Re: Geodon and LBD?

[Guest guest]

I had not heard of Geodon (Ziprasidone hydrochloride) before so I went

to my PDR to get familiar. It sounds like a very powerful

antipsychotic...even states to try other drugs first. Also says " Do not

stop suddenly; drug should be withdrawn slowly to prevent adverse side

effects. " Also says - Uses; treatment of schizophrenia. My very best

friends' mom is diagnosed schizophrenia, and LBD is a totally different

disease.

So how is your mom doing now? Any improvements? So sorry I can't

remember, but why is your mom in the hospital?

Please keep us posted. I am interested in knowing how your mom is

doing, how the drug is stopped, and her reaction after taking the drug.

Hugs to ya!! Definately saying prayers for your mom....and you!

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

thanks Sandie - I asked about the use of this drug the last time

around too when I saw the schizophrenia use on its label -

doctor told they are also using it for other diagnoses now (it is

still pretty new - think it came out in May 2001).

She actually went into the hospital due to chest pain (turned out

to be severe constipation), but also was started to have

hallucinations,etc. - and they have amplified since being

admitted, now she is at the point that it is hard to get her to talk to

me on the phone. Will be glad when I can get up there this next

week!

Will post again after I talk to attending psychiatrist - so you guys

get info. on this one, I do know last time around it made her

tremor much worse - so will be iterested to see what that looks

like now too.

Really appreciate you looking that up for me too in the wake of all

you and your family have faced in recent days... thanks,

elizabeth

>

> I had not heard of Geodon (Ziprasidone hydrochloride) before

so I went

> to my PDR to get familiar. It sounds like a very powerful

> antipsychotic...even states to try other drugs first. Also says

" Do not

> stop suddenly; drug should be withdrawn slowly to prevent

adverse side

> effects. " Also says - Uses; treatment of schizophrenia. My very

best

> friends' mom is diagnosed schizophrenia, and LBD is a totally

different

> disease.

>

> So how is your mom doing now? Any improvements? So

sorry I can't

> remember, but why is your mom in the hospital?

>

> Please keep us posted. I am interested in knowing how your

mom is

> doing, how the drug is stopped, and her reaction after taking

the drug.

>

> Hugs to ya!! Definately saying prayers for your mom....and you!

> Sandie

> Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

-

You are welcome for looking up Geodon...and if you would like, I will

type out more on the drug. I just gave you the very condensed version.

Let me know of anything else I can help with.

You take care of yourself, take some special time out for you today!

Does wonders for the mind, heart, and soul.

Praying for your family...

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sandie - especially for the prayer.

I actually have the drug description bookmarked from the

manufacturer, will print it out at work tomorrow. Will just feel SO

SO much better when I can get up there, brother called today on

his way to the hospital saying he feels completely drained and

just didn't have it in him to sit with her for hours again - but was

still going over with a movie to run on the laptop for her for a

change of routine. And she then asked me 'is the world ending?'

when I called earlier, so still not tracking well at all and hearing

lots of stuff.

Thanks again,

> You are welcome for looking up Geodon...and if you would like,

I will

> type out more on the drug. I just gave you the very condensed

version.

> Let me know of anything else I can help with.

>

> Praying for your family...

> Sandie

> Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

,

I have never heard of this drug. A lot of medications take a while to

reveal the full effect they can offer. My MIL also used to stop and listen

to the voices. Then she would tell me to be quiet so I could hear them too.

Once she was put on Risperidal, that pretty much went away. She would still

have " good and bad " days, but the Seroquel has made a night and day

difference for her.

Good luck with things. Take care,

Geodon and LBD?

Hi everyone,

Does anyone out there have any experience with trying out

Geodon with LBD? I ask because Mom was put on it for about 6

months, then taken off of it last December -- and in my opinion

did become more lucid after coming off of it (but can't recall how

dramatic it was). She has been put back on it while in the

hospital now, and she is doing much, much worse than when

she was admitted. I am still waiting to hear from the attending

psychiatrist - so at this point the talk may not happen until I am

there in person on Weds. Yesterday I could barely get her to talk

to me on the phone, she kept going silent to listen to the 'voices'

out in the hallway -- and this is about the worst I have seen her

with all of this.

