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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ttylerr on July 18, 2003, at 23:30:50
hi, my name is tyler.. my mom is an alcoholic, she has fibromialgia and she overdosed on a bunch of pills about 3 years ago in a suicide attempt. she snapped last saturday, she pulled a knife on my step dad and my little sister.. she doesnt believe she has a problem.. i need help finding out what the meds she is on are. i only know 4 of them now, she has about 10 that she takes daily.. the four i know are: oxycontin, trazadone, respidol, and codine... please respond if you have any info for me on these meds and if you have any advice on how to make her realize that she has a problem.. thank you
Posted by Sabina on July 19, 2003, at 0:26:54
In reply to i need help, posted by ttylerr on July 18, 2003, at 23:30:50
if i was sick, messed up on a cocktail of drugs and booze, and pulling a knife on my loved ones, i would be happy (once i got better, mind you) that someone stopped me before i had gone too far. if you are strong enough to make a decision that she can not or will not make at this time, then i will wish you all the good thoughts and prayers i have left. please keep us posted.
Posted by jlo820 on July 19, 2003, at 1:27:52
In reply to i need help, posted by ttylerr on July 18, 2003, at 23:30:50
Wow! This is quite a cocktail of medications. Even the four you have listed.
OxyContin: This is a narcotic agent used to relieve severe pain. It is also a highly adictive medication that is frequently abused.
Trazodone: This is an anti-depressant medication with very sedating effects. Many people take it to help them sleep.
Respidol (I assume you mean Risperdal): This is an anti-psychotic medication used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Codeine: This is another narcotic used to treat severe pain.
I could only imagine that she would be taking the OxyCotin and Codeine if she were in pain following a major medical proedure or if she had chronic severe pain (back pain, etc.) Both of these are powerfully adictive.
The trazodone and risperdal would indicate that she is suffering from some pretty heavy psychological problems, in the opinion of the prescribing physician (I would presume).
I am not sure what you can do, perhaps others can suggest some things. Perhaps try to speak to her doctors and find out why she is on these medications and let them know what is happening to her. I am sorry to say that the obviously does have some serious problems if she is violent like you have described. Obviously the medications being prescribed for psychological symptoms (trazodone and risperdal) are not working. Do you have any idea what her diagnoses have been...bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, depression?
You might have to consider involving social services and the courts if you cannot convince her to get treatment on her own.
Please let us know if you have more questions and we will do all we can to get you information.
Posted by linkadge on July 19, 2003, at 2:33:06
In reply to Re: i need help, posted by jlo820 on July 19, 2003, at 1:27:52
I know where you are my mother has often done things that I could never imagine when I was
in my teen years.Please talk to someone close to you like a cousin, relative, teacher or friend.
10 medications is a lot to be taken daily.
She needs to be seen by a psychiatrist who
can help her with her medications and mood.
A friend or relative might help her with that
decision.It is very good that you have come to this board.
Don't blame yourself, just keep doing the best you can.
Best of Luck
Linkadge
Posted by NThompson on July 19, 2003, at 2:40:05
In reply to i need help, posted by ttylerr on July 18, 2003, at 23:30:50
Tyler,
I am really glad you wrote us. First of all how old are you and your sister? My first concern is for your safety. Don't feel ashamed or unloyal to your mother if you have to call the police. You do what you have to to be safe and get her some help.
As far as the meds she's taking, jlo820 is right, that is a cocktail and a half! And with there being six more of them, that concoction would make me go insane.
