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In any state I would imagine you will be facing the same difficulties.As a nurse and a parent of a recently dx son I know how difficult this is (difficult does not even come close to it) .Even with court orders mandating treatment following hospitalization (often written as 30 or 60 day alternative treatment orders -never seen longer here). Once the person is out of the hospital they are RARELY enforced. In Michigan a person must be a danger to himself /others /or unable to care for self AND be unable to recognize the need for treatment. Once a person is out of the acute phase of the illness and d/cd from inpatient many could actually (albeit briefly) contest that continued treatment is a violation of civil rights and to force meds injectables on someone could result in worse than losing a license but assault and battery( I considered this myself in desperation) .Its also pretty hard to get any one to do something they dont want to do order or not .While I am not trying to make this seem hopeless the best situation would be to engage (somehow?) the person in treatment.Most but not all at some point in their illness/treatment cycle recognize the benefits of treatment primarily the improved functioning.Another dr , treatment agency ,partial hospital ,or med may be more to his liking . If he is highly noncompliant repeatedly he may be eligible for a State Hospital which is only a temp. fix . Until he recognizes the benefits of treatment he will repeat. That being said Haldol or prolixin (other Ds) can improve functioning for alot of people (but young guys do seem to have higher rates of some side effects some of which can be permanent ) and works nicely on paranoia. Possibly only temporararily until he can be engaged in treatment. Despite the risks we considered it seriously. The paranoia , hallucinations and isolation were too frightening to him ,too disruptive to life (not eating or sleeping). Luckily he responded slowly to zyprexa 40 mg with Effexor sr 150 and has been stable for 3 mo. on 20 /75. For now . I wish you and your family well .I wish I had something more positive to say and I wait with you for FAR better treatment options for our children .

Thanks for any responses in advance. My 35 yr old sister with no previous deliveries is currently in her 32 week.she has fairly significant edema ,a 24 hr protein of 294, polyhydramnios,impaired glucose tolerance, bp has not yet topped 150/100 and fetal heart rate in the 120 - 130 range.estimated fetal weight is 3.6 lbs.What are the implications of these findings .She is now having biweekly office visits and scheduled for a repeat stress (nonstress ?) test next week.Her OB tells her baby looks fine but that if protein goes over 300 the may plan early delivery. Her biggest concern (PANIC) is that combined preeclampsia,polyhydramnios and maternal age indicate 10% risk of downs or neural tube defects (she read it somewhere). Could this be true? I feel that she should trust in what the OB says and that he would inform her if thats what he suspected . I (as a nurse-not ob) recognize there are few absolutes in any condition but I would like to help her with any advice ,knowledge you all may have.

Kenzielane, both Lilly and Pfizer have programs for the uninsured . check the 'Pfizer Connection To Care ' website although that site may be medicare specific . Lilly also has programs possibly under the ' Lilly Answers ' site.The problem with both of these arrangements is they can take weeks to set up (but are VERY helpful once in place). Your brother has a social worker in the hospital who has more info regarding programs at the state/county level. Before he is released from the hospital meet with his doctor to discusss follow up arrangements .His out patient doctor may have samples or coupons of either or both meds . These meds are both expensive if you have to pay cash for them and he may need them indefinitely, very few people could afford them without some kind of assistance from insurance, state aid , pharamcuetical assistance . Good Luck !!! Your brother is lucky to have a sister as concerned and proactive as you .

Hi V hope ! I am a wccc grad from May of 95. They added the (D)istrict shortly after that time. Congratultions and good luck !

Sorry about what you are dealing with . I know how you are feeling more than you might believe.As kids we never went to the dentist nor did many of our peers . We also grew up without flouridated water and I think with some bad teeth genes . I went for the first time as a young adult and suffered real embarrasment at the shape of my teeth. I keep myself together otherwise but try not to smile to broadly because I have so many fillings , quite a few cavities and a root canal that needs to repair a barely there molar. I brush floss use mouthwash more than daily but I am freaked out at the thought of anyone including a dentist seeing the inside of my mouth . It's funny I picked up on your post today because last few days I have really been thinking about this and trying to get the nerve to make that appt. Anyway I didnt want to hijack your post but wanted you to know you are very much not alone . I hope you can find some resolution to this so you dont have to drop any classes . Best wishes!

Hi! I also did clinical rotations at Harper but went on to work at another area hospital. The BIG players here are Henry Ford, Detroit Medical Center,St. John Hospital, Oakwood Hospital and finally Beaumont Hospital. All of these are health systems which have multiple smaller sattelite hospitals ,clinics and surgery centers. These systems all have good reputations and would be a great starting point. The pay (from what I hear ) is competitve amongst the big systems . Financially DMC ,St Johns and Henry Ford all have reported strain with DMC the most severe . All three of these hospitals provide a significant amount of care that is poorly reimbursed Medicare, Medicaid or fully uninsured. While it is unlikely any of them would go under completely some have "restructured" by closing some smaller hospitials in their systems. The safest bet would be main campus at one of these facilities . Good Luck!

catz, I can assure you there must be diagnosed (but most definitely undiagnosed ) working medical professionals in the UK as there in the US. These illnesses dont discriminate. I have worked with nurses , social workers ,aides & heard of Mds who have are or have been treated for bipolar , depression and anxiety disorders. Accurate diagnosis is essential followed by a trusting relationship with your psychiatrist. Many people respond well to medications despite the bad rep many (meds) get. Here in my neck of the woods we have Community Mental Health agencies that can assist with obtaining / accessing treatment .Does the UK have similar services? If you do require meds keep the following in mind; newer is not necessarilly better, these meds work (onset) slowly and stay in the system longer than many other meds so compliance is important even when you are feeling well, avoid self medicating with alcohol or sleeping aids or even caffiene, avoid shift work as structure is so important with all mi but particularly mood disorders. Please keep a positive and realistic opinion of yourself this ( if it is) is a medical illness you didn't ask for it nor can you will it away , you will likely be symptom free much more often than not .The risks of not treating this are huge ( emotional,financial ,risk taking, self esteem and potentially siucide). Please advocate on behalf of yourself (as you would your patients) to get the medical and emotional support you need. As far as meds go atypical antipsychotics are being used with increasing frequency some can cause significant drowsiness early on this should slowly fade another can cause carb cravings and the weight that comes with increase intake this can be managed for many by increased exercise Anti seizure meds are also used but most require blood monitoring( problem for some).Lithium is used less frequently than it had been here in metro Detroit area but is effective for many patients (some pts on newer meds asked to be switched back!),but again requires blood monitoring as the therapeutic range is somewhat narrow and can be toxic sometimes even at the upper limit of this range. Anti depressants should be used cautiously due to some having potential to trigger hypomania. Wish you all the best!