So I would be interested in hearing how others have reacted on

this drug used to treat the psychosis -- thanks!

In the good news dept...looks as if the assisted living spot we

were hoping for is going to work out, still not definite but looking

better all the time...thank you God!

[Guest guest]

,

I have never heard of this drug. A lot of medications take a while to

reveal the full effect they can offer. My MIL also used to stop and listen

to the voices. Then she would tell me to be quiet so I could hear them too.

Once she was put on Risperidal, that pretty much went away. She would still

have " good and bad " days, but the Seroquel has made a night and day

difference for her.

Good luck with things. Take care,

Geodon and LBD?

Hi everyone,

Does anyone out there have any experience with trying out

Geodon with LBD? I ask because Mom was put on it for about 6

months, then taken off of it last December -- and in my opinion

did become more lucid after coming off of it (but can't recall how

dramatic it was). She has been put back on it while in the

hospital now, and she is doing much, much worse than when

she was admitted. I am still waiting to hear from the attending

psychiatrist - so at this point the talk may not happen until I am

there in person on Weds. Yesterday I could barely get her to talk

to me on the phone, she kept going silent to listen to the 'voices'

out in the hallway -- and this is about the worst I have seen her

with all of this.

So I would be interested in hearing how others have reacted on

this drug used to treat the psychosis -- thanks!

In the good news dept...looks as if the assisted living spot we

were hoping for is going to work out, still not definite but looking

better all the time...thank you God!

[Guest guest]

My MIL also used to stop and listen

> to the voices. Then she would tell me to be quiet so I could

hear them too.

thanks - good to hear someone else has had a loved one

who has auditory hallucinations, and not just visual ones - she

has had just a few of those, but mainly is hearing things

non-stop at hospital at the moment. Yesterday she asked me " is

the world ending? " - she has been hearing voices of loved ones

who has passed on (Dad, etc.) and it was making her worry -

and I think some of the political stuff with Iraq is bothering her

too.

We still don't know for sure if this is LBD given past medical

history - but boy the similarities are there, and I am definitely

sticking around in this group - so sad you all have to deal with

something like this, but also glad you exist!

Take care,

[Guest guest]

Please do stick around here...there is so much love and caring in here

especially when we all need it most. The knowledge from internet to

experiences is also available. Please keep us posted as to how your mom

is doing.

Prayers going your way.

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

The auditory ones were less then the visual, but still just as scary. Ours

too were pretty constant until her medications kicked in. Then later, she

would tell me things that just didn't make sense I wasn't sure where she

came up with some of the things! Like a while back she told me she was

upset. I asked her what she was upset about and she said she was mad at

Gerber. I said, " the baby people " ? She said yes. She said they hadn't

paid her yet for being the Gerber baby! That is now history and has not yet

appeared again! Once you get the right cocktail of meds, things even out

and become more manageable.

I will be praying for you. Please keep us posted. Take care,

Re: Geodon and LBD?

My MIL also used to stop and listen

> to the voices. Then she would tell me to be quiet so I could

hear them too.

thanks - good to hear someone else has had a loved one

who has auditory hallucinations, and not just visual ones - she

has had just a few of those, but mainly is hearing things

non-stop at hospital at the moment. Yesterday she asked me " is

the world ending? " - she has been hearing voices of loved ones

who has passed on (Dad, etc.) and it was making her worry -

and I think some of the political stuff with Iraq is bothering her

too.

We still don't know for sure if this is LBD given past medical

history - but boy the similarities are there, and I am definitely

sticking around in this group - so sad you all have to deal with

something like this, but also glad you exist!

