[exhausted mom]

I DO know that this is not legal - to force meds on someone.....So possibly what I am looking for is outside the law....something more like a hit man: - A shot man.

But here is my question:-

How do I go about hiring a psych nurse who will get my Schizophrenic, Bipolar, Borderline 20 yr old son to take his meds? ( 9 years of diagnoses) I can't do it and am spending all my time off work in trying. I am exhausted. It destroys the one relationship he has left, with me, so it is bad for him that I have to be the bad guy. I feel that a non family member would have less baggage, and may be more effective. Don't suggest sneaking it in his food/drink. He s so suspicious of being poisoned everyone has ZERO access to the few morsels he ever eats.

Someone who will come by and just give him his 300 mgs Seroquel, no more BS.

Is Seroquel injectable or implantable? - I know there are longterm Haldol shots, but he can be fully rational and human on Seroquel and has been on (and off) it since 2000, (and I think Haldol is more leading to TD.)

Are any of the other newer antipsychotics like Seroquel injectable or implantable? Geodon, Abilify, Zyprexa?

I am in Northern California. I know what the laws are. I really just need any advice that may be a solution to this problem.

I really hope someone has some experience or advice that is helpfull in solving this.

[lovinghands]

It sounds as if you are at your wits end. Your son's diagnoses are quite complex. I encourage you to speak with your son's psychiatrist. Your son will need to sign a release of information for disclosure, as he is an adult.

[exhausted mom]

Originally Posted by lovinghands

It sounds as if you are at your wits end. Your son's diagnoses are quite complex. I encourage you to speak with your son's psychiatrist. Your son will need to sign a release of information for disclosure, as he is an adult.

Thankyou, yes I am at wits end. I have spoken to his various psychs, the current one out at the county hospital, he laughed and pointed out that its illegal, that even at the hospital they cant force meds. this is how I know this would be more along the lines of hiring a hitman than a nurse! But I just wonder if there is any way.....any ideas?

[lucianne]

Let me see if I understand this: are you asking about hiring someone to risk his or her license and face possible criminal prosecution to give your son medication against his will? Or are you just asking about hiring someone to attempt to get him to take his meds? If it's the second scenario, you could look into a home health agency that does psych home health (don't know how many of those there are, but I know some do).

I do believe you are at your wit's end and I have the utmost sympathy for you. I think schizophrenia is a devastating, heartbreaking disease. Adding bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder to the mix is awful. I hope that you can find a solution soon. Unfortunately, people with schizophrenia are notorious for going off their meds.

luci

[Blackcat99]

I am sorry to hear about your sad situation. In the "old days" we could give forced medications to help the mentally ill. However, today it is all about "patient's right's".

[exhausted mom]

Originally Posted by lucianne

Let me see if I understand this: are you asking about hiring someone to risk his or her license and face possible criminal prosecution to give your son medication against his will?

Oh my goodness! I only just found out that even you guys in the system can't make them take their meds: But I didn't realize it meant risking your licence and livelihood!

At home its the oppsosite. My husband and I risk our jobs when we cant get him on his meds. The chaos that ensues is more risky to us than letting him stay on Benzos/off Seroquel.

So I can see that as motivated as I am to get him on an even keel (and Seroquel does it for him!) that in hospital you are actually pushed by this law to do what he wants - which is just supply the Benzos - which actually disinhibit him without the restoring the rationality that Seroquel provides, so they make him dangerous and in need of hospitalisation.....

Is this law crazy!!!!!!??????

What is the point of creating these wonderfull effective antipsychotics and then not utilizing them?

The only time my kid has functioned at his pre illness level in the last 9 years was in 2 years of Cedu high schooling at a therapeutic boarding school, Boulder Creek Academy in Idaho. There the nurse just gave the kids their meds every day. Somehow they took them....Maybe because they were minors? It seemed like a miracle at the time....now even more so!

[Nurse Ratched]

So he's willing to take his benzos, but not the Seroquel? Sounds like a possible dual diagnosis issue - is addictions an issue also?

[Crazy Mama]

You asked about injectables, Geodon, Zyprexa and Respiradal Consta can be given IM.
Have you thought about having your son put into a psych unit to get his meds regulated? Of course you have! I'm not sure if all laws regarding psych nursing are the same, but if your son is in the hospital and he continues to refuse his meds then the doc will usually do an emergency medication which is one of the above meds. (I spoke w the Seroquel rep. and he does not know if they will ever have an inj.) They can do this based on the fact that he is not getting enough nutrition/hydration, due to his parinoid state(if this is the case). Once the meds are in his system, he may be agreeable to continue the meds. then he may be released to home w/ a HHA that can give psych meds. But he still has to agree to take them. Have you thought about guardianship? W/ the new law, a guardian can sign for the person to go into a psych unit. This is good for 24 hours and then it is up to the judge if the pt. stays for treatment. but the good thing is the guardian can sign for the patient to take the meds ( pts on a psych unit have to sign for all their psych meds when admitted or they can not be given unless under an emerg.) Remember, even if you sign for your son to take the meds, I do not know of a home health psych nurse who will give them if he refuses. Good luck! Please check into the laws of your state, keep asking questions.

[elkpark]

Since the laws regarding this topic vary greatly from state to state, people here can't really advise about what's legally possible unless we are actually familiar with the CA law. Are you connected with any of the advocacy groups for the chronically mentally ill and their families, like NAMI? A local chapter would be able to give you a lot of good information (or direct you to someone who can) about what is legally possible or not.

[exhausted mom]

Originally Posted by Nurse Ratched

So he's willing to take his benzos, but not the Seroquel? Sounds like a possible dual diagnosis issue - is addictions an issue also?

Yes, you are right - he is an addict too. But when he was on Seroquel, for the most part he was able to battle his addictions better. That is a big problem.