Posts by Kimberly Cook5

Initial diagnosis: ear pain.

I haven't even made it to any follow-up appointments yet—mostly because I’ve been buried under a mountain of work I had to finish at home...

To be honest, my finances are a complete mess right now, so there's just no way I can afford to go out and buy all those fancy supplements to boost my immune system.

So, I started out on Amoxicillin 10mg for ten days—though I did miss one dose and wasn't exactly perfect about the twelve-hour intervals, sometimes there was a two or three-hour gap...—and then went straight into Augmentin for seven days. I really tried to be more disciplined with the timing on that one. It’s only now, on this final day of Augmentin, that the sweating has actually started to kick in.

It all started with this intense pain in my ear (there was this constant ringing in my left ear that hasn't quite stopped either) and my entire left side felt off—even my hip and a tooth on the left side were acting up. Once the antibiotics kicked in, everything finally settled down. John Doe is doing fine now.
I gave my doctor a call today and already took two 500mg doses of Lupocet; I'm planning to stick to three times a day for now, and if things don't improve, I'll be heading back to the clinic at the end of the week.
I spent some time sitting out in the sun in front of the house today, and honestly, I think it's helping. I've been feeling pretty thirsty, so I'm making sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.

For context, I'm also currently taking Synthroid, Risset, and Luxet.

Right now, I’m on Risset 2 x 2 mg, Lexapro 50mg, and Prozac—though after a few days on the Prozac, I’ve just been taking it in the evening to help me sleep. My doctor is currently transitioning me onto a new regimen... I had some issues when I was on Risset 3 x 2mg, and honestly, the Zyprexa used to knock me out completely.

Ever since I stepped off the Zyprexa, I’ve started questioning everything—basically overanalyzing things and pulling them way out of context—but as far as I'm concerned, my psychiatrist will get my head straight. He's the best! 🙂

I don't bother with horror movies anymore, nor do I waste my time reading any of those mindless books—instead, I just find some movie of my own to put on. Before everything went downhill with this illness, I actually used to enjoy all that stuff...

It’s been nearly three years since I’ve even stepped foot outside on my own—I haven't even made it into the city at all... just constant fear and panic attacks.

So, here’s the situation—I originally wanted to go through with Holy Therapy back when I wasn't even able to get around on my own... I told them straight up that I couldn't make it, even though I really wanted to be there. And their response? They just said it was "inconvenient." Honestly, if these people are supposed to be spiritual leaders, you’d think they’d actually step up and help organize some kind of transportation for me instead of just brushing me off.
Now, I’ve finally got something scheduled for late September or early October. But wait—I had previously been given a slot in January, which I had to miss due to legitimate, unavoidable reasons. They promised they’d reschedule me, but so far? Absolute silence. They haven't called me once.
And while I was stuck waiting—trying to bridge that massive gap from September/October all the way to January—I kept calling them, I even went there in person... and all I ever got was the same old line: "We'll call you." Apparently, they won't be reaching out until right before January... typical.

fadedlynx96 said:I assume this is a commentary on paranoid schizophrenia rather than simple anxiety.

Everything needs to be laid bare before a psychiatrist. You have to disclose every detail, every symptom, and every underlying issue, because a doctor can't possibly guess what's happening behind closed doors. It's the same story with medication side effects; one person might feel nothing while another struggles significantly. You absolutely must talk to the doctor instead of just quitting the treatment mid-stream, as they are the only ones equipped to evaluate all the variables and decide which medication is appropriate and for how long.
If my memory serves me, coffee and cigarettes aren't nearly as damaging as alcohol or marijuana, though chronic sleep deprivation remains a massive obstacle for these types of conditions.

For me, coffee triggers panic attacks—even black tea does. My psychiatrist told me it's just not advisable to consume any kind of caffeine, including things like Coca-Cola. I haven't touched them at all for six months now.

Honestly, I actually managed to get something that works way better than Zyprexa—I'm on Risset now, and it doesn't leave me feeling quite as dead to the world... Plus, I've been taking Luxet on the side.
And I can't believe they just discovered recently that my thyroid is acting up, too—so maybe all those panic attacks were actually being triggered by my thyroid issues all along?!

ruggedtinker9 said:I happened to come across this article regarding antipsychotics... it suggests that long-term use of these medications can lead to a significant reduction in brain volume.

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/1006....2010.281.html

Oh, please—how absolutely fascinating! As if I don't already have enough on my plate being a double major at a major state university, having earned four different merit scholarships based on my GPA plus the Dean's List honors. So there's that little fact for you.

ruggedtinker9 said:I am currently on Zyprexa, and I know firsthand just how much this medication numbs you. My brain feels completely dulled, and honestly, dealing with this drug is nothing short of misery for me. Maybe your experience is different, but for me, it’s a struggle. I suppose science still doesn't have all the answers when it comes to this.

I'm also on Zyprexa, but for me, it's been an absolute lifesaver.🙂

William Evans10 said:She absolutely cannot stand the Zyprexa. It’s just not working for her at all. Honestly, she’s like a walking ghost lately. I’m basically forcing her to take it just to get her to swallow the pills. Could you tell me how long you’ve been dealing with your diagnosis? How long have you been undergoing treatment, and how much time did it actually take before they finally found a therapy that worked for you? Thanks.🙂

You really ought to start with much smaller doses—I'm talking 2.5mg at most. When I first started, they threw 5mg at me right out of the gate, which basically just turned me into a zombie... so my psychiatrist eventually had to scale me back down to 2.5mg for a while just to get things under control. It took me about two and a half years of searching for the right fit, but once I finally landed with my current doctor—which actually took about six months of seeing him before I even felt a glimmer of improvement—things finally started looking up. He’s honestly given me the best treatment plan I've ever had; he slowly titrated my Zyprexa up to 20mg (which is the maximum dose, by the way) and then, once I was actually feeling stable and better, he began tapering it back down...

