Hi White Knight,

I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder about 1 year ago.  However, my pdoc believes that I've had this since I was a kid and never knew it.  The voices, the racing thoughts were all normal to me.

I started taking medication (Zyprexa) about 4 years ago not by choice but because it was given to me while I was under observation in a psych ward. I remember after about 2 months of being on this, I felt normal and tried to convince my doctor to take me off the meds.  He told me that wouldn't be a good idea, so hesitantly I agreed.  The side of effects of Zyprexa didn't make me feel good about myself.  I gained so much weight, was constantly hungry but at the same time I felt calm and feared nothing. 

My doctor also knew of the potential long term side effects of Zyprexa, i.e. diabetes, high cholesterol, etc. and decided to put me on Abilify and Wellbutrin.  That combination totally caused me to lose total control of my inner being.  I became extremely anxious, didn't want to be around anybody, and had a hard time just being alive.  He immediately switched me back to Zyprexa but it was too late. 

The anxiety and the stress of being around others was totally overwhelming. I feared living. 

He eventually switched me to Geodon which I am on now.  The only noted side effects for me are increased salivation, irritated nose at times and trouble with speech.  Besides the anxiety, I feel pretty good.  I take Vistaril took control that now though.

I have a new doctor now, I'm taking Geodon, Lamictal, Vistaril, Celexa and Propanolol. 

If it weren't for this medication, I'm sure I wouldn't be where I am now. 

I really don't know what it will take to convince your sister to consult with a pdoc and get back on medication.  I know if I didn't get admitted into the psych ward the day I claimed to be God, I may have been resistant to it as well. 

Good luck my prayers are with you!

ftoman

10/ 9/09 12:30pm

Thank you for your response.  It is weird that I made that post yesterday.  My sister is literally on her way to the hospital right now.  She was hitting herself in the head and someone called the cops.  She is supposed to get transfer to her hospital where she is getting some treatment.  She takes meds but only something to help her sleep.  She puts herself together for the doctor. 

 

I feel guilty, I feel like I should have done more.  I became complacient with my saister and didnt think iI could do anything.  I wish that I talked to her Nurse practinioner and told her what was going on.  I've been wanting to get her in the hospital but didnt know how to or I felt really bad about it Because i know she doesnt like it.  I have tried getting her help before.  I don't know if this makes sense just needed to get it out.

 

Thanks for listening,

 

White Knight

Back in the days before the Privacy Act, I would talk to my psychiatrist and tell him everything that was going on, "putting my best side on display" as your sister does with her doctor.  Then he would pick up his phone and call my mother and repeat what I had told him, and then he would ask her if what I said was true.  He caught me in a lie a couple of times and it was embarrassing, but I learned to tell him the truth.  It did make me upset with him and with my mother, but it was for my best and I got over it.

By all means, write your sister's psychiatrist or schedule a visit with him with just yourself there, and tell him what you have observed in your sister.  He needs to know in order to prescribe the right type and dose of medication.

Me being the patient, I sometimes write a letter to my pdoc and hand it to him when I go into his office so he can read everything I am afraid to say out loud.  That works well.  He has been my psychiatrist for the last 12 years.

Best wishes,

Carolyn

Hi. My name is Katrina. I am bipolar-schizoeffective. I've had episodes where the world around me absolutely made no sense, voices were manipulating me etc...then moments of clarity as you describe, when in front of doctors or other persons of authority. I was very mood-swingey; I would frequently lash out or, just as likely, go into a nonresponsive state.

In short I can understand what your sister is going through. You have absolutely done the right thing. I was institutionalized and rehabilitated in a healthy regulated environment; had regular food, sleep etc. I was medicated on a combination of lithium (stabilized mood) and zyprexa (brought the voices/perceptions down to a manageable level). Fyi - initially I was given Ability, and had a horrible reaction to it. I clearly remember losing my capacity for normal speech, sounding like Mickey Mouse, and over-salivating. I cannot advocate one prescription over another, as each individual's neurochemistry is so unique.

I am glad your sister has the opporunity for time off in a good institution, to rest well, eat well, and try out meds that will work long term. I was so resistant and subversive that my family actually brought me to the emergency room, and had me sign a Section 12 (document that states you are a danger to yourself or others, and give up your legal rights). But in the end, I was reintroduced to reality by the sobering ability to isolate and medicate the neurological issues, and self-discipline the mood issues. The support network of doctors and therapists in any good institution should help with this.

I think, however, the most important thing I learned in recovery were coping skills. How to put things in perspective. Regular sleep, regular good diet, healthy socialization and recreation all helped with functioning in daily life, and even with being successfully employed for the last 2 years. Only through knowing one's self can one learn the episodic triggers. And in doing so, one can prevent a relapse.

Anonymous

11/14/09 5:25pm

Hi my name is Kathie, I am wondering how many of you have childhood memories of sz.  I have an almost 6 yr. old.  Has been hallucinating that we know of since he was 8 mons old.  Just this week the dr. has decided to give him Geodon.  He "talks" with his friends and bad guys thru out the night and it is beginning to intrude more into the day.  This is normal for him and he has no idea what he is doing, althou he does wonder why no one else sees the spiders at night in the car, or the crocadiles in the play room.  Of course there are more episodes than I could relate just in his almost 6 years of life.  We have been told that he is sz, but, he is too young to label.  Just treat the symptoms and hope for the best.