Hello, I'm new here and I wanted to say hi to all of you who are here, and I hope that all of you make it through all of your tough times. Here's my story. I've been in the hospital twice. The majoirty of this past year, I was having major delusions. I went off my meds after the first time, then in September 03, I was rehospitilazed. I started seeing my moms face look like a skelton, and I was really afraid. None the less, I still continued school because when I was having the delusions, I was feeling pretty good. However, now I feel so weird, and I still try to do my best, and keep a good sense of humor, but it's hard. So far I've been on: Risperdal, lexapro, abilify, trileptal, and Geodon. This whole experience has been really weird and scary. I'll get into more detail when I post again, but right now I'm tired so I'm going to bed. Take care everyone, and God bless.

Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time with it. I have to ask since you have been on so many different meds. Do they all make you very tired? Is one better than the rest. I have tried risperadol and geodon and all I want to do is sleep all day. I can't live my life like this. Any suggestions would be nice.

Hi Karla, so far the best Psych med I've been on is abilify. However last month I went to a place in Chicago, called the Pffeifer institue, where they work with vitamins, and do bio-chemical research. Also, I have another suggestion that just might help. Take a piece of paper, and draw a great big stop sign on it. Then either inside, or around the stop sign write down poisitve things. So when you start feeling weird, pull it out, and look at it. Also, if your alone, and you start feeling weird, say NO! Say it loud to let whatever is bugging you know that your not going to tolerate it anymore. Well take care and I hope you feel better.

Thanks for your advice and kind words.

Hi BigPete,

I have a question re: abilify. HOw long did you have to take the med before you felt that it was working? My son was on abilify for a month and it didn't do anything for him. The docs took him off and put him on seroquel. Should he have stayed on it longer?

Judy

I have found with risperdol and geodon that they took effect in 2 full weeks time. I was on the highest dose possible in 2 weeks time also.

Hi Judy, you know it really depends on the doctor, but I persoanlly believe that he should have stayed on it for at least a couple of months. I've been to two different doctors, and both have tried to keep me on my meds, and have said the most important thing is to give the meds time, and give yourself time. But like I said every doctor is different, but I have heard good things about Serqueel. Also, there is a place in Chicago called the Pfifer institue where they can do all sorts of tests, and they work with vitamins and nutrients. I hope that some of this helped, wishing you all the best of luck, Take care and have a great day.

Hi BigPete,

I'm glad that you are going to Pffeifer Institute. We are using the same approach with our 16 year old son and after about 4 months he is almost back to normal, and this is off the Seroquel that he was on. He has been psycotic for less than a year and it takes longer for people who have been psycotic for longer so don't get discouraged if it takes awhile.

Kim

Hi Pete,

My son also has schizophreni, for the last year or so. It is wierd and scary, to say the least. I've taken a class for families of mentally ill called Family to Family, put on by NAMI. It was very helpful in learning about meds, how to deal with them, DON'T AREGUE WITH THEM, etc. Very informative. Anyway, stay on your meds, that's the number one most important thing I learned in this class. Good luck!