Schizophrenia - General Discussion

David Vaughn75 said:Everyone keeps preaching about how Seroquel is some kind of miracle drug... like it’s got the fewest side effects out there

For me, it’s actually been a lifesaver—I’ve finally found some stability since starting it, which is saying something considering I’ve cycled through about a million different antipsychotics over the years.

He’s really just drifting through life, you know? No interest in anything at all—no friends, nothing. We even moved to a new city where we don't know a single soul. He’s been struggling for about ten years now, and since then, he’s had zero social life, no girlfriend, no sex, no hobbies... just total isolation. 🙂

Harold Harris20 said:He’s really just drifting through life, you know? No interest in anything at all—no friends, nothing. We even moved to a new city where we don't know a single soul. He’s been struggling for about ten years now, and since then, he’s had zero social life, no girlfriend, no sex, no hobbies... just total isolation. 🙂

I had a feeling that was the case. It all rests on his shoulders—he knows it, too—but he simply refuses to face the music.

He's a completely different person now. It’s like the brother I used to have just... died. Honestly, you guys seem so much better to deal with here, probably just because you actually write things out and communicate...

Harold Harris20 said:He's a completely different person now. It’s like the brother I used to have just... died. Honestly, you guys seem so much better to deal with here, probably just because you actually write things out and communicate...

Look, we sit around here complaining and joking, sure, but we’re all dealing with our own messes and fighting our own battles against illness. Have you seen the posts from our friend Diego? He’s hitting a rough patch right now, but he’s been through this before—he pulled himself out then because he had the will, and he’ll do it again.

Someone really needs to reach him somehow; it’s honestly heartbreaking to see a young guy suffering like this. But—and I say this with all due respect—while you guys can help a little, I truly believe he has the capacity to make a massive turnaround. He just needs that moment of clarity, that realization... and God knows that’s the hardest part. Once he starts, he’s going to stumble—he’ll fall hard, more often than not—but falling is infinitely better than just sinking into the abyss of this sickness.

Honestly, I think it’s such a huge step forward that someone would actually reach out online for help or comfort, even when things are hitting rock bottom. His illness has been an absolute wrecking ball—it's torn apart him, my mom, me, our relationships... just everything.

I honestly don't even know what to say—I am truly, deeply sorry for you.😢

It is what it is, I guess fate just had other plans for us.

I'm honestly just so stressed out over his meds... that's why I keep asking. About ten days ago, he jumped from 300mg to 600mg of Seroquel, and while he seems a tiny bit calmer now, he's still having episodes every single day.

Harold Harris20 said:I'm honestly just so stressed out over his meds... that's why I keep asking. About ten days ago, he jumped from 300mg to 600mg of Seroquel, and while he seems a tiny bit calmer now, he's still having episodes every single day.

The ceiling for Seroquel is actually 1200mg, though that’s usually for the X version—I'm not entirely certain about the standard release.

If you don't mind me asking—and please tell me to shut up if this is too intrusive—could you describe what these episodes actually look like?

Aha, he’s using X in combination with Zypadhera injections.
I’ll just focus on the last two years since that’s when we lost our dad, and honestly, his condition seems to have spiraled since then.
First, he decided to quit Risperdal on his own. He’d been on it for years but absolutely hated it—complained it didn't work and made him gain weight, blah blah blah. He went off his meds for two months without us knowing, and we only found out when he told us he was terrified and needed a hospital. It was only then I realized he'd stopped everything. He tried getting back on it, but nothing has worked quite right since. At the start of this year, he ended up hospitalized because he had these episodes lasting about 3 or 4 months: intense anxiety, being verbally aggressive, overanalyzing every little thing, thinking he was getting messages through the TV, extreme paranoia... he even kicked people out of our yard because he thought they were there to spy on him. After spending two months in the hospital, they stabilized him by dropping his Seroquel to 300mg plus an injection, but just eight days later, things took a turn for the worse again. About a month ago, he was almost back to where he was before the hospital, so they bumped his Seroquel up to 600mg. Now, day-to-day, he’s still constantly restless. He mostly just stays in his room or comes downstairs to smoke and then starts, how should I put this, "venting"... yelling at people on the TV, or obsessively analyzing religious stuff (like seeing nuns at the local grocery store, which makes zero sense), plus all these other random connections I can't follow. He’s also still mildly aggressive toward my mom, calling her "crazy" or "stupid" and things like that. Then he’ll calm down for a bit, only for it to all start over the next day... though he does sleep great...

