My younger daughter had hallucinations since at least preschool. Yep, they are not approved for our kids and essentially can cause brain damage, but then... what choice did we have? We were also being told the psychosis would cause brain damage. So, the antipsychotics sure did sound like the lesser of the evils. I know my daughter sure did not want to live with the psychosis. 

We didn't get rid of all the hallucinations until she was 19, but she was OK with the residual hallucinations, with the help of a service dog.  I will say that the only way we even partially got the meds to work (she was on Seroquel and Wellbutrin) was by adding food supplements. Usually though, the company that makes the most well-researched one (Truehope's EMPowerPlus) warns against mixing the two as it potentiates the meds. Well, in her case, that's exactly what was needed, and for her, the EMPowerplus alone did not work, either. We did finally get her "fixed," but it was not until involving multiple doctors (various medical fields), and extensive testing and outside-the-box thinking.

--Jeanie aka"Naomi"
It's Not Mental-Our Story
Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added a little EMpowerPlus back on as a multivitamin simply because she feels better on it - gets sick less often.
Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for almost 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.

We began Clozaril 18 months ago after trialing multiple other antipsychotics and it has been very effective.

Thanks Ladies!

The pdoc mentioned Clozaril a year or so ago.  This time I mentioned it and she is against it.  She said another pdoc would also have to approve it's use for ds.  Is that true, do you know?  I had never heard of it.

Also, we are planning (once again) to take him to a DAN doctor when his thyroid meds are adjusted.  I don't think he will be med free but feel some supplements will help.

Kathy

DS - 7, DX: BP1-Mixed w/psychotic episodes
Current Meds: Lamictal 200 mg, Lithobid 900 mg, Risperdal 3.5 mg, Tenex 1/2 mg, Time Release Melatonin
Co-mod Very Young w/Laura, Ginny, Amber and Angi
Co-mod Adoption w/Chrisa
Co-mod Support 12 w/Heather

“The school’s #1 priority is educating my son. MY #1 priority is keeping him alive. My #1 priority is more important than theirs.”
" Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of it's sorrows, but only empties today of it's strengths."

I don't think he will be med free but feel some supplements will help.

Yep. Med-free was definitely not our goal! Not even psych-med-free. The goal was just to help them feel better and be the best they can be - have as good a life as possible. We'll take "Functional", "Stable", "productive", "rational", "happy", Well-adjusted", "independent", "appropriate" and "healthy"!!!!   That last one, "healthy" seems like the last continuing target goal. For everyone.
 

--Jeanie aka "Naomi"
It's Not Mental-Facebook
Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added a little EMpowerPlus back on as a multivitamin simply because she feels better on it - gets sick less often.
Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for almost 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.

Our pdoc and pharmacy worked together to get the medication approved and started, so I am not familiar with all of the requirements.  I believe the pdoc had to demonstrate severity of issues and failed trials of multiple other antipsychotics and severity of issues.  I am not aware of any involvement from a second pdoc.

I think I am going to push for Geodon even though the pdoc doesn't want to.  She wants to try Thorazine by itself and we already know it doesn't work stand-alone.  I think he may be too young for Clozaril.

Thanks everyone!

Kathy

Sweetie 7, DX: BP1-Mixed w/psychotic episodes
Current Meds: Lamictal 200 mg, Lithobid 900 mg, Risperdal 2.5 mg, Tenex 1/2 mg, Time Release Melatonin

“The school’s #1 priority is educating my son. MY #1 priority is keeping him alive. My #1 priority is more important than theirs.”
" Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of it's sorrows, but only empties today of it's strengths."

My son was on geodon for about 3 hours when he started having uncontrollable movement in his whole body. His whole body was a tremor it was horrible.