my dad

ang64

Registered User
Dec 27, 2007
5
0
glasgow
hi my dad has been in a care home for past 2 years, at the begining of december he suddenly became worse getting aggresive and care home took him to hospital where they have sectioned him without consulting me only knew when letter came in post, he is very heavily sedated and i cant believe the change in him.He seems to be hallucanating really badly and is really badly stooped when walking i am really concerned at level of medication but doctors dont seem to be listening to me i really dont know what to do i think medication is making him worse.I have no-one to talk to as i am the only member of family feel like im hitting my head off a brick wall
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,447
0
Kent
Hello ang, I`m really sorry you feel no-one is taking your worries about your father on board.

If I were you, I would try to arrange an appointment with the senior doctor in charge of his care. That is your right, as your father`s next of kin.

Write down all your concerns and ask him/her to explain the treatment he is being given. You need to know what treatment is being given and why it is being given.

Do not be intimidated by the doctor. If you don`t understand something, ask if it can be explained in layman`s terms.

Take care xx
 

Taffy

Registered User
Apr 15, 2007
1,314
0
Dear Ang, Welcome to TP.

No wonder you feel like your hitting your head against a brick wall. I have very little knowledge on dealing with problems such as yours so I couldn't give you any advice. However, Grannie G's advice sounds really good.

I am sorry that you were informed by a letter in the post that doesn't seem like the right thing for them to have done. I hope that someone starts listening to your concerns soon. Regards Taffy.
 

Nell

Registered User
Aug 9, 2005
1,170
0
72
Australia
Dear Ang,

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I totally agree with Sylvia and Taffy - you need more information.

I would definitely be asking for a meeting with the specialist (or if that isn't possible, his/her representative) to tell you exactly what is happening.

I think it would be a good idea to have an advocate with you - there are some prganisations that provide this type of support. I see you are in Glascow so I hope some Glaswegians can come on and help you with whom to contact.

If it isn't possible to get a professional advocate, may I suggest a friend or family member accompanies you? At times of stress it is easy to forget what you were told - abnother person present can help you remember everything that happened at the meeting.

Don't be afraid to put your point of view - and to take written notes as you go.

But don't let your stress and anxiety make you aggressive in any way, as that may work against you. Forgive me for pointing this out, but I have learnt this the hard way!! :)

May you find out more as soon as possible. Come back to TP for support - it is a great place to get help. Thinking of you.
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
Dear Ang,

I agree with the others, you need to ask for a meeting with the consultant to find out what's going on.

Nell's idea of taking some support with you is excellent. You could try your local branch of Princess Royal Trust, our branch has someone who will support carers who have someone in hospital. There are several branches in Glasgow, you can find your nearest one here:

http://www.carers.net/organisations/index.html

Alternatively, there are several advocacy services, you can find them here:

http://www.siaa.org.uk/content/view/78/55/

I don't know which would be better for you, you could try ringing them both and see which you are more comfortable with.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
 

ang64

Registered User
Dec 27, 2007
5
0
glasgow
thanks all

first of all i would like to thank you all for your support it is very much appreciated.On the day i posted i had a meeting with the consultant basically he told me it is trial and error with medication for my dad,talking about taking him off haliperidol and putting him on resperidone but i have been reading on alz site that this drug is not recommended.In the meantime i got a call this morning to say my dad has been transferred to another hospital as he is in a lot of pain (he has bad arthritis),luckily when i got to hospital one of the nurses is someone i used to work with, i had been certain my dad had some sort of infection and spoke to her about this and how my dad had deterioated so suddendly so she is arranging for some tests to be done, so hopefully might get some answers.
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
Hi Ang

Good news that your dad has been transferred to a hospital where you know one of the nurses. It's always the best way to get information.

I hope they get the meds sorted soon.

Good luck,
 

Nebiroth

Registered User
Aug 20, 2006
3,510
0
putting him on resperidone but i have been reading on alz site that this drug is not recommended.

Please try not to be put off too much by what you read.

In all these cases, much depends on the personal experiences and views of the consultant in charge.

Also, sometimes, benefits may outweigh the risks.

"Not recommended" is not the same thing as "must not be given under any circumstances".

My dad is on a quite high dose of Quitiapine. He started on Olanzapine, and the warnings in the pack scared us to death so we sought reassurance from our GP about that. But the consultant switched him to the Quitiapine because it is less risky (in various ways).

Before this he was making life unbearable with dreadful paranoid obsessions and agressive behavior.

We accept that having the drug is not ideal, but it is much better than not having it!


And unfortunately, yes, it is all very much a case of trial and error, trying to find the drug that has the most benefit whilst minimising the down side. Individual reactions to these drugs varies so much that it is impossible to take someone and say "yes, that is the ideal medication".
 

alfjess

Registered User
Jul 10, 2006
1,213
0
south lanarkshire
Hi ang64

My Mum is in an assessment ward in Wishaw General Hospital (although not sectioned) due to her extreme agitation.

She has also deteriorated enormously since being admitted.

They have tried various cocktails of various drugs, mainly benzodiazapams, but nothing is working.

When at home, Mum was prescribed quietiapine and it worked, to a certain extent, for about a year. Then she was prescribed respiredone which, worked for about 10 days then, it was all downhill after that.

In hospital at the moment, she is given vallium, haliperodol, mirtazepine and something to make her sleep. I like you wonder if her decline is the medication? But, when talking to the consultant, I am told it is early days (8 weeks?) and it is all trial and error, or waiting for her to reach another stage where she will not be so agitated.

I guess we are in the hands of the professionals.

I would like to ask the consultants to cease all medication and start again, but I don't have the courage, incase I do my Mother more harm

I would be very interested to know how your Dad gets on

Love
Alfjess