PDH spent another week plus in psych hospital

[1footouttadefog]

About 4.5-5 years ago my spouse had to go to the VA hospital after having had a lengthy problem with sinus issues, surgeries and addiction and extreme abuse to afrin nasal spray.  Things went way too out of hand then, way to far.   

Fast forward and it has begun again only this time was without the @/Afrin until the night before the hospital. I did not let things go as far off the rails this go round.

He had started with the I cannot breath stuff again.  Doctors visits, trying every spray and med available under doctors super vision.etc etc etc.  then he went into self medicating (translation abusing meds) mode and getting increasingly unglued mentally over it all. 

He came upstairs with a Benadryl bottle telling us he had overdosed on them and was going to die or sleep one.  I called poison control and while on the phone with them he claimed he had thrown them up and flushed it.  Drama much?

He then bullied me into giving him Afrin which is a zero tolerance in our home.  I explained if he crossed that line. He would need too go to the hospital to get some help.  He agreed and I gave it so he could sleep and settle down before I drove an hour with him in the car.  Next afternoon I took him to the VA.  They took him into the psych Unit over the suicide threat.

The asked me what would I like to see happen while he was there.  I said, do a sleep study for his untreated apnea, have his nose looked at by an ENT while paying down because it seemed positional, and to review his meds.

They actually did these things pretty quickly and he had a small surgery in his nose.  They kept him all that time. 

I had 8 days off aside from his calls.  He was not as angry about being there as last time.  It has been remodeled and he was getting medical care not just psychiatric so that helped.

I found myself thinking about how much has changed in his condition in 5 years.  Things are changing faster now.

They did some mental evaluations and there has been decline on the cognitive and dementia type stuff. 

It gave me time to think about my life and I realize I have not been living it as well as I can.  I will be pushing back against things that I let interfere.   

[xredshoesx]

sending strength 1foot.  when my grandma got to the point her cognitive changes made the Dr.s decide she couldn't make her own medical decisions anymore it was rough.  thinking of  you today as you navigate this new normal with your spouse.

[bloomie]

1footouttadefog - I am imagining you having a break of 8 days to think and begin to plan how you need/want to respond to things that interfere with you living your life on your own terms. I am thankful you had that time and that your spouse had intervention that I hope will lead to some better outcomes for him.

[SeaBreeze]

I'm sorry you're dealing with your H's latest symptoms of decline, but it's good you know what you're facing with a medical diagnosis to back it up. And a team of professionals to give him the care he needs while allowing you a break from caregiving duties. Elder care can be a challenge even without PD in the mix, so please hang in there.

[1footouttadefog]

He has been sleeping well since coming home the day after surgery.  Post op was Wed, a week later and that visit indicated all is well with healing etc.  he was told things would improve more as it all healed and blood clots and such dissolve with saline over the next weeks. He is super happy thus far with the results to that is good.

At the moment we are using several less meds per day as there were a lot of things in okay to manage symptoms.  Seems they can contribute to psychiatric issues, making it a catch 22 circular problem. 

It's a nice reset, they changed his psyche meds over while he was there.  He is on the anti psychotic that lets him sleep more easily and does not requires benedryl as a support

Benadryl can contribute to dementia etc. so this a good change.  The quetiapine contributes to diabetes so I will have to monitor blood sugar and adjust meals accordingly. 

Things are relatively stable at the moment. I am pressing forward with reordering things.  One measure so took is to subscribe to several emails lists so I will know in advance about activities at local venues and can plan some outings for myself.  I will reengage with a hobby meeting that takes place once a month, and make some other changes.

I will also look into the seniors center.  Perhaps I could drop the old guy off for a couple hours while I do something else.