Re: Ativan - Diane

[Guest guest]

You are so right it is/was hard for the NH staff to accept Ativan had adverse

effects. I went to visit my dad one day and had plans to meet with a friend of

mine after my visit. I was blindsided by a staff meeting that had been called

with me included. I was up against several staff members including the DON,

dietary, and several corporate members - a whole conference table of staff - me

at the other end. Their discussion was my dad's behaviors and hallucinations,

his acting out. I had just found out about the Ativan and it's effects, was

going to call a meeting anyhow, so I laid it out on the table so to speak.

Backing up a bit, thankfully here in Des Moines, there is a wonderful team of

neurologists one of which clinically diagnosed my dad with LBD prior to him

living at this NH. Unfortunately these neurologists didn't follow patients to

NH's and there was only a family doctor that would oversee patients/residents

there. I did phone the neurologist once I found out about the Ativan and he

advised to discontinue it. I presented this advice and I got the response of

" it's used to help your dad " . I was livid but kept myself composed. I told

them they were giving my dad a drug that was working in reverse causing him

unnecessary discomfort and fear. Oh how they argued it! I reminded them that

as my dad's POA over his medical decisions, and since I had a written note from

his neurologist in their file stating my dad's diagnosis and how he was unable

to make his own decisions, (which clearly meant my dad was never able to revoke

the POA) I was ordering them to STOP the Ativan. I told them the name of the

neurologist that diagnosed my dad with LBD and that I would have the neurologist

phone them if necessary. The Ativan was stopped. I suggested it be weaned off,

ya, that didn't happen, so it was an abrupt change for my dad, however, the next

couple of months were amazing. It was as if my dad emerged from a cocoon. His

eyes were clearer and he was more lucid. His behaviors calmed quite a bit. I

was so used to talking " at " him with no responses that when he started

responding it really threw me. Thrilled me, but threw me for a loop. I could

hear his voice. My dad started talking, slowly, but talking just the same,

about times we had spent together a good 6-8 months prior. He knew my truck

again and could pick it out of the parking lot, verbalizing all of this.

Needless to say it was short lived and the beautiful gift I was given of my

dad's voice was taken away again. All through this his physical being was

changing, he was losing unexplained weight, he stooped more, and he was no

longer able to talk " with " me. I was and am still convinced the Ativan effects

were irreversible, the damage had already been done. After what appeared to

be a decision by my dad to no longer eat, turning his head away, clenching his

jaws, flailing his arms at utensils with food two different meals,I could do

nothing else but to honor his wishes. It had been a long and well fought

battle. My dad took a nap around 11:00AM September 20, 2002, and won his battle

with LBD. SandieDes Moines, IAdad, Merle, passed from LBD, 9-20-02, age 65

----- Ativan

> Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:49:57 -0400 (EDT)

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> What side effects have ya'll experienced with Ativan and LBD?

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[Guest guest]

Sandie, you went through all that before I joined the forum here. This is the

first time I've heard your story in such detail. Well done advocating so well

for your dad and getting him off the Ativan. I'm sure your experience with

Ativan was a real learning experience not only for members here but also for the

nh staff.

> >

> > - Ativan is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety. It acted in reverse

for my dad causing very strong behaviors, hallucinations, and anger. My dad

acted out physically. He was what I considered to be a crazy man on Ativan. I

knew no different about the drug and when I signed into the group in January

2002 it was topic of conversation so I had it stopped for my dad. It took a lot

through the NH where he lived to get it stopped, they were convinced it was

helping him. Unfortunately the adverse reactions were irreversible and I'm

convinced it was the Ativan that lead to my dad's demise. He was on a downhill

spiral while on the Ativan and it continued, even though I had it stopped, and

passed away in September 2002. Keep in mind, this is only my experience. Sandie

> > Des Moines, IA

> > dad, Merle, passed from LBD 9-20-02 age 65

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> > ----- Ativan

> > Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:49:57 -0400 (EDT)

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> > What side effects have ya'll experienced with Ativan and LBD?

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