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can anyone help my son is shizophrenic

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Teresa 19
Starting Member

7 Posts
Gratitude: 1

Posted - 12/15/2008 : 19:10:49

I am so afraid for my son he is 15 and was diagnosed last year. He has been on geodon 80 mg and they are now taking it up 40 more mg, plus they want him to take focalin. Does anyone know the side effects of this combination?

teresa e fleming

skeye
New Member

52 Posts
Gratitude: 12

Posted - 12/18/2008 : 14:11:10

Hi. I'm now on Abilify, but I did take Geodon with Concerta - which is a long acting type of ritalin, similar to Focalin. No adverse side effects. The Concerta helped me to focus better and it helps me stay more alert and awake. Hope this is helpful to you.

"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." ~ Douglas Adams

Chris
Amazing Member (1000+ posts)

1773 Posts
Gratitude: 268

Posted - 12/18/2008 : 15:02:31

Hey I accidentally posted my reply to your question in another thread here's the text in case you haven't seen it there.

Hey Theresa,

sometimes adjusting medication is nescessary. if your son is still experiencing symptoms then this is likely the best thing for him right now. He will possibly be on medds for the rest of his life because while this illness can be managed it can't exactly be cured. The best thing you can do for him is let him know you will always be there for him to love and support him when he needs it and to encourage him when he shows positive interests. Relapses can happen but they don't have to happen often as long as your son stays on his medication and develops a bond of trust with his shrink and with you and whomever else is in his life to support him. Support from family and friends is really key to recovery also taking things one day at a time.

It took me a few years to make peace with my own diagnosis but knowing what I had and knowing I could live a normal life despite it made all the difrence. I've lost a friend to mental illness because he spent so much time un-diagnosed that when the doctors finally told him what was wrong he didn't take his treatment seriously and eventually he gave in to the illness and committed suicide.

I know that's not comforting and I don't want to scare you at all. But I do want you to know that it doesn't have to happen like that, so long as he has a loving supportive network of people all around him and so long as he knows that staying with the treatment will make him well and keep him that way.

Also don't make a big deal about his illness, chances are that he will do that well enough on his own, he knows what he has. The important thing for him to know is that it's actually easier to manage schizophrenic symptoms than it is to control diabetes the only thing is that he has to stay on the treatment and he's only going to do that by his own free will.

When I originally posted this in another thread I had no idea your son was so young. when I had my psychotic break and diagnosis I was already four years older than he is. This will obviously make things harder for both of you. I remember when I was 15 I wasn't what you would call easy to relate to, I think if I had gotten sick when I was that young my life might be very different from how it is now. I can't really offer any advice that speaks to your situation except that he's still going to have to make a lot of these choices on his own and the best way is still probably to give him all that he needs to make those choices responsibly. Also be patient with him because it might be a really rough time for you right now, almost as rough as it will likely be for him.

Good luck and God Bless.

Born in the 80's,
grew up in the 90's,
lost my mind at the Millenium.

Teresa 19
Starting Member

7 Posts
Gratitude: 1

Posted - 12/18/2008 : 17:35:45

My son Josh did take abilify and zoloft but without success. The geodon helps but he has very bad stomach aches. I will start him on the focalin after the holidays.

teresa e fleming

warbird
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)