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PTSD, BPD: Overmedicated or not?

I am desparate to find help for my 41 year old brother who is suffering from PTSD and a BPD.  His psychiatrist is currently prescribing Zyprexa (10 mg), Risperdal (2 mg/2X a day), Paxil (60 mg/1X a day), Gabapentin (250 mg in the am; 500 mg in the pm); Topamax (100 mg; 2X per day) and Xanax (50 mg am; 50 mg pm).  He is constantly sedated and has terrible symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, swelling of the tongue, hallucinations, restless sleep etc.  He has gained a LOT of weight and has elevated cholesterol requiring treatment with a statin.  His appetite is insatiable (primarily carbs.).  We have a family history of coronary disease and diabetes so this is very disturbing.  My brother is now home-bound due to his meds and anxiety.  The doc has never suggested cognitive-behavior therapy along with meds.  My brother has gone from being a very successful professional to a zombie with these treatments.  His problems began 8 years ago when he began having flash-backs associated with childhood trauma.   What can the family do to help?  Is he overmedicated or am I over-reacting.  
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Avatar universal
I'm in agreement with "Mark TX" , thats 4 more med's than I ever want to see someone on, especially the types. If it were my brother and he was able to communicate, I'd ask him if he would like to see a trusted doc and see about starting over. It sounds like he has been passed around and someone added to the mix each time as to qwell one new symptom with a new drug when all along they should be looking to the what the root cause is. In the ED I have seen this many times over, and "zombie" is not a state to be in. I would really try to get him to someone willing to take a look at what is really going on so you can have your brother back instead of what you have now. Just my opinion.
Helpful - 0
585414 tn?1288941302
Has he been clinically diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia? The two antipsychotics he is on in combination will worsen it. You should have him see a movement disorders specialist who can diagnose the tardive dyskinesia and then a psychiatrist if that is confirmed would switch him to Clozaril which is the only antipsychotic that cannot cause tardive dyskinesia that is a current medication. As well a movement disorders specialist who is a neurologist would provide treatment for the tardive dyskinesia. And you should be aware of new antipsychotics in development such as glycine which I am on in Phase II FDA study which is a glutamate antagonist a new class of antipsychotic which cannot cause or worsen tardive dyskinesia or diabetes and has been shown to promote a full recovery. But the most important thing is to take him to a movement disorders specialist to have the tardive dyskinesia diagnosed and treated.
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263369 tn?1191350069
Is your brother making his own decisions or is he under the care of family or a guardian of some sort?  Who's making the decisions as to what doctor he sees and what treatments he accepts?

I'd get him to see several professionals for second opinions.  Or if he's unable or unwilling to see anyone else, get some consultations yourself and obtain outside opinions about this course of treatment.

I have no idea how all those drugs might interact.  But I understand they are very potent and definitely nothing to play around with.  If your brother is on six powerful psychotropic drugs at once, it's no wonder he's a zombie.

Something is very wrong there, IMHO.

Good luck!

mark
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