[moon66]

I take a number of medications for my Schizoaffective Bipolar type with OCD and ADD. What happens is I can set clocks and not hear them or just shut them completely off. I've had a sleep study done and they said that my adenoids might need to be taken out. I don't think that's completely the whole problem as why I can't wake up. I still think it's my medications that are making me sleepy and in zombie mode. I get up sometimes and I'll get a drink and I'll be in zombie mode. I also don't get up or go to the bathroom when I go to bed. I usually sleep the whole night through and wake up after my mother yells at me. I set two clocks and one I just shut off. The other I plug something into it and it shuts off. I don't think my Psychiatrist is doing everything in their power to cut or reduce medications. The one they're reducing and it takes time for them to reduce it. The one they're reducing is clozaril. I am just not happy that I can't wake up even when I want to wake up. I'm wondering if I can do anything legally so they take care of the problem. I just have trouble waking up.

Here are my medications -

Morning
Buproprion HCL XL
Escitalopram 20
Escitalopram 20
Perphenazine 4 M
Clozapine 25 MG
Vyvanse 60 MG

Night

Clozapine 25 MG
Clozapine 25 MG
Clozapine 25 MG
Divalproex SOD E
Perphenazine 16
Perphenazine 16

Those are all my medications and what I take. They come in a packet. The Depakote doesn't have a MG or how much is in it. I just think that they aren't taking me seriously and if this does not get changed I might have to go back into the hospital. Legally speaking, is there anything that can be done? I think they just think I can't wake up or I go to bed at the wrong time. I've been setting clocks and it doesn't work. I use to be an early bird and I could wake up with clocks. Now I barely hear them and shut them off and return to bed. I feel very sleepy and usually when I do wake up it's not at the right time. Is there an expert that could get these medications at the right dosages and such without going back into a hospital? What should I tell my psychiatrist? I just think that the medications are the problem and not me. I'm just hoping I don't get stuck like this and not be able to get up. I mean what if there was a fire, burglar, or something that required me to be able to wake up? My other problem is it takes more than just yelling. If the person yells they have to do it more than once. I also sometimes get up and come down stairs and lay on the couch. When I do this is I'm sort of in this zombie mode. I'll lay down and I'm right back to sleep. Sometimes I'll come downstairs and get a drink and it's like I'm not completely all there. I'll return back to bed or the couch. The night before I go to school I'll lay out clothes and be ready for bed. I can't seem to wake up with that clock and it's useless. If it weren't for my parents yelling for me to get out of bed then it wouldn't work. I wouldn't get up. I was also in different hospitals, programs, and placements. My sleep was all messed up in there and I would sleep a lot due to depression and sadness. I would say that I didn't eat that well and gained weight too. I would say it's from being in different placements where they just let you sleep in. When I was hospitalized I also slept a lot. I would say that they really didn't keep on me and I kept sleeping in.

[Altered Moment]

From what you have said I don't see how you are legally required to take any of them. I do not at all suggest you go off of them but it is not unreasonable to want to reduce them and solve the sleep problem. You are on a lot. It is most likely the anti psychotics causing the problem. If your psychiatrist isn't taking your concerns seriously get your parents to have you see another one for another opinion.

Do your own research on the meds you are taking so that you are an educated patient and don't have to to take everything a doctor says as coming from god. It is very important we learn how to self advocate. We have a say in our treatment. You know what is happening in your mind and body better than anyone.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Altered Moment]

Do you get regular blood tests for the Clozapine?

Have you tried any of the new atypical anti psychotics and they don't work?

Why Perphenazine when it is an old anti psychotic and why not a newer atypical anti psychotic?

From the psychiatrists point of view his number one priority is to have you stable and is not as concerned about side effects. He wants to make sure you don't have psychosis, delusions, a manic episode, disruptions, and destructive things that effect your life and family. But you have to deal with the side effects not him.

So the hard part is finding some combo that keeps you stable but doesn't have side effects you can't handle. Maybe it has taken a long time to find this combo with a lot of trial and error. I don't know. If so he would be reluctant to change anything.

I would be asking a lot of questions about the two old anti psychotics you are taking and the new atypical anti psychotics that are out there.

[moon66]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

Do you get regular blood tests for the Clozapine?

Have you tried any of the new atypical anti psychotics and they don't work?

Why Perphenazine when it is an old anti psychotic and why not a newer atypical anti psychotic?

From the psychiatrists point of view his number one priority is to have you stable and is not as concerned about side effects. He wants to make sure you don't have psychosis, delusions, a manic episode, disruptions, and destructive things that effect your life and family. But you have to deal with the side effects not him.

