Medication Query

[Rockrose]

Dear MIL mentioned that she had been put on an anti Epilepsy drug - but that she's not suffering from epilepsy,
Also whilst going through her medication recently i noticed that when I googled it the blurb said it was an anti psychotic. Now she eventually admitted to going to the dr and saying she was a little depressed over the pain that she was in and that she feels the NHS are not doing enough for her - would they give her such strong anti depressants for someone a little depressed?
She currently takes 15 different medications and painkillers daily and to be frank given what we discovered when over recently i am beginning to think she has either lost it or loves to be centre of attention!

[wolf63]

I was prescribed epilepsy medication years ago as a mood stabiliser (instead of Lithium) so that is the reason for that.

What antipsychotic was prescribed? Some drugs do more than it says on the label.

[bednobs]

was it amytriptiline? Can be used for both pain and mood, and helping with sleep

[TonyV]

Rr If you are concerned I would make another appointment and attend with her.
wolf63 Lithium is a horrible cheap drug, was often prescribed, but side effects can be awfull.

[dannyk13]

I was once prescibed Amitriptyline for pain relief when Co-codamol didn't work.

[Rockrose]

Yes bednobs that was it - she seemed quite proud of the fact - she is also taking pain patches CBD oil and god know what else!
Oh and feckin driving!!!

[TonyV]

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bipolar-disorder/treatment/

[Rockrose]

She refused to let me go to the Dr's with her.
Another thing - she claims that she passed out and was rushed to hospital - kept in for 12 hours and released with concussion at 10pm at night an left to make the 35 mile journey home on her own on a bus!
I know that I was not released recently until my husband confirmed that I would not be alone for 48 hours. When I ask what hospital so that I can complain she won't tell us!

[wolf63]

TonyV - I have been back on Lithium for 20 years and, yes, it is a nasty drug.

RR - I don't envy your task in unravelling all this. Do you have a list of prescribed medications that she has to take currently? Something like the tear-off strips from prescriptions would do.

My dad died suddenly at home and I found him the next afternoon. The Policeman who came up nearly fainted when I showed him my dad's stash of drugs. He had kept everything and much of it was out of date.

How old is your MIL?

[woofgang]

Ok, doctors can’t tell you stuff but you can tell them stuff. Can I suggest that you contact her doctor and say that you are very worried about mil and then tell him/ her the lot....the hospital story, the money crisis, everything. You’d be shocked at how easy it is for people with dementia to cover it up, even to professionals, for short periods.

[Rockrose]

I didn't see what was removed!
I will try but she is becoming very secretive - her eldest son does not seem concerned!
She is 81

[bednobs]

it's ok to drive with those meds per se - I used to (no CBD for me though)

[Peter Pedant]

god why doesnt she come to you
instead of going to her doctor ?

Next week - you could advertise as 'celebrated splitter of siamese twins' and then tell the dailies - "with my scimitar, the results can't be worse than those two last week !" ter daah !

drugs are used off label and off licence
paracetamol is used for pain in kids and only a licence for bringing down the temperature ( or the other way round)
and it is the same for pain relief and a wide varietey of drugs

[Peter Pedant]

// She refused to let me go to the Dr's with her.//

this counts as refusal of consent for you to discuss her treatment
so by and large if this question is - what can I do?
the very obvious answer is - nothing you have no consent

and as a famous physicist said ( heisenberg I think ) 'and the rest is social work'

anyway the answer is: drugs are often used off label .....

[Rockrose]

We were concerned as she told us lots of things and was caught giving away money over the phone!!

[Barmaid]

Does anyone have an LPA for her? Either prop and affairs or health and welfare?

[TonyV]

Rr worst case scenario is to have her sectioned, not an easy move to make be best check here however more questions than answers. Sorry I can't be of more help.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/how-to-access-mental-health-services/

[TonyV]

wolf63 there are far better meds than Lithium these days, visit your GP and ask.

[wolf63]

Tony - thanks for the link. I have an excellent GP an psychiatrist. I am unable to take any of the alternative medications for various reasons.

RR - best wishes with MIL.

[Rockrose]

The boys (her sons) have PoA when she loses her marbles!
But, her eldest son does not seem concerned and is unwilling to make that move - as he is some high up bod in the Sols office we obviously have to bow to his greater knowledge!
Peter I found your first response extremely sarcastic and no need for it!
There was a long list of things wrong - like starting new gas and electric suppliers on a estimated reading! so we don't know if the debt she is in is right or not!
Also my husband told her the next time he is over it would be for dads funeral and he would be making my family priority - she called me selfish and said she needs to spend time with her baby!!