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Hello I am new here and I could really use some advise. I am very scared for my mother she is not doing well. She is a couple states from me and I can't get to her. She has been calling me and getting so many things confused. She thinks at times that she is still married to my Dad and my sister are still young. Other times she will make something up in her mind and think it is true. She is also very heavily medicated and is sluring her words and her talking is very scrambeled. She lives in AZ. and has no insurance but needs help. She was on lamictal for 7 months and it was working great but she got a rash and lost her insurance. The doctor put her on lithium because it was less expensive and she has been on it for two months. But she is having disulins and talking very weired "NOT HERSELF" Please help if you can or if you know any numbers I can call in Az. to get her help!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been checking your posting and I've seen no one has replied and though I may not have anything really to help, I want you to know someone sees and recognizes that you did post something.
I worked as a office person in my local mental health center and what we found was that if you have questions and know how to contact her doctor that you could ask to leave a message on his/her voicemail of your concern. Just ask for the doc's voicemail (most all have it) and if someone asks why? just say it is private and you need to leave a message.
Let the doc know briefly your fears and who you are (leave a number where you can be reached). Due to HIPAA if your mom didn't authorize him/her to speak to you - they won't contact you back but they'll get the message from you - if you know what I'm saying.
If she did give authorization then they'll contact you back. She is getting help from somewhere if she is on lithium.
If you don't know the doc's name then see if you can get it from her. You'll then have to call directory probably but it is worth it.
Just an idea - by no means do I stress you follow it and/or that it will fix anything it is simply just a suggestion.
I'm glad Marie responded to your post, and I think she has a good idea about calling your Mom's doctor. The best thing, of course, would be if you could physically go to Arizona and go with her to the doctor. Or bring her back to temporarily live with you until the medication issues are resolved. It sounds very dangerous for her to be on her own right now.
There are support groups for those with bipolar, but if your mother is functioning so poorly, that might not be useful at this time. You can find a list of support groups in her area at http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/findsupport.html. You might also want to go to one of these meetings where you live, because they are usually open to families as well.
Good luck, and let us know how things go with your Mom.
Hello to everyone. I am sorry that I haven't gotten beck any sooner. The same night that I posted My Mother Overdosed on her Meds. She is doing ok now but her doctor now knows the whole story I will keep all of you posted on how she is doing. Thank you for getting bacl to me!!!!!
I would say I'm sorry to hear about your mom's overdose but that would be the pot calling the kettle black in that I just got over taking a large amount of Ativan. I will call the kettle black though and say I am sorry though.
I was concerned initially when you first posted because you came across so frightened and as a mom, regardless of how old you are, I wanted to offer something to ease your fear.
I'm glad she is seeing her Pdoc and he/she knows her story and it wasn't too late. I hope she is doing well in her recovery from her overdose.
Please do keep us posted on how she is, will you? Oh, and you take care as well and let us know how you are doing because I know the caregiving/child thing can be rough (my mom too).
Thank You so much. And Yes I will keep you all posted. I know I don't have bipolar but would it be ok for me to come here for advise on my Mom. I have been reading a lot about it and it sometimes seems very scary. Even though we are apart I don't want her to do this alone.
I would say "of course you can". I would think that this forum would be for those who suffer with BP and those who care for us as well. At least, that is what I gathered this site was for when I started browsing.
Shann, you of course are welcome on these message boards. They are for anyone interested in bipolar as well as those who have it or have a family member with it.
Marie, I am concerned about you. What happened conceerning the Ativan you mention? Are you doing better now?
I got through the overdose, as the nurse said, very lucky. Was really groggy, disoriented, and confused for a day or so though. I was lucky she said.
I still have moments when things get really dicey and shaky. There is the BP in and of itself and then there is life that triples the BP's effect as you probably are well aware of.
I am doing just ok at the moment and that is all I can say - just ok. I appreciate your concern, I do.
I really can't thank you all enough. Thank you for letting me hang around. I have told my mom about the board and she wants to join. My Papa has to show her how to use it though. She is really having it rough because she is so far from all her family. So I think it would be good for her to come here, and she will have others to talk to that would understand where she is coming from. Marie I am so sorry I just have so many other things going on rite now, I hope that you will be feeling better soon. I will pray for you I don't know how you are feeling but I see my mother struggling with this and I couldn't imagine what it is like. Thank You all again, Shannon
