i'm sorry about lisa. I just wentoff zyprexa abd started on ambilifly. I don't like it but both irritate me because I gorgr myself on it. I am not heavy so weight gain increases my paranoia and my sense of grAVITY.
what do you tgink of ambilify? did it seem to help at all?
Posted by: vmmb at February 8, 2006 04:35 PM
Hello, I too have a daughter with schizo-affective disorder, and also coincidentally, I am a teacher like you. My daughter takes Depakote, Geodon, clonazepam, and Lexapro. She says that she can't make the voices stop, so last week I finally consented to start her on clozaril, which her doctor had been pushing for quite a while. I feel better reading that your daughter has had no side effects. My heart goes out to you and your daughter. Best wishes, Lisa
Posted by: Lisa at February 27, 2006 06:33 AM
My daughter has be diagnosed as being bi polar. She hears whispering, nightmares usually about suicide, being kidnaped, the nighmares prevent her from a good nights sleep. She is currently taking Ambilify, zoloft, lithium, naltrexone, and Lunesta. Nothing seems to help the nightmares which prevent her from a good nights rest. Last couple of nights has refused the Lunesta. She is walking around like a zombie. This too is breaking my heart. Oh she was taking Saraquell. The Ambilify has been the only drug yet to reduce the dreams. Any ideas?
Thanks Bill
Posted by: Bill at March 21, 2006 02:42 PM
Dear, My only daughter is sufferring from Schizophrenia from 1986.She is on clozapine(clozaril) 600 mg per day.I just wanted to tell you that there were atleast 3 cases in India which i know who shifted from clozapine toAMBILIFY; (abilify as it is called here)HAD RELAPSE and they have to be hospitalised.Only clozapine saved them again.It is strongly recomended that there is no better drug than clozapine as revealed by CATTIE trial(clozapine excluded from that trial as it is far superior drug).The blood test is now conducted in India only once a year after the patient doesnot show any significant bloodcount loss for 6 months.Shift back to clozaril immediately.with kind regards and prayers for your daughters recovery.
Posted by: captain johann at March 28, 2006 09:31 AM
Dear Lisa mother, my heart goes with you, my brother who is 35 yrs suffering from schizophrenia as iam the only relative for him in London i could not leave him, he was laeding a normal life and had a good job suddenly he in 1999 the signs started,its the hardest experience to look after a relative with such ilness. That changed my life completely sometimes i used to cry but never stopped looking after him, the worst part the mental health service could not help straight they work with red-tape sysytem to assess him took about a year.Thanx GOD my bro is better now than he is on olozpine. but he has no motivation. TO YOU ALL DONT LOSE HOPE AND PRAY TO GOD.
BY THE WAY LIsa mom you letter is wonderful,
Posted by: ALI at May 17, 2006 02:29 AM
I took ambilify for the first time yesterday, only 10 mg, and I got very ill. I started to break out in a cold sweat, and vomited 3 times. I have been looking for more info on this drug online, but can't seem to find any good sites. Also, I got extremely drowsy, and am still feeling those effects this evening.
Posted by: kelly at May 19, 2006 02:33 AM
pLEASE HELP ME, I AM NOT SLEEPING MUCH. I AM ON LAMICTAL AND AMBILIFY.
Posted by: SUSAN at May 22, 2006 07:29 AM
I suffer from bi polar disorder, when first diagnosed I was put on depakote, put on 100 pounds. took me a long time to just drop 30 of them. now i take ambilify and i'm gorging food.. the weight is coming back and i'm already pushing 300 pounds. god thats scary almost 300 pounds..any suggestions..........god bless linda
Posted by: Linda at June 13, 2006 03:59 AM
my son is 21 and has schizphrenic..he is having severe symtoms and risperdole is not working, his dr. is changing his med to ambily. any comments on this drug ? I see that Linda said weight gain is a problem..I am My son is having severe delusions that the gov't is after him.. He has been on many different drugs and his symptoms keep returning. GOD BLESS ALL OF THE CAREGIVERS !!!
Posted by: annmarie at June 23, 2006 03:46 PM
I was diagnosed with schitzo effective disorder three years ago. I started on Risperidol which was extremly effective for psychosis but made me very drowsy. I now take Geodon and with the exception of some insomnia am doing very well and am back to "normal". I encourage you to keep trying different meds until you find the right combanation.
When I was psychotic I found it extremly helpful to draw uncomplicated pictures, listen to classical music (and soothing music without words) and since social anxiety was a problem for me, to only be exposed to small controlled groups. I also found that watching any interperative dance was quite soothing as you can make up your own storyline and there is no conversation to stress you out.
I pray that you allow yourself to hope for recovery. The journey back is long and scary but I know from first hand experience that with love and support your daughter can get important pieces of her life back.
I encourage you to seek your local chapter of NAMI. They have wonderful support groups for parents such as yourselves. I know my mother and now husband found them to be invaluable.
Before I go to sleep tonight I will say a prayer for you and your daughter. May you endure...and with time thrive.
Posted by: Karen at July 6, 2006 07:15 AM
Hi I have a girlfriend who i love very much but she suffers from schitzo effective disorder and has been recently hospitalized again for her illness. She is 24 and it is so sad when she starts calling me names of people from her past. She says at times i change into different people. It is so frustrating that no matter what medication she is on she still thinks that everything is a conspiracy against her. Currently she is being treated with mood stabilizels like depakote and is on riperidol for the dilusions. She is making strides but she has a problem with attaching herself to any man that shows her attention. It hurts me to hear that she was
Posted by: Bob at July 8, 2006 11:52 PM
I have been diagnosed with bi polar for years now. The doctors have tried so many medications on me and the only one that kept me level was the ambilify, however now my insurance doesnt cover it and I have been literally off meds for three months. I go through major depression I have manic highs and manic lows.I know everyone especially the doctors are out to destroy me. I can not even afford my sleeping medication, so unfortunatley all I can say is unless your rich with this illness its never gonna get any better. Sorry to burst everyones bubble.
Posted by: Kerri at August 25, 2006 05:02 AM
Hi, My boyfriend also suffers from schizo affective disorder. He was doing so well, he is currently taking Geodon until approximately three weeks ago when he started with delusions and lack of sleep. I am currently 6 months pregnant and It is so hard to deal with this situation. He has been out of the hospital for three years and I'm praying for him not to go back but if its time there is nothing I can do. The doctor doubled the Geodon dose, he has been taking 120mg for 5 days now. I really hope It starts working soon, I pray every night for him to get better. I really hope from the bottom of my heart that all of us can find if not a definite solution at least a way to help them have a normal life.
Keep your hopes up God will help us all.
Posted by: Carolina at September 5, 2006 05:31 AM
I have not been diagnosed with this very sad disease, BUT in reading the comments focused on inability to sleep and nightmares recognize a problem I do have. Part of my problem is undiagnosed, but you can't always find a reason for everything. We have got to the point where we forget the reason why and move on to relief. .....I was diagnosed with very bad sleep apnea, stopping breathing hundreds of times during the night, always tired from the constant interruptions and have really REALLY REALLY bad dreams. These dreams were so real that I was convinced they were true, I would sometimes have to stop and think backwards for quite a while, backtrack in real life to the starting point before of the subject of the dreams, before I could disprove them. This blessed doctor said the reason I was dreaming at all was that i never got down into the deep sleep level that was just plain sleep without dreaming or anything else. He prescribed a CPAP. which is the device that helps you to sleep without interruption. Some people wear a mask, but I have a very light weight device that holds what they call 'little pillows' that fit underneath each nostril. Not uncomfortable at all. From the time I started using my CPAP, I have slept without any meication, sometimes 6-7 hours at a time, which is very restful and an adequate amount. The better thing to me is that when I wear the CPAP and go into the deep sleep THE DREAMS DO NOT COME!!! I used to wake up very distressed because of these dreams. I would lie in bed searching for the answers to the dreams and in a very sad and sometimes very depressed mood.
I must tell you that sometimes,if the little pillows slip out of place, or if I am not wearing the CPAP for one reason or another, the dreams and light sleep march right back in. So it definitely is the deep sleep that is so much help, and I would not have deep sleep with the CPAP. CPSP is not a cure, but for a good night's dreamless sleep WITHOUT MEDICATION it is wonderful relief. Hopefully someone can use this information. Print this out and show it to your doctor and see what he thinks. If you can't stand to have something on your face, at least look at it. You might be surprised how small the non-mask thing is. You may even have a little sleep apnea. My doctor just looked down my throat and could tell the way the back of my tongue closed off the air flow where the throat begins. To me it is the magic fix. I am forever grateful to the doctor who discoverd this problem and knew how to fix it.
Posted by: Louise at September 8, 2006 07:14 PM
i've been on lamictal, wellbutrin and cymbalta. now i'm supposed to add ambilify.
i'm sorry your suffering. myself most of the time i'm suicidal.
