peopleneedpeople Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Been a long time follower of the site and decided to post my observations. I'm not putting this in the antipsychotic forum coz well this is about the antipsychotic clozaril for people just with schizophrenia. I've never felt so overwhelmed by pdocs, nurses and basically anyone who works in medicine going on and on and on about clozaril. I suffer from schizophrenia myself and I've tried this so called Gold Standard Antipsychotic about how many times?? A LOT. No success. I was Maxed out on 900mg at one point. Every psych ward admission every other person with schiz. I've met doesn't matter if it's their first time they've have been in a psych ward or their 100th time in there it's always clozaril. I met a guy who has never ever been on an antipsychotic before and his pdoc who wanted 'special permission' from his parents to try clozaril FIRST. Ahhhh... WTF! This is meant to be a last ditch, last resort and basically last antipsychotic they are meant to try. I'm in Aus. and wanted to know for most of you guys in the States do they try to put all schizophrenics on clozaril? Is there such a rush and urgency to put everyone on it in the U.S? Or is it just Aus.? Honestly saying one drug is better than the other isn't on or right. Doesn't matter if it's an antipsychotic or an antidepressant or just any drug. Hey we all know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koloth Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I live in Australia and haven't experienced Clozaril myself. I've tried quite a few anti-psychotics but never had Cloazaril suggested. Sounds frustrating though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I'm in Australia as well. From my experience, I haven't seen doctors try and put everyone on clozapine. My experience was that my doctor tried various APs on me before I suggested clozapine, and getting onto clozapine was an effort in itself. I actually spent 9 nights in hospital just because I was changing onto clozapine. On the PBS, clozapine is indicated for cases where multiple APs have failed. So, I think it would be rare that clozapine would be used as the first form of treatment. It is unfortunate that clozapine didn't work for you, but for many, it is a very effective drug. I guess that is why there are so many drugs out there. Not everyone will respond to the same drugs. Also, this discussion is about an antipsychotic, therefore it will be moved to the appropriate forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpmaster Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I was one of the people who was prescribed Clozapine after trying most of the other AAPs. For me its been really good. Statistics show that for most people, where Clozapine has been the last resort, it has tended to work well. Of course this does not mean it will work for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netsavy006 Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I live in the US. When it came to me and Clozaril, I had tried the other AAPs that were on the market at the time, and I had problems with them (such as akathisia and swallowing problems, for ex). I even tried 2 traditional APs and I had an allergic reaction to one of them. I was inpatient at the time and the doc spoke with mom and me to help figure out the best next step and we agreed on going to Clozaril. So, I started Clozaril back in January of 2010. I went up in 25mg increments every week until I reached 300mg which I am on now. Clozaril has been the best drug that I've been on, as it treats both my hallucinations and it helps regulate my mood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamito Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I'm in Australia, and yes, my pdoc wants me on Clozaril. He is always offering it to me. I said that I am quite happy on my current meds. I do feel that there is pressure. Also he is now pushing Saphris as it is new here. But I am quite happy on my meds. It's funny how pdocs want you to try different stuff when you are ok. Bit annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peopleneedpeople Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 The only REAL reason why I think there is this push and urgency for clozaril clozaril is its the only antipsychotic in TABLET form that they can tell if you're taking coz it will show in your blood results how much. if any, you are taking of the clozaril. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h3llo Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 The only REAL reason why I think there is this push and urgency for clozaril clozaril is its the only antipsychotic in TABLET form that they can tell if you're taking coz it will show in your blood results how much. if any, you are taking of the clozaril. for me it was between an injection (AH NEEDLES!!) or a tablet. went with the tablet. kind of dissilusioned cause i've been havingproblems but well im pretty sure i don't have schizophrenia so i prolly shouldn't post here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyuser Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I am on clozapine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisiforgot Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I'm from Australia too and i've never been on Clozapine, though my doctor is starting to suggest me trying it out if my current cocktail doesn't help with my psychotic symptoms. He also told me it's like a last resort kind of thing and i've been on a few antipsychotics and antidepressant combinations throughout my life. I've also heard it's only a last resort because of the blood count issue? The white blood cells or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Yes, one of clozapine's side effects is agranulocytosis, which is a life-threatening lowering of white blood cells. There's a 1% chance of that happening, so it's not common at all, but since the side effect can kill and occurs most often in the first three months of treatment, initially you start off with weekly blood tests. Afterwards, you progress to monthly blood tests. Other side effects include heart issues and seizures. Before I went on clozapine, I had to do some heart tests. It's a medication that isn't used lightly, and certainly not as a front-line med. In Australia at least, it is generally used when several other APs have not worked. I guess it is also a last-resort medication because it requires people who have the capacity to take themselves [or have someone to take them] for a blood test every week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tezbezr432 Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 I'm in Australia, and yes, my pdoc wants me on Clozaril. He is always offering it to me. I said that I am quite happy on my current meds. I do feel that there is pressure. Also he is now pushing Saphris as it is new here. But I am quite happy on my meds. It's funny how pdocs want you to try different stuff when you are ok. Bit annoying. FFS we are the patients maybe they should treat you like one. Atypical antipsychoticS - yes pdocs there is more than one.............. It 'might' be the 'best' but if you're happy on something else and you're doing 'well' then why the fuck do they keep wanting you to change??? Even if you keep saying NO. Why must they repeat the same questions and saying the same things. Sounds like just a bunch of script readers who are getting a bit on the side from the clozaril company. Sick sick sick. They know there is no cure at present. But they are acting like there is one It's funny how pdocs want you to try different stuff when you are ok. Bit annoying. I find it disappointing that they don't listen to what you say. You know you're body the best. They must know you better than you know yourself. They must think and know the opposite to what you say I do feel that there is pressure. Honestly it sounds like we are not the patient. We are someone else. Also he is now pushing Saphris as it is new here. Yes another new atypical has come out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.