Take care,

[Guest guest]

I asked her what she was upset about and she said she was

mad at

> Gerber. I said, " the baby people " ? She said yes. She said

they hadn't

> paid her yet for being the Gerber baby! >

> I will be praying for you. Please keep us posted. Take care,

>

>

Thanks - the stories always make me smile even in the

middle of this awful illness ... I just got off of the phone with Mom

- she was SO lucid today, wow...slept well last night, but did have

one 'strange visitor' last night who wouldn't talk - and she could

tell me it was a visual hallucination. But then she said she could

still hear people talking, and she had figured it all out - 'I think I

am in heaven... " with perfectly logical reasoning and expressing

it all SO articulately. I mean, after all, how else could you hear all

those people's voices - except one hitch is that some of us there

haven't died yet! She said my brother seemed pretty unhappy

about being in heaven at all, though he was making do with the

whole thing... it really did make me smile, esp. because she was

then able to say that maybe that really wasn't all true, and it was

good to hear her laugh when I broke the news that " hate to burst

your bubble Mom, but you're stuck with the all the rest of the living

still down here on Earth! "

Hope this makes you all smile too... Thanks for prayers - am

praying for all of you out there too,

[Guest guest]

I asked her what she was upset about and she said she was

mad at

> Gerber. I said, " the baby people " ? She said yes. She said

they hadn't

> paid her yet for being the Gerber baby! >

> I will be praying for you. Please keep us posted. Take care,

>

>

Thanks - the stories always make me smile even in the

middle of this awful illness ... I just got off of the phone with Mom

- she was SO lucid today, wow...slept well last night, but did have

one 'strange visitor' last night who wouldn't talk - and she could

tell me it was a visual hallucination. But then she said she could

still hear people talking, and she had figured it all out - 'I think I

am in heaven... " with perfectly logical reasoning and expressing

it all SO articulately. I mean, after all, how else could you hear all

those people's voices - except one hitch is that some of us there

haven't died yet! She said my brother seemed pretty unhappy

about being in heaven at all, though he was making do with the

whole thing... it really did make me smile, esp. because she was

then able to say that maybe that really wasn't all true, and it was

good to hear her laugh when I broke the news that " hate to burst

your bubble Mom, but you're stuck with the all the rest of the living

still down here on Earth! "

Hope this makes you all smile too... Thanks for prayers - am

praying for all of you out there too,

[Guest guest]

Hi . Yes, it did indeed make me smile! Thank you for sharing! I

liked your comment too!

Take care!

Re: Geodon and LBD?

I asked her what she was upset about and she said she was

mad at

> Gerber. I said, " the baby people " ? She said yes. She said

they hadn't

> paid her yet for being the Gerber baby! >

> I will be praying for you. Please keep us posted. Take care,

>

>

Thanks - the stories always make me smile even in the

middle of this awful illness ... I just got off of the phone with Mom

- she was SO lucid today, wow...slept well last night, but did have

one 'strange visitor' last night who wouldn't talk - and she could

tell me it was a visual hallucination. But then she said she could

still hear people talking, and she had figured it all out - 'I think I

am in heaven... " with perfectly logical reasoning and expressing

it all SO articulately. I mean, after all, how else could you hear all

those people's voices - except one hitch is that some of us there

haven't died yet! She said my brother seemed pretty unhappy

about being in heaven at all, though he was making do with the

whole thing... it really did make me smile, esp. because she was

then able to say that maybe that really wasn't all true, and it was

good to hear her laugh when I broke the news that " hate to burst

your bubble Mom, but you're stuck with the all the rest of the living

still down here on Earth! "

Hope this makes you all smile too... Thanks for prayers - am

praying for all of you out there too,

[Guest guest]

Thanks ! It did put a fun spin on that call - I got here late last

night, and am about to head over to the hospital to check in. Bro.

said she was crying yesterday, and he tried to cheer her up by

singing and dancing. Later when she was not feeling so great

again he asked what he could do - she wanted the music show

again, so he complied... told me last night he is just feeling so

drained with all of this. And it was hard to see that though I just

left here 5 weeks ago (spent 3 weeks with her), that none of the

mail had been sorted through and found her Didronel (for

osteoporosis management) in a bottle in bag from the pharmacy

under the coffee table. Apparently they forgot to put it in the

mediset, sent it over but didn't put it in (which seems to happen

way too often) - and no one noticed. Aargh! I find it unbelievable

that I can find this stuff in just one hour - wish my brother were

more detail oriented.

