Hello mrswoodyhill,

The people at this web site have been where you are now and will support you.

As far as schizophrenia meds go, Zyprexa is one of the more commonly used medications because there is the perception among some professionals that it is one of the two best at alleviating severe symptoms.  The top drug in this regard is Clozaril.

Seven days is too early to rule out the potential benefits of Zyprexa.  Not everyone with schizophrenia sees their symptoms abate after seven days.  Sometimes it could take a few weeks and even a year or two later there could be improvement.

My situation was the most hopeful because within three weeks of being given medication [back in 1987] my positive symptoms went away.  This quite frankly happens for some people and yet for others the symptoms go away or reduce in intensity only gradually.  So I wouldn't be concerned if after seven days his symptoms seem to be worse because at this point your son might be in the active stage of the illness.

So keep up the hope for a better future in a realistic way.

Sometimes it takes trial-and-error to find the medication or combination of drugs that works to alleviate the symptoms, so be patient yet continue to be proactive in working with your son's treatment team.  You mention the place where he is at is non-responsive to your requests for progress reports.  Keep nudging them.  Visit your son every day if you can, especially if he's in the hospital.  Let the staff know that you will remain involved.

I interviewed my mother, Mrs. Bruni, in a SharePost I wrote here in September 2008.  She had driven me to the hospital within 24 hours of my breakdown and I was immediately placed on medication.  When I interviewed her she used the exact word you did: that seeing me in the hospital was a heartbreak, it was a heartbreak.  Yet even with that she visited me every day.

Recovery is not quick and it is not easy and it requires commitment and hard work on the part of the person who has the diagnosis of schizophrenia.  However, it can be some of the most rewarding work a person will do in his lifetime.

Yes, recovery from schizophrenia is possible.  It might not see like it is at this time from where you see your son now however keep hopeful.  Never give up the hope that he can recover to the best of his abilities and have a good life.  Recovery is possible.

Read my SharePosts in my archives [I'm the expert blogger here and community leader] and read the SharePosts of other community members to see how we've banded together in a community of people who either are in recovery or have loved ones in recovery.

You will get inspiration and information from hearing our hope.

Feel free to ask another question or write a SharePost of your own.

Regards,

Christina