Posted by: ian at September 10, 2006 11:03 PM
I SUFFER FROM MOOD SWINGS IM TAKING DEPACOTE RISPERDONE VENLAFLAXINE AT THE MOMENT I DONT KNOW WHICH ONE IS GIVING ME SLEEP DEPRAVATION IF I STOP TAKING THEM I BECOME VERY ILL AND HAVE TO BE HOSPITALIZED IM SO DESPERATE FOR SLEEP I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY ANY IDES ANYONE
Posted by: JULIE at September 22, 2006 04:41 AM
My heart aches for my 25 year old daughter whose diagnosis has changed from bipolar with psychosis to schizoaffective disorder. She has been in and out of the hospital a dozen times over the past couple of years. It seems as soon as she gets to doing well, she falls again. She has a problem with drugs and alcohol also, which help to make her forget to take her meds appropriately. I know this rollercoaster ride well. My precious daughter knows this ride and tried to get off once. My prayers are with all of you who suffer personally or stand on the sidelines and suffer watching loved ones struggle with this. My daughter has taken so many different meds, but is now on lithium and zyprexa. It's doing the trick for the moment, but nothing has worked for very long. Her run with Depakote made her gain 50 pounds and she was miserable. Geodon worked for a while also. She is a bright, loving person who deserves a life of health and peace. I wish all of you that and will pray for you.
Posted by: Mary at October 19, 2006 07:45 PM
My husband was diagnosed with bipolar 7 years ago. After being in and out of the hospital for a while he was put on Geodon, ambilify, lithium, and colonapin. He is level and the hallucinations have stopped. We are greatful. Now he is having leg tremors cant sit still and feel like he is craling out of his skin for a good part of the day. We believe its from the ambilify. Are there any other meds out there that can be switched for the ambilify
Posted by: ambra at October 25, 2006 01:59 AM
hello,I am also on ambilify. Just started taking it a month ago. I started on the 5 mg and went up to 10mg. I think I am doing some better but I think I could go up to a higher dosage. I was hearing voices and having many mood swings along with being majorally depressed. Good luck to everyone
Posted by: brenda at November 17, 2006 12:44 AM
I had a brake down nearly nine months ago and diagosed with a schizoform illness, i am on seroquel and stable. My symptoms have not completely eleviated yet. My docter is pushing me to take clozapine. Is this the best treatment? Do people return to normal taking it?
Posted by: andrew at November 18, 2006 12:15 PM
I was looking up zoloft/lithium on the computer and happened to see your site. I noticed that your daughter was on this combination. I was on Sertraline(zoloft) 3years and started back for 2 more years I was just taken off recently,because zoloft,lithium, or a combi nation of the two over the long term may be the cause of my tremors. I don't mean I have had too much coffee looking tremors.I mean something that looks more like Parkinsons with an attitude tremor. I have been on disability leave probably going on 6 months now, only having a bit of releif over the past month after being put on Inderal still unable to work or drive. I just kind of wanted to give you, your daughter and some of the others who have left comments a heads-up on this. Of coarse my condition has not been absolutely diagnosed. Perhaps it had nothing to do with meds, but I have some resources implieng that Lithum and Zoloft may not be a good combo listing CNS side effects in particular. I was actually lookig for more sources when I came across your article. Not to scare anyone or lead anybody in the wrong direction. I would watch for any tremor and especially if it worsens,even very slightly worsens contact your Doc or Psychiatrist and question whether it could be eather Zoloft,Lithibid,or combination thereof.(Lithium may be a culprit regardless of blood levels). Also very important a Doc or Neurologist may try to give a diagnosis of conversion disorder (psychologicaly triggered tremors) based on a lack of initial organic evidence and of coarse indicated by the meds, psychological history. In which case, if the tremor is constant and affects the whole body or numerous muscle groups, and does not follow after psychological or in anticipating psychological sress it is not conversion disorder. Although conversion disorder can mimic any neurological symptom or disorder (neurologist find an easy way out of being held accountable for misleading a patient supporting there often times completely bogus diagnosis by using this part of the definition of a conversion disorder); These symptoms are displayed only in breif episodes or attacks The more severe the symptom the quicker it goes away. Also conversion disoreder symptoms lay dormant until psychological stress triggers them. It is usually due to a recent or traumatic event but will show itself during any psychologically taxing situation even though the root cause may be subconscious from some distant event. What I'm trieng to say is CDisorder not constant and allways occurs under stress, not just any time.
I did not intend to write so much. Just wanted to give you a heads-up about potential side effects associated with long term use. And if she were to suffer from these side effects,don't let the doctors assume that its just a new psychological problem.
I found out that I was misdiagnosed as having conversion disorder or even being bipolar to begin with.
I wish your daughter the best in her life and in her treatment.And to both of you; Don't waste what the good lord gave by allowing yourself to be in constant worry.Give your burdens and worries to God in prayer. His shoulders are broad enough to carry any of our trobles.
Posted by: scott edwards-gildersleeve at November 20, 2006 09:13 PM
My wife is taking Ambilify and Lamictal. Two or three days each week she drinks alcohol for 12 to 16 hours each day. She often passes out and blacks out. Aside from the obvious problem of drinking to that extreme, does anyone know the dangers or side effects of that type of binging while taking the above meds?
Posted by: Jay at November 20, 2006 10:22 PM
I am a 33yr old female that that was diagnosed with schizophrenia 9 years ago, for the past five years i've been on clozaril. I am taking 25 ml and have had a delusion due to excessive stress. I had depression as a teenager and my first stress related "escape" I call it! or paranoid delusion, I was told it is schizophrenia. I have tried to wean myself off this drug but I can't sleep and feel like a cover is lifted from all my senses, like drinking a billion cups of coffee! I am starting to have blood sugar fluctuation, boils on my skin and heart palpitations. Clozapine is a great drug for a small time but I need my immune system more now than in my early twenties, can anyone tell me a drug that supports your immune system and organs while calming your mind?
WHY NOT DRUG COMPANIES???
Posted by: jennifer at November 28, 2006 02:59 AM
My 8 year old son has taken Ambilify for 2 years for bi polar disorder and has gained weight from gorging. This medication is the only thing that we have found helps him but I am afraid for his health as far as the weight Please help if you have any suggestions.
Posted by: Nikki at December 18, 2006 12:33 AM
Feeling depressed is like living in Hell. My heart goes out to all of us plagued with this disease. I have wondered often why? What good comes out of this life sentence without parole. I too have been on more meds than I care to recall. I also had electric shock in 2000. I took Seroquel after the shock and gained about 70 lbs. I then went on Topomax and lost the 70lbs. That stopped working and I have been taking Lamictal, Cymbalta, Adderall and Clonzepam. I had a set back and the doctor has recommeded Ambilify. I think we are running out of medications. Family doesn't understand and trying to explain a pain that leaves a pit in your stomach, a constant fear and a sadness beyond description, well, not even I want to be around myself. They say to excercise. I barley have the strength to get through the day. I had been on Ambien CR and went off because insurance would only pay for 15 capsules for $50.00 a month. It is true, if you are not rich, the health care system in the United States I believe results in many suicides because people can't get what they need. My prayers go out to all of you. I have said, a thousand times, if I were not a mom, I would be out of here. This is no way to live.
Posted by: brenda at January 23, 2007 03:13 PM
hi i suffer from schizophrenia and psychosis,iv just started a new med.called abilify....im on amisulpiride at the moment aswell.god give us the strengh to keep us going...im severly depressed too.and im clutching at god to help me....im from the uk scotland....and i feel alone....anybody like to leave me a message then feel free....
Posted by: melanie at January 24, 2007 04:35 PM
amisulpiride is brilliant for the voices and giving back normality...i'd recommend it to anyone.im schizophrenic and psychosis....it took the visions and paranoia away....i thought the devil was out to get me and that god didnt love me.but now that im much better i know god does love us and he's helping me as i go along....im not a godly person but theres nothing wrong with having something to clutch at....it doesnt help when your mothers a born again christian and tells you its the devil talking to you....thank god for my husband.hes been great...my kids give me strengh each day...so stay strong ....we'll all get there in the end....take care and god bless.scotland !!!
Posted by: melanie at January 24, 2007 04:44 PM
anyone any other medication thats recommended for schizophrenia....its the racing thoughts and thinking about god that does my head in every day i think about god...its driving me nuts.....im not a godly person.i think god loves us all anyway..any suggestings ?
Posted by: melanie at January 24, 2007 04:47 PM
I am on so many medications and yet I still hearing things and not sleeping, it makes me want to stop taking my medicine cause it is not working anyway including the ambilify.
Posted by: Michelle at January 31, 2007 08:41 PM
michelle what were you diagnosed with,what kind of things do you hear.
mines is all about god...and the devil...god knows why !
i believe in god but i know hes not talking to me....i also get muddled thoughts....have you tried amisulpride....