In good news - the assisted living spot we were hoping for is

going to open this Thursday - the timing could not be better as I

can be here for about 8 days, so this weekend we will move

things over to furnish that room - still don't know how much

longer she will be in the hospital. Sure wish she could still stay

in her home with PCAs - but the agencies charge 24 bucks an

hour up here, so expensive! And it will be better for her to have

around the clock care as needed.

> Hi . Yes, it did indeed make me smile! Thank you for

sharing! I

> liked your comment too!

>

> Take care!

>

>

[Guest guest]

So glad all is falling into place with your mom.

And you will be spending time with your mom...at the perfect time no

less. Again, testimony that there is power in prayer. Also, I think

you are fortunate for having a brother that is willing to " sing and

dance " when your mom needs a quick pick me up. Please don't let his

efforts go unnoticed. And I hope that he isn't letting all you do go

unnoticed either. Life is too short not to thank those who truly are

" there " for us. Please keep us informed as to how the move goes!!

Sending up praises with your name on them!

Sandie

[Guest guest]

Wow, Thursday sounds like the big day. I am so happy that you found

Assisted living. I hope it is as wonderful as the place my MIL is in.

Please remind me how far away you are again. Would you ever consider

relocating?

The boys in the family here too are not real detail oriented. You know, I

know the " at hand " caregivers get drained, but I also think it is hard on

family living farther away. My Sister-in-law is in the Navy and she

expresses how hard it is to be far away and not be able to do more but

mostly not being able to see what is happening. I think that must be hard

because the imagination can get the best of you. I am happy that you are

getting over there and it is so nice that you are doing that.

Keep us posted . Take care!

Re: Geodon and LBD?

Thanks ! It did put a fun spin on that call - I got here late last

night, and am about to head over to the hospital to check in. Bro.

said she was crying yesterday, and he tried to cheer her up by

singing and dancing. Later when she was not feeling so great

again he asked what he could do - she wanted the music show

again, so he complied... told me last night he is just feeling so

drained with all of this. And it was hard to see that though I just

left here 5 weeks ago (spent 3 weeks with her), that none of the

mail had been sorted through and found her Didronel (for

osteoporosis management) in a bottle in bag from the pharmacy

under the coffee table. Apparently they forgot to put it in the

mediset, sent it over but didn't put it in (which seems to happen

way too often) - and no one noticed. Aargh! I find it unbelievable

that I can find this stuff in just one hour - wish my brother were

more detail oriented.

In good news - the assisted living spot we were hoping for is

going to open this Thursday - the timing could not be better as I

can be here for about 8 days, so this weekend we will move

things over to furnish that room - still don't know how much

longer she will be in the hospital. Sure wish she could still stay

in her home with PCAs - but the agencies charge 24 bucks an

hour up here, so expensive! And it will be better for her to have

around the clock care as needed.

> Hi . Yes, it did indeed make me smile! Thank you for

sharing! I

> liked your comment too!

>

> Take care!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks -- now looks like Friday will be the day, they are

going to paint the room tomorrow, and we will move some

furniture over tomorrow night. I was over there for a couple of

hours today getting acquainted with the couple that runs it and

their staff - I think it will be a good placement for Mom. She is still

not doing well - hearing voices all day, so I think she will likely

stay in her room much at first. The staff psychiatrist and I talked

about the Ativan this morning - he conceeded that might be what

brought this on, but they want to see how she does when out of

the hospital.

And yes, I am working on relocating - Mom is in Alaska, and I live

in Missouri - have spent over 3 out of the last 9 months up here -

making now 5 trips up during that period. But I have to finish up

grad school this year, and then there is a job up here that will

open for the next year (a miracle in and of itself given how

specific it needed to be), so I really hope I can get it -- I turned

down another one in Chicago in order to get back up here.

My brother has finally started to help more during the last two or

three weeks, which has been a huge relief - before this he did

pick up groceries once a week, but that was about it. Otherwise it

has been me doing everything from touching base with doctors,

filing insurance paperwork, scheduling stuff with the PCA

agency, you name it. And she had just moved last Dec. into a

new place, so I literally was the one who unpacked every box.

Now we have to figure out what to do with all of her stuff! Both my

brother and I are still single and don't own homes - so not sure

what we will do quite yet - but it will sort itself out. Anyone want to

store the family piano!!??

