My mother is talking to many pain pills. How do I get her to stop?

Jan 26, 2012

mr1fool ,

You are not alone here. Many caregivers experience their elderly loved ones overdosing on medication. Unfortunately with you, your mother is over dosing with pain pills.

Here are two articles that hopefully will help you get through this hard time.

Surprising List of Medications Cause Majority of Senior Overdoses www.agingcare.com/Articles/senior-drug-overdose-148701.htm

and

Why Your Ill Parent Fools the Doctor and What to do About It
www.agingcare.com/Articles/doctor-visits-with-elderly-parent-149071.htm

Good luck with your situation. I know its hard just do the best you can.

Karie H.
AgingCare.com Team

195Austin

Jan 26, 2012

You must be taking her to doc visits-hope she is not driving-take her to only one doc and tell him or her what has been happening the second doc could get in lots of trouble and how is she managing to get the pills from her friends-I would report them or maybe she needs to be placed-or you need to live some other place-she could very well die from an overdose and APS might come after you-her friends might report you.

alwayslearning

Jan 30, 2012

If she were getting more than one painkiller med covered by insurance, the insurance company would notify the doctors. The doctors WANT TO KNOW if they are being "used" to support a dangerous addiction. Since this isn't happening because she's paying cash for one of the prescriptions, if you don't tell them, they won't know. While you're telling them, ask them for help with this dangerous and difficult situation.

NancyH

Jan 30, 2012

Yep, she's an addict. Time to 'rat' her out.

ejbunicorn

Jan 30, 2012

Tell the doctors, also by law you are supposed to only get pain pills from one doctor and if she lives with you take them away and only give her what she is supposed to have, that is what I have done with my mother. she may also need some rehab if she has been taking too many as she may have withdrawl so tell the doctor how many she takes per day so they can decide what needs to be done

sschmitt

Jan 30, 2012

Please tell the Drs. pain pills are very bad about being addictive. She is going to need help getting weaned off. This behavior isn't uncommon. She is probably also using multiple pharmacies because the pharmacy would contact the Drs. as well if they saw that amount going out. Legally they have to do that. Paying for some of them in cash is keeping the insurance company from ratting her out as well. She has learned how to work the system. Good luck!

sschmitt

Jan 30, 2012

By the way, you may have to talk to the Drs. independently. She is not telling them the truth now and she isn't going to even with you in the room. Be ready for a large scene and some hostility.