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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lightsaber on January 2, 2004, at 6:05:49
My 19 year old son has been on zyprexia for almost a year now for depression and mental illness. He never stuttered before he took zyprexia, and now he stutters in almost every sentence. He also rarely gets out of bed, and sometimes urinates in bed. He takes 10 ml a day.
I hate to see him in this condition!My ex-wife says that the doctors in that area (Rochester, NY) won't change his medication because more expensive medication is not covered by our health care insurance. I think this is a bull-shit answer and don't know if its true since I live in different state. She also said that they are afraid to try another drug, and that they all look out for each other in that area.
Anyhow, I heard that Geodon is better. How can I get him a prescription for that or something else? She says that the local doctors won's give him anything else.
I don't want to see my son, who was a 'normal' teenager just a few years ago, lay in bed for the rest of his life.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Lightsaber
Posted by Daniel J. on January 2, 2004, at 8:48:20
In reply to Zyprexa and my son, posted by lightsaber on January 2, 2004, at 6:05:49
My 16 yr old son is taking 20 mg of Zyprexa and has been for 6 m0. He has gained some weight but is otherwise fine. My son is also taking 75 mg of Zoloft per day. He has a serious mental illness which is now in "remission". Without Zyprexa I am sure he would be institutionalized. Instead he laughs and jokes and plays intense video games. He just has minor reactions to stress which before could cause violent behaviour, delusions and paranoia. There are many others on this forum that are taking Zyprexa, some with equal success. I would like to hear their comments!
Posted by HappyGirl on January 2, 2004, at 11:11:37
In reply to Zyprexa and my son, posted by lightsaber on January 2, 2004, at 6:05:49
Hi:
I totally understand how frustreated and sad you, as a Dad sees your son at 19 staying in bed for most of days. However, there is *HOPE* for your son to get well, like some of M.I. Then, NEVER give up to search for med./med. combo!In regard to your son's condition, you didn't mention what form of M.I., ... however as seeing the name of med. Zyprexa, ... seems to be some serious form of M.I., such as Shizo. or Bipolar. Then, for this, your son needs not only Zyprexa also some form of AD med., such as Wellbutrin SR that offers him 'motivation,' 'energy,' along with good effect for 'sadness' and 'hopelessness.' All of those symptoms are due to severe M.I. your son has.
Zyprexa is one of the most effective AP meds., however Zyprexa alone does not cover all symptoms, especially 'Depression' your son has. He certainly need Anti-Depressant, for this, I wonder/puzzle on his pdoc.'s profession in regard to deal with severe form of M.I. Your son's condition definitely needs more professionalism as to rx psycho. med.You sound like a 'Super Dad' to care for your ill son, then I believe that you could join local NAMI, or severe form of M.I. Support Group in that you could learn a lot of information as to med., psychological issues due to M.I. Because, 'Knowledge is POWER.' Also, reading other M.I. experiences and some of good literatures are helpful to understand the depth of M.I.
Lastly, in my suggestion, if your son's pdoc. does not pay MORE close attention to his condition, then I highly suggest you to search for more competent and experienced pdoc. First off, try to contact a reputable local Mental Hospital to get a good referral or local NAMI(National Alliance Mental Illness). From there, hopefully your son gets more appropriate med. combo. for his well-being/recovery.
H.G.
Posted by Sebastian on January 2, 2004, at 12:04:30
In reply to Zyprexa and my son, posted by lightsaber on January 2, 2004, at 6:05:49
Try lowering the dose to 7.5 or 5 mg. You can cut the pills with a knife. And add wellbutrin SR(2x 100 mg), this will get him out of bed, it is also on prefered drug list and probably insured.
Posted by Camille Dumont on January 2, 2004, at 14:35:39
In reply to Zyprexa and my son, posted by lightsaber on January 2, 2004, at 6:05:49
This seems quite severe in terms of side effects ... I would definitely try and take your son to a different doctor ... even if you don't get a prescription and even if its not covered ... the fee for say an evaluation and another opinion on the medication would probably be worth it.