> Wow, Thursday sounds like the big day. I am so happy that

you found

> Assisted living. I hope it is as wonderful as the place my MIL is

in.

> Please remind me how far away you are again. Would you

ever consider

> relocating?

>

> The boys in the family here too are not real detail oriented. You

know, I

> know the " at hand " caregivers get drained, but I also think it is

hard on

> family living farther away. My Sister-in-law is in the Navy and

she

> expresses how hard it is to be far away and not be able to do

more but

> mostly not being able to see what is happening. I think that

must be hard

> because the imagination can get the best of you. I am happy

that you are

> getting over there and it is so nice that you are doing that.

>

> Keep us posted . Take care!

>

>

>

> Re: Geodon and LBD?

>

>

> Thanks ! It did put a fun spin on that call - I got here late

last

> night, and am about to head over to the hospital to check in.

Bro.

> said she was crying yesterday, and he tried to cheer her up by

> singing and dancing. Later when she was not feeling so great

> again he asked what he could do - she wanted the music

show

> again, so he complied... told me last night he is just feeling so

> drained with all of this. And it was hard to see that though I just

> left here 5 weeks ago (spent 3 weeks with her), that none of

the

> mail had been sorted through and found her Didronel (for

> osteoporosis management) in a bottle in bag from the

pharmacy

> under the coffee table. Apparently they forgot to put it in the

> mediset, sent it over but didn't put it in (which seems to happen

> way too often) - and no one noticed. Aargh! I find it unbelievable

> that I can find this stuff in just one hour - wish my brother were

> more detail oriented.

>

> In good news - the assisted living spot we were hoping for is

> going to open this Thursday - the timing could not be better as I

> can be here for about 8 days, so this weekend we will move

> things over to furnish that room - still don't know how much

> longer she will be in the hospital. Sure wish she could still stay

> in her home with PCAs - but the agencies charge 24 bucks an

> hour up here, so expensive! And it will be better for her to have

> around the clock care as needed.

>

>

>

> > Hi . Yes, it did indeed make me smile! Thank you

for

> sharing! I

> > liked your comment too!

> >

> > Take care!

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just an idea, and probably a little premature...but when my dad was

placed in a nh from his apartment I cleaned up all of his things he

couldn't take with him and had a sale. My brother placed an ad in our

local paper and I had a garage sale so to speak...out of dad apartment.

The money I collected, I started an Irravocable Burial Fund, like a

preplanning for his funeral. The fund had to cash value to us. My

brother and I had planned everything from a casket, vault, and

pallbearer car to money set aside for clergy. It was weird and seemed

somewhat inappropriate, yet was so very helpful when dad passed away.

During his life, every social security payment he received, after paying

his nh bill, I put the rest of the money toward this fund and paid it

off early this year in March or April. At the time of his passing, when

we were so distraught, it was helpful to know most everything had been

done, just had to finalize a few things. Again, just an idea.

Best of luck to you.

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Just an idea, and probably a little premature...but when my dad was

placed in a nh from his apartment I cleaned up all of his things he

couldn't take with him and had a sale. My brother placed an ad in our

local paper and I had a garage sale so to speak...out of dad apartment.

The money I collected, I started an Irravocable Burial Fund, like a

preplanning for his funeral. The fund had to cash value to us. My

brother and I had planned everything from a casket, vault, and

pallbearer car to money set aside for clergy. It was weird and seemed

somewhat inappropriate, yet was so very helpful when dad passed away.

During his life, every social security payment he received, after paying

his nh bill, I put the rest of the money toward this fund and paid it

off early this year in March or April. At the time of his passing, when

we were so distraught, it was helpful to know most everything had been

done, just had to finalize a few things. Again, just an idea.

Best of luck to you.

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Sandie,

Great idea! This is so good to know!

Take care,

Re: Re: Geodon and LBD?

Just an idea, and probably a little premature...but when my dad was

placed in a nh from his apartment I cleaned up all of his things he

couldn't take with him and had a sale. My brother placed an ad in our

local paper and I had a garage sale so to speak...out of dad apartment.

