Schizophrenia - General Discussion

Harold Anderson3 said:Hi there 🙂
Something actually crossed my mind today, especially given how much we've all been dealing with this whole pandemic era.

Do you guys think COVID is a harder illness to deal with, or is schizophrenia more taxing?

I mean, you can bounce back from COVID in a week or two, but once you get a diagnosis of schizophrenia, that's pretty much your life story.

cosmicdriver42 said:Who actually prescribed that to you? For what diagnosis? From what I understand, that's pretty heavy-duty stuff they bring out when things are at their worst, though I'm not entirely sure which specific category it falls into or exactly what it's used for...

Well, who do you think prescribed it? A psychiatrist, I assume! 😵

Joseph Fowler33 said:Well, who do you think prescribed it? A psychiatrist, I assume! 😵

Look, I know. I was just speaking out of turn there—obviously a psychiatrist handles the prescriptions... 😁
Though you definitely have people out there sourcing them and taking them on their own initiative...

cosmicdriver42 said:Look, I know. I was just speaking out of turn there—obviously a psychiatrist handles the prescriptions... 😁
Though you definitely have people out there sourcing them and taking them on their own initiative...

Honestly, I have no idea who would be crazy enough to just self-medicate like that. My doctor actually prescribed this pill to me, but I barely touch it because it absolutely wrecks me. As for why I was even put on it in the first place? Your guess is as good as mine.

cosmicdriver42 said:Hey Harold Anderson3, do you have a driver's license? Just curious what kind of restrictions were put on it if you do...
I deal with psychosis too, but we're both on Abilify, which is honestly the best antipsychotic I've tried so far... 👍
What dose of Azolar are you on?

Ever since my first psychotic episode back in '99, the DMV has been playing this little game where they just keep extending my license period. It started out with maybe just a year at a time, then it jumped to two, then three, and last time they bumped it up to five years, but this year they hit me with another three-year extension.

bluejackal2 said:Ever since my first psychotic episode back in '99, the DMV has been playing this little game where they just keep extending my license period. It started out with maybe just a year at a time, then it jumped to two, then three, and last time they bumped it up to five years, but this year they hit me with another three-year extension.

So, are you actually heading into the doctor's office for an evaluation?

Joseph Fowler33 said:So, are you actually heading into the doctor's office for an evaluation?

Well, I went once to the Danube clinic—they ended up extending my stay by a whole year—and then I’ve hit up occupational medicine at the Rajznerov facility quite a few times too (first they bumped me from one year to two, and later on, it kept stretching out to three). The last two times I actually saw Špiranović in Indianapolis, which just pushed things even further out to five years and three years respectively.

Just checking in for a moment. To be completely honest, I hit a really severe depressive episode and was prescribed 350mg of Welbutrin, along with Duloxetine, 30mg of Norvale, and 2mg of Rivotril.

Truthfully, a part of it was due to my boyfriend, but it was also because I was dealing with intense physical pain. I couldn't eat, so I lost weight, and I was sleeping constantly—sometimes six hours during the day plus all night... it was awful.
I suppose the illness itself is responsible for that phase, since it triggers those moods and shifts in brain chemistry. But there was also the crushing thought that I’m still young and now I'm sick, feeling like I’ll never finish my second degree, get a career, start a family, or everything else... it felt like my youth had been stolen from me. That sent me even deeper into the depression.

I'm doing better today. Things at home, with my boyfriend, and with my family have improved... but unfortunately, you don't just bounce back from depression overnight.

You all know how it goes. You're still left with that lack of motivation and that sense of worthlessness. Plus, I officially caught COVID, which really drained my will to do anything.

However, every day is a new start. It doesn't matter how many times you fall, as long as you keep getting back up.

The paranoia is starting to creep back in. It’s weird because before, I was just dealing with massive anxiety, but now my confidence is actually way up. Still, the paranoia and delusions are always hovering—that feeling like someone’s right behind me, watching me, or whispering about me. Honestly, it's been a bit easier since the Coronavirus hit because I'm basically housebound, but once I step outside? It feels like I'm being followed. I slipped back into that headspace again today, so now I'm just holed up in my room. I ended up taking 4x 400MG Quetiapine, 4X10MG Normabel, 500MG Decapin, and 100MG Fevarin.
I'm hoping that whoever—or whatever—I'm talking to in my head finally disappears. I get that they provide some decent company, but let's be real, there isn't anyone else in this room besides me. It doesn't feel like full-blown psychosis because I know exactly where I am, but I definitely know I'm living in a delusion—this little private bubble of mine where everything is perfect. A world where you can fix anything and nothing ever goes wrong. Someone ruined that for me once, and the shock was so intense I couldn't snap out of it, so I just retreated back to where I belong.

