whether they do or don’t I would look into it. I don’t know what prices would be or if they’re any good. But it all comes down to medication. Knowing what works, changing what doesn’t and understanding the risk profiles.
I was such a hard case that I had a dr tell my parents he didn’t want to work with me. When I got on the right meds everything worked out better and I stopped getting hospitalized
My son’s psychiatrist moved away and now he is seeing a nurse-practitioner who is actually better than the doctor was. She has been in charge of the same unit (adolescent boys) that my son was in last time he was hospitalized. I don’t know if it’s easier to find a nurse-practitioner than a doctor, but for us it worked out better.
He just started Seroquel and has been asleep for 12 hours. The jury is still out on this med!
Sz is a brain disease. There is brain damage being done thru some process. It needs to be treated by meds because they are the only solution. Therapy can help cope, but medication will determine how someone will function.
This leaves hope and frustration. Hope that you can find the right meds knowing that clozapine is a wonder drug with frequent blood monitoring. Frustration that someone will be non compliant or not on the right cocktail. Its a bit of a feedback loop.
Serequel is a very strong med and has helped many for different symptoms. At 25 mg it helps me fall asleep, at 100 mg it knocks me out. For some people 600 mg controls their voices and paranoia. But I’ve taken that dose and just sleep the whole day.
It can cause diabetes and will cause weight gain. Restless leg syndrome is another side effect that can be fixed with a second drug.
I wish you luck with it. It has helped many
We are going to fill out the new patient information for the other hospital’s outpatient facility where we would get financial assistance… but it will be at least a couple of months before we can get in with them.
She sees the current outpatient therapist weekly and I think the psychiatrist monthly… the hospital is looking to hire a new psychiatrist.
The therapist is going to see if she can talk to someone at the hospital to reconsider our qualifications for financial assistance.
I will check into the video appointments as your suggested. My insurance does provide video doctor appointments for things like colds, fiu and other common simple illnesses.
That sounds like a good setup if the therapist and psych talk to each other. I had a situation like that which did not work out so well cause my psych was horrible but if she likes both then I’m very hopeful.
Plus since they’re at the hospital they see many cases and have experience.
Is she able to continue as she is or are finances an issue?
Just get her off haldol
She likes the therapist… she hasn’t said if she likes the psychiatrist… she had only seen him once so far and he didn’t want to change the meds at time.
The main side effects she experiences with the haldol is drowsiness and a slight lisp.
You want her to live a life not be a vegetable
You know what I mean, seriously talk to the drs about it
“Olanzapine and haloperidol induced fatigability more frequently than risperidone.“
Invega is the latest version of risperidone. Both are very good
I couldn’t see the whole article
CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge this is the first study in adolescents to compare the efficacy and side effects of three most commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications. Olanzapine, risperidone and haloperidol appear to be equally effective for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescent inpatients but have different side effect profiles.
I will have to find out from her how much she still feels drowsy after splitting her pills for smaller dosage and taking them earlier.
You are taking the right approach. Involve her in the process, show her the studies, talk about the good and bad of the drug. Treat it as education. There is much to learn about this disease and studying it should be encouraged
Before she went to the psychiatrist you could see it in her eyes…
She looked “drugged”
She doesn’t look that way as much… but it could still be affecting her…
The best cases I have heard from any age of sz is that the people understand it and the drugs they are taking. When you take a pill that alters your mind it can be unsettling. Knowing what is going on both from a pharmalogical standpoint and the personal effect can help react faster and find a working solution. Though some solutions stop working. It’s tough, make your daughter a student of the disorder
It’s going to be a big part of her life
There is probably a period of adjustment where you get more used to it and the side effects fade. This is probably what you’re noticing
@Moonwalker
I appreciate your input as someone who has gone through this illness personally.
I have a friend who lives in Iowa where I grew up and he has schizoaffective and bipolar disorders. We went to college together for a while. I have been there at his best and his worst moments . He has been doing quite well with clozapine for several years. He contributes his recovery due to his meds and his spiritual life providing a sense of hope. He has given me a lot of good advice as well. He calls me regularly to find out how my daughter is doing.
Your daughter is lucky to have someone that is so proactive and in the right ways. Makes me feel good
Does this look like what you mean by video psychiatrists?
That looks like it. It was only a hope of mine. If they can talk for an hour and prescribe meds it could be good. Get someone else that has exp in sz