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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
Hello there,
I've just been diagnosed (yesterday) with Schizophrenia. I don't know how I feel about that at the moment. Is there anyone who has a similar diagnosis on this board?
My doc says I have a very untypical case, that it is Schizophrenia, but it doesn't fit into either one of the categories very well. It is mostly like Paranoid Schizophrenia she says, but not completely.
I am on Clozapine at the mo. It is making me put on a crazy amount of weight, 3 or 4 stone. However, my doc says that Clozapine works like this: it makes you crave sugar, so you eat it, but because of the Clozapine your body can't use it, so it stores it round the belly. I was wondering why I was such an unusal shape, not big hips and thighs and stomach, but just a normal figure and then a sticking-out belly that made me look pregnant! So I have tried to cut sugar completely out of my diet and also watch carbs. Hopefully, with exercise, I can try and keep my weight down.
Anyway, I would love to hear from anyone!
Hugs
Kate xx
Posted by TJO on February 14, 2006, at 14:48:39
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
Hi,
I have bipolar, not schizophrenia, but I go to a great hospital day program nearby. Maybe there is one near you - it will teach you a lot about your dx and medications and how to deal with and manage your illness.:-)
Tam
Posted by ed_uk on February 14, 2006, at 15:14:16
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
Hi Katie
>Is there anyone who has a similar diagnosis on this board?
Yes, there are. How do you feel to have finally received the diagnosis?
>So I have tried to cut sugar completely out of my diet and also watch carbs.
That sounds like a good idea. You could follow one of the diets recommended for type II (non insulin dependent) diabetes.
Love
Ed xxx
Posted by arnie666 on February 14, 2006, at 18:34:15
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
Hi
Don't post often on this board, but I was in a similar position a few years ago. I bet that diagnosis scared you didn't it?
The mention of it scared me....I was told I MAY have it but was not given it officialy because my psychiarist was reluctant to give me that label.As I had other issues at the time which may been triggers, for how I was acting.
My parents were told, I felt they treated me diffrently after that. I can't blame them what with the image the media gives the illness.But you know I had some very interesting conversations with some people with schizophrenia. Some I didn't realise they had a problem.
You know one famous person who had your illness was ronnie kray and he ran the most famous crime gang in britain. So he was pretty switched on.
And when I was worried about what the doctor had said I read something ron wrote and it kind of helped'maddness is a gift of life if you learn to control it'
That is what you need to try to do, is learn to control your symptoms. The meds may help, they didn't help me but I have been given a diagnosis now for another illness called BDD now so I didn't have it anyway. So you may have more luck than I did.
And if they are not helping tell your doctor, another med may be better for you don't be silent about it. And remember what you have is a label that some shrink gave you, it's not set in stone. Don't let it stop you doing anything you want to achieve.
Posted by Maxime on February 14, 2006, at 19:41:38
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
Hi there. I can't relate to your illness, but I am glad that you finally received a diagnosis. You have been suffering a long time.
Take care.
Maxime> Hello there,
>
> I've just been diagnosed (yesterday) with Schizophrenia. I don't know how I feel about that at the moment. Is there anyone who has a similar diagnosis on this board?
>
> My doc says I have a very untypical case, that it is Schizophrenia, but it doesn't fit into either one of the categories very well. It is mostly like Paranoid Schizophrenia she says, but not completely.
>
> I am on Clozapine at the mo. It is making me put on a crazy amount of weight, 3 or 4 stone. However, my doc says that Clozapine works like this: it makes you crave sugar, so you eat it, but because of the Clozapine your body can't use it, so it stores it round the belly. I was wondering why I was such an unusal shape, not big hips and thighs and stomach, but just a normal figure and then a sticking-out belly that made me look pregnant! So I have tried to cut sugar completely out of my diet and also watch carbs. Hopefully, with exercise, I can try and keep my weight down.
>
> Anyway, I would love to hear from anyone!
>
> Hugs
>
> Kate xx
Posted by Phillipa on February 14, 2006, at 21:28:25
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support? » pretty_paints, posted by Maxime on February 14, 2006, at 19:41:38
Katie I so glad you finally got that diagnosis you were so worried about not having an official diagnosis. Now that you have one how do you feel about it? Are your meds working to control the symtoms. And do you still have your same crisis team. If you're babblelight is on I'll send you my new E-mail address. I've missed talking to you. And Ed is right about following the no sugar diet too. Love Phillipa XXXXXXX
Posted by med_empowered on February 15, 2006, at 0:46:24
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by Phillipa on February 14, 2006, at 21:28:25
hi! hi! I know you're scared...it'll be OK :-)
First off..you might want to get a second opinion. Sometimes people are diagnosed with schizophrenia when they're really more bipolar..the difference is that schizophrenia involves neuroleptics, and focuses on the control of psychosis..with bipolar, there's more emphasis on lithium/anti-convulsant style mood-stabilizers (which are usually much more tolerable). There's a lot of overlap, so I'd check out that option.
