Over medicated

[Teresa1487]

My mother was diagnosed with Bi Polar disorder when she was 28. She is now 61 and has just recovered from six weeks in the hospital and a few months in a nursing home. She walked in the hospital but left unable to feed herself. I believe this happened due to over medication.

My question is she overmedicated now. I feel she is exhibiting signs of side effects of the medications she has been prescribed since recovering from the hospital stay.

She has uncontrollable hand motions and is unable to stay put for any length of time. Which is a complete change from 3 weeks ago. Three weeks ago she walked two miles with me at the park, watched a movie and interacted with my children

The list of medications are as follows:

Prolosec 20 mg
HCTZ   12.5 MG
Potassium chl 20 mg
Metformin 500 mg twice a day
Premarin
Valproic Acid 250 mg
Temazepam 30 mg
klonopin twice a day for anxiety
Vistaril 50 mg

I took her to see her physcian today and he didn't make any changes in meds.

Teresa Robinson

[Exbenzo]

I'd bet on it. She is taking large amounts of benzodiazepines. She has symptoms of tolerance withdrawal. Do not stop the temazepam and Klonopin without a good withdrawal plan. I don't know of a single doctor who knows enough about benzo withdrawal to help. So study this well and then look for a doctor who will prescribe a long half-life subsitute benzo and give her a form of it that can be slowly tapered.

Your mom is also on an antisiezure drug Valproate. This is likely keeping her from a dangerous withdrawal syndrome. She needs careful help and right now.

The WORST thing that you could do is detox. This is not relevant to benzodiazepines, and it could kill her. A fast drop in medication can easily induce a seizure.

She needs specialized help quickly. Do not use a psychiatrist. These people cause even more damage. A neurologist is an alternative, but those too have sent benzo people through hell. An open minded GP or DO who will take the necessary time is your best bet.

Stay away from detox, and do not change the meds without expert help. This is a dangerous situation. It never should have happened. Search the internet for benzo information right now. Look for people who have had the benzo illness and not for one-size-fits-all medical sites. It's time for caution and a lot of homework. Your mother has been medically damaged. She may need emergency help.

[JustSpecial]

Is it possible that your mom is not taking your meds the way she needs to? If you miss your medicine, especially if you are not sleeping it can cause mania pretty quickly. The other thing that could be problematic is that she is on 2 antidepressants... alot of time for a person who is bipolar 1 antidepressants are BAD NEWS! they CAUSE mania! and wellbutrin is neutorious for it. I was put on Wellbutrin 10 years before I was diagnosed and I didn't sleep AT ALL for the first 2 months I was on it. I know if your Lithium levels get too high you can get stoned feeling, maybe the prozac but sounds more like the painkillers to be honest... why is her doctor giving her pain killers? i might be a bit concerned for her safety and look into what she has and how much to be sure she is safe.....

good luck
JustSpecial~

[Hope75]

My mom is overmedicated too, I think.  She is a zombie.  They have overmedicated her to the point that she was drooling out one side of her mouth.  I WISH she would be able to not be so stoned, but sometimes, she gets manic really easily - so I think they feel she is better off stoned.  I don't think that is any type of life.  She is not living.  My mom is on Lithium, prozac and wellbutrin.  She may be on painkillers too, but she wouldn't say, since she went to jail and the hospital last year for being addicted.  I don't know what to do.  I will post a question about her today.  Take care and I feel your pain!

[JustSpecial]

I am 49 and a rapid cycler bipolar with dylusions... I take lithium and wellbutrin, when i am sick i add seroquil and possibly valium but once i am well that is taken away...

Here is the website for the mayo clinic, you can look up the meds your mom is on or any meds the doctors may put your mom on. It has been my experience that doctors put bipolar patients on WAY more meds than they need to be on. I personally was over medicated and saw sooo many patients that were also over medicated, they just assume they need to be, but the side effects make you worse than your actual condition!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602153

Your mom sounds like she needs to detox, I am no doctor but I have been a patient in her shoes and I have seen far too many bipolar patients in her shoes as well. Good luck, I feel for your mom, I know you will help her, I am glad she has you to take care of her.

hugs
JustSpecial

[Venora Moonwind]

why would they put on premarin at age 61? get her to a new doc and see about cutting down some of her meds.I am bi polar myself(age 50 ) and I take 2 meds zyprexa and celexa for it.I dont know the other medical condition your mom has but definatly get  a new doc and go from there. Keep me posted on her progress.
Love Venora