persevererSenior Contributor
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As my school had a holiday for All Saints Day I was able to accompany my eldest son to his psychiatric appointment. He has been in and out of psychosis several times a week, and very anxious and depressed. His anti-depressant had been increased and for weeks with no improvement we have been fed the line that these medications can take several weeks to kick in.
The psychiatrist said he had been reviewing my son's file and had discovered that the anti-psychotic (which he takes by injection) needs to proceed a meal of a certain energy value that is impossible for him to consume in one sitting due to having had gastric bypass surgery. So the doctor changed his medication and added that it should help with the depression too.
Perhaps he is manic, but in just two days there has been a dramatic difference for the better. He is able to concentrate, he is motivated, he has been socialising, exercising and seems bright and chirpy.
Now for the gripe. My son's gastric bypass surgery was four months ago and I cannot help but note the difference in the level of care and scrutiny between the psychiatric profession and the bariatric surgeons. Every aspect of my son's health was reviewed before surgery and as he had a sleep apnea he had to have two visits to the sleep clinic and be fitted with a CPAP machine which made an enormous difference to his ability to sleep, so vitally important to MI sufferers. I have mentioned the sleep apnea and even requested diagnosis at the sleep clinic to my son's former psychiatrist with no esulting action at all. Even the slightest problem was encouraged to be reported to the bariatric surgeon and although my son had some complications, they were all speedily resolved. Yet how often even significant problems are dismissed in the MH system.
Four flaming months with full knowledge of my son's bariatric surgery and they have only just now worked out that he might still be psychotic because the medication he was on had to be taken with meals of a certain energy value that is impossible for my son to consume in one sitting.