Posted by: melanie at February 4, 2007 02:05 PM
I am so glad to have come upon this sight i thought i was alone with trying to help my daughter i have tried to tell her doctor that the ambilify is not working to leave her on the clozaril that it was working she was caring and a very sweet person now it looks like she will end up back in residentral treatment all because some doctors don't listen
Posted by: sally at March 22, 2007 05:21 AM
My daughter 21 yrs. has been diagnosed w/schizo affective disorder,she is on lithium,respidol,and seems to be coming around w/little or no side effects,aliitle weight gain but not to much else.of all the posts i've read continue treatment is a must!!! and pray,you can encourage others by knowing what they are going thru.you are not alone
Posted by: bruce at March 26, 2007 10:50 PM
Hello, I am schizophrenic,but I refuse to take medication. I tried it, but it didn't work for me. It doesn't help when religious people throw God at you! I refuse to talk about religion because I have religious delusions about the spirit world. My Mother was labeled schizophrenic when I was a child. She had shock treatments. I decided not to tell anyone about my secret people I talked to. I knew better. I worked all my life with this problem. My major problem has been depression. My mother abused me when I was little. She especially goes to extremes in religion.
I want to stay away from it.
Posted by: Glenda at April 16, 2007 04:51 AM
help...iam on 4 mg. of Ambilify Hungry all the time please help?????????????
Posted by: Theresa at April 16, 2007 06:36 AM
I have a neice with schitso effective disorder. She has been hospitalized a year with no progress, she still is unaware of her illness, They have tried depakote respiraril zoloft, it helps with the delusions, will she ever realize she has a problem?
Posted by: pat at April 20, 2007 10:06 PM
Hi. I have a mother who suffers from Schizo Affective Disorder. This started after I was born. After 23 years of different medications and many relapses due to her refusing to take medication bec. of various side effects (feeling numb - zombie like, extreme anxiety attacks, etc.) she was recently prescribed a cocktail consisting of Haldol, Ativan, Effexor, and Simatril.. which have been the best for her. She says that she could feel the anxiety creeping up on her an hour before her mid day dose. But, she says that she is happy with the results, more at peace. Now, they have changed her Haldol to Respidol (a less potent antipsychodic), but we are currently observing its effects. It doesn't allow her as much sleep as she was able to get with Haldol, and can feel certain symptoms from her illness that she is able to control. For this, temporarily, her doctor told her to take an extra mg of Ativan which did help her. From what I have seen so far, I haven't seen my mother so content with her condition and treatment as I have now. At first she didnt except her condition, not till about maybe 8 years after she was diagnosed. Its been a struggle since then. Unfortunately these antipsychodic drugs are prone to a serious long term side-effect,tardive dyskinesia. Something I need to talk about more with her doctor in determinng which antipsych drug would be better in avoiding this side effect, if at all.
Posted by: angela at April 30, 2007 04:22 AM
I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 28 years old in February, 2003. Initially, in 1999, I was told that I had situational depression. In early 2000, I was told that I was cyclothymic. I refused to accept any of this until August 2005. Since 2005, I've taken 20+/- different combinations of benzos, anti-depressants, and anti-psychotics. I found that benzos, namely, ativan helped me tremendously with anxiety, agitation, and sleeplessness. (It still does.) At one point, it was the only thing I was on. I tried xanax but when it wore off I was incredibly fussy (Beechy..) Anti-psychotics made me have unrealistic thoughts. (The gov't wanted by brain and Jesus wanted me to join him in heaven, etc.) Now, I am on effexor xr, lamictal,ativan, and adderall. Ativan was my main staple through it all. Lamictal is weight gain neutral and is approved for bipolar. Effexor, like Cymbalta, releases norepenephrine and seretonin. Adderall releases dopamine and helps me focus and not feel so lethargic during the day. Thus, I have an ant-d, a benzo, a mood stabalizer and a stimulant. Whatever makes you balance and able to be productive. Remember, the pdocs and therapist are there for us to help us balance our symptoms and meds. We have to adjust our own behavior and situations. I still have a long way to go. It took almost three (3) years for me to find a combo that even remotely began to give me a sense of well being again. Ofcoarse I deleted a lot of unhealthy behavior and peeps from my life too. It has been a long haul. The important thing is I know that I am in a right relationship with my higher power which is God. I am open minded and willing to try the necessary meds to make me well. And, I am aware of the signs and symptoms of my illness. Part of getting better isn't just the right meds, but having the right attitude. Knowing who you are and who you strive to be helps too. To all of you who are struggling with this illness, I empathize with the struggle to balance life on life's terms. I am a person who has bipolar. I am also a friend, a daughter, and a mother of one's who suffer as well. I also ran the gammut of drinking and smoking pot for a while back in the day. The day when I thought it was normal to feel hyper and want to celebrate life. That person was enthusiastic, young, naive, and immature. Now, I am a woman with a sense of who I am and what I need. Sometimes things happen to us so that we can grow, come out on the other side and help others. Support groups such as NAMI really help. The best thing I've found so far is to know yourself and listen to your inner voice that tells you when something is right or wrong for you. Sometimes, the meds they give us interact with our individual bodies in different ways than they/we expect. If you can, keep a journal of your feelings and use it to help you figure out which drug is doing what. It has been a couple of years and I am just now feeling as if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there... And, remember you are not alone. Mental illness can be regulated with proper meds. It takes time. If your pdoc (psychiatrist) is not the one that can help you, sometimes a new one is necessary. I had the same pdoc for many years and I found a fresh perspective and went back to him with it. We all have "crosses to bear." You will get through this... Dont give up. Take care. Liz
Posted by: Liz at June 21, 2007 08:09 PM
My daughter went into a hard psychosis Thanksgiving 2006 and was very hospital she went to very hard to pull her back. She has been on Depokote for sleep, Seroquille 200 at night,then 100 for daily. Started Ambilify last week, drouling,tremors,cant sleep,wants to vomit all the time, sometimes see small dots, can barely speak. Seeing the doctor tomorrow,but cant go back on Seroquille to much weight gain. Just thought I'd let you know about our bouts with Ambilify. She is only 17 and it breaks my heart she will battle this the rest of her life.
Posted by: dede at June 27, 2007 01:49 AM
I have a son that was diagnosed bipolar schizo affective. He had signs for a long time but chose to ignore them. It finally got so bad that he was hearing voices and hallucinating. He finally got to the end of his rope and put himself in the hospital. We had to wade through a bunch of legal problems brought on by his self medicating with booze and pot. It had been a rough year but he is now on Lamictal, Trazadone, respidol and benzotrophine. He is now functioning pretty well. His only problem now is short term memory loss. We also had a doctor in the beginning that added prozac to his other meds, which included lithium at the time and these didn't go together. He saw people that weren't there and was a total zombie. Make sure that you find the right doctor and read up on the drugs that they put you on.
Posted by: Deborah at June 30, 2007 06:11 AM
I am a 31 year old women who was diagnosed with the disease 5 years ago this september, before this I had had 6 years of other diagnoses. Once they gave me this diagnoses something just clicked i still get paranoid and still get catatonic but i have remaind out of hospital by taking meds and yoga and doing little things at a time I have kept ajob for two years voluntering. I can say I havent been as happy for years as I have now. You thik people dont understandyou but they do. I take ablify and depokote and have remaind at the same weight now for ayear. I am in the process if trying to lose it and have even started an open university course. I wish lisa bit of what I have got and can see why you are such a proud father. Its not always such a bad thing the stigma you endure only gets better as your realise everyone has problems but you can still achieve your goals and I hope your daughter does to.
Posted by: helen at July 10, 2007 07:49 PM
My mom has been having delusions and paranoia-not sure what is happening. Is this schizophrenia or psychosis or is this temporary or long-term. She is seeing doctors-no diagnosis yet. She is on abilify and lamical. Can anybody help give advice on what I can do to help my mom get diagnosed and get better? I feel so alone and so unsure. I do mot know anything about mental illness. My mom has never eperienced this before. She is 61 now. ?????
Posted by: Jen at July 12, 2007 02:33 AM
I have only recently started taking meds for depression. They believe along wtih my PTSD I may be bipolarII or borderline personality disorder or both. I have tried seroquel and though I lked the fact I wasnt hungry when I took it I could not function unless I had 10 hours of sleep. Even on only 25mgs I had trouble focusing,slurred speach and lathargy. That wasnot the way to go for me. I was also taking clonazpam which every one keeps trying to pull me off of b/c of its addictive properties. I am only on .5 mgs 2 times a day. Now I am on Lamictal 100mgs a day and I tend to eat eat eat. I am more stable and not sleepy but do not like the eating just to eat. Today they told me they want me on lithium, depokote or tegrital. I am not really happy about this b/c I did not ever want to be on drugs in the first place. Now I worry b/c to me this means it is serious and I really may never get off these kinds of drugs. Does anyone have any advise as to which of these three is the best to try???
I also worry b/c I have two little girls that I pray I have not passed this miserable disease too. I am so scared that they will have the same horrible feelings that I have had of being inferior and so depressed. I worry every day that one of them will become with onset of child bipolar.
Posted by: Andrea at July 12, 2007 02:58 AM
My daughter is bi polar, now she has just been diagnosed as schitzo effective which she refuses to believe. She is a terrific mother to a 16 month old but she had a break down and we are taking care of him. I have been forced by cps to file a restraing order against her or they threaten to take the child from our home. my daughter's only crime was to have a break down and we had to call cops to have her taken from our house to a mental hospital. Will life ever get any better for mentally ill people and their families?
