Guest guest Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Dear , Thank you! I owe my sanity to the people here who have helped me, comforted me and given me good advice over the years. And please remember I'm mostly just passing on what I'm learning from the docs and PharmD here where I work. I am glad if it helps. What wonderful news about your dad! Getting him off bad meds - and onto good meds - is a heroic deed!. Even the most well-meaning of docs might not know about LBD and having to struggle with those who believe they know best no matter what is exhausting. To me, this kind of advocacy is the best gift - in addition to loving acceptance - that any of us can give our loved ones. Is your dad on one of the LBD-friendly cognition meds now - Razadyne, Aricept or Exelon? You're right that so many bad meds may have made it hard for the Seroquel to work properly. You're also right that pneumonia affects people differently. It's not a silly question. There are different " kinds " caused by different kinds of bacteria. Did the MD culture your dad's mucus to find out the type of bacteria causing this particular case? What kind of antibiotic is he on? Pneumonia can clear up in 2-3 weeks, but in kids, older adults and anybody already debilitated, it can take longer. Fever is certainly one of the symptoms, and that should be carefully monitored. Don't be surprised if your dad is more confused at times or even delirious - infections can do that, and sometimes certain antibiotics in certain people can also increase confusion. Just stay adamant about the bad meds. A five-day course of antibiotics is not very long. If he's in the hospital, I'm assuming it's been a bad infection, and 5 days isn't long. Is that how long he's been in the hospital, too? Sometimes people appear just as your dad does, one day seems better, one day worse. Is he on IV anti-Bs or pills? In either case, be sure he's getting plenty of liquids and sufficient nutrition, even if it's nutrition drinks. He might not feel much like eating solid food. Fever is always scary, especially in children and seniors, and I'd assume that's being carefully monitored. I tend to be very conservative and check in with my mom's MD pretty frequently, and with the charge nurse when she has to be hospitalized. That's another way we can be advocates, especially when our LOs are at a distance. You are having a rough time with all the travel, . No wonder you're exhausted! As best you can in your tired condition, pat yourself on the back for being such a great daughter. I'm keeping you and your dad in my prayers. Lin Subject: LIN To: LBDcaregivers Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 10:48 AM Dearest Lin, I haven't been able to post messages on the board because I have deadlines coming out of my ears and my dad is still in the hospital, an hour away from me. I go every day after work and by the time I get home I am too tired to turn on the computer. I just wanted to let you know how blessed we are to have you! Your immense knowledge is just invaluable!!!! My dad was on the wrong meds and thanks to the information you provided me - provided us, he is now on the right meds and his agitation and confusion has stopped. I know they were on the list of `bad meds', but it wasn't until you explained with such detail that I was really able to understand and put my foor down!!! I had mentioned to his previous doctor about the Zyprexa and Mirapex, but he kept saying that those were the appropriate meds to take. He had given him Seroquel at one point which my dad did not do well on, but now come to think of it, he was taking way too many other meds and maybe the combination of all of them together is what made him have a bad reaction. I still can't have normal conversations with my dad, but at least I can get him to answer me correctly whenever I ask him a question and he is definitely more alert. It probably varies from person to person, but do you know how long pneumonia usually lasts? Am I asking a silly question? I'm worried because one day he'll be fine and the next day he'll have a temperature, then he'll be okay again. The highest temperature he's had was on Saturday, 102.2 and what concerns me is that he has already been on antibiotics for the last 5 days. Thanks again! You are truly an amazing person! BIG, BIG HUGS, from NYC ------------------------------------ Welcome to LBDcaregivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.