I need support right now...in advance, thank you.

[BeHereNow]

Having a really hard time right now- watching my daughter suffer.
she can't sleep more than four hours at a time- risperidol looked good for a minute,
but turned into zombie land quickly, with no sleep.
The PD has changed to the medication to Ablilfy.
Transitioning off the Risperidol to Abilify with atarax as a back up
for any anxiety.

I hate this.

I can't fix it- and I hate that.

Most of all, I feel guilty about needing a break for a few hours.

BHN

[BeHereNow]

1. About feeling guilty- needing a break-

Sometimes, I just need to sleep and recharge the battery.
I know, some of you know.
BHN

[mopinko]

2. you got mine, you know that.

it is so frustrating that all this med stuff is just trial and error with some of the errors being god damned frightening sometimes. i wonder sometimes if it isn't like alzheimers- the patient is not so aware, it is the people around who soberly see what is happening and are powerless to stop it.



watch a good old movie on the tv, behind a locked door if possible. you can't help her if you are fried.

[BeHereNow]

4. True words- I know

I'm absolutely no good to her unless I am stable.
I was up every hour on the hour, hoping to find her asleep.
Now, neither of us have slept...
Will try now, as she is out with her dad.
BHN

[canoeist52]

3. Screw guilt, Be Here. Take those breaks when yoy can get them.

You'll need them to marshal your strength to guide her to maturity.

We tried all those same meds to no avail - all made my daughter worse. Looking back, I wish we'd never used the anti-psychotic and bi- polar meds but just got her sleeping pills. Inability to sleep worsened all her symptoms. Any way take care of yourself. You are the key to her world. There is hope, My sweetie has made it to 23 yrs in one piece in spite of everything.

[BeHereNow]

5. Hmmm. You have voiced my instinct.

as in, give her something to make her sleep- Wellbutrin seems to control her depression-
but not sleeping is not good and can only worsen depression,
the PD wants to gently transfer her off the risperidone and onto the Ablilify fot the sleep
disorder- Me and she? Want her off all meds, but given the past, not really an option.
BHN

[mopinko]

6. yeah, some lunesta or something.

you just can't medicate the mood of a sleep deprived person. any shrink that doesn't know that upsets me.

[hunter]

7. Sleep deprivation makes everything worse for everyone.

(Speaking from personal experience.)

[BrendaBrick]

8. (((BHN)))

You are such a good person for trying to reach her. I know this might be shot in the dark...but have you ever heard about a weighted blanket?

I have one and it helps. Here is a website that I can vouch for as I personally own one of their well-made products:

http://www.weightedblanket.net/weightedblankets.htm

May not be the end all answer - but maybe it might help?

Please don't feel guilty about needing a break. We are only human. You have to take time out to replenish yourself!

I don't know all the ends and outs of this particular situation...but I can say that more times than not there is a secret that may be hampering her...and we are only as sick as our secrets.

Of course, I may be way off base here - just something to consider...

It must be so heart-breaking to love someone so much as you obviously do and want to try and help and it just doesn't seem to be working out right now.

When I am at my wits ends...I mean - REALLY at my wits end...I try to fall asleep with an open heart and mind and ask the 'powers to be' to give me a sign as to what to do next. Most times the answers come in a highly symbolic (and creative) way via dreams...thing is, I have to wake up right away and scribble the dream on paper lest I forget it.

((((Good luck and all the best all the way around))))

[fizzgig]

9. my best to the both of you

please don't feel guilty for needing a break, you are no good to anyone if you're shot.

[EFerrari]

10. Sending strength your way.

[momto3]

11. I know exactly what you are going through.

I hope everything has settled down a bit for you. It is always hard to take time for ourselves when our children are suffering. I struggle with this all of the time.

My daughter was on risperidol for quite awhile when it stopped working. This was when we transitioned her to geodon. I hope the abilify works for her. I have heard that it works wonders for some.

[mdmc]

12. support here

good things for you..

[MineralMan]

13. Finding the right combination of meds is

really, really difficult sometimes. My wife has been shuffling meds for over 20 years. Through the help of one extraordinary psychiatrist, she found a combination that worked for her for several years. When it stopped working as well, subtle changes restabilized her. Over the years, she's taken just about everything, changing just one thing at a time. Her psychiatrist recognizes that she understands her own BP better than anyone, and is very cooperative in adjusting the balance of medications and in letting my wife make adjustments on her own. The result has been 20 years of stability and productivity in a very difficult profession.

It's never been an easy thing, but finding the right combination has always been the thing that works. I hope your daughter will find her combination soon.

[BeHereNow]

14. Thanks MM- and I am so happy for you and your wife.

Several members have written to me, pm'd me and
told me of their personal experiences with meds-
the over all consensus is that it can take a long time.
I am finally accepting that but still wishing for the "magic bullet."
As you know, it is very painful to watch a loved one suffer.

BHN

[MineralMan]

15. Yes, and that magic bullet

can be very elusive. Both the person trying to find the right combination and the people who care for that person a great deal need both faith that a combination will be found and a lot of patience. A lot of it involves educated guesswork, unfortunately, and everything tried takes time to take effect.

[Rex]

16. I am sorry you feel that way.

I've been there, that helpless feeling. Never feel guilty, you are a human being and we all have our limits. And thank you for posting in H&M. You may have indirectly helped save somebodies life by finding this forum in their worst time of need.

I hope the doctor can find the right medications for you daughter.