Posted on 06/05/2012 4:48:53 PM PDT by Auntie Mame
A friend of mine is becoming crazier and crazier, it's almost impossible to talk with her anymore. Today I asked and she freely gave me a list of her medications. I am very scared for her. Here's what she is being prescribed:
Latuda 80 mg
Paroxetine (Paxil) 40 mg
Lamotrigine 200 mg
Topiramate 200 mg 2x/day
Her doctor is not a psychiatrist, just a general practitioner. She says she speaks with him once a week over the telephone, and then comes to his office to pick up her prescriptions which are held for her at the desk.
What do I mean when I say she's getting crazier and crazier?
She talks 90 miles an hour, she can't stay on topic, she's all over the place in her conversation. She's verbally and actively obsessive about certain things, things that because of her bad decisions (probably brought on by all these meds) she's caused herself.
I looked up the meds and it appears the dosages are really high.
I called the Medical licensing board and spoke to someone but they are of no help whatsoever. I'm thinking of calling up the doctor and putting the fear of God into him. I'm not sure what else I can do. She has been getting a lot of moving violation tickets lately, and recently totaled her car but she says it was not her fault. She is in no shape to help herself and has no family looking out for her.
She's very open to hearing me tell her how worried I am about her. I think if I could find some kind of treatment program she would be amendable to checking it out.
Are there any treatment programs for people hooked on meds like these? These are not the kind of drugs you can just stop taking.
Second opinion needed.
Call your local social services and report that you think she may be a vulnerable adult.....then tell them why...and they SHOULD refer her case to someone to investigate...You can also make this call anonymously
How old? It sounds like it’s HER decision to take them. No one is forcing her, right? Doctors prescribing patients as many medications as they can nowadays IS BIG BUSINESS.. Especially the addictive ones. Sounds like she’s just a money maker for the pharmas and the Doctor gets his kickbacks..
She needs GOD!!! Get her to Church and introduce her to the Priest or the Pastor.
Regular docs prescribing psych meds is never a good idea. Maybe get her to a Psychiatrist, and let them talk to her. I’ve dealt with mental illness my whole life, currently not taking anything. I decided I’d rather deal with the illness than the effects of the meds.
It’s possible that she appears normal when speaking to the Dr. and when she picks up her prescription. Perhaps, before ‘putting the fear of God’ in him, you might contact the Dr.’s office and explain that her observed behavior is terrifying and give him specific examples. Perhaps ask if he might consider referring her to a psychiatrist since she’s not responding as anticipated to the drugs. This way you don’t alienate the Dr. - you want his help at this point. If he were intentionally doing this - I’d want to use the method you explained but at this point, he doesn’t appear to know. And it might influence him just by letting him know you know and have reported it to him.
I suggest you first talk to an actual pharmacist, preferably with your friend present.
Latuda is only indicated for schizophrenia. I believe some of the others are for bipolar disorder.
Now, some of the symptoms you mention like “being all over the place” could be consistent with schizophrenia. I guess the issue is, did she have these symptoms before being loaded up with all these meds? If she did have schizophrenic symptoms, then Latuda could be appropriate, but it sounds like she may be getting worse.
Definitely time for a second opinion, and not one that deals with her over the phone.
Talk to your pharmacist, then a psychiatrist
Qualudes, black beauties, and weed were tame stuff in the 60's and 70's. Now big pharma has rebranded amphetamines into adhd / add meds, and barbituates have been rebranded into something to turn down the amphetamines so you can sleep.
The more things change the more they stay the same, only now with a copay and a doctor instead of $5.00 for a bottle or a baggie.
Not saying its wrong, just cautioning you as to whether or not you could get into trouble with the lawman.
She needs to see a real psychiatrist fast becuase what you describe are classic symptoms of the manic phase of bipolar disorder.
I have bipolar disorder myself and based on the drugs she is taking she is being treated for depression but not mania.
” And it might influence him just by letting him know you know and have reported it to him.”
He won’t or can’t talk to you about her. Get a second opinion.
Unless and until you have your MD in Psychiatry, it is inappropriate for you to get involved with another person’s Rx regime. If you do not have a guardianship it is potentially illegal as well.
Other then suggest a second opinion you can and should do no more.
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I first provided enough links to try to convince her that psychology is the new snake oil. That at least made her unsure...but then I sat her down and had a serious chat about how radically her personality had changed since she started taking the meds. She soon thankfully quit cold turkey and thanks me for it to this day.
Call your local social services and report that you think she may be a vulnerable adult.....then tell them why...and they SHOULD refer her case to someone to investigate...You can also make this call anonymously
This is good advice. You can also call and talk to local or state mental health professionals and ask if your friend needs an assigned worker or at the very least an assessment.
Symptoms of mania DIGFAST
D = Distractibility and easy frustration
I = Irresponsibility and erratic uninhibited behavior
G = Grandiosity
F = Flight of ideas
A = Activity increased with weight loss and increased libido
S = Sleep is decreased
T = Talkativeness
What condition is she being treated for? Put another way, what is the worst that could happen if she just stopped taking the meds? Now you do need medical input on that, because some psych meds you can’t just quit with safety. But some you can.
And you may remind the good doctor he may be criminally liable if her medication leads to an accident with injury or fatalities. He may not be aware that the dose he is prescribing is having such a dramatic effect, and if she’s really muddled, she probably isn’t telling him. His rear is on the line and he might think you were doing him a favor to relay how dangerous her behavior is becoming. No doctor really wants one or more wrongful death lawsuits or possible criminal negligence charges landing unexpectedly on his doorstep. Could really ruin his day.
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