Come 'ere an' gimme a hug big guy ..... you're such a fun nut!

If memory serves, this is Louie's 7th hospitalization!

Let me tell you about the 1st one.

It was Xmas eve. He was manic. Running around. verbally nonsensical and hostile. He was trying to escape us (hallucinations?) and he got on the floor and slid his body under his bed. Then, he took his legs to lift the bed off the floor and raise it up and down (a'la Exorcist bedroom scene <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> )

Cops came. Took him to ER. Ambulance took him to psych. Louie in tears. "Mommie. I'm sorrrrrrrreeeeeeee. Help me Mommie. <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" /> " Mommie in tears, " <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" /> my babeeeeee."

Next day, we went to the unit and signed him out AMA. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> No big favor, I promise you. It was Xmas, and I felt guilty beyond anything. He behaved. It lasted about 2 months, then got worse.

Next hospitalization, he went to a much nicer facility. This is where the "cool" kids went. Louie treated it like a social event. Friends came. (Louie is very charasmitic and kids are drawn to him ) Louie held court. Sympathy from visitors and family alike. It was a big mistake. Why work on issues and problems when he was king of the castle in the hospital? Other kids who got better, got discharged would come back to the hospital to visit our son! Going home to his family would be a "step down" in his eyes. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

Skipping waaay ahead to this hospitalization. I have asked several of his frends NOT to visit him in the unit until we can see he is working on coming home. He is furious. The rules state he cannot be prohibited from visitors. We are begging certain people NOT to visit .... and the girlfriend in particular. Luckily, GF's mom is on the same page with us. She says she won't drive GF to visit unless we say it's a good idea.

THANK GOD FOR STRONG PARENTS

Today, I am going to family group therapy at the hospital. Louie is going to call me names, tell me he wishes he never was adopted by such stupid people, I am not his "real mother" ... etc. I am going to say to him, When you want to be decent toward your family, GF's parents will bring her to visit.

Any thoughts?

<small>[ February 22, 2003, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: Pepperband ]</small>

Tough one!

I guess while he is sitting there calling you names, I would just remain calm and quietly say
"I can see you are very upset...and I am so sorry....because we love you so very much... " (non-defensive statments...just declare your love and support)

I don't know how you do it. I admire your strength.

Don't let it get you down. Keep your chin up. YOUR Louie will hopefully be back soon. <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" />

Susan .... I am officially employing all 3 of my coping mechanisms! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I cannot let this kid and his disease make me sick!

You're right of course. I will not engage in a power struggle. Just state our boundaries, and our love, and leave it at that.

<small>[ February 22, 2003, 09:36 AM: Message edited by: Pepperband ]</small>

BTW .... His new medication is Ziprasidone ... AKA Geodon.

Pepper:

Sounds like something of an MB method to me! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

I really wish I knew more about such situations. The closest thing I have to "experience" with that kind of thing is with my paranoid schizophrenic BIL and his son (the nephew that lived with us for a time). My BIL once threw a kitchen knife at my W when she was pregnant with our daughter. Later, when I was out of town for a couple of weeks, he stayed at our house. I was scared to death! But he was taking his medication and was as lucid as I ever saw him - either before or since. He eventually stopped taking the meds, though.

I heard that schizophrenics often improve as they age. He certainly has, such that we don't argue when we see each other anymore (part of that is that I'm trying to be more understanding, too). He still prefers to live in his van, though. He's something of a miser, too. Has tens of K in the bank, yet won't spend much at all on his kids. His loss, though. They're becoming young adults, and don't have a strong desire to spend time with him. Not even on holidays anymore.

Have a good day, Pepper!
-ol' Qfwfq

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I am officially employing all 3 of my coping mechanisms! </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Please try not employ them all at once...like crying or laughing during the sex...Mr. Pep may wonder if he is doing soooo good...or not soooo good... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

ROFLOLPIMP <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">His new medication is Ziprasidone ... AKA Geodon.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I'm gonna look that up...

Why didn't they go back to the original medication? It worked fine when he took it didn't it? Why did they change?

PEPPER, IM me again sometime when you can...that was fun. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />

Suz

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">ROFLOLPIMP </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">PIMP Is this part what I am thinking it is???????? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

Mia thinks you're "cool" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Meds:

Well, most of them have worked, for awhile. He dislikes the side effects, and when he feel "normal" he believes he doesn't need the meds any longer.

The med that worked best was Lithium. But, after about 6 months, he became toxic on the lithium. His legs kept collapsing under him. He was unable to move normally <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> That day was awful. Now, I may have to cry-cope. <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" /> I'd prefer to laugh, but .... whatever. Mr. P is off on his run ... so sex is out of the question .... hey, what am I talkin'? BOB is somewhere in my closet????? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Now I sound crazy. I think it's contageous!

PIMP ..... yes, it's what your thinking.

Time for adult diapers anyone?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Mr. P is off on his run ... so sex is out of the question .... hey, what am I talkin'? BOB is somewhere in my closet????? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">You could go employ a new mechanism... RUN and try to catch Mr. P. By the time you did, you would probably be outta da mood...

Mia is a dear!

My hubby is outside happily (because of last nights tub washing...amazing how it helps the mood) painting and building shelves for his closet.

It is 10 a.m. here....and here I sit still in my jammies.

<small>[ February 22, 2003, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: Susan ]</small>

I think I'm going to read a little bit out of "Love Must Be Tough".

That usually steels my spine. I've been too soft when I get emotionally entangled with his disease. I lose my resolve, and I enable,

They're gonna lock this thread!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> I think I'm going to read a little bit out of "Love Must Be Tough".
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Good idea...

Is Mr. Pep going along with you to the hospital? It is always better to have that extra support.

Do you exercise, Pepper?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">He dislikes the side effects </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">What are the worst side effects? what does he dislike the most?

<small>[ February 22, 2003, 01:22 PM: Message edited by: Susan ]</small>

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I am going to say to him, When you want to be decent toward your family, GF's parents will bring her to visit.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Sounds a little like you are trying to bargain with him.

If it works, I guess it is ok...

Pepper:

"Time for adult diapers anyone?"

When Bob Dole was asked "Which do you prefer. Boxers or briefs?" He replied: "Depends."

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />
-Qfwfq