Clozapine REMS Routine with Schizophrenia
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2024
- Hi everyone! I'm Stephen. I'm visiting LabCorp today as part of my monthly routine for compliance with the Clozapine REMS Program.
Finding the proper medication can sometimes be a long and arduous journey in the world of mental health. For those diagnosed with schizophrenia, this journey often includes trying various medications to find a treatment that best manages their symptoms. In my latest video, I offer a first-hand glimpse into my experience with one such drug, Clozapine, and the monthly blood draw required by the Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program.
I have been living with schizophrenia for many years. In the ten years since I've been on Clozapine, I've had a very positive experience with the medication and consider it a critical part of my treatment plan. Despite the need for regular blood draws, which might seem daunting to some, I maintain an optimistic outlook, largely thanks to the ease and friendliness of his monthly visits to Labcorp.
Understanding Clozapine and the REMS Program
Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication used for treating resistant schizophrenia, which refers to cases that do not respond to standard antipsychotic treatment. It works by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain, which can significantly reduce hallucinations, delusions and improve the overall quality of life for those with schizophrenia.
However, Clozapine is associated with potentially serious side effects, including agranulocytosis, a severe and dangerous decrease in white blood cells that fight infections. Due to this risk, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established the Clozapine REMS program.
The Clozapine REMS program is a mandatory monitoring system designed to manage the risk of agranulocytosis. Patients on Clozapine must have their absolute neutrophil count (ANC), a type of white blood cell, regularly monitored. Regular monitoring can detect any drop in ANC, allowing immediate intervention and reducing the risk of severe infection.
My Monthly Labcorp Visit
Join me on a trip to LabCorp for my monthly blood draw. This experience provides a real-life perspective on what it's like to live with schizophrenia and navigate the requirements of the Clozapine REMS program.
My monthly trips to Labcorp are crucial to my health routine and positively impact my experience. I appreciate the professionalism and friendliness of the staff, which makes the regular blood tests less daunting. In addition, the ease of the process and the significant improvements I've experienced with symptoms make these routine visits worthwhile.
The Value of Personal Experiences
My experience with Clozapine and the REMS program is invaluable. It not only educates viewers about this aspect of schizophrenia treatment but also provides a sense of camaraderie and understanding for those undergoing similar experiences.
Personal accounts are crucial in the mental health community. They provide comfort, understanding, and guidance for others navigating similar paths. Furthermore, they help reduce stigma around mental health conditions and their treatments, contributing to a more informed and understanding society.
Conclusion
My journey with schizophrenia and treatment with Clozapine is a testament to the power of persistence and the importance of patient-centered care. In addition, my experience illustrates the necessity of regular blood monitoring as part of the Clozapine REMS program, underlining its crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of this powerful medication.
For those living with resistant schizophrenia and considering Clozapine as a treatment option, my account provides a hopeful perspective. My experience underscores the importance of routine blood monitoring while emphasizing this unique medication's potential benefits.
Despite the initial concerns some may have about the Clozapine REMS program's requirements, my experience highlights that with the proper support - such as that he receives from Labcorp - the process can be manageable and even friendly. For those considering this treatment path, I hope this video provides encouragement and reassurance that the benefits outweigh the inconveniences.
By sharing my story, I hope to not only help others who are living with schizophrenia but also contribute to a broader understanding of mental health, advocating for empathy, patience, and resilience in the face of adversity. If you or someone you know is dealing with similar issues, remember that you are not alone and that help is available. My story is a testament to this. Ultimately, it's not just about surviving schizophrenia but thriving despite it!
#schizophrenia #anxiety #mentalhealth #depression
I'm so happy that I found your channel. My son was diagnosed with schizophrenia a year and a half ago, he's 25. He was hospitalized after his first psychosis episode. During hospitalization, he was given the invega sustenna shot and was stable for about a year. He hates antipsychotics (like most patients do), so after the invega injection, he refused taking any meds. Not surprisingly, he recently had another psychotic episode and has been hospitalized for over a month. He just started the clozapine treatment and seems to be doing fine. I was so afraid about all the side effects but seeing you doing so well, gives me hope. Keep posting and kudos to your dad as well! :)
Stephen: the progress that you have made since starting your channel is remarkable. You seem excited about living again, and that's a beautiful thing. I am so happy for you, young man😊
Thank you so much Barney! I really appreciate your encouragement!
