I'm worried about my mom over medicating. What can I do?
Does anyone know anything about Requip? My Mom takes it for Restless Leg Syndrome. It says on her bottle that she should take it only once a day 1-3 hours before bed but she wants to take it more. In fact, she wanted to have the bottle with her in bed to take throughout the night but I would not let her. (she is spending the week with me-normally she stays with my Dad but he is on a vacation) my husband asked my mom how many pills she takes at night and she told him up to 6----!!!!!---- on my gosh! (I hope she is confused and does not take that much but who knows?) They are 5mg pills -I do not think they are extended release but am not sure. She also takes Ambien before bed and I do not think she should mix the 2 but I fear I will lose that battle. Now I am wondering if her dizziness is due to being over medicated and not a result from her brain stem stroke as the doctor had said.
I told her she could not have them in her room and she should only take 1 a day like the bottle says. I read her all the possible side effects and told her she needs to talk with her doctor. She seemed to be receptive to this ( she said I was scaring her-but I am scared too). She has been taking this medication for years. Should I insist tht she not take Ambien with Requip? Or is it ok? Can she take more than 1pill a day? I have no legal right to talk with her doctor and she can barely talk so I doubt she can tell them to let me. Hmmmm. Maybe I should make an appointment with my pharmacist. Has anyone ever done that? I think you can do that at Walgreens.
OK-any feedback would be helpful. I am a bit worried about this.
Thanks!
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Sounds like she is addicted to it, and needs to be weaned off of it. That much can be dangerous to her. just my opinion. Good luck, hun
She wondered if they would stop working after awhile and require a higher dose. I didn't see anything on line about that.
The pharmacist would be an excellent source of information about the drug questions.
I don't see how she could consistently be taking a lot more than prescribed. If I try to refill a prescription (at Walgreens, but I am sure this applies anywhere) even a day early I get turned down and have to wait. The only way I can think she might get more than prescribed is if there is no insurance involved. Insurance ain't gonna pay for more than the doctor prescribed.
Also the pharmacist at my Walgreens has been very good about alerting me to medications that should not be taken together.
It doesn't seem likely to me that Mom could be in serious trouble with her meds, but it is certainly worth verifying that!
My husband takes Requip. He also takes several other prescriptions, way too many IMHO. Something is wrong because yesterday we spent 7 hrs in the ER while the doctor tried to get his BP raised out of the danger zone. We had a "discussion" today about all this medication. I vote for starting all over. Seems his doctor agrees with me because she called for him to come see her to go over his meds.
Please watch your mom. Learn everything you can about what she's taking and how it all interacts THEN go see her doctor. You will be prepared and knowledgable. This puts you in a better position to assist her.
Jeannegibbs- I know my Mom gets her meds sent to her -in 3month doses -it seems like she has so much Requip. She came down with 2 bottles but I am sure it is through her insurance as my Dad is so unwilling to spend money out of his own pocket -he thinks everything should be covered by insurance . I worry a bit that her neurologist is just giving her as many prescriptions as she wants. I will try to get her to give me medical permission , unfortunately , we are now 4 1/2 hours away from her doctors so no chance to go this week. When my Dad gets back from his vacation -hopefully well rested and in a good mood-I am going to have a talk with him.
Vestefans-thanks for the info! Good to know!
Thanks everyone!!!
I just feel so mixed up. My Dad wants me to help with my Mom and I want to but then he won't really let me in on the loop with her doctors and diagnosis. They both get mad if I don't do as they say or question what they are doing. You know -this whole time- my daughter-who has the genetic syndrome Rubenstein- Taybi ( much like Down's Syndrome with some autism and behavior issues) woke up and started to freak out as I was trying to talk with my Dad ( she hates the phone) ands started to pull my hair and scratch me ( she is 16) and hit me as I am trying to talk to my Dad--- I ended up screaming at her to leave me the *%#+ alone so could talk to Papa and figure this out. Now I feel horrible. I just burst into tears ( which my daughter also hates). She is back in bed and calmed down but I still feel just horrible. I also have friggin' PMS . Cr*p! I just want to be a good Mom, wife , daughter---and Christian, I just want to make the best decisions but I feel like I get so close then mess up.