Look, let’s be real—until she actually decides to pull herself out of this mess, everything else is just noise... it's all completely pointless.
If she’s actually mentally impaired like you’re suggesting—which is a pretty heavy claim to make, by the way—then the first logical step should be getting her in front of a licensed psychologist. They’re the ones who can actually assess the situation and provide a proper referral if things are as bad as you say... It’s entirely possible she’s just terrified of the whole treatment process. Fear can make people act irrational, after all.

P.S. I’ve been living with this diagnosis for nine years now—though, to be honest, the first eight were basically just a massive, exhausting waste of time because nobody could figure out what was actually wrong with me...

William Evans10 said:My mother-in-law suffers from what’s called psychoactive schizophrenia—it’s a heavy diagnosis, really. But honestly, on top of the clinical side of things, she struggles with significant cognitive impairments too. I can't tell if it's just part of the illness or something else, but she's unable to handle basic tasks, doesn't know how to manage them, and frankly, refuses to try. It leaves her completely dependent on my husband and me. For the longest time, she never stayed consistent with her medication or kept up with her appointments at the psychiatrist. Ever since I moved in after we got married... well, I finally pushed for some real help. We eventually managed to drag her to a specialist, and she’s been attending sessions now. She was prescribed Zyprexa and Faverin. However, ever since she started this regimen, she has become incredibly lethargic. She spends her entire day in bed, she’s lost a significant amount of weight, and she barely speaks. She just wants to be alone, staring at the TV or sleeping. At first, I thought she was just adjusting to the new meds, but it’s been three months now. It’s like the light has just gone out in her. Her parents have passed away, and she’s only 47 years old. You truly cannot imagine how difficult her personality is, or how draining this whole situation has become. My husband remembers how tough it was when he was growing up; his grandparents tried everything they could to help her back then, but nothing worked. She’s cycled through various medications before with zero results. Either these specific pills are totally numbing her, or she’s subconsciously avoiding taking them.

What you described definitely isn't just "adjusting" to the treatment—because I take olanzapine (Zyprexa) myself, and I used to be on Fevarin too. Are you absolutely certain she's actually swallowing the pills? Also, regarding the cognitive issues, those aren't necessarily tied to the diagnosis; I live with schizophrenia and I'm currently pulling double duty as a student at two different universities.

Look, if she refuses to cooperate with treatment, then honestly—without any guilt whatsoever—you should just insist on having her admitted to a psychiatric facility for a while. Maybe that'll finally bring her to her senses. I've spent time in a psych ward before, and it’s actually not a bad place to be.

And you know what the absolute worst part is? The way people treat those of us living with schizophrenia like we’re some sort of lower class. When I went to my high school reunion, everyone was asking how I was doing—but it was always that superficial, "oh, how's your health?" kind of check-in; honestly, a few people even went out of their way to avoid me entirely. And all those people who promised we’d grab coffee sometime? They either never called back—even after I gave them my number—or they reached out once and then just vanished into thin air. It’s infuriating, because before all this, I actually fit in perfectly fine with everyone.
Then there’s the dating scene... God, it’s pathetic. The second I tell a guy I’m interested in that I have a mental illness—boom—I basically cease to exist to him. If he even bothers to reply to a text, it’s nothing more than a polite formality.
On top of that, I’m finishing up one degree—I just have my master's thesis left to go at 🙂—and now I’m starting my second year of undergrad at a different university 🙂. Not to brag, of course, but I actually earned the Dean's award and received four different scholarships because of my grades. But to these people? None of that matters. My achievements don't count because of my diagnosis.
But look, not everyone is like that. The people at my university who actually understand what I’m dealing with treat me normally and hang out with me—I’ve even tutored a few of them. I have one best friend and two other close girlfriends, even if we don't see each other constantly.

P.S. Since I got sick, I’ve really only been out to a party or a club three times total. I simply don't have anyone to go with, and while there are nights where I genuinely want to go out, it's hard... I wish I could start fresh with people who actually know my situation, so they wouldn't freak out if I happen to have a panic attack. But it's not like I'm always in the mood to go out anyway—not that anyone ever invites me regardless...

Larry Lewis said:But what if she doesn't have that drive? And her parents aren't exactly providing a safety net here. Where is she supposed to find a doctor if she can't afford a private practice in a city like Chicago or Seattle? If you're broke, the hospital is basically your only option.

Look, you can pull yourself out of that hole using the psychiatric services at the county hospital if you have to. It all comes down to whether or not you actually have the will to fight...

Larry Lewis said:It’s a grim situation when you're sick and isolated. In my estimation, she'll likely end up hospitalized very soon—which, frankly, would be for the best.

Hospitalization didn't do a damn thing for me. For me, the real progress came from working with my psychiatrist, leaning on my mom, and finding my own strength.
If there isn't any actual will to get better, then none of this matters... it's all just wasted effort.