Hello DBC,

I have never heard of an instance where it is good to delay treatment for schizophrenia.  Consensus in the medical field by leading psychiatrists is that the longer someone goes without medication, the more severe the illness progresses-to the point where recovery is difficult if not impossible.  As for your mother beiong a stroke victim, you would want to see if the medications used to treat her for the stroke cannot be used at the same time the SZ meds are given.  A pharmacist can give you the drug print-outs.

I take Geodon and the print-out told me I can't take the Z-Pak, which I had been taking.  So this is where you can find out if certain combinations of drugs cannot be taken together.  I would not be concerned about the side effects of the SZ meds themselves.  Treating the schizophrenia is your mother's number one goal.  She can work with her psychiatrist to deal with any side effects.

Regards,

Christina