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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Alzheimer's / June 2008

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Brother-in-law

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brianna_1938 - 04 Jun 2008 18:30 GMT
The doctor wanted to run some test on his heart.  He ordered a monitor and an
echocardiogram for him yesterday.  He was fine in the doctor's office but as
soon as we got home, he yanked all the wires he had attached and pulled off
the monitor.
We are returning the monitor today with a note to the doctor about his
outburst and agitation. He stayed up all night long cursing and screaming.  I
am glad I sleep away from his room because I don't hear it.  My sister
confides in me and tells me what happened during the night.
Bri
Evelyn - 05 Jun 2008 01:46 GMT
> The doctor wanted to run some test on his heart.  He ordered a monitor and
> an
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> confides in me and tells me what happened during the night.
> Bri

I feel so sorry for your sister.   She may need to find some way to get this
situation under control sometime soon.   There was a lady who used to post
here named Sandra and her husband had been a policeman.... actually a
trooper.   He was abusive and violent too.   He wouldn't let her change his
underwear and help him clean up when he'd been incontinent, and he'd try to
hit her.   Finally he passed away.... she'd taken care of him at home till
the end.   She went through an awful time.
Signature

Best Regards,
Evelyn

brianna_1938 - 05 Jun 2008 06:14 GMT
I think my sister will take care of him until he dies too.  She wrote a
letter to the doctor when she returned the harnes.  She did mention he had
grabbed her by the hair and hit her about 9 times.  I hope he understands he
needs some kind of medication and prescribes something for him. He is his
prime doctor and a cardiologist.  He suggested he see a a shrink(can't spell
the correct word) but Medicare and Tricare will not pay a doctor who is
employed by the county.  I don't think those kind of doctors will help
because he suffered a stroke and that damaged his brain.  
Bri

>> The doctor wanted to run some test on his heart.  He ordered a monitor and
>> an
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>hit her.   Finally he passed away.... she'd taken care of him at home till
>the end.   She went through an awful time.
Mary_Gordon@tvo.org - 05 Jun 2008 10:57 GMT
Tell her to ask for a referral to a dementia clinic with a
neurologist. She needs help.

A shrink wouldn't help unless it was one with a dementia specialty.

M
Adelle - 05 Jun 2008 11:02 GMT
>I think my sister will take care of him until he dies too.  She wrote a
> letter to the doctor when she returned the harnes.  She did mention he had
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> because he suffered a stroke and that damaged his brain.
> Bri

Brianna;

A cardiologist really doesn't have enough of the background to prescribe
psychotropic drugs for a demented patient. Its just the wrong specialty.
That's why the doc said your BIL needs to see a shrink - a psychiatrist.
They have the training and experience with these drugs. A neuro-psychiatrist
with a sub-specialty in either geriatrics or dementias would be the absolute
highest care.

Another tactic - since he won't be compliant about wearing the halter
monitor, see if the doctor will admit him inpatient for monitoring (will
depend on whether there is something 'emergent' happening to require
monitoring). Then, when BIL can't hold it together for more than 6 or 12
hours (if that long) and staff realizes his real condition, they can call in
the psych consult.

This is what happened with my FIL. It resulted in his being put in the psych
ward until his medication was balanced. They are not geared towards clients
with dementia, so he did not get help with things like showering and
shaving. Was depressing to see him so unkempt. But they did get his
outbursts stabilized so he could go to a care facility (docs refused to
release him to him - the best thing for him and my MIL). Sounds like this
might be a better bet than waiting until he hurts her.

Adelle
Evelyn - 06 Jun 2008 00:43 GMT
>I think my sister will take care of him until he dies too.  She wrote a
> letter to the doctor when she returned the harnes.  She did mention he had
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> because he suffered a stroke and that damaged his brain.
> Bri

Hi Bri,

A shrink  (psychiatrist) is exactly the right kind of doctor she needs to
get him to.   Why?  Because that is the doctor that can prescribe the kind
of meds she needs to get him on, to put him in a sweeter temperament.

