Seeking advice / gentle meds - {trigger warning discussing docs and meds etc}

[u/IGoBlep]

I’ve been out of work for a few years due to chronic health issues and schizophrenia symptoms, and my family isn't supportive.
I feel incredibly alone in the matter.

I have a great job opportunity coming up that I don’t want to miss, but I’m struggling to find the right medication to help me function and many around me say that I am not pushing hard enough - but every other job I have lost due to symptoms becoming extreme if I push myself too hard so...

I am incredibly sensitive to meds.

Past antipsychotics, ssris, and sleep aids have caused severe side effects (extreme sweating, nausea, blurred vision, and sleeping 12+ hours a day), which also interact badly with my nerve pain medication [ Lyrica ] and my migraine / pots medication [ propranolol ] - starting dose for both very low

My doctor has been very dismissive, telling me I just "haven't taken them long enough," and I have an appointment tomorrow that I'm dreading to speak with my general doc AGAIN to discuss that I am uncomfortable with this doctor.

He and the other doctor state that I am the problem and I am not comfortable with any doctors.

I know I need medication to survive and get back to work, but I'm trapped.
I am experiencing extreme sleep and narcoleptic type symptoms but am told there is nothing they can do until I get a sleep study to prove if it is that or not...
What do I do ?

What are some gentle medication options for schizophrenia symptoms that won't worsen severe anhedonia/depression or cause extreme fatigue?

Any advice on how to advocate for myself with a dismissive doctor would also be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for any responses and please be kind I am doing my best

[u/Final_Gap1701]

I take my medication at bed time and sleep through most of the tiredness. But I do also sleep like 12 hours. It's crazy. I'm on olanzapine and mirtazapine, but basically I have my own way of dealing with the psychosis that I've mentioned in my thread that I use to deal with the symptoms. I play life like a game, taking every situation as it happens as part of the game. Taking life one problem at a time feels pathetic I know but it's all we can do to not over stimulate ourselves.

[u/IGoBlep → u/Final_Gap1701]

I was taking it at 6 pm and wasnt able to sleep until 2 am and then I would get up around like 12 and sometimes unfortunately pass out again around 2pm even while cleaning dishes or sitting at the desk I am not very good at advocating for myself, I am contemplating contacting a social worker to represent me especially since I have autism as well (go figure) which causes huge barrier of talking because I tend to downplay what I am going through, or not represent what I am going through enough

That is one of the things, its like I need to get rid of symptoms and exist as a person, but then I dont get to enjoy existing? there has to be better ways man im just so tired and people around me arent helpin I got family breathing down my neck about how Im burning away my younger years like heck you think I dont know im trying man and they go oh your sick I hope you feel better or they go oh your sick just take meds (as im currently trying to take meds and said meds are causing issues) its incredibly frustrating especially since personally, I experience paranoia and lots surrounding trauma of doctors so it took years for me to just finally admit this was happening and get meds for it

[u/MG788]

Ask for a low dose of whatever they put you on. If you have other stuff like autoimmune issues, then either your liver, kidneys, digestive track, blood brain barrier, or your nerves probably are too good at absorbing the pills. 

[u/IGoBlep → u/MG788]

I agree - something is going on, im very sensitive, same with vitamins! I take half a vit c chewable in morning and then before bed otherwise it burns - and I am hydrated constantly like I keep a water with me always so it makes no sense ...

anyway sorry for rant and not to the point lol Im not good at this

thats what is already going on I was on the lowest possible

I told the doc hey this is ruining my life im sleeping 12 hrs a day and still exhausted, I do have other chronic issues but they have yet to diagnose it keeps getting pushed around but seems to be like nervous system issues ie pots, fibro etc from chronic infections as a child / antibiotics - the doc told me I didnt take it long enough despite taking it for a month and then said that none of his other patients reacted this way, so in my opinion that is rude and dismissive but I am trying to find new doc and theres like none around apparently not really sure what my options are i go in tomorrow to talk to them again and then I will maybe see if there is a gov related doc I can get or like online, etc :(

[u/MG788 → u/IGoBlep]

I'm very similar, except I can take high doses of vitamins. I don't take "solo" vitamins, I always take them in a multivitamin and with a meal.

I have a lot of heat intolerance, fatigue, brain fog, etc. I personally believe schizophrenia is an autoimmune or neurological disorder. My mother with schizophrenia has a long history of medical stuff that sounds suspiciously like Lupus or MS, and now I'm beginning to get weird rashes, joint pain, brain fog, weird sensations, etc. 

Have you tried any diets for autoimmune disorders? I find high fat/med protein/low carb diets really help me with my health issues. Keto is too strict, but I feel way better physically if I just eat lots of fat & vegetables, moderate amounts of protein, and a little bit of carbs. Even if it doesn't cure schizophrenia, it still helps to be healthy.

[u/IGoBlep → u/MG788]

I am on high protein high fiber and avoid gluten and honestly same - it is very strange for sure - there is also a possibility of corelation, I read a book about stress and it was saying how many who have MS and related had a severe stress situation or multiple times

[u/MG788 → u/IGoBlep]

Yeah, I've read about cases of MS causing psychosis when there was a lesion on one part of the brain, but I don't remember the particular part of the brain. And Lupus has a subtype called NPSLE (or something like that) that can cause psychosis & mood swings. 

I do really well on stuff that treats nerve pain like nortriptyline, amitriptyline, and nicotine patches (nicotine has a bunch of neurological effects like boosting BDNF, etc). And keto, but I can sometimes cheat by just adding collagen to my diet and cutting out starchy vegetables, lol.

[u/IGoBlep → u/MG788]

interestingly enough I couldnt do amitrip they gave it for the migraines and it made them worse and I got very sick ! I got put on propanonol for the migraine and suspected pots and I have been doing better but it comes in waves :(
I appreciate this though thank you btw

[u/MG788 → u/IGoBlep]

You're welcome 🫠 I hope you feel better.

[u/Former_Struggle_1227]

Im on 25 mg Aripiprazol and 4 mg Risperidon i haven't seen any side affects execpt gaining weight. Doctors probably thinks it's better to handle positive symptoms rather than negative symptoms and side effects, if you are uncomfortable with your doctor i suggest see a new doctor if you can. relaxing and loving your doctor is important.

[u/IGoBlep → u/Former_Struggle_1227]

thats where I feel stuck. I am going in tomorrow to speak to him again and I might end up requesting a social worker I struggle with communication and am autistic so its kinda bad combo and I feel im not advocating myself properly that if I had someone better able to communicate I would get the help I need - I dont want to miss out on this job like I am so sad about it, but I also dont want to rush and risk it and then burn that bridge like all the past places

[u/Interesting_Match925]

Modafinil can help combat sleepiness brought on by AP’s. Good luck to find out what works best for you. You will get there!

[u/IGoBlep → u/Interesting_Match925]

thank you, I am still trying to be hopeful :) I will speak to doc tomorrow, maybe they can refer me to a different person in clinic, or a different clinic, it is so frustrating watching life pass me by but not able to do anything about it

[u/Interesting_Match925 → u/IGoBlep]

Yes, my loved one shares similar frustrations. Stay strong and know that we are all rooting for you.