Posted by Shirley2 on April 24, 2001, at 17:59:55
Hi Folks,
Sorry to barge in when I only need help but it's for my friend.
Many years ago, she was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and did very well on Mellarill for quite awhile. Unfortunately, like alot of psych drugs, this one caused her to gain a tremendous amount of weight and she was switched to Seroquel.
Unfortunately, all it did was make her sick and she felt it wasn't helping after being on it for 8 weeks. She didn't even feel she received any improvement. In case you're skeptical, this is a person who was very compliant with her medication regime for all those years. Not once, did she ever go off her meds.
Anyway, the psychiatrist insisted that she continue on the meds and to make a long story short, she is now in a psychiatric hospital. Right now, she is not on anything and says she feels better. As a result, she doesn't want to go back on anything.
I told her that I more than anyone definately knows how she feels but that this was a non negotiable issue, she needs to be on meds. If I am missing something, please let me know.
Anyway, I promised her I would do some research for her but I have no idea as to where to start since schizophrenia is not my diagnosis. Any suggestions on meds that she might mention to her psychiatrist that would have less of a chance of causing weight gain?
I am not sure exactly the problems she is having now but when she was initially diagnosed, she would hear voices and I think had delusions. Not sure what else I need to tell you.
Many thanks in advance for your help. I was scared this was going to happen (hmm, I wonder why) and my worst fears have come to light. She trusts me alot and I don't want to let her down.
Shirley
PS-So far I'm doing good although I have had trouble sleeping due to a stuffy nose and no air conditioning. Still getting used to this new brain but
it's nice not to have to worry about it failing me.
poster:Shirley2
thread:61052
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010424/msgs/61052.html