The money I collected, I started an Irravocable Burial Fund, like a

preplanning for his funeral. The fund had to cash value to us. My

brother and I had planned everything from a casket, vault, and

pallbearer car to money set aside for clergy. It was weird and seemed

somewhat inappropriate, yet was so very helpful when dad passed away.

During his life, every social security payment he received, after paying

his nh bill, I put the rest of the money toward this fund and paid it

off early this year in March or April. At the time of his passing, when

we were so distraught, it was helpful to know most everything had been

done, just had to finalize a few things. Again, just an idea.

Best of luck to you.

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Sandie,

Great idea! This is so good to know!

Take care,

Re: Re: Geodon and LBD?

Just an idea, and probably a little premature...but when my dad was

placed in a nh from his apartment I cleaned up all of his things he

couldn't take with him and had a sale. My brother placed an ad in our

local paper and I had a garage sale so to speak...out of dad apartment.

The money I collected, I started an Irravocable Burial Fund, like a

preplanning for his funeral. The fund had to cash value to us. My

brother and I had planned everything from a casket, vault, and

pallbearer car to money set aside for clergy. It was weird and seemed

somewhat inappropriate, yet was so very helpful when dad passed away.

During his life, every social security payment he received, after paying

his nh bill, I put the rest of the money toward this fund and paid it

off early this year in March or April. At the time of his passing, when

we were so distraught, it was helpful to know most everything had been

done, just had to finalize a few things. Again, just an idea.

Best of luck to you.

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Wow . You have got a lot on your plate. I know that feeling of

having to do everything! Trust me, once you get everything in order

paperwork wise, it does become easier. I wish I could say the same for the

dreaded disease itself.

Please remind me what meds they have started. Those voices and delusions

stick around for a while until the meds are at full capacity. That can be

up to 3 months.

Wow, moving to Alaska. Your Mom and brother are very lucky to have you!

Will you put her things in storage? Sandie had that sale to help pay for

funeral expenses which was a great idea. Isn't there just so much to do at

first? What are you majoring in at school?

Keep us posted and please take care of yourself too! My thoughts and

prayers will be with you.

Re: Geodon and LBD?

>

>

> Thanks ! It did put a fun spin on that call - I got here late

last

> night, and am about to head over to the hospital to check in.

Bro.

> said she was crying yesterday, and he tried to cheer her up by

> singing and dancing. Later when she was not feeling so great

> again he asked what he could do - she wanted the music

show

> again, so he complied... told me last night he is just feeling so

> drained with all of this. And it was hard to see that though I just

> left here 5 weeks ago (spent 3 weeks with her), that none of

the

> mail had been sorted through and found her Didronel (for

> osteoporosis management) in a bottle in bag from the

pharmacy

> under the coffee table. Apparently they forgot to put it in the

> mediset, sent it over but didn't put it in (which seems to happen

> way too often) - and no one noticed. Aargh! I find it unbelievable

> that I can find this stuff in just one hour - wish my brother were

> more detail oriented.

>

> In good news - the assisted living spot we were hoping for is

> going to open this Thursday - the timing could not be better as I

> can be here for about 8 days, so this weekend we will move

> things over to furnish that room - still don't know how much

> longer she will be in the hospital. Sure wish she could still stay

> in her home with PCAs - but the agencies charge 24 bucks an

> hour up here, so expensive! And it will be better for her to have

> around the clock care as needed.

>

>

>

> > Hi . Yes, it did indeed make me smile! Thank you

for

> sharing! I

> > liked your comment too!

> >

> > Take care!

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks , it does at times feel SO overwhelming, and today I

burst into tears just when getting ready to race over to the

hospital to catch doctors on their rounds. The asst. living place

she is going to is really good - but it is now hitting me that this is

so final. She is actually more ready for it than I am, I think!

They have put her on 60 mg of Geodon, a drug that she came off

of in May. But to be honest she is still totally delusional - and the

past 2 days she hit a low at about 2 p.m. with tears and total

frustration at the voices in her head. They are non-stop, and

today it was hard to even get her to talk with me without her

trailing off to stare at the wall and listen to them.

