10 mg zyprexa at bedtime & 100mg seratline in am,. Also stopped Tricor BP med & is a smoker. It's been over a month. He is 56 yrs old & was diagnosed bi-polar & schizophrenic in his early 30s. He's discontinued psychiatric appts and left the group residence where he lived. I live out of state- He says he "doesn't need the meds anymore." I'm very concern
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Q: My brother abruptly stopped taking 60 mg geodon in am & pm, Also stopped
Answers (1)
11/23/10 11:39pm
Hi, there. I can understand why you would be concerned about this. Have you talked to your brother about it? Do you know what his reasons were for discontinuing all treatment? I don't know that there is much you can do unless his behavior becomes dangerous or threatening to himself or others, in which case you can call 911 or take him to a hospital. This happens so often, probably because people just don't want to become "dependent" on medication, or they think they feel better and don't need them any more, forgetting that it was the medication that helped them feel better.
You can't force him to get treatment, unfortunately. I don't know if you're able to talk with him about it, but hopefully he'll come to realize that he can't function very well without the meds. I wish you all the best; let us know if we can be of further help.
11/24/10 2:11pm
I'm glad to hear that your brother has a case worker, anyway, and the fact that you are his personal representative gives you a little more leverage. I hope for both your sakes that he does come around to seeing that he needs his meds. If the medication truly is inferior, that's something his doctor should be handling. It makes sense that he's trying to run from his personal pain - but it will have its say and maybe experiencing some of that pain may make him realize that he still needs help. That's one thing you really can't run away from - yourself.
Take care and hope you can find some enjoyment in this holiday week-end.
1/23/11 1:01pm
Brother continues to suffer the effects of being off his meds. We had found an apartment for him, but now the complaints are mounting up. Would it be prudent for me to contact the county case worker who worked with him previously for assistance? I see nothing but trouble without some intervention.
Concerned Sister
1/23/11 1:26pm
Sorry your brother is still off his meds. I would not hesitate to call the county case worker and ask for advice. The fact that there are complaints about him at his residence is a clear sign that something should be done. This is a really stressful problem and I really sympathize with all of you. The case worker should be able to come up with some ideas for you.....let me know what happens.
We have gone through a similar thing with my son, who is developmentally disabled but, with the help of medication and therapy, he is able to live on his own and holds a full-time job with the federal government, so we are really, really fortunate. When he gets off Abilify, he starts becoming aggressive and suicidal, so I know how important it is to get some help. Take care.
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By Concerned Sister— Last Modified: 01/23/11, First Published: 11/22/10
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Hi, Judy:
Thank you for your reply. Our last conversation my brother said he thought the medication was inferior; he felt fine and asked me didn't he sound fine? He said he no longer feels the anger that got him into trouble in the past. I believe in sessions with his psychiatrist he was starting to realize all his personal pain and ran away from the group home to escape this; also after being warned he would be evicted if he kept drinking. My only means of contact are emails to a case worker at the Haven for the homeless where he has been sleeping. He HAS the means to support himself, through my appointment as his personal representative. I mail him a weekly allowance. A case worker there has been helping him get an apartment. I fear he'll start hearing the voices and imagining he's threatened and get into trouble. I hope he realizes he needs the meds before this happens.