NEED HELP for my daughter and my sanity!

What is the PACT program? Is it offered in all states?

Well someone mentioned the PACT program and I know here in Orange County they have it. They give therapy and meds but more. They can help you with resources to get a job and other things too. They can even drive you to places you need to go.

I can not leave her home alone any more. I need a babysitter for my 6 yr old and now my 18 yr old. Itā€™s very sad. I was able to sleep better when she was away, but we are do close, I would start to get anxiety without her here. I mean, Iā€™m use to being mom and fixing things when things were wrong. Itā€™s frustrating that I canā€™t fix this.

It can only get better from here.

Is that Orange County CA?

Yes, Orange County, CA.

Alexis I was using the word stabilise to mean get sane not get calm for a few days she needs a much longer hospital stay, where they can try her on some last option meds (there is one called clozapine for treatment resistant schizophrenia)

I was in hospital where i was in for 9 months , where they gave me one med that made me well, but they wouldnā€™t keep me on it. At that point my mother bought in my sisterā€™s urn (the system failed her, or maybe she was ultimately the most severe untreatable case) to show the doctors, and they tried me on something else.

this last med has kept me well for years

it is up to you to try to get her the best help she can get - if they are letting her go - is she maintaining her medication regime when she gets out. when you say stablize you mean a bit calmer, am i right?

sorry my story canā€™t help much i just want to say my heart goes out to you ā€¦
sorry wouldnā€™t keep me on it because i started refusing it because it stopped my periods

I understand.Iā€™d even sleep in my mumā€™s bed, pretty long term

when i was well too

You canā€™t fix it. meds can fix it

Iā€™m in NY. We have a case manager, which sounds something similar to what you are saying. They are suppose to help her get on Medicade, get disability, find support groups and things like that. The problem is, it is part of our social services department. Itā€™s like dealing with the nasty people at DMV. They are so understaffed itā€™s ridiculous. My daughter was dis charged from her partial hospitalization program almost 3 weeks ago, and we have yet to her from this person. We leave messages daily with the department and with the supervisor . And get nothing. Now my husband lost his job yesterday, along with our insurance, and you would think that would push up the urgency, but again we got no where. Itā€™s ridiculous. Mental health is a serious issue and should not be pushed aside. Not until some huge celebrity brings it to the limelight, it will just keep tugging along, very slowly!!!

So currently you are off meds and seem fine?

No, I am on risperidone. That is consumer reports top recommended for schizophrenia. I think there is a chemical imbalance involved, but I also think there is a spiritual side to this.

sorry
no not at all
the meds they took me off were stopping my periods so i told the psych that i didnā€™t want them because i wanted a childā€¦ my mum took in my sisterā€™s urn at which point they tried me on injectable medication
i was throwing my pills up (bulimia) with the sole intention of losing weight iā€™d take 45 mins after meds iā€™d go to the toilet thinking it had all got into my system

the last med they put me on iā€™m still on quite a high dose, was on injectables for 8 yrs out of hospital 9 , now taking that med orally

Oh ok. So I guess there is no hope of ever being off meds Iā€™m assuming?

Iā€™m on a below average dose (3mg). I would like to one day go off of it, but I read it could take years to do that. You canā€™t just go off of them once youā€™re on them. Some people manage to do it without meds.

They already tried risperidone, and she hated it. She said she felt like a zombie and that she wasnā€™t herself. Another doc suggested maybe it was too high of a dose, but sheā€™s not willing to try it again.

absolutely never and I would not recommend it it started 18 months of psychosis coming off meds for 6 months for me
my sister used to throw her meds out of the window, she ended up being hit by a car

Cloud dog, is there hope if the future if she wants to have a family? She can with all these drugs?

Yeah, it is a harsh med to be on. At one point I was 220lbs on this medication and threw up 4 days a week, but my body has adapted to it.

Yes she gained about 40 lbs, which is huge deal for a teenage girl. The doc suggested weight loss pills but wants to monitor her some more. I told the doc we need to get on this now, because summer is tight around the corner and then that will be another issue that will just depress her. She use to be a cheerleader and cheer captain and now she so tired with the meds, I canā€™t motivate her to do anything!