Stephen, I’m so glad that I found your channel. You’re such a cool guy and also really smart and engaging. Your dad seems like a great guy too. Thank you for inviting us all into your life and your journey. I can only speak for myself but I find your channel both informative and interesting. I learn so much but even more than that it seems that you have a natural talent for connecting with people. Being monetized is proof of that. Just amazing. Thank you for creating this channel and congratulations on getting monetized!
Thank you so much Paul! Your kind comment means the world to me, especially coming from NYC Fire. Also I would love to visit Japan!
hey stehpen and stephen's dad i hope y'all are doing well going into summer im very glad to see us all healthy and active
Thank you McDizzle! Both my Dad and I really appreciate your support and kind words.
Very informative video! As a Support Carer for people who suffer with mental health issues, the clients that I have now they do their blood tests every 4 weeks. We do that to make sure the amount of medicine they're are taking is both safe and effective and to minimize the risk of severe side effects, just in case there is a decrease in white blood cells. From my experience Closapine significantly improved the quality of live of my clients! Thanks for sharing Stephen! ❤
Thank you Jim! I appreciate you sharing and for the support. It is very impactful to me that you a Support Carer, are contributing to my channel. It means so much to me to have you here! Thank you.
I'm so happy for you Stephen, congratulations on TH-cam partnership! It is genuinely pleasing to see how far you've come, and, honestly, as a fellow *zapine user (mine is olanzapine and yours is clozapine) I really wish I could have a success story like yours one day. Congratulations to your dad too, he seems so proud of you and, again, I'm so happy for both of you. Thanks again for your videos and best wishes :)
Thanks so much Ingvar83! All of your comments have been so supportive of me. We are on a tough journey. Through your comments you help me survive schizophrenia.
Great video btw hopefully everthing comes back good for u
Thank you Sammy! That means a lot to me.
Dear Stephen, I am so glad for you that your channel is being monetized and that you are doing better and better. Your Dad seems to be so wonderful and understanding too. I will definitely keep on supporting your channel. I have a son your age that had some problems with depression and psychosis - at the moment stable on medication.... so I can relate to your problems a bit too. We've gone through rough and very dark times. It's so important during such times to have a loving and understanding family around. Keep on. Lots of good vibes from Hannover, Germany
Thank you Susanne, it means a lot to me! I wish you and your son the very best. I would absolutely love to visit Germany!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia Yes, you have to come over to Europe some time. There is so much to discover here. I am absolutely sure you would love it. I spent some time in the U.S. when I was around your age. Travelled around a bit (mostly the sunnier areas like Florida, Arizona, Nevada, California and Hawaii). I stayed at Youth Hostels. I would not want to miss that time and all the nice experiences I made and the wonderful people I met. I hope very much for you that you will be able to do that too. Liebe Grüße aus Hannover
Good to see you doing well and looking happy Stephen 😊 nice video
Thanks so much Victoria!
Not too be too judgmental or weird but you look very healthy here, especially the clarity in your eyes which are a look into brain health.
Amazing! 💪🧠✌️
Thank you Provostg so much! I appreciate the compliment and support.
That’s cool to see your experience getting your blood taken, cause I’m on it also and have to get my blood taken every month too
Thank you Nick for sharing! I’m glad you enjoyed it
Hi Stephen, congrats on earning revenue...you certainly put in the labor. I also noticed a button for donations, is that correct? Either way, Great job! I can see you writing a book one day, too! Thank you for covering this topic. I'm glad that the lab is accessible to you and your Dr. My son is on MediCal as well, and we are planning to start clozapine this Summer, tho we are relocating to Arizona because it has been hard to find community managed care that willing to use this gold standard medication ( I live in Northern CA.) I recently learned of a group of caregivers (mostly, but not exclusively, moms) who have struggled at times to get their LO's prescription filled on time due to delays or errors with REMS. I believe there was a tragic outcome recently in Texas. This concerns me so much. We are Native American, and I've learned that BIPOC folks tend to have low WBC counts - what if a pharmacist is unaware and denies his refill based on REMS? Or what if the computers go down? I try not to catastrophize, but this concerns me. I decided to join a group that is looking at this issue, and I'll be going to DC to help with advocacy efforts that call for REMS to work well for everyone. My son has not started his clozapine trial yet, and even if he decides he does not want to, this feels like such an important issue. Especially since joining your channel, Stephen.
Thank you Lisa for your incredible comment, and continued amazing contribution to my channel. Please let me know how your trip to DC goes in regards to the REMS program. Yes there is now a button for donations, since I am now monetized here on TH-cam. I definitely hope to write a book in the future! I wish you and your son all the best. Thank you! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
I have I have blood draws every 4 weeks. I take nasty drugs to control a deadly case of Lupus.
