Schizophrenia Forum - Relationships With a Schizophrenic

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Q: Relationships With a Schizophrenic

asked by: tell3126 on July 2nd, 2007

New User

I met my boyfriend 6 months ago and from our first date he told me about his illness. He explained to me that he was medicated and that 90% of the time he is well and fulfills a normal life. Unlike most other people I know I didn’t freak out and run away, I really liked this guy and wanted to give him a chance. Now 8 months on we are a very happy couple and are making plans for our future together, we have the most normal and happy relationship that I have ever been in. Because of his illness we have to talk to each other and let each other know when times are hard. The only problem that we do have is physical, at first I thought that it was me etc. but now I know that it his down to the medication that he has to take. Does anyone know if there is an effective course of treatment that won’t effect his sexdrive? Or if there is something that he can take alongside his existing meds that will perk things up a little? I love my boyfriend dearly and have come to terms that sex is only a small part of our relationship, however I would like to know if there is anything that we can do?

Replies(7)

Philo

replied on July 2nd, 2007

Experienced User

Remedies

I'm glad to hear a positive story like yours. Your boyfriend should not be uptight about going to a general practicioner about this. There are also natural remedies that you can ask for at the pharmacy (ask about libido-enhancing remedies). I just looked up the natural remedy bible for you. There used to be (or maybe still is) "Prostata" from Gero Vita, to be taken with up to 1000 IU of Vitamin E for circulation and 80mg of Zinc. Herbal remedies often rely on the following ingredients: Damiana, Ginger, Vervain, and Wild Oats. You can try making the following libido-energizing tea: 1tsp dried Damiana, 1tsp dried Vervain, 2and1/2 cups boiling water honey or ginger. I don't know how effective this is. It might take some drugs to really cut through the schiz medication, but there might be some side effects to that as well. Good luck!

Good luck!

HappyHappy

replied on July 2nd, 2007

New User

Well.

Hmmm. Interesting post.
Im a little worried. How long has he been on medication?
Because they do weird things to your brain over a long period of time.
You need to know this. If he takes them for a few years there is no going back at all. He will become sicker and sicker the longer he takes these pills. For god's sake, they do not even fully know what these pills do exactly. So there you have it. The longer he takes them, the "weirder" he will become, and the harder it will be to deal with him, and the more he is to suffer, it is a very painful process. These pills hurt man. But honestly, it's our best option.

Philo

replied on July 3rd, 2007

Experienced User

That's simply not true. You haven't done any clinical tests, so you don't know.

HappyHappy

replied on July 3rd, 2007

New User

Oh.

They don't fully know what these pills do to us, that is a fact, it's a proven fact, I asked my psychiatrist and thats what he said.

It's also a fact that people die or become sick from taking them, things like swelling of parts of the brain can happen and are fatal, or make you sick and act weird, I would imagine that my brain swelling would make me act weird.

Philo

replied on July 4th, 2007

Experienced User

OK, I agree they don't know for sure what long-term use does to the brain, but to claim that you know these things for sure does not sound plausible.

Chezzy

replied on July 4th, 2007

Experienced User

That is great that he shared that with you, and he and you are doing so well, fantastic to hear, and it certainly is great to hear something so positive as this..I hope you have a lovely long happy future together..And keep those lines of communication open together, its a wonderful start that you have made together..
Philo has given some good advice about your situation
Good luck with everything. Very Happy

melinda911

replied on July 30th, 2007

New User

Re: Relationships With a Schizophrenic

My brother has been diagnosed with Schizo for almost 7 yrs & has been dealing w/ it pretty well he functions pretty normal .....has bas been on meds since not sure what will happen if he gets off :I want him 2 get off slowly b/c i fear the side effects and want 2 see if he can function on his own..... FIGHT IT! I also think being around my mother and i he feels safe and can control it with meds but we are concerned about his lack of interest in women .....he has been single 4 way 2 long I'm not sure if he is no comfort sharing this situation with a partner ot if it is the meds that has completely shut out his sex drive! any feedback.

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