Harold Harris20 said:Aha, he’s using X in combination with Zypadhera injections.
I’ll just focus on the last two years since that’s when we lost our dad, and honestly, his condition seems to have spiraled since then.
First, he decided to quit Risperdal on his own. He’d been on it for years but absolutely hated it—complained it didn't work and made him gain weight, blah blah blah. He went off his meds for two months without us knowing, and we only found out when he told us he was terrified and needed a hospital. It was only then I realized he'd stopped everything. He tried getting back on it, but nothing has worked quite right since. At the start of this year, he ended up hospitalized because he had these episodes lasting about 3 or 4 months: intense anxiety, being verbally aggressive, overanalyzing every little thing, thinking he was getting messages through the TV, extreme paranoia... he even kicked people out of our yard because he thought they were there to spy on him. After spending two months in the hospital, they stabilized him by dropping his Seroquel to 300mg plus an injection, but just eight days later, things took a turn for the worse again. About a month ago, he was almost back to where he was before the hospital, so they bumped his Seroquel up to 600mg. Now, day-to-day, he’s still constantly restless. He mostly just stays in his room or comes downstairs to smoke and then starts, how should I put this, "venting"... yelling at people on the TV, or obsessively analyzing religious stuff (like seeing nuns at the local grocery store, which makes zero sense), plus all these other random connections I can't follow. He’s also still mildly aggressive toward my mom, calling her "crazy" or "stupid" and things like that. Then he’ll calm down for a bit, only for it to all start over the next day... though he does sleep great...

He sounds like a really difficult case, unfortunately. I was in a similar headspace for maybe a month myself, and you have no idea how long it took me to feel remotely normal again.

I honestly don't know what to tell you.

Hey there, my dear Sizina crew, your friend Sizina has a quick question for you all 😍

If you were talking to someone who has absolutely no clue what our condition is actually like, how would you explain what’s going on with us using your own words?

Thanks so much, sending my best to everyone.

Fertility glasses? 😁

ironrider11 said:Fertility glasses? 😁

Come on now—don't go throwing all that gloom my way—we Sizina folks are sensitive souls, you know.🙂

Eric Mitchell55 said:Hey there, my dear Sizina crew, your friend Sizina has a quick question for you all 😍

If you were talking to someone who has absolutely no clue what our condition is actually like, how would you explain what’s going on with us using your own words?

Thanks so much, sending my best to everyone.

For me, it’s pretty straightforward, though I probably shouldn't get into the weeds here—besides, it isn't exactly some riveting tale worth telling.

Larry Lewis said:For me, it’s pretty straightforward, though I probably shouldn't get into the weeds here—besides, it isn't exactly some riveting tale worth telling.

Hey, it's totally up to you—I'm not trying to push anyone into anything. 😉
I just thought I'd mention that if anyone is actually interested, I'd love to take a look, and we can always just chat via DM. 🙂

Eric Mitchell55 said:Hey there, my dear Sizina crew, your friend Sizina has a quick question for you all 😍

If you were talking to someone who has absolutely no clue what our condition is actually like, how would you explain what’s going on with us using your own words?

Thanks so much, sending my best to everyone.

Tell them to watch the movie "Genius Mind".

Robin Lopez2 said:Tell them to watch the movie "Genius Mind".

Honestly, living on the edge—well, above the coward's nest, if you will—might actually be the better path... it carries a much more powerful message in my book.

I’ve actually seen both of them! I can't believe it didn't cross my mind sooner. 🙂
Thanks so much, 🙂