Medication Overload: Watch for Drug Interactions

As usual Carol right on target. We just switched from Home health care to Home Hospice. Ray is having organ failure. The intake nurse and doctor found out some of the combinations they have had Ray on are wrong ones or he's has been on them so long they are no longer working. It has been an upsetting week for us both. Different people in and out equipment being moved in and out. The best thing that happened was going through the medicine they found he was not on a sleeping pill and he was not on a dieuretic which he has needed badly and he was not on the right sedative. They have calmed down what I call the angry stranger some. I think the dose will have to be slowly adjusted but I have great hopes he will finally have the correct pain control, and some peace and happiness in what ever form that takes. They can't say how long but they have told me the Congestive heart failure is going to take him before the alzheimers. I don't know how to feel about this. Part of me is happy he won't suffer years. The selfsih part dosen't want to let go but I know I must. My young granddaughter is helping me with all this. She has told me soon as this is settled down we have to make end of life decisions and preparations. Such a loving and wise youg woman I would be lost without her. Connie

Thanks again Carol for bringing up an awareness of this topic.

My dad was always looking for that "miracle cure" for his ailments by trying "this new herbal remedy" or "that new herbal remedy". When he passed away, due to a massive stroke, I will always wonder after cleaning out his cabinet of "wonder cures" if one these items didn't bring on such a trauma.

I always cautioned him whenever he would tell me of his new discovery, to research on the internet to see if there were any warnings or side effects of these over the counter or mail order concontions. Some even would say, do not take with such and such or if you are taking a certain medication to consult with your doctor. I know that my father was sick of being so sick and hurting from his pain, but I will always wonder.

Now that I am a caregiver of my mother who is living with Alzheimer's Disease, I take everything from baby asprin to dietary suppliments with her for her monthly doctor appointments and they notate them in her chart and then if she happens to come up with a sinus congestion or sniffles of allergies, I can openly and honestly discuss with her doctor what medications will be best for her and not have to recall what she's taking at that time.

Thanks again Carol for this important awareness topic.

Blessings to you in your new year,

Rainbow Painter