The violence that comes of a damaged brain often responds to these kinds of
meds.   Of course there are different kinds of medications, and not all work
for all people, but with a little tweaking they will find the right drug and
the difference will mean some peace of mind for your sister..... and
hopefully he will stop hitting her.

Signature

Best Regards,
Evelyn

“Like the light of the sun moon and stars, may the love, compassion and
wisdom shine forth.  May they strike every single living being and dispel
the darkness of ignorance, attachment and hatred that has lurked for ages in
their being.  When any living being meets with another may it be like the
reunion of a mother and child who have long been separated.  In a harmonious
world such as this may I see everyone sleep peacefully to the music of
non-violence.   This is my dream.”    --  17th Gyalwa Karmapa Orgyen Trinley
Dorje

Chuck Whealton - 05 Jun 2008 19:06 GMT
> The doctor wanted to run some test on his heart.  He ordered a monitor and an
> echocardiogram for him yesterday.  He was fine in the doctor's office but as
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> --
> Message posted viahttp://www.medkb.com

Brianna:

It sounds like he needs more of a GERIATRIC psychiatrist.  It was the
same deal with my late Mother.  The social worker we used recommended
one who was absolutely great.  He was always willing to work with me
to get her medications right.  Her dementia was probably brought on by
mini-strokes.  Later, when I found out more about him, it turns out
he's actually very well known in the psychiatric field.  Yet, at the
same time, he saw your regular old everyday patients.  I really do
believe he actually CARES about the people he was helping and it
wasn't just for the dollars.  I was able to email him with questions,
he always answered and never charged additional, just an all around
great guy.

Thanks to him, we got some extra time with my Mother that we wouldn't
have had otherwise.

If there's a social worker in the area that deals with this type of
thing, they might be able to point you in the right direction.  I hope
you get as lucky as we did.

It also sounds like your Sister could really use a break.  This has
gotta be killing her.  I know where she's coming from, though.  My
Wife and I were determined to keep my Mother here as long as
possible.  Unfortunately, we didn't get that chance at the very end of
her life.  But I do understand where your Sister is coming from.

I certainly wish you the best of luck...

Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com
brianna_1938 - 13 Jun 2008 06:27 GMT
>> The doctor wanted to run some test on his heart.  He ordered a monitor and an
>> echocardiogram for him yesterday.  He was fine in the doctor's office but as
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>Charles R. Whealton
>Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com

Thanks to all of you for your replies.  His doctor recommended another
psychiatrist and she called to make an appointment.  His receptionist said
the doctor would be in on Friday and he would call my sister.  Hopefully, he
can be seen right away.

Your replies have helped me tremendously and I pass on the information to my
sister.  I really feel for her and I cannot find enough things to do for her.
I try to help with the cooking, washing and running errands so she can spend
time with him or take care of him.

Thank you again,
Bri
Evelyn - 13 Jun 2008 12:19 GMT
>>> The doctor wanted to run some test on his heart. He ordered a monitor
>>> and an
[quoted text clipped - 52 lines]
> Thank you again,
> Bri

Your sister is fortunate to have such a loving and helpful sister.   I do
hope things work out for her soon!
Signature

Best Regards,
Evelyn

“Like the light of the sun moon and stars, may the love, compassion and
wisdom shine forth.  May they strike every single living being and dispel
the darkness of ignorance, attachment and hatred that has lurked for ages in
their being.  When any living being meets with another may it be like the
reunion of a mother and child who have long been separated.  In a harmonious
world such as this may I see everyone sleep peacefully to the music of
non-violence.   This is my dream.”    --  17th Gyalwa Karmapa Orgyen Trinley
Dorje

Chuck Whealton - 13 Jun 2008 15:23 GMT
> >> The doctor wanted to run some test on his heart.  He ordered a monitor and an
> >> echocardiogram for him yesterday.  He was fine in the doctor's office but as
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Brianna:

I certainly hope things work out well for your Sister.  She's lucky
she's got you.

Just keep doing what you're doing.

Take care...

Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com
 
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