This thread should possibly carry the trigger icon, but it somehow feels, disrespectful, indelicate, for me to use it, for what i have to say. I prefer to warn readers thus, here, that ... I am the bearer of sad sad news, possibly very upsetting.

Just to refresh memories, Karolina used to post at BT - 2003 about. She had had lifelong depression and was dx'd bipolar when Paxil gave her a manic switch...

I don't know if you remember she also had a son, Juan, twenties, who was in a group-home. His diagnosis was unclear... but seemed a full dual dx of bipolar+schizophrenia. When Juan had to leave this home Karolina set him up in a really good (it seemed) inpatient rehab community.

After the maximum stay, Juan had to leave the community after the maximum stay. The docs discharged him with med scripts. He was taking clozaril.

On October 29, Juan passed away in his sleep.

He was staying with Karolina and his siblings were also there. The cause of death appears to be a heart attack, but there is a possible relationship to the clozaril. This is still being investigated.

Karolina is beyond destroyed, as she administered the clozaril and feels she could have prevented it. That feeling, in one way or another, especially for a mother i think would be common. But she is going through a terrible terrible time.

She did not ask me to share this, but i am personally touched, and i thought some of you might remember and care about her.

i learned from Juan's experiences and difficulties... tho we had never met or talked on internet or anything, i felt a link to Juan. i am so sad he is gone.

~ waves ~ so sadly ...

HI,

I don't remember her, but the again my memory is full and unclear sometimes.

That is sooooooooo sad. She shouldn't blame herself, the DR ordered the cloziral. What type of med is that for?

My thoughts and prayers go out to Karolina and family and an angel to watch over them.

So sorry to hear about her loss.

Nikko

thank you Nikko, she sure can use an angel.

indeed you came after K had left the forum, but your warmth is appreciated...

i was sort of thinking of passing on these replies to her also... i am not sure if she will be ok with it. but that was sort of my idea.

clozaril is an older-generation antipsychotic used to medicate schizophrenia. Juan was unresponsive to many other APs.

I think she would feel comfort in any posts you get on this thread.

It always helps to know people care and are thinking of them at a awful time in their life.

Just my thoughts.

Nikko

I do read Bipolar board from time to time and I do remember Karolina.

I found some interesting information about Clozaril and long QT syndrome.

http://www.qtsyndrome.ch/discus/mess...tml?1150145070
It might be helpful for her to understand, if this were the problem.

It is tragic when a young person suddenly dies like this. Please pass on my
sympathies to her, Waves.

If there are other children, she may want to study the forum link I gave in more detail.
The drugs used to treat mental illness (more specifically antipsychotics), are agents that
affect QT in the heart. The doctor on that forum explains it quite well, I thought.

My heart is broken. I not only remember K, I think of her often. She is very special to me.

Please, waves. Will you tell her how much I love her and morn for her. My email is still the same, but if it's been lost, please pm me and I will give it to you to pass along. (and use if you want. )

Dear Waves,
I remember Karolina and I remember hearing updates on Juan.
I am sorry that he is gone.
I hope that Karolina has support right now.

Mari

Thank you waves for posting this...
It is very very sad that she lost her son this way....
Happens too often....
bizi

Waves

Thank you for posting this.

I did not know Karolina.

But I to am so sad that she has lost her son,
would like to also express that its not her
fault that he is gone.

There was nothing she could do about this.

And would really appreciate it if there is anything
that I can do to help.

If you would let me know.

Donna

I am so very sorry to hear of her heart break. I can absolutly relate. It was only the day after my daughter was released from a behavioral unit to home she passed away from medication I was administering...under a feeling of apprehension. So many new medication, ten perscriptions.

It was clearly charted, I called when I learned SSRI's were being used, that she had a seizure from the Effexor in their care from it...when the coroners report came back it read high SSRI doesage but with in theraputic range. How can it be on theraputic range if you can not take it at all?

Not a day goes by I do not miss my child, feel the medical profession took her life from circumstances to treat them and street them.
This holiday is extremly difficult as I know it will be for this dear woman.
My prayers are with her and hope she can feel the love of those around her, near and far.
Dianne.