I suggest talking to your step dad. What does he think about what has happened? Maybe going to social services is the best idea to get her some help. I believe that most of us here that are depressed usually have thought about or have tried taking our own lives. But as far as physically hurting someone else...that's a whole nother level. I couldn't imagine hurting anyone else, especially the ones I love. You have to try and get her help, ask your other family members to help you. What is the worst that could honestly happen if you help your mother when she doesn't want the help? Okay, she could get mad at you, yes, that would suck however, she would get some professional help, a hospital stay seems like the best bet at this point to kick all of those pills and have them find out the problem and fixit, and she would get better and eventually I am sure she would talk to you again, I know I would! But if she doesn't, you will always know that you had the best of intentions and your Mother is better now because of you. She'd be alive, able to live her life, not be either sick and confused, in jail for hurting someone, maybe even yourself, or even God forbid, her dying because of it. I do know one thing, with those 4 pills you mentioned, alcohol should NOT be taken with ANY of them. Let alone drinking it all the time. That isn't good for her body. How many doctors are prescribing her these meds??? Don't they know that she's taking all of these? I hope you have a family that you can talk to, at least one person to help you get help for her.
Take care and God bless you,
Let me know how you are doing,
NThompson
Posted by fallsfall on July 19, 2003, at 4:05:46
In reply to i need help, posted by ttylerr on July 18, 2003, at 23:30:50
Hi Tyler,
I can tell that you love your mom, and you also see that she needs some help. I think that your best bet is to find an adult who will help you. This person needs to understand that you want your mom to get the best help she can. It could be your step-father, or an uncle or aunt, or grandparent, or minister or priest, or your friend's parent. If it was school time, I would say a teacher or the school nurse. Basically, you are looking for someone you trust who is willing to help you (and it won't be really easy).
This adult should be able to figure out who your mom needs to see and how to get her there.
Please let me know how you are doing and when you find someone to help you. You are doing a great job.
Posted by ttylerr on July 19, 2003, at 13:41:12
In reply to Re: i need help » ttylerr, posted by NThompson on July 19, 2003, at 2:40:05
im 13 and my little sister is 5. my little sister is living with my step dad in new york, while my mom is in new jersey, i live with my dad and my older sister... thank you for the help
Posted by ian24 on July 19, 2003, at 15:22:23
In reply to i need help, posted by ttylerr on July 18, 2003, at 23:30:50
and tell them what's going on as soon as possible . That's what I'd suggest
Posted by jlo820 on July 19, 2003, at 18:24:53
In reply to Re: i need help Call her doctor or a relative, posted by ian24 on July 19, 2003, at 15:22:23
You need to convince your dad and your step-dad to help your mom. You may want to print out or show them the informaiton people have written here. Your mom can get better, I have had a family member with similar problems. She just needs people to help her.
Posted by maryhelen on July 21, 2003, at 10:55:20
In reply to i need help, posted by ttylerr on July 18, 2003, at 23:30:50
Hi Tyyler:
I think it is wonderful at your age that you are worried about and trying to help your mom.
Where are the adults in her life and why are they not helping? A lot of times, we feel that we are invading someone's personal space, stand back and do nothing until it is too late.
As others have stated, just the 4 meds you mention alone, can have deadly consequences. I myself was addicted to many pain killers, as well as taking anti-depressants and my behaviour became bizzare. My mother stepped in and went to every doctor I went to and eventually I could not get any scripts. I was so angry at my mother, but I bless her today. There is no doubt in my mind it would have gotten worse and I would have died from an accidental overdose. I eventually went to a substance abuse program and although, I still suffer depression, at least I can deal with it with a clear mind.
Your stepfather has got to take the lead. Talk to him about and if he won't listen, talk again, and again. He can get her to a hospital where she can get the help that she needs. As others have said, perhaps a relative or some friends of your mother can help.
Remember, this is not your mother. Her behaviour is because of the drugs that have taken over her life. There is even such a thing called an 'intervention' where all of those who care about your mother come together and confront her. Yes, it is hard but it may save her life. Ask your dad to call a substance abuse program for information.
I know this sounds overwhelming and difficult, and you should have to do this alone, but if you had the where-with-all to post here you sound like a very clever and resourceful young 13 year old, who cares very deeply about what happens to your mother.
maryhelen
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