Posted by: karen at July 28, 2007 07:48 AM
Hi, I'm bipolar and schizoaffective, have been since 1992. My preoccupation has been with religioin, imagining the devil and the evil spiritt world had complete control over my life and mind. Now I still struggle with assurance of my salvation, because although I've been "seeking the Lord with all my heart", I've been also feeling false guilt for practically everything in my life. I've contemplated suicide before, but never even started to carry it out. I know it's a sin, but can't believe it's an unforgivable sin. We all do things we know are wrong in order to satiate our needs, and this would be no different. I'm not advocating the sin here, but defending those who have lost their lives to suicide becuase they've been mentally ill. Coherency doesn't matter. What matters is their suffering level is so great they give in to the only thing they know will relieve it. You'd be surprised who is suffering and the extent of their suffering by just looking at them. Those who throw the spear of "that's an unforgivable sin" don't know scripture, don't realize the grace and love of God, and don't know how to have compassion on the mentally ill. They are self righteous people. My heart goes out to all of you who are suffering. Keep hoping in God. Don't give in, please. And for those who take care of those who are ill, my heart cherishes you and your patience. And if anyone has lost someone to this terrible disease, keep in mind the love and grace of God. "Blessed are those who mourn, for their mourning shall be turned into joy!" God bless.
Posted by: Andy at August 9, 2007 05:25 AM
First let me say you are all in my prayers! I have a 21 year old son with schizoeffective disorder. He is in the hospital as I type this and fighting to not take meds. He had a hearing yesterday and they told him he had to take them. He started last night and he is very angry at us all. I am looking at some residential places for him, but within the system which is totally broken there are no beds. I do not believe the model currently in place in the few facilities in the mental health system works anyway. I have found some amazing beautiful wonderful places through an organization called ARTA, but they all cost so much money. I am praying to God someone sees that these places like 100 acre homestead in VT or ghould farm in MA etc. really do help and our kids need them for they do not treat them as patients or people with mental illness. I will fight until the day I die to help in this cause. My Joe knows that too, but he is of the mindset right now that he would rather be on the street and off meds then on them. But he is so symptomatic when he is off. We do alot of holistic therapies with Joe and I know they work too, but Joe doesnt want to be helped right now. I have more info on my website if anyone wants to check out some resources I have gathered. Just click on mental health. We're all in this together and if anyone wants to join me in this effort to make changes and fight for our kids, do email me! I wont give up on my son or anyone suffering from this thought disorder. I am not one for labels, so i will stick with that for now. We all need love, support and we all need to nurture our mind, body and spirit...and so it goes for those diagnosed with this disorder...even more so. So let's see how we can pool our resources and make a change! I already wrote to oprah, maybe you all can do the same. I dont know if she has ever done a show on the broken mental health system, but we surely need the exposure now!!!! God bless and feel free to write to me anytime. :)
Posted by: Victoria at August 14, 2007 02:48 PM
First let me say you are all in my prayers! I have a 21 year old son with schizoeffective disorder. He is in the hospital as I type this and fighting to not take meds. He had a hearing yesterday and they told him he had to take them. He started last night and he is very angry at us all. I am looking at some residential places for him, but within the system which is totally broken there are no beds. I do not believe the model currently in place in the few facilities in the mental health system works anyway. I have found some amazing beautiful wonderful places through an organization called ARTA, but they all cost so much money. I am praying to God someone sees that these places like 100 acre homestead in VT or ghould farm in MA etc. really do help and our kids need them for they do not treat them as patients or people with mental illness. I will fight until the day I die to help in this cause. My Joe knows that too, but he is of the mindset right now that he would rather be on the street and off meds then on them. But he is so symptomatic when he is off. We do alot of holistic therapies with Joe and I know they work too, but Joe doesnt want to be helped right now. I have more info on my website if anyone wants to check out some resources I have gathered. Just click on mental health. We're all in this together and if anyone wants to join me in this effort to make changes and fight for our kids, do email me! I wont give up on my son or anyone suffering from this thought disorder. I am not one for labels, so i will stick with that for now. We all need love, support and we all need to nurture our mind, body and spirit...and so it goes for those diagnosed with this disorder...even more so. So let's see how we can pool our resources and make a change! I already wrote to oprah, maybe you all can do the same. I dont know if she has ever done a show on the broken mental health system, but we surely need the exposure now!!!! God bless and feel free to write to me anytime. :)
Posted by: Victoria at August 14, 2007 02:49 PM
dear all, it is so unbelievable so many of you speak of all these meds and so many side effects or not working for you. my husband has been diagnosed bi-polar with schizophrenics tendencies he has had many meds and is also diabetic which makes it very hard as many med he can not use. he is at the moment on abilify zopiclone and procyclozine for bi- polar and insulin, metformin, levothyroxine, tramadol, and neurontin and metformin for other things. he has side effects of shaking and pacing , more manics than usual though he does rapid cycle within a day.he now has lost sight in his eyes lots of blurred vision, star bursts and stuff but the consultatant said its not diabetic and they are floored by it . has anyone else had this happen. many thanks for this site , i have had a rough time for about twelve years and its been rough on my kids. as my husband too, who feels guilty and is at times been suicidal trying twice. anyway sorry its long hopefully my replies will be shorter in future.
Posted by: janice at August 17, 2007 12:20 AM
p.s i am based in the uk
Posted by: janice at August 17, 2007 12:22 AM
hi im melanie....im schizophrenic psychosis and severe depression....
ive currently been on abilify from febuary 2oo7.
the first 6-8 weeks were a nightmare...but suprise suprise im feeling back to my old self....before i was diagnoised...it started after having my 3rd baby.
i was hearing seeing feeling smelling things that wernt actually there....my body actually siezed up....i thought i was dead and i couldnt move....
now im running about like a headless chicken after the kids taking them to school making the there dinners...bathing them everything....
i never knew anything about mental health before ....now im up to date....id like to help people who suffer from these thing thereself....feel free to email me....if you ahve any questions...XbonniescotlanX@aol.com
Posted by: melanie at September 6, 2007 10:37 AM
Hello, everyone. I am a mother of an 18-year-old young woman very recently diagnosed with schizoeffective disorder. She if totally against taking drugs to help her. She says she really likes her highs and lows and haluciations Her visual halucinations seem to comfort her with their familiarity. Sadly, she will never be able to finish high school, get a post-secondary education or pursue an interesting career without finding a way to be part of the "real world". It seems from reading all the blogs on this site that drug therapy is a hit-and-miss activity with no guarantees. How sad! I wish all of you caregivers and sufferers all the best. Are there any stories of people who have gone on to live fairly normal lives with this disorder? If so, I would love to hear even just one!
Posted by: Jennifer Pfitzer at September 17, 2007 01:11 AM
Good morning everybody. I have a 17 years old son who has mood swings, and other schio disorders. He has been hospitalized a number of times. About Ambilify.. well this medication was started with my son about 6 months ago. He has gained so weight that he really does not look like himself. My heart goes out to anyone that suffers from any mental disorders because it really hurts so badly. I sometimes feel that my heart has been shattered into a million pieces. Before the Dr. added Ambilify to his other drugs, he too was on Deporkote and he was hallucinating and that was even worst. He act as if he was unable to respond to his parents, but would moreso react to those voices.
I am so glad that I wrote you, for I understand your concerns and for sure they are for real.
Posted by: Gwendolyn at October 9, 2007 02:21 PM
hi, my brother just started on ambilify 15mg, 15days ago.. he was taking respiradol 6mg before that..now on the ambilify he says he still hears the voices the doc increased the dose to 20mg today and i am wondering how long should he wait to know if the ambilify is working? i am clueless as my brother has suffered for 6 years and is only now sharing his experiences truthfully with me.He hates taking his medication and it is hard for me to get him to take it.any advice? thanks for reading this
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Posted by: babull at November 17, 2007 11:59 AM
HI....I STARTED ABILIFY AND I TAKE ABOUT 10 WEEKS TO GET INTO YOUR SYSTEM....I HAD TO BE PUTON VALIUM FOR THE ANXIETY,BUT I WAS ONLY ON IT FOR 2 WEEKS THEN I WEENED OFF IT AND IM NOW FEELING MENTALLY FIT TO DO ANYTHING....AND I VE NOT GAINED A POUND,SO I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE....
MELANIE
Posted by: melanie at December 3, 2007 03:46 PM
Yeah well as I see it at any moment anyone can fall off the deep end these days. Life is not full of promises these days and even the upper middle class are not getting really what they want from life. Life is tough and it get tougher and sometimes we allow areself to push ourselves into deeper paranoia but allowing ourselves to dive into the abise of life without trying to come back. As reading these comments a lot of you are on the same types of meds and for some it helps but your all complaining about them, but thats not all that should be done for a quick fix.
