Falling apart
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Hi all
I am new to this posting having been searching for some outlet where I could talk get advice and probably have a emotional download...hopefully from reading this all I have found it.
My Dad is 74 and during the last 3 years has been misdiagnosed with many things, which started with depression his own GP put him on anti-depressants and really from that point on things went from bad to worse. Eventually he got so anxious, agressive and overwhelming difficult he had a spell in the priory (a complete waste of time). He then went into a hospital in Epsom West Park and basically looked about 10 years old than he was, couldnt move his mouth or lips and they thought he had had a stroke. He then had MRI scans and various other test, they then thought he had dementia but all the while he was on super strong antidepressants, plus lithium and various others all of which turned him into a zombie. I had twins and he barely noticed and then on one overwhelmingly sad day got out a book and wrote their names down in it because he couldnt remember. It makes me cry just thinking about it. He then came out of hospital and back home to normality....only it wasnt. Poor Mum has become the full time carer and literally does everything for him. She is ill herself and gets more and more exhausted. Whilst we have done lots of things last year ie they are now in much smaller place which is more manageable, Dad goes to a Day centre once a week and Mum has someone to come and sit with him once a week it never seems enough. The latest round of test with a DAT scan show he only has mild dementia and the neurologist thinks the reason he is in such poor health is because of all the drugs. So he is now being reduced on much of it and then last week went back to his anxious self, pacing the room and eventually ended up in hospital. We managed to get him respite for 3 weeks from today and I have just come off the phone with my mum who is crying at the other end saying "he didnt have a blanket and he looked so lost". I want to break down and cry myself for my Dad Ive lost but I cant because I want to be strong for her. Its all so hard.
Sorry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all
I am new to this posting having been searching for some outlet where I could talk get advice and probably have a emotional download...hopefully from reading this all I have found it.
My Dad is 74 and during the last 3 years has been misdiagnosed with many things, which started with depression his own GP put him on anti-depressants and really from that point on things went from bad to worse. Eventually he got so anxious, agressive and overwhelming difficult he had a spell in the priory (a complete waste of time). He then went into a hospital in Epsom West Park and basically looked about 10 years old than he was, couldnt move his mouth or lips and they thought he had had a stroke. He then had MRI scans and various other test, they then thought he had dementia but all the while he was on super strong antidepressants, plus lithium and various others all of which turned him into a zombie. I had twins and he barely noticed and then on one overwhelmingly sad day got out a book and wrote their names down in it because he couldnt remember. It makes me cry just thinking about it. He then came out of hospital and back home to normality....only it wasnt. Poor Mum has become the full time carer and literally does everything for him. She is ill herself and gets more and more exhausted. Whilst we have done lots of things last year ie they are now in much smaller place which is more manageable, Dad goes to a Day centre once a week and Mum has someone to come and sit with him once a week it never seems enough. The latest round of test with a DAT scan show he only has mild dementia and the neurologist thinks the reason he is in such poor health is because of all the drugs. So he is now being reduced on much of it and then last week went back to his anxious self, pacing the room and eventually ended up in hospital. We managed to get him respite for 3 weeks from today and I have just come off the phone with my mum who is crying at the other end saying "he didnt have a blanket and he looked so lost". I want to break down and cry myself for my Dad Ive lost but I cant because I want to be strong for her. Its all so hard.
Sorry