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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Temmie on June 21, 2003, at 16:36:57
Looking for information, understanding, ideas and support here re. dealing with aging parents. My dad has long been bi-polar, but is resistant to meds. I believe he may have had a toxic reaction to Lithium, which put him in the hospital. Or perhaps this was when he was already hospitalized for something else (heart surgery or hip replacement). In any event, it put him in a life-threatening state (or so he claims), and he will neither (a) admit he has a problem; or (b) respond positively to discussion about same including recommendations for seeking help and treatment. His current manic state has been going since mid-May and shows little signs of dissipating. It manifests as extreme irritability, and lately this has been accompanied by foul language. In the meantime, he is also incontinent from prostate surgery, and his bathroom upstairs is starting to resemble the dissaray one associates with Howard Hughs.
What's more, he can't see, and shouldn't be driving. Last week he backed into my car while I stood beside his drivers window pounding on it and imploring him to "stop, stop, stop!" I called the DMV to find out about having his license revoked. Family members are not guaranteed annoymity, and my mom and I both have enough problems being in the firing range, without igniting the storms that would surely ensue would he know we were behind the move to have his license taken away. I also called his primary doc, who offered no help whatsoever.
In the meantime, my mom, my son and I are tiring of grandpa's tirades, uninterested in the long, complicated and "brilliant" stories he insists on our listening to which we find boring and, frankly, not so brilliant after all. I guess, I'm asking, dear P-B friends, if any of you know of a chat place such as this, that might be more appropriate for addressing these concerns. Are these behavior signs of senility? Alzheimers? What can we do to protect our own sanity, living with such an out-of-control, and on-the-edge man?
Thanks, Temmie
Posted by canwetalk on June 21, 2003, at 20:16:34
In reply to Bi-Polar/Senility Issues in Aging Parents, posted by Temmie on June 21, 2003, at 16:36:57
I can really understand and feel what you are going through. My mother does not have bi-polar but was diagnosed with depression a year ago. It is really very draining on all of us.
It is difficult to see how once your parents were up and about and normal. (what ever normal really is) To see how they are now. It is like they did for you when you were young and now that they are old the roles are reversed.
I find just taking it one day at a time. It is difficult because my mom now just sits in her recliner all day and does not even get up to go to the bathroom. So now we have a PCA who comes in and it takes the weight off of us a bit.
Know that you are not alone that there are many who are going through this with aging parents. Keep me posted on how it is going with your dad.
Posted by Brio D Chimp on June 21, 2003, at 22:25:35
In reply to Bi-Polar/Senility Issues in Aging Parents, posted by Temmie on June 21, 2003, at 16:36:57
This site is very good. There are several e-mail support groups there for people in various stages of caregiving
This is the end of the thread.
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