Son (22) with schizophrenia

hello @Grasshopper3

a quick hello....coming up to the date of son coming out...just wondering how things are...

hoping that he is comfortable and not distressed...that you are not taking on too much yourself with work as well......sounds like an empty statement I know

I am low on words and big on feelings at the present..

so sending you both big hugs and much love....

hello @Libra @perseverer @patientpatient

thinking of you all and your situations there....

sending heartfelt hugs to you and those you lovingly care for....

@Sophia1@Faith-and-Hope@Libra@perseverer@Shaz51@patientpatient@Former-Member

What can I say? Thank you all so much thinking of us.

I really feel very frustrated at moment. It will pass. I just have to sit back and let the Medicals do their work. A little more of this new meds each day. I was suprised he is still on the depot needle too. Had one today. I was in the understanding they were changing his meds. Maybe I didn't listen properly?

He is quite ok with it all. Although he feels like a lab rat. Today another Psych saw him, the second one in three weeks but a different one. He was with him 5 mins. My son said read my notes, it's in your file.

He told me he was feeling low, so I asked him if he wanted to come home for few hours.

So last Saturday I took him home and made him his favorite dish. He said he was dying for a beer.

I said that is now out of the question but he kept insisting and then I told him, it's your body, see how you feel after one beer.

He drank one and a half, then laid on the couch, stood up and said he wanted to go back to hospital. He can no longer drink beer with this new med. He felt 'out of centre' and in a very dark and scary place, he felt very overwhelmed. Only way he learns I guess.

He was told last week he was staying another week. I don't know why, there has been no communication at all between hospital staff and myself.

I should be more proactive and ask to have a meeting with the treating Doctors but I need to keep faith and be just as patient as my son! I feel I will be only waisting their time anyway. What can I do?

I have been trying to get in contact with NDIS. I rang the National one in Melbourne, but my son has not been listed with them. Here in WA we are still to be transfered to the National NDIS. I finally got in contact with a new Local Coordinator here in WA, to see if there was funding for mattress and pillow protectors as my son is now dribbling out of his mouth at night and weeing his bed too. (lovely side effect)

I was told normally no funding for this item for psyciatric patients. A link was sent to me:

www.bladderbowel.gov.au/caps/ There is mention of eligable when suffering from Sz Catatonic.

I have to read up on it but will buy it for him myself as we got to start somewhere...

It's ok, I keep on working to fund my son's full time care, and a roof over his head till I can no more.

Sorry feeling bit low today. I discovered my dad is starting to get very very forgetful. As some of you will know, he is full time carer for mum who has Parkinsons. I heard mum say he throws her medication in the bin sometimes. When we were there (overseas) last April he kept losing his way home.

I would love to be there for them, but my son needs me too?

There's no real news from my sons dad, not so good for son as he again feels deserted. His dad had promised to come and see him in hospital and they were making big plans but he still not here. Instead he is sending photo's of him partying and drinking a lot! Great support he is indeed 😞

Oh and son has new room mate again today, he was initially in own room, but when there were female patients coming in, he had to start sharing with another male after the first few days.

He has been grinding his teeth trying to deal with some of the newer patients, they're not all as quiet as him and he feels it hard to deal with sometimes, when they bragging about their addictions and there is a lot of street talk and swearing. There seems to be a gate that opens up between wards so the 'hardcores' can come and smoke in his yard too! I have asked if they could close the gate again but was told its an open ward.

Ok I better go and see him again, my poor love

talk soon and thanks for reading my story, I hope I help someone else with it, I read other stories and feel there are worse scenarios out there. Hang in there you'all! YOU'RE ALL MARVELOUS!

Grasshopper

Hello @Grasshopper3

wanted to let you know am thinking of you both..

your son's symptoms might subside after a couple of months...change in medications Vary greatly with types ..dosages..each individual...also if depot injection on top or being weaned..interaction there..

you are doing everything that you can..he knows that..

above all that is the best medicine for him..knowing that you are there supporting him every inch of the way..

As much as you want to you cannot care for all of your family across the world..

your son needs you the most..

you need you too..

no guilt..

writecwhen you can

sophia 💜

@Former-Member

Thanks for your feedback. You're always so very supportive and very knowledgable.

My son told the nurses about the little 'accidents' he is having, and they are writing it down.

I'm proud of him he told them about his bum rash too! This was also an allergic reaction but that seems to have settled now.

His depot dose has not decreased, that is still the same. He says he feels worse now then when he first started this new medication. His head is still racing, no changes there at all.

I know I have rights as a carer and I will put my foot down if I get an increased workload, but in regards to is medication.... am not a professional, how do I know what is right for him? I tell him to keep telling us how he feels and keep taking note of any side effects, we have to work as a team.

He says he doesn't want to come home as he is by himself during the day, (while I work). In hospital he has people around him. I am considering cutting down my hours but then I can't afford so many other things, like flying to my daughter in QLD, flying to Europe to help mum & dad, paying off my mortgage.

Ok breath, innnn and outtttt I am so tired, I'm off to bed.

Thanks again for your lovely input,

Grasshopper3

@Sophia1

Thank you too for those lovely words. You have such a great insight and I agree, with love and support you achieve so much more.

He has a few people asking about him, but he doesn't want any phonecalls or visitors apart from me.

His nanna had bought him a nice fleecy jacket and a card which I brought in yesterday and he sent her a text he was happy with it. I had to take it home tho, he is scared the other patients pinch it.

Today he is sharing his room with someone new, a homeless person, I had a chat with him. We all have stories to tell, he has had a hard life and I wish he had a place to call home. He said it is too cold now to sleep outside. He seems ok, he warned my son he snores 🙂

Best wishes dear Sophia1, write soon,

Grasshopper3

---

@Former-Member........ my views are very much influenced by very poor carer communication that lead to poor outcomes for Mr D....


..... It us not questioning their medical opinion, rather drawing attention to the matter of process.....

Thank you for clarifying, You're right... I'll make an appointment to speak to the Treatment Team, heck I don't even know who they are.

Grasshopper3

---