Posted by: Barbara at December 16, 2007 04:21 AM
i'm sorry about lisa. I just wentoff zyprexa abd started on ambilifly. I don't like it but both irritate me because I gorgr myself on it. I am not heavy so weight gain increases my paranoia and my sense of grAVITY.
what do you tgink of ambilify? did it seem to help at all?
Posted by: vmmb at February 8, 2006 04:35 PM
Hello, I too have a daughter with schizo-affective disorder, and also coincidentally, I am a teacher like you. My daughter takes Depakote, Geodon, clonazepam, and Lexapro. She says that she can't make the voices stop, so last week I finally consented to start her on clozaril, which her doctor had been pushing for quite a while. I feel better reading that your daughter has had no side effects. My heart goes out to you and your daughter. Best wishes, Lisa
Posted by: Lisa at February 27, 2006 06:33 AM
My daughter has be diagnosed as being bi polar. She hears whispering, nightmares usually about suicide, being kidnaped, the nighmares prevent her from a good nights sleep. She is currently taking Ambilify, zoloft, lithium, naltrexone, and Lunesta. Nothing seems to help the nightmares which prevent her from a good nights rest. Last couple of nights has refused the Lunesta. She is walking around like a zombie. This too is breaking my heart. Oh she was taking Saraquell. The Ambilify has been the only drug yet to reduce the dreams. Any ideas?
Thanks Bill
Posted by: Bill at March 21, 2006 02:42 PM
Dear, My only daughter is sufferring from Schizophrenia from 1986.She is on clozapine(clozaril) 600 mg per day.I just wanted to tell you that there were atleast 3 cases in India which i know who shifted from clozapine toAMBILIFY; (abilify as it is called here)HAD RELAPSE and they have to be hospitalised.Only clozapine saved them again.It is strongly recomended that there is no better drug than clozapine as revealed by CATTIE trial(clozapine excluded from that trial as it is far superior drug).The blood test is now conducted in India only once a year after the patient doesnot show any significant bloodcount loss for 6 months.Shift back to clozaril immediately.with kind regards and prayers for your daughters recovery.
Posted by: captain johann at March 28, 2006 09:31 AM
Dear Lisa mother, my heart goes with you, my brother who is 35 yrs suffering from schizophrenia as iam the only relative for him in London i could not leave him, he was laeding a normal life and had a good job suddenly he in 1999 the signs started,its the hardest experience to look after a relative with such ilness. That changed my life completely sometimes i used to cry but never stopped looking after him, the worst part the mental health service could not help straight they work with red-tape sysytem to assess him took about a year.Thanx GOD my bro is better now than he is on olozpine. but he has no motivation. TO YOU ALL DONT LOSE HOPE AND PRAY TO GOD.
BY THE WAY LIsa mom you letter is wonderful,
Posted by: ALI at May 17, 2006 02:29 AM
I took ambilify for the first time yesterday, only 10 mg, and I got very ill. I started to break out in a cold sweat, and vomited 3 times. I have been looking for more info on this drug online, but can't seem to find any good sites. Also, I got extremely drowsy, and am still feeling those effects this evening.
Posted by: kelly at May 19, 2006 02:33 AM
pLEASE HELP ME, I AM NOT SLEEPING MUCH. I AM ON LAMICTAL AND AMBILIFY.
Posted by: SUSAN at May 22, 2006 07:29 AM
I suffer from bi polar disorder, when first diagnosed I was put on depakote, put on 100 pounds. took me a long time to just drop 30 of them. now i take ambilify and i'm gorging food.. the weight is coming back and i'm already pushing 300 pounds. god thats scary almost 300 pounds..any suggestions..........god bless linda
Posted by: Linda at June 13, 2006 03:59 AM
my son is 21 and has schizphrenic..he is having severe symtoms and risperdole is not working, his dr. is changing his med to ambily. any comments on this drug ? I see that Linda said weight gain is a problem..I am My son is having severe delusions that the gov't is after him.. He has been on many different drugs and his symptoms keep returning. GOD BLESS ALL OF THE CAREGIVERS !!!
Posted by: annmarie at June 23, 2006 03:46 PM
I was diagnosed with schitzo effective disorder three years ago. I started on Risperidol which was extremly effective for psychosis but made me very drowsy. I now take Geodon and with the exception of some insomnia am doing very well and am back to "normal". I encourage you to keep trying different meds until you find the right combanation.
When I was psychotic I found it extremly helpful to draw uncomplicated pictures, listen to classical music (and soothing music without words) and since social anxiety was a problem for me, to only be exposed to small controlled groups. I also found that watching any interperative dance was quite soothing as you can make up your own storyline and there is no conversation to stress you out.
I pray that you allow yourself to hope for recovery. The journey back is long and scary but I know from first hand experience that with love and support your daughter can get important pieces of her life back.
I encourage you to seek your local chapter of NAMI. They have wonderful support groups for parents such as yourselves. I know my mother and now husband found them to be invaluable.
Before I go to sleep tonight I will say a prayer for you and your daughter. May you endure...and with time thrive.
Posted by: Karen at July 6, 2006 07:15 AM
Hi I have a girlfriend who i love very much but she suffers from schitzo effective disorder and has been recently hospitalized again for her illness. She is 24 and it is so sad when she starts calling me names of people from her past. She says at times i change into different people. It is so frustrating that no matter what medication she is on she still thinks that everything is a conspiracy against her. Currently she is being treated with mood stabilizels like depakote and is on riperidol for the dilusions. She is making strides but she has a problem with attaching herself to any man that shows her attention. It hurts me to hear that she was
Posted by: Bob at July 8, 2006 11:52 PM
I have been diagnosed with bi polar for years now. The doctors have tried so many medications on me and the only one that kept me level was the ambilify, however now my insurance doesnt cover it and I have been literally off meds for three months. I go through major depression I have manic highs and manic lows.I know everyone especially the doctors are out to destroy me. I can not even afford my sleeping medication, so unfortunatley all I can say is unless your rich with this illness its never gonna get any better. Sorry to burst everyones bubble.
Posted by: Kerri at August 25, 2006 05:02 AM
Hi, My boyfriend also suffers from schizo affective disorder. He was doing so well, he is currently taking Geodon until approximately three weeks ago when he started with delusions and lack of sleep. I am currently 6 months pregnant and It is so hard to deal with this situation. He has been out of the hospital for three years and I'm praying for him not to go back but if its time there is nothing I can do. The doctor doubled the Geodon dose, he has been taking 120mg for 5 days now. I really hope It starts working soon, I pray every night for him to get better. I really hope from the bottom of my heart that all of us can find if not a definite solution at least a way to help them have a normal life.
Keep your hopes up God will help us all.
Posted by: Carolina at September 5, 2006 05:31 AM
I have not been diagnosed with this very sad disease, BUT in reading the comments focused on inability to sleep and nightmares recognize a problem I do have. Part of my problem is undiagnosed, but you can't always find a reason for everything. We have got to the point where we forget the reason why and move on to relief. .....I was diagnosed with very bad sleep apnea, stopping breathing hundreds of times during the night, always tired from the constant interruptions and have really REALLY REALLY bad dreams. These dreams were so real that I was convinced they were true, I would sometimes have to stop and think backwards for quite a while, backtrack in real life to the starting point before of the subject of the dreams, before I could disprove them. This blessed doctor said the reason I was dreaming at all was that i never got down into the deep sleep level that was just plain sleep without dreaming or anything else. He prescribed a CPAP. which is the device that helps you to sleep without interruption. Some people wear a mask, but I have a very light weight device that holds what they call 'little pillows' that fit underneath each nostril. Not uncomfortable at all. From the time I started using my CPAP, I have slept without any meication, sometimes 6-7 hours at a time, which is very restful and an adequate amount. The better thing to me is that when I wear the CPAP and go into the deep sleep THE DREAMS DO NOT COME!!! I used to wake up very distressed because of these dreams. I would lie in bed searching for the answers to the dreams and in a very sad and sometimes very depressed mood.
I must tell you that sometimes,if the little pillows slip out of place, or if I am not wearing the CPAP for one reason or another, the dreams and light sleep march right back in. So it definitely is the deep sleep that is so much help, and I would not have deep sleep with the CPAP. CPSP is not a cure, but for a good night's dreamless sleep WITHOUT MEDICATION it is wonderful relief. Hopefully someone can use this information. Print this out and show it to your doctor and see what he thinks. If you can't stand to have something on your face, at least look at it. You might be surprised how small the non-mask thing is. You may even have a little sleep apnea. My doctor just looked down my throat and could tell the way the back of my tongue closed off the air flow where the throat begins. To me it is the magic fix. I am forever grateful to the doctor who discoverd this problem and knew how to fix it.
Posted by: Louise at September 8, 2006 07:14 PM
i've been on lamictal, wellbutrin and cymbalta. now i'm supposed to add ambilify.
i'm sorry your suffering. myself most of the time i'm suicidal.
