People on another forum really trying to put me of my new medication.

[Theodoreb]

I gained 4 1/2 stone on 20mg of olanzapine (anti psychotic) despite having anorexia and still having the same eating habits. So me and my psychiatrist decided to change to haloperidol which is a very old anti psychotic with more risks but very good at controlling psychosis and virtually no weight gain.

Now owing to my severe level of psychosis the danger of the weight gain and it's impact on my mental health me and my psychiatrist made a joint decision to try haloperidol.

Most other anti psychotics have horrific weight gain apart from aripiprazole and when I tried that before I went severely manic and couldn't get down. My psychiatrist feels risoeridone or seroquel will not control my psychosis so we decided together to try haloperidol.

I am happy with this decision and so far have no side effects which I must say is lovely. But on a mental health forum I go to everyone is being really negative and keep going on and on about the risks and suggesting what they perceive as safer like seroquel and risperidone. I've tried risperidone it doesn't effectively control my psychosis this is not a decision me and my psychiatrist took lightly.

Plus so far it's controlling my psychosis with no side effects although I'm increasing my dose today hopefully as I'm not sleeping, have appointments with psychiatrist weekly to monitor me all round. I feel very positive but feel so pressured by people opinions that I feel I cannot go in that forum no more. Every time I go in there yet again is a negative comment about the decision me and my psychiatrist have made.

I try saying don't let them bother you but I'm feeling delicate right now and I'm actually anxious about my medication I understand people have to give varied opinions but none of them have even been on it as it's so old and not used often and they keep on and on even after I've said thank you for your input but I'm very happy with how it's going, some medication work well for some and not for others, and my psychiatrist is monitoring me closely.

But they won't let it go even though none of them have personally taken it. One even suggested clozapine which virtually has the same weight gain as olanzapine and is only used for anti psychotic resistant patients me and my psychiatrist discounted it as he is concerned not only with my physical health having gained this weight but also my mental health and the physical damage I am doing by severely limiting my calorie intake in a desperate attempt to stop weight gain.

Before lockdown I also swam 60 lengths every day I've tried eating small meals often in case my starvation was the issue and the weight started coming on quicker.

I get that I asked for opinions but why keep on after I've said I'm happy.

It's not anyone else's business what medication you take x

Don't go there anymore. It has literally nothing to do with anyone else.

Its only their opinion it isnt gospel...do whats best for you..you know your body and mind..if your happy and feel its doing what you want it to do i dont see a reason for you to stop...

I think your Dr's will have a better idea than a bunch of strangers who likely have no idea what the actual drug is and are basing their opinions on media or hearsay.

Where did they get their medical degrees from?! This is a decision you have made with your psychiatrist. It sounds like it is working well for you. I know they have personal experience but that is what works for them. Your psychiatrist will have advised on what works for you and will have considered all the risks. If possible maybe avoid that forum as sounds like they can't be reasoned with.

I think it’s great you’ve found a medicine that is working for you. Ignore what anyone else says, you and your psychiatrist are happy with this, it’s working for YOU, that’s all that matters.

I wish you all the best 💐

Thank you I'm glad some people can see that this was a joint decision I have a extra tablet to take if I get side effects but I haven't needed it at all, I trust my psychiatrist he has taken excellent care of my mental health needs and before I saw him I was a mess.

I'm not going on there anymore just feel let down that they couldn't support me even though they disagree with my decision and are suggesting stupid things which me and my psychiatrist were deemed unsuitable for good reason and they obviously have very little idea as they don't even understand why they are not suitable.

Thanks for all your supportive messages.

Listen to your doctor.

Defo trust your Doc. Sounds like he/she has taken his time to fully consider many meds and you have agreed a way forward which appears to be working so far. Seems you are well cared for.

Re those on that site, people try to help others to feel good or clever themselves. Perhaps those who were giving advice did it genuinely because they thought they were helping.
Even though they weren’t!

Just take a step back from that site. If you choose to visit it again later you can tell them how great the meds have been, that you are in a good headspace and all is looking up.

Don’t let their negativity drag you down. They are just ignorant and probably didn’t mean anything bad, they are perhaps not coping well themselves just now. If anything feel sorry for them. We all know what it’s like to be in a bad place. Just keep thinking how good it is that you have the help you need and put your needs first. You’re doing well OP.

@Eliza thank you very much I'm going to stay away for a while and when I feel stronger maybe I can go on and explain why I've been away, plus I know many of them are unwell as obviously it's a mental health forum for bipolar and schizophrenics.

I spoke to my psychiatrist he is very happy with how well I am coping with new tablet and as I'm still experiencing psychosis and in his words seem a little too hyper and strangers who are not used to me would struggle to understand me right now we doubled my dose. I am happy he says there is no need to worry and has given me extra tablets for if side effects get too much for me.

Plus he has told his secretary that if I call I'm to be considered urgent so I am to alert him if anything changes or if I become worried. And he will phone again next Tuesday.