I really suspect the Ativan is the culprit - her internist told me

today she upped it when Mom was admitted to make her sleep

better. I have never seen my mom this bad off with hallucinations

- she was started on Ativan on an as-needed basis in early or

mid August when she wasn't sleeping and going into a manic

phase. The psychiatrist put her on 1 mg, then we went to 2 mg -

and when we saw him on 8/23 he had it put in the mediset to

take regularly. I left that day and over the next two weeks she had

one visual hallucination and started having 'bad dreams' as she

put it. She checked into the hospital in mid-Sept. (for chest pain

that we have been working on for many months - turned out to be

severe constipation) - and the auditory hallucinations began. So

today I found out since she has been in the hospital they have

had her on 4 mg of Ativan to help her sleep. But they don't want to

mess with it since she is in a time of transition. She is just SO

SO out of it right now though. Her internist did say the Ativan

might be causing this. I had to leave this afternoon and the

psychiatrist hadn't been by yet, but promised to meet me at 8

a.m. tomorrow to talk. I just really want her to succeed in the

asst. living situation -- so am concerned.

In very good news - Mom had moved into a senior co-op back in

December, where you buy your own condo and have a dining

room and some services if you want to make use of them.

Another man at her church had lived here in a different unit, went

to asst. living about the time moved in and his place has been

rented by the parents of some people from church. Well his

place JUST sold, and they want to rent a different one. So the

administrator here suggested it to me today, they can rent it and

pay the hefty condo fees until we sell this. Is this not great or

what? Hope it works out - and I suppose we will figure out what

to do with all of Mom's stuff somehow. And it is possible they

might be able to use some of them, as they moved up from out

of state a year ago - but need to find out about that.

I am working on a PhD in the humanities - so hoping to defend

by the spring and graduate in May - but Mom's health is definitely

slowing down the progress on that dissertation! Some of the

concerns should ease now though if she is in a supervised

setting - though new ones begin on the financial front.

Thanks for your concern - it is so appreciated! Typed a

long message (sorry!) -- what is your MIL's asst. living situation

like? You sound like it has been a good one - that must be a

relief for everyone involved.

> > Wow, Thursday sounds like the big day. I am so happy that

> you found

> > Assisted living. I hope it is as wonderful as the place my MIL

is

> in.

> > Please remind me how far away you are again. Would you

> ever consider

> > relocating?

> >

> > The boys in the family here too are not real detail oriented.

You

> know, I

> > know the " at hand " caregivers get drained, but I also think it is

> hard on

> > family living farther away. My Sister-in-law is in the Navy and

> she

> > expresses how hard it is to be far away and not be able to do

> more but

> > mostly not being able to see what is happening. I think that

> must be hard

> > because the imagination can get the best of you. I am happy

> that you are

> > getting over there and it is so nice that you are doing that.

> >

> > Keep us posted . Take care!

> >

> >

> >

> > Re: Geodon and LBD?

> >

> >

> > Thanks ! It did put a fun spin on that call - I got here late

> last

> > night, and am about to head over to the hospital to check in.

> Bro.

> > said she was crying yesterday, and he tried to cheer her up

by

> > singing and dancing. Later when she was not feeling so

great

> > again he asked what he could do - she wanted the music

> show

> > again, so he complied... told me last night he is just feeling

so

> > drained with all of this. And it was hard to see that though I

just

> > left here 5 weeks ago (spent 3 weeks with her), that none of

> the

> > mail had been sorted through and found her Didronel (for

> > osteoporosis management) in a bottle in bag from the

> pharmacy

> > under the coffee table. Apparently they forgot to put it in the

> > mediset, sent it over but didn't put it in (which seems to

happen

> > way too often) - and no one noticed. Aargh! I find it

unbelievable

> > that I can find this stuff in just one hour - wish my brother

were

> > more detail oriented.

> >

> > In good news - the assisted living spot we were hoping for is

> > going to open this Thursday - the timing could not be better

as I

> > can be here for about 8 days, so this weekend we will move

> > things over to furnish that room - still don't know how much

> > longer she will be in the hospital. Sure wish she could still

stay

> > in her home with PCAs - but the agencies charge 24 bucks

an

> > hour up here, so expensive! And it will be better for her to

have

> > around the clock care as needed.

