Follow
Share

Mom is suffering, she has been saying for years that she feels like she is losing her mind. Today she had a terrible temper tantrum, totally uncontrollable behavior. not the first one, but sounds like it was a really bad one for her and the other residents. I hate the idea of medicating her, but she seems tortured by her thoughts. I don’t want her to suffer like this. Any recommendations on what medicine could possibly help her? and recommendations on how to communicate with the doctor/np - she is in a nursing home. Thank you.

As an RN I don't understand this response that anti-anxiety medications cannot be given because of blood pressure medicine.
To be clear, this makes no sense whatsoever.
Therefore, you need further explanation or another MD consult.

I would start with speaking to the administration of the Nursing Home.
It's in the interest of this facility, of your mother herself, of caregivers, and of other residents, that your mom is not out of control and unmanageable.
Time to explore options.

Let me ask you--is this NP or doctor provided by the facility itself? Is mom hostage to that medical system? Or are you free to ask for gerontologist consult, neuro-psyc evaluation. Because that's what's needed here. Has hospice care ever been discussed with anyone?
The current medical practitioners sound incompetent on the face of what you have written and without further explanation asked and explained.

You are correct that it isn't fair for your mother most of all, but neither to the facility nor other residents. It is in the best interests of ALL to address this. Hospice or palliative care may be required to say that whether or not anti-anxiety meds affect current blood pressures and medications for it, the priority now is COMFORT CARE no matter the consequences in side effects. Blood pressure is MUCH more likely to be completely out of control with agitations than with calmness, so--as I said--further explanation/exploration needed here in terms of follow up. Because so far the treatment plan isn't making sense.

Good luck. GET ANSWERS!
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

Agree with Lea, Ativan is great for extreme anxiety
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report

Thank you so much! Appreciate your insight.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Moom63
Report

My mother had dementia and high blood pressure both. She took Wellbutrin antidepressants and Ativan for anxiety, neither of which affected her blood pressure negatively. Speak to the M.D. instead of the N.P. who apparently is unaware that the vast majority of elders with dementia need meds for both depression and anxiety just to function! It's cruel to allow mom to fret over "losing her mind" when drugs are available to help her significantly.

Good luck to you.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter