Nephew (23 yrs) suffers from depression. A week ago attempted suicide. Was in med hosp for 4 days then psych hosp for 3 days released this morn. Was given both these drugs. Now he is very angry and agitated. Being aggressive and seems paranoid. Thinks everybody is trying to "screw" him. This is a new and scary behavior. Doctor wants to see him next week. I told Dr. of changes in behavior and still Dr. wants to wait. I have spent the day making calls trying to get answers and help. Could it be these drugs?
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Q: Zyprexa and Seroquel.
Answers (3)
7/30/09 9:58pm
Hello auntbee,
You have every right to settle in your mind whether the drugs have caused these symptoms.
Zyprexa and Seroquel are used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms, like paranoia, delusions and hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there.
I'm not sure what symptoms your nephew presented while he was in the hospital that led to the psychiatrist prescribing those two drugs. Seoquel is also sometimes used as a sleep aid to regulate and promote sleep.
People who attempt suicide often have an underlying mental illness.
One thing also is that men could express their depression in different ways, be angry and agitated. However, if you believe the drugs caused these things, I would bring it up with the psychiatrist who will be treating your nephew now. There may be a limit to what the doctor will tell an outsider, yet if your nephew consents to the release of the information, the doctor might talk to you or his parents.
At this point I'm going to ask our community members here at the Connection to chime in and let you know if they've had similar experiences with the Zyprexa and Seroquel.
I do know a woman with schizoaffective who was initially depressed and then began hearing voices, so it's possible these symptoms could be coming on the heels of his depression.
Either way, you have the right to find out what's really happening.
Regards,
Christina
7/30/09 9:07pm
It could be the meds, yes, but for most people Zyprexa and Seroquel have a calming, drowsy side effect. Is he taking the meds still, every day? If he has little insight into his illness, he may be choosing not to take the meds, which could have disastrous effects. It is definitely time to get back with the doctor.
Your nephew may have already been very angry and agitated before he attempted suicide and they may be WHY he attempted suicide. And since the suicide didn't "work" he is now venting these feelings on everyone. If he is a danger to himself or others, he may need to be re-hospitalized.
Best wishes.
Carolyn
8/ 2/09 10:38am
I am no expert but have been living with my son who is schitzophrenic, Its hard to judge the medications, they actually need to take them regularly for a few months to even know if they are going to work. they best thing is just to be patiant about the meds, I learned a long time ago that the doctors wont tell anything if the patient is over 18, so it is just give and guess for the family members. and dont hesitate to have him hospitilized if his behavior is worrisome or scary, the more times you push him into the system, the more help you will get. my son takes Invega and Seroquel, seroquel is most recently added, It helps both of us to get a good night sleep. I will also add that everytime I had my son locked up, he came out angry but calmed down after a few days, I just had to convince him that he knew me more than anyone else and above all he needed to trust me to what was right for him even if he didnt like it. it took a while but he hadsnt been locked up in almost 6 months, prior to that its been 5-10 times a year.
8/ 2/09 11:17am
Thank you for your response. I came to a sz site after researching the meds he was given. The problem is my nephew does not suffer from sz. He is bi-polar and was diagnosed this way since the age of 6. He is now 23 and when he slides into depression it is much deeper and darker than when he was a kid. He has never displayed the aggressive and angry behavior before these drugs and he has been locked up several times before. I question why drugs that are typically used to help sz sufferers would be given to someone with his disorder and what kind of effects other people have observed while these drugs are introduced to a person. I have found the quest for answers and information to be a maze of dead ends. The doctors and staff treat you like an idiot. "Well he wasn't acting like that for us. Just don't agitate him" I asked him if he wanted macaroni and cheese and he went bezerk. He thinks I poisoned it. He has an appointment with his Dr. in 2 days. I will be going with him and explaining what has been happening. I have disclosure consent as per my nephews wishes. I hope to make some headway soon. Best wishes to you and your son.
8/ 3/09 10:25am
i do feel your frustrations, I have called doctor several times asking for help, I have stood at their receptions desks for hours, and like you said, they treat you like you are an idiot. I would definately enforce the fact that they need to try something different or a different dose. It is so sad that there is no real help for sz and bipolar sufferers. My son goes to the psychiatrist just for the prescription. the doctor never talks to him for more than 20 minutes then send him on his way with a prescription. I feel that our mental health system needs a real make over. there seems to be no compassion there. I have had my son not eat for days for fear that I was poisening him. I too had disclosure consent until my son thought I was poisening him, then he took it away. Its funny how the doctors believe the ones with the mental illness but dont listen to the ones that are caring for them. dont they realize that without people like us, the mental hospitals would be full to capacity with people whose families gave up. I wish you well, and hope that it all works our for you. Note: anytme they have given my son any kind of anti-depressant, such as the ones for bipolar, he has become quite suicidal and unpredictable, he feels he could stop a moving train and be okay. its good to pay attention to the effects that anti-depressant have on young people.
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I appreciate your response. I have been given disclosure consent as per my nephews wishes. We will be going to his first follow up appointment a couple days from now. I will explain the changes in him, as well as my frustration with the difficulty of getting answers. I will also be questioning the use of these drugs when he has never been diagnosed with sz. Thanks for your thoughts.