Son (22) with schizophrenia

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

My son sent me a text at 1AM.

He was still awake and about to walk out. He says the nurse is a c*nt. Can't sleep of LOUD snoring of the homeless guy and the nurse wants to give him sleeping tablets.

it ends with "i'm not a f*ing pill factory ....

Oh dear. I didnt read it until an hour after he sent it and text him I hope he's asleep now, I didnt get a reply.

So assuming he found somewhere to sleep or gave in to the nurse and his pill.

Consequently another sleepless night and will need to take time of work to go and see what the situation is.

Ok people think I would get some rest when he's in hospital, I think not.

Grasshopper3

Hello @Grasshopper3

Thank you for taking the time to reply during such an ongoing stressful time for you...

You both would have loved seeing the fleecy jacket from his Nana....very wise of him to ask you to take it home...

Sadly many things do get stolen in hospitals of any kind...I had some clothes stolen when I was in emergency once and sent for an xray...

my "family member" had computer and books stolen whilst in hospital for a period of weeks...

I think the staff actually alert the patients to this very fact...

wise of your son and brave at the same time to stay in hospital whilst enduring side effects of medication changes....yes is hard...is the best place for him...

You could talk to your son and ask if he would like a group meeting with psychiatrist to discuss and check what medication exactly ...names...dosage he is on at present....approximately when will he and is he still coming off depot injection...

This process helps son as well as you keep in control of self help..along with dignity...

Your son might not want this....if so he might like to sign something that you draft before visiting along the lines of "I...........give full permission for my mother...name....to receive full information in relation to my care and details of any medications ...treatment...progress whilst I am in ....name of hospital...then add son's name at bottom...ask son to sign....date letter...

this may or may not suffice...

It really does depend on the state in Australia ...the hospital itself...the treating psychiatrist...

foremost in my mind is that your son is asked by you and as much as he wants to know updates is kept in the picture....

example one day he is too tired and will tell you know....he might at a later stage whilst on his own start thinking about what is happening to him...is it medication...checking in with him each visit will reassure him at the time...he might not remember the questions...he will remember that you are continually looking after him...ensuring his safety...even when away from home....

It might make a difference you being there in person....

My telephoning from far away constantly trying to have a conversation with treating psychiatrist never eventuated.....they have privacy rights as adults....

My suggestion write down all of your thoughts...questions beforehand...draining yes...will help if you have a brief window of opportunity to speak ....also impresses that you are serious...have done your homework...

Letter for son... a suggestion only in place as a backup...keep a copy if you go this way...can later have on hand to show son...

there might be questions from son when he comes home...

Lovely that you took the time to explain about not knowing everyone's story in relation to his reaction to homeless person....sadly that is a reaction from the majority of people..

many homeless people end up in that situation not by choice....mental illness can be a major factor....amongst other issues...often cannot keep up a job ...cannot keep up rent or mortgage...travel from hostel to hostel...

schizophrenia ...psychosis...paranoia play a huge part in fear of everyday life for some..."my family member" having been in this group...homeless more than once...having moved away from family ...fear of further detainment...sometimes explained from the point of view that people with no support ...be it their choice or not...have the same needs and rights....they might present differently when turning up in hospital...they are in a state of absolute terror...as long as there is not aggression directed towards others ...they can be treated equally...

You do have much to weigh up in your mind....are you able to have a discussion at work re opportunities of reduced hours should the situation come to that....emphasising that you are only asking the question as a back up plan....?

a big hug to you both...my heart continues to go out to you both....as with every single person suffering this insidious illness and those in their lives affected by the illness also..

..

@Grasshopper3

only just saw this...too busy writing my own epic response...

so very sorry...

as hard as this is to read...this is part of the horrifying journey...you might still continue to receive many texts....

his dad and I during many stages of journey in and out of hospital have received terrifying texts...

this possibly is a side effect of all of the medication sorting itself out with his human cells...

will also be part of delusions....

he probably has been tended to by staff....even given something to assist calm him...this is why he is best there...

ring hospital first...not sure how far away from your work...no need to go there if he is asleep..

the reality is yes...he is very frightened...when you talk to him reassure that is awful that he should feel that way....he is in safest place....medication is inside his body fighting his illness....trying to work to make him feel better than he was before he was in hospital...you are there for him...yes working at times...will always get back to him as soon as can...be it phone call or visit..

tackling it from ringing hospital first gives you more control over your self...your work...

you might find that you need to save time off for when he first comes out of hospital...

hope that this does not make you feel worse...

you are doing very well...everything that you can....

Hi all, especially @Grasshopper3,

Your life is so much like mine at the moment. When my son was in hospital changing medication and getting used to injections, he too told me that he is "wetting his pants". It distressed us both and he was very embarrassed. But I was told that this is a reaction from the medication.