I don't know about the states but here in Canada, Zyprexa is quite expensive ... and there might actually be other APs that are less expensive. If your son is totally different from his normal self, I say it would be worth it to try other alternatives or at least get another opinion.
> My 19 year old son has been on zyprexia for almost a year now for depression and mental illness. He never stuttered before he took zyprexia, and now he stutters in almost every sentence. He also rarely gets out of bed, and sometimes urinates in bed. He takes 10 ml a day.
> I hate to see him in this condition!
>
> My ex-wife says that the doctors in that area (Rochester, NY) won't change his medication because more expensive medication is not covered by our health care insurance. I think this is a bull-shit answer and don't know if its true since I live in different state. She also said that they are afraid to try another drug, and that they all look out for each other in that area.
>
> Anyhow, I heard that Geodon is better. How can I get him a prescription for that or something else? She says that the local doctors won's give him anything else.
>
> I don't want to see my son, who was a 'normal' teenager just a few years ago, lay in bed for the rest of his life.
>
> Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Lightsaber
Posted by brussell on January 2, 2004, at 15:34:32
In reply to Zyprexa and my son, posted by lightsaber on January 2, 2004, at 6:05:49
I am not an expert on this subject, but I'm very concerned that your son's symptoms could indicate one of the very severe side effects occasionally seen with anti-psychotics, like neuroleptic malignant syndrome. You didn't mention if your son's temperature was elevated; this is also one of the symptoms of NMS.
If possible, I would stop the zyprexa and have your son evaluated immediately by a good psychiatrist.
Incidentally, Zyprexa is infamous for being one of the most expensive antipsychotics on the market. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a substitute if necessary.
Once again, please get your son to an experienced psychiatrist immediately to rule out the possibility of NMS. It is a very serious condition.
Posted by brussell on January 2, 2004, at 15:36:31
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and my son, posted by brussell on January 2, 2004, at 15:34:32
Posted by Sebastian on January 2, 2004, at 20:47:09
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and my son, posted by brussell on January 2, 2004, at 15:34:32
I don't think it is nuro malignat syndrom. I think he is taking too much. I could be wrong. And I am sure if you call the doctor on it you would get an answer fast.
Posted by brussell on January 2, 2004, at 21:16:11
In reply to Zyprexa and my son, posted by lightsaber on January 2, 2004, at 6:05:49
I guess I'm not clear about when these symptoms started. If they have been going on for as long as your son has been taking Zyprexa, Sebastian is probably right. Either the dose is too high or the drug isn't a good match.
If these symptoms appeared suddenly with a fever I'd be very worried, but if the stuttering and incontinence is nothing new, there is probably no immediate cause for alarm.
All the same, these SE's are clearly unacceptable. Does your son really need an antipsychotic? You didn't mention your son's diagnosis, but Zyprexa has been marketed so heavily that it is often prescribed rather casually as an anti-anxiety and mood-stabilizing drug when it is not really necessary.
If your son has a thought disorder and needs to take an antipsychotic regularly, I think looking into Abilify or Geoden would be a good idea.
Best of luck to you and your son.
Posted by Sebastian on January 3, 2004, at 10:26:56
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and my son--clarification, posted by brussell on January 2, 2004, at 21:16:11
When I started the zyprexa, it was at too high a dose, 15 mg. I spent the whole day in bed and eating. So it was reduced to 10 mg, this dose was very effective for me, 6 years. I suggest the lower dose, its worth a shot.
Posted by lightsaber on January 4, 2004, at 3:48:33
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and my son, posted by Sebastian on January 2, 2004, at 20:47:09
Thanks for all of your recommendations. He never stuttered before taking zyprexa, or did the bed wetting. I agree with some of your posts that the dose may be too high. I will pass on your recommendations to my ex-wife.
In any case he needs to see another physician. He does suffer from paranoia and delusions, and has been better in that way since taking zyprexa. Zyprexa is the only drug that he has been on since he started having problems, to my knowledge.
Thanks again for your help and concern.
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