I could write about this topic for about a month, but since it's a blog I'll keep it brief and to the point.
I don't think that there are many people with this illness who can honestly say that they got it right the first time. That is, they got the right meds and found a doctor who they liked immediately. For most of us it's a series of hit and miss or try and try again until something works. It's the nature of this illness. While it's been proven that the older drugs work with the same effectiveness as the new ones, I myself have had more success with the new or atypical medication.
What it really boils down to is what is the best treatment plan for the individual. That's the key. Schizophrenia is an individual illness. A doctor might , for example not recommend psychotherapy due to the stress brought out in group. And a certain drug for patient A might not be prescribed for patient B. Doctors base their decisions in prescribing meds on many factors( symptoms. history, etc.) A second opinion is generally a bonus when being diagnosed. Sometimes a change of doctor after a long time with one can lead to positive change.
If you've had this illness for a while, you'll have no doubt developed the tools for survival in the drug/doctor world. If you're well and happy you remember the doctor and medication that led you down that path to where you are now. God bless you for that.
Sincerely,
Don Fraser
Don,
Your post is very moving and full of compassion.
It reads like a charter speaking for the needs of patients with all types of serious ongoing episodic illnesses, and in my opinion could be posted to advantage in many a clinic,in the doctor's line of vision!
. It could sustain ... help honesty and partnership.
It has a quality of comfort and healing that can be received not only by the people directly living with ongoing illness,whether mental or physical, (not mutually excluding of course) but no less by the physicians attempting to juggle with managing and medicating such conditions and also feeling possbly careworn in the process.
The humble willingness to use cautious trial and error in medications and awareness that there are rarely absolute answers ,so not let setbacks seem personal professional failures, should go far to keep the doctors healthier and so ready, with their patients ,for the challenge of the next hurdle!
Looking forward to your next posts,
Best wishes,
Chris
UK (retired doc, non psych)
Dear Chris, thanks for the positive feedback. As I stated at the beginning I will be writing more on this topic in the furure so more information will be out there for the people who need it. Of course it's all based on my own experience.
I'm curious, you said at the end of your comment that you were a retired doctor but not a psychiatrist. What sparks your interest in schizophrenia? Do you or someone you know have a loved one with this illness? If so, feel free to write me.My e-mail is don2fsr@yahoo.ca We might have some notes to compare.