Posted by: ian at September 10, 2006 11:03 PM
I SUFFER FROM MOOD SWINGS IM TAKING DEPACOTE RISPERDONE VENLAFLAXINE AT THE MOMENT I DONT KNOW WHICH ONE IS GIVING ME SLEEP DEPRAVATION IF I STOP TAKING THEM I BECOME VERY ILL AND HAVE TO BE HOSPITALIZED IM SO DESPERATE FOR SLEEP I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY ANY IDES ANYONE
Posted by: JULIE at September 22, 2006 04:41 AM
My heart aches for my 25 year old daughter whose diagnosis has changed from bipolar with psychosis to schizoaffective disorder. She has been in and out of the hospital a dozen times over the past couple of years. It seems as soon as she gets to doing well, she falls again. She has a problem with drugs and alcohol also, which help to make her forget to take her meds appropriately. I know this rollercoaster ride well. My precious daughter knows this ride and tried to get off once. My prayers are with all of you who suffer personally or stand on the sidelines and suffer watching loved ones struggle with this. My daughter has taken so many different meds, but is now on lithium and zyprexa. It's doing the trick for the moment, but nothing has worked for very long. Her run with Depakote made her gain 50 pounds and she was miserable. Geodon worked for a while also. She is a bright, loving person who deserves a life of health and peace. I wish all of you that and will pray for you.
Posted by: Mary at October 19, 2006 07:45 PM
My husband was diagnosed with bipolar 7 years ago. After being in and out of the hospital for a while he was put on Geodon, ambilify, lithium, and colonapin. He is level and the hallucinations have stopped. We are greatful. Now he is having leg tremors cant sit still and feel like he is craling out of his skin for a good part of the day. We believe its from the ambilify. Are there any other meds out there that can be switched for the ambilify
Posted by: ambra at October 25, 2006 01:59 AM
hello,I am also on ambilify. Just started taking it a month ago. I started on the 5 mg and went up to 10mg. I think I am doing some better but I think I could go up to a higher dosage. I was hearing voices and having many mood swings along with being majorally depressed. Good luck to everyone
Posted by: brenda at November 17, 2006 12:44 AM
I had a brake down nearly nine months ago and diagosed with a schizoform illness, i am on seroquel and stable. My symptoms have not completely eleviated yet. My docter is pushing me to take clozapine. Is this the best treatment? Do people return to normal taking it?
Posted by: andrew at November 18, 2006 12:15 PM
I was looking up zoloft/lithium on the computer and happened to see your site. I noticed that your daughter was on this combination. I was on Sertraline(zoloft) 3years and started back for 2 more years I was just taken off recently,because zoloft,lithium, or a combi nation of the two over the long term may be the cause of my tremors. I don't mean I have had too much coffee looking tremors.I mean something that looks more like Parkinsons with an attitude tremor. I have been on disability leave probably going on 6 months now, only having a bit of releif over the past month after being put on Inderal still unable to work or drive. I just kind of wanted to give you, your daughter and some of the others who have left comments a heads-up on this. Of coarse my condition has not been absolutely diagnosed. Perhaps it had nothing to do with meds, but I have some resources implieng that Lithum and Zoloft may not be a good combo listing CNS side effects in particular. I was actually lookig for more sources when I came across your article. Not to scare anyone or lead anybody in the wrong direction. I would watch for any tremor and especially if it worsens,even very slightly worsens contact your Doc or Psychiatrist and question whether it could be eather Zoloft,Lithibid,or combination thereof.(Lithium may be a culprit regardless of blood levels). Also very important a Doc or Neurologist may try to give a diagnosis of conversion disorder (psychologicaly triggered tremors) based on a lack of initial organic evidence and of coarse indicated by the meds, psychological history. In which case, if the tremor is constant and affects the whole body or numerous muscle groups, and does not follow after psychological or in anticipating psychological sress it is not conversion disorder. Although conversion disorder can mimic any neurological symptom or disorder (neurologist find an easy way out of being held accountable for misleading a patient supporting there often times completely bogus diagnosis by using this part of the definition of a conversion disorder); These symptoms are displayed only in breif episodes or attacks The more severe the symptom the quicker it goes away. Also conversion disoreder symptoms lay dormant until psychological stress triggers them. It is usually due to a recent or traumatic event but will show itself during any psychologically taxing situation even though the root cause may be subconscious from some distant event. What I'm trieng to say is CDisorder not constant and allways occurs under stress, not just any time.
I did not intend to write so much. Just wanted to give you a heads-up about potential side effects associated with long term use. And if she were to suffer from these side effects,don't let the doctors assume that its just a new psychological problem.
I found out that I was misdiagnosed as having conversion disorder or even being bipolar to begin with.
I wish your daughter the best in her life and in her treatment.And to both of you; Don't waste what the good lord gave by allowing yourself to be in constant worry.Give your burdens and worries to God in prayer. His shoulders are broad enough to carry any of our trobles.
Posted by: scott edwards-gildersleeve at November 20, 2006 09:13 PM
My wife is taking Ambilify and Lamictal. Two or three days each week she drinks alcohol for 12 to 16 hours each day. She often passes out and blacks out. Aside from the obvious problem of drinking to that extreme, does anyone know the dangers or side effects of that type of binging while taking the above meds?
Posted by: Jay at November 20, 2006 10:22 PM
I am a 33yr old female that that was diagnosed with schizophrenia 9 years ago, for the past five years i've been on clozaril. I am taking 25 ml and have had a delusion due to excessive stress. I had depression as a teenager and my first stress related "escape" I call it! or paranoid delusion, I was told it is schizophrenia. I have tried to wean myself off this drug but I can't sleep and feel like a cover is lifted from all my senses, like drinking a billion cups of coffee! I am starting to have blood sugar fluctuation, boils on my skin and heart palpitations. Clozapine is a great drug for a small time but I need my immune system more now than in my early twenties, can anyone tell me a drug that supports your immune system and organs while calming your mind?
WHY NOT DRUG COMPANIES???
Posted by: jennifer at November 28, 2006 02:59 AM
My 8 year old son has taken Ambilify for 2 years for bi polar disorder and has gained weight from gorging. This medication is the only thing that we have found helps him but I am afraid for his health as far as the weight Please help if you have any suggestions.
Posted by: Nikki at December 18, 2006 12:33 AM
Feeling depressed is like living in Hell. My heart goes out to all of us plagued with this disease. I have wondered often why? What good comes out of this life sentence without parole. I too have been on more meds than I care to recall. I also had electric shock in 2000. I took Seroquel after the shock and gained about 70 lbs. I then went on Topomax and lost the 70lbs. That stopped working and I have been taking Lamictal, Cymbalta, Adderall and Clonzepam. I had a set back and the doctor has recommeded Ambilify. I think we are running out of medications. Family doesn't understand and trying to explain a pain that leaves a pit in your stomach, a constant fear and a sadness beyond description, well, not even I want to be around myself. They say to excercise. I barley have the strength to get through the day. I had been on Ambien CR and went off because insurance would only pay for 15 capsules for $50.00 a month. It is true, if you are not rich, the health care system in the United States I believe results in many suicides because people can't get what they need. My prayers go out to all of you. I have said, a thousand times, if I were not a mom, I would be out of here. This is no way to live.
Posted by: brenda at January 23, 2007 03:13 PM
hi i suffer from schizophrenia and psychosis,iv just started a new med.called abilify....im on amisulpiride at the moment aswell.god give us the strengh to keep us going...im severly depressed too.and im clutching at god to help me....im from the uk scotland....and i feel alone....anybody like to leave me a message then feel free....
Posted by: melanie at January 24, 2007 04:35 PM
amisulpiride is brilliant for the voices and giving back normality...i'd recommend it to anyone.im schizophrenic and psychosis....it took the visions and paranoia away....i thought the devil was out to get me and that god didnt love me.but now that im much better i know god does love us and he's helping me as i go along....im not a godly person but theres nothing wrong with having something to clutch at....it doesnt help when your mothers a born again christian and tells you its the devil talking to you....thank god for my husband.hes been great...my kids give me strengh each day...so stay strong ....we'll all get there in the end....take care and god bless.scotland !!!
Posted by: melanie at January 24, 2007 04:44 PM
anyone any other medication thats recommended for schizophrenia....its the racing thoughts and thinking about god that does my head in every day i think about god...its driving me nuts.....im not a godly person.i think god loves us all anyway..any suggestings ?
Posted by: melanie at January 24, 2007 04:47 PM
I am on so many medications and yet I still hearing things and not sleeping, it makes me want to stop taking my medicine cause it is not working anyway including the ambilify.
Posted by: Michelle at January 31, 2007 08:41 PM
michelle what were you diagnosed with,what kind of things do you hear.
mines is all about god...and the devil...god knows why !
i believe in god but i know hes not talking to me....i also get muddled thoughts....have you tried amisulpride....