I have been seeing him regularly this week (not having had any work) and we have made some small steps forward! He has been very pro-active himself, and has been looking for a unit of his own...filling out forms, by himself. He then needed ID, (which was all lost in his car when it was impounded, then destroyed...another long story...). SO...we went off to find out about getting an ID card. We ended up applying for a birth certificate (fees paid by mum). THEN he enquired about his drivers licence and he was able to re-apply for another! (Mum then paid for that...but I felt it was needed for his life to go forward).

Before that we had to go to the local court house to get a letter from them re: his last traffic infringement, which was fully dealt with, as he was taken to MHU and treated. He found it very difficult to explain everything to the patient man at the desk...but he did it. He likes me there for support though.

ALSO, he has filled out all the forms to apply for disability pension and should be handing all that in this week. I have to remind myself to tell him how proud Iam of him, getting through all this.

He is having injections every two weeks and takes some other medication. I notice a few days before his next injection is due, that he starts talking about the "relay" he is on, and he said he had a bad stomach and had vomitted, and that was due to the "chip" he has in there. I said maybe you had some bad food?

Another thing re: your son having a few beers... my son said to me yesterday, I haven't been able to numb my mind for so long Mum, I can't even have a drink or smoke some pot. He said everything keeps going around and around in his head. I don't usually comment when he says things like that.

Well I'd better stop writing...thanks again for sharing and listening. Keep strong, be brave.

Cheers Libra xo

thinking of you lots @Grasshopper3 and sending you tender hugs

@Libra, @Sophia1

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

Good news! He has a new roommate, they moved the homeless snorer into another room and swapped with someone who is very quiet.

My son is happy they listened to him and they found him another room mate.

He was first hesitant as they all seem too busy but has now asked for a meeting today as well, see where we are at with his progress.

Again, he surprised me, he stood up for himself, kept complaining about his bad night sleep and requested a meeting. I hope to hear from them soon.

Now for a good night sleep.

Night!

Grasshopper3

Wonderful news..

heis doing well

take care💜

@Sophia1@Libra@Former-Member@patientpatient@eudemonism@Barbara@classycase

My son is getting depressed in hospital, He is in his fourth week and he says he feels worse then when he started new medicalion trial.

He had a headache today from thinking, he says he feels hopeless.

I tell him I am with him on this journey and always be here for him. I offered a day trip to the pools tomorrow. I hope it does him good.

He doesn't want any distractions and doesnt really want to do anything, not wanting to get out for day trips, waiting for total 'bliss' a clear mind. But it just hasnt happened yet. I think he is suffering from boredom and needs a bit of distraction, low key, he doesnt have to talk to anyone, just enjoy the spa and sauna and warm waters at the pool. So he said he will go but he is not too sure.

He has asked every day for a meeting and it has been noted but we havent heard any news. As we have a long weekend coming up, we wont hear until next week, I guess. This is also not helping this hopeless feeling he has, he thinks no one is really interested in him, treating him like a guinea pig and not listening to what he has to say. His nanna had a quick chat to him over the phone and she said he should be DOING something with his life, yeah we know that, nanna 😉

Such a troubled soul.

Grasshopper3

Hello @Grasshopper3

It is so good to read your posts....knowing that you are able to write down your feelings as well as letting us know the progress..

4 weeks is a long time and he would not be used to staying in a hospital environment for that long...

he has also experienced strong side effects that are frightening for anyone...

boredom goes hand in hand with hospitals...

Do they have any art sessions?

The fact that he requested a meeting and has heard nothing back would definitely be adding to his fear of the unknown...medication change for anyone when experiencing side effects induces that feeling...so as hard as it is for you to read...his reaction is to be expected..I am mentioning this to you in the hope that you will be reassured that it is a part of the journey..

Does he have permission to go out when he wants for any length of time?

One thing to be mindful of is that apart from side effects that he is feeling....he will have a sense of being overwhelmed by the outside world...He has been cocooned in a hospital environment...

People rushing...noises...traffic....even noise at the pool might have an impact on him...again this happens to anyone who has been in hospital for longer than a week..

Do you think it would help him....a suggestion that he might say no....to write a letter to his doctor...voicing his disappointment...his feelings about where he is at now....he was led to believe that he was coming home on 31st May...can he have an exact date of when this meeting is going to be....

he is feeling like a guinea pig....I am not surprised...he needs to know more and he has the right to keep on asking until he gets answers...

putting it on paper helps him get the feelings out...also the doctor will more than likely read it...

keep copies of all of his letters...when the meeting happens...you can have them there with you..

He has come a long way and is a very brave young man...I know that you are very proud of him..

You are being the best mum for him...don't lose sight of that when you see that he is upset..

I hope that I have not overstepped the mark...this is how I would deal with it...I did push each hospital time for my "family member" (now referred to in this manner for privacy and respect for family member)..

keep on writing grasshopper3

big big hugs for you both...