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So frustrated- vent re: mom

MLvKMLvK
in Georgia Babies

When I was in MA, I took my mom to a 4 hour doctor appointment at the Memory Wellness Clinic (MWC).   We got the results back from a battery of tests and I am so frustrated with my mothers psychiatrists and general practitioners. 

She is on an anti-psychotic med since 07, which is probably not necessary. The MWC think she did not actually suffer from a psychotic break and instead had a urinary tract infection that caused psychotic symptoms.  (Judging by what we have seen since she moved to MA, these UTIs sure do wallop her.  I can believe this theory).

The anti-psychotic med causes a tremor and so she got diagnosed with Parkinsons.   That diagnosis came with two medications to control her tremor.   The MWC does not think she has PD, they believe this tremor is from the psych-med.     So now that is 3 meds she does not need.  

Then shes on Detrol LA and apparently Detrol is proven to cause memory issues.   WHY IN GOD'S NAME would her doctor put a woman with memory issues on a drug that causes MORE MEMORY ISSUES??   Do doctors not think about side effects, drug interactions, etc?   I am so frustrated.   She has more doctors than I can count, they are all just writing prescriptions and not giving any thought to her history or other meds.

The MWC wants to discontinue the anti-psych meds, Detrol and Parkinsons meds.   They also want to try diet, exercise and environment changes to treat her memory issues.    WHAT?   What a novel idea.    

She still has her diabetes medicines and she is on chemo so she also has anti-nausea  meds and some shot she has to get the day after chemo.  She still has countless other meds to take. 

Sorry if you read this. I just had to vent.   This 10 page report has me all fired up about her care.  

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Re: So frustrated- vent re: mom

  • K&P414K&P414 member

    Gosh Michelle, I so feel your frustation.  This is very similar to the issues I have with my dad.  He's totally over medicated and every drug treats a side effect of the one before it.  My brother and I had to stage a freaking intervention with his previous psychiatrist about 5 years ago because of some of the medications he had him on.   I wish he could just de-tox and regroup with a new game plan but I think it's too far gone at this point to do that. 

    I'm sorry you're dealing with this and I hope that your mom finds successful treatment. 

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  • apriljensmithapriljensmith
    At least you could be there for her to see that. Everyone needs that! Thank goodness you caught it!
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  • slwprincessslwprincess member
    I totally understand.  I think my dad's dr's have been way to eager to precribe meds and all cause side effects and then they will prescribe more meds to deal with that.  None of them communicate and I don't think he is very good about remembering to tell them what meds he is currently taking.  The worst part for him is that he often will convince himself that he doesn't need to take any of it and will totally stop.  So then his body is thrown into fits of withdrawal and he becomes completely unrational to deal with.  My poor mother is a saint on these occasions.  Anyway, my advice is to make sure that your mom stops taking these meds gradually and that she is carefully monitored.  My dad has ended up in the hospital more than once for not taking medicine as directed and having some bad side effects.  Especially as a diabetic she needs to be careful- diabetes causes their bodies to react even more severely when it comes to drug interactions and withdrawals.  Not something that is commonly known.  One other idea, as a cancer patient, she may have some additional leverage in forming her own team of doctors who will all work together to make sure that she is being treated appropriately and completely and not just prescribing pills to get her out of the office.  I would definitely look into something like this for her.  Hang in there, I know how frustrating this can be.  

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  • julienandyjulienandy
    So sorry Michelle.... I know this has got to be very frustrating and defintely a total pisser.  I think our society relies far too much on pills....I could go on but won't.  Hoping things get easier for your mom...and at least they want to take her off some of the meds. 
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  • kepkep member
    I am sorry you're going through this. It's tough, especially being so far away. I hope she's able to come off some of the meds. ((HUGS))
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  • californiafrog7905californiafrog7905
    I hope venting helps some; wish there was something I could do to help you out with all this insanity. :(  Meds are nasty things; sometimes they help and sometimes they do this nonsense to folks who are just trying to get better.  UGH.  I sincerely hope someone somewhere up there has at least a half-assed gameplan (as opposed to the apparent NON-gameplan) for how they're wanting to withdraw her from everything and start from scratch, or whatever's going to happen.  Double UGH.  Hang in there; you're doing everything you can, and sometimes things still get screwed up for a while.  I hope your mom is at least able to rest okay sometimes, and that YOU take care of YOURSELF, too.  (((HUGS)))
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  • dbrysondbryson
    Ugh.  I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry.
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