This is a great way to support yourself! Doing good by doing good!
I used to take Clozapine. I stopped because of my white blood cell count. I came down with Bronchiectasis. Then I found out that I can no longer take that medication. I missed a lot of work. I wonder if Clozapine made me sick, but I was working outside and I believe it was getting cold. Stay health Stephen.
Thank you Laurie for sharing. That is a big concern of mine too. I’ve fortunately never had a drop in my white blood cell count, but is still a worry. If I wasn’t doing so well on Clozapine I would probably switch.
Every time Ive had bloodwork done the people are super friendly and helpful.
Ill never forget the one lady who drew my blood after i’d come straight to the lab from my doctor’s office. She noticed in the requisition that i’d talked to my doctor about insomnia. And she started giving me suggestions on how to fall asleep faster and sleep better. Above and beyond her job description to do that. I could tell she really cared about the people she worked on. Always makes my day when i meet people like that.
Thanks!
Thank you very much Laurel! I really appreciate your continued support of me and my channel! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Such a nice guy, and a lovely Dad. Go well my friend, God bless you!
Thank you!
I’m glad you are taking steps toward independence Steven, you are a huge inspiration 🙂
Thank you so very much! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Love your videos. Keep up the good work ❤
Well done Stephen informative video. Glad you have your own income now. Keep up the good work 👍
Thank you very much Graham!
One of my friends has been on Clozapine for nearly 20 years, he is married written books for the Economist magazine is presently doing a masters degree and is intending to write a history book on the Versailles Treaty afterwards. So reach for the sky my friend 👍
Congrats on the account!
Keep up the good work !
Thank you Stephen for sharing your experiences God bless you and your dad 🙏🏿
Stephen you are offering a service and receiving payment for said service, it’s the American way. Congratulations on all your success.❤
I really appreciate it! Thank you very much. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
You are a good young man. Blessings.
Stephen you are a very smart and brave young man and much respect to your dedicated father.
They look like they are fond of you.--I mean appropriately That's great, happy there are enough of us to monetize your channel. If you get patreons, I'd be happy to be one. BTW, I have seizures and take clonazapam, totally different drug-- it's an anti-anxiety drug but helps with seizures if you take something else. Funny thing I have to pee in a cup a few times a year. It's not dangerous (though addictive), so the reason is entirely different. It's to make sure I am not selling it. It's a state or federal requirement. My doctor feels for me this is rather silly but it is a requirement. You are making so much progress it's awesome and thanks for your channel.
Outstanding man.......
I hope Clozapine saves my life too! 😢
you are brave, i am a RN nurse, i dont mind sticking other people, but when i get my blood drawer i sometimes feel dizzy, sometimes it doesn bother me at all, it is weird, i think it matters if you eat before you go, i feel better if i eat.
Well done you 🥰🥰🏴🏴
Your amazing
Lab Corp is a good place. I go there. Platelets are my concern.
Clozapine is gives good mood?????
Thank you
Hi Stephen and dad thanks for your video they’re really helpful I just wanted to know what therapy levels where you at when you recovered I know you take 175 mg of colazapine and how did your dad know you were at the right amount
I was on 175mg of Clozapine and 5mg Abilify, but we recently raised the Clozapine to 200mg a day. My psychiatrist determined these amounts based upon how I am doing and the levels of Clozapine in my blood. Thank you very much!
You’re lucky I have to get blood drawn every 2 weeks for Clozapine
Stephen I am curious if you drive at all.
We are going back to cali how do you do your blood works for clozapine?
I do it every 30 days, it’s not a big deal. Thank you
How's your heart?
Why don't you sign up for SSI Disability? That will give you money.
It seems like a good question.? 9:18
I'm sure he's well aware
Thank you Timothy. I did sign up for SSI Disability when I turned 18 and was approved. However, I am not on SSI Disability now. I plan on making a video about this soon as it is very complicated.
My sister-in- law is suffering as you have Stephen. We are trying to get her on SSI disability. She is 25, and things have been very difficult because of the HIPA laws, and her inability to comprehend or communicate. Your channel is VERY encouraging as she’s been battling schizophrenia for 6 years now with very little help except for our family. Your Channel has given is ideas to try, explained to us what she may be going through that she can’t explain to us, and your progress gives us hope for her bc we see glimpses of progress that we are quick to celebrate with her, and encourage. Thank you!
Great video hope you can also get a disability payment.❤
Thanks!
Thank you very much for your kind support!