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The next day she was ok, but now she can only whisper, has tremor in face and left arm, and stares a lot.

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Frankly, I'm quite surprised they gave Haldol at all. It's actually frowned upon in my state for the elderly/dementia symptoms & nursing homes will do everything they can to get a patient OFF Haldol. That said, the dose isn't necessarily high...depending on the patient's body weight & general condition. And from the symptoms you're describing, it sounds like she's having what are known as extrapyramidal side effects...and Haldol should NOT be given at that dose again...if at all.
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Gotta agree with you Gladimhere. As un-PC or as ugly as it sounds, I spend all day watching Alzheimer's instill imagined fears, tears & unquenchable anxiety into my mother & go to bed every night praying the Lord will quietly & painlessly take her home during the night. It's the ugly truth of Alzheimer's that we hope for a devastating stroke or heart attack because either one would actually release our loved ones from the tortured world they live in & rid them of their emotional & mental pain.
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And you know, I really tire of people tiptoeing around this disease! It is dreadful for not just the person afflicted with it, but their families as well, and everybody that they come in contact with. And the portrayals through rose colored glasses, people afraid to say what it is really like because of what people with think they are not compassionate, loving, caring, patient, you name it! Only a caregiver knows what this disease does and understands what caregivers endure each and every day! We could all use a bit more of a backbone. Until we speak and are heard the fairy tales will continue. Enough soapbox for today.
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I cannot understand why she was given Haldol as it is an antipsychotic. Was she uncontrollable? Yes, she will have residual side effects. Try to find out why the doctor ordered this drug. It is nasty (and I know from personal experience).
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If you do a google search for haldol dosage .5 mg three times daily is initial and maintenance dosages that are appropriate per the drgs site. Any medication is difficult to determine what is appropriate for elders and especially those with dementia. Was the med given orally or intravenously? Intravenous meds take effect much quicker and also wear off much quicker, the reason for self administed morphine pumps in hospitals. It is almost completely unpredictiable how any medication is going to effect the elderly, particulary those with dementia. Long term effects are nearly impossible to guage what they might be or how long they will last. What you are seeing may be a result of the haldol but maybe another cause. If it is the drug is causing what you are seeing she could bounce back rather quickly.

Why was she given the haldol? Is she in the hospital or other type of facility?
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Not approved? It probably has a black box warning about increased risk. This is where the risk/benefit needs to be evaluated. I imagine if we all could provide low cost 24/7 care for our loved ones less haldol would be needed. They would have constant companionship and maybe would need fewer drugs to control behaviors. But, that is not reality. These places are terribly understaffed. And the meds help our loved ones feel more comfortable. They have dementia! I hope something happens, a stroke a heart attack will take my mom instead of watching this long, very slow decline of my mom. That is what she would want too!
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Reno,
PC? Power control, personal computer, planning commission?
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Can I loan my soapbox to you, Glad, so that you can continue with the truth and heartfelt realities of Alzheimers disease. Someone better speak up about what it is like for everyone living it every day, and their loved ones.
You go girl!
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you got the politically correct!!
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gladimhere: Kudos to you! I don't know how you did it FOR TWO PEOPLE FOR THAT LONG! I know all about people THINKING THEY'RE HELPING. I had a cousin who had not called me in 45 yrs...she calls me while I'm living out of state with my mother! I wanted to say YOU ARE NOT HELPING ME, DON'T YOU THINK I'VE ALREADY THOUGHT OF THAT!!!!
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