Posted by: melanie at February 4, 2007 02:05 PM
I am so glad to have come upon this sight i thought i was alone with trying to help my daughter i have tried to tell her doctor that the ambilify is not working to leave her on the clozaril that it was working she was caring and a very sweet person now it looks like she will end up back in residentral treatment all because some doctors don't listen
Posted by: sally at March 22, 2007 05:21 AM
My daughter 21 yrs. has been diagnosed w/schizo affective disorder,she is on lithium,respidol,and seems to be coming around w/little or no side effects,aliitle weight gain but not to much else.of all the posts i've read continue treatment is a must!!! and pray,you can encourage others by knowing what they are going thru.you are not alone
Posted by: bruce at March 26, 2007 10:50 PM
Hello, I am schizophrenic,but I refuse to take medication. I tried it, but it didn't work for me. It doesn't help when religious people throw God at you! I refuse to talk about religion because I have religious delusions about the spirit world. My Mother was labeled schizophrenic when I was a child. She had shock treatments. I decided not to tell anyone about my secret people I talked to. I knew better. I worked all my life with this problem. My major problem has been depression. My mother abused me when I was little. She especially goes to extremes in religion.
I want to stay away from it.
Posted by: Glenda at April 16, 2007 04:51 AM
help...iam on 4 mg. of Ambilify Hungry all the time please help?????????????
Posted by: Theresa at April 16, 2007 06:36 AM
I have a neice with schitso effective disorder. She has been hospitalized a year with no progress, she still is unaware of her illness, They have tried depakote respiraril zoloft, it helps with the delusions, will she ever realize she has a problem?
Posted by: pat at April 20, 2007 10:06 PM
Hi. I have a mother who suffers from Schizo Affective Disorder. This started after I was born. After 23 years of different medications and many relapses due to her refusing to take medication bec. of various side effects (feeling numb - zombie like, extreme anxiety attacks, etc.) she was recently prescribed a cocktail consisting of Haldol, Ativan, Effexor, and Simatril.. which have been the best for her. She says that she could feel the anxiety creeping up on her an hour before her mid day dose. But, she says that she is happy with the results, more at peace. Now, they have changed her Haldol to Respidol (a less potent antipsychodic), but we are currently observing its effects. It doesn't allow her as much sleep as she was able to get with Haldol, and can feel certain symptoms from her illness that she is able to control. For this, temporarily, her doctor told her to take an extra mg of Ativan which did help her. From what I have seen so far, I haven't seen my mother so content with her condition and treatment as I have now. At first she didnt except her condition, not till about maybe 8 years after she was diagnosed. Its been a struggle since then. Unfortunately these antipsychodic drugs are prone to a serious long term side-effect,tardive dyskinesia. Something I need to talk about more with her doctor in determinng which antipsych drug would be better in avoiding this side effect, if at all.
Posted by: angela at April 30, 2007 04:22 AM
I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 28 years old in February, 2003. Initially, in 1999, I was told that I had situational depression. In early 2000, I was told that I was cyclothymic. I refused to accept any of this until August 2005. Since 2005, I've taken 20+/- different combinations of benzos, anti-depressants, and anti-psychotics. I found that benzos, namely, ativan helped me tremendously with anxiety, agitation, and sleeplessness. (It still does.) At one point, it was the only thing I was on. I tried xanax but when it wore off I was incredibly fussy (Beechy..) Anti-psychotics made me have unrealistic thoughts. (The gov't wanted by brain and Jesus wanted me to join him in heaven, etc.) Now, I am on effexor xr, lamictal,ativan, and adderall. Ativan was my main staple through it all. Lamictal is weight gain neutral and is approved for bipolar. Effexor, like Cymbalta, releases norepenephrine and seretonin. Adderall releases dopamine and helps me focus and not feel so lethargic during the day. Thus, I have an ant-d, a benzo, a mood stabalizer and a stimulant. Whatever makes you balance and able to be productive. Remember, the pdocs and therapist are there for us to help us balance our symptoms and meds. We have to adjust our own behavior and situations. I still have a long way to go. It took almost three (3) years for me to find a combo that even remotely began to give me a sense of well being again. Ofcoarse I deleted a lot of unhealthy behavior and peeps from my life too. It has been a long haul. The important thing is I know that I am in a right relationship with my higher power which is God. I am open minded and willing to try the necessary meds to make me well. And, I am aware of the signs and symptoms of my illness. Part of getting better isn't just the right meds, but having the right attitude. Knowing who you are and who you strive to be helps too. To all of you who are struggling with this illness, I empathize with the struggle to balance life on life's terms. I am a person who has bipolar. I am also a friend, a daughter, and a mother of one's who suffer as well. I also ran the gammut of drinking and smoking pot for a while back in the day. The day when I thought it was normal to feel hyper and want to celebrate life. That person was enthusiastic, young, naive, and immature. Now, I am a woman with a sense of who I am and what I need. Sometimes things happen to us so that we can grow, come out on the other side and help others. Support groups such as NAMI really help. The best thing I've found so far is to know yourself and listen to your inner voice that tells you when something is right or wrong for you. Sometimes, the meds they give us interact with our individual bodies in different ways than they/we expect. If you can, keep a journal of your feelings and use it to help you figure out which drug is doing what. It has been a couple of years and I am just now feeling as if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there... And, remember you are not alone. Mental illness can be regulated with proper meds. It takes time. If your pdoc (psychiatrist) is not the one that can help you, sometimes a new one is necessary. I had the same pdoc for many years and I found a fresh perspective and went back to him with it. We all have "crosses to bear." You will get through this... Dont give up. Take care. Liz
Posted by: Liz at June 21, 2007 08:09 PM
My daughter went into a hard psychosis Thanksgiving 2006 and was very hospital she went to very hard to pull her back. She has been on Depokote for sleep, Seroquille 200 at night,then 100 for daily. Started Ambilify last week, drouling,tremors,cant sleep,wants to vomit all the time, sometimes see small dots, can barely speak. Seeing the doctor tomorrow,but cant go back on Seroquille to much weight gain. Just thought I'd let you know about our bouts with Ambilify. She is only 17 and it breaks my heart she will battle this the rest of her life.
Posted by: dede at June 27, 2007 01:49 AM
I have a son that was diagnosed bipolar schizo affective. He had signs for a long time but chose to ignore them. It finally got so bad that he was hearing voices and hallucinating. He finally got to the end of his rope and put himself in the hospital. We had to wade through a bunch of legal problems brought on by his self medicating with booze and pot. It had been a rough year but he is now on Lamictal, Trazadone, respidol and benzotrophine. He is now functioning pretty well. His only problem now is short term memory loss. We also had a doctor in the beginning that added prozac to his other meds, which included lithium at the time and these didn't go together. He saw people that weren't there and was a total zombie. Make sure that you find the right doctor and read up on the drugs that they put you on.
Posted by: Deborah at June 30, 2007 06:11 AM
I am a 31 year old women who was diagnosed with the disease 5 years ago this september, before this I had had 6 years of other diagnoses. Once they gave me this diagnoses something just clicked i still get paranoid and still get catatonic but i have remaind out of hospital by taking meds and yoga and doing little things at a time I have kept ajob for two years voluntering. I can say I havent been as happy for years as I have now. You thik people dont understandyou but they do. I take ablify and depokote and have remaind at the same weight now for ayear. I am in the process if trying to lose it and have even started an open university course. I wish lisa bit of what I have got and can see why you are such a proud father. Its not always such a bad thing the stigma you endure only gets better as your realise everyone has problems but you can still achieve your goals and I hope your daughter does to.
Posted by: helen at July 10, 2007 07:49 PM
My mom has been having delusions and paranoia-not sure what is happening. Is this schizophrenia or psychosis or is this temporary or long-term. She is seeing doctors-no diagnosis yet. She is on abilify and lamical. Can anybody help give advice on what I can do to help my mom get diagnosed and get better? I feel so alone and so unsure. I do mot know anything about mental illness. My mom has never eperienced this before. She is 61 now. ?????
Posted by: Jen at July 12, 2007 02:33 AM
I have only recently started taking meds for depression. They believe along wtih my PTSD I may be bipolarII or borderline personality disorder or both. I have tried seroquel and though I lked the fact I wasnt hungry when I took it I could not function unless I had 10 hours of sleep. Even on only 25mgs I had trouble focusing,slurred speach and lathargy. That wasnot the way to go for me. I was also taking clonazpam which every one keeps trying to pull me off of b/c of its addictive properties. I am only on .5 mgs 2 times a day. Now I am on Lamictal 100mgs a day and I tend to eat eat eat. I am more stable and not sleepy but do not like the eating just to eat. Today they told me they want me on lithium, depokote or tegrital. I am not really happy about this b/c I did not ever want to be on drugs in the first place. Now I worry b/c to me this means it is serious and I really may never get off these kinds of drugs. Does anyone have any advise as to which of these three is the best to try???
I also worry b/c I have two little girls that I pray I have not passed this miserable disease too. I am so scared that they will have the same horrible feelings that I have had of being inferior and so depressed. I worry every day that one of them will become with onset of child bipolar.
Posted by: Andrea at July 12, 2007 02:58 AM
My daughter is bi polar, now she has just been diagnosed as schitzo effective which she refuses to believe. She is a terrific mother to a 16 month old but she had a break down and we are taking care of him. I have been forced by cps to file a restraing order against her or they threaten to take the child from our home. my daughter's only crime was to have a break down and we had to call cops to have her taken from our house to a mental hospital. Will life ever get any better for mentally ill people and their families?