Also, clozapine is **rough**--I mean, it may be great for cognition and that kind of thing, but it carries lots of side effects. If you go the antipsychotic route, maybe zyprexa or abilify could be used? Personally, my vote would go for low-to-midrange abilify, plus maybe a mood stabilizer...minimal sedation, no weight gain. Geodon is another option but..it causes weird cardiovascular side effects, so its probably best 2nd-to-3rd line (try it before you try any old stuff, like Thorazine).
Good luck!
Posted by xbunny on February 15, 2006, at 5:08:27
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
Hello!
> I've just been diagnosed (yesterday) with Schizophrenia. I don't know how I feel about that at the moment. Is there anyone who has a similar diagnosis on this board?
A few years after ago after seeing the community psychiatric team for many years I was also told my diagnosis was schizophrenia. When I received the diagnosis it was a very matter of fact, off hand remark that I got whilst talking about my DLA claim to my psychiatrist and CPN ("oh you have schizophrenia, theres really no doubt about it, we have regarded you as having it since we met you."). The statement meant very little to me and to this day it doesnt have much impact. Being told my diagnosis didnt change my treatment nor change my life in any significant way.
>
> My doc says I have a very untypical case, that it is Schizophrenia, but it doesn't fit into either one of the categories very well. It is mostly like Paranoid Schizophrenia she says, but not completely.I think I also am an unusual case, I am married, I hold a job, own a house, have only been hospitalized once. I lead a fairly normal life which as the years pass is getting steadily more and more normal.
>
> I am on Clozapine at the mo. It is making me put on a crazy amount of weight, 3 or 4 stone.
>I take depixol (not the injections), pericyazine and mirtazapine. It has taken me quite some time to find this combination but I have been on it over a year now and am doing very well. So well in fact that I dont really think about my mental illness very much at all these days. Sure I still get paranoid and see and hear things. But these things seem very minor. My aspirations and interest in life have returned and the torture of psychosis seems a vague and dim memory which is fading still. I hope by the time I am 30 (Im 28) that the only reminder of mental illness will be taking the tablets.
I hope you are doing well and good luck with the clozapine.
Best regards Bunny
Posted by RSIRL on February 15, 2006, at 10:49:15
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
I have sz and am currently taking Zyprexa. PLEASE watch your weight. I gained 70 lbs and am trying to get it off. It is very difficult. If you are in a country that has Abilify that may be the way to go as it apparently causes less weight gain. Don't let your weight get out of hand!
Posted by DanielJ on February 15, 2006, at 12:42:58
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
My son has it. He's 18 was diagnosed at 15 and we
think it started at 13. His first "episode" took
about 6 months to recover from. He is taking 10mg
Zyprexa and 75 mg Zoloft. He has been back in High
School for 2 years and getting good grades.
Schizophrenia usually requires 2 medications and
in combination they work well. An anti-psychotic
to control paranoia,delusions,hallucinations and
an AD for Obsessive behavior,anxiety and depression
Once you find the right combination, your life
will be under control and much improved. Good
luck and feel free to post questions about the illness
or medications.
Posted by ed_uk on February 15, 2006, at 14:20:28
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support? » pretty_paints, posted by xbunny on February 15, 2006, at 5:08:27
Hi Bunny
I was hoping you'd see this thread :)
I'm happy to hear how well you're doing :) Are you still having the unusual movements of your mouth?
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by xbunny on February 15, 2006, at 17:21:50
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support? » xbunny, posted by ed_uk on February 15, 2006, at 14:20:28
Hi Ed,
> I'm happy to hear how well you're doing :)
Thanks, I am really hoping that this year will be good, so much planned, so much to look forward to. I hope you are well also.
> Are you still having the unusual movements of your mouth?
Yeah but it isnt getting any worse. It seems to happen more if I forget to take my flupenthixol in the morning so I am trying to be more strict with myself and make sure I take it just when I get up.
Incidentally I just got back from America. I had no problems getting the GP to give me valium for the trip, who says all English GP's are benzophobic!?
Best regards, The Bunman!
Posted by Boogie on February 15, 2006, at 20:15:41
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
Hi Kate. I know you might be scared about your new diagnosis but that's normal. I was first diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder at the beginning January 2004. I couldn't believe it and denied anything was wrong with me, but I had all the signs except for hallucinations. I was depressed and delusional. But a few months later I was diagnosed with psychotic depression which is similar to schizophrenia. My symptoms totally went away but came back when I went back to school around October 2004. After two months of this relapse, my symptoms went away and have been gone to the present. My point is that you should be hopeful. With today's medicine, you can be treated and your symptoms may go away. When you feel like your you again, don't feel bad about taking the medicine. Just think of it as a vitamin. Just to let you know I am on 180mg of Geodon and am being tapered down to see what my maintenance dose should be.
Stay hopeful,
Robert
Posted by johnnyc1 on February 16, 2006, at 15:38:43
In reply to Schizophrenia - just been diagnosed. Support?, posted by pretty_paints on February 14, 2006, at 12:03:24
Interesting information on schizophrenia. Hope it helps.
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/walshQZ.htm#S
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