Zyprexa (Olanzapine) success with neuropathy
 

Hi guys ,this is my first post here and I wanted to share my experience.

My story with neuropathy starts about 8 months ago. I was a normal person and did not have any major health problems, just some gastritis and anxiety. Nothing that is known to cause neuropathies like diabetes.

At first I noticed some burning and pain in my feet that started all of a sudden, and within a month I had full blown symptoms like pain in the bottom of my feet when standing or walking, tingling all over my feet and severe burning. At one point I ended up using crutches because pain was so intense.

I went to the doctor and she suspected this might be related to nerves and sent me to a neurologist. They did some tests like Nerve conduction studies and MRI etc. The nerve conduction showed signs of nerve damage, but the reason why this happened was not known.

On an unrelated issue, I was prescribed Zyprexa(Olanzapine) by my psichiatrist for anxiety several years ago, and I would use it as needed in a very low dose. At this point I havent used it in a year or so but I still had a box of zyprexa at home, just in case I need it.

Anyway, as my neuropathy symptoms where such that I could not sleep at night so I started using Zyprexa mainly to help me sleep, and mostly because I had no other medication at home at the time. I had no expectations of Zyprexa other than to help me sleep but what I noticed that after a couple of days that my neuropathy symptoms where getting better. Gradually my symptoms started to disappear over the course of next few months.

And now, after about 6 months on this medication my symptoms are about 80% gone. I am not taking anything else at this point even though I was offered pregabalin and duloxetine. I have to say that I have tried to lower my dosage of olanzapine several times to see if my neuropathy was acually "cured" but any time I try doing this the symptoms come back full-on. Also I would like to mention that this effect seems to have peaked in its effects, meaning I do not get any better after this 80% reduction of symptoms. So it is not a complete cure.

I have to mention that I still dont know that type of neuropathy this is, the doctors still havent figured it out.

Also, I have to say that I am using a very low dose of this medication, only 2 mg daily before bed. Zyprexa is a antipsychotic that is used off label for several things. Usual minimal dose is 2.5 mg for anxiety up to 10-20 mg for bipolar disorder. The reason I am using a small dose is because if I take larger doses the "antipsychotic effect" becomes more prominent and you start to have "emotional numbness" effect. But as I said, even this small dose has a HUGE impact on my symptoms and quality of life, and I dont have any side effects whatsoever.

I have searched the web trying to find why olanzapine has this sort of effect and I have found one study that calms effect of olanzapine in Central pain Sensitization.

I dont know exactly what is the mechanism behind this, but olanzapine has a tricyclic structure similar to tricyclic antidepressants and it has a similar effects on some of the receptor subtypes.

Hey momo789,

Thanks very much for sharing this. I love hearing success stories.

" I have to say that I have tried to lower my dosage of olanzapine several times to see if my neuropathy was acually "cured" but any time I try doing this the symptoms come back full-on."


That is extraordinary. Do people use this medication for pain control do you know?

I havent heard of anybody using this for pain. I have discovered this just by pure accident.

Personally I think it is remarkable that only a small dose can reduce symptoms by about 80%. Such a small dose does not have any side effects so that is a big bonus!

My symptoms were pain in the bottom of my feet, especially when walking or standing; and severe burning in feet going upward to the calves. The burning disappeared completely and I am left with a bit of pain when walking.

I have to point out that reduction of symptoms was gradual over the time period of several months, it wasnt overnight.

Welcome momo789. :Wave-Hello: