I am finding this forum very helpful
My latest gripe about dads care is this......
My dad has vascular dementia (amongst numerous other ailments). He is in an EMI nursing home. A few months ago a GP started him on Mirtazapine as his mood is very low. He cries a lot and says he feels ill all the time. He has started asking for his mum which is very distressing for us. We have had to CPN review this drug and she felt that dad was not in a true depression but more that his low mood is part of his dementia.
Last week we also found out that another GP has now prescribed him Zopiclone (without our knowledge I might add, and we have LPA's!!!!) as he is awake for a lot of the night and wanders around the nursing home. He has been on this Zopiclone for 3 weeks now and it has had no affect. So last Friday my sister went to see this GP and told him we want him off both drugs. To cut a long story short, the GP argued that these two drugs will slow down the progression of his dementia?????
Personally I think this GP doesn't have a clue. My understanding is Zopiclone can only be taken for very short periods of time and I have read the NHS guide lines for who should be prescribed it and it clearly states that caution should be used in those over 80 (he is 82) those with heart conditions and kidney disease.. He has both.
How can I get my father off these drugs? I feel the NH is just trying to dope him up to give themselves a quieter life.
Any views would be appreciated.
Thanks
My latest gripe about dads care is this......
My dad has vascular dementia (amongst numerous other ailments). He is in an EMI nursing home. A few months ago a GP started him on Mirtazapine as his mood is very low. He cries a lot and says he feels ill all the time. He has started asking for his mum which is very distressing for us. We have had to CPN review this drug and she felt that dad was not in a true depression but more that his low mood is part of his dementia.
Last week we also found out that another GP has now prescribed him Zopiclone (without our knowledge I might add, and we have LPA's!!!!) as he is awake for a lot of the night and wanders around the nursing home. He has been on this Zopiclone for 3 weeks now and it has had no affect. So last Friday my sister went to see this GP and told him we want him off both drugs. To cut a long story short, the GP argued that these two drugs will slow down the progression of his dementia?????
Personally I think this GP doesn't have a clue. My understanding is Zopiclone can only be taken for very short periods of time and I have read the NHS guide lines for who should be prescribed it and it clearly states that caution should be used in those over 80 (he is 82) those with heart conditions and kidney disease.. He has both.
How can I get my father off these drugs? I feel the NH is just trying to dope him up to give themselves a quieter life.
Any views would be appreciated.
Thanks