Blog Launch November 26, 2006

Natural medicine approach to Schizophrenia - herein referred to as SZ. A daily progress of a family member we refer to as "patient" who is starting the orthomolecular protocol. Entries will be done by family members reporting their observations of the patient.

Patient began assortment of supplements yesterday. Patient reported nightmare from the 1mg Melatonin taken before bed a few days ago and hasn't taken it since. Dream recall may be a positive effect of supplementation whether nightmare or not. The full program began at Day 0.

-7PM Patient questions family about cars missing from driveway (not missing.)

Family Practice Dr.:
Margolis, Steven, MD - Alternacare
43956 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48314
Phone: (586) 323-1122

NOTE: This nutritional schedule is under development and is NOT developed or yet reviewed by the family doctor. The information used to create the schedule was pulled from many hours of research. Posts will be updated and corrected when necessary.

Personal note: There is no single source for this information, there is no one person you can talk to, one book you can read, one doctor to visit. This is why we are providing the total information we have found that deals with our unique SZ case. In the event it helps even one family, it will be worth the effort. While it is necessary to accurately document the progress of this method, we will include information that is research oriented for understanding deficiencies, symptoms, and methods for improving the quality of life and restoring the biochemical health. Clearly, the drugs available today (2006) mask the symptoms and present significant risk of serious side effects.
--gjh

useful links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthomolecular_medicine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthomolecular_psychiatry



In the past, the Patient has taken Miatake, CoQ10, DHEA, copper and Lecithin. SZ is said to be found in people with high copper levels! Patient was taking copper as directed by doctor to help improve a separate health issue. Over a month ago the Patient was still taking Omega 3's, Lecithin and some B vitamins, as well as taking Niacin and small dose of DHEA. Patient has stopped taking copper.

Psychiatric history: Patient developed delusional thinking 2003, with hallucinations occurring 2006. Patient was prescribed Lexapro for depression. Insurance company changed prescription to Celexa. Following administration of Celexa, patient's SZ symptoms became more intense. Patient then visited a different doctor and was diagnosed with Paranoid SZ and prescribed 1 mg of Respirdal. Patient became very lethargic. Thinking and speaking ability slowed down significantly. After 2 weeks of these side effects, patient was switched to 5 mg of Abilify. Strange behaviors and paranoia, audible and sensory hallucinations increased. Then dosage was increased to 20 mg. Eyes began to droop involuntarily. Violent hallucinations experienced. Continuous delusional thinking and thought disorder continued with no relief. Experienced dizziness, backache and metallic taste in mouth often. Ironically, delusional thinking and hallucinations were observed a half hour after patient ingested the Abilify drug (a drug that is supposed to reduce those very symptoms).

20 mg of Abilify was discontinued after 6 weeks. Catatonic demeanor and what appears to be Tardive (heavy eyes, long face-lack of emotion) still present a week later.
--sw