Patrick Patel4, did you really take 400mg of Quetiapine four times? If you don't mind my asking, what is your body weight? Because that is an incredibly high dose. I have it myself, but I try to avoid taking it because it just gets me high and knocks me out; sometimes it leaves me unable to get anything done, and I'm not sure how it affects you. I usually take it when I want to numb everything out—when I want to disappear because my soul hurts, I'm in intense physical pain, or I simply can't sleep. It helps me drift off, but I'm terrified of forming a habit, even though it feels good to take it at night. As for Lamictal, I've unfortunately had to increase my dose to 40 or 50mg. That’s just too much. Some days I take two, other days I lose track of the count entirely.
I really miss having people around. I didn't realize it would hit me like this, but I feel so lonely. There aren't many people in my house—just three of us—and hardly anyone talks to me since everyone has their own interests. It definitely makes my condition worse.

Everything else is under control.

Hey there.
Back again for some advice. My son is 24 and dealing with F20. It started about six years ago. Lately, he says he’s feeling fine—when we talk, he seems totally level-headed. The issue is, he won't go anywhere. Ever. It's either his room or maybe a trip to a cabin out in the woods, but mostly he just sits there gaming. He managed to hold down a job for a couple of seasons last year, but man, it was a struggle. He even got a girl's number once, but he never actually called her..
Then there's the weight issue. Between the meds and just being sedentary, he's put on over 130 pounds.
Up until now, he used to talk to me a lot and actually listen to what I had to say, but I think I've become a broken record. Now he doesn't really want to open up about the illness, eating better, or any of that stuff. We can still talk about everything else, though.

Olivia Bishop8 said:Hey there.
Back again for some advice. My son is 24 and dealing with F20. It started about six years ago. Lately, he says he’s feeling fine—when we talk, he seems totally level-headed. The issue is, he won't go anywhere. Ever. It's either his room or maybe a trip to a cabin out in the woods, but mostly he just sits there gaming. He managed to hold down a job for a couple of seasons last year, but man, it was a struggle. He even got a girl's number once, but he never actually called her..
Then there's the weight issue. Between the meds and just being sedentary, he's put on over 130 pounds.
Up until now, he used to talk to me a lot and actually listen to what I had to say, but I think I've become a broken record. Now he doesn't really want to open up about the illness, eating better, or any of that stuff. We can still talk about everything else, though.

If you ask me, I'd suggest tapering off the meds first and then making an effort to get outside. Not sure what he's even on right now.
I'm only on one medication myself at the moment, though I was taking three for a while. Mental health struggles aren't exactly a walk in the park.

gentlenomad502 said:If you ask me, I'd suggest tapering off the meds first and then making an effort to get outside. Not sure what he's even on right now.
I'm only on one medication myself at the moment, though I was taking three for a while. Mental health struggles aren't exactly a walk in the park.

They're taking 15 mg of Azolar in the morning and Xeplion injections.

gentlenomad502 said:If you ask me, I'd suggest tapering off the meds first and then making an effort to get outside. Not sure what he's even on right now.
I'm only on one medication myself at the moment, though I was taking three for a while. Mental health struggles aren't exactly a walk in the park.

Olivia Bishop8 said:They're taking 15 mg of Azolar in the morning and Xeplion injections.

I don't think you should be cutting back on medication. Instead, focus on doing the actual work on yourself while staying on your prescription. The meds aren't the reason he’s struggling socially; they're just there. Telling someone to taper off their meds is incredibly dangerous advice.

I completely agree that you should never reduce or change your medication without consulting your psychiatrist first. If things feel off, the best thing to do is state it clearly to your doctor; they can assess the situation and determine the next steps. Sometimes, a specific regimen just isn't the right fit. In my case, it took years to finally find some balance in my therapy.

