Comparing Clozapine vs Seroquel

For Schizophrenia: My son is in his early 20'and has schitsoaffective dissorder.He has been on at least five different medications for his illness. And nothing seem to help or if it did it lasted only for a little while or he had severe allergic reactions. So he started clozapine/clozaril around a month ago. And it has made a big difference .The voices gradually are going away. He can actually sit and watch TV and have a conversation. He is enjoying things again. We do go for blood work every week which he does not mind. This medicine is working and I'm hoping his blood work comes back good every week, Because to see him getting better is such a relief . And I am hopeful for a happy productive life for him. Things are looking up.

For Schizophrenia: My son starting showing signs of psychosis right after his 14th bday. Diagnosed with schizophrenia 6 months later. He was in a constant state of his own reality and heard voices on a regular basis. Seroqel, Zyprexa, Invega, and Ability did nothing for him. His psychiatrist prescribed Clozapine as a last resort. I won't allow his dosage any higher than 300mg per day for now since the side effects worry me. This drug has been a lifesaver to allow him to participate in the regular world and quiet the voices where he can focus on real ppl. It makes him drowsy so he takes it at night. Weight gain is significant but most antipsychotics will do this. Regular blood monitoring to make sure his WBC stays normal. So good, so far.

For Bipolar Disorder: If you have Bipolar Disorder type II, please learn as much as you can about this condition from professional, reputable sources so you can make informed decisions about treatment and management options. This is a treatable, manageable illness, take hope in that. After 20+ years struggling to "cure" myself "naturally" & being miserable, dangerously depressed & dysfunctional, I finally decided to try psych medication. I found a doctor who SPECIALISES in this disorder and is up to date with the latest research findings in this specific condition. If you don't like your current GP or Psych's attitude, find someone else! I started a combo of Lamictal (AM & PM) & Seroquel (Only PM - makes you drowsy). I kept a daily mood diary & it took 3 months for my mood to fully stabilise. To help the bipolar depression, we added bupropion & N-Acetyl Cysteine, a supplement (all based on clinical research!). For 5 years now, I’ve had my life back. Deciding to take this medication saved my life.

For Bipolar Disorder: I was hospitalized 17 years ago with a major manic mixed episode. It was worst thing on earth. Was given 200 milligrams of serequel and it calmed down the demons. Tapered the dose down in months time come and stayed successfully at 50 milligrams for following 17 years. Long term side effects began with bloods changed, elevated blood sugar and triglycerides. Weaned and got off it, took several weeks. Feeling better with more clarity and regular movements now. Those two weeks of getting out of my system caused side effects of weird dreams, body aches and mood swings. Hard time sleeping. Increases over the counter supplements and made sure my life was low key until things settled. I’m grateful for the med. If not for the side effects which would have led to diabetes I would have remained in it. But I believe in the beginning it saved my life.