has been in my care, for two years, she has not had any evidence of psychosis other than the typical confusion that accompanies dementia- a far cry from psychosis! 

I suspect her decades of depression, mania, psychosis,  anxiety and paranoia were caused by severe hypothyroid disease. I am the daughter of a “mentally ill” parent. Getting thyroid treatment changed my relationship with my mother in a way I never expected!

You have alternatives and a world of information literally at your fingertips. Get to work and take back your power and find something that works for you!

If you'd like to send me a private message, I’d be happy to share some of the details of things that helped my mother.