> >

> >

> >

> > > Hi . Yes, it did indeed make me smile! Thank you

> for

> > sharing! I

> > > liked your comment too!

> > >

> > > Take care!

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

>- she was started on Ativan on an as-needed basis in early or

>mid August when she wasn't sleeping and going into a manic

>phase. The psychiatrist put her on 1 mg, then we went to 2 mg -

>and when we saw him on 8/23 he had it put in the mediset to

>take regularly.

read your post to and just want to say that it does

sound like your mom has been having a reaction to the Ativan, and

they are only making it worse by upping it. I copied this about

dosage for seniors and thought you might be interested in it before

you talk to her doctor. Good luck, Barb

3-Hydroxy Benzodiazepine.Generic name: Lorazepam (Ativan).Type:

Antianxiety, Sedative / Hypnotic.

Dosages: Actual dosage must be determined by a physician.

Normal dosage: Over 60 years of age:Never over 2mg daily.

Sedation and anxiety, 0.5 to 1mg. Insomnia, 0.5 to 1mg taken at

bedtime.

Take With: Empty stomach and a full glass of water.

Full Benefits In: In first week.

If Stop Taking: Do not stop without consulting your physician and

never abruptly if been taken for four or more weeks.

[Guest guest]

wow thank you Barb for that info! I just hopped on here before

driving over to the hospital - I am totally convinced it is that drug

too. I talked with her psychiatrist on the phone last night (he lives

out of town in Homer - moving his practice down there over time-

and commutes in once a month) - and he was VERY concerned

at all that I described and that she was being released. He felt

the Ativan was NOT causing this (turns out he has had treated

10 LBD patients over his career), but at the same time he was

very surprised that it had been increased to 4 mg, and wants that

to be reduced -- but it has to be done in a safe environment so

he is thinking she may need to go up to the mental health floor.

In any case, he never thinks the drugs I suspect are causing the

reaction I suspect, but then it is funny how he does then make

changes to them!

> >- she was started on Ativan on an as-needed basis in early or

> >mid August when she wasn't sleeping and going into a manic

> >phase. The psychiatrist put her on 1 mg, then we went to 2

mg -

> >and when we saw him on 8/23 he had it put in the mediset to

> >take regularly.

>

> read your post to and just want to say that it

does

> sound like your mom has been having a reaction to the Ativan,

and

> they are only making it worse by upping it. I copied this about

> dosage for seniors and thought you might be interested in it

before

> you talk to her doctor. Good luck, Barb

>

> 3-Hydroxy Benzodiazepine.Generic name: Lorazepam

(Ativan).Type:

> Antianxiety, Sedative / Hypnotic.

>

> Dosages: Actual dosage must be determined by a physician.

> Normal dosage: Over 60 years of age:Never over 2mg daily.

> Sedation and anxiety, 0.5 to 1mg. Insomnia, 0.5 to 1mg taken

at

> bedtime.

>

> Take With: Empty stomach and a full glass of water.

>

> Full Benefits In: In first week.

>

> If Stop Taking: Do not stop without consulting your physician

and

> never abruptly if been taken for four or more weeks.

[Guest guest]

>He felt the Ativan was NOT causing this (turns out he has had

>treated 10 LBD patients over his career), but at the same time he

>was very surprised that it had been increased to 4 mg, and wants

>that to be reduced -- but it has to be done in a safe environment so

> he is thinking she may need to go up to the mental health floor.

> In any case, he never thinks the drugs I suspect are causing the

> reaction I suspect, but then it is funny how he does then make

> changes to them!

when my husband had the reaction to Risperdal his doctor

did not think that it was the drug. I stopped the drug and he got

better then the doctor wanted to put him back on it! By now you will

have talked to the psy and it will be interesting to hear what he

says. We have been told by neurologist's that the only way to tell

if a drug is having a adverse reaction is to stop it, if the problem

is still there then the drug can be introduced again if needed. Most

drugs if taken for any period of time have to be eased off though not

just stopped. Barb