Dear Pam

i'm not on it right now but i gained about 40lbs on Zyprexa. i was taken off it because i was gaining too fast. i can take it only on a short term or occasional basis.

you do well to avoid sugar. try to limit all ready carbs (bread, potatoes etc). if you eat them, do not eat them alone - combine with other foods - esp proteins or fats - basically a hypoglycemic diet.

my GP at the time i took Zyprexa happened to be a diabetologist. she told me that Zyprexa causes the appetite increase by increasing the insulin response. it can especially result in carb cravings, but eating carbs stimulates insulin secretion thereby aggravating the problem.

she said (i asked) there was nothing she could give me to contrast the effect completely but picking foods carefully can help reduce the impact overall and avoid the craving-gain cycle.

you should have your blood sugar monitored periodically, for safety. this is especially important and possibly should be done more frequently (? ask your doctor) if you are prone to hyperglycemia/diabetes, or have family members who are.

~ waves ~