So the hard part is finding some combo that keeps you stable but doesn't have side effects you can't handle. Maybe it has taken a long time to find this combo with a lot of trial and error. I don't know. If so he would be reluctant to change anything.

I would be asking a lot of questions about the two old anti psychotics you are taking and the new atypical anti psychotics that are out there.

Yes, I get blood tests for my Clozaril. I was hospitalized A LOT and they tried a lot of different medications. From what I hear is that they are reducing the Clozaril and removing it completely if the Perphenazine keeps the voices and seeing things away. They'll put me on Perphenazine and take me off of Clozaril. As for any of the other medications I haven't really been on them about them. This is also a new Psychiatrist that I'm seeing and I think she is better than the ones I seen in the past. What I don't like is the sleep and not waking up. It's getting old and I just want them to find the right mixture of medications. I also don't want to be hospitalized or put in placements. I just want to figure out what needs changed, cut, or removed all together. The reason they have me on Clozaril is that other medications didn't work well with the voices and seeing things. That Is why they're trying Perphenazine to see if it works so when I go off of Clozaril it keeps it away.

[moon66]

The other problem is that all of those meds are suppose to be taken at 8AM and 8PM. I don't do that exactly and usually take them when I wake up and when I go to bed. That could be anytime from when I wake up until I go to bed. So, I'm not taking them at the right time. I am taking them when I do wake up since I have trouble waking up. I usually don't go beyond midnight when I go to bed or take them. I think that could be part of the reason why since the medications are sort of running together. I don't think it's the full reason as to why I can't wake up on time. Also I was told there is a window and your allowed to take them at certain times. I can't even wake up at 8AM to take those medications. At night time when I can't sleep I'm up and I'll take them around 10 or 11. I would say it would take a lot to take these medications at 8am and 8pm. I would probably have to be put somewhere in order for them to get all of this on track. Since I can't wake up and am groggy.

[moon66]

Any suggestions as to what I should tell my Psychiatrist? I can copy it and take it to them. I also see a psychiatric nurse and a therapist.

[Altered Moment]

It's tricky as you know. I suspect it is the anti psychotics causing the sleep problem and not the others. I really hope they can get it figured out without relapse.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Altered Moment]

I would suggest you just print this whole thread and let them read it. You voiced your concerns very well here.

The key is to remain stable and get rid of the sleep problem. I am not a psychiatrist and I don't know your history. It's important that they take your concerns seriously. You sound very rational about it to me and don't want the voices and seeing things and don't want to be hospitalized so you can see it from their side too.

[Altered Moment]

I am assuming you are under 18 and I don't really know what Florida's laws say about someone in your situation. I did find this.

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/...laws/ptrts.pdf

You might read through this thread a couple of times and type out one or two pages of your concerns and questions. What is it you want to get out of treatment? Why are they prescribing this particular medication? This sleep side effect is just causing me to much trouble, etc....

In general you have rights and have to advocate for yourself.

Your treatment should be patient centric. Meaning all aspects of your treatment are about you and your well being.

Your concerns should be listened to and taken seriously.

You should always be treated with dignity and respect.

All your questions should be thoroughly answered.

You have a right to participate in your treatment decisions and understand the reasoning behind those decisions. Including medications.

Educate yourself on all the aspects of your treatment so that you are an informed patient. It's ok to disagree and debate and come to a solution.

[moon66]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

I am assuming you are under 18 and I don't really know what Florida's laws say about someone in your situation. I did find this.

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/...laws/ptrts.pdf

You might read through this thread a couple of times and type out one or two pages of your concerns and questions. What is it you want to get out of treatment? Why are they prescribing this particular medication? This sleep side effect is just causing me to much trouble, etc....

In general you have rights and have to advocate for yourself.

Your treatment should be patient centric. Meaning all aspects of your treatment are about you and your well being.

Your concerns should be listened to and taken seriously.

You should always be treated with dignity and respect.

All your questions should be thoroughly answered.

You have a right to participate in your treatment decisions and understand the reasoning behind those decisions. Including medications.

Educate yourself on all the aspects of your treatment so that you are an informed patient. It's ok to disagree and debate and come to a solution.

I actually live in Pennsylvania now. No, I'm actually 25 years old. Another thing I wanted to know was if any of those medications could make Psoriasis flare up?

I also have cravings for sweets and I'm not sure if that is a side effect or not. I am sort of out of shape and a little over weight. I think the medications might also make me hungry.