I am currently on Wellbutrin 300mg, Rivotril 2mg, and I was prescribed Duloxetine due to worsening depression. I'm also taking Norvasc and, unfortunately, Prazina as well.
To be honest, I’m not even sure if the Duloxetine is doing anything. As for the Prazina, it feels like a necessary evil, but it's what it is.
Wellbutrin is really the only thing keeping me afloat right now.
I remember being on Lexapro, Haldol, and all sorts of other things back in the day.
Everything became much clearer once they discovered lesions in my brain. They are located in the area responsible for schizophrenia, affecting my thought processes, emotions, motor skills, and vision...
Since then, my treatment has been neurological. And let me tell you, the psychiatric meds I used to take seem like child's play compared to these neurological treatments and undergoing hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is the worst feeling imaginable—both mentally and physically. You feel completely drained, nauseous, and utterly exhausted, to the point where you just want it all to end. Unfortunately, once that phase passes, you know you have to go through it all over again later.

So now, I’m dealing with an anxiety and depressive disorder, which seems minor compared to what you all are facing.
But I do understand how you feel because I’ve been in that stage myself.
Regardless, I’m not giving up. No matter how hard it gets, I keep pushing toward my goals.

Rebecca Rivera3 said:I completely agree that you should never reduce or change your medication without consulting your psychiatrist first. If things feel off, the best thing to do is state it clearly to your doctor; they can assess the situation and determine the next steps. Sometimes, a specific regimen just isn't the right fit. In my case, it took years to finally find some balance in my therapy.

I am currently on Wellbutrin 300mg, Rivotril 2mg, and I was prescribed Duloxetine due to worsening depression. I'm also taking Norvasc and, unfortunately, Prazina as well.
To be honest, I’m not even sure if the Duloxetine is doing anything. As for the Prazina, it feels like a necessary evil, but it's what it is.
Wellbutrin is really the only thing keeping me afloat right now.
I remember being on Lexapro, Haldol, and all sorts of other things back in the day.
Everything became much clearer once they discovered lesions in my brain. They are located in the area responsible for schizophrenia, affecting my thought processes, emotions, motor skills, and vision...
Since then, my treatment has been neurological. And let me tell you, the psychiatric meds I used to take seem like child's play compared to these neurological treatments and undergoing hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is the worst feeling imaginable—both mentally and physically. You feel completely drained, nauseous, and utterly exhausted, to the point where you just want it all to end. Unfortunately, once that phase passes, you know you have to go through it all over again later.

So now, I’m dealing with an anxiety and depressive disorder, which seems minor compared to what you all are facing.
But I do understand how you feel because I’ve been in that stage myself.
Regardless, I’m not giving up. No matter how hard it gets, I keep pushing toward my goals.

About twelve years ago, I took Prazina at a 25 mg dose for a short period, but I refused to continue because it falls under the category of antipsychotics, even though a 100 mg dose is typically used to manage psychosis.

How are you doing, Rebecca Rivera3 and the rest of the crew?!?!?! Surely you haven't been hospitalized again, have you??? On January 16th, I witnessed the single most stressful sight of my entire life, and I am still grappling with the aftermath of that trauma. I walked in to find my aunt—my mother's sister—dead, alongside a young neighbor; my heart truly breaks for her, as she was forced to witness that horrific scene too, and she is barely twenty.

Why would my psychiatrist prescribe me Normabel at 10 mg and Trittico—of which I take just one-third of a 75 mg tablet? It is technically an antidepressant, yet in such small amounts, it functions primarily as a sleep aid. When I read the prescribing information and saw how many side effects it could potentially trigger across various bodily systems, I felt a surge of anxiety, but ultimately, I decided it was better to try this route, especially since it is a benzofuran and I am far too prone to developing a dependency on benzodiazepines. In fact, I spent quite a long time relying on Sanval in the past.

Am I eligible for disability benefits with a schizophrenia diagnosis?

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cosmiclynx79 said:Am I eligible for disability benefits with a schizophrenia diagnosis?

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You should probably file an application with the Department of Social Services. If you don't qualify for full disability, maybe you could at least get some sort of caregiver assistance or supplemental aid.

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So, after nearly a decade of dealing with my mental health issues, I finally got the paperwork back stating I’m basically 90% disabled. Honestly, though—between me being old and just not knowing what the hell comes next—it’s all a bit much. My old lady and I are heading down to the Department of Social Services this Monday to see what the deal is with the final decision.

The paperwork says I qualify for Group II disability, but apparently, I don't qualify for some specific type of permanent assistance or whatever. I have no clue what any of this actually means or how it changes things moving forward.

So, what happens if someone with F20 just decides to stop taking their meds on their own? Like, they've been off them for 9 months now... 😬