Posted by: karen at July 28, 2007 07:48 AM
Hi, I'm bipolar and schizoaffective, have been since 1992. My preoccupation has been with religioin, imagining the devil and the evil spiritt world had complete control over my life and mind. Now I still struggle with assurance of my salvation, because although I've been "seeking the Lord with all my heart", I've been also feeling false guilt for practically everything in my life. I've contemplated suicide before, but never even started to carry it out. I know it's a sin, but can't believe it's an unforgivable sin. We all do things we know are wrong in order to satiate our needs, and this would be no different. I'm not advocating the sin here, but defending those who have lost their lives to suicide becuase they've been mentally ill. Coherency doesn't matter. What matters is their suffering level is so great they give in to the only thing they know will relieve it. You'd be surprised who is suffering and the extent of their suffering by just looking at them. Those who throw the spear of "that's an unforgivable sin" don't know scripture, don't realize the grace and love of God, and don't know how to have compassion on the mentally ill. They are self righteous people. My heart goes out to all of you who are suffering. Keep hoping in God. Don't give in, please. And for those who take care of those who are ill, my heart cherishes you and your patience. And if anyone has lost someone to this terrible disease, keep in mind the love and grace of God. "Blessed are those who mourn, for their mourning shall be turned into joy!" God bless.
Posted by: Andy at August 9, 2007 05:25 AM
First let me say you are all in my prayers! I have a 21 year old son with schizoeffective disorder. He is in the hospital as I type this and fighting to not take meds. He had a hearing yesterday and they told him he had to take them. He started last night and he is very angry at us all. I am looking at some residential places for him, but within the system which is totally broken there are no beds. I do not believe the model currently in place in the few facilities in the mental health system works anyway. I have found some amazing beautiful wonderful places through an organization called ARTA, but they all cost so much money. I am praying to God someone sees that these places like 100 acre homestead in VT or ghould farm in MA etc. really do help and our kids need them for they do not treat them as patients or people with mental illness. I will fight until the day I die to help in this cause. My Joe knows that too, but he is of the mindset right now that he would rather be on the street and off meds then on them. But he is so symptomatic when he is off. We do alot of holistic therapies with Joe and I know they work too, but Joe doesnt want to be helped right now. I have more info on my website if anyone wants to check out some resources I have gathered. Just click on mental health. We're all in this together and if anyone wants to join me in this effort to make changes and fight for our kids, do email me! I wont give up on my son or anyone suffering from this thought disorder. I am not one for labels, so i will stick with that for now. We all need love, support and we all need to nurture our mind, body and spirit...and so it goes for those diagnosed with this disorder...even more so. So let's see how we can pool our resources and make a change! I already wrote to oprah, maybe you all can do the same. I dont know if she has ever done a show on the broken mental health system, but we surely need the exposure now!!!! God bless and feel free to write to me anytime. :)
Posted by: Victoria at August 14, 2007 02:48 PM
First let me say you are all in my prayers! I have a 21 year old son with schizoeffective disorder. He is in the hospital as I type this and fighting to not take meds. He had a hearing yesterday and they told him he had to take them. He started last night and he is very angry at us all. I am looking at some residential places for him, but within the system which is totally broken there are no beds. I do not believe the model currently in place in the few facilities in the mental health system works anyway. I have found some amazing beautiful wonderful places through an organization called ARTA, but they all cost so much money. I am praying to God someone sees that these places like 100 acre homestead in VT or ghould farm in MA etc. really do help and our kids need them for they do not treat them as patients or people with mental illness. I will fight until the day I die to help in this cause. My Joe knows that too, but he is of the mindset right now that he would rather be on the street and off meds then on them. But he is so symptomatic when he is off. We do alot of holistic therapies with Joe and I know they work too, but Joe doesnt want to be helped right now. I have more info on my website if anyone wants to check out some resources I have gathered. Just click on mental health. We're all in this together and if anyone wants to join me in this effort to make changes and fight for our kids, do email me! I wont give up on my son or anyone suffering from this thought disorder. I am not one for labels, so i will stick with that for now. We all need love, support and we all need to nurture our mind, body and spirit...and so it goes for those diagnosed with this disorder...even more so. So let's see how we can pool our resources and make a change! I already wrote to oprah, maybe you all can do the same. I dont know if she has ever done a show on the broken mental health system, but we surely need the exposure now!!!! God bless and feel free to write to me anytime. :)
Posted by: Victoria at August 14, 2007 02:49 PM
dear all, it is so unbelievable so many of you speak of all these meds and so many side effects or not working for you. my husband has been diagnosed bi-polar with schizophrenics tendencies he has had many meds and is also diabetic which makes it very hard as many med he can not use. he is at the moment on abilify zopiclone and procyclozine for bi- polar and insulin, metformin, levothyroxine, tramadol, and neurontin and metformin for other things. he has side effects of shaking and pacing , more manics than usual though he does rapid cycle within a day.he now has lost sight in his eyes lots of blurred vision, star bursts and stuff but the consultatant said its not diabetic and they are floored by it . has anyone else had this happen. many thanks for this site , i have had a rough time for about twelve years and its been rough on my kids. as my husband too, who feels guilty and is at times been suicidal trying twice. anyway sorry its long hopefully my replies will be shorter in future.
Posted by: janice at August 17, 2007 12:20 AM
p.s i am based in the uk
Posted by: janice at August 17, 2007 12:22 AM
hi im melanie....im schizophrenic psychosis and severe depression....
ive currently been on abilify from febuary 2oo7.
the first 6-8 weeks were a nightmare...but suprise suprise im feeling back to my old self....before i was diagnoised...it started after having my 3rd baby.
i was hearing seeing feeling smelling things that wernt actually there....my body actually siezed up....i thought i was dead and i couldnt move....
now im running about like a headless chicken after the kids taking them to school making the there dinners...bathing them everything....
i never knew anything about mental health before ....now im up to date....id like to help people who suffer from these thing thereself....feel free to email me....if you ahve any questions...XbonniescotlanX@aol.com
Posted by: melanie at September 6, 2007 10:37 AM
Hello, everyone. I am a mother of an 18-year-old young woman very recently diagnosed with schizoeffective disorder. She if totally against taking drugs to help her. She says she really likes her highs and lows and haluciations Her visual halucinations seem to comfort her with their familiarity. Sadly, she will never be able to finish high school, get a post-secondary education or pursue an interesting career without finding a way to be part of the "real world". It seems from reading all the blogs on this site that drug therapy is a hit-and-miss activity with no guarantees. How sad! I wish all of you caregivers and sufferers all the best. Are there any stories of people who have gone on to live fairly normal lives with this disorder? If so, I would love to hear even just one!
Posted by: Jennifer Pfitzer at September 17, 2007 01:11 AM
Good morning everybody. I have a 17 years old son who has mood swings, and other schio disorders. He has been hospitalized a number of times. About Ambilify.. well this medication was started with my son about 6 months ago. He has gained so weight that he really does not look like himself. My heart goes out to anyone that suffers from any mental disorders because it really hurts so badly. I sometimes feel that my heart has been shattered into a million pieces. Before the Dr. added Ambilify to his other drugs, he too was on Deporkote and he was hallucinating and that was even worst. He act as if he was unable to respond to his parents, but would moreso react to those voices.
I am so glad that I wrote you, for I understand your concerns and for sure they are for real.
Posted by: Gwendolyn at October 9, 2007 02:21 PM
hi, my brother just started on ambilify 15mg, 15days ago.. he was taking respiradol 6mg before that..now on the ambilify he says he still hears the voices the doc increased the dose to 20mg today and i am wondering how long should he wait to know if the ambilify is working? i am clueless as my brother has suffered for 6 years and is only now sharing his experiences truthfully with me.He hates taking his medication and it is hard for me to get him to take it.any advice? thanks for reading this
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Posted by: babull at November 17, 2007 11:59 AM
HI....I STARTED ABILIFY AND I TAKE ABOUT 10 WEEKS TO GET INTO YOUR SYSTEM....I HAD TO BE PUTON VALIUM FOR THE ANXIETY,BUT I WAS ONLY ON IT FOR 2 WEEKS THEN I WEENED OFF IT AND IM NOW FEELING MENTALLY FIT TO DO ANYTHING....AND I VE NOT GAINED A POUND,SO I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE....
MELANIE
Posted by: melanie at December 3, 2007 03:46 PM
Yeah well as I see it at any moment anyone can fall off the deep end these days. Life is not full of promises these days and even the upper middle class are not getting really what they want from life. Life is tough and it get tougher and sometimes we allow areself to push ourselves into deeper paranoia but allowing ourselves to dive into the abise of life without trying to come back. As reading these comments a lot of you are on the same types of meds and for some it helps but your all complaining about them, but thats not all that should be done for a quick fix.
Posted by